Complaint Review: Hacienda Vista Real-Premier Holiday Travel Vacation Club

They sold me a contract which guaranteed discounts on their various resorts and hotels all over the world. In order to close the deal, they offered me 3 separate weeks for free, one at the Hacienda Vista Real, where I was, one at their hotel in Cozumel, the Park Royal Cozumel, and one at any of their other hotels. They did not mention that these all expired after 2 years and I didn't notice until after I had signed the contract.

Then, after hurricane Katrina, they sent out notices to all members that they owed an additional "assessment fee" to help pay for the damages. I was told that there would be no additional fees and it is not mentioned in the contract. When I (along w/ several other members) refused to pay this fee, I was told that my contract was suspended and I could not make reservations at any of their "resorts" until I paid the fee. Also, when I asked for reservations at the hotel in Cozumel, I was told it was shut down for renovations due to the hurricane until June 2006. June 2006 is 2 years after I signed the contract, so my "free" week would be expired. Then I asked about using my "free" week at the Hacienda Vista Real, and was told there was a mandatory "all inclusive fee" of $84/nite per person....I hardly call this free.

I went on the internet and found that there were approximately 300 others who had been scammed in the same way. There is also a group called the Royal Holiday Vaction Club which seems to be affiliated and is experiencing the same problem; i.e. they are having their memberships suspended if they do not pay the assessment fee. I have already paid $12,000....the entire cost of the contract (or so I was told) and I don't intend to pay any more for nothing.

Susan
San Francisco, California
U.S.A.