Hert said he's been frustrated by the lack of information from Vantage and their attorneys. It provided that information in writing and it had been over 90 days since it promised that refund. Michelle is the founder and CEO of Consumer Rescue. Vantage Deluxe World Travel may be in trouble. Here are six Zelle scams that will quickly drain your bank account! Many Vantage Travel customers are reporting that the company has The offices are now closed without any explanation from the company. Vantage Travel, a Boston-based luxury cruise company that was the subject of hundreds of consumer complaints and at least one lawsuit, is filing for bankruptcy and selling its operation. Vantage Travel canceled my cruise. She thought about all the things they had booked, the tickets they had to the opera and a trip to Giverny to see Monets gardens, and figured they could still go, even if they wouldnt be going on the cruise. As was the case throughout the travel industry, COVID-19 had a substantial impact on [Vantages] operations, DelGreco wrote, saying the companys revenue plummeted from $130 million in 2019 to $10 million in 2020, the first year of the pandemic. Embark on the extraordinary with Vantage! 29 talking about this. Dozens of complaints have been filed with the Better Business Bureau. In filings in US Bankruptcy Court in Boston, Greg DelGreco, Vantages chief operating officer, said the offer of a credit was the best Vantage could do for customers, and that otherwise they would receive nothing for their claims against the company. Travel Impressions, a travel agency and wholesaler, has been in business for more than 40 years and is one of the biggest players in the industry. Vantage Travel Services, Inc. v. Trip Michelle is a public speaker, and her expert guidance has been cited in. They also support responsible wildlife viewing practices so travelers can experience nature without disturbing it. My hope was that I could appeal to his sense of human compassion. By Lisa Hughes April 24, 2023 / 11:23 PM / CBS Boston BOSTON - Disappointment for a Rhode Island couple who found out their European river cruise Is Vantage Travel Still in Business? - LuxuryTravelDiva Contact Us - Vantage Deluxe World Travel Heres what you need to know about how to get your money back from Vantage Travel. Two problems immediately became clear. Like thousands of other Vantage customers, Liz was faced with no other choice but to rebook and rebook and rebook again. Two weeks prior to the voyage, Vantage notified them the trip had been rescheduled for later that year, he said. Vantage Travel? - Senior Travel Forum Vantage Travel For those who believe there can never be a true synergy between luxury travel and expedition cruising, the Ocean Odyssey and Ocean Explorer defy expectations. The company specializes in providing customized, luxury travel experiences to destinations throughout the world. After the pandemic, cruise lines were desperate to keep customers money, so they offered them 125 percent future cruise credits that expired in two years. Vantage Travel says its up for sale, employees say theyre not Vantage has not made this a requirement, however local laws will dictate whether we must tour in a bubble, or if we can roam freely while in port. Discounted Air on 2023 departures**. Vantage Can I get a refund? Vantage also faces a class-action lawsuit claiming the company "stonewalled and misled" customers who tried to get refunds for canceled trips costing as much as $34,000. The reasons trips were thwarted are varied, as Vantage's founder and chairman Henry Lewis wrote in two letters to consumers published to the website. (It received $4.3 million in federal payroll protection program grants, the filings say.). Vantage Travel (After the Globe got involved on their behalf, Vantage refunded the couples money. WebBusiness Profile Vantage Deluxe World Travel Tour Operators Current Alerts For This Business There are 4 alerts for this business. What can you do if you sent money to a stranger by mistake? But as I dug through the ever-growing pile of pleas for help from Vantage Travel customers, my previous optimism about the tour operators recovery quickly evaporated. She and her friends have been trying unsuccessfully for years to reschedule a cruise that Vantage canceled in 2020. Search open Manager Jobs at Vantage Deluxe World Travel now and start preparing for your job interview by browsing frequently asked Manager interview questions at Vantage Deluxe World Travel. Vantage Deluxe World Travel | Better Business Bureau Profile We understand this is not what you had planned and we deeply regret having to cancel it. At first, we were just shocked. Berlin, Germany (Post-Extension) FROM: $1549 PER PERSON | 4 DAYS | $387 PER DAY. Vantage Deluxe World Travel. ), Since 2020, more than 1,150 customers have filed consumer complaints against Vantage with the office of Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. And those who are trying to get their money back say theyre getting unclear timelines from the company. As of June 20, Vantage had laid off all employees except DelGreco and four other top executives and postponed all trips for at least three months in light of our impending transaction, according to an internal company memo. Warm regards? "People that had planned and saved for these trips of a lifetime that had been erased. The ships give smaller operators like Vantage a chance to enter the expedition cruise business, he added. When I received his complaint, I was hopeful that I could bring a quick and successful end to his lengthy battle. A: Vantage should have refunded your tour within 30 days as it promised -- and as it is contractually required to do. Vantage Travel This small ship ocean cruise is defined by unparalleled luxury and first-class service. The team at Vantage understands that travel is more than just getting from one place to another; its an experience that can open our eyes to new cultures and make memories that last a lifetime. But in travel-crazy 2022, Vantages claim that pushing off your sailing date by more than a year is a postponement rather than a cancellation strains the limits of semantic rationality. Vantage Deluxe World Travel: Here are the true tales from Vantage Two of Vantages ships, Ocean Explorer and the Ocean Odyssey, are now docked in Caen, France, according to the online cruise tracking website cruisemapper.com. Vantage restored its website and call center about a week later. Thanks for your suggestion and support. The good news for McGrath was that she paid for that deposit with a credit card. In the past month the company has canceled at least four cruises within days of departure. How can I get it back. Vantage WebIt is evident that Vantage Travel is still in business despite recent challenges due to COVID-19. There are a few things depending on how you paid, when you paid, the trip insurance you purchased, the state you live in and what Vantage does next. But then we received an email from Vantage that said their team had no idea when they would be able to process the refund. ), 15 Most Popular Products Our Readers Cannot Get Enough of This Amazon Prime Day 2023, Apple AirPods Pro Are the Lowest Price Ever for Amazon Prime Day 2023, These $29 Crest 3D Whitestrips Just Might Be One of the Best Prime Day Deals of Today. Key features of Keystone RVs Vantage trailers. At a hearing on Wednesday, a new possible buyer emerged for Vantage. Vantage It offers everything from flights to accommodations, rental cars, cruises, sightseeing tours, and more. Dunbar said the big question he wants answered in the bankruptcy proceeding is what did Vantage do with the tens of millions of dollars that customers paid to the company in advance for now canceled or postponed trips. has refunded more than 5,000 travelers amounting to more than $12 million. travel ombudsman columnist for The Points Guy, 5-star reviews Michelle earned during her service to the nonprofit since 2016 here, Post-vacation regret: Heres why you should never impulsively join a travel club. Vantage WebCharles and Lea Moskowitz, both 75 of Daytona Beach, are also waiting for a refund of more than $20,000 after their tulips trip was canceled. Vantage Deluxe World travel = No Customer Service Theres no way of knowing how much the company might owe to other creditors. Communication between my team and the Vantage team has ceased. Settled in the Delta Sky Lounge at Tampa International Airport in late March, Lynne Schrum and her husband, David Hall, were ready to head out on their two-and-a-half-week vacation to Western Europe. Business trips often require a certain amount of planning and organization, while leisure trips are usually more spontaneous and often require less preparation. We upgraded our cabin to celebrate! The envelope contained no apology or explanation for the three-year delay, but that made no difference to Delafranier. Travel Tab offers a variety of services to customers including hotel bookings, car rental, flight tickets, and vacation packages. (Vantage later said no cancellations were related to the data security incident.) That means making sure you have a record of expenditures and receipts, tickets and correspondence with the company. BUT THEYD HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO GET ANY VALUE FROM THAT VANTAGE. Turns out, it can. Vantage Travel Service Inc - Company Profile and News With its longstanding reputation for exceptional customer service and commitment to sustainability, Vantage continues to provide travelers with unforgettable experiences while adhering to safety protocols. Company Refused to Refund Travelers More Over 15 days, youll unlock Egypts great mysteries. New buyer emerges for embattled Vantage travel amid sea of customer complaints, INFORMATION. As some of the claims against Vantage Travel are in the mid to high five figures, consumers may wish to consult with an attorney to determine the absolute best way to approach this terrible situation. After the Globe asked questions, Vantage refunded the couples money. But that cruise was subsequently postponed to October 2022, which did not work for them. When Michael Meyers wife took a terrible fall earlier this month, the couple knew that meant the end of the plans for their Vantage European river cruise, scheduled for this June. It looks like it tries to get more cash from new bookings to keep at laest some of their current cruises going! A limited number of states require Sellers of Travel to pay into a restitution fund that will protect travelers from a companys insolvency. In order to operate in a state with such laws, the travel provider must register and pay into the fund. That post has hundreds of comments and shares. Heres what you can do. The good news came for Krishnan very quickly, and he soon had his long-awaited refund. But her pleas fell on deaf ears as cheerful Vantage representatives continued to remind her of the terrible impact the pandemic had on the cruise industry. I was desperate and I explained that my wife took a terrible fall. "At this time, Vantage Deluxe World Travel is engaged in sensitive negotiations for a sale of the company," Vantage general counsel Rossella Mercuri told the Globe in an email., The newspaper had been seeking confirmation of the authenticity of an internal memo sent to Vantage employees on June 1 announcing the company had postponed sailings over the next 90 days due to a "pending transaction. Is it going to be adequately protected? he asked. This is a cruise industry problem in general and a Vantage problem in particular. A premium spike? Vantage Travel Review & Complaints - Is it Legit? - Reviewopedia In recent years, Vantage provided little information to customers about its precarious financial condition. Take in beautiful views and unprecedented natural splendor as you explore I tried to lower mine with these energy efficient habits, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Weve been attempting to gain some satisfaction for four months, you did it in seven days.. Banning the Bible? Vantage offers a variety of packages and services, including cruises, escorted tours, independent vacation packages, and more. Pandemic drives Carlson family out For the next several months, the couple looked forward to their dream trip, scheduled for October 2020. WebNow I can't get them on the phone.Hope they are still in business. Help! Im 93, My Postponed Cruise Has Been Postponed Again, One of Vantage's most valuable assets appears to be its database of more than 3.6 million customers. High electricity bill?I tried to lower mine with these energy efficient habits. As I began to tackle these cases, I had great optimism. The company has earned its reputation by offering exceptional customer service and unique itineraries that have given travelers memorable experiences. IT WAS A SURPRISE. The longest and least likely path to get your money back from a bankrupt tour operator is through court. Luxury travel company Vantage Travel Services appeared in U.S. Bankruptcy Court Wednesday after admitting in court documents it owes customers $80 million for The trip insurance policy Meyer held was issued in 2019. I dont know how you did it, but sometime yesterday, I received a bank transfer [from Vantage Travel] for a full cash refund, Mould told me. Search for specific Keystone Vantage Travel Trailer information. The company employs knowledgeable staff who are experienced travelers and are passionate about helping customers plan their perfect trip. From escorted tours and river cruises to independent vacations and custom-made itineraries, Collette offers something for everyone. Vantage Travel of the Mediterranean: Italy, Sicily & Croatia Michelle Couch-Friedman is a dedicated consumer advocate and reporter who focuses heavily on travel-related issues. It offers a wide range of travel services, including flight booking, hotel reservations, car rentals, and more. Join Adolfo M. Perez, Carnival Cruise Lines, SVP of Global Sales & Trade Marketing to learn about Carnivals newest and most https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruise-operator-Vantage-selling-the-company. But Hert said he and other customers are unhappy, especially now that Vantage has acknowledged it owes about $80 million for canceled trips. He was pretty sure someone in our family had died, she said. We were very much looking forward to the trip, Allaire said on Monday. At a hearing on Wednesday, a new possible buyer emerged for But after 40 years, it all came to an abrupt Unfortunately, Vantage has to cancel your upcoming journey due to operational reasons, the notice says. (June 29 bankruptcy update) Why did the Vantage Travel website go dark for a week? Some of their features are still well-suited for a comfortable living. Vantage Travel, the Boston-based company now in bankruptcy court, owes a stunning $108 million to customers who paid in advance for trips that were later canceled or postponed, according to court filings. Vantage Deluxe World Travel is proud to offer you incomparable experiences on our small ship expeditions, ocean discovery cruises, Deluxe river cruises, and land adventures worldwide. (See: How buying travel insurance from a tour operator could be a $20,000 mistake.). Since mid-March, she said, O.A.T. The couple had purchased TripMate insurance through Vantage, and their claim was soon approved. Confidentiality agreements governing our negotiations prevent us from disclosing additional information at this time, she wrote. Collette Travel is a travel and tours company that has been in business for more than 100 years. Weve never had an issue like this before, Charles Moskowitz said. As a result of that article, a tsunami of additional complaints about Vantage Travel hit my inbox. Their commitment to providing exceptional customer service, luxurious travel experiences, and sustainable tourism practices makes them an excellent choice for travelers looking for an unforgettable trip. Mould soon found himself on that long list of customers waiting for a refund from Vantage. But when I checked with Lufthansa, I (and Meyer) got a surprise the tickets for the flights were never issued.