Complaint Review: Newport Travel

A Newport Travel representative contacted me offering a good deal on a hotel and car rental package in Florida and Mexico. Having paid US$797.00 by credit card - (thanks goodness, you will see why later) I received the package in the post. When I came to book the holiday offered, I discovered that it was a timeshare marketing trip, which had not be mentioned during the sales promption. After much hassle I was advised that because I was over 65 year of age that Mexico resorts would not honour the accommodation offered in the package.  On request from one of the travel consultants I receives a fax stating that the accommodation requested in Mexico was not available to me. Newport could therefore not deliver in accordance with the contract.

The contract included in the Newport Package states".....YOU MAY ALSO CANCEL THIS CONTRACT IF ACCOMMODATIONS OR FACILITIES ARE NOT AVAILABLE PERSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR USE AS PROVIDED IN THE CONTRACT......" Despite their inabilty to provide accommodations as offered in the contract, a senior Newport representative advised that " A REFUND IS NOT AN OPTION".

At this point I contacted my credit card company, Capital One, who despite the 18 months elapsed  since the initial payment, advised me that if the service paid for had not been delivered they would refund my payment. I sent them the documentation and received a refund within a week. If Newport had not challenged my assertions within 45 days the refund would become permanent. No challenge has been received and I have a full refund.

The lessons - Avoid Newport, pay by credit card, get documentation for everything.