CheapTrips.com reviews and complaints

CheapTrips.com called me the beginning of April & offered me pairs of round trip tickets for $99.00! I told them I'm traveling in mid June, the responded, no problem ~ because I had to book 30 days in advance. I kept calling & emailing when I finally was given (over the phone) a web site & login information. I followed instructions & gave $25.00! I received my "voucher" today May 24 TOO LATE TO MAKE A 30 DAY RESERVATION! Besides, I now have to send in the voucher and wait for them to call me back to make the reservation! WHAT A RIO OFF!

The same thing happened to me but I bought the tickets. 6 of them as it was such a good deal. I have filed an "E" Mail complaint asking for my money back and now playing the waiting game. Never again will cheaptrips get another dime from me. They do have an occasional good deal, but their marketing by lying is a very bad thing.

Oh my gosh! They just keep on ripping people off. I purchased a life time VIP life time membership. I flushed my money down the toilet stool. You get nothing but ripped off. I wonder why they have not been prosecuted for this travel scam.

I purchased a lifetime VIP membership through cheap trips. I actvated 2 certificateS for free round trip airfare with the purchase of a 7 day resort stay. First I went to the site to book the reservations. The site did not work. It did not allow you to book reservations. I called the number on the site. I got a answering machine. Red Flag! How can you have a travel businesss without travel agents to answer the telephone. BEWARE PEOPLE DO NOT BUY A MEMBERSHIP TRAVEL PACKET THROUGH CHEAP TRIPS.ORG. A BIG RIP OFF! YOU WILL LOSE YOUR MONEY AND GET NOTHING IN RETURN.

I paid for the VIP membership back in 2004 and never used it. The membership expired in 2007 and I just now (in 2010) noticed it. After reading all the negative comments about this site I'm glad I never got the chance/urge to use it although now I feel stupid for paying the $129 for the upgrade. By the way, this company has changed their website from Cheaptrips.com/aca to Cheap-trips.org; that's probably why no one can log in. Unless of course some other company now claims the Cheaptrips.com site and that's why the old company switched to Cheap-trips.org. Good luck to everyone who is trying to get their money back, but I wonder if the ACA can help, or BBB?

I agree, cheap trips is a rip off. I've been waiting for my refund for 5 months. If you call that so called customer service number, all you get is the run around and a bunch of excuses as to why your refund has not been processed. Then they give you a specific date and time to call the refund manager (more crock!). You call him and it's the same old song, just a different tune!

Disgusted in Smithfield!

I also have a lifetime membership and can't get into the site. Is there a law sue against them pending, if so I want my money back.

I fully agree with the negative comments about Cheaptrips. My experience began on Nov. 1, 2008 via telephone. After agreeing to a membership with assurance that I would receive a full refund if I changed my mind and returned the package in 30 days. I received the package Nov. 19, could not even log on to the website following the instructions in the package, and called Nov. 20 to receive instructions for the refund. I followed all the detailed instructions for the refund and waited the 2 billing cycles as requested. Needless to say, there was no refund. Telephone calls were non-productive--promises were made but no action was taken. Fortunately, I had kept a detailed list of names, dates, phone calls, and copies of all written material, including complaints from the online site. I found a complaint site with the following information:
Attorney General
Camden County Department of Health and Human Services
Consumer Protection/Weights and Measures
Jefferson House, Lakeland Road
P.O. Box 9
Blackwood, New Jersey [protected]
It was a tedious process but by following the instructions received by mail, I finally received a full refund on my charge card with the April, 2009 statement.
This company should not be allowed to remain in business with all the numerous complaints they have had. Someone should be responsible and accountable for shutting them down so they will stop taking advantage of the public.
Louisiana Consumer

NEVER do business with cheaptrips! I have NEVER received one service or item of value with them. You will not get a phone call back when you call your Personal Travel Assistant to book a trip. To book it online yourself you will only get sent to a search engine you can reach without cheaptrips! You will never be able to access the pkgs. they tell you are yours to use or give away. NEVER cannot be stressed enough. Believe it! You will NEVER get any benefit from anything you buy from theml.

Avoid Cheap Trips at all costs, or it'll cost you. The offers they make over the phone sound too good to be true. Well guess what, they are. But the offer of a prompt refund plus getting to keep some of the coupons makes it sound low-risk. The offer I received in the mail was NOTHING like the offer made on the phone. This was in May 2009 and I'm still trying to get my $108.95 refund. I'm going to my Attorney General on Monday...

I too got ripped off by cheaptrips.I need to know how to file a formal complain against them.I withdrew my membership because I didn't receive anything in the mail.eg free plane tickets, etc.I was also told that they took off only one payment of $49 but instead they withdrew another $59.So not legal.
Any advise?
I can be reached at mboconnor2003@yahoo.com
Thank you.

They are FRAUDS!

I have the same experience. I get a call from them daily. Its annoying. I have tried to follow the voice prompts, I have tried a BBB complaint, I have tried a DO NOT CALL REGISTRY complaint.. no results.

I guess we all need to go legal on these guys!

They will not remove my number because I didn't ask them to the way she wanted me to ask...I am not taking Harassment anymore...anyone know a mean attorney...

How do you get fid of these daily phone calls? I've been getting them also and I haven't found anything on the website to get off the calling list.

I called then today and asked to be on DNC list see if that work. I called [protected] and if you listen to phone recorder it said website is http://www.cheaptripsmember.com/member-login.php

i called the above number several times to get a human and not a machine.

Hello, I used to work for a call center for cheaptrips.com And let me tell you it is a joke. It was an outbound call center consisting of a converted apartment with about 20 drug addicted teenagers out to say anything they can to make a fast buck. And the owner of the call center is just as bad. A dirrect quote from him..."We sell hopes and dreams, nothing more"

The reason you get so many calls is because you ended up on their marketing list in one way or another. Usually from take a survey to get a free iPod or many other things. The call center agents sit in a very small desks with several sheets of paper with leads on them (just like your name and number) and those numbers get called 3 times a day until someone answers. If no one answers they just keep getting called over and over. I have personally seen lead sheets over 2 years old with numbers on them that still get called.

My job was to make retention calls all day long to try and convince people to stay with the company. The whole point is to keep members money in the bank account as long as possible in order to earn as much interest as possible. I managed to stay there 3 weeks until I figured out what was going on and bailed out.

The manager on the call floor even advised the new reps to "check your morals at the door"

I hope this helps

I received the CheapTrips packet in the mail with the understanding that if I were not satisfied I could obtain a refund. I called them after looking over the information and was told again that I should send the materials back with a letter as to why I was not satisfied. I did this within the 30 days time frame (I was not informed of the 30 days time limit when I "purchased" the packet.) I then called and was told that it was "in processing" and I asked what the processing time was. I was told 30-60 days. I said they took the money out of my card immediately, but it takes 30-60 days to get a refund? That is the procedure I was told. This is following a pattern of other "victims" of this company. New Jersey Better Business Burea assured me that they had no complaints on this company at this time...amazing! I have not contacted the Federal Trade Commission or the Attorney General for their or this state yet, but I may well have to if things keep following their usual pattern. A class action suit might be in order. Things were misrepresented or left unmentioned that changed the offerings. Is this a fraud that spans many states? Has anyone in NJ not been affected by this?

i had the same problem, here is my story

My experience with Cheap Trips has not being a good one. I joined in January 2009, I received the package in February and once I looked through it, I realised that it was not entirely what I wanted. So I called to cancel my subscription and see what the steps are I should follow. (The people that answered when I called, were always nice, the guy said I must write a letter explaining why I want to cancel and then just send it back with the package). I did just that. I then called two weeks later to see if they received the package, they hadn’t, so I asked what do I do now, in case it got lost or something? They said, just write a letter and fax it through. I then called two days later to see if they received it, they had and said the money will be in my account in two weeks. I then called again after two weeks, and then they said the money should be there by 30-60 business days. So again I wait. After the 62nd day, I call again, and they said, sorry it should have been in, so they will redo it and it should be in my account in two weeks. I call again after that, and was told I have to wait for a supervisor to call me. I called again trying to get hold of the supervisor for about 2-3 weeks, and he eventually called me back, saying that I can’t get my money back because the parcel isn’t there and it’s past the 30 day money back period. I informed him, that I did all I was told to do, there’s nothing I can do about the lost package, and that I want my money back. He (Chris) then said I will not get my money back and that he doesn’t have time for this, good bye. I do not this is right and will never work through cheap trips again; they just take advantage and rip people off! I want my money back, it’s just the principal!

I too was guilable. I got the same run around regarding my refund. It was NOT how they explained it would work. I was told to send everything back. I did that. I called month after month to check up on my refund. I was told it would being processed and that I would receive my refund within 2 to 4 weeks. I than spoke with someone who told me that the refund has not been processed but he would but a rush on it and I could expect it within the next 2 to 4 weeks. When I still hadn't received it, I called only to be told that there was a problem with the refund and that they would have a supervisor call me. They would not connect me with a sup at that time, stating that all referrals to a sup would be responded by a sup. I missed the call but the sup left me a return number. After several games of phone tag I spoke with the sup who informed me that I was not due a refund because I hadn't requested the refund in writting eventhough I has follow the return policy as advised. I got angry and said some thing I shouldn't have and he hung up on me. Several weeks later I called back and spoke to the same sup who adviced me that I was entiled to a refund that that he has processed it a few days ago and that I should expect my refund in a few days. That was 3 weeks ago. Needless to say, I haven't received anything. Last week, I tryed to call several times but was told to leave a message. No one has gotten back to me yet. The lesson for me is, If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is untrue. This has been going on since 12/08.

I was another one of the misguided individuals who thought what they were saying was a good thing. I paid them $99.00 over the phone with my atm debit card. It only took me a couple of minutes to realize That something didn't sound right. So I looked them up on the net. And I found out about the scam. I was devestated. Yet, I was quick to act. Others aren't that lucky. I called my bank and talked to the fraud division. Luckily for me, they hadn't taken the money out of the bank yet. So they blocked my card and cancelled it. I have to go and get another one but it's a small price for stupidity on my part. In fact Cheaptrips called the next day at 6 am no less and said my card wasn't going through. I just had to laugh. So if anyone reads this, before you make any purchases on line check them out first. If they sound too good to be true more than likely they are.

the feds are now looking at them dont worry were going get them

I also was scammed. I was told that I would receive 4 airline tickets and that the people I was to share them with did not have to live in the same state as I. I told the representive that I was sick with cancer and didn't know when or if I would use them. I was told that I was a life time member and an executive member. Was told that the people had to live in the same state as I. Never got to use the tickets because I was told that they had expired. How disappointed I was because I had invested a a lot of money. At one time, I told them not to call me anymore and that I was not going to give them anymore money. Today 1-20-11 I called, wanted to see about making a reservation for a motel. I had to go through sign on for membership to talk with someone to get a phone number for travel in regard for a motel reservation. No one answer the phone, was to leave a message. This is not the first time that I have called and never received a phone call back. Yes, I did received one call but in 2010, I was sick and didn't want to talk with no one. I never received a membership card, was given an ID# that was no good and wrong telephone numbers, the phone would ring twice than stop, no one would answer. THIS IS A BOGUS ORGANIZATION, JUST A RIP OFF. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS GROUP OF PEOPLE. They are taking advantage of people, they are no different then the ones that go around fixing homes for people that have lost through hurricanes, etc. I am a life time member of NOTHING. Maybe President Obama needs to see and hear about these complaints. One day soon Cheaptrips will have their day in court. THEY ARE CROOKS?

I just received another call from one of their sales people. I asked her to email me their offer to check it out. Here it is:

AS A MEMBER OF OUR TRAVEL SERVICE acacheaptrips.com
HAS MADE SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS TO OFFER YOU INCREDIBLE SAVINGS ON OUR 4 in 1 VACATION PACKAGE. FOR A LIMITED TIME YOU WILL RECEIVE
YOUR CHOICE OF A 3 DAY/ 2 NIGHT VACATION GETAWAY FOR 2(includes 2 r/t airfares plus hotel accommendations) CHOOSE LAS VEGAS, NV ORLANDO, FL
PUERTA VALLARTA, CANCUN, MEXICO( a list of 24 destinations) OR SUBSTITUTE FOR A 3or4 NIGHT ALL-INCLUSIVE CRUISE FOR 2(choose from a list of cruises, includes fabulous meals and shipboard entertainment) YOU GET AN 8 DAY/ 7 NIGHT RESORT CONDO STAY FOR UP TO 4 PEOPLE(choose from a list of over 25 destinations) ALSO 4 R/T AIRFARES TO ANY DESTINATION IN THE CONTINENTAL US, CANADA, CARIBBEAN, MEXICO AND HAWAII.
AND FINALLY A $100 FLIGHT REBATE

YOURS FOR JUST $99 w/30-DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
FOR INQUIRY PLEASE CALL [protected] ASK FOR
HANNAH

If you read the advertisement carefully you can tell from the start it's a scam, very confusing and busy...They got me in 2005 for about $200.00 Never received their four FREE tickets, FREE CRUISE VOOUCHER or any of the other offers. But they did keep my money and never refunded one penny... WATCH OUT FOR THESE CROOKS!

My name is Teresa Brown and I live in Detroit, Michigan. I also have been scammed by Cheap Trips this year 2009. It all started in April, 2009. I got the phone call and went for it because I wanted to travel to North Carolina. I cancelled my membership because they never send me the correct corresspondence and they were very confusion during our discussions. They act like I was suppose to know the procedure. I was also sent the VIP form and still didn't get the answers to all my questions. So I decided to cancel in April 29, 2009. When I called they said we didn't receive your cancellation request until May 8, 2009. Today, October 8, 2009 I still have not received my refund for $59.99. They pacifially left a message to call Chris on October 8, 2009 btw. 10a.m. - 4p.m. to talk to Chris. I called this morning and Chris was unavailable. I called this afternoon and now he is sick and have left the building. A man name Scott is all into the scam. He's the one that answers the phone and makes you feel like you're just stupid. They are continually saying my refund has been done on July 29, 2009 to no avail not true at all. They even gave me a reference number they themselves created. It was never found on my banks end. I want my money back. I have been dealing with this for 5 months. Can you believe that? 5 months to receive $59.95. It only took them 2 days to take it out of my account. I will like to take them to the HALL OF SHAME here in Detroit. I will need other complaints to make this a media mess. My email address is uniquet@att.net. If there is any other means of getting our money please I 100 percent involved.

Teresa Brown
Detroit, MI
[protected]

I have been trying for 4 months to get my money back. I sent their " information packet" back registered mail which cost me another $15.00 but at least I have records that it was done. How many complaints does it take to get action!
VT

I too was scammed by this so called cheaptrips in cherry Hill New Jersey. They told me my membership would be $9.95 charged to my checking account and then $69.95 at the end of 30 days. They also told me I could have 2 other free memberships for signing up. They charged my account $181.29 and over drew me which cost me another $60.00

I too have been cheated by cheaptrips, as iread all these complains it is similar to what i have gone through.I got alot of information, i am going to mail a complaint to attorney general in new jersey, hope that it help in refunding my money.
blanche vas, new mexico.

cheaptrips are professional crooks, i just wish i could catch them my mom got rip off also they promised her free tickets and a gas card for $1oo.00 when the so called package came nothing like that was enclosed, then they went back to her credit card took another $49.00 out saying it is a payment tor membership fee which you have the whole year to pay, yet the next month they took another $49.00 out, now it is a big problem to get the stupid customer services and get someone to talk to, i wish to god the f.b.i. could come down on their thievinging ### and put all of them behind bars time is hard and these thieves are prospering by going into people purses, thieves shall not prosper i am leaving them to god and leaving them to time, people beware

it's so funny as soon as my boyfriend told me he had got this great deal from "Bob" for a pair of tickets from cheaptrips i knew something was up. The operator told him all he needed was a credit card to enroll him as a customer, BUT that no charges would be made on it, the information was just for verification purposes. Yeah right, my boyfriend thought he was smarter than "Bob" he gave the number of a non funded card so that even if they attempted to charge it there would be no funds available. Guess what cheaptrips did, they waited until the funds were available on the credit card and charged it days later after "Bob" spoke to my boyfriend. Little did they know that we would find out right away. This card is usually left at home for me, since we have a newborn i can't travel so i take care of our bills and things like that from home. So basically the first thing i did was so contact my credit card compnay. accourding to visa, cheaptrips made an authorization for the amount of $113.00. I explained to them that i never gave them authorization to make this charge. i am sure you know what visa told me, "you must contact the company and see if they will issue a refund if not a dispute must be made". So i did, i called cheaptrips so far from the day they charged me i have made a total of 15 calles. As of now i have spoken to "tom, Sherlly, Lisa etc... every single one of them have given me every excuse available. The last time i called they claimed, yes we received our papers back, yes we will issue a refund, yes, yes, yes. Bull@#%*, now cheaptrips claims it can take up to 30, to 60 days for my refund to clear on my billing cycle...but their charges go through in less than 1 minute... Here's the how the scam works, the object is to get you t ogive them your credit card info they will promise you some kind of free gift or ticket. then a one time fee, membership, what ever they can come up with.Then they will send you some type of paper which basically repeat all the information you all ready have about the availability for cheaper ticket purchases. When you do, if you do so decide not to continue with their services and want your money back, . Cheaptrips claimes that if you return the items sent to you within 30days of delivery the company will issue a refund on all charges. But heres the catch they prolong the "so call refund' so that if you are disputing the charges by the time the investigation is over you are no longer covered by your credit card company, Because we all know you have only 60 days. After this period you are held resposible for all charges and fees. Here is were i stand, still waiting its been 35 days and counting, i am furious that a company like this with so many complaints had yet to be shut down. My boyfriend and i are parents of a ten years old and a newborn whos just making 12 weeks. He is the only one working. This man works very hard for his money and for these people to go and take something that is not there for the taking is wrong. I swear what ever i have to do, to air this cheaptrips company i will, thats a promise...

a very made housewife
meria

how is this company still in bussiness.i was also skammed, i phone this company about 50 times.there sales people were very rude.or thay would hang up on me.i also found out they dont even have flights from canada.i paid my money and got nothing only a pin# and membership#.which was no good.

INSIDE SCOOP FROM A RELIABLE SOURCE

- They have a few different offices... one call center in Cherry Hill, an office in Denver, an Office in Sun Valley Idaho.. and a couple others. The Cherry Hill and Sun Valley offices are legit with addresses.

- The company isn't technically 100% a scam. But you're essentially paying a membership fee to use a Travelocity booking engine.

- They make their money by setting up impossible refund policy and deny refunding peoples money through technicalities they have set up in small print contracts with their lawyers.

- Whatever the salesman sold you on the phone... be very doubtful of receiving it. So the 4 free plane tickets, 85% off airfares, etc... whatever it is... not going to happen. Read the fine print... you might get a free ticket... after jumping through hoops in back and forth mail, but now in order to be eligible you're booking a room that's twice the cost.

- They are using an affiliate portal search engine made by travelocity.com. So any prices you get as a "member" when logged into an account at Cheaptrips are the exact same prices you'd receive from Travelocity.

- They get A LOT of people requesting their money back because their services aren't legit.. so they can only refund so much money at a time to keep under the radar.

Regarding the comment from a telemarketing employee above, regardless of if people responses have typos or not its no judge of their character. I've seen this company scam thousands and its horrible. Even if there are technicalities that lawyers carefully set in place regarding if your eligibility of a refund... its FALSE ADVERTISING at its best.