10 Ways to Spot a Real Flight Deal — Avoid Black Friday Gimmicks

6. Use secure payment and card protections

Payment method is a core scam indicator. Reputable airlines and sellers accept standard credit cards and often support digital wallets. Scammers will push unusual payment types like wire transfers, prepaid cards, or crypto—methods that remove chargeback protections. Use a credit card when you can; many cards offer dispute resolution and fraud safeguards. Consider a card that provides travel insurance or purchase protection for added peace of mind. If a site lacks encryption or requests off-platform payment, step away. Secure payment is as important as price verification when preserving both savings and consumer rights.