ComplaintsforWorldwide Travel Experts, LLC

• Initial Complaint

  05/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I purchased this vacation package that is attached. I was told I could stay with brand-name hotels and never have to pay more than $18 a night in fees. I couldn't access more details until I paid. The fees can be $300 plus a room. I was told I could use 3 packages simultaneously for family, but know that would cost over $900 in fees alone. I see very few name-brand facilities and very limited locations.I have been unable to find any vacation in any of the places I would want to go. They assured high quality and when I look at the reviews for places available, I have seen 2 stars. I purchased a voucher for a cost I wasn't informed of. It said I had 2 years but it had a 12-month expiration date. they say if you need help, call or send emails, but I never get a reply with emails or calls.

• Initial Complaint

  11/18/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I was told that if I paid three years upkeep on my vacation plan that I would receive a free vacation for 4 to Mexico. However when we got to our hotel in ****** we were told we would have to pay another 500. $ for our 4th person plus we would have to sit through a half day sales pitch by the hotel or pay the full amount. When we got in the room it was very small and I had to sleep on the floor as my husband and I did not fit on the oversized twin bed. Since then my husband has passed away and that was the last vacation that we had together. I am still angry because I have complained to this company several times. But I have never received compensation or even an apology for what happened.

• Initial Complaint

  06/20/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  We purchased the Program, when we did we were given a certificate that was to be credited to us on our first purchase. we were the first people in the sales presentation to purchase so we were awarded double for a credit on future travel. This happened right before COVID _ we were not able to travel until the restrictions were lifted and we did as soon as we could. We mailed the certificate with proof of purchase which is odd since we booked it online. but fine. We have seen nothing for over 8 months when we try to call we get directed to the booking line, the office line is voicemail and no one calls back or emails. The emails we send bounce back for the office we purchased from in *******.

• Initial Complaint

  05/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I am a working senior who is able to take very few vacations due to my financial hardship. In 2015, a large ********** wildfire destroyed a great deal of my property and possessions. I received a good deal of monetary recumpence for my losses and in 2018, I went on a vacation with a friend to ******. That is where I had the unfortunate meeting with Worldwide Travel Experts. We went into a 90 minute high-pressure sales meeting and , after much discussion and lots of people who were supposedly joining the exclusive club offered, I succumbed to their pressure and bought into the club. I gave them $6,000 which was the last of my fire reimbursement money. In return, I was to get hotel rooms and vacation offers around the world for the cheapest prices offered by any other travel agency, group or entity. I was also supposed to get a weeks vacation in a paradise of my choice. All of this was to be within the year at my discretion. I never got that vacation and I have never once been able to use the membership for travel. They either dont have the type of hotel comparable to others or they have always been higher in price. When I asked them why they are higher, they tell me they are lower by several dollarsmost often by $2-3$ . Never have I found them to be significantly lower . They have used the Covid lockdown as an excuse for not giving me the weeks free vacation. And now they are asking for me to renew my membership on a daily basis. Several of the previous sites have gone out of business. I am so disappointed in this whole scam and I would like to have them return at least a portion of my money. I dont care about the $500 rebate they offered if I signed up or the weeks vacation I never got. I just want to recoup some of my loss and never have to deal with them again.

• Initial Complaint

  01/31/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Worldwide Travel Experts did not deliver upon any of the promises made to me as a customer - I have wasted thousands of dollars with them and got NOTHING in return - this company is a scam. Worldwide Travel Experts should be pursued in justice for embezzlement.The latest scam they did was to trick me into renewing my membership for 5 years while promising a free 1 week stay at a resort in ******. The offer was available for 24 months from the moment I activate it. After COVID, I have called them back in 2022 to check if I still have the certificate and they confirmed that yes, I just need to activate it. However this week they have been telling me that the certificate (awarded in 2019) is now expired and I can't use it anymore. They are literally stealing customers' money - there has to be something that can be done about it.

• Initial Complaint

  12/15/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  We booked a whale watching tour and reef dance excursion on December 5 & 6 with ***********************, agent for Worldwide Travel Experts (license #*********, for $234. He offered a $200 credit toward this fee if we would attend a 90-minute sales presentation at Global Travel ************ ******* on December 6th. We did attend the sales presentation with the sales agent and lawyer, ******. After the slide sales presentation was completed. ****** asked if we wished to purchase their $13,999 program which offered discounts on airfare and hotels. I declined as I am a retired airline vice president and our son is a senior hotel executive, so that we have free vacations. **************** had placed a $200 temporary authorization against my MasterCard to guarantee our attendance at the presentation, which was to be removed after our attendance. However, after our attendance, the $200 was posted as a charge to my card. I contacted **************** and he assured me that the charge would be reversed within 5 business days. It was not, and when contacted, **************** informed me that only his ********** ****** *************************** can authorize the reversal of the $200 charge. **************** directed me to call ****************** at his home in *******, but his phone does not take messages. I have asked my bank to reverse the charge.

  Customer response

  12/16/2022

  Please delete my 12/15 complaint.  Management explained that their clerk merely posted a credit as a debit.  The matter has been resolved to my satisfaction.
  
  Merry Christmas
  
  ***************************
  

  
  

• Initial Complaint

  07/18/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Went in for a seminar while my wife and i were on vacationin maui, wasn't interested in purchasing anything was talked into a trial, which was 110 bux, they charged my credit card. And kept charging my card for 2.5 to 3 yrs now for some trial on my credit shows 3k at 20% interest. I have never 1 time been able to use or log into any website for this company. They even called and told me I needed to renew my membership at more cost. To which I refused. Now they are hitting my credit for late payments after stealing **** dollars..

  Business response

  08/04/2022

  ****************,

  Our records show that you attended a sales presentation for the Worldwide Travel Experts program in April 2019. 

  On that date, you chose to purchase a 5-year unlimited access trial membership with us, for a total cost of $3,601 which you decided to finance through monthly payments instead of pay for in full up front. All details of the membership service and financing terms were acknowledged and signed. The program access and benefits were delivered in full and we do note that you logged in quite a few times during the first few months of membership. There are no notes on file suggesting you brought up any issues or concerns.

  Our records show you regularly made those payments for almost 3 years before choosing to stop payment at which time you went into collections. This is standard procedure for a financial servicing provider to attempt to collect a debt.

  If you would like to resolve this, we would be happy to collect payment for the remaining balance and waive the accumulated interest as a courtesy. We would also be happy to waive your annual renewal, in order to reactivate your account and assist you in utilizing the services that you had purchased.

  If you accept, please confirm you are satisfied and a manager will email you directly to complete this offer with you.

  Thank you,

  Customer response

  08/11/2022

   
  Complaint: 17585001
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  03/24/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  My husband and I became members of this vacation club 3 years ago while on a trip to Maui. Last April, we finally took our first trip. In June 2021 I mailed a rebate certificate in for a $500 rebate that we were told we would receive upon taking our first trip. The company has acknowledged that they have received my request. In 9/2021, I contacted customer service to find out where my check was and was told that everything was behind because of layoffs dues to the pandemic. Beginning in 1/2022, I earnestly have devoted much time calling the customer service number - over a dozen times but no one ever called me back. I finally got through to a customer service manager, named ***************************, who looked up my accout & again acknowledged that our certificate had been properly returned but she did not understand why the check had not been sent. She was to check with Accounting. Yesterday I sent this email to the company: I just left a message on the customer service manager voicemail at ************ for ***************************. She was supposed to return my call from 3/16, but has not yet called me. I still have NOT YET received my $500 rebate for having taken our first trip with Worldwide Travel, which we took last April. It has now been nearly an entire year, and still no check! I have called at least a dozen times with no resolution to this problem. I am appalled at the lack of customer service provided by ********************************************* and deeply regret ever signing up to be a member. I expect to receive a response to either my voicemail or this email (or both) immediately. Otherwise, I will be taking my case to the ****** ************************** as well as providing bad reviews to the Better Business Bureau, and on all social media platforms. This is ridiculous!As of 3/24/22, there has been no response either by phone or email.

  Business response

  04/18/2022

  Aloha *****,
  
  Please be advised that your membership service is completely unaffected by the pandemic and in no danger of going out of business. 
  
  Separately, the sales company based in Maui with whom you set up an account for this membership service closed its' doors when the pandemic started and has not since re-opened. The sales company has been making every effort to pay off outstanding certificates but we have been experiencing difficulty in doing so due to the unexpected loss of operations and income. 
  
  The membership service company is a separate entity and unable to cover the expenses of the sales company. Though we have been working to offer alternatives. 
  
  At this time, as the sales company is unable to reimburse the certificate, we are offering a complimentary upgrade on your membership from the 5-year to the 10-year membership account. 
  
  We appreciate your consideration, thank you,

  Customer response

  04/20/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me, pending if the company agrees in writing that we will not be required to pay the additional 5 years of annual fees for the membership. Please find out whether they agree to these terms.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************

• Initial Complaint

  02/25/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  We signed up for this travel venue Nov 2019 - right before covid. They offered a $500 Certificate when we purchased our1st travel package. They extended the certificate date because of covid - then I followed instructions to mail in certificate and have heard nothing from them. I have been calling their customer service # since end ******* this year.. Left messages and No one has returned a call.

  Business response

  04/18/2022

  Aloha ******,

   

  Please be advised that your membership service is completely unaffected by the pandemic and in no danger of going out of business. 

   

  Separately, the sales company based in Maui with whom you set up an account for this membership service closed its' doors when the pandemic started and has not since re-opened. The sales company has been making every effort to pay off outstanding certificates but we have been experiencing difficulty in doing so due to the unexpected loss of operations. 

   

  The membership service company is a separate entity and unable to cover the expenses of the sales company. Though we have been working to offer alternatives. 

   

  At this time, as the sales company is unable to reimburse the certificate, we are offering a complimentary upgrade on your membership from the 10-year to the 15-year membership account. 

   

  We appreciate your consideration, thank you,

  Customer response

  04/19/2022

   
  Complaint: 16810064
  
  I am rejecting this response because:  I had called for Months - no one would return my calls.  I tried another number for the ********** Office which apparently assists with travel arrangements.  I was promised by numbers of these people that someone would get back to me.  Never did anyone tell me that the office in Maui close.  This was a very frustrating an unnecessary issue that someone could have told us about.  They did nothing to complete their obligations to us.  I totally reject their offer of extending our membership.  If they want us to continue, they will fulfill their obligation.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

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