Ultiqa Lifestyle Questions & Answers

I haven't heard anything but I sincerely hope so

Hi we stopped in April cancelled bank details and haven’t got a May bill

Hi. Thanks for reply. Have you heard from Ultiqa yet. I would be interested I hear from you if they try to. Ours contract says it’s ongoing for years. Is yours the same. Thanks.

Hi Brian! That is so infuriating. Unfortunately the company structure of Ultiqa is what protects them! The Holiday Club is it's own registered "investment scheme" and is an entity of it's own, which has changed names, but still the same registered entity. The company selling the shares was a seperate registered business, and once fined the $900k, immediately liquidated and reopened under their current name - hence avoiding the fines. And the company providing the loans to cover the joining fees was a third registered company - Pacific Brokers (funninly enough...same people). They were also ordred to repay $3million worth of funds to customers, because they broke the responsible lending laws and didn't check if the customers could actually afford the loans. Again...they liquidated and I bet they never paid back a cent. So sadly, for everyone....the investment scheme itself is protected by the multi-layered fashion of this setup. But the fact that they have liquidated connected companies to avoid penalties is SUSS! And refuse point blank to cancel anyone's membership - except now they give you the option to cancel if you can prove financial hardship (which was only introduced AFTER They were fined and liquidated) - again, SUSS! And the process of proviing such financial hardship is a gross invasion of privacy and open to identify theft and fraud - requesting confidential and identification documents to be emailed unsecurely to them, and god only knows how they handle / store them afterwards. They will tell you how fairly the treat everyone, and equally. But they are corrupt as f*** and they know it. It's only a matter of time until their "investment scheme" falls apart. Their numbers are dropping rapidly, their expenses are barely breaking even, and it won't be long until they reach insolvency. I do'nt know the CEO sleeps at night...(oh yes I do...peacefully, in his lavish lifestyle from profits of vulnerable people). And as for the "customer service team"...how they go home every day after work and continue defending this scam is beyond me. Get a better job, with better morals and ethics. Finally...if you manage to cancel, they will give you a gag order form to sign away the right to make any complaints or say anything "bad" to anyone about them at all. Don't fall for it. Just stop paying - waht are they going to do? Take you to court to recover a couple of hundred dollars of fees, when they know damn well that the court would laugh them out the door because it's THEM who owes $4million dollars of penalties for actually breaking the law! Good Luck Brian...stay strong. Don't give in.

I agree my daughter is a lawyer, she said to stop paying, they will go broke chasing everyone as they could not afford all of the court fees. Because of their unpaid fines ect. Also being found guilty of misconduct they would not have a leg to stand on in civil court as their lawyers would not be allowed in.

I got out and recovered 11k from Future Finance through afac, the scam lending company they used

Please tell us the process for getting out please

I finished paying the loan a few years ago but still paying the annual fee, for nothing. Any chance I can get all my money back?

Australian Financial Complaints Authority. You can also submit a complaint to Fair Trading Office. Or If you can prove financial hardship or pension card, they MIGHT let you out? I detest this business and the way they operate this "membership scheme". What contract in the world is unbreakable? None, except this one apparently.

external link 

I am trying to find this out myself... Information seems hard to come by. Hoping we get some answers soon.

external link 

Community here: external link 

Simply stop paying them, I did. They can’t do a thing to you and don’t dare take you to court because they are criminals.

Is this true wilddekardde? they never damaged your credit history because they are pure evil!!! I've contacted them to cancel mine and they won't help either

I'm eager to join in class action! I bought it 2006ish and paid off the membership fees but the ongoing annual fees...whether you go on holiday and it's killing me. Like you said I'm getting only 20k points and that's not enough to go for their high points holidays. I'm getting headaches now....I just gave a holiday to my friend but they cancelled because I advertised on Facebook which I was told to do so when they sold me the membership! But we can't sell it I learned now. anyway I couldn't sell it, it was my friend who was taking it but they CANCELLED. No consideration for the members, I'm so disgusted by how they treated me. I so want to stop paying annual fees ahhhh

I have just gotten them to cancel my membership after a couple of years of trying.

I just got my dad out of it too. Emailed advising that they don’t have our contract and it’s all changed and no longer the same, I then advised if they did not cancel the membership that I would contact AFCA.. which I did anyway. The next day they contacted my dad and cancelled the member.

I highly advise everyone try the same tactic. Good luck!

Hi Kristy could you give me more information on how you did this please

I emailed them through my dad’s email advising that they didn’t have our contract since they changed names and that what we signed up for was no longer the same. I then advised if they didn’t organise a cancellation form I would be contacting AFAC.

I contacted AFAC and submitted a form on my dad’s behalf. A few days later they contacted my dad and advised they were organising a cancellation form, which they signed. They are no longer in the Ultiqa holiday club.

external link 

There is a community growing here external link 

We should all get together and put them on current affairs

I have had my Holiday Club m/Ship for 15 years at least . I haven't used it since 2018 and I was unaware of the ASIC fines and the liquidation of Ultiqua. I too haven't paid my fees as I haven't had anything to show for my fees over many years. I agree the availability of accommodation is very poor and I have refused to pay my outstanding fees. I keep getting calls and text msg with 14% interest and now a threat of legal action. However I'm now an age pensioner and don't have the funds to continue to pay fees for nothing in return. I can't understand how they can be asking for fees if they are in receivership. It's like the banks charging dead people fees ie charging for services not delivered! I will take my chances with not paying

I have had my holiday club for 10 years. I agree with what you are saying I'm in the same boat. I only found out that Ultiqa is in liquidation 2 nights ago by accident. I'm horrified that we as members weren't kept in the know. I have tried to book accommodation in different locations over the past 2 years and each time been told all booked out. I just want my monthly payments cancelled as I'm getting nothing out of it. I'm definitely all for a class action. Hope we all get a good outcome soon.

They were penalised some $900,00 by the courts but allegeddly sent the company into liquidation to avoid having to pay and in the meantime allegedly devised a scheme to create a new company that passed the contracted obligation of members to another Ultiqa company that is apparently stil billing people.

We were also in a high pressure selling pitch and purchased our membership which is costing us a small fortune every year in maintenance fees. We are never able to book accommodation when we want it and have found it to be a complete waste of money and nothing like what we were sold. We want to sell our share and get out of it but apparently there is no option for this. We are locked in for ever. we definatly would support a class action.

We are in the same situation but live in NZ Keen to know what options we have to exit …

Yes. The situation is I believe that Ultiqa was taken to court by ASIC, fined for selling memberships in one their schemes and ordered to pay some $900,000 by the court. In the meantime they somehow transferred to liabilities of owners of the scheme along with the contracts to another company also called Ultiqa or similar name (maybe Utiqa1) which I believe is charging you and us now for what you signed up to. In the meantime they sent the original company into bankruptcy I have be told. The problem is any action by a group today including us may end up in he same situation but I can't be sure that will happen. . I am not a lawyer but looking at ways to avoid continuing to be a victim of the situation as we are now. You may want to contact Callum Blurton at Holm Webb Law in Brisbane to advise you are interested in exiting. I have spoken to him and he is lawyer who is aware of the interest in a class action. It cost me nothing to make him aware of my interest in being part of any future action. regards, Bibbicton

yes we were exactly the same young couple absolutely bombarded into buying into this timeshare rubbish. Had to take out this loan that they conveniently got us the finance for everything would be so easy in getting accommodation. I specifically asked the question when I ring up to book are there only a certain amount of rooms for timeshare or will they all be available for us to book. Was told and lied to directly that yes unless fully booked out you will always be able to book accommodation. Liar liar since 2013 we have only been able to book accommodation once at a cheaper price and yet we can still book directly through the actual hotel/accommodation at their normal price. We also apparently never ring up to book early enough (10 months in advance) on most occasions. what a load of rubbish and they still charge us some sort of yearly fee which we can't get rid of........

Yes. It is similar to our story. I am still working on possible options to get out of it. I will contact you again if I find an easy solution or workable one which may involve a class action or similar.

Following with interest. Got roped into this scheme at an Easter Show with a scratchy card to win a holiday. Had to go to another location to redeem my prize but didn't realise it was a sales pitch for Ultiqa. Was completely suckered into this scam with promises of accessing worldwide travel at cheaper costs. Was signed up to this in 2019 and have not been able to use it once. $10k to sign up plus annual fees. I can't afford lawyers fees nor to continue the annual fees for a service they cannot provide. I will support any class action or similar to be free from this stressful situation.

Hey Marsha. How long is it since you've gone without paying your subscription fees and how much heat have your received? We've been members since 2016 and we've had one holiday to the Goldcoast. The apartment was substandard and dirty. We've tried to stop payments but were threatened with court action.

I'll be in a class action as well if anyone decides to launch one.

Thanks for this info, I had no idea as I keep being billed for nothing! Yesterday I spoke with a consultant at Ice Vacations who simply said they are separate from Ultiqa now ... she was not sure of a contact number so gave me a couple... I simply want to change my details due to the passing of my husband. We too were pressured into joining regardless of the fact we didn't quite meet their financial requirements (retirees on a pension) & Contract doesn't expire until 2029. I'm shocked & I really don't need this added stress at this time so any info/advice will be welcome.

Thanks for that. - I will contact you if I have any further information that will be of help.

I'll be in a class action as well if anyone decides to launch one! But like so many here I don't have the finances to kick one off, Ultiqa prey on families while buzzing on long awaited holidays sucking them in with dreams to continue the buzz in years to come.

As so many have stated on here its unbelievably hard to find anything available and always get told that I need to book earlier and earlier. Its not feasible to book a holiday 2 years in advance. Have only booked 1 holiday since 2015 and keep getting turned off with the difficulty in booking and end up finding a better deal on line elsewhere that don't need expensive memberships!

We'll be interested in a class action as well. I had no idea that they'd gone into liquidation, until today when I went to log in to see if there was anything available to make a booking. We have been members for quite a few years now and like everyone else were pressured into buying. Wish I'd known about the liquidation before July when our fees were due.

I believe they went into liquidation to avoid paying off a penalty put on them by the court when the last class action was taken and decided on in favour of the litigant (the class action). They somehow transferred the liability to anothe company with a similar name - something like Ultiqa1 or similar. The report on Ultiqa brought before the court is summarised here:- external link 

Same situation. Happy to come on board re : action..

Got your reply - happy to know you are with us.

Just had a win emailed AFCA and put in complaint about ultiqa and got a response the next day about what they will and won’t do regarding ultiqa and well I’ll be buggered ultiqa replies the next day about how I can exit the scam trap job done thanks to all

Thanks for replying - I would be interested in what AFCA have said to you so i can pass it on to others who have replied to me as well. .

Hi Steve, I think everyone here would be very interested to learn the process you followed... could you post the steps so we can work our way out of this tangled Web.. in the meantime..bibbicton, it seems that every single person on this thread is behind a class action against ultiqa..and I'm sure there are thousands more out there... lets get the ball rolling

Just adding more support for class action, similar story to all of you. Annual fees due for something I can’t use!

#steve ....could you please reach out to me about the wording of your complaint to ACFA?? I have also made contact but it seems they are mediating and not wanting to " get too involved" in the battle. .as usual, Ultiqa are pulling all the same old lines on me... I would like to know what you said to get an " out" virtually instantly

I too would like to know what are the ways to exit the scheme and I am not alone in this because I would like to pass it on to others who have contacted me.

Sorry all I don’t track this site unless I get email directly if you want any info email me and I’ll reply privately thanks Steve

I'm definitely interested in a class action. They got me 7 years ago while on holidays.

I just got my dad out of it too. Emailed advising that they don’t have our contract and it’s all changed and no longer the same, I then advised if they did not cancel the membership that I would contact AFCA.. which I did anyway. The next day they contacted my dad and cancelled the member.

I highly advise everyone try the same tactic. Good luck!

Hello, what was the exact wording used in your email to them please?

What is your email address Steve?

We will be interested as well, we got talked into it with a high pressure April with two young kids in tow. We used it for a week in Thailand six years ago. Since the. We can’t find accommodation where we need it and when they do the prices are ridiculous and way more than you would pay booking through booking.com or Qantas. We pay a fee monthly and we did stop it a few years back but they sent threatening letters and demanded payment. We paid $25000+ for the share. Money we did t really have but they sold it like it was the best thing since sliced bread and my husband being a sucker agreed. I approached them after I found out about the liquidaton and asked to sell it and they fobbed me off with we are still trading! A recent quote for us in Thailand was close to a 1000 for 4 nights. We paid $500 same star hotel and closer to town.

external link 

No. They keep calling me asking for money but I refuse to pay these scammers another cent!

Does anyone think if every member contacts the media like A current affair etc... We might achieve something?

I just got my dad out of it too. Emailed advising that they don’t have our contract and it’s all changed and no longer the same, I then advised if they did not cancel the membership that I would contact AFCA.. which I did anyway. The next day they contacted my dad and cancelled the member.

I highly advise everyone try the same tactic. Good luck!

external link 

Have a look at this. It may assist

We too are members of Ultiqa from WA. We originally bought Holiday Club based in South Africa and QLD and somehow have been onsold to this company. When we tried to use Ultiqa in July last year as we had points expiring we rang the company to go to New Zealand to stay at a place we had previously been to. We were advised it was no longer available, in fact nothing was available except a high rise in QLD or Kanishka in Bali where we have also been previously. RCI was also not available. So we opted for Kanishka. The first villa they offered where we had been previously was filthy, smelly and very rundown. Maintenance wasn't kept up to date. We asked to move to the only other villa they have and that wasn't much better. Broken furniture, showers not working properly and very run down, even though they said the manager had been the week before and said it was lovely! We too would like to get out of it and I understand there was talk about a class action. What we originally bought is not what we have now and we are unable to get out of it.. Does anyone know of anything happening?

John, We are in a similar situation. - you can contact me at bibbicton.com to discuss it with a view to getting a good number of people together to discuss what future mutual strategies would be to resolve the issue.

Hi John, are you still keen on having a go at Ultiqa, I'm happy to be part of it

Would like to be a part of it as well please! high pressure selling while on holidays scammed us as well. As so many have stated on here its stupidly hard to find anything available and always get told that I need to book earlier and earlier. Its not feasible to book a holiday 2 years in advance.

Would like to be part of a class action. We too fell for the scam that keeps on scamming , that you can never escape from.

I too am now very concerned and would join any action taken.

I stayed in one apartment in Caloundra which was very disappointing. I just ignore them. I think I have had my membership since 2005. Same story as many others here. Not paying for any fees if company is in liquidation. Bunch of scammers.

We are trying but no success yet

Following with interest -

I've emailed to notify them we want out of our membership due to my husbands ill health he can no longer travel and I received an answer to send them a medical certificate. I know we will be out of pocket $ but no longer can afford the monthly costs

Good luck Sharon - we are in the same position - thousands out of pocket from initial outlay and monthly fees - is there any chance there will be a class action?

I am in the same boat! they told me i could pay out my membership which is until 2081 and that would be costly! i cant sell it or even get it transferred to someone. i wouldnt wish this membership on anyone. any ideas on how to get out of the scam?!

Did you get a positive result or are you in the same situation still looking for solution.

Still looking for a solution to get out of it

Not me, I did receive an email from them telling me if we don't pay their membership fee, they will charge 14% interest.

I'm trying to sell mine and customers are coming back telling me they are in liquidation. I would of taken legal action.

I don't think trying to sell will work; as soon as you type Ultiqalifestyle online, it comes up with in liquidation and would not like to see someone else sitting on that ticking bomb! I'm trying to get some legal help but no luck as it is a bit costly. Can you please keep me updated if you find something.

any possibility there will be a class action? following with interest

I just got told that to. I told them I’m not paying

We have been trying to get out of it for years with no luck. Was told we could sell our points but who would buy them. You can never book anything. They sold most of the good stuff, 8 years ago we managed to get 2 weeks in Fiji but they sold it off soon after. A couple of the places I have stayed in at Gold Coast where terrible, one we even left the day after check in as it was so bad. At this point I would happily give it away, it’s cost us thousands of dollars over the years. We where scammed right from the beginning as they told us if we ever wanted to cancel we could just by calling them and they would sell the points on. Today I’ve tried to log in to see if anything is available in Brissy but my passwords not working. Get no response from the retrieve my password button. I’m sick of paying hundreds of dollars each year for nothing.

We are in the same situation. I would like to hear from you as to what has progressed. you can reply to me any time.

I have not seen any class action yet. Have you had any helpful response?

Hi, i submitted a complaint to the AFCA, they got back to and assigned a case worker to my problem. My advice to people in the same boat is to contact the AFCA and they might make things go a bit quicker considering the number of cases.

Tania G, I read your mesage about Ultiqua and was wndering what the outcome was. haveyou had any success in cancelling . Regards Robert bibbicton@gmail

Have you had any success with exiting?

external link 

Me to Teresa I also would like to know what we can do.

I have just stopped our direct debits from these scammers. we have never used our so called membership. It is a scam.

Also very interested in any advice as to how to exit?

Hi Tracey are they chasing you for the money?

Yes they keep calling & i just hang up on them

i wrote to Ultiqua and said that due to age and physical condition, i could no long travel and requested that they cancel the membership. It was cancelled within a week. I was a member for some 20+ years.

I am in the same boat as so many. Conned into joining about 15 years ago and used twice Both times we got about 2 star equivalent accommodation in spite of the pictures. Have not used since but stuck with paying the bills. Now retired and can’t afford to travel so will try Jeff’s approach. Keen to join any class action against these con artists that have ripped off so many good people.

Did you get any further with this? Any news on class action?

Did you see the story about this company on A Current Affair? external link 

AFCA have been contacted many times. Some action has been taken but each person has to contact individually and make their own complaint. They are well aware of this company.

Have had a fair dealing with AFCA Bottom line is ASIC have handed the ULTIQA "issue" to them. Each person must individually lodge a case with them. But Bottom line is (In their own words) They have no LEGAL standing. They are ONLY there to "Mediate" between the parties and cannot make or enforce any actions.

There is a Email address for those wanting to pursue further possible action in this matter With more efficient communication.

timesharegroup7@gmail.com

Hi nataliasv85 I stopped paying my membership over 2 years ago. I refuse to pay it. Threatened me with debt collectors. Have tryed many of times to cancel it every email comes back and says. If you find it hard times in paying your fees we are willing to do weekly payments. I just want out of this scam. The calls are crazy leaving messages saying your car payments are behind or power bills behind. They leave lying messages. Just want our.

Are they still on your back?

Suzana D. I am interested in how this has progressed after being in the same situation. I would appeciate you replying and am willing to join any class action which will also benefit the others. .