Resorts Travel Vacations, North Shore Resort Realty, Infinity Incentive Group Free cruise, free airline vouchers, timeshare marketing, DECEPTIVE - here's the truth . Internet
We received a post card stating:
We are anxious to confirm your status as a major gift recipient. The xxx family has been selected to receive a (7) night fun-filled cruise for two adults. All meals, on-board activities and entertainment are included. All cruises will be on a Carnival Cruise ship. There are four different cruises to choose from. All to either The Caribbean or The Mexican Riviera. Ports of departure include Los Angeles, CA, Galveston, TX, Miami FL and San Juan PR. Retail Value up to $1800. All that is required is that you attend a 90 to 120 minute presentation showcasing our vacation possibilities. Call immediately.
The post card also listed "a certificate good for $500 in Air Checks (airline discount vouchers).
So here's the deal: After you go waste your afternoon at the timeshare presentation (which we've done before, but have been pleased with our "gifts" in other situations), you get the REAL scoop for your "free stuff."
The cruise is during low season. To register for the cruise, you must send $299 per person for "port taxes and processing fees." Once your registration is activated, you must submit (request) 3 valid dates of departure, with at least a 90 day notice, and 30-days apart. Surcharges apply for peak season or holiday travel.
Also, you can't ask any questions until you've paid the "processing fees". Here's what the form says: To streamline the process, we will not be able to handle any phone calls prior to receiving your registration form. Once your registration validation form is received, you will be given detailed informaton on how to make your cruise reservations."
Kathryn
PENN VALLEY, California
U.S.A.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Shannon Gray
United States of AmericaI have had the same experience!
#4Consumer Comment
Mon, June 20, 2011
We listened to a presentation over 2 years ago with the promise of a free cruise after... Well, they were out of the free cruise certificates when we were leaving, of course... So we were told they would mail us one... When it came we followed the directions, but were unable to leave the country for over a year... After extending our travel time, and after we sent in $179 each, we finally sent in dates that we were told would work, and were, today, sent a quote. saying we could travel on either of two dates, if we paid an additional $800-$1300!! Seriously!! We could have booked a cruise over a year ago and paid $500-600 total. How is this a free cruise? When you go online to book your own cruise, it is $50-80 total for two people for all of the taxes and fees... not $350! I will have to ask them for our money back now and try to book a cruise for us myself, as this has been incredibly frustrating and is obviously a scam company, just scamming people out of money:-(
Janice Meadows
Lake Havasu City,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Infinity Incentive Group - Truth on Cruises
#4UPDATE Employee
Wed, November 19, 2008
In response to the complaint posted 9-11-08 by "Kathryn" of Penn Valley, California, I would like to address the comments made about our company - Infinity Incentives Group:
The Promotional Travel Voucher that you refer to in your complaint is an incentive product that we market to companies that use them as an incentive to get you to participate in an informative presentation about their travel club or other type of business. When you receive our voucher, the terms and conditions are printed on the back of the voucher. It clearly states that there are fees that you are responsible for (i.e. port fees and taxes, peak season, or holiday fees, if they apply as well as options for upgrading your accommodations). *This is not a free trip* and nowhere on our voucher does it state that it is a free trip. It also clearly states that it is for a cruise during low season and even lists the dates for you so there are no misunderstandings. We do provide the toll free customer service number as well as our website on the voucher.
The $299 deposit that is initially required is applied to the fees at the time that you travel. If, for any reason you do not travel, you may write in and cancel your voucher and request a full refund, which is processed and mailed to you within 6-8 weeks (standard time for processing of refunds). Any additional fees that may be due at time of booking would be based on any peak, or holiday travel that you are requesting. Which would still be a savings of 10 - 30% over what you would otherwise be able to book that same trip.
I cannot address the comments regarding any other representation to you other than what is clearly printed on our vouchers. Your signature is required on the voucher when you mail it in to activate it. It states that you have read and understand the terms and conditions and therefore are signing in agreement with these terms. It also states that you should not rely on any representation other than what is in the contract.
We have a strict company protocol and policy that we follow in fulfillment of these vouchers and are constantly striving to make the process as straight-forward as possible. We welcome your comments as they assist us in providing better customer support and ultimately a better travel experience for our customers.
If you have any additional questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact our Customer Service Department at 866-653-2139. Our representatives would be happy to assist you.
Sincerely,
Janice Meadows
Customer Care
Infinity Incentives Group
P.O. Box 3479
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86405
866-653-2139
Karl
Clovis,New Mexico,
U.S.A.
A Friend Fell Into This Trap
#4Consumer Suggestion
Sat, September 13, 2008
I have nothing to do with timeshares and "free" anythings but a friend attended a timeshare presentation for a "free" cruise. The port charges and processing fees were almost as much as a normal discounted rate for the cruise but after he paid whatever he paid the dates he submitted were always unavailable. He learned his lesson.