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TravelSmart VIP review: They lied 85

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10:30 pm EDT
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For those who are planing to visit the bahama, please be aware of those people which works for vacation club such as travel smart vip vacation club in freeport bahama. They will invite you to come and see what they have to offer you, so you can fall into their trap of purchasing a vacation package, they will try to explain in detail what they have for you. But if you fall into it, the chances are that no one will call you or help you to arrange the vacation that you want.. Also please don't let them hook you on this trap, especially if thy bring into the picture their manager by the name of mr. Andrew styles the so called member services manager, this guy is very rude to people who already bought into these packages, and he or his staff will not help out in anyway what so ever, they lied from the minute you signed that contract. We have send them so many emails, and faxes that we had to have our attorney involved. Please people be careful when vacationing freeport bahamas.

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85 comments
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John Johnson1
, US
Nov 23, 2022 5:46 pm EST

We decided just to stop paying membership fee.

We paid full amount in contract few years ago and with Covid and not traveling and also with no benefits in Cuba, where we mostly traveled, it is not worth for us.

Contract we signed - there is no our address, no social insurance number, it states that court in Panama is authorized so that contract is basically garbage. There is no way anybody can force you to be a member of any club if you don't want it. We do not owe them any money, we are at loss but we do not intend to pay any membership fee.

What would happen if we both died during Covid? How would they know

They can call but in order to do any legal action you need to know address, etc

BS

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bugsy80
, CA
Feb 01, 2023 2:41 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

We signed our contract in Mexico back in 2019 … the contract has our address but no Social Insurance number .., we pay via pre-authorized credit card payment … I have called and tried to cancel but we’re told we were locked into the contract …

I was thinking about just cancelling my credit card and ignore any calls from them … I am just not sure what the legal repercussions could be … would we be sued? Would we be allowed back into Mexico?

We want to get away from this but not sure how to do … feel trapped …

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Drod88
, US
Nov 03, 2022 2:28 pm EDT

I agree. They also don't reveal that there is an annual fee "membership fee". It is several hundred dollars and increases every year.

Also I requested that the fee be waived this year since travel was either not available or very restricted. Of course the answer was no and penalties are accruing.

So regret falling for the sales pitch!

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Nanda King
Tennessee, US
Aug 22, 2022 4:08 pm EDT

My husband who was sick at the time traveled to The Hideaway in Cancun a few years back.

He was treated the next day by the ship dr. With pain meds.

We were to go to a breakfast the next morning and we’re talked into signing a $10,000. Contract after bottles of champagne.

My late husband has been gone 2 years now and I got a notification I owed another $900. In annual costs.

I have never tried to use this VIP “ Club” until today.

After 4 1/2 hours, I still do not have a reservation.

Whatever you do, DO NOT fall for this scam.

There needs to be a class action case started for the people that have fallen for this.

Personally, I am going to contact my attorney to see where this needs to go

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RT Harley09
New London, US
Aug 17, 2022 11:41 pm EDT

We have the same problem right now, we have been trying to cancel since the beginning but didn't do it within those first few days because we were traveling back home; and frankly, our heads were still spinning from everything.

This past weekend I told the representative on the phone again that we were cancelling and he literally "LAUGHED" at me on the phone and told me "THERE IS NO CANCELLING", YOU ARE STUCK FOR LIFE! OMG, we need help, we need attorneys to help us. They keep taking our money and we are getting nothing. I am tempted to just stop payment and see what happens, but I'm afraid of them ruining our credit.

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Tammy T
, US
Jun 30, 2023 10:11 am EDT

6/30/23 Update: we stopped paying the monthly payment and yearly fees, we cancelled the auto pay on the credit card and cancelled everything they had access to. Then the harassing calls and emails started 4x daily non-stop. This went on for 5 months of daily stress and threats, at the point of changing our numbers because they even started calling our daughter. As of today they agreed to waive all late fees and we agreed and start the payment up again only to get them to stop calling our daughter. There has to be something that can be done. They told me we are locked in for 9 years per the contract whether it is paid off or not and will have to pay the yearly maintenance fees, which they can raise to whatever they need to annually. They also claimed they were going to turn over to collection agency, but they don't have our SS#'s, only and address and not sure how that works with being outside country. Either way, we have been searching for an attorney that knows about this, so if anyone has info or is doing a class-action lawsuit. We didn't even know what we were really signing because we were drinking at the time of the "pressure pitch" and they just kept giving up champagne & mimosas. Such a nightmare. Beware!

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Steven Nadon
, US
Mar 01, 2022 11:04 am EST

Ive been trying for 2 years to resolve my issues with them and spoke to a manager over the phone 2 days ago and there not doing anything and ive received nothing in return to date.my account number is 4196075 i tried hard to get my money returned to me and eith no success. They stole $3200 can from me my email is ductboy2016@gmail.com

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hatetravelsmart
new york, US
Jan 31, 2022 9:08 pm EST

Has anyone just stopped paying for this scam?

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bugsy80
, CA
Feb 03, 2023 5:24 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have the same question … I want to stop paying but not sure what they can do …

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George Topper
Dallas TX, US
Oct 26, 2021 8:30 pm EDT

Does anybody know if Travel Smart VIP Vacation Club is related to or associated in any way with Travel Smart Vacations S.A. DE C.V.?

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CHRISK63
Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Nov 17, 2021 5:15 pm EST

Yes. I actually sold my Grand Mayan Timeshare to Travel Smart Vacation. On all the documentation that I received from them came with the name; TRAVEL SMART VACATIONS S.A. DE C.V.

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Kenneth Mayle
, US
Nov 17, 2021 11:57 pm EST
Replying to comment of CHRISK63

Could you tell me if this a scam. They are trying to buy my grand Mayan membership through a company called CAMEXUS. THERE offering me 110% more for my membership than I paid for It. Can you enlightening me on your situation please

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George Topper
Dallas TX, US
Oct 26, 2021 8:28 pm EDT

Is Travel Smart VIP Vacation Club in any way related or associated with Travel Smart Vacations S.A. DE C, V.?

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Pam Pike- Smith
, US
Sep 30, 2021 6:36 pm EDT

This company is totally scam They take your hard earned money, we paid well over 12, 000 dollars of our hard earned money After many years of trying to deal with them I have gotten a lawyer. All travel smarts comments are you signed a contract. We tried to cancel our membership the day after. These people are trained to promise you the world, and do not explain anything. Totally scam. We are going to take them to court anyone else with us?
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Himanish Mansinghani
, US
Sep 30, 2021 10:10 pm EDT

I am in

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TiredofTravelSmart
Paris, US
Sep 30, 2021 10:36 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Please please please let me know what happens!

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LindaNguyen0804
, US
Jan 18, 2022 9:47 pm EST

Yes keep me in the loop please.

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hatetravelsmart
new york, US
Jan 31, 2022 9:07 pm EST

Has anyone just stopped paying for travel smart?

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Bugsy89
Montreal, CA
May 03, 2022 9:02 pm EDT

I’m in … also curious if anyone just stopped paying them and what happened?

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Prabsman
Germantown, US
Jun 22, 2022 1:51 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have the same situation and trying to cancel it but to no avail. Any law office you suggest or if you have one could you provide me?

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GRCurran
Lakeville, US
Jul 11, 2022 10:33 am EDT

Can you update me- what happened to you?

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Tammy T
, US
Aug 17, 2022 11:34 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Prabsman

We are in the same boat, I was literally "laughed at" on the phone by the representative over the weekend when I told him again that we were cancelling, he then told me there was "NEVER" any cancelling and we were stuck for life. OMG, we need attorneys.

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Jozzi
, US
Dec 06, 2022 3:03 pm EST

How did your court case go?

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Sandrasav
Ontario, CA
Jan 26, 2023 1:56 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I'm so mad at this travelsmart as well, were you able to resolve anything? I'm having issues with them. Please email me at vieira.sandra@rocketmail.com thank you

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NYTexan55
Dallas, US
Feb 03, 2023 4:25 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Let me know if you have retained a lawyer and are suing. My email NYTexan55@gmail.com

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KariMar
Ronkonkoma, US
Mar 14, 2023 7:21 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I'd love to join your law suit. This Travelsmart vip company is A TOTAL SCAM. I bought the membership in 2018 worth 1 week per year for a studio that accommodated 4 people and were told that we only had to pay for the All Inclusive (food and drinks). Was also told that if the 15000 points were not used in the current year they could be rolled over to the following year and this could allow us to get a larger accommodation and/or better view (ocean) based on availability. Since I don't travel every year but every other year, this sounded good. Then the pandemia came and traveling plans came to a halt. I paid my membership in full within a couple of months of signing the contract and paid membership fees yearly since but have not been able to get my room as I should since I already paid for it in advanced. Thousands of dollars paid to this company that now wants to give me a 35%discount on a room I already paid for! I spoke to someone the other day and he had the nerve to say they never promise a room to anyone but a discount only and that there are sales people that lie to get the sale through. Then sent me a quote for a vacation week at negril with many options ranging from $2,600 to $3,300 for two adults just for the ROOM! This is ridiculous! I have paperwork that specifies that my membership of 15,000 points was for a 1 week junior suite. I also have a document that explains the rolling of points from one year to the next but this people now say they don't use the point system anymore and they just give discounts. Well, I signed a contract for 15,000 points per year for a 1 week junior suit that I have not been able to get. They are now harassing me to pay this year's fees but they don't want to HONOR the terms of my contract. So just because they decided to stop using tge point system I am supposed to agree and pay 65% of the cost of the room? Like I said, I paid for this membership in full within a couple of moths IN GOOD FAITH! But this people don't know what that means. Having the nerve to say that salespeople lie to sell these contracts was the icing on the cake! Thank God I did not agree to anything beyond 10 years but I will definitely bring the documents to my attorney to see what my options are.

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LindaNguyen0804
, US
Apr 01, 2023 10:33 am EDT

Any update on this?

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LindaNguyen0804
, US
Apr 01, 2023 10:37 am EDT
Replying to comment of KariMar

I’m at the exact same spot as you right now. Mine is all paid for but I no longer want to lay the annual fee cause I feel like what they are offering is still more expensive than what I can Get on orbits! Please let me know what you decide to do.

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CLO14
, US
Apr 14, 2023 2:41 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I will also join your lawsuit

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CLO14
, US
Apr 14, 2023 2:53 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Did you get an update on success of cancellation or if legal action is required which I am all in on.

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Boucher123
MAIDENS, US
Dec 04, 2020 2:00 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I did contact you directly, to date all you do is remind me of the contract I was pressured to sign . I want be released from this contract as I was lied to about how it worked .

TravelSmart VIP
TravelSmart VIP
, US
Dec 04, 2020 3:39 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Boucher123

As we're sure you can appreciate, unfortunately, we are unable to identify members by anonymous usernames. We are more than willing to assist you in any way possible however we will need you to send us a direct message with your member ID or an email to socialmedia@travelsmartvip.com referencing this comment so that we able to help.

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Moosemax
, US
Sep 30, 2021 7:37 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Boucher123

Did you ever get anywhere with travel smart? We were also scammed

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KariMar
Ronkonkoma, US
Apr 03, 2023 12:10 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Boucher123

I also emailed Travel Smart Vip vía email and all I get is NOTHING but phone calls to get me to continue paying the yearly maintenance fee. I got no reply regarding my 2 SPECIAL WEEKSnd 2 BONUS WEEKS spelled out in my contract to be used within the 10 year contract #6448507. Like I said, total scam! I even sent pues of the contract page where it is spelled out that for every special week I use I'd get an additional bonus week the same year. I've never meen able to use any SPECIAL NOR BONUS weeks because my plans to travel in 2020 were shut by the pandemic and all Travelsmart vip customer service reps vanidhed. I've tried calling and they basically Dena over the phone what's written on my contract.

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Boucher123
MAIDENS, US
Dec 04, 2020 1:24 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

So does anyone know If they will come after you in court for nonpayment? or will it affect your credit for non-payment?

TravelSmart VIP
TravelSmart VIP
, US
Dec 04, 2020 1:43 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Boucher123

Good Afternoon Boucher123, Please reach out to us directly in order to discuss any financial issues you may be having as we have several options available to our members right now. We can also gladly assist in clearing up any doubts you may have regarding your membership plan with us

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John Johnson1
, US
May 14, 2023 6:08 am EDT

There is no contract that can't be cancelled.

Do not listen to these crooks.

Stop paying.

Membership fee? For what?

If you paid full amount and you don't want to pay membership fees any longer then stop paying.

They can cancel contract but you can't, how is that legal?

Where would they sue you and for what? These guys are not paying for club membership fee.

Ridiculous.

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Teeka B
, US
Jul 08, 2020 3:42 pm EDT

My husband and I travelled to the Royalton Punta Cana last August to which we were bombarded by your team to join us for breakfast and lunch to get to know us then bring us to a meeting which was not clear, feeding us will alcohol and I spent most of the time trying to chase round my 1 year old daughter who would not sit still.

We went ahead after continual pressure, negotiating and going back and forth about the membership and cost. My husband and I were still unsure and one of the sales representatives asked if we know TUI as they work alongside TUI as a reputable company, this made us more comfortable to go with TSV. They also told us we could have a free holiday choose any country in the world and RCI would cover the accommodation fees and we would sort the flights. When looking into this after there are so many additional fees to pay (as RCI are actually not part of travel smart vip) Its only on select hotels which when you check them out they're generally 3* and lower.

After great discussion and going back and forth with their books, explanations and after liters of spirits, the laughing and joking they moved quite swiftly to sign the paperwork. We only had a few days left in the resort if we required cancellation which was not enough time for us while we were there, as everyday we were out on excursions trying to enjoy our holiday so didn't really consider checking TSV out in greater detail.

Since returning home I have gone back and forth with TSV about offers, RCI bookings, what we were told and the status on how they are managing things in the current climate. To my astonishment a lot of things were not so. You do not work alongside Tui, we were told we could accelerate our years if we do not use them a year behind and a year ahead which is now incorrect. We also now have to pay an additional fee to RCi which wasn't fully made clear. You do not offer assistance on flights from the UK.

Due to the current climate I made contact with Raquel the Spanish representative to discuss cancellation months back, the response is slow, and she did not seem to be able to answer some of my questions. I wanted to liaise with a person in position of power and im still waiting.

We have paid a monthly fee from August until now with the additional transaction fee and not rendered any services from TSV and covered the cost of any gift we received (which was just an old Huawei tablet) but there are a lot of gray areas and false advertisement that was made. We were also supposedly given vouchers to stay in one of their resorts with our free and bonus weeks and just having to sort out our flights, but they demand the all inclusive resort fee which is the cost of the whole holiday through other reputable providers. Taking advantage of holiday makers filling them with alcohol and distracting me with my child was unacceptable. Therefore we wish to cancel!

I note in the contract it states if you miss payments over a period of time they can cancel your membership but if you fail to pay they want to summons you for the money. Does this apply even if you have not used their facilities, and quite frankly the people that have, have complained that they didn't get what was sold to them.

I certainly would not and will not be recommending travelsmart vip and will be visiting a number of platform to make this clear so further travellers do not get caught up in this unlawful trap.

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Michele B.
, US
Jul 14, 2021 2:42 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Teeka B

I totally agree. We have not received anything we were promised at the time of the sale. The RCI and Ownerslink are another part of the scam. The Ownerslink rep. convinced us that we had to pay the whole 15 yr membership upfront and we did and have not used it once. We did pay RCI once but have since cancelled. We have used the TSV on 4 occasions and we have been treated very differently each time. We are also very unhappy with TSV.

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Moosemax
, US
Sep 30, 2021 7:38 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Michele B.

Hi we were also scammed by travel smart

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Jwes
, US
Dec 04, 2019 10:12 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am in!
If anyone else has any information on how to cancel or wants to go in on a lawsuit I am ready.
Total Scam

TravelSmart VIP
TravelSmart VIP
, US
Dec 04, 2019 11:33 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Jwes

We're sorry to hear you have formed such an unfounded impression of our company and wish to cancel your membership. If you could reach out to us directly with your membership details via private message we will gladly assist you further.

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Michele B.
, US
Jul 14, 2021 2:44 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Jwes

I would join a lawsuit.

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Moosemax
, US
Sep 30, 2021 7:47 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Jwes

Did you ever get your money back from travel smart?

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Mark Voisin
, US
Oct 26, 2019 2:26 pm EDT

Oh my husband and I are also from Canada, we to have just been scammed by the lies of this travel smart company and oh I am on board with anyone whom has lawyer willing to sue them for thier fraudulent behaviour then denying they did anything wrong, we have not even used it and told there if we cancelled within 30 days we would only loose 600 of the 3500 deposit they requested, I sent cancellation notice after two weeks and oh now they tell me that it was 5 days etc just pure lies so I to am on board with any in canada going after them...you can contact me at this email to count me in...rockcutvariety@gmail.com

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STVIPripoff
, US
Aug 11, 2019 3:03 am EDT

Smart Travel VIP cancel our membership per my husband's request. They told him he couldn't cancel; however, they canceled our membership and charged our credit card. We emailed customer service who in turn shared the cancellation letter. I have sent emails and left a voicemail requesting a refund. No one has responded to my email or voicemail.

TravelSmart VIP
TravelSmart VIP
, US
Aug 14, 2019 11:28 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Good Evening, If you could reach out to us directly with your membership details via private message or by email to socialmedia@travelsmartvip.com we will gladly look into the situation for you. Unfortunately, as we're sure you can appreciate, we are unable to identify our members via their forum usernames.

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Hanan hk
, US
May 27, 2019 1:44 pm EDT

i want my money too they have taken over 5800 any advise ?

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Km87
, US
Sep 14, 2018 1:22 pm EDT

I am in the same boat with theses people. Travel smart is the worse. If you don’t cancel within the 5 day period they tell you it’s not possible to cancel ever, however in my contract it states that 15% will be kept. The reason for cancelling is poor customer service and we received a “free” voucher for 4 night stay anywhere in royalton resorts however since we became members they asked me to pay membership fees to use voucher and taxes including fees which came to almost $1200 plus flights. I don’t see how this is a deal so I immediately called my cc company and am taking legal action because they are most definitely a SCAM! My advice don’t ever buy into something you know nothing about! Stay away. I’m hoping to get at least half of my $3000 down payment back! Wish me luck. Act now let’s get them out of business so no one else has to lose money!

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hanankh
, US
Apr 20, 2019 2:19 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Km87

How do you plan to do so, are you suing them, I want to exit too don’t know how

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Jwes
, US
Dec 04, 2019 10:15 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Km87

Please give an update
We are and have been trying to GET OUT but have been unsuccessful
Has anyone used legal to try?

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liud
, US
Aug 03, 2018 12:18 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Please, I need help, I would like to cancel my membership, I I am in the range of 5 days, someone to help me, how can I cancel.

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NickFooled
, US
Aug 19, 2018 10:49 am EDT
Replying to comment of liud

liud, you have 60 days to place a dispute with your bank...try to negotiate the first 30 days to cancel the membership with travel scam..but from my personal experience they will lie and deceive you in all ways possible and will not honor your 5 days recession period even if you beg them for your life...they will take all your money and continue on with their lies...good luck!

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bong buddy
, US
Jul 08, 2018 7:45 pm EDT

I am in the same boat as you guys are.Got lured into the sales pitch the day before we left the New Royalton Bavaro Resort in Punta Cana .Thought we were smart enough to cancel it the next day before we left but 3 weeks have passed we are given the run around and i still have the 40% downpayment charges in our credit card.
I have informed my bank and they are asking for a cancellation transaction number from the agents in travel smart and good luck with that.I cant even get a call back or email from this dingdongs.
Any piece of advice will be greatly appreciated...
Thank you!

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No Travel Scam
, US
Jul 04, 2018 9:17 am EDT

For those who wants to resolve any issues with travel scam, post your message (in addition to here) on social media pages of the company (facebook, twitter and etc..), so that scammers will see it directly and do it until you have problem resolved. Five, ten posts per day, times amount of victims...
Having such pages with bad responds will force those scammers to resolve or get them out of the market and make an air fresh from robbers.

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Kitty Robinson
, US
Nov 06, 2017 10:38 pm EST

Has anyone been successful in canceling contracts with this Travel Smart group? We were persuaded to purchase in 2015 while vacationing in Freeport, Bahamas. We were ok with the purchase at the time, as we reduced our package to meet only what we felt we needed. However, it has been difficult to say the lease to deal with them. For starters, our home resort closed and we were notified it would not be re-opening when I called to schedule a vacation. No notifications at all that our resort would not be opening again. Then, during this process I was told the $500 flight credit we had been given was only good through Sunwing. Small problem; Sunwing only flies to and from Canada. Something I know they knew when we were at our meeting. Third major issue was that when we bought our package, we were told that we were able to start using our benefits right away. I tried to book my package to find out that was not the case, and we had to wait until after January 1 2017. We again shrugged it off and kept paying. Now we are trying to book a package that is not only more expensive through them than to go through the resort itself, or even Expedia, and there were no hours for their customer service team anywhere, so my husband emailed them to find out options. He is informed very clearly there are none. So he asked for information on their cancellation process and was told there is no way to cancel it after the 5 day grace period. I want to know how far into the legal process I am going to have to go with this to get it stopped. We have been paying since 2015 and have not used it once. I think they have gotten enough money from us! I am ready to take this as far as I have to so I can be free of them. Any information would be greatly appreciated. ID# 2798297

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D. Lugo
, CA
Nov 04, 2017 12:36 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Agree with you.

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Ragss
, US
Nov 04, 2017 12:28 pm EDT

I just got back from Negril, we were offered a day at the Royalton of course you needed to listen to the 90 minute plus sales pitch. When I ask to see the contract and have time to read it over and discuss it with my husband, I was told no they stated you need to give me a yes or no deal now, I promptly thanked them for their time and we were escorted off the property immediately. STAY AS AWAY! If it sounds to good to be true it usually is.

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Eric7763
, US
Oct 27, 2017 2:51 pm EDT

So what happens if you just quit paying? I know you lose your initial investment, but you don't lose anymore.

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Mags N Paul Robinson
, US
Sep 30, 2018 3:44 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Eric7763

Too right. That's what weregoing to do. After all, you haven't taken anything from them.

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Tcanada
, US
Jul 21, 2021 11:41 pm EDT
Replying to comment of Eric7763

It is my big mistake to pay in full my 10 years package at Royalton in Punta Cana, too. I stop paying yearly fee after second years. It is cheaper to buy vacation package from any other agency than paying resort fees plus airfare with Travel Smart . I cancel my credit card, so, they can not have money from me anymore. Even though I don't use it, they still keep asking me to pay yearly fee?

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TiredofTravelSmart
Paris, US
Aug 30, 2021 10:13 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more
Replying to comment of Eric7763

Has anything happened since you stopped paying?

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slthomas20
, US
Apr 01, 2017 6:37 am EDT

Travel Smart is a bad business deal in my opinion. I concur with the reviews above. They do have a way to Coerce individuals to buy the travel packages. We were smart enough to walk away and do research so never let anyone force you or trick you into selling you anything. Any business that cannot be researched is NOT a good deal. The SCAM part is that if you do purchase and cancel you will have to pay a fee that will not be refunded. Why is that? By the way, I impressed the sales rep so good and her bosses that they were agreeing with me that the deal had holes and they couldn't stop me. They first said we would lose the deal (I.e., promotion) if we left but I told them that doesn't make any sense. There is no policy that they can't honor the deal the next day. So, based on all of this, do not purchase until you are willing to deal with the realization of bad business with a scam attached. Don't drink either doing any business deal...not wise!

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DLS1656
Colonia, US
Mar 25, 2017 11:47 pm EDT

While I understand the issue of not receiving a statement from TSVIP regardling the annual fee, I was lucky enough to log into my account and see the charge. I had to call them anyway, so I paid my fee and they waived my late charges. Fair enough. We purchased our membership last August, and I had 2nd thoughts the next day after reading some reviews. I thought much of what was said in the reviews, was mostly not understanding how the program works. I can see why - the sales team is good at what they do but I didn't feel I was lied to because I understood exactly what I was purchasing. So I went back the next day and renegotiated my contract, using a full payment promise within 30 days as my leverage. Now a couple of months later, I wanted to look at options for a 5 night getaway but was unable to access my RCI or OwnersLink accounts. I didn't want to start using my points until 2017. When I realized that it was going to take a little research and more than 1 phone call to resolve my issues, I went ahead and booked a resort under the Royalton brand via a popular travel website. I continued to pursue the issues, and once my home resort in Jamaica got involved, along with the TS manager at the resort I was going to, I was given a multi-level upgrade and received all of my club privileges. Fair enough (again). Now, I don't think I should have to jump through hoops in order to feel satisfied with my investment, but I am hopeful, moving forward, things will run smoothly. If this club is going to piggyback Sunwing and more importantly, Royalton and RCI, they will continue to strive towards customer service excellence. My advice to people who are considering this investment is to ask questions until you understand how it works and what you're getting ... and read what you're signing. Being worn down from hours of presentation is no excuse for not reading your entire contract! I just booked a vacation week without any issues. As a matter of fact, the reservation agent was very helpful, making suggestions and explaining options in great detail for me to consider. I really appreciated that and that is exactly the kind of service I'd like to receive every time I call. And people should know, if you want to buy into a travel club, perhaps start at the bottom and see if you and the club are the right fit - you can always buy more time and points.

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S Clarke
, US
Feb 15, 2017 6:21 pm EST

STAY AWAY FROM TRAVEL SMART! My husband and I signed a contract after what seems like their usual MO. We were there for hours and the drinks keep coming. It wasn't until after the 5 day cancellation period did we start having problems. I called them to find out the information to make a payment and to make a reservation. I was told that arrangements could be made for me but not my husband, as we are leaving from two different countries. This has lead to over a month of stressful communication and broken promises. Now they won't refund our annual fee or our "buy in". Stating that customers don't get a refund. We signed the contact on December 31, 2016. Mysteriously, no correspondence between the company and I until I stated calling every other day then started to email. Please, please save yourself the trouble and get out NOW! Nothing is as they say, NO one will answer the phones and aren't willing to help. One representative told me that we all have our own jobs. Great! You have our money but can't make arrangements for my husband to travel and now won't return our money. Stay away!

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Ana Gaviria
, US
Jun 06, 2017 12:01 pm EDT
Replying to comment of S Clarke

Did anybody receive a "Barclay RCI credit card" to assist with Down Payment?
I am unable to get a hold of Travel Smart people except though emails and they only reply to mine asking me for new credit card number for my monthly dues. I refuse to continue to pay and want to cancel my membership and credit card which now has a balance of $1600 used by Travel Smart SCAM. please help

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M Renfro
, US
Jan 21, 2017 6:07 am EST

I purchased a TravelSmart Membership in December of 2015. I have not used any of our weeks yet, so I do not have any positive or negative experiences to share with regards to using our membership. However, I have experienced problems with their annual membership fee. The fee is due by the end of January. Since we purchased our membership in December, we were never notified that the annual payment was due in January 2016. It wasn't until I received notice in November 2016, that our 2017 annual fee was due by January 2017, that I noticed that our 2016 fees had not been paid (again - I was never notified about this fee after purchasing the membership or how to make payment). On top of this, there was a $120 late fee penalty. I called TravelSmart and explained the situation and asked them how I was supposed to know how to make payment since nothing was ever sent to me about the fee being due in January 2016 or where I could go to see my statement and make payment. Their response was that the contract stated there would be an annual fee (which it did) so I should have taken it upon myself to call them and ask when and how this payment should be made. I told them that after spending over 5 hours with the representative when purchasing our membership and trying to simply understand the complexities of the membership, the annual membership fee was not top of mind coming out of our meeting. After explaining the situation to TravelSmart they essentially blamed me for the problem and would not fully waive the late payment fee. I suspect this happens to many people who purchase a membership in the November-January timeframe, since TravelSmart only sends out notices about the annual fee in November, which is 11 months after the previous year's payment is due. On top of this, I never received any notice that my annual payment had not been paid and late fees were accruing every month. So buyer beware about the annual fees - especially if you purchase a membership in the November-January time period. You will have to call TravelSmart by January 31st to make your first annual fee payment.

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@JC
, US
Jul 07, 2016 2:20 pm EDT

Before I became a member I was told that I had the flexibility of making reservations. Not True! I called to make a reservation and they said the week was available. The next day I received an email stating that the week was not available. They continued to tell me that I have to book 6 months in advanced. I got the membership, primarily because of the flexibility. This was not apart of my contract agreement! There is no flexibility. The customer service representatives are rude and do not want to listen and pretty much tell you that you are lying and that it was not apart of your agreement. One representative went as far as to tell me that I will not get my money back after I asked to cancel my membership. I continued to ask for a number to cancel services and he said there is no number! VIP Travel Smart are so rude! They LIE!

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Weeshell
, US
Jun 20, 2016 8:53 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

This is a very interesting read, I am in the middle of a debate with Travel Smart with regards to a membership that we signed up for last October, everything was fine until March this year when they claimed that our debit payment had been declined from our bank - since then it has been a shambles. They have hit us with late fees, annual club fees demanding payment. I should point out there has always been funds available for payment - I have lost all faith in trying to rectify this situation being back and forth with emails - that are barely English from the Travel Smart end. I want to be refunded for all charges and any money that we have paid in. Its a joke, we haven't even tried to book anything yet - could you imagine how that would play out! I am not sure what can be done from here on in other than plaster it all over social media, write to the director of Travel Smart (if there is one) and push it out over a very active Trip Advisor account. Any suggestions welcome!

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em.k
, GB
Jun 12, 2016 2:40 pm EDT

hi me and my partner got scammed by this shameful company in january.we fell for it all it sounds like a very good deal wen there plying you with drinks, we spent £15000 gbp on our membership. wen we got back to our room i researched what we had just bought on the internet to find everything i read was bad and we had been scammed.
the next day i went to the office that had sold me this rubbish, and demanded that i want to cancel. they tried to fool me at this time telling me what i had read was wrong and assured me it was all legit. I went back to our room and rang there office in mexico and said i would like to book, then found out all the extra charges and fees they charge, it adds up to more than we paid for the holiday we was on.
so now we was determined to get our money back, me and my partner went to the office and threatened to tell everyone what they was really being sold, they threatened us with the police saying we was in there country, so they hushed us in a side room where the manager was being really vile and aggressive to my partner screaming in our faces, after several arguments and i mean arguments the staff were very aggressive and offensive,
thay agreed to give us a refund.
but they would keep 15% or we could transfer it to a smaller membership so we don't loose out ha.so we agreed and put our cancellation in writing
which they said was faxed off, after several days on edge waiting for the refund it was finally refunded.
THIS IS A TOTAL SCAM PLEASE DON'T FALL FOR IT.

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Jojofrande
, CA
Jun 08, 2016 7:21 pm EDT

We just got back from our vacation to Grand memories with my husband and 2 kids. We fell for the pressure and signed up on our last day of our vacation. After reading these reviews, I sent an email to cancel. I am within the 7 day cancelation period. I also blocked my credit card to prevent anymore payments. They already took my down payment. Is there anything I should do to expedite my refund? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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Milena Ganeva
, US
Dec 21, 2016 8:49 am EST
Replying to comment of Jojofrande

Advise your credit card immideately. We did receive some partial refund and later VISA said they 'lost' the case and we lost around 500 canadiam dollars together with the fee that was not reimbursed as per Travel Smart contract. We wrote emails to Sunwings, Travel smart, but they said everything was done correctly. They are working together and they scammed us. I am not using any more Sunwings services. Hope you have a better luck!

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Zeus Gonzalez
, US
Jun 01, 2016 7:31 pm EDT

Just came back from a cruise to the Bahamas yesterday. Man approached about a great offer and if listen to the "90 minute" presentation they would pay for our taxi to the resort and back and we would be able to enjoy all of the resort amenities for the rest of the day. The 90-minute presentation turned into over 4 hours. Which wasted most of my only island day. Asked questions about their airfare which is sun wing (never heard of them) because in their pitch they said because they own everything they cut out the "middle man". Could not answer and would not answer where sun wing flys out of. (After Google research, they primary fly out of Canada.) We then continue to tell the sale lady that we are no longer interested because it sounded good, but wanted to do more research before we committed to buying anything. manager personality completely changed towards us... No longer friendly and the manager actually walked away and completely ignored us. Even the sales lady would not look us in the eye as if we had just taken food from her mouth.

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duped and broke
, CA
May 16, 2016 12:38 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am from Ontario Canada. We fell for this at Chic in Punta Cana in February of 2014. We have paid over $10, 000 and are desperate to get out of this contract. We still have $25, 000 left to pay and it keeps coming off my credit card. has anyone just cancelled their credit cards? What can we do? Let's band together and go public with this scam!

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Jwes
, US
Dec 04, 2019 10:09 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am willing to band with you!

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Jwes
, US
Dec 04, 2019 10:16 am EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I am in!

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JLC1
, US
Apr 21, 2016 2:42 pm EDT

I'm hoping I dodged a bullet by finding this page. I just signed up for TravelSmart on 4/19 and due to my mother feeling sick yesterday, I stayed in and researched this company. Nothing I found was positive and that scares me. I signed up for the RCI credit card for the down payment and promptly cancelled the card before any charges were made to the account. I am wondering, though, how those above were notified of cancellation for nonpayment. I would like to send letters to any and all addresses registered. The only address listed on my contract is in Mexico which scares me as to the legitimacy of sending mail there as we were told Sunwing is a Canadian company. However, if this is the only address I have, I will send a certified letter to that address (not even sure that's possible in Mexico). Thanks in advance for any assistance given.

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CJ Action Now
, GB
Apr 19, 2016 7:19 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Hi guys, I just found this site and posted but I don't know what happen to my post. So to reiterate same happen to me scammed out of £2000 in Jamica by Travel Smart, they have now cancelled my membership.

I'm from the UK (london) anyone putting together a lawsuit I would like to be involved. Travel Smart VIP are discussing - contact me sherieejoseph@googlemail.com - also, everyone tweet and Facebook Travel smart VIP boombared all there social media with posts about them scamming unknowing customers

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CJ Action Now
, GB
Apr 19, 2016 7:08 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I have had the same experience but this large company are getting away with misspelling! I paid £2000 and I have used none of there services they have now cancelled my membership with no refund for challenging their charges. I propose we come together and mount a legal challenge. Who's in? There is strength in numbers.

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D. Lugo
, CA
Aug 04, 2017 1:35 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I'm in. I am in the same situation. We are many with the same problem, lets be together.

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Monia Jouini Bierman
, US
Aug 24, 2017 11:42 am EDT

I am in, we have been members for 3 years, with some challenges, but now it is even worse, as we have been unable to make any bookings, with all the money we put in

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D. Lugo
, CA
Aug 24, 2017 11:59 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I'm traying to contact some atorneys if we can be many again them maybe we will have a chance to win.

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Mocita
, CA
Apr 02, 2016 8:18 am EDT

Any news? Were you able to cancel your membership? ? We need help!

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celinecaro
, CA
Mar 13, 2016 11:26 am EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

hi . any news about what happened with them. were you able to you cancel your membership . had the same probleme with them end up cost me more for vacation . can't believed sunwing is in this. i keep sending email to them with no answer. they are getting very bad reputation. won't travel with sunwing anymore.

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roxyagnes
, CA
Feb 19, 2016 12:25 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Am from Canada and am trying to get in contact with people who have been scammed by Travel Smart to gather their information. My hopes are to see if a lawyer can be found that would be willing to do a class action lawsuit against Travel Smart/Sun Wing/Signature Vacations/RCI.
Contact is silverliningparty@gmail.com.