After reading through all of these posts on MPG, I too share in the frustrations associated with lack of communication, paying for airport taxes that aren't customary with typical travel, etc. The host of the Global Discovery Vacations presentation in Februrary did inform us that we would be responsible for "taxes", but no details were given like the $150x2 up front processing fee (why don't they call it what it really is?)
Here is where my situation is: My wife and I sent our $100 deposit and initial certificate information back in April. The three travel dates that we selected were in late October, early December and early January all for Cancun. At the time that we made these selections and mailed them in to MPG, the only resort listed for Cancun was the Park Royal Hilton which is right on the beach.
We received one email in June informing us that they were processing our request, but then did not receive anything again until October 8, when we were informed that we were leaving from Columbus on 12/01/01 to Cancun. Great we we're getting just what we had ordered... Only later to be proven wrong.
Since then, starting just last week, my wife has been calling, emailing, calling, emailing, to get information about this trip. Here's what has happened.
1) We were told that we needed to send in the $300 before any of the booking process would begin.
2) Before we sent in our check for the $300, We were offered insurance ($85) to safeguard us against being liable for the full amount of the airfare if WE decided to cancel for any reason and did not show up at the airport on 12/1. I couldn't get specific details out of the call center reps in Florida, but they offered to send me the policy if I paid for it (by credit card) at that time. I was assured I could cancel it later before the trip if I wanted. We refused the insurance.
3) We sent in our $300 check - certified mail to make sure that it was received within the 10 days of notice as stated by one of their form emails.
3a) We also learn that we're responsible for $ to get us from the hotel back to the airport which contradicts the initial terms and contitions (like many of you have mentioned)
4) The $300 cleared quickly from our account and we were emailed a "Cancellation Policy" through email that I reluctantly faxed back with my credit card info and copies of Drivers license and passports as instructed.
5) We were contacted (by phone from a MPG rep in Cancun) on November 24th that flight arrangements could not be made from Columbus, but if we wanted to still depart on 12/1 that we could from Indianapolis (3.5 hr drive away) or we could wait until 12/15 and depart from Columbus
6) At that time my wife was given the international phone number for this lady (in Cancun) responsible for booking the flights to see if we could work something out. Keep in mind that we still assume that we're staying at the Park Royale since it was the only resort listed in Cancun when we signed up for this thing.
7) Due to time already scheduled off work and childcare arrangements, we have opted for the 12/1 departure out of Indianapolis. Still no hotel confirmation.
8) Today 11/26, my wife calls back to the lady in Mexico to see if SHE can confirm our reservations at the Park Royale we are staying next week and she informs us that we will be staying at the Princess Caribbean Hotel, which is not on the beach and appears to be several notches down from what was originally marketed and advertised in the information we were initially provided. This hotel is now on the FORMPG.com website, but it must have just recently appeared.
I called the number in Mexico after I got home from work and spoke with another lady who told me that they do not send people to the Park Royale and that there was no way that we could be switched to it.
So needless to say, we are both very angered and upset with our current situation. Should we go and take chance that this will somehow all work out? If I cancel at this point, I'm sure I'll have have to get some legal assistance to recoup the $400 the cost of the airline tickets that they will surely would try to collect on.
If I can reach anyone in the offices in Florida, Branson and Cancun on Friday, I plan on raising a stink to get switched over to what we signed up for.
I also plan on contacting Global Discovery Vacations to give them an opportunity to somehow make this right since we are members of their program and they were the ones that used this MPG gimmick in the first place to lure folks into listening to their presentation.
I'll be sure to come back and post on how things turn out. I'd love to hear from someone that actually made it to Cancun and back and is willing to provide an update on the Caribbean Princess Hotel since it appears that's where any of us that are daring enough to leave town are headed for.
Although I'm Thankful for many things on this Thanksgiving Day, MPG is currently not on the list.
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