Be very very careful this company is extreemely deceptive and is preying on innocent consumers everyday!!! I personally watched about 6 individuals sign up for their big ticket bogus travel membership program. The savings are not any greater than what you could find on your own by doing basic research. Furthermore, they lure you in with the promises of a free cruise and they lie about virtually every aspect of their "presentation" and gift package.
Documentation Of My Experience With Discount Global Travel — representing itself to be the BBB member Global Travel
I received a pre-recorded telephone call telling me that I had a free ticket on the Carnival Pride 7 day Mazatlan trip and to call 1-800-665-3166. I called the number and spoke with Andrew. He told me that he represented Global Travel in Irvine California. As I had him on the telephone, I immediately looked up the company on the Better Business Bureau website. The BBB showed a Global Travel located in Irvine with an A rating. I told Andrew that I had just looked up the reputation of Global Travel on the internet and found that they had a good rating which put me at ease. He did not try to correct me with the name. He just stated that it was a very good and very large company with offices nationwide. He said that there was no obligation to purchase anything and that I would be in a presentation where I could learn more about the offering. He explained that the presentation would include filling out a survey and a video—he implied that we (my husband and myself) would be in a group setting. After the ninety minute presentation, I would be presented with a travel coupon and that I could book my cruise at anytime for the next 18 months—he said that there would be an additional charge if I booked during holidays he also said that I would be responsible for California Sales tax, port fees and taxes, and alcohol fees and all I had to do was go to a ninety minute presentation. I specifically asked if there would be any additional charges—if there was any sort of gimmick. He said no.
When I arrived at the offices in Irvine. I noted that the name of the travel agency was not Global Travel but Discount Global Travel. We were asked to submit a survey. I submitted the survey and then I was introduced to Victor Danbestai from Mission Viejo California. Victor began asking us about some of the answers that we submitted on the survey and then proceeded to tell us a little bit about the travel agency. He specifically stated that the company was a member of the Better Business Bureau and showed us some other items such as the World Span membership and something that he said was a license with the justice department. He had everything produced in a book. He then started with the sales pitch.
DGT was offering a travel plan which would save us oodles of cash over the long term. We would have access to discounted travel to exotic locations and local locations. We were initially led to believe that we could see the things online. When I asked specifically if the booking could be done online I was told no it could only be done by phone through the Detroit office. I asked to call the Detroit office in order to verify that the items that were being shown were available and to see how a booking would take place. The Detroit office was, naturally, closed. He continued to pressure us insisting that if we signed on immediately—we would get a slew of special offers. Some of the offers were written on paper and not on the offering—specifically the villa offering. It was very tempting because the savings he was claiming was so significant. I continuously asked how much the membership cost and he explained that he would get to the total cost after he had completed the explanation.
Bottom line—presented in the last five minutes
Price 9500 20 year membership fee
2000 deduction for a sign on for today
When I questioned the BBB membership, he produced a paper that showed the BBB membership. I asked to look up the reputation on the BBB site, he hesitated but finally agreed. The company—under the correct name—has over 28 complaints in the last 36 months. He had an answer for everything. This was because they had a manager in place six months ago that was making false promises. They had taken immediate action by dismissing him and the other sales staff—in essence they had cleaned house. He then admitted that the office in Detroit was a member in that area and that is what he was referring to. I told him that the marketing company who scheduled me said the company was Global Travel not Discount Global Travel. He told me I probably misunderstood.
I asked for my free Carnival Pride package. When I thumbed through it I noted that I had to pay $299 per person upfront within thirty days in order to take advantage of the package. This was for the port fees, taxes, and processing fees and it stated that I would have to wait about six months before I got some information. Also noted were additional fees including a $45 fee and a $59 fee for some miscellaneous items. At this point I was truly outraged. Never once did the marketing company or Victor explain that I would be required to pay the upfront costs, nor did anyone tell me about the processing fees.
I called Carnival and found out that the Pride package for a non-upgraded room runs about $579 (including port fees)/per person, meaning that this is not a great deal.
The following Monday I called the marketing company back and acted like I had just received the initial telemarketing phone call. This time I spoke with Mike. He also stated that the company was Global Travel. Again I said I was going to check them out on the BBB and he said yeah go ahead were members. Again he told me that I only had to pay the port fees, taxes, and alcohol. I asked if there were any other charges. Answer—no. These fraudsters are truly trying every which way to deceive the general public.
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