SOUTHFIELD, MI — With the cost of travel skyrocketing, consumers are increasingly susceptible to fraudulent offers for special deals on vacations, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning vacationers to be wary of joining “travel clubs.” Complaints to BBB show that many travel clubs promise huge discounts on hotels, airfare, and cruises but fail to deliver for members despite the high cost of joining.
“Along with increasing energy costs, the overall cost of travel is expected to go through the roof and many consumers are looking for ways to get affordable deals on flights and vacations,” said Vickie Galpin, President & CEO of the Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan. “Unfortunately, many vacationers are being seduced by slick presentations and empty promises from high-pressure salesmen claiming that joining a travel club will let them in on great deals that ultimately don’t materialize.”
In the first quarter of 2008 alone, consumers filed nearly 350 complaints with BBB against travel clubs in the U.S. Thousands of complaints have been filed with BBB about travel clubs in the last three years and all tell a similar story of being lured—either in person, over the phone or through the mail—to a high-pressure sales presentation with the promise of receiving free airline tickets, gas cards, or tickets to shows. During the presentation, consumers are told they would be able to take advantage of remarkable deals on airfare and vacations if they joined the travel club for a membership fee of as much as $8,000.
Complaints to BBB reveal a pattern of problems with booking travel arrangements and evidence that the “deals” offered by travel clubs were no better—and often worse—than what customers found on their own. Complainants also state that sales presentations were extremely misleading and many felt they were “tricked” into giving up their right to cancel contracts.
From reports and complaints filed with BBB, following are examples of travel clubs where membership didn’t pay:
Discount Global Travel, Inc. of Royal Oak, MI has an UNSATISFACTORY record with the BBB due to unanswered complaints and failure to substantiate or modify advertising claims. The Better Business Bureau has received 87 complaints concerning Discount Global Travel alleging verbal misrepresentation during sales presentations for membership with the travel club, inability to obtain “free trip” vouchers promised for attending sales presentations, being charged a deposit to redeem “free trips,” not receiving promised discount pricing on travel packages, and inability to make travel reservations at certain times of the year. According to information compiled by the Better Business Bureau it appears Discount Global Travel ceased operations in 2007.
Somerset Vacations of Troy, MI has an UNSATISFACTORY record with the BBB for failure to answer complaints. The Better Business Bureau has received 29 complaints concerning Somerset Vacations alleging the travel club misrepresented the savings members would receive on travel packages and free prizes promised for attending sales presentations were never provided.
On March 13, 2007 the Michigan Attorney General’s Office filed a Notice of Intended Action against Somerset Vacations and its principal Shalom Bouskila. This matter was resolved on April 29, 2008 with a Final Consent Judgment & Order for Permanent Injunction issued by Michigan’s 6th Circuit Court that permanently prohibits Somerset Vacations and Shalom Bouskila from advertising, selling or providing travel or vacation services, including but not limited to vacation clubs, packages, and tours, within the State of Michigan or to Michigan residents. The company was also ordered to pay $70,000 in restitution to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office.
Travel clubs are extremely prevalent in popular tourist destinations such as Branson, MO. In 2007, BBB serving Southwest Missouri received nearly 200 complaints about 18 travel clubs operating in their area. One company, Travel More Now, lures tourists to their sales presentation with offers of free show tickets. At the presentation, the company claims they can set people up as travel agents allowing them to take advantage of hidden travel deals for a membership fee upwards of $8,000. Complainants felt extremely misled by the sales pitches and many were shocked to learn that they had given up their right to rescind their membership within the promised 3-day window by simply accepting a gift certificate to Red Lobster (Red Lobster is not affiliated with Travel More Now).
BBB serving Central Florida has several travel clubs operating in their area including Advantage Travel LC, also doing business as Great Escapes, which has received 110 complaints from consumers in 14 states. Over the phone and through mail solicitations, Advantage Travel lures people to their sales presentations with offers for “free” gas cards or vacations. Complaints reveal that consumers must jump through so many hoops it is almost impossible to receive the “free” prizes. Complainants who signed up paid a membership fee ranging from $1,000 to $7,000 and eventually found that the sales staff misrepresented vacation availability and the amount customers would save on travel.
Despite a guarantee that members would save money through the club, many complainants state that they consistently found better deals on their own elsewhere.
“Vacation clubs, special travel agent training and bargain-finder software, often aren’t good deals because initial costs are rarely recouped by any future savings on travel costs since the bargains and special deals don’t really exist as portrayed in the sales pitches.” added Galpin. “Consumers need to be very wary of travel club offers and research the companies extensively before committing any money or giving out credit card or bank account information.”
Travel Clubs are a “suspect industry” with BBB due to a high level of misrepresentation and dissatisfied customers, but there are a number of reputable travel clubs operating in the U.S. Before signing up with a travel club, vacationers should do their research and check the company’s Reliability Report with BBB first at www.bbb.org to make sure that it is trustworthy.
