Anonymous
map-marker New London, Connecticut

Tim Reynolds representing Specialty Travel Tel #855-528-****

Above caller told me that I had a charge my MasterCard on Nov 13, 2013 from Specialty Travel for the sum of $598.00. He further told me that I owed another $400.00 to complete the transaction and if I refused they were going to cancel my reservation and still charge my credit the additional $400.00 regardless. Why is this company still in business with the numerous complaints against them? I am in the process of getting my November 2013 statement from Master Card, I don't believe that I even made the initial charge of $598.00. Is there further steps that I can take to stop this nonsense? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
Anonymous
map-marker Cat Spring, Texas

Said i own a balance oof over $500

Got a call today that i own for a trip that has expired, in 2014 i purchased a vacation package when i got my credit card statement it was used in a shopping mall in the Middle East, I canceled the credit card, The following week they called and said that the card was no longer good, They gave me a new package which had no expiration date I gave the my new card # for the new vacation plan for $498.00 today they called and said i own a balance on the original trip that i cancelled, wanted to close out the account and give him a credit card # for over $500.I told him that i pay all my billed in full and do not put any thug on payments. He said OK and hung up.
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Reason of review:
Problems with payment
Anonymous
map-marker River Edge, New Jersey

Package expired

They say I bought a package in 2010 for 498.00 and it has expired and another company called me to tell me that i have to pay another 498.00 to not get charged for this amount for nothing not doing it ! They are a scam. I beleive years ago I sued for my money back but cant remember Working with travel agents is the only way to travel and get your moneys worth This secondary company is crazy to call and expect someone to hand over their credit card for an amount and dont even know who are you talking to
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Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised
Anonymous
map-marker Palm Springs, California

HIGH PRESSURE SALES TO ELDERLY WOMAN

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called by James Thomas, (right!) on two occasions to purchase vacation packages. The first time he wanted $217, and she booked a vacation. She did not go on the vacation because of illness, so he called her back and told her she needed to give him an additional $1100.00. She became upset and he said he could resolve the issue if she gave him another $298. Reluctantly, she gave it to him. I know this sounds crazy on her part, but this *** does happen. He has called her again using another company, called Tri-Star Marketing. Said that Specialty Travel went out of business. She eventually passed him off to me. I attempted to call him at the number he called her on, and guess what, - out of order. So I looked up the number on-line, got an answer machine and left a message. EMA called me back from a third travel company, called Newport Travel, Told me that the previous companies are Out of business, but she could help me if I gave her the confirmation number. When I did, she told me that no account exists. I have contacted the Better Business Bureau, but I would not use this company.
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Loss:
$520
Reason of review:
elder abuse
Anonymous
map-marker Stouffville, Ontario

Very, very annoyed with Specialty Travel

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5/13/13 I purchased a Florida vacation with Specialty Travel and was told that if I didn't use it before 1/15 I needed to call and extend it. I was also told I would get a package which I never received. When I called to extend it I was told that I could not extend it (by the so called Manager) and that the trip was lost. I called on Dec. 22/14 and she said you wouldn't be able to use it now. It is one big scam and do not ever deal with these crooks. They will not give you your money back or give you the trip they promised. The "manager" if you can call her that was very rude and I lost it with her on the phone. She said that Florida had changed their rules and even though they told me I could extend it I can't now or get my money back.
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Loss:
$147
Cons:
  • Their handling of the matter
Reason of review:
Not as described/ advertised

Preferred solution: Full refund

1 comment
Guest

we are a legal aid based firm and we could help you fight back. send us a mail today on secure.funds@***.com

Anonymous
map-marker Woolloongabba, Queensland

So Called Promotion under guise of winning

Clicked on a totally unrelated website and a big flashy colourful poster appeared saying that I had "won" $3,000 in holiday credit. I contacted a Sydney number and was offered a wonderful holiday in Florida including a 2 night cruise in the Bahamas. I asked what was the "catch" they said it was a promotion offer and I only needed to provide my opinion of the holiday. But the catch was that I actually had to fork out about $900 and provide my credit card details. I asked for the name of the organisation and it was Specialty Travels. I said that I was not prepared to give my credit card details until I was certain that it wasn't a scam and even if I really wanted to have a holiday whereby I had to fork out money for airfares from Australia to Florida, and that I could actually afford the airfares. I decided that I couldn't afford it anyway (the airfares). The so called marketing manager by the name of Edward Jennings kept pushing the hard sell rather aggressively, so I hung up.They also lied that I was the millionth person to access the promotion and that was how I "won". After the phone call I clicked on the website again and hey presto! I came across again and again!
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1 comment
Guest

I think the problem here may have been a computer virus called PEBCAK. "Problem exists between chair and Keyboard.

Anonymous
map-marker Tucker, Georgia

Specialty T travels and Corporate Travel working together now to scam more money out of consumers

I purchased a travel packet with specialty travels that expired. They have been blowing me phone up for extension to the expired packet, so I paid $299 and received another call that said it was not extended and I would be billed $1,298. Today, I was called by corp travels they wanted $598.00 to combine both packet and have no limitation on when I travel. They wanted me to make a decision why we were on the phone. I did not and want this company to be exposed by the Attorney General office because there is something very wrong.
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Loss:
$500
1 comment
Guest

Getting the same call today!

Norval Skd
map-marker San Antonio, Texas

More and more calls

I've had speciality travel call me for about a year and half now. I do own a time share with Worldmark which is affliated with RCI. Some how this company says I can go on a 7 day trip to Fl with rental car and tickets to the park for four people. As I hold a VIP status with them. They said I bought this two years ago and it lapsed... keep in mind they have said this a little over a year and half. So doing the math 3.5 year ago I was in Afghanistan, and I know I was not buying time share deals there, on the side of a mountain. The deal though sounds good at now $118 for four people to travel to include airfare. I'm tired of the calls... if it's such a great deal let them save it for themselves, as their are to many scams out there, and this sounds like one. Anyone really know anything about this company because they call me from numbers all over the US. Some have strong foreign accents and some are American. Any help out there?
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Anonymous
map-marker Greenville, South Carolina

Specialty Travel scam

I had been receiving several calls from this Texas number 956-285-**** and finally today i picked up. This guy Steven told me i had let a vacation expire in FL that was awarded to me from RCI. If i paid $298 they would reinstate it and i could use it at Clarion hotel in Orlando and the Inn at the Beach Resort in Daytona Beach. Every time i questioned their legitimacy they tried to sweeten the deal - apparently they would be happy with any amount of money and my cc number. What *** me off the most is they knew we're a military family and tried to scam the people that protect these @@holes lives. I hope RCI and the hotels mentioned here or in other reviews try to do sth about this and not let their names be used in these kind of scams. If it sounds to good to be true, it generally is.
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1 comment
Guest

Good for you, don't fall for this. You will have to take a high pressure timeshare tour to fulfill your obligation.

And they will keep you there for hours trying to wear you down. I would like to thank your family for your sacrifice for our freedom.

www.timesharetricks.blogspot.com

Anonymous
map-marker Boston, Massachusetts

Beware of a vacation that sounds too good to be true

Received a call from a local phone number (603) 269-**** and this woman told me that I had an $1,800 travel credit and have "upgraded" to a VIP status since I have recently visited FL and likely stayed at one of the represented resorts. The offer was: 4 days 3 nights in Orlando, ability to choose from up to 12 properties. Plus our choice of 2 adult tickets to theme park, valued at $300 or a 7 day rental car from Alamo valued at $300. Also, the is an Orlando Magic card that offers up to $500 in discounts. Only had to participate in a 90 minute VIP tour of the hosting property and be willing to provide feedback on our stay there. Daytona Beach 3 days 2 nights at the Inn on the Beach Resort Ft. Lauderdale 3 days 2 nights at the Sheraton or Marriott We would be responsible for our own travel and in order to secure this "LIVE" offer, I needed to give them a credit card number and pay $299 today. When I said I would need to discuss it with my husband, I was put on hold and a "Manager" picked up and offered me the same package for $199 and would throw in 2 additional bonus getaways to NY and PA. I still responded that I would need to discuss with my husband. He dropped the price to $149 and offered to conference call my husband in. I explained that I wanted to do some research and he directed me to www.sunbiz.org in an effort to calm my fears about them not being a real organization. To sum it up, I said I would need more information from them (email, mail, a phone number I could call) and was then hung up on. I called the number back that I had received the call from and there was no answer, just a robotic message that no one can take your call.
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1 comment
Guest

I've called them back twice and spoken with someone.

Anonymous

SPECIALTY TRAVEL SCAMS CONTINUE!

Numerous phone calls at all times of the day and evening about a "wonderful" vacation I had earned with my RCI points. Of course, our package had expired but Specialty Travel would reinstate our package for $298. Since we are AAA members, they dropped the price of reinstatement to $138 and immediately asked "Mastercard, Visa, or American Express?" I asked if I had to give them an answer now, they said yes. I told them that I would have to speak with my husband before I put anything on my credit card. The woman immediately slammed the phone down in my ear. NEVER GIVE CREDIT CARD INFO TO SOMEONE WHO REQUIRES IT "NOW"!!! I called RCI after this incident and they verified that they have NOTHING to do with this company and agreed that it is a scam.
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Anonymous
map-marker Nassau, New York

Harassing phone call

specialty travel calls to say you have alot of travel credits and they try and sell you something. i am on the do not call list and my number is blocked yet they were still able to get through with a blocked number. They are calling from a cell phone. I live on Long Island here is the number they are calling from 516-255-****. You can block a number from your phone but I am sure they will find a way to get through. They are relentless!!! I can pretty much say I think they got my number off of expedia or price line. I was looking at travel last night and now they are calling me.
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2 comments
Guest

If i find out where this building is where they are calling me from im gona come personally visit them with my italian uncles and we are gona have lunch :roll :(

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-724908

Did you find the building? Is the company legit?

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Tresia Xgy

Scam

We own 24 Karat Travel and have received numerous calls that we paid in full for a Florida Vacation and did not take it. For a mer $400.00 they would extend the time and allow us to take the $2700.00 vacation. I ask for thier CLIA or IATA number and where they were in Florida. They hung up. They have called numerous times sometimes on our Toll free line sometimes on our home phone over the past four years. It's a Scam started by Time share companies and now just a Scam. Call a honest travel agency they will have the CLIA or IATA Numbers on the tip of their tongue's .
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Loss:
$400
3 comments
Guest

I got a call from BG TRAVEL SERVICE 954-766-****. uSING HIGH PRESSURE WANTING A DECISON RIGHT AWAY TO complete a package bought in 2011, needed to charge $498 more ( I'm doubtful I did it in 2011) but remember the call. If I didn't I'd be paying tax on the actual value of the package of $2900.

Guest

Just got the same call. Said they were going to charge amount for the entire trip to my charge card because I agreed to go on a tour and never used the package I bought. I hate these scammers!

Guest

I JUST RECEIVED A CALL FROM A YOUNG LADY IDENTIFIG HERSELF AS FROM SPECIALTYTRAVE. SAME SHAKE DOWN... 785-234-****

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Travel Agencies Expert Talks

Vacation Rentals: Refund, Cancellation and Safety Tips

Nov 6, 2020

How to refund or cancel a vacation rental? How to avoid a scam? We’ve asked Mary Branum, a vacation rental expert, and experienced homeowner, to answer top consumers questions about vacation rentals.

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Mary Branum
Mary Branum

Mary Branum is a vacation rental expert, owner of Galveston Island and President of STROAG.

Zacariah Aje
map-marker Centreville, Virginia

Lied About Restrictions & Refused Refund

I took a chance on investing in a combination of possible vacation spots, and I specifically asked about additional fees, expiration of the package, as I knew that I would not be able to use all of the vacations in 18 months, and I asked about blackout dates. I was informed that there were no blackout dates and that I would have as long as I needed to use the vacations without any additional charges. New Orleans was also an option, when I bought the package, and then it was taken away when I tried to use it for Jaza Fest, which is what I told the agent I wanted it for when I purchased the package. I tried to request a refund within the first 30 days, over the phone, and it was refused. Whenever I call to try and book a reservation or request information the agents are unable to assist and transfer me to a voice mail, as managers and supervisors are apparently never available. Furthermore, everything that I try to book seems to have some sort of additional charge. Also, I had made reservations, and then I was later told that I had to visit Orlando first. The whole process has been constant misinformation and refusals to refund a package that was never used.
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Loss:
$289
Anonymous
map-marker Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

They won't stop calling

These people are telling me I have a credit. I have NEVER used their company, I do not know where they got my name, but the last person that called asked me why I would pay for something I didn't want (again, never did), I said apparently to be harassed. I have been called form the following numbers: 843-237-****, 843-205-****, and 843-237-**** in the last 24 hours. When you try to call them back, it states that the number is no longer in service. How do you get them to stop? Is there some agency where you can file a complaint? BBB doesn't do anything.
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2 comments
Guest

Yeah, now they are calling me :/ Guess I'll change my number!!! :(

gerald claude

Next time they call....tell them you are rcording the conversation....I bet the calling stops:-)

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Anonymous
map-marker Indianapolis, Indiana

Specialty Travel 3rd and Final Call

I received a call today from them. The Caller ID showed a woman's name & number. I answered the call. It turned out to be Specialty Travel. I called the number back and got the woman's answering machine. I left her a message telling her that her number is being spoofed by these crooks. If they were realy an up and up business, they would use their own number as the Calling Party Number. I was told I was given this Platinum package from this or that or RCI. The package had expired and they were "required by law" to offer to reactivate it. The reactivated package would be good for 18 months. I was offered 3 nights just outside Disney in Orlando, then 2 nights ocean front in Daytona, free rental car, a $500 Disney Magic card plus a bunch of bonus vacations. This for the $198 discounted from $298. When I said money was tight, I was offered the Employee Package for $138 which took away one of the bonus vacations. There is a saying, what sounds too good to be true usually is. Save your money. Don't fall for this.
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1 comment
Guest

Exact same thing happened to me...there are (3) people's names and numbers that keep coming up on caller id...when I answer, it is Specialty Travel - they are rude, will not remove my number (my home office)...I called each number back, 2 were disconnected numbers they are using...one is a poor husband and wife that have had their number for 26 years, and didn't have any problems until Century Link took over from Qwest. He had received several unhappy people about all the calls from his number on their phone! Specialty Travel needs to be shut down!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

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