National Travel Services

Today I received a call from Eric calling on behalf of Ramada 1000 Resort. He apparently received my name from his extensive database of "wanna-be" travelers who paid monies and never booked their trips. Eric was more than happy to remind me I had paid a $598 deposit to National Travel Services, but that he was calling to extend my travel time through Ramada Resorts. He presented me with two options including a cruise on the Ecstasy and a land vacation in Orlando explaining the "balances" required for each.

I was then greeted by Becky, the supervisor, who then tried her luck with me. She went on and on and on with the same info as Eric. And I went on and on about problems with National Travel, hesitancy with paying for something without an opportunity to find out about the company, etc. This lasted for another 5 or 10 minutes.

I asked about a phone number and she gave me an 800 number, but I have yet to look it up to see if it was valid. I chose to search the net and I found all of these interesting complaints. It's great to NOT feel alone. I consider myself an intelligent person, so this situation infuriates me. At least, though, I can consider myself fortunate. Because I was unable to get any info from the company about booking my trip before it "expired," I was spared the horror of a doomed vacation.

I was deceived by this company into believing that I was a prize winner of a dream vacation when in fact, through word of mouth and the literature on the internet this vacation package is a big scam. I want to get my money back. I have not made reservations or traveled yet. I have spent a lot of time investigating and talking with the customer service representatives. Also, the $700 that I paid upfront is supposively non-refundable.

National Travel Services offers a package of 4 vacations plus a bonus vacation all of which are to be luxury accomodations and VIP treatment. We took our first trip on 4/30-5/4 to Cancun, Mexico where they placed us in the Mexhotel. This hotel was not what was promised to us in regards to condition (luxury accommodations) and personal treatment (VIP).

On top of that we were lied to about where our bonus vacation would be. We were originally told it would be in a log cabin in the middle of the country. When we received our initial confirmation we noticed our bonus vacation was in Williamsburg, VA staying at a Holiday Inn Express. Nothing like what we were told.

I sent a letter of complaint to National Travel Services listing all of the absurd issues we encountered at our stay in the Mexhotel. I wrote in my letter to them that I would like a favorable reply other than just an apology before 5/17/99. I called (later) to be told they are too busy to respond to my letter when I requested.

I purchased a 3-day 2-night cruse to the Bahamas in which we arrived at 6:00 am and left at 6:00 pm the same day.

We were told we would receive $100 dinner vouchers for the rental car that was supposted to be free. The voucher was good for only $30 and we had to pull teeth in order to get that.

The young lady that was supposed to book and confirm our reservation no longer worked there when we called so our choices where limited to staying two miles inland or staying on the boat for an extra fee.

They didn't give us any info on how to get to our hotel or the wecome center. We spent more time on the the resort tours and waiting in line then we did on the boat.

The trip was supposed to cost $914. We spent a little over $1500. My girlfriend suffered two nervous breakdowns because of all the (grief) they put us through.

They still owe us another trip as part of the package which we don't even want to take now. They made us wish we never went on the vacation

I received a flyer in the mail stating that I had won a vacation (or phrased like I did). I called the 800 number and was subjected to a high-pressure sales pitch about this vacation to Florida. At the time, I much needed a vacation and was all too willing to buy into the beautiful picture he presented. I went ahead and charged the money on my credit card.

Afterward, when friends advised me this could be a scam, I tried to call back and cancel but was unable to, and was unable to get my credit card customer service to stop the charge.

I have not yet taken this trip, and after reading these stories I don't think I will. However, I am out $600 regardless. I still have the video and all the paperwork that came with my package. If I could recover even some of my money that would be a great help.

I reserved a South Florida Cruise vacation with an extra vacations destinations to Cancun, Mexico-- Las Vegas, Nevada and Williamburg, Virginia on Feb. 28, 1998.

As we talked on the phone during the reservation, the travel agent assured me that I will be paying only $598 for the whole package but when I received the booklet they added $316 more. My initial reservation was $299 so I was expecting my balance is only $299. I tried to make a dispute that I was already planning of cancelling it but since I am really interested to take the tour , I planned to just pay the full amount($316 + $299)totalling $615.

In February 1999, I sent them my reconfirmation ticket and a letter to call me or write me whenever they can confirm my selected travel dates so I can pay by phone as I already signed in the ticket authorization for credit card payment but until now I haven't receeved any respond from them. On March 5, 1999 I sent them telegraphic check amounting to $250 but still nobody contacted me in spite of my letters and I also fax them twice. I never know the status of my reservation but in the booklet and when I tried to cancel it I talked to the agent that my booklet is valid within 18 months from issue date which is also written in the booklet. And 3 months from now , it already expires.

I received a bulk mailing letter stating that I had been "specially selected" to participate in their cruise product at a "discounted" rate. Subsequently, a National Tavel/Ramada Plaza Resorts salesperson made an unsolicited call and I booked a reservation with the company. I paid half the fee: $695.00 via credit card. but as the date approached for my departure, the person with whom I was to go on the vacation passed away.

I felt I no longer wished to go and decided to cancel the reservation. I asked for a refund. I was told to mail a letter requesting a refund and include a copy of my to-be-guest's death certificate. I did so. months passed and did not receive a response nor a refund. I called to inquire and was continually placed on hold, disconnected, placed on hold, fowarded to other departments, etc.

Finally, a customer service rep. named "Neomi" 34 turned out to be a sales rep who made no attempt to resolve my case or process a refund. Instead, she told me to "choose another guest" or "sell my portion of the reservation" to someone else! I re-sent a letter and copy of death certificate requesting a refund and have yet to receive any response.

In October 1998 I attended a Women's Show at Capitol Expo in Chantilly, Va., where I filled out a card for a free trip to Florida and cruise to the Bahamas. A couple of weeks later I received a call, the person said I had "won" this trip, but they would need my credit card number to charge me port fees of $598.00 for a trip for 2 and another $173.00 a person due at reconfirmation.

After reading these other travelers' horror stories in connection with this company I definitely want my $598.00 back.

I've been concerned for the past year how I could win a trip and yet have to pay a $598 non-refundable deposit. At the time of the original phone call I was excited but as time has passed I understand that I was scammed out of money I can't afford to lose. There is no way I am paying for a flight to Fort Lauderdale, then this $173.00 per person to get down there and find another horror story.