A referral site introduces you to a seller, while a travel agency is the one that sells you the tour, signs the contract and takes the payment. If something goes wrong, you need to know which of the two you are dealing with before you pay, not after.
It is easy to be confused here, because the two can look alike online. The questions below make it clear within one chat.
What is the difference?
A referral site passes your details to one or more agencies, which then send quotes. A travel agency is licensed to sell, and its name appears on your contract and receipt.
| Referral site | Travel agency | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Introduces you to sellers | Sells the tour |
| Holds your contract | Not unless it says so | Yes |
| Takes your payment | Should not, unless named on the contract | Yes |
| Licence to check | Ask whether it holds one | Check on the MOTAC website |
Neither model is wrong. The problem begins only when you cannot tell which one you are talking to.
Which three questions settle it?
Ask these in writing, and keep the replies.
- Which company will sign my contract, and what is its registered name?
- Which company will receive my payment, and into whose bank account?
- Who do I contact if the hotel, guide or dates change?
If the same company answers all three, you have found the seller. If the answers point to different companies, find out how they are connected and what each one is responsible for.
What should you check about the seller?
Consumers are advised to verify an agency on the MOTAC website before paying[1]. MOTAC licenses travel agencies and tour operators in Malaysia under the Tourism Industry Act 1992[2].
Match the licensed name with the name on the quotation and the receipt. Our guide to checking a MOTAC licence shows how, step by step.
What if the referral site wants money?
Ask what it is for, who issues the receipt and whether it is part of the tour price or a separate fee. Do not pay into a personal account when the contract names a company.
Read paying safely for a China tour before sending anything, and keep every receipt.
How does ChinaQuest fit in?
We are an independent planning resource, not a seller. We suggest a route, and if you ask, we introduce a licensed Malaysian agency that quotes you. You then contract and pay that agency directly.
The page on how a ChinaQuest enquiry works explains each step, so you know where our part ends. The booking topic page lists related checks.
What should you do next?
Write the three questions above in your chat with the site, and wait for clear answers. Then read the questions to ask before booking and compare quotes side by side.
If a site cannot say who the seller is, that is useful information in itself. You can always message us for a second opinion.