Anonymous

Ripped OFF!!

"Catch the Spirit Wave, Enjoy your Vacation Getaway". Company did not follow through on providing the vacation promised. I drove to King of Prussia, PA, to listen to a 90 minute presentation to purchase, afterwhich you were guaranteed a choice of one of 4 different vacations. I selected the cruise. I paid $200 for the vacation package and registered making sure to follow all the directions. When it came time to follow through with the vacation, none of the contact phone numbers would allow me to talk to a person. I went to their website. It looked fine until I tried to get service there. There is no way to contact a person to get either the vacation or the refund of the $200.
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Loss:
$200
Vee Hhs
map-marker Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Spirit Incentives

I'm soo disappointed that I didn't read all these complaints before getting fooled and falling for this scam. With so many complaints, I can't believe there isn't a way to bring some kind of class action suit. The best I can do is try to get some news channel to cover this story. I haven't taken a vacation in years and was so excited that I "won" something...which never happens! After shelling out $298, they supposedly don't have available dates?! I followed all the directions and now I'm so discouraged by all the complaints that I don't have the energy to even try to get a refund! Ugh! So upset I didn't follow my instincts. Free is NEVER free! Too good to be true is a SCAM written all over it. Spirit Incentives, there's no way that your company is NOT going to "pay". There is no integrity in your business and you eventually WILL get caught and WILL be exposed! Mark my words!
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Loss:
$298
1 comment
Guest

Lodge a complaint with the Florida attorney general's office. They were investigating SI a while back.

There was also a lawyer asking for folks to submit testimonials. Fight for what's right!

Arlita Ykn
map-marker Seattle, Washington

Horrible Experience

We got a free trip to Great Wolf Lodge. Well we expected it to be a free trip. We registered the certificate and chose our travel dates. Between the time we booked the travel and the time our reservation was scheduled for, we found out the we had to move to a different area. I called Customer service and let them know this. It took multiple calls and talking to multiple people to get the reservation cancelled and money reimbursed. That was back in April. It is June now and I still have not received a reimbursement check back from the deposit that we had to pay. I called today and they stated that the check was mailed out but I just didn't get it. I asked for a supervisor or someone who could help with this matter. I was informed there was nobody for me to talk to at this time. I asked for a check number of the check they sent out and was finally advised there was never a check issued at all. The guy put me on hold and came back to the line stating they would have a check issued and I would received it in 14 days. Problem is that I keep getting the run around. Back in April I was told the exact same thing. I just want our money back. I am owed the $100 deposit they made us pay.
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Loss:
$100
Anonymous
map-marker Indianapolis, Indiana

Undisclosing information

Paid deposit of $189.00 in Febuary .Spoke to representative today June 14, i was requested additional monies in additional $378.00 . In which the trip would have come to rounded amount of $600.00.SOi go to ask if i could request the 2nd date i choose Then she states she can check an they do not call customers back I can only hold on the cellline for 45min! They stated this information onthe backmofthe certificate but it is not clear,it is very misleading. Sides for that amount is no different vs me paying for my own trip. Then they are requesting me to use my major credit card instead of my bank checking/savings account card. Just a a big ole misleading scam If its states free it is always to good to be true.ANother SCAm for a lowest class space >the basic package. Requested my funds .Ican drive to florida . Then go to Bahamas at a much cheaper rate
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David G Vzn
map-marker Hopkinsville, Kentucky

My BBB complaint against Spirit Incentives

COMPLAINT ACTIVITY REPORT Case # XXXXXXXX BBB of Southeast Florida & the Caribbean Consumer's Original Complaint : I booked a "free" cruise with "free" airline tickets through Spirit Incentives. At the time of booking, I was charged $611.59 in addition to the $100 deposit I previously paid to cover taxes and fees associated with the booking. At the time, the representative told me I would get an itemized receipt showing a breakdown of the charges. I asked for this because $711.59 seemed like a lot for just taxes and fees. I never received the breakdown as promised and when I called to cancel the reservation a few days later, they would not answer their phone. I waited on the phone for about an hour and tried calling every number I could find for the company. I also checked the flight confirmation number and the airline had no record of a booked flight. I am requesting a full refund of the $711.59 and a cancellation of any booked travel. Consumer's Desired Resolution: I want a full refund of $711.59 and a cancellation of the travel. I would also like to see a full break-down of the taxes and fees. I would also like a comparison of the taxes and fees for the same travel booked directly as opposed to through Spirit Incentives. 09/21/2012 WEB BBB RECEIVE BUSINESS RESPONSE : I am contacting you regarding the above referenced promotional travel offer. Following the inquiry from your office a customer satisfaction agent contact Mr. XXX and explained that the terms of the travel offer are very clear that ''you will be required to pay all Government taxes and fees, airline taxes, Service Fees and Security Fees''. Mr. XXX paid $241.30 per person in airline and cruise line taxes and fees. He opted to upgrade his cabin for $125 per person and also included Travel Assist, which allows him to make a one-time change to the reservation subject to penalties and fees, which was $39.5 per person. The cruise taxes that are displayed on the cruise line's website are only the ''government taxes''. What is not itemized on the cruise line's website is the ''non-commissionable fees'' which include port charges, fuel charges, port fees, docking fee etc. Customers are fully responsible for those, as outline in the terms of the offer. Spirit Incentives does not inflate taxes and fees or overcharge our customers. It is a part of Spirit Incentives scripting to review pricing details with all our customers prior to asking for payment and inform them that once payment is accepted the reservation cannot be changed, canceled or refunded. 09/25/2012 WEB BBB BBB REVIEWS CONSUMER REBUTTAL TO BUSINESS RESPONSE : (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) First off the numbers are different than what was stated on the phone. The representative never mentioned "Travel Assist" or sent me any information on how to use it and on the phone said that the upgrade was only $45 per person not $125 per person. In addition Spirit refuses to provide me with a copy of these terms and conditions that they are standing behind. I went online to find them and they are not available anywhere. Spirit never reviewed the pricing details before payment as they stated in their response. I don't remember any details about conditions and they won't provide that information in writing but I do know that the breakdown that they claim about taxes as fees seems to keep changes. 10/02/2012 WEB BBB RECEIVED BUSINESS' REBUTTAL RESPONSE : I am contacting you regarding the above referenced promotional travel offer. The amounts provided in our last response are what were reviewed on the phone with Mr. XXX on his confirmation call on 9/6 and also his call with a supervisor on 9/20. All Spirit Incentives customers receive a copy of the Terms of Participation and acknowledge their agreement to follow it when they register. I have attached a copy for Mr. XXX to review. Also a confirmation email was sent on 9/7/12 the day following his confirmation which included instructions on how to use the Travel Assist benefit. We are sincerely sorry to hear that Mr. XXX is dissatisfied but stand by our original response and we are confident he will enjoy his trip. 10/04/2012 WEB BBB CONSUMER REJECTS BUSINESS' FINAL OFFER : (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) The manager refused to provide a copy of the terms and conditions on 9/20 when I requested them. Spirit Incentives knew that I didn't have a copy of the terms and conditions since it was almost a year between sending in the initial deposit and booking the cruise by design of their system (plus I was out of town at the time). The representative on 9/6 did not quote the amounts provided in the last response and told me that if I didn't book now, I would not be able to book the trip later. She gave me the impression that if I changed my mind, I could simply cancel. I also checked the cost of taxes and fees in booking the trip on my own and found that they added up to about $260 total for two people. That's $34.61 for each plane ticket and $61.20 for each cruise ticket. Also, the confirmation email did not include instructions to use Travel Assist (which I don't order) or a breakdown of the fees as promised. 10/05/2012 WEB BBB RECEIVED BUSINESS' REBUTTAL RESPONSE : I am contacting you regarding the above referenced promotional travel offer. We are sincerely sorry to hear that Mr. XXX is dissatisfied but stand by our original response and we are confident he will enjoy his trip. 10/09/2012 AMA BBB MORE INFO RECEIVED FROM THE CONSUMER : (The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.) This was a scam from the start.
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Loss:
$711
1 comment
Guest

Scam!

Jane O Fst
map-marker Broomfield, Colorado

Spirit Incentives - Blatantly misleading

Spirit Incentives - Blatantly misleading
Spirit Incentives - Blatantly misleading - Image 2
Spirit Incentives deposited/cashed my registration deposit check and I attempted to make a reservation at the destination of my choice. In frustration I sent the following email: "You deposited my (Jane Olivier) check no. 311 for the $100 deposit on 27 August 2012. No acknowledgement of receipt was sent to me and if I hadn't been checking my bank account, I would not have realised the check had been deposited. Your email dated August 16 stated "Once we have processed your Reservation Deposit you will be contacted via mail or email (if registered online) and advise you on how to proceed with travel arrangements." This is also Point 3. on the back of the certificate (attached). You did not do so. I attempted to make a booking today using the website www.mystpage.com, entering my certificate number and was taken to a page that gave me "Step 1: Select your destination and date" with a drop down screen of 29 destinations (printscreen attached). I found this concerning as the Spirit Incentives Vacation Certificate No. 45886**** I was issued by Bluegreen Corp, states on the cover "Anytime Anywhere Vacation Certificate ..... You can choose to vacation in any city in the United States or Canada. Package Includes: Accommodations at hotels such as ...... within the continental United States, Canada or Rocky Point, MX." There is nothing on the back in all the fine print to state that there will only be a choice from 29 destinations. (Copy attached) I also checked the original confirmation email sent to us by Bluegreen. It states: "Anytime Anywhere vacation package for 8 days and 7 night's accommodations at hotels..... Includes $100 Visa card plus $100 in cash rebates with each vacation taken." (see attached email scan) Note again - "Anytime Anywhere ..." Also note $100 Visa card plus $100 cash rebates. Nowhere in your document does it state anything about the $100 Visa card or the $100 cash rebate. In a telephone conversation with Nick Trianna of Bluegreen, on 2nd August, 2012 I was told that the Visa Card could be used to cover the extra taxes, thus it would cost us nothing. You only mention a $100 Gift Card that must be "redeemed according to the directions and terms of participation provided." This is a lot different to a $100 Visa Card. If the said $100 Visa Card is to be used to pay taxes, why do you require a $100 reservation deposit? I looked at Spirit Incentives website -http://www.spirit-incentives.com/travel-benefit-products/hotel-packages and found the following: "Features for You: National and regional destinations to meet your marketing geographics and demographics Over 9,000 branded hotel locations to increase response Stays from one to four nights " "Over 9,000 branded hotel locations.." and we are given a choice of 29 for our "Anytime Anywhere Vacation Certificate?" This does not make sense and was never discussed, nor is it printed anywhere. I do not want to go to any of the drop-down destinations on your website; but as you have another 8,971 hotel locations, could you please advise what you have in San Francisco, Halifax, Vancouver, Lake Louise, Montreal and Alaska. Await your soonest response." I eventually called today and managed to speak to "Isaac." I was advised that I had to follow the procedure of booking at one of the 29 destinations - one close to where I wanted to go. Only then would a reservation agent call me. I told him none of the documentation sent said anything about only a choice of 29 destinations. I was told that "This is something you wouldn't know, but we changed our website about a year ago to make it easier for people to use. We found they were having difficulty entering the destination so the website was changed to give them a choice of the 29 most popular destinations." Flabbergasted I asked him if Spirit Incentives thought the public were a bunch of idiots. How difficult could it be to type in "San Francisco"? I had no intention of booking for Nevada if I want to go to San Francisco and pointed out that all the documentation was then "downright fraud." I was told there was no need to use bad language. I had to inform Isaac of the meaning of "downright" and the meaning of "fraud" and that neither of these terms was "bad language." I asked how I could speak to a manager. You can't. I asked to speak to Jermain Clifford, "he isn't available at this time." I asked to speak to a reservation agent - "you can only speak to one after you have made your reservation." I asked to speak to a supervisor – "cannot tell you anything more than I already have, but I will put your through." After 10 minutes of holding, I hung up. I called the number to cancel the certificate and get a refund. I was on hold for 9 minutes before hanging up. I called again the next day and was kept on hold for 10 minutes before at last being able to speak to someone. I asked which hotels they used and was told they couldn't say as hotels were constantly changing –"like medical practitioners with an insurance company." After giving me the same spiel, I was advised that my deposit would be refunded and it would take approximately 14 business days. I am going to take this further. My introduction to business practices in the US has been anything but pleasant.
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2 comments
Guest

Same as the rest of you, I won a free cruise through Spirit incentives, including airfare. I was told that I would get to CHOOSE 3 travel dates that would work for me- NOT that I would be limited to choose from a list of dates for each "selection." NONE of the dates from "option #1" work for me, but several from the option 2 and 3 work.

Why does this have to be so complicated? This is NOT how it was explained to me!

Guest

We're sorry to hear you're having a challenging time redeeming your offer. Normally it is much smoother process. We understand that you were able to speak with a representative and address your concern.

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Bradford Kvu
map-marker Plano, Texas

SCAM SCAM SCAM SCAM

Followed all the instructions to a T. Received email stating I would get another email 45 days prior to my earliest choice to confirm. Never got another email. When I called, they said it must have gone to my spam folder. Funny, none of their other emails went to spam, so why should that one mysteriously go there? Called and they said give us a credit card number for "expenses". This is after they already have my $100 "deposit". I told them I want my $100 back which I am pretty sure I will never see again after reading all these complaints. I have all the emails if anyone wishes to verify any of this. I wish I could get the 3 hours of my life back I spent listening to their partner in scam company "silverleaf" to get this useless "free" vacation that only served to bilk me out of $100. DON'T USE SPIRIT INCENTIVES THEY WILL RIP YOU OFF NO MATTER WHAT SWEET BS THEY FEED YOU.
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Loss:
$100
Noach Zsr
map-marker Hicksville, New York

I WANT MY MONEY BACK

I went to a TAN Vacations sales pitch and in return was given a voucher for a buy one get one free plane ticket. I was required to give a $100 deposit. I called constantly to book a plane ticket. Every call I placed I was put on hold for over an hour to book my trip. One IF someone actually answered the phone I would be told that none of the dates I wanted to go were available or that the plane ticket had to cost a minimum of $300 and that none of my choices were over $300. By the umpteenth time I called I was so frustrated I said can you just tell me where I can go that costs around $300 and I'll go there and they told me I have to pick a place. At this point now my certificate is soon to expire and I've been told the rest of the dates are blackout dates. I now want my $100 back and I'm being told I never put a deposit down. OF COURSE I put a deposit down because it was a requirement to get the certificate in the first place. This is theft. Who do I contact to get my money back???
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Loss:
$100
Nezzie Smc
map-marker Northbrook, Illinois

***

I also went to a seminar paid $198 deposit for voucher to go on cruise and now I am trying to redeem it 4 months before it expires and they are telling me there are no dates. There is no way to get a hold of them so I am forced to sue them and will ask to see if there are multiple people out there that have had the same problem to join me. This was a complete scam and warm anyone that hears of there name to not believe a word they say about any of the promises they make.
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Loss:
$1700
2 comments
Guest

I just sent mine in and now that I see this I am wondering if I need to contact them and join you.

Guest

SUE them!

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Ziyah Nhf
map-marker West Palm Beach, Florida

Cruise

I received a certificate from a presentation in Port St Lucie in May 20 2012.I mail the Certificate to the Registration Processing center @***.Box 24527, Fort Lauderdale sens June 15 2012 I never received anything back sens. I call them I can't get in touch with them.I think this is a ripoff I will like to received explanation for all the problem they gives me and my husband not to happy with the situation. He is upset with me and He said he will never go to those presentation again we need to be compassed for our time
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Loss:
$300
1 comment
Guest

Did you go back and check the sure also did your money order have a tracking number and lastly did you write your certificate number on the check

Kingslee Uuh
map-marker Phoenix, Arizona

Awful Service and Fees

I received this cruise with my Timeshare. I had the hardest time getting in contact with anyone to finalize the cruise. When I did the sales rep was the rudest lady I've ever met. I do not appreciate her smart mouth and tone she used with me. The fees attached on the cruise was ridiculous. $350 per person, plus drinks, plus air fare, plus it was the worst room available. I told the lady it wasn't worth me booking the cruise and I wanted to cancel, she gave me an attitude ever. I do not recommend this cruise line for anyone!!!
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Anonymous
map-marker Albany, New York

Incentive to not use

After jumping through many hoops I was told that in order to book my vacation (which was going to end up costing me quite a bit, for the free trip) I was told that I would have to wait 30-40 minutes, on hold, while they finalized my trip. And they still hadn't told me what dates it was. I asked if they could just call me back when they were finished and I was told that I had to stay on hold. Now I am waiting 1-3 weeks for my deposit to be returned. We will see if that happens or not.
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Loss:
$150
Anonymous
map-marker San Jose, California

Free trip catches

Me & my then fiancee went to a loooong seminar because we won a free trip at a festival and the seminar was one of the catches, Ive always been skeptical of these things but my too trusting (now)husband wanted to give it a shot, so we went sat through the whole thing, won an extra trip a 5 day cruise to Mexico, and at the end got our certificate for 5 day Hawaiian trip (sans airfare), so went through the whole process which takes a couple of months, picked our 3 dates, waited again til 45 days before 1st picked date to recieve an email to call and reserve and were than informed that the first 2 dates were unavailable so our only option was the 3rd date in May 2013, which may have been ok if it werent for the fact that I will be nearly due with our baby. When we won the trip I was not pregnant, it happened after, so when my husband called to see if there was any other option he was told no, if you do not accept the date they give you, your time has pretty much been wasted, we were told however if we upgraded to paying $152 per night we could change the date or go for the premium package starting at $792 >: YEAH RIGHT! so we dont know what would have happened if we were able to go in May, whether there would have been any more catches or not but my poor husband still is waiting to see what will happen with the Mexico cruise trip, I say lets not hold our breath. Very dissapointing though, you pretty much cant plan anything or have anything unexpected come up if you even want to have a chance of getting your so called free trip. NEVER AGAIN! Theres always some kind of hiccup and nothing is ever free. Our $50 deposit is supposed to be refunded though.
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Anonymous
map-marker Miami, Florida

SCAMMED!!!

My husband and I sat through an hour and a half vacation plan sales pitch to receive 2 free plane tickets and 2 nights stay in a hotel in San Diego. My husband swore we would never receive the "free gifts"...We did not!! After jumping through the first few hoops; I received a certificate that said it expired one year from issue date!! HOWEVER, the fine print said it had to be registered within 60 days and had to have a cash deposit that would have probably bought the plane ticjets anyway!!!I'd like to know the % of people that can actually get through to the end and receive their free trip....TOTAL SCAM!!!!
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Loss:
$10
2 comments
Coralynn Szb

I actually went through a number of these 90 minute presentations, and for many years doing so, we always took advantage of the free trips, air fares, or whatever it was they were giving away. currently, we just paid $100 deposit for the free cruise, and I'll be ready to schedule it soon.

I understand they must ask for the deposit to know that we are serious about taking this trip. plus it pays for their time to book it and whatever else.

Like I said we've been going on these trips for years and it's cheaper than paying for them straight out right.Hope eveything works out for you. just stay on top of everything.

Kurstin Mkn
reply icon Replying to comment of Coralynn Szb

Dear wendykaraoke625,

If you are so happy with their service, wounder WHY SO MANY other people are giving such a horrible reviews on this site?

What secrect do you have (which you can share with us) to make this deal work and get a real cruise with this agency?

Thank you for your time.

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Anonymous
map-marker New York, New York

Vacation Getaway

After over a two hr. wait on the phone, I was offered an accommodation that actually did not suit my request or my needs, but I went ahead with the reservation. When I consulted with the other guest, we realized the date available was impossible. I called back almost immediately and was put on hold for another 20 minutes. When I finally connected with a representative, I was told that I could not receive a refund because the reservation had already been confirmed with the hotel. SERIOUSLY, are you kidding me? I will lose my $100. deposit. This is just plain WRONG. A company that needs my $100. more than I do should be ashamed of itself. What a terrible scam. Add to that the fact that my husband and I are senior citizens on a fixed income, and this situation gets even more insulting. Spirit Incentives takes advantage of trusting individuals and delivers poor service, rips off people, and has the worst standards of customer service that we've experienced. Something should be done to stop their practices!!
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Loss:
$100