ComplaintsforSpartan Odyssey Vacations

• Initial Complaint

  06/19/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  5 Dec 2023 we attended a travel presentation from Spartan Odyssey. Extremely low-priced cruises were presented with the understanding that you must call a concierge to obtain the best price. We were also shown their website that supported their presentation claims. After purchasing the "travel package", we were told we would be notified by phone for access to the website to begin planning our next adventure. We were also given paperwork stating we had 3 days after purchase to cancel.The contract provides for a 3-day cancellation period while website and ***************** access were not provided for 5 days after the purchase (10 Dec). This allowed time for buyer's remorse but not time to verify the truth of their savings claim. The website did not depict the same information as the presentation or website page we were shown.The best price for concierge quotes have been the same as can be found on their website. We requested quotes for NCL 2025 (quote $2825.48, Travel Agent $3000 but includes gratuities, bus transportation to/from port, 3 specialty dinners and 4 special ******* *********** cruise 2024 (quote $1872.30, Celebrity $1789.68) and ended up booking with another agency due to cost savings and added benefits.We requested a quote for an all-inclusive group trip to ******* to include airfare, lodging and ground transfers. The quote received included lodging only; all significantly higher than quoted by another travel agent. Airfare and ground transportation were not quoted.If there was any truth to the claims they made at the presentation on the date of purchase, it had to be old truth. It seems they provided us information for prices from decades ago, since they have no such deals at present.We gave them the benefit of doubt and attempted multiple times (2023 -12/18, 12/20, 12/26 and 2024 - 1/2, 1/3, 1/9, 2/1, 5/15) to use their services but have been unsuccessful in finding savings. We request a full refund on the grounds of misrepresentation.

  Business response

  06/22/2024

  This member purchased access to an online portal offering value priced travel.  In addition to the online component, a live concierge is available to to assist the member in finding the best value.  In the event Spartans price not the lowest for the exact accommodations on the exact date, a price match guarantee plus 10% is offered to the member.  The membership is still fully active and available for use to book unlimited travel.  Member is encouraged to contact customer service for assistance in how to navigate the program for maximum benefit.

• Initial Complaint

  06/07/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Tried to use service several times for cruises,we could better pricing on our own.Also website hard to use.

• Initial Complaint

  02/27/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 6/14/23, less than a year ago, we went to a seminar presented by Spartan Odyssey who was offering a ******************** membership. We listened to the video and presentation and spoke face to face with a representative from the business. We eventually signed up for a membership and paid somewhere between $5,993 and $7,993 (we don't know the exact amount because they also separately charged the annual dues and processing fee and bough back from us a promotional gift for $2,000 which we assumed was applied to the overall price of the membership).Here is what they did not tell us: there is no discount or rebate on air fares; there is no discount or rebate on hotel accommodations; we have to pay the entire non-discounted price of the trip and get a rebate after the trip directly from Spartan Odyssey. My husband is 100% service-connected disabled, age 75, and I am age 77. We never used any of the travel club resources. We are alleging that in withholding the above information from us they committed fraud.

  Business response

  02/28/2024

  This consumer purchased access to a portal offering travel at value pricing.  It is disclosed up front and in writing that domestic airfares cannot be discounted. All other travel products are offered at discounted rates and come with a 110% price match guarantee.  Consumer did not cancel within the statutory rescission period which was disclosed in writing and acknowledged at the point of purchase.  The membership is still active and available for full use.  We can assist the consumer with a tutorial on how to maximize the benefits of the program.

  Customer response

  02/28/2024

  There is nothing in the materials that says air fare is not discounted and nothing that says that hotel accommodations are not discounted. Further, there is nothing that explains that the entire retail price of the trip as offered to the public must be paid and the trip taken before the discount is given in the form of a rebate. We object to these terms and by not discussing them with us Spartan Odyssey has committed fraud and we want a refund of all monies paid. We have never used any of the discount offers that were available. My husband is a 100% service connected disabled veteran and I am 77 years old. Thank you.

• Initial Complaint

  09/05/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 12 Jun 2023 a reservation was made for ***************** in ********** ******** by ***************** spartan odyssey concierge service for myself for a trip on 25 Aug 2023 until 30 Aug 2023 .Upon arrival at ***************** to check in, I was informed that the reservation had been cancel 03 Aug 2023. I called the spartan odyssey about the issue, was told that a refund would be credit to my account. I'm being charged a fee for the cancellation, I didn't cancel the reservation. The ***************** representative said that they didn't cancel the reservation and I didn't cancel the reservation because I was there to check in. I should receive a full refund of the amount paid.

  Business response

  01/03/2024

  20559690-This consumer was handled directly by the third party service provider.
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  12/05/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We purchased a membership in a vacation program. I am requesting a refund of our membership costs because the business has not provided the promised benefits. I have attempted to resolve this with the business and they have not responded to calls or emails. They promised the following: 1. Access to a large volume of sought-after condominium rentals 2. High level of customer service 3. Price reduction 1. Access: I have requested condominium availability in ******* for one week mid Feb - early March. I provided an 80-mile range on the east coast and 50 mild range on the west coast; I requested beachfront/walking distance and full kitchen. in response to my request, they sent me multiple options, NONE of which met these criteria - they were mostly hotels, many for the wrong dates and many outside (well outside!) my requested locations. They then said that they had no inventory for what I was requesting; a quick review of Airbnb for this same period had 269 options that met my criteria in my designated West Coast area, alone. 2. Price. They emphasized a significant cost savings of between 33 - 50%. I reviews several of the hotel rooms they offered me; the savings ranged from 8 - 20%, with most in the 10-15% range. In addition, the "retail" price that they listed on their website for these properties was always significantly greater than the actual price one could find simply by going to the individual property website. I will be happy to provide the specific price information. 3. Service. They emphasized that this program provided top of the line travel agent services. However, as noted above, they repeatedly sent me options that did not meet my request. Second, they provided a single screen shot of the accommodations; any additional information, such as pictures of the site, a listing of the amenities provided, or any other information about the property, was all left to me to research.

  Business response

  01/03/2024

  The consumer purchased access to an online portal for discounted travel. The deliverable is in the form of the online login credentials. The consumer received the deliverable, and attempted to shop for travel.  All of the members sign a delivery of service receipt stating that the website is good for looking, but booking should be done through the concierge, as travel prices change by the minute and the best real time deals are through the concierge.  They did not utilize the concierge and thus need some extra guidance.  The consumer has time to test drive the site prior to the expiration of the rescission period, which is disclosed in writing at the point of sale and acknowledged in writing by the consumer.  While this consumer did not cancel per policy, they still have full access to their account and can contact customer service for a tutorial on how to maximize their benefits. 

• Initial Complaint

  11/16/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I went to a vacation seminar in ******** and signed for a vacation membership with a company called spartan odessey , but the name on their business card is spartan odyssey which did not seem right and right after joining , my wife and my 92 year old mother in law developed health issues and I will not be able to enjoy vacations for a while ! So I contacted the customer service number on the 7th business day after signing up and they told me that I only had 3 days to cancel the contract and that I could not get back my $3995 ! I dont know what the law is in Michigan, but I should be able to get at least most of my money back somehow ! This company has too many names and phone numbers and does not seem too stable ! Can you check this out and try to help us out ! My wife and I are retired living on my pension and Our Social Security ! I am over 70 yrs. old and try to watch how we spend our money !

  Business response

  12/15/2022

  To Whom it may concern:
  
  Please accept this as a response to the above captioned complaint from Spartan Odyssey Vacations.  The consumer purchased our product and signed a contract at the point of sale where our cancellation policy was disclosed in writing and the consumer initialed such in acknowledgement.  Our cancellation policy requires written notice of cancellation within 3 business days in accordance with the rescission laws in the *****************.  Consumer indicates that he did not attempt cancellation until the 7th business day, which is clearly outside of the rescission period.
  
  Thank you,
  Spartan Odyssey Vacations.
  

  Customer response

  12/21/2022

  This company is hard to get in touch with ! I signed a contract with spartan odessy and had a medical problem with some people in our family right after and did not read the fine print until about 7 days after and I asked for a refund of my $3995 from the person that I talked to on the phone and they said that they would talk to the operations ***** and get back to me, but they never did ! I wanted my money back because I may not ever use their service ! They did not tell me when I signed the contract that I only had 3 days to cancel the so called contract ! If they were a fair and honest company they would refund my money ! ( $3995 )  The company has not contacted me and tried to resolve this issue with me !   ***********************

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩