Everyone wants to find a great travel deal, but how do you spot a travel deal from a travel scam? Since pre-payment usually is required for travel products, scam artists often concentrate on travelers. And the Internet has also provided growth opportunities for such illegal and unethical activity.

According to the Better Business Bureau, vacation scams cost unsuspecting travelers over $10 billion each year through deceptive travel-related offers. So, what's the truth behind deals that sound too good to be true? How do you spot the vacation scams and know if the deal is real? You can find important tips you need to know when purchasing a vacation so you don't become a victim of a scam, as well as other important travel-related tips on my Web site. And here are five red flags to look for when booking a travel deal...to make sure it's not a travel steal.

1. Do Not Purchase a Vacation from Unsolicited Emails or Faxes. Hundreds of thousands of these faxes are sent to workplaces every day. Consumers jump at the low price, thinking their company is getting a special corporate discount. When they call about the trip, they're hit with a slick, high-pressure sales pitch. If the person on the other end of the phone says, "You've got to book now, I need your credit card right now, or else you're going to lose this trip," that is a red flag. The same holds true for emails that you receive that aren't from reputable travel sites or travel expert subscription lists you've opted into.

2. Buyer Beware of Deceptive Pricing. You need to know the real price of a trip and that means you need to know the final price. Airlines, hotels, car rental companies and cruise lines all have some "deceptive" pricing practices in that their advertised price does not include taxes and fees. If you look at any major airline ad, you will probably see some too good to be true airfares. The deception is in the fine print as the advertised prices are for one-way fares based on round-trip purchases. Airlines are the worst offenders these days as their prices also now do not include the cost of luggage, meals, and other items that used to be included in the price of the ticket.

The most deceptive pricing comes when travel companies advertise an incredible travel deal, yet when you call to get the deal that is advertised you find out it's already sold out. The company then offers to up-sell you another trip that is still available for a few hundred dollars more (and usually a few hundred dollars more per person). These travel companies know that if they have you on the line, then you want to book a trip and usually a few hundred dollars will not be a deal breaker.

You also want to be wary when a price is far below market value, though you need to look at these situations on a case-by-case basis. There are rare mistake fares that should be booked, but know that something like $199 for a one-week vacation in the Caribbean clearly is not going to be profitable for the vendor. Ask yourself:  Why would a vendor make the offer or advertise this deal? You may become a prime target for a high-pressure time share sales pitch, so be mindful and be careful.

3. You'll Probably Pay More for Your Vacation with Timeshares and Discount Travel Clubs. Did you know that 90% of people who buy timeshares never use them? Most timeshare offers are made while you are already on vacation, which means you are typically feeling relaxed and your guard is down. Very simply, never agree to a meeting or a timeshare presentation. Ask that any information be sent to you so you have time to thoroughly review it without being pressured in any way.

Another potential scam is the discount travel club. If a travel club is asking for more than a few hundred dollars for membership, they are probably scamming you. Travel clubs should be geared towards true discounts or added value, and any dues or memberships paid should be reasonable and cover only the true costs. They should also offer a discounted menu of trips only available to members. If a club charges thousands of dollars or offers substandard vacation products, it's probably best to avoid joining it.

4. Look Out for Offers to Make You a Travel Agent. "Be a Travel Agent" scams are running rampant now and they work like this: Once you pay a fee to a company, it will issue "credentials" allowing you access to travel agent freebies, discounts, and commissions on selling travel. It's true some travel agents get these perks, but the offers go to established agents who are strategically chosen. Some of these "Be a Travel Agent" offers send you course materials, others just require a fee for certification. Both are a complete waste of money.

The most important thing that you need to know is that in order to sell travel and be recognized by a travel supplier, you need to be affiliated with either a travel agency or be registered as an independent seller of travel with either the Cruise Lines International Association or the International Association of Travel Agents. So those offers for free travel agent discounts without getting the proper credentials fall under the old axiom, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."

5. Hotel Names, Airlines or Other Vendors Not Disclosed in Writing. Online auctions like Priceline and Hotwire do not disclose vendors until after your bid is accepted. That's part of the risk you take in saving money with those services. But if you're booking a trip in a conventional way, there is no reason whatsoever for a company to withhold this information. If hotel, airline, or car rental information is not disclosed, end the discussion and shop for your vacation somewhere else.

Keep these tips in mind the next time you're planning a trip. Let them help you enjoy every part of your travels, the planning included.

For over twenty years, Marianne Schwab has been collecting money-saving travel tips as a travel producer for several high profile television programs. In addition to traveling around the world, she has flown all over the country to produce and direct videos and live television productions. She loves sharing her insider travel secrets on how to get the best travel deals, and helps her readers discover a world of ways to see the world on almost any budget at http://www.best-travel-deals-tips.com/index.html. In addition to her travel advice web site, Marianne is Executive Producer at CMP Media Cafe in Los Angeles where she specializes in getting her clients media exposure on television and radio news programs. You can follow Marianne on Twitter: @TravelProducer