I took the liberty to alter the complaint review from Beth, Report #844070 as my experience with Infinity Incentive Group is nearly a perfect mirror of the unfortunate experience which she had. My "PIN # with IIG is *240.
I received a mailing from Perfect Select Rewards, went to a presentation and received the promotional "gift certificate" that stated we had been "awarded" a 7-day cruise with airfare for 2 adults. I sent in the requested amount, $598, which was "to be applied towards taxes and fees." This included an outside cabin. We made our date and cruise selections and waited to hear back.
Our first date selection we were told was unavailable, so we finally received word from them via email, that our second date was available. The following is the email I received from IIG regarding the cruise:
Thank you for your interest and participation in our promotional travel offer. It is our goal to provide you with quality customer service and provide you with travel arrangements that are best matched to your preferred travel dates. This "Tentative Online Itinerary" serves only as a price guide as all prices are subject to availability and prevailing rates at the time of Confirmation & Payment. Due to high call volume, for your convenience the best method of communication with me is through email.
On the event you have chosen a travel date that is considered a holiday, peak season, or heavy traveled time frame, as a courtesy we have quoted additional fees if they apply, rather than send you a another Travel Request Form to select new dates. You will need to reply to by February 22nd whether you are accepting this offer, otherwise your certificate will be automatically put on hold. (Please be advised these travel quotes are time sensitive and are on a first come first serve basis) Required information to accept this offer must be faxed back by due date above. 1. See Attached Credit Card Authorization Form Per an earlier conversation & the terms and conditions of your certificate the following are the details of your requested trip.
You are responsible for any Agency service fee, port fees / government fees & taxes above and beyond your deposit that might apply. Fees not covered in the terms and conditions of the certificate may or may not include a peak season fees, cabin upgrade, ship / itinerary upgrade, extra guests, travel insurance, gratuities & holiday fees. (Holiday is defined as one full week before, during, and after any major holiday) Please be advised this trip does include airfare from Denver International Airport. Voyage Information Ship: CARNIVAL SPLENDOR Destination: Mexican Riviera Departure Port: Los Angeles/Long Beach Transportation Mode: CRUISEDayPort of Call Arrival Time Depart Time May 20, Itineraries are subject to change at any time without notice.inside Stateroom (1A) Upper/Lower Berth
I replied to Kelly that this was a completely outlandish amount of money to pay for a "complimentary cruise offer" AND as an inside stateroom upper/lower berth stateroom with Bunk Style beds.in doing research I was able to determine the total cost that IIG wants me to pay is more than I would pay if I went on Carnival's website and booked the exact same cruise, same ship, same dates, same cabin type, and booked airfare.
I requested from Kelly a breakdown of the fees being charged, but she replied, " I do not get an itemized breakdown for contractual reason with the cruise line." She continued to argue with me that the rate that we were being charged was still a savings had I booked this myself. When I had asked to speak to a supervisor I was told that there was none available and that if I would like a refund I should send a written request which I had done on February 16 and that I could expect a refund in approximately 8 weeks. When asked why I would need to wait so long when I adhered to all of their short deadlines, I was told that is the company policy. I am now quite concerned that my $598 will not be refunded and all of the additional costs involved in sending certified correspondence to IIG.
There is absolutely no way I will book this cruise through IIG. Clearly this is a rip-off, and I will be requesting my money back through the clause on the certificate that states: "You may also cancel this contract if accommodations or facilities are not available pursuant to a request for use as provided in the contract." Since the above email states that an inside stateroom upper/lower berth is not available, then we should have no trouble receiving a refund of the $598 we have sent via money order.
I would also like to note that Carnival Cruise Lines and United Airlines are both named in the initial post card that I had received advising me of my "complimentary" 7 day cruise. Both these companies should be notified that IIG has been using their name for their promotions. If this was done with their permission then they should be classified as SCAMS as well. I would you hope that you can expedite payment and I thank your for your assistance in what has been a terrible experience.
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