Spring break can be fun in the sun, but not if something goes wrong. Many companies don’t follow through on their cheap spring break prices, said Judy Cooper, travel agent with Travel & Transport, Inc., 213 S. Duff Ave. “A lot of companies offer bargain prices but don’t follow through,” she said.Cooper said she does not advise students to book travel plans through out-of-state companies but instead to stick with local travel agencies. “A lot of times they’re booking someone over the phone in another state,” she said. “It’s really hard to deal with someone long distance.”Students on the ISU campus have had difficulties with travel plans falling through. Normally these situations arise when students do business with companies that may not even be technically categorized as travel agencies, said Mike Levine, attorney with Student Legal Services.”We’ve seen situations where they contract with companies in south Florida or Texas. They’ve had problems once they get there or even problems getting there,” Levine said.According to the Institute of Certified Travel Agents, an international non-profit organization, students should always work with a certified travel professional, and sometimes the best value for students may not be the least expensive.”We’re looking for the best value for the dollar, but we’re not going to throw something at students that wouldn’t give them the type of service they are looking for,” Cooper said.She said Travel & Transport does not promote agencies or groups working solely on spring break packages. “We have not promoted ones that do strictly student travel because we have not found a company that we feel comfortable with — one that is completely reliable to our satisfaction,” she said.Alexis Rochefort, public relations specialist for the Institute of Certified Travel Agents, said she suggests students work with travel agents who can see them on a one-on-one basis, rather than being part of a package deal.”Don’t book a trip with a large tour company because they’re not going to know your name,” Rochefort said. “They’re not going to see you as an individual or serve you as an individual.”Levine said most of the problems he sees are linked to companies offering package deals.”I’m not sure if it’s even a travel agency per se, but a company promoting a package for a certain hotel and transportation,” he said. “[Students] should check out who are the carriers, the hotels, who’s involved, who’s promoting it, find out who they do business with.”According a release from the ICTA, one of the biggest traps students may fall into when making spring break plans is booking charter flights without knowing all the facts about them. For instance, it is legal for charter flights to be canceled up to ten days prior to departure and to change schedules. The companies are also allowed to delay flights for up to 48 hours with no mandated compensation or alternative transportation.Cooper also said to watch out for “somebody that will not take credit cards” because it’s much easier to receive money back through credit cards.”My biggest piece of advice would be to not sign anything until you’ve had your parents or a certified travel professional look at it first,” Rochefort said.