travel clubs vs. travel agents

I own a travel club membership (and I won't tell you which one so as to prevent abuse) and I'd like to know what the travel agents feel about the comparisons between the two - agent vs travel club membership.

Travel club in what sense? You don't have to tell us the name but at least you need to indicate what type of services they offer so we can make a fair assessment or give a balanced opinion.

Sure thing. First the company has been around since 1986 which is a good thing. This is a membership that has a one-time fee ($2995)and is for life (100 years) and I can pass it down through a will, transfer or sell it if I want to. The services are many.

As a member we get over 5000 places to choose in 70+ different countries and their all 4 & 5 star resorts or hotels. There are a lot of timeshares in the list as well but this isn't a timeshare ownership. I can go 52 weeks per year and the weekly price ranges from $298 - $699 but I have seen $799 a few times.

When I say that I've seen the prices it's because I can log into my membership and see the selections.

There's also wholesale prices on all the major cruise lines including Disney and they are available all over the world. I've only seen 7 day cruises available though, no short ones.

There's also discounted flights, car rentals, and limos.

If we have questions, concerns, or problems the customer service department takes care of us.

I can book anywhere from 6 days in advance to 1 year in advance too.

That's all I can think of to describe the membership right now. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the reply!

To be honest I'm usually very skeptical at "Travel Clubs" due to the fact that they usually leave something out of their presentation. I'm not saying that it can't be a win-win for everyone but being a business, they have to make money "somehow." In your case I checked out your travel club and just at a cusory look, everything seems to be on the up and up. I'll be looking deeper into it and let you know if I find anything, but this seems to be a good deal. Remember, even the travel "service" you call with your club employs travel agents to do the travel part.

Well, I don't believe anything is left out. I mean I don't think there's any whammies, no surprises to speak of. 21 years of business is pretty respectable and I don't think they'd be around that long if there were.

It's pretty much all laid out in the terms and conditions as well.

I do know that because the company buys in bulk that it makes it awesome for the members. We get to save a bunch of cash when we travel.

As far as the customer service dept. goes, they're awesome too! They're really on top of things.

I'm no so familiar with any of the other travel clubs. When you refer to things being left out, are you referring to limitations and/or extra costs?

Thanks!

BNTG in District Heights, Maryland said: To be honest I'm usually very skeptical at "Travel Clubs" due to the fact that they usually leave something out of their presentation. I'm not saying that it can't be a win-win for everyone but being a business, they have to make money "somehow." In your case I checked out your travel club and just at a cusory look, everything seems to be on the up and up. I'll be looking deeper into it and let you know if I find anything, but this seems to be a good deal. Remember, even the travel "service" you call with your club employs travel agents to do the travel part.

Hey BNTG, you should be skeptical of travel clubs. If it sounds too good to be true, it is! If you want to enjoy travel, become a travel agent with a legitimate host agency. But be careful of the cardmills, referral business or any of the publicly traded companies who have lost 12.5 million to date. Choose wisely.

Tiger, you are too funny!!!! Wish I knew you when I was down in Orlando about a month ago..could have had some fun!!! Anyways.....YES I know which companies you speak of....the 12.5 lost on joystar does make for interesting reading but remember, the IRS allows you a "long" time to take losses before you post a profit, just look at the airline business...on another note, my beef with them is that even if they started out as mlm but are trying to go on the straight and narrow, they sure do have a of material on their website that says otherwise

Hi tiger. Thanks for being here. I'm trying to understand. Are you saying that travel agents are the only legitimate services that can be used?

What about all the other vacation clubs like Marriott, Disney, Quintess, Ultimate Resort? There are so many more out there. These are legitimate companies that are providing awesome services to their members.

Even travel agents can't get some of these places for their clients.

With that said, isn't it a good idea to have a little of both?

In Tiger statement (If you want to enjoy travel, become a travel agent with a legitimate host agency) grntravelclub I would have to disagree with his statement, mainly because people feel they can get cheap travel due to just going out and signing up with any host agency as a travel agent is how card mills started. Here Tiger is telling you to go out and do what many feel is hurting the industry. There are many people who do love travel and there are many who just want a good vacation.

Honesty every person does not want to run a business from home and become travel agent. It is not beneficial for the regular person to start a business and just a line themselves with a host agency in an industry like Travel, it does require a lot of training.

I would have to suggest you look at what you really want, if it is a club doing all the work for you it will cost you a fee to belong to it.
If you want to deal with an agent then you can also do that as well. I have clients who book with me on a regular basis and many who still book from Travel Stores. It all depends on the type of treatment you are looking for.

I know it is an excellent idea to have 10 vacations all paid for and to never worry about them, this is what my brother wanted. But when he got hit with the fees after paying off the vacations he was upset. You can get what you want at those same prices, all you have to do is ask, you can ask an agent and if that agent does not have it keep on moving.

What you want is out there at the price you want to pay, remember we want your business and if we want it then we dam sure better be working for it as a Travel Agent. Pay the fees you want, I turn people away because if I dont have the fees they are looking for, but I tell them to keep looking until they find what they want.

With the internet you can check several locations in a matter of mins. find your price or close to it before you just settle for anything.

If you need help I am here...

This is a membership that has a one-time fee ($2995)and is for life (100 years) and I can pass it down through a will, transfer or sell it if I want to. The services are many. As a member we get over 5000 places to choose in 70+ different countries and their all 4 & 5 star resorts or hotels. There are a lot of timeshares in the list as well but this isn't a timeshare ownership. I can go 52 weeks per year and the weekly price ranges from $298 - $699 but I have seen $799 a few times.

Here is where you really have to be very skillful, they are not going to tell you everything. Just as my brothers club did not, there are fees that you will be paying well into that life time membership, you see they are never totally paid off. My brother thought he paid it in full and covered 13 vacations, and every year his fees go up, he pays even if he does not take a vacation. He had no idea that there were other hidden fees in total he ended up paying around 12,000.00 over 5 years, plus fees.

Just be sure, since they will not guarantee the price for future dates the price should have a cap that it will go no higher if they will not do that be very careful. Transfer or Selling it, just take a look around I have a friend who has tried to sell her timeshare in Disney for 3 years for 12,000.00 in Celebrity on red week, they are selling for over 20,000.00 today and she can not even sell hers. Honey they are not easy to sell or transfer and did they mention the fees involved to sell/transfer? This is why many people end up dumping timeshares but my girlfriend paid cash for hers so she has to sell it. I can rent you any timeshare in Disney any week for less then what her timeshare cost to rent right now.

So basically you have to do your due diligence by going on a few other sites and ask people there too dont just take our word for anything check it out twice if you have to, before you spend money be sure your be happy and dont settle.

Thanks New Jersey (I tried using your name but it wouldn't let me - strange). Great info! It's becoming more and more clear why people think the travel memberships get a bad wrap and why the one I'm a member of is so great.

I wasn't kidding about the 1-time fee and it can be paid off in a matter of 2 trips. I say that because of the savings we get as compared to places like the roaming gnome place and the others alike.

The transfer fee is $75.

You can use it 52 times per year and even allow friends or family to utilize your membership to save money.

This membership is the real deal and that is too bad about your brother and friend having to pay so much money.

Timeshare sales companies are becoming popular because so many can't get them sold. I sat through one on my honeymoon back in 1998 and the sales people became quite frustrated with us because we didn't bite. Thank goodness!

grntravelclub, You club looks really nice, I dont usually recommend them only because I sell Travel and I also sell a Business Opp to own a Travel Store. But I do however meet a lot of people who just dont want to sell Travel, I have just never come across a good Travel Club I would feel ok recommending to any of my clients.

My brother would love to see yours as he is so tired of paying for his LOL... it is almost used up too. I just dont know why he ever bought it, then he was in Disney looking at Timeshares a few weeks ago.

He works for the airlines so he can fly for free so can my Dad and they go to PR a lot I usually rent them a Condo there.

thanks for the info too...

Tiger in Orlando, Florida said: Hey BNTG, you should be skeptical of travel clubs. If it sounds too good to be true, it is! If you want to enjoy travel, become a travel agent with a legitimate host agency. But be careful of the cardmills, referral business or any of the publicly traded companies who have lost 12.5 million to date. Choose wisely.

Usually what you say is true about being too good. However, this is one concept that has a major "wow" factor. I'm a little hesitant to say that it's got it all because nothing has it all, but it's a hair shy.

It seems like you're a travel agent which is great. I'm wondering if a majority of travel agents are biased against travel clubs of any kind. What have you run across?

Hi guys...

recently when I am surfing through some travel sites I came across few sites which are interesting and so many of them are boring and not worth going through...

Interestingly, there are some really good sites: They provide Earning chances while we are still on board while providing their basic services like Ticket booking, motel booking and other reservations required. Finding this site interesting i went through some of the forums and blogs. To be frank, there are people who were earning while they are touring. Is this really true? I just can't believe that site.
Its offering good packages and gift money as well. I still don't understand how these people pay their customers, is it like they include all these charges....

If you find some time just go through this site: [URL="www.moneyplustravel.com"]Luxury Travel Membership[/URL]. If you find this site a genuine one please let me know. I feel its nice to earn when you travel as well, after all everybody wants to earn more....

Either are fine !!

Best regards,
David
www.travellinesexpress.com
ebooks4life.blogspot.com