What To Do To Avoid travel rip-offs?

If it's too good to be true, it probably is! Stick with reputable companies and carriers who offer reasonable (but not absurdly ridiculous) prices and good value for what you pay. Also consider the size, reputation, realiability, & stability of any company you purchase from--if they go out of business, you often have no recourse and are out of $$$.

Define "rip off".

My experience is that most people who claim something is a rip-off haven't read beyond the first paragraph and can't count to one - thus the number of people who complain that they were ripped off because their bag was too heavy / too big / too many of them or that they are upset because they changed their minds and wanted a refund on a non-refundable ticket

Do some actual research on the internet instead of posting vague, unfocused questions on a travel site where you'll get answers ranging from informative to idiotic.

If it's a 'Free vacation to Orlando' or a "FREE" cruise RUN! There's a rip off coming (Or a lost day of your life listening to the "time share sales pitch" for which you can take a cruise on a sub par ship on two days of the year LOL!)

A tour guide of my acquaintance told me, "A lot of Americans come to (here) expecting to be cheated. Those tourists are never disappointed."

Do your research. Plan everything yourself. Book directly with the airline and hotel, no middleman. There's no room for "ripoff" if you use that method.

Be aware of cancellation policies and don't feel ripped off if they are enforced.

I find all their international flights' prices a rip-off, but what can I do? Stay at home?