To travel with peace of mind, it's best to use a travel professional!

As a traveler, you like to be well-informed and, above all, well-protected. With this in mind, I've decided to talk to you today about a little-known but incredibly important form of protection!

Are you familiar with FICAV? The Travel Agents' Customer Compensation Fund is a financial protection administered by the Consumer Protection Office.

How does it work?

As a customer, you automatically benefit from this protection when you purchase tourist services (flights, hotels, cruises, etc.) through a travel agency.

The FICAV allows you to obtain a refund if the travel agency or supplier (airline, hotel, etc.) is unable to provide you with the services you purchased.

Important: If you deal directly with a supplier, without going through a travel agency, the fund simply does not protect you. Therefore, you are not eligible for these reimbursements.

Inexpensive for good protection!

The contribution you pay when you book a trip through an agency forms part of this fund. Your contribution is 0.1% of your purchase. For example, if you buy a $1,000 trip, you will contribute $1 to the fund. A small price to pay for such good protection, isn't it?

Since its creation in 2004, the FICAV has paid out more than $8.1 million to more than 18,800 Quebec travellers.

Important: If you decide to book your trip online, make sure it's with a travel agency that holds a permit from the Office de la protection du consommateur (Consumer Protection Office). You can easily verify this using the "Check a Merchant" search tool on the Office's website.

In short, when you travel, you have every advantage in using a travel agency! You will have much more peace of mind.

If you have any questions, I invite you to consult the website: voyagezbienprotege.gouv.qc.ca

With that, have a good trip!