So I joined Directbuy Travel based on saving that were promissed and a free cruiose and free week in a resort. I was able to use the first free week in a resort in Orlando and stayed in a decent timeshare facility with limited to no taxes and fees. So I figured all was good. Before booking the intial free cruise I was offered an "upgrade" for my membership. I was relatively happy with the resort experience so I paid $1,699 for the upgrade because it inclusded an additional free resort stay in a Mayan resort and another free cruise. After purchasing the upgrade my first "free" cruise certificate was about to expire so I looked on their website and eventually found a cruise that was interesting. Tried to book it and discovered that that over half of the fare for a cruise consisted of taxes and port fees. I was told that taxes and fees were not included in the certificate but I was not told that the majotiy of the price of the cruise was taxes and fees. So when I add up the value of the certificate towards the resort stay and the small portion of the cruise fare covered by the it does not come anywhere near the price I paid for the membership.
Then we come to the upgrade. While the initial resort stay I was promissed in the original memebrship was worthwhile the upgrade included a week in a Mayan resort. The free week in the Mayan resort actually costs $325 or more. $250 is a depsoit towards items in the resort because, as one Directbuy agent told me, these Mayan resorts nickle and dime you for everything. Then there is a $75 reservation fee and only god knows how many additional fees and taxes will be added if I choose to use the certificate. Plus the $1,699 that I paid for the upgrade included another free cruise that will be far from free.
So I paid $1,699 which will cover maybe $400-500 of a crusie fare and a week in a resort that was was supposed to be free but is a minmum of $425. Not a good return on my investment.
I will say I have made reservation through them that have saved me varying amounts but the value I recevied for the initial membership fee, annual fees and the upgrade fee has not come near to equalling the amount paid.
I have a membership that I have been very happy with to date. Recenttly we pre-paid $999 for a hotel stay in key west and I also a purchased cancellation waiver. When I called to have the hotel booking changed to a different week, they informed me that it was too late as my reservation was less than 30 days away and they could not ask the hotel to make this change since they were expecting my $$ that weekend. I called the hotel and the manager said he would approve the change and was happy to discuss it with them. My DB account manager and the customer service manager called me right back and told me it was being addressed. However, I have had no calls back in weeks and my trip supposed to start on the 27th, which I cannot make. So #1. What is a $99 cancellation waiver for if one cannot use that waiver to change (not cancel) the reservation and #2. I feel like they robbed me since they know that we are simply not able to make these dates #3. I have not had any resolution from them and not even the respect of a call back to tell them that they were simply going to keep my money and couldn't do anything more. I paid a lot for this membership in order to have people that can help me navigate the best options for our vacations. If I had booked directly with the hotel all of my problems would be solved and I would not be out a signifcant amount of money for nothing. Everyone knows that hotels will always change your booking to a new date even if beyond their policies--It takes a mere phone call, so this just seems like a scam to me. It's not that they can't do it, they just won't and this is making a very regretful customer. So, I'm letting you know that if you buy into the program please BEWARE! A. do not book hotels with them, B. do not expect customer service, C. do not bother with their cancelation waiver. The persons I have been speaking initially seems sincerely willing to help, but none are getting back to me or returning my calls. There is no way to escalate, open a ticket, send an email...just vm's that never get answered. I mean if you are going to rob your customers then at least have the respect to let them know! They just keep you hostage and your money in return for zero service and no vacation. I hope they enjoy their convesations with the BBB.
DirectBuy Travel Reviews
So I joined Directbuy Travel based on saving that were promissed and a free cruiose and free week in a resort. I was able to use the first free week in a resort in Orlando and stayed in a decent timeshare facility with limited to no taxes and fees. So I figured all was good. Before booking the intial free cruise I was offered an "upgrade" for my membership. I was relatively happy with the resort experience so I paid $1,699 for the upgrade because it inclusded an additional free resort stay in a Mayan resort and another free cruise. After purchasing the upgrade my first "free" cruise certificate was about to expire so I looked on their website and eventually found a cruise that was interesting. Tried to book it and discovered that that over half of the fare for a cruise consisted of taxes and port fees. I was told that taxes and fees were not included in the certificate but I was not told that the majotiy of the price of the cruise was taxes and fees. So when I add up the value of the certificate towards the resort stay and the small portion of the cruise fare covered by the it does not come anywhere near the price I paid for the membership.
Then we come to the upgrade. While the initial resort stay I was promissed in the original memebrship was worthwhile the upgrade included a week in a Mayan resort. The free week in the Mayan resort actually costs $325 or more. $250 is a depsoit towards items in the resort because, as one Directbuy agent told me, these Mayan resorts nickle and dime you for everything. Then there is a $75 reservation fee and only god knows how many additional fees and taxes will be added if I choose to use the certificate. Plus the $1,699 that I paid for the upgrade included another free cruise that will be far from free.
So I paid $1,699 which will cover maybe $400-500 of a crusie fare and a week in a resort that was was supposed to be free but is a minmum of $425. Not a good return on my investment.
I will say I have made reservation through them that have saved me varying amounts but the value I recevied for the initial membership fee, annual fees and the upgrade fee has not come near to equalling the amount paid.
DirectBuy Travel Program Scams
I have a membership that I have been very happy with to date. Recenttly we pre-paid $999 for a hotel stay in key west and I also a purchased cancellation waiver. When I called to have the hotel booking changed to a different week, they informed me that it was too late as my reservation was less than 30 days away and they could not ask the hotel to make this change since they were expecting my $$ that weekend. I called the hotel and the manager said he would approve the change and was happy to discuss it with them. My DB account manager and the customer service manager called me right back and told me it was being addressed. However, I have had no calls back in weeks and my trip supposed to start on the 27th, which I cannot make. So #1. What is a $99 cancellation waiver for if one cannot use that waiver to change (not cancel) the reservation and #2. I feel like they robbed me since they know that we are simply not able to make these dates #3. I have not had any resolution from them and not even the respect of a call back to tell them that they were simply going to keep my money and couldn't do anything more. I paid a lot for this membership in order to have people that can help me navigate the best options for our vacations. If I had booked directly with the hotel all of my problems would be solved and I would not be out a signifcant amount of money for nothing. Everyone knows that hotels will always change your booking to a new date even if beyond their policies--It takes a mere phone call, so this just seems like a scam to me. It's not that they can't do it, they just won't and this is making a very regretful customer. So, I'm letting you know that if you buy into the program please BEWARE! A. do not book hotels with them, B. do not expect customer service, C. do not bother with their cancelation waiver. The persons I have been speaking initially seems sincerely willing to help, but none are getting back to me or returning my calls. There is no way to escalate, open a ticket, send an email...just vm's that never get answered. I mean if you are going to rob your customers then at least have the respect to let them know! They just keep you hostage and your money in return for zero service and no vacation. I hope they enjoy their convesations with the BBB.