Occasionally we will post Travel Alerts knowing that Forewarned if Forearmed.
Incident:
We booked a tour to Eastern Europe on a specific date - August 10, 2004 with return on August 28, 2004. On June 9, 2004 we were called and told that they had not filled that trip and we were moved to August 16, 2004 with return on September 3, 2004. We must not be gone on the first of the month and asked that they cancel our trip and return our $6,069.20. Although not included in the Travel Handbook they supplied, there is an unwritten company policy that they will not refund the entire amount and there is a charge of $600 if you cannot move to their new dates. At no time was this policy stated or divulged to me during the entire process. In other words, they may change the date of departure at their leisure and it becomes a cancellation on your part and subject to their refund policy. Stay away from Grand Circle Travel unless you have an unlimited flexible travel calendar, or you may expect large fees to be levied without notice.
I always pay for everything of a serious nature (ie not ephemeral things like restaurant tabs) with American Express. They ALWAYS stand behind their clients. If you buy something that turns not to be what was stated (such as a trip that changes dates), they will refuse to pay the merchant or demand the money back.
If you buy an object (ie camera) and you break it or you lose it within 90 days, you get full refund. (I got water on a new camera, my fault, and they paid the $100 cost of the repair.)
I think Amex is great. And now i have the card with travel points.
Lucy
On A RECENT International trip through Newark the TravelLady noticed that they no longer have free carts when you get your luggage. Pity the poor souls who arrive jetlagged, without the correct change or currency. A "helpful" employee was selling carts for $3 each cash She had no receipts or credit cards, just a wad of cash in her pocket as she offered carts from behind a roped area
I wonder who employs her
Or if she is a self employed entrepreneur
Incident:
We booked a tour to Eastern Europe on a specific date - August 10, 2004 with return on August 28, 2004. On June 9, 2004 we were called and told that they had not filled that trip and we were moved to August 16, 2004 with return on September 3, 2004. We must not be gone on the first of the month and asked that they cancel our trip and return our $6,069.20. Although not included in the Travel Handbook they supplied, there is an unwritten company policy that they will not refund the entire amount and there is a charge of $600 if you cannot move to their new dates. At no time was this policy stated or divulged to me during the entire process. In other words, they may change the date of departure at their leisure and it becomes a cancellation on your part and subject to their refund policy. Stay away from Grand Circle Travel unless you have an unlimited flexible travel calendar, or you may expect large fees to be levied without notice.
