Before you pay, ask who the licensed company is, what the price includes, what the cancellation terms are and who you call if something goes wrong. Send the questions in one message and keep the answers in writing.
A deposit may be requested quickly, and it can feel awkward to slow things down. A clear list makes it feel calm and fair.
Is the seller who they say they are?
These questions protect you from the biggest risk first.
- What is the full registered company name, and the licence number from the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC)?
- Is the company on my contract the same as the one on the advert and the bank account?
- Are you the seller, or a referral that passes me to another agency?
Consumers are advised to verify an agency on the MOTAC website before paying and to report suspicious operators through MOTAC channels[1]. Our guide to checking a MOTAC licence walks through it step by step.
What does the price really cover?
- What is included and excluded in the total, line by line?
- Are entry tickets, meals, guide and driver fees and optional tours listed?
- Are there shopping stops, and what happens if I skip them?
- Is there a single supplement or a child price?
Read what a quotation should include beside your quote. The package comparator lets you set two quotes side by side.
What happens to my money?
- What is the deposit, and when are later payments due?
- Which payment method is used, and is the account in the company’s name?
- What are the cancellation and refund terms, written out?
The deposit and payment schedule guide shows the usual shape. Do not pay until the answers are in writing.
Is the itinerary realistic?
- What is the length of each travel leg, and where do we sleep?
- Is there a rest day, or free time, for seniors and children?
- Which hotels and areas, and is the guide Mandarin-, English- or Malay-speaking?
Test the plan with the pace checker. Ask which hotel and guide details will be confirmed in writing, and see which details need written confirmation.
What about special needs and entry rules?
- Is halal food planned meal by meal, and can the guide help find prayer space?
- Are stairs, altitude or long walks a problem for my parents?
- Does my route need a permit?
On halal, JAKIM (Malaysia’s Islamic development department) removed the China Islamic Association from its recognised foreign halal list in February 2025. A Chinese halal label therefore cannot be assumed to meet Malaysian recognition[2]. Ask how the agency checks meals.
Malaysian ordinary passport holders can stay in China visa-free for up to 30 days per stay[3]. Rules can change, so confirm on the official source.
Foreign visitors to the Tibet Autonomous Region need a Tibet Travel Permit and must travel on an organised tour arranged by a registered Tibet travel agency[4]. Ask whether your route touches it.
What if something goes wrong?
- Who is my contact in China, and is there an after-hours number?
- What happens if a flight or tour is cancelled?
- How do I complain, and to whom?
Our guide on what to do if a flight or tour is cancelled covers the first calls. The booking topic page lists the rest of the checks.
What should you do next?
Copy the questions that matter for your trip, paste them into one message and send it today. Wait for written answers before you pay, and check them against your quotation.