Before you pay an Umrah agency in New York or New Jersey, check the address, written contract, hotel names, Nusuk, payment method and these red flags.
Most Umrah agencies do honest work. But each year some families lose their money, or arrive to find a hotel far from what they were promised. Whichever agency you use, including ours, run through this checklist before you pay anything.
8 things to check before you pay
1. A real office you can visit
Get a street address and go in person if you can. A flyer, an Instagram page and a phone number are not enough. New York City's consumer protection agency lists having no physical address as a red flag.
2. How long they have been in business, and real reviews
Search the agency's name on Google. Look at how many reviews it has, how recent they are, and how the agency responds to problems.
3. Their accreditation
Ask which trade bodies they belong to, such as IATA or ARC for selling airline tickets, and verify the answer. Ask how they work with Saudi-authorized Umrah service providers, and how bookings connect to Nusuk, the official Saudi platform.
4. The exact hotel names
"5-star near the Haram" is not an answer. Get the hotel name and the dates for both Makkah and Madinah. Look up each hotel on a map and read recent reviews. You can also call the hotel to confirm your reservation once it's made.
5. A written contract
Don't rely on promises made by phone or WhatsApp. The contract should list:
- The total price, payment schedule and any extra fees
- Visa details and who does what
- Hotel names and dates
- Flight and transportation details
- The cancellation and refund policy
Read it before signing, and walk away if anyone pressures you to sign or pay a deposit on the spot.
6. How you pay
A credit card may give you more protection if an agency fails to deliver. Be careful with cash, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards, and payment apps with no purchase protection. Keep every receipt and ask for an itemized invoice.
7. Who is with you on the ground
Ask who leads the group, whether they stay with you the whole trip, and who you call at 2am in Makkah if something goes wrong. Get a name and a number.
8. What they say about visas
No agency can guarantee a visa, because the Saudi authorities decide. Be wary of anyone promising a guaranteed or unusually fast visa. Our Umrah visa guide explains how it works.
Red flags
- A price far below every other agency
- Vague hotel descriptions
- No written refund policy
- A request for cash up front, or a wire or gift card
- Pressure to pay today
- Any claim that Nusuk can be bypassed, or that they can sell you a Hajj package from the US outside of Nusuk
- Someone contacting you as a "Nusuk official" and asking for payment by email or social media
If something goes wrong
Keep your contracts, receipts, emails, texts and screenshots, and note the date of each conversation. If you dealt with a New York City agency, you can file a complaint with the NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection at nyc.gov/consumers or by calling 311. Find the full advice on their Hajj and Umrah travel scams page.
Ask us these same questions
We welcome them. Amana Travel has had an office at 507 68th St in Brooklyn since 2005. We are IATA/ARC accredited, an authorized EgyptAir agent, and you can read what our travelers say on Google. Come by, ask for the hotel names, and read the contract before you decide.
FAQ
Not always, but find out why it's cheap. Usually the answer is hotel distance, flight routing, or what isn't included.
Yes. Many US pilgrims do, using the tourist eVisa and Nusuk. An agency makes sense when you want a group, a guide, and someone to handle the details. Message us for this season's packages, or call (718) 491-6456.