whew... saved $514

(long overdue post :P)

We got a voucher from Ramada Plaza Resorts in the mail a week ago for $1600 on travel. We thought that we would get a free trip, since the voucher mentioned that all the company wants in exchange is that we fill up a survey sharing our experience.

So we called the 800 number. I ended up talking to the rep for almost an hour. She was going to set us up with 4d3n hotel stay in Ft Lauderdale, 2d2n cruise to the Bahamas, then 3d2n in Orlando. She'll throw in a free rental car for 7 days with unlimited mileage. Then anytime after the trip we get free hotel stay in Mexico for 4d3n, 3d2n in Vegas... Meals are included in Ft Lauderdale and Orlando as well as on the cruise. All this for "low low" price of $698/pp. BUT we'd have to pay for flights, car upgrades, gas on the rental, car insurance ($25/day for 7 days), car rental tax, attraction fees, hotel taxes, port taxes ($119/pp). Plus on one of our free days in Ft Lauderdale, we'd have to spend it with their "developers." Then we have to use up all the trips in two years.

So just for hotel and cruise, we'd have to pay a base of $1634. This doesn't include hotel tax, flights, and all the rest of the stuff I mentioned.

I said that that the offer wasn't what we needed at this time, since we just wanted to visit Disneyworld, and passes weren't part of the deal.

So I got transferred to their marketing rep. She lowered the price to $498/pp. But we'd have to add meals on top of our expenses. She then added five more "mini-trips" to our itinerary. We can stay 3d2n in any of their "preferred" destinations: Berkshire, Branson, Daytona Beach, Gatlinburg, Hilton Head SC, Las Vegas, Massanutten, San Diego, Williamsburg.

Still, we'd have to pay for flights and whatever other activities. Nick about flipped, so I said no.

End of conversation, or so I thought.

Another rep called on Saturday. He really pushed for us to purchase the trips "at cost." He lowered the price to $198/pp. The deal came down to 4d3n Orlando, 3d2n Ft lauderdale, shuttle to Fort Everglades, 3d2n Cruise to Nasau, 7-day rental car, 2day, star passes, vip pass to Islands of adventure/Universal OR 2p/1day pass to Disney. We'd have to pay the base port fee of $59/pp. He'll even throw in 3d2n in Vegas. But I'd still have to pay all those darn taxes, car fees, and flight. Nick was sleeping so I didn't make a decision to purchase it. I was tempted though .

I actually felt guilty for a while for not availing of a seemingly awesome deal. So I googled the company to see what other people thought of the trips. I was surprised to see that the company is actually in lawsuits in about 10 states for deceptive marketing.

Google them.

#1 result: Consumer Affairs.

Check out: Rip-off report.

There may be some people who have been happy about their service. But it is scary when you read feedback as serious as those posted on these sites...