Hanscell G

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Verified Buyer

Gift not sent in return for attending prsesentation

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Vacation Travel Club - Gift not sent in return for attending prsesentation
Cant he trough to an agent to make them aware we did not recurve the incentives promised if we attended the presentation
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Preferred solution: Incentives promised

User's recommendation: Beware

Anonymous
map-marker Bradenton, Florida

Their service is horrible.

Oh, and let me tell you about my renewal experience because they *** it up so bad, I had to file a complaint to get my money back.

Booked the wrong dates Lied about the booking the agent told me that they could get the dates I wanted, when she couldn't but took my money, leading me to believe she was given me what I ask for. She blames it on miss communication, when I spoke to her, I told her what days I wanted, left her 3 messages on her voice mail with the dates I wanted which was in October. When I renew my membership, I request and made it clear what dates and month which was in October being the 5th in the middle of the week. No misunderstanding.

Instead, the agent booked me for November the 5th and a condo week when that was not what I asked for and make it clear that I had no leave way for any other option.

Got not email confirming reservation which I clearly asked for and I never received that request. This would have cleared up any mis understanding, instead; getting ready to go with my family on vacation and called to get my reservation information to find out from another agent that she had booked me for the wrong month.

So, my vacation plans were destroyed but not my families, because they book thru an app which cost them nothing and had no mix-up. Now I feel like a sucker! paid all that money and paying dues to this company who I fell are just trying to take their customer for a ride.

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User's recommendation: Beware before buying into this company.

SHARON C Vyf

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Verified Reviewer

NO RESPONSE FROM COMPANY

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I PURCHASED A VO TRAVEL CLUB PACKAGE 2/29/2020 FOR $1999 AND HAVE NOT RECIEVED ANY Officially DOCUMENTS WITH AN ACCOUNT TO BOOK MY TRIPS, THE LADY WHO SOLD IT TO ME NAME IS SHERRY, EVERY TIME I CALLED HER SHE CLAIMS TO LOOK INTO IT AND CALL ME BACK, WEEKS LATER NOW SHE DOESN'T PICK UP! I'm HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED with SERVICE. I HAVE ALREADY REACHED OUT TO FLORIDA EXCHANGE WHO STATED THERE'S NO ACCT. IN MY NAME.
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Loss:
$1999

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: DONT FALL FOR THE "RUSH FOR GREAT DEAL" IT'S NOT!

Gina S Bns

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Verified Reviewer

Refusal to issue a refund due to pandemic

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I booked this vacation in October of 2019, pre-pandemic. Since COVID-19 I have tried to cancel my vacation however the vacation travel club refuses as the resort is open. Florida hit the 4th record day of deaths and the CDC says if your travel is not essential to stay home yet the travel club says "we are open" Their customer service is horrific
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Loss:
$1536

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: never use this company

Anonymous
map-marker Fishers, Indiana

They have forgotten who thy're suppose to serve.

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We have been members of Vacation Travel Club (VTC) for about 14 years. We paid $9200 to join and about $150 a year membership dues. For the first half of the time of our membership we used VTC once or twice, more often twice, a year to book a vacation. Then issues with our son, one being a prolonged illness, made it near impossible to get away for a vacation. We did take a vacation in 2013 and 2016. Our son died just before Christmas 2018. By March we needed a vacation. But my wife couldnt take off from work until May. So I booked a vacation in March through VTC for May. So I thought. In the past immediately after booking and paying with a credit card, at their website directly or through PayPal, I would print out the receipt from VTC website with some directions from the nearest airport to the resort. The directions were not much help since we always drove to the condos. This year VTC allowed you to only use PayPal and their website stated something like- Your reservation will be made as soon as confirmation of payment is received from PayPal. Very shortly after a confirmation from PayPal pops up, it tells me to print it out. It contained the confirmation number, resort name, resort address, resort phone number, payment made to VTC, amount paid, and my name and address. I figured I was good to go. They changed procedure and didnt let me know. No problem. Directions from the nearest airport were never needed by me. When we got to the resort on Friday, our check in day, they didnt know who we were. They hadnt received confirmation of our stay. The resort, however, did provide us a unit. It took until Wednesday to resolve the matter. Some week long vacation. The only way the issue got resolved was for us to pay the resort for our vacation. Let me elaborate. VTC claimed not to have received confirmation of payment from PayPal. I provided them with a confirmation number and related emails. VTC eventually found it and came up with it was a glitch in their computer. Issues resolved. No way. Daily phone calls and emails to VTC ensued until Wednesday. On Wednesday everything culminated in a three way phone conversation. VTC refused to pay the resort. When questioned why not during our three way call with us, VTC, and the resort, VTC blamed me for the situation. It was my fault for not following up. Why? I never had to before. A receipt from PayPal on their website was not good enough. Again, I should have followed up. When asked why they hadnt contacted me she (VTC) said they tried calling 2 times. This was also in one of their emails. When? While she was checking on when they called me the resort and I conversed, determined we werent getting anywhere with VTC, negotiated a price, and I agreed to pay with the credit card put on file when we checked in. When VTC came back on she was pissed that we were talking behind her back. The resort told her we werent saying anything she shouldnt hear and that I agreed to pay the resort. That wasnt good enough for VTC. She continued to rail on me. Not a pleasant person. VTC claimed to have called me and left messages on March 21st and 22nd to call them back. I pointed out that the phone number they used has been disconnected for years. VTC again claimed to have left messages at that number. However, when I tried the number it is still disconnected, not reassigned to somebody else because it goes right to a recorded message stating that it is no longer in service. VTC said I should have updated my phone number. I told them I thought I did. VTCs reply was that if I did it would be in their computer. I have since checked my travel folder. In 2013 when we took a cruise, cruises need to be booked by phone, the person at VTC asked for the best phone to reach me. My current phone was given to her and I thought she entered it into her computer. In April of 2015 we had an exchange of emails dealing with membership dues in which my current phone number was again given to VTC as my contact number. When asked why VTC didnt email me I got no reply except more blame for the situation. The resort asked if VTC wouldnt offer something to make this right. VTC refused and stated that next time I better do things right and follow up. Ive got news for them. There will be no next time. VTC has forgotten who their livelihood depends on. We will not be paying our membership dues in 2020. All we got for our 2019 dues was a headache and grief. If you consider only the approximate amount weve paid to them to obtain vacations, $11,800 not counting the actual amount paid for the vacation, and not counting anything they received from the bookings, we paid way too much for the number of vacations weve received through VTC. This is especially true when you can find elsewhere what they offer at comparable or lower prices with NO COMPUTER GLITCHES. Would I recommend VTC with how they treat their customers? Never in a million years,
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Nadia P Imt

Can’t get a hold of anyone

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Can’t get a hold of anyone to talk to all the number is disconnected one goes to fax another one Verizon answering service comes on it’s not working I don’t know these people just disappear but all our money
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Loss:
$6000
Cons:
  • No one to talk to
Reason of review:
Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

Paul R Cqo

Failure to meet guarantee

Twice I have asked reservations to price cruises on my bucket list. Both times their cost with airfare was $500.00 more than I could have booked the trip on my own.
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Reason of review:
Pricing issue
Anonymous

Bargain

Where can I sign up? I want to get bargain discount tickets to resort vacation. Tammy.
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3 comments
Guest

Stay clear of Branson Excursions also. They put on a good dog and pony show, then whenever you get access to their website, the deals they show you are not on it. Total scam.

Guest

Then book online with Expedia or another reputable company. STAY AWAY FROM TRAVEL CLUBS!!!

We were scammed out of $4,000 with Destinations (International Travel Solutions) in Branson, MO. The try to entice you with false stories of getting you the best rates available.

It's a total SCAM! I don't care what they try to get you to believe.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-1525021

Wow Jennifer!! What Club caused such a visceral response? I have had nothing but a positive experience with the one I belong to and have experience outstanding vacations.

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Anonymous

This is a shock

Just tried to verify our upcoming reservations on the VTC website only to find out it's not active. I need to find out what is happening here. We've been members since 2008 and had no trouble and booked several condos through them with no issue. Looks like we are going to have to file a claim. However, something like this they probably got rid of the assets so there's probably nothing left. We had booked a week in Daytona Beach. Just called and the reservations are still good as of 1/16/18. Never had trouble with them before. Who do we need to contact? Did they just disappear with the cash?????
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Reason of review:
Fair pricing
1 comment
Guest

Dude you just got scammed.

Anonymous

SCAM COMPANY** FREEDOM GETAWAYS/ FREEDOM SOLUTIONS

yes we're in also! I am contacting the Attorney General, BBB and all social media.

The owners scam is to charge your credit card and even if you cancel the contract legally, he does not give you a refund! I've emailed, called, contacted my credit card-who said not to pay my credit card as they are in dispute. I want to help anyone and notify all hotels who hold their "meetings" and close them down. The attorney general better be able to do something about this.

The owner names are:: Ms. Justina A. Aulgur, CEO/President • Principal: Mr. Kyle M.

Ballew, CEO/President They ARE SCAM ARTISTS!!!!! BEWARE.

DO NOT PURCHASE ANYTHING FROM FREEDOM GETAWAYS OR FREEDOM SOLUTIONS**** I will pursue them until they refund me my money and have their companies closed. please reply to me if you're interested in helping me to alert others and to sue the company!

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Loss:
$2000
Reason of review:
Return, Exchange or Cancellation Policy

Preferred solution: Full refund

7 comments
Guest

Justina Aulgur and Kyle Ballew are professional scam artist. They used to be co-owners of a timeshare resolution company called Martin Management/Freedom Solutions with former NFL football player Steve Martin, located at 2109 N Glenstone, Suite E Springfield MO 65803.They would travel the country holding seminars promising to get you out of your timeshare, take your money and then do nothing.

They scamed a 9-11 widow out of 18,000 dollars. If Justina Aulgur and Kyle Ballew scamed you don't waste your time trying to get your money back, instead notify the Missouri Attorney General Office at 573-****-**** and tell them that Justina Aulgur and Kyle Ballew were also involved in a scam with Martin Management/Freedom Solutions, case # CC-2017-06-****87.

Also notify BBB of St. Louis # 314-645-**** and again tell them Justina Aulgur and Kyle Ballew were involved in a scam with Martin Management/ Freedom solutions, case # 1231**** freedom solutions

Guest

mmm

Guest

I wold like to find out about any others that have a miserable experience with GCG VACATIONS?

Guest

I've also been scammed. Backed out within the three-day cancellation period, and cannot get any kind of response.

I've worked through BBB and State Attorney General and neither has been able to get any kind of response.

It's like they disappeared from the face of the earth. Would like to know if anyone has had any contact with Freedom Solutions/Getaways in recent months.

Guest

Don't believe them they are 100 % scams. When I attend the presentation and they promise me free airline tickets and after one hour of presentation they never game me airline tickets.

If I agree to buy in they will give me the free airline tickets. If they did that will lie to you after you pay in

Johnni Pkg

What are your complaints? I just signed up and now may thinking about backing out. Can you get back to me quickly?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Johnni Pkg

Where did you sign up at?

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Anonymous

Vacation Club-GCG

Went to a dinner and was told is was definitely not a sales meeting for time share. Said they could eliminate my current time share with no damage to credit and get travel club that we could use any time any where. Charged my credit 17,000. Tried to call them to see what this was about and didn't get any answers. Still trying to get my money back. I did not receive any services just a discount website for *** resorts to places I don't want to go to. Stay away from this company!!!!!
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Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
1 comment
Guest

Where can I sign up? I want to get discount bargain tickets to resort vacation. Tammy.

Anonymous

Freedom Getaways

We just went to a 90 minute presentation last evening. It all sounded great, amazing, unbelievable.

We did not sign up, although we were very enticed. It is $6895 for the membership. $299 processing fee and $249 a month there after. Anyone ever heard of this company?

Based out of MO. There really was not a high pressure sales pitch. We said we needed to think about it and the man was okay with that. It was not an offer that was only good that day, but would be the same price in 30 days or 6 months.

I am including a photo of the business card we were given. Dave and Donna

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Reason of review:
Not high pressure
4 comments
Guest

Well, we bought into this in October of 2017 and paid extra monies to get out of another program to date they have done nothing and do not return phone calls or answer any calls.Trying to decide what to do next.

Guest

We have just been invited to a 90 minute session, but it sounds like this is a scam, which I am ok with as I only want to find out how this all works. Here is my question, if you do not sign up did they still give the gift or is that a scam also?

Guest

i am at one of their resorts. They tried to sell me their services.Just too good to be true.

they asked me $17,000 for 30 weeks vacation. i only take 1 vacation a year. it would take me 30 years to use it on this base. Then they dropped it to 10 weeks, which would be 10 years.

using 1 vacation a year. Price was a little above $7.000.Some negatives about it: no one knows about tomorrow.

Will i be alive? Will this company be in business?No one knows what can happen.

Guest

Your statement contained the term "unbelievable" .

I think I'd stick with that if I were you.

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Anonymous

Water Blue Vacations

My husband and I joined a vacation club at an informational meeting on Jan. 26, 2010 held in Columbus, Ohio. The vacation club was named Water Blue and the fee to join was over $4,000 which wiped out our savings but we thought would pay off in the long run (great future vacations, which we had not had in a long time, at hardly no cost). Within a few weeks we tried to schedule a trip with the # provided to us and it was busy, busy, busy. That continued for about a week. The cell # of the salesman had been disconnected. Another week or two went bye and we found out the company had filed bankruptcy. Our savings gone. We didn't get one benefit out of this vacation club. Will never trust another!
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Loss:
$4264
Reason of review:
Problem with delivery

Preferred solution: Deliver product or service ordered

Travel Expert Talks

How to Travel Safely During the Pandemic

Apr 2, 2021

Top travel tips during the Covid-19 shared by a travel journalist: 1. Research the destination; 2. Check safety measures; 3. Check the airline’s policies; 4. Download the airline’s app; 5. Double check your reservation; 6. Build flexibility into your travel plan. In this interview with a travel expert you can learn how to travel safely, how to book online, how to refund a canceled trip.

Read full article
Latifah Al-Hazza
Latifah Al-Hazza

Latifah Al-Hazza is a travel expert who visited over 50 countries. She is also a co-founder of Women's Travel Company and an Emmy Award-Winning travel journalist.

Anonymous
map-marker Oak Grove, Louisiana

La. Lady Scammed

On Nov. 24, 2009 we attended the Vacation Travel Club meeting in Branson, Mo. They had prices of hotels, condos, and cruises posted on dry erase marker boards on the walls. They presented the travel program to us that if we were to pay the membership fee of $5,389 that we would save LOTS of money on all our vacations. We had just returned from a Carnival Western Caribbean Cruise and so we knew that the price posted for the same exact length of stay and ports was alot cheaper than what we had paid. They displayed several different condo prices, cruises, and hotels through out various cities and countries at very low prices. Now,we see the prices were all sales gimmicks that is why they misrepresented their self at the sales meeting by not giving these figures on paper. The company treated us to a Branson vacation stay in a nice hotel, paid for a steak house meal and were super nice. But, they just posted a bunch of false prices and told us about all the money we would save by joining their club rather than purchasing a timeshare program. We were very mislead! The three day cancellation right is also a misrepresentation because you have to wait to get the certificate and VTC card with your membership number in the mail before you can check their prices. It took a month to receive the VTC quote card. You will notice the VTC number is nowhere on my signed paperwork. The salespeople really made us think the vacation prices were legitimate and cheap because the first price they quoted was $9,995 then he gave his little sales pitch and came down to the $5,389. I needed a hotel in Tupelo, Ms. and tried to use the club and was only able to get a quote for one motel in Tupelo Ms. and it was for $95.99 a night at the Comfort Suite. The only other one was 24 MILES away at the Comfort Inn in New Albany Ms. I looked on the internet myself at the Comfort Suite site and could book the same room for the same price. That got me very suspicious of this vacation savings club. I booked a room at the Jameson Inn for $74.99 and attended my function. I got a quote on an airline ticket price for Las Vegas for a convention that we were going to attend. The price from the vacation club was $365 the price on the Delta site was $362.30. (flight 5851, 57250, ) for Feb. 28 thru March 3rd June 5,2010 is our 34th anniversary and we want to go on an Alaskan Cruise. So, after several phone calls and emails I finally got quotes for this trip. I first got a quote with a train ride included from the club and one from Alaska Tour and Travel. I just googled the words "Alaska Cruise" and that is how I found Alaska Tour and Travel. My husband decided he did not want a train ride. So, I priced just the cruise and airfare and it was the EXACT same price from both places, $3785.80. In other words, I am paying $5,389 plus the yearly fee for NOTHING!!! Anyone can google and get the cruises for the same price!!! Their company is trying to rip us off. I called the main office in Branson and the supervisor, Dee, told me that she would not credit my account for "BUYER'S REMORSE"(Webster- remorse- a torturing sense of guilt for one's actions)- I have that and also have proved that this company is a rip off of our money. I have not used their service! I did not book the hotel, flight to Las Vegas or the cruise through them so please charge back this company $5,000 (less the document fee of $389) on the charge card and I will mail them back their book and VTC card. Thank you for your time in this matter. (My Visa card company did not refund me. I am out this money still. If anyone else knows how to get a refund please let me know. Thanks Tamra
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Reason of review:
Pricing issue
4 comments
Guest

My wife and I just attended a travel club presentation at Westgate Branson. Because I had worked in the industry some years ago, I was able to enjoy the BS and take advantage of the free shows and two night stay.

But be aware you can deals on the internet just as easy and for the same price. Don't fall for this scam.

Guest

Your experience sounds so much like ours. It is so unlike us to fall for something like this, but we did.

We paid $3595. and were promised the moon. At the time, we were nearing the end of a one-month road trip, so is fatigue our excuse? As soon as we got home, I got out the invoice for a 7-day Celebrity Cruise on Jan.

22, 2017 in a Class 1B cabin that we are already booked on. It was the same price (within $20) as we are paying, WITHOUT the $450 onboard credits, and free drink package that we already have. BIG difference! I then checked the price of the Springhill Suites where we had stayed in Savannah, and the same room was $2 more.

We immediately notified them by phone and e-mail that we were canceling (2 days after we signed up), and followed up with a Certified Letter on the 3rd.

The woman my husband spoke to on the phone told him the refund would arrive in 10-14 days, so I am biding my time. If we don't get the refund, I will definitely publish their name to spare others, but until then, don't think it's fair.

Guest

Same here- all travel quotes are same as we can get online direct- the travel club says the bonus fee usually $100-200 is the discount- not worth $6000

Guest

In the same boot as you. Rip off city.

I just got a bill from them telling me that I owe them for back fees and that I am liable for them.

Not getting any more money from me. No way...

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Anonymous
map-marker Fort Smith, Arkansas

RCI Travel Lawsuit

I recently booked a cruise with RCI travel and at the time of booking the agent informed me that I had to take the travel insurance as part of the cruise which I had to pay extra for. Come to find out that is inaccurate and illegal. We have a recording of the phone conversation and as the legal documents are being drawn it occurred to me that if they get it to me they've done it to others. If you have booked a cruise or talk to RCI travel about booking a cruise and they attempted to use any sort of strong arm tactics then contact me. rciSTRONGARMtactics@***.com This could possibly turn into a class action lawsuit.
View full review
Loss:
$275
Reason of review:
Illegal tactics
1 comment
Guest

I tried booking with their guarantee to be lowest price. What a joke.

First they want your points, then the price is higher.

When I said you are guaranteed lowest they do not offer that cruise now and no price protection. How convenient!!

Anonymous
map-marker Kansas City, Missouri

Big rip off

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we purchased our vacation membership many years ago, we pay our dues every year. When we attempt to use it, the price is always much higher then the other vacation sites. This year, they advertise to use funjet vacations, we checked all dates thru december 2016, nothing available. I went to expedia, travelocity etc, lots of dates available. I dont understand how the other sites always have the dates I want but the travel site doesnt. This club stinks, its time the authorities investigate and refund all the money they have ripped off from us
View full review
Cons:
  • Prices
Reason of review:
Pricing issue
1 comment
Guest

I have had the same thing happen many times, always been told they would call me back but never do. I questioned them on why the prices at funjet are the same as a non member, they would check into it and get back too me, will they never did.

I will not be paying my dues for 2017. I would support a class action suit againest them if someone knows how to do it.

About

Summary

Vacation Travel Club is a company that provides various travel services. The company was founded in 1993. Vacation Travel Club makes new improvement of the vacation packages and other services and products every week to meet the needs and desires of the customers. In addition to hotel rooms reservations, airfare booking, car rental and numerous tours and entertainment programs, Vacation Travel Club offers different hot deals every day to a number of destinations.

Vacation Travel Club has a customer care centers and its representatives are available seven days a week and twenty-four hours a day.

Vacation Travel Club reviews and complaints

Vacation Travel Club is ranked 196 out of 880 in Travel category

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