Your Travel Headquarters

Dana ** from Resort Marketing called my home on Feb. 24, 2009, selling cruise promotions that could be purchased for the sales tax. The port charges would be applied when the cruise was booked. There would be absolutely no other charges other than port charges at the time of sailing. I purchased 13 for a total of $1056.00 for my family. My husband and I are retired, on a fixed income. This was a way we could take the family on a vacation. For 18 months, I tried to book. There was no availability.

Finally, when the 18 months was about to be up, I was told to get a request in for October 6, 2011. It looked as though this would be available. I should call back from 90 to 120 days prior to Oct. 6th to check on availability. I did so and spoke with Eric in member services of Your Travel Headquarters, where the booking takes place. Eric advised me that this was available but there would be an up charge and the port charges due for a total of $343.44. I told Eric that we could not afford this. His response was, "You had better, this is all you will get." I continued to call to see if there was anything that could be worked out. I asked if my husband and I could apply the money paid for a package just for us. There was nothing they would do to prevent us from losing $1056.

I was contacted by Your Travel Headquarters informing me that I won a free cruise and that I had to pay a processing fee, which was 88 dollars per person. I was told to pick 3 dates within the next 18 months. I was told to ask other family members to joined me. Several of my family members did just that, they trusted me and now we are all out of money. I have a family of four. I and my family have lost $352.00. My family members have lost money also. I have try to reach them to no avail. I don't know what to tell my family members.

I purchased a cruise package for 5 ($480.00) and paid all except what I would have to in port fees when I get ready to book my trip. The cruise purchased was a 3-day Mexico on Carnival. I have been trying to book my trip for almost 6 months now. Whenever I called they tell me they need additional forms. Once I get those forms in to them they say a travel agent will get back to you. That never happens. When you call to book your trip, you have to leave a message and no one returns that call. So you are basically leaving messages and never get a call back. The membership will soon expire and then you don't get your cruise or your money back. I am out of $480.00 for this cruise package. In these bad economic times, I do not have $480.00 to waste. I wanted to take my three kids on this cruise. It has resulted in major stress of the possibilities of throwing money away.

My girlfriend and I received a message from "Your Travel Headquarters", saying that we had won a free cruise, and that we needed to call them back that day to redeem it. To be brief, we did so, and asked all the pertinent info about the trip, and how much it would cost, and if there were any other fees, expenses, etc. The rep explained that it was a "free" promotional trip, and that the only thing we had to pay was a departure fee of $190.00 for the 2 of us, and any expenses that we might incur to get to the cruise ships' port of departure in Miami, FL, which was a Royal Caribbean ship.

I asked sternly and specifically, "and that is all, and nothing more, no other fees or charges will be applied or assessed, correct?" He replied, "yes, those are the only expenses, and no other charges would be applied". According to him, we had 18 months to use the trip, and we needed to pay the $190.00 immediately, or forfeit our "prize".

We did so, and last month, decided to book a date, only to later find out that there would be approximately another $550 dollars to book our trip. I told the rep that I wanted to cancel, and be issued a refund, since we were misled/defrauded. He flat out refused a refund, saying "we have a no refunds policy". I was also reading other info and articles that said these government departure fees are refundable, especially if the person/s do/does not show up. We have also filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau online, and saw that most all the other people filing a complaint had their issued settled by them. I would suggest everyone else to do the same. I was defrauded out of $190.00, and spent much time and aggravation calling and arguing with these scammers!

After reading Michael's experience with Your Travel Headquarters concerning the "free" cruise, I wanted to share my experience as well. I also signed up for the cruise in March 2009 and we still have yet to take it. I was actually researching this company, glad I came across this because I feel that I may have to get the Better Business Bureau involved as well. I payed close to $200 for me and my husband for this promotion.

This company is such a rip off! They try to make it so difficult to book the cruise, you just want to say forget it! Just say no if someone calls offering you this! I'm learning the hard way and regret ever getting involved with this shady company!

Beware of a cruise-package seller named "Your Travel Headquarters." I got scammed! First, they tell you that you have "won" a three day cruise for two to the Bahamas aboard Carnival Cruises. You only have to pay $176. If you agree to pay (which I did) they put a verification person on the phone who reads, at super-speed rate, what you have just agreed to. They read it so fast that it sounds like what you just agreed to but it's not.

I purchased this cruise in March 2009. On December 8, 2009 I got a telephone call from "Your Travel Headquarters" stating that I must pay almost $400 more in various additional charges to go on the cruise. It's a scam. I'm trying to get my money back with the help of various government agencies including, The Better Business Bureau of Illinois. The mailing address for "Your Travel Headquaters" is Batavia Ill.