This piece will be updated periodically as I make my way through an offer from DYNASTY TRAVEL SOLUTIONS that sounds good. Too good? We’ll see....
Reporter Roxane Assaf-Lynn takes a leap for a travel deal that sounds too good to be true, documenting every step. Come along for the ride....
30 December 2016 ― $25 sent via PayPal to confirm a buy-one-get-one-free offer for air travel not to exceed $200 that can include destinations like London, Paris, Honolulu. Okay, it can exceed $200 if I want peak times. Must depart on Monday or Tuesday. Must pick three dates and destinations in the coming year starting months from now and with a minimum 30 days between each other. They’ll get back to me 60-90 days prior to what would/could be the date of departure to discuss my options. But that clock only starts after I mail in a signed form and a cashier’s check with a deposit for $100.
This all started when I received a phonecall from Dynasty Travel Solutions stating that I had already paid for half of a trip package but hadn’t followed through. I did recall something about a collection of trips — a cruise, a hotel resort, a condo stay — discussed by phone some years ago. Life took me elsewhere. Now the subject returns in the form of a ‘new improved’ offer with a vast array of destination choices that didn’t limit me to Florida and the Bahamas. So I listened. I asked where they were calling from. California this time. I prodded for the best deal they could offer. They lowered the price. I bit.
A sum of $398 got me back in the game for the three trips called the “Dynasty USA Getaway” (that now includes international destinations). The call was connected to a third party to issue an audio-recorded receipt and a transaction ID. Then thanks to a little resistance on my part, they tossed in this companion airfare deal that I am documenting here as I take the steps toward what sounds like huge savings.
“BOOK YOUR VACATION”
Getting to this point first required going to activatecertificate.com/redeem with a certificate code provided by snailmail from return address “Dynasty Travel Solution” (no “s”) postmarked Dec. 20, 2016, in Margate, Florida, to my home address. A one-page “Welcome Aboard” itemizes my trip packages (along with others not included in my deal) as well as the companion airfare offer. A second sheet prompts me to redeem that airfare certificate online. There I paid $25 via PayPal and received a PayPal receipt with the merchant’s name “Certs Etc.” and the contact email customerservice@hotelsetc.com.
I then got a thank-you from “Electronic Incentives” sending me to rewardregistrationcenter.com, ultimately to be sent to that same reward registration site three times to continue providing increasingly detailed personal information, the third of which was to set dates and destinations. A thank-you came from IIGNet.com and IIG Promotions in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, where I’ll be sending $100 in cashier’s check or money order.
31 December 2016
I trekked to the bank on New Year’s Eve to get a cashier’s check for $100 to accompany the signed form with my three choices of dates and destinations. Deadline January 19, 2017. So far I’ve spent $399 for the three trips (unrelated to this airfare deal) and now $125 for the airfare deal that may or may not work out. Fingers crossed....
5 January 2017
Every day since registering my companion airfare certificate and paying $25, I’ve received a form letter via email prompting me to send $100 by Jan. 19 to initiate the airfare purchase to one of my selected destinations. I finally complained about the constant emails by replying to one of them. Debbie from IIG wrote back right away stating that it was a glitch and that such persistent reminders aren’t supposed to be going out. She said she would contact IT about my case and one other like it. She followed up, “And, just to double check, you did send a signed copy of that form with your deposit check?” Yes. I did. Yet I continue to receive that letter from customersupport@iignet.com.
SALES MANAGER STRIKES BACK
Reading a thoughtful response from Dynasty Travel Solutions to a couple of online complaints posted on a scam report site, I was emboldened. “Yes we are a legitimate company,” wrote Chief Financial Adviser William Sams on 15 Nov. 2016. “We are registered on Sunbiz.org as a legitimate travel company along with documentation for a seller of travel and licensing.” Addressing two reviewers by name, Sams explained that any delay in responsiveness was due to a tropical storm that knocked out the phone lines and internet. It happens.
However, my call to Mr. Sams days before this writing was not returned, even though I left a message stating that my travel companions and I needed critical details on the accommodations and were eager to book one of the vacation packages included in my original purchase. I appreciate his lengthy account of the steps taken to satisfy one of the individual writing the negative reviews — including a full refund and an offer of complimentary travel. But to me he never responded.
I also failed to get through to a person at the main toll-free number supplied on the Dynasty website and in email correspondence (877.545.5814) — a number that shifts to music immediately after the call connects. Every time I called, there was a long music hold, then a recorded voice would come on asking the caller to leave a message. But granted, this was all during the holiday season. Some companies handle that more gracefully than others.
The only paper mailing so far received was the colorful “Welcome Aboard” flyer signed by Sams with his name, email address and phone number along the one-page certificate for my companion airfare.
At Last a Phonecall is Answered
So while my money order for $100 makes its way to Lake Havasu City, AZ, to take advantage of the cheap flights for two, I’m still curious about my travel options on these two land vacations (one condo stay; one hotel resort) and a cruise. My husband and I really do have travel companions waiting for our deal details for travel we’re planning together.
On the Thursday following New Year’s Day, I called the main toll free number listed repeatedly in the literature (877.545.5814). This number is variously referred in writing to as “Customer Service,” “Reservations Department,” and “For questions regarding your package purchase.” Another toll-free number one digit different is labeled “To make a reservation.”
This time after the music played for a very short time, I heard the clear voice of an American man named Jeff Newkirk. He spelled out with patience and clarity the differences between my 8-day/7-night condo vacation and the 4-day/3-night resort hotel stay, even supplying the name of the company that would ultimately book that eight-day trip. That company is in Tampa and can be found at TravelPromotionsFAQ.com.
Newkirk supplied a person’s name and phone number for that company in Tampa, but he instructed me to begin the process with him at Atlantic Travel Services in Ft. Lauderdale. In both of the latter cases, cruise and condo stay, a voucher would be issued, then I could move to booking the lodging. But the kick-off, he said, should really be the four-day trip that requires sitting through a 90-minute presentation.
So now I get it. The 4-day/3-night portion is a vacation at a time share property. The low-cost getaway comes with the provision that you sit through the 90-minute sales pitch. That unlocks the other two portions of the deal.
This was the first I had heard of a sales pitch as part of the deal. But I’m game.
Newkirk explained that the vacation I purchased is “a promotional travel product rather than a retail travel product,” and therefore would “require a little bit more participation on [my] part.” I’ve sat through a timeshare pitch. It can be aggressive, but it does end, and vacation continues apace at a surprisingly affordable price. So he and I proceeded to try and book something for the upcoming three-day weekend in January, only eight days away, despite everything in the literature requiring much more advance notice. He even went online to see what flights would cost to various destinations from Chicago.
Alas, most places on his list would be costly to fly to on such short notice and during a federal holiday weekend, and most Dynasty-affiliated accommodations wouldn’t be possible to book anyway without more advance planning, each accommodation having its own terms. Hotel taxes and “fees” would apply in various amounts according to destination.
The one location that’s easily drivable from Chicago and only required seven days was Wisconsin Dells, the “waterpark capital of the world.” I declined.
My sense is that South Florida is the company’s preferred area, and Newkirk did push for it. But other getaways include Charleston, Hilton Head, Williamsburg, Branson, Las Vegas, the Bahamas, eastern Canada and several destinations in Mexico. There are about 20 in all.
So I’m saving my hotel resort vacation for another time, but now I know what it’s like talking to someone on the phone about this travel package. I let Newkirk know that I would be publishing all about my experience in this ongoing report.
Meanwhile, I wait to see what they’ll give me of the three dates and destinations I selected for the companion flight deal. And what kind of fares will they offer on a discounted two-for-one that has already cost me $125 so far?
Fulfillment company in Tampa contracting with Dynasty Travel Solutions
9 January 2017 - Email Exchange
Debra at IIG Promotions responded to my request for confirmation that my $100 and completed form were received. The form required choosing three dates and destinations from their list. Then I was to wait until 60-90 days prior to potential departure to learn whether or not the first of three trips had been granted. (Meanwhile, their “customer support” system had been sending me the instructions to mail them the $100 and three destination selections by 19 Jan. over and over and over again. A week had already passed since I had mailed it to IIG in Lake Havasu City, AZ.)
Debra at IIG: “Yes, we did receive your paperwork and deposit and your offer is active. If you don't see an email from us by late March regarding your first travel date, give us a call or email and we can check status for you at that point. As far as the other issue, they think they have it fixed, but I'm going to check your acct daily so I can stay on top of them if I need to:)”
Me: “Thanks, Debra.”
“So if I understand correctly, I could be offered a deal on tickets for two to London [one of the choices I designated]. But maybe it's not such a great deal. I don't know, because I don't know how much we're talking about. But my travel date requested is at the end of May, and I wouldn't know whether I was traveling to London until, at the very earliest, March what the deal would be. Moreover, I might not even be offered a deal for London at all. I might only be offered a deal for one of the other two destinations mentioned.”
“Do I understand that correctly?”
“I'm keeping a log of my experience and publishing it as part of a news article, so thanks for your continued assistance and clarifications. Roxane”
10 January 2017 - Letter from IIG Re-Stating the Terms
Good morning Roxane, IIG Promotions operates off an allotment system, first come, first serve. When a date becomes available, we will need to confirm your availability, then the booking dept. researches hotels and emails you a description and usually a choice of two itineraries Traveling during peak travel times does incur additional taxes on top of fees, taxes, etc. I am enclosing pertinent paragraphs regarding costs from our Terms and Conditions.
General TRF and Offer Requirements
Recipient must provide three different preferred dates of departure and destinations on TRF.
A 90 day minimum advance notice for preferred travel dates is required.
Preferred travel dates must be in chronological order and be at least 30 days apart.
Reservation requests made less than 90 days in advance of arrival are accepted based on availability and subject to a $49 surcharge.
Both airfares must be booked on the same itinerary. Internet rates or specials, discounted fares, and advertised sale prices do not apply with this offer.
Refundable deposit will be applied to outstanding travel fees and taxes due at the time of booking.
Recipient is required to pay all government taxes, carrier/supplier imposed fees, ticketing/service fees. These fees will vary based on the destination and dates selected.
Recipient and guest’s base coach airfare (excludes government taxes and carrier imposed fees) is not to exceed $200 per person.
Payment must be made using a major credit card; payment cannot be refunded after travel is confirmed.
Departure and arrival destinations are restricted to IIG approved international airports.
Monday or Tuesday departures only.
Only one offer per household will be issued during the promotional offer time period and all travel must be completed within 12 months from your issue date or deposit is forfeited without notice.
Correspondence: To keep offer from becoming invalid, all correspondence is time sensitive and needs to be returned by mail in the designated time frames. You will receive a written confirmation with directions and check-in times (if applicable) by mail or email about two weeks prior to your departure date after your vacation has been paid in full for any outstanding governmental taxes, service fees and or additional travel services if ordered through IIG. It is important that you do not leave for your getaway vacation until you have received written confirmation. IIG will not be responsible for travel arrangements made prior to the confirmation of your trip.
[emphasis theirs] Miscellaneous: Request for travel dates, cities, ports of departure, travel itineraries and airport offerings outside what is allowed in this promotional offer will result in your travel becoming a discounted trip. Some destinations may be considered high demand year round. This offer is valid during low season with year round usage when available for a surcharge. During high season, special events, weekends, conventions, holiday and peak travel periods a surcharge will apply, when available. Holidays and Peak Travel Periods are defined as one full week before, during or after any major government holiday or during the months of March, June July and August. Non-stop flights, class of service of accommodations, length of getaway not covered in offer are available upon request and require an upgrade fee. Primary certificate holder must make deposit payment. All travel components are restricted to Published and Tariff fares. All travel components are subject to IIG’s promotional availability and booked at IIG’s sole discretion. IIG reserves the right to substitute offer components without notice. This offer does not include the cost for additional guests, extra nights and upgrades or any type of incidental expenses such as but not limited to food, beverages, hotel amenity/resort fees, government taxes, gratuities, travel insurance, and service charges, Sorry, no pets. IIG is not responsible for travel suppliers schedule changes. IIG will make every effort to accommodate your preferred travel date(s) but has the right to add, delete or substitute travel dates, resort, hotel and or destinations. IIG has the option to substitute another promotional travel offer of equal or greater value if this offer becomes unavailable.
26 March 2017
On 9 Jan., I was instructed to wait until late March before wondering whether a travel offer would arrive for the companion airfare offer. I also had the option to make contact with IIG in late March to look in on it. I think I’ll wait and see what IIG does with my money and application for a travel deal.......
30 November 2017
So, in initiating phone conversations and email exchanges with all parties throughout 2017 (the original vacation package that includes three different trips plus the air travel offer), I’ve found that I could extend the deadline on completing my time-share stay (from 18 months to 3 years, free of charge), but two of the three travel destinations/dates have been declined, even though I followed instructions and scheduled departures on Tuesdays.
My first choice had been London, May 30th. Declined. My second choice was Fort Myers, Florida, November 21st. Declined. I thought I’d at least try get us to my mother-in-law’s for Thanksgiving. So on a lark (figuring we’d get one of those two), I included Honolulu, Hawaii, December 26th. Well, it was almost a year ago when I was projecting those dates and places. Hawaii isn’t ideal right now, right after Christmas. But Hawaii is what IIG is willing to help with. So I’m trying to keep to my word and make a trip to Honolulu.
Help, how? They want to know my return date. I’m asking questions about what they’re looking at — a ballpark figure? Airlines? Direct flights? They want my return date. Rounds of emails go like this, though I get the sense the attendant is only trying to do her job, not cause frustration. But if I can get to Hawaii for $200, I’ll consider it.