BBB tips for buying a Super Bowl package
Published 9:15 am Monday, January 25, 2016
CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers are going to the Super Bowl. If you want to go, too, the Better Business Bureau warns that, before you get swept up in the excitement of going to the Super Bowl, you should carefully research tour operators and travel agencies that are selling Super Bowl packages to make sure they have the ability to fulfill the trip.
“There are dozens of companies offering trips to the Super Bowl that range in price from $5,500 to $15,000 or more per person,” said BBB President Tom Bartholomy. “So, you need to fully understand what is included, what is not included, and what the terms and conditions of the trip are.”
The two most difficult elements of a Super Bowl trip to fulfill are game tickets and hotel rooms. “BBB urges you to buy your Super Bowl package from a travel agent or tour operator that has a successful track record,” Bartholomy added, “or your dream trip could turn into a nightmare.”
BBB has these tips for buying a trip to the Super Bowl.
1) Ability to fulfill the trip: Select a reputable travel agency or tour company that is experienced in booking travel packages to major sporting events. Ask them for the source of their game tickets and the source of their hotel rooms. Then, research the company and call the hotel to see if your travel agency or tour operator does in fact have a block of rooms for Super Bowl weekend. You can check the tour operator’s BBB review at www.bbb.org.
BBB has this information on several of the major Super Bowl travel and tour providers:
- QuintEvents, Inc. – Based in Charlotte, QuintEvents has an A+ rating with BBB and has earned BBB Accreditation.
- Mann Travels – Based in Charlotte, Mann Travels has an A+ rating with BBB, but has not earned BBB Accreditation.
- PrimeSport, Inc. – Based in Atlanta, PrimeSport has a C+ rating with BBB.
- Vivid Seats – Based in Chicago, Vivid Seats has an A+ rating with BBB and has earned BBB Accreditation.
2) Written contract: Be sure to read the fine print and the terms and conditions before you purchase a travel package. Make sure you understand what the tour operator’s cancellation and refund policies are in case you have to cancel your trip.
3) Payment: Pay by credit card. Credit cards offer you buyer protections that debit cards and checks do not have.
4) Package components:
Most Super Bowl packages are priced per person and include:
- Game ticket: One Super Bowl game ticket (price varies by seat location)
- Hotel: Length of stay is either two, three or four nights. The package price varies based on hotel and room occupancy. Some packages are priced based on double occupancy and others are priced based on quadruple occupancy.
- Game transportation: Round-trip transportation to the Super Bowl from your hotel
- NFL Fan Experience: One ticket for admission before the game.
- Hospitality at the game: The tour operator may have a hospitality tent or suite at the game with food and beverages.
- Taxes and gratuities may or may not be included in the package price: If taxes and gratuities are not included, the cost could add 20 percent to 35 percent more to the price of the package.
However, most Super Bowl packages do not include:
- Airfare: The ability to provide air travel is the primary difference between a travel agency and a tour operator. Airfare is not included in the tour operators’ packages because they are not travel agencies. In order to book air travel, a travel agency must be registered with the International Air Transport Association. Roundtrip air on American Airlines from Charlotte to San Francisco for Super Bowl weekend for a coach class ticket will add $800 to $1,500.
- Meals, drinks and snacks: Three meals per day in the hotel or surrounding restaurants, plus a drink or snacks can easily add $100 per person, per day
- Sightseeing: If you are in the San Francisco Bay area for four days, you may want to go on a Bay cruise, go to Alcatraz or see some of the local sites. Add an average of $75 per excursion, per person.
- Souvenirs: You can’t go to the Super Bowl without buying some souvenirs. Plan for $200 or more.
- Airport transfers: Roundtrip airport transfers to your hotel could add $100 or more.
- Local transportation: San Francisco has BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) which will save you money traversing the city. Find out how far your hotel is from public transportation and you will save hundreds of dollars in car rental and parking fees. If you take BART, plan on about $5 per ride.
- Hotel incidental expenses: Incidentals include telephone, internet and mini bar. You will have to pay these expenses yourself.
“By the time you add up all of the costs of going to the Super Bowl, you will pay about $7,500 to $10,000,” said Bartholomy. “Going to the Super Bowl is a major purchase and BBB urges you to do your homework.”
If you need additional information, visit www.bbb.org/charlotte or call toll-free at 1-877-317-7236.