Vacation Plus

Avoid Exchange Travel Pty Ltd – Never ever book any vacations via FB, especially where the companies Exchange Travel Pty Ltd, Travelalot, Galactic Social Pty Ltd and Bali Resort Deals. They are complete scammers, and even if you end up meeting their extensive T&Cs and get confirmation for your accommodation, mark my words, it will be cancelled at the last minute. They use a fake… Read more

virtual address, employs a timer on their website which resets every time and will take your money without any regret. Currently the owner has been fined, and the company is in the process of being deregistered by ASIC. I was in a similar situation, but thankfully researched them online. I presented all the evidence to PayPal, who has decided to award the case in my favour. Hope this helps!

Unhelpful and totally unorganised – I booked a cruise with this company and from the start there been shocking in communication, service and com timer service to that extent I canceled the cruise due to ill health and they charged me $275 per person for a cancellation fee when Pandora and o over 181 charges Nothing ! It’s wrong and they should be ashamed of them self as they must… Read more

run there business out of a back yard office and friendly as to start but once you put the deposit down things change dramatically. Be cautious.

Thieves – Avoid these people. Scammers who should be shut down. They lie. Offer dreadful service. A bunch of low life time share salesmen who could not lie straight in bed. Under no circumstances give them any money.

Had a great time – I originally booked 7 nights trip to Thailand for my husbands birthday present, but he could not go so i ended up changing it. I could not have the same deal as it was a couples only deal. That was ok so decided to go to Bali instead and take my sister with me. Arranged to change to Bali all via email and paid the rest of the amount owing. Got… Read more

confirmation email with accomodation booked and air flight tickets. Printed out all the confirmation I was still a little nervous because of all the bad reviews so emailed the Hotel to make sure I was booked in there and rung Jetstar to confirm my flights Kevin and Vinay who i dealt with via email were both wonderful. I would totally book again with this company good value for money. Thanks Vacation Plus :-)

I was a bit nervous but all worked out – I booked an accommodation and flight package 2 months ago and at first I was a bit nervous, as it did take a week and a bit to get everything sorted and I agree they can be a little delayed with their replies (2 to 3 days max). But after speaking with Barbara all was sorted. I just got back from a fantastic 7 day trip in Thailand for a fraction of the price, I would book a holiday with this company again.  Show reply

My holiday – I wish to advise everyone that since my initial review I have received significant support and assistance from Barbara ( a manager i believe ) and the rest of the team who have gone out of their way to resolve all of the outstanding issues i had to the extent that Barbara has now promised that our holiday including airfares will be fully booked by… Read more ·  1

this Friday within the agreed price. As a result i advise that i am satisfied with the service and feedback provided so far. Thankyou Barbara and the team.

Fraudsters don’t go through with any payments – Family holiday to Thailand Booked online through Facebook very difficult to arrange with these people but had 2years to take it, finally I got what flights and weeks I requested due to a lot of constant phone calls. Paid full balance in February/March this year. Family was so excited but 2 weeks out from flying to Thailand Barbara sent an email… Read more

saying due to technical reasons my holiday had been canceled. She said I could get a full refund but it would not be till end of November which is now. Have spoken with my bank about credit card fraud but they are unable to get my funds back. Spoke to Fair Trading who were told the same information as I was told end of November. I’m now in the process of applying to tribunal but don’t know how to go about it. PLEASE HELP

SCAM! – I paid the deposit for my family of 4 to book a holiday in 2015 and paid the balance for 2 people after we were assured of flights and accommodation - (remaining 2 people were waiting on new passports and I was ASSURED they could be accommodated on the same flight and in same accommodation in Thailand). Of course, no flight was available and I was… Read more

promised a refund. Well I'm still waiting. Nearly 2 years later! I have a trail of email promises and my daughter (who was ripped off separately to me) also has recorded phone conversations of false promises. Do not purchase from VACATION PLUS - they take your money and leave your dreams and those of your children, crushed.

Do not book or buy a voucher! Scam! – My story is the same with everyone else. Got a call 2 weeks before the alleged holiday, system glitch!!!! [name removed] told me end of the month (September) Yup October rolled in and still no refund and apparently ours is a priority. What a joke if this is their priority, what is a normal refund ? It’s been 8 weeks people!!!

Location of Travelot office – Booked and paid for trip to Thialand April 2017. 3 weeks before hand got en email that plane had been overbooked. Said they would refund nothing as yet. Interesting went to their physical address today at Varsity Lakes. They hire a desk in an open plan office. This is where anyone can pop in and rent a desk for a period of time. The… Read more

receptionist told me Travelot does use the facility however only for about a couple of hours a fortnight.

"I smell a rat"

Travelalot accommodation – Quoted $1850 .. $600 deposit paid. Quote increased to $2600 meaning $3200 incl deposit.. no refund.. hard to get hold of.. [name removed] is a manipulator with zero sympathy to lost money.. offers poor unreasonable accommodation at more than double the cost of any site.now off to court.. totally a scam.. don't care if it costs me money.. i can't… Read more

stand scam companies that rip people off to profit hard earnt money.. you suck travelalot

October 10th 2017 Update: I got a refund

After many emails and phone calls i have an email stating i am getting a full refund from Travelot. Happy days this nightmare is finally over. I guess im lucky its only been approx 3 weeks

Travelalot/Vacation Plus – Greenpig how did you manage to get your refund back from Travelalot? Would you have a contact at all that you are able to share pls? We had purchased vouchers with Travelalot also but have found them very dodgy to deal with. We had sent through complaints but there has been no response from Travelalot. I have also been in contact with consumer… Read more

affairs and they are going to try and contact Travelalot and have a chat with them but they have advised that they cannot enforce anything and can only mediate. We have purchased six vouchers and were going to take our family on this trip but we no longer have any trust in booking with them. TIA

DO NOT BOOK THROUGH THIS COMPANY – I booked a 7 nights accommodation + flights trip to Phuket. Gave them the dates on 1 June and paid in full. Got a preliminary itinery with the dates I asked for. I'm not supposed to leave in 2 weeks today and they have advised by email (not even the decency to call) that the flights have not been booked due to a technical "glitch" - ie. they… Read more

never confirmed the flights.

I am now possibly going to miss my sister's wedding as a result.

Absolute scum bags.

Scammers -take Money -no Holiday – They rang us offering a deal and took deposit. Told to ring back on first day of month at 9am to see if any bookings are available..did that for 4 months with no luck. Finally 13 months on tried again to be booked for Thailand. ..weeks of mucking around and passing the buck finally had confirmation..but told flights would be booked 3 weeks out… Read more

from fly out date.

Started ringing 4 weeks out..messagebank only..ringing 3 times a day..no return calls..12 days out break through only to be told an electronic gliche has resulted in no flights booked and 4+ weeks for refund.

It's a scam – Book 4x flights to Thailand costing $3800 for 7 nights and 12 days before we fly, we get email saying all our flights are all cancelled because of technical glitch. It's takes 4 weeks to refund my money. What a load of nonsense.

Worst experience ever – Holiday to Phuket booked and confirmed online, had purchased connecting flights from Adelaide to Melbourne. as they don't fly out of Adelaide. Holiday cancelled due to an issue. (Flight itinerary stated that return flight was a Sydney flight not a Melbourne flight I suspect that was the issue.) they would not budge on trying to get this fixed so… Read more

I could fly at the time booked. Offered a refund but will take 4 weeks to process. Not good enough I am now out of pocket waiting for my money.

Confirmed direct flight to Bali cancelled one week prior to leaving – We were informed by Barbara that our friends travelling with us with confirmed 6.5hr direct flight to Bali was never booked one week before leaving. Our friends were offered a 13 hour flight instead with a 2 hr stopover in K L. Due to back problems with one of our friends, they could not accept the change and asked for a refund. Barbara told us… Read more

it would take up to 6 weeks to get the refund. We were also told we couldnt get a refund as our flights were paid for, Not happy.

Bad bad bad – Don't trust these guys. We booked and paid over a year ago and they cancelled everything last minute...still waiting for a refund. They tell us refund in 7 working days...now it's changed to ohhh the accounts team are away until end if April. Give us our money back.!!!

Vacation Plus now Travel a Lot – So reading all the other reviews I have had a similar experience. Currently in negotiations with Barbara to get a refund so we will see how it all pans out. Very smooth talkers but will keep everyone updated their direct numbers if you need them are [details removed] or [details removed] fax [details removed]. have been given the run around… Read more

but we will see, started a credit card dispute with my bank

July 5th 2017 Update: Vacation plus Have an Australian contact number to get refunds

[details removed] Is [name removed]'s personal mobile ring him don't text as he doesn't read them good luck I got my refund off to Bali will never do a deal like this again booking online with Agoda and Jetstar direct never had a problem.

A scam – A scam . Takes your deposit . Tells you theres no restrictions and then lie to you .want more $ and different excuse every time you go to book . And refuse to refund deposit . Worst experience ever . And barba wont assist as a manager she also lies ..must me tough to have a staunch attitude towards people money . Stay away from this mob . They take your deposit and send you the print 3 days later . And refuse to return it .

Scam – Paid my $300 deposit to them and have tried to book, call n email to get a refund as I'm unable to fly and i get no response. There goes 300 of my hard earned cash.

I got my Money Back !!! But wait there's More Read Additional information – Hi, it took a while but I got my money back. The Australian Company is "Exchange Travel" with their corporate offices in Bangalow NSW. I went to NCAT obtained a judgment (They didn't front at the hearing), Sent a letter of demand, (Which they ignored), Sent the Sheriff around to collect my cash + court costs and the money went into my account… Read more

yesterday.

The Company is Exchange Travel ABN40604933002 ACN604 933 002

Their Corporate Office is;

"The Office"

85 Byron st., Bangalow 2479, ph: 02 6687 2960

But if you paid by credit card start a card dispute with your bank. or

Get on line and contact NCAT I found everyone from the NSW Justice Department very helpful. You can carry out the entire action on line, the hearing can be over the phone.

Cheers

Bob

9/2/2016 Since writing this review I have been contacted by "Exchange Travel" who tell me they are the heroes and it was Vacations Plus that were the villains and they have been busy refunding peoples money.

So If what they tell me is correct I have probably bagged them wrongly and owe them an apology.

If you are still having a problem with Vacations plus give Exchange travel a call on 1800 045 680 if that doesn't work PM me and I'll give you some more information.

Regards

Bob

Scam Scam Scam Scam Scam Scam Scam – Booked 2 x phuket trips voucher $300 deposit being going for two years now, we will call you .... our manager will call you.... blah blah blah blah lies lies and more lies. Beware do not part with your money, disgrace, appalling, disagraceful customer service hahaha what customer service there is none.. SCAM RUN prob spent more than 300 bucks on phone calls.

GOT TO BE A SCAM – Very disappointing to work your ring out on a 2:1 mining roster only to find out scum like these people have done myself and a lot of others over. Karma will swing by your way one day

Terrible - scammers – I paid $300. Deposit, trying to contact vacation plus to make a booking. No one answering the phone (the 1800 number is a message bank) or emails. Can't contact them at all.

Beware of Vacationplus also trading as Travelalot – My Husband and I were lucky enough to have our holiday, although it was not what we originally were sold we were happy enough with it but both our daughters haven't had theirs yet and have already paid deposits 4 x $150 and their $799 deal has turned $973. They will not return their deposits but have managed to change all the conditions of the… Read more

trip. A heap of lies being told from company end including false names being given and promises of people getting back to you. No supervisors ever return our calls and that's if our calls even get answered now and same with emails. BEWARE do not book and pay any deposits to them as you may as well just flush your money down the toilet instead!

A nightmare save your money they are scammers – Vacation plus cancelled our holiday on 8.7.16 due to a technical glitch, 4 days out from going to Thailand. Numerous calls and emails, took them through NCAT with court orders four months later No refund has been given and still trying to get money back. They are liars, scammers and prey on innocent Aussies from there overseas offices.

Scam. Business model built to wear you down and take your money – If I could rate this company with zero stars I would. Same story as just about everyone else. Booked a holiday through them, paid $300 deposit. They promised us that the dates we wanted would be available. As the holiday approached they asked for the remaining money. Paid it, and then the dates got closer and closer, no flights. We were told… Read more

they book flights 2 weeks out. That came, still no flights. The date of the holiday came and went, no flights.

Asked for a refund and have been given the run around for 3 months straight. Barbra, the so called "manager" promised a refund in 2 weeks. That came and went. Then it was another 2 weeks. No refund. Received an email saying it would be up to 4 weeks. Still no refund.

I am now in contact with Fair Trading. These people are professional scammers. If you read this and still think it's worth the risk, I don't know what to tell you other than that you are an idiot.

Oh, and they will NEVER call you back.

Do not touch them !!!!!! – Bad service, take your money, want more money than what they tell you the deal is, or you have to pay more if you want other dates. Yes there is a busy Christmas period but any other time if you mention a date they will still try and make you pay more cause they say they cannot get those dates. They sometimes call you back, or otherwise never call… Read more

you back, it is one extreme to the other. They also trade under Travelot as well as Vacation plus. I cannot believe the bad service my husband and i have experienced with this company. It is a scam. We have forfeited our non re-fundable $300.00 deposit as i do NOT trust them at all. I actually got on line and can do my own holiday booking for a better price than them. They have an excuse for everything. We are still waiting for them to call us back about our dates for nearly 2 weeks now. We were dealing with Rachel and she has been not much help at all.

Do not touch this company.

Nothing more than Stealing money kents – They take your money, cancel your holiday 2 day before your flight is due, don't give the money back.... Never ever book with them or you will regret it !!

Not worth the stress for the sake of saving a few $ – Vacation Plus advertised cheap holiday package to Phuket. Four people ($799 each). Package included flights and 7 nights accommodation. I paid a deposit of $600. Was advised could book anytime within the next 2 years. Vacation Plus would send notifications of dates that would become available from the airline. Email was sent by them advising of… Read more

dates I was interested in (8 July to 15 July 2016) and I proceeded to submit an online booking form for these dates. I was also instructed to provide them with a pre-authorised credit card payment for the remaining balance which they advised would not be debited unless both accommodation and flights were confirmed for those dates with the hotel and the airline. On the 9/11/15 my credit card was debited the remaining balance of $2,634.94. I had contacted them numerous times to inquire as to why I hadn't yet received flight booking confirmation/airline tickets however, was always advised that the airline would send them out a month before travel. Two weeks out from travel I had still not received them so called them and again. Was assured that the tickets were on their way. Four days out from travel (4/7/16) I received a phone call from [name removed] (one of their employees) to ask if my travel dates are flexible!!! You can imagine what my reaction was. I couldn’t believe she was asking me that 4 days out from travel. Everything was planned! My husband and I had arranged time off work and my daughters were excited and on school holidays!! I told her my travel dates were not flexible unless it was a day or two earlier/later but she told me that the travel dates have been cancelled and my family would have to either reschedule till September or get a full refund which she then informed me would take 6 weeks!! I told her I would prefer a refund as I couldn’t trust their company anymore. My whole family were devastated and had our hearts set on going.

Since then I have continuously followed up the whereabouts of my refund but each time was given the run around. On 26/7/16 I received a credit note stating that I would receive my refund within 0 to 4 weeks. I gave them the benefit of the doubt and gave them 4 weeks from the date of the credit note. No such luck……I called Barbara last week on 23/8/16 being 4 weeks since credit not and I was given the excuse that their accounts people changed their banking system and was assured I would receive my refund in another week’s time. I advised Barbara that it will have been 8 weeks since they cancelled the trip and if I don’t get my refund by 30/8/16 I will be seeking assistance from Fair Trading. Since I didn't receive my refund by this date, I called to speak to Barbara but was told she wasn’t available. I have now contacted Fair Trading for help. Barbara has since contacted me with the same excuse as last time and promised I'd have my refund in another 2 weeks making it 10 weeks!!

I have however just received my refund (13/9/16). So in the end the company did make good on that promise finally. But for all the heartache, stress, work (dozens of phone calls, emails, etc. etc.) purchasing anything through this company is just not worth it.

Scammers!!! – PACKAGE DEAL $799 .. Flights + Accommodation.. Do not waste your time, They can not deliver on the promised deal. You will be told after purchasing these packages the dates you have selected are not available or are in a black out period. Not stated at the time of sale. You will then be told oh no you have booked Absolute properties, no i just… Read more

chose from the list provided, again another ploy to charge you over your package deal. No refunds are offered as this Gold Coast call centre pay commissions to sales staff each week to lie to the consumer and must have one of the highest staff turn overs in Australia as the consultant who sold you the package is no longer with the company. If you have purchased these evouchers and are yet to book call the Office of fair trade and lodge a formal complaint and contact your local member to ensure the matter is followed up as the dispute resolution manager [name removed] is a half witt and does not return calls or lies about availability when you do get hold of her. Once this company knows that your on to them [name removed] dodges your calls and your account is flagged and noted as trouble, so every consultant will advise you that [name removed] is not available. It took 4 weeks for the Office of Fair Trade to finally get hold of the illusive [names removed]. This company sells these packages for $150 deposit and balance payable at time of booking. The consultant is paid $30 for each sale and the company pockets the remaining money. Imagine how many Australian families and pensioners are scammed out of their holiday by this DISGRACEFUL Gold Coast Company.

Biggest crap ever – Vacation Plus you suck! This is the biggest scam!! Crappiest name, Crappiest service and stole our money! Every time we called, we were directed to India and were told they would call us back to confirm. Did this ever happen? No. Because they are all liars and cheating scumbags! "How easy was it to adjust or cancel your booking" you ask? Well it… Read more

was extremely bloody difficult and we are still waiting on a call to confirm our refund which, as per usual, will never happen. Absolute scam and if I could rate less than 0 stars, I would!!!! So thanks a lot for ruining our holiday vacation crap.

Vacation Plus – After a very difficult and long process I now have my dates and confirmation. I am less than a month till travel and when I rang yesterday to request my tickets, I was told I would only get them 7 days before travel. ALARM BELLS are ringing loud and clear here. I have a 13 hours layover in Singapore and need the tickets to organise accommodation… Read more

(traveling with 2 small children). I was promised a call today however I know from experience that won't happen...as a single mum I so can't afford to be ripped off and am very concerned now.

RUINED HOLIDAY! Never book with them again, not worth the savings! – I had booked & paid in full for a trip to Thailand for my best friend and myself. It was a birthday present for my friend as she is a mother of 4 & had never been overseas & deserved a nice relaxing holiday. I had booked over the phone as I don't usually trust websites & initially I paid my deposit through a guy named "[name removed]" who was… Read more

helpful & it all seemed legit - how I was wrong!!! When it came to finalise my booking & to pick my flights & accommodation dates I did this through a lady named "[name removed]". Cut the story to the end where 4 days before my confirmed flights I printed off my itinerary & noticed in the email a quote stating roughly 15 days before my departure date I will receive my "final itinerary" or "flight tickets". With this I rang vacationsplus & was told by a guy named "[name removed]" that my booking confirmation email should be fine to go to the airport with but [name removed] had my file so she would call me to confirm. I was hesitant so I then emailed "[name removed]" myself so I knew the message was passed along. She called me the next day (3 Days before I was meant to be leaving!!!) to explain that my flights weren't available. This I couldn't understand as I had an email with itinerary & a booking confirmation! She then tried to get me to push my holiday back 3 days to get other flights & when I explained to her this wasn't possible as its 3 DAYS before I'm leaving & I can't just change my leave at work she seemed annoyed. I ranted over the phone & told her that they would want to fix this & get me the same date flights. She said she would try her best but asked me again to see if I could rearrange my dates (bloody ridiculous), I bluntly told her this is not acceptable & I can not do that with my work nor can my friend's husband who put in leave at work to take care of the kids for us. At this point I was extremely frustrated, upset & stressed. [name removed] was meant to call back in an hour, at an hour & half later I rang them. I asked to speak to a manager & was told they weren't available so I asked for a manager to call me back ASAP & was told [name removed] would call me back as a Manager isn't available. Numerous calls between myself & Rachel including me telling her that her lack of customer service skills was evident & I had not once been apologised to for my inconvenience & instead she has tried to argue her point! Not only that but I was the one to bring to their attention this major mistake & what would have happened if I turned up at the airport on the confirmed date...I would have had no flight! After this she then changed her attitude & apologised at times but it was too late. The damage was done & now I am on different flights on a different day (landing & departing thailand on same dates) but have lost 2 full days in Thailand due to the flight change! Not only that I've had to rearrange my planning 3 days before I leave to accommodate this incompetent business. My best friend was surprising me with a limo to the airport & that has now had to be cancelled & the surprise ruined as she had to tell me due to this whole situation. I'm still waiting to hear from a manager at this vacations plus as any fees I'm charged due to cancellations they will be covering & am extremely unhappy about the whole situation! We have a 12 hr stop over in kuala lumpar on our way back now which is ridiculous & our holiday has been cut short! Working in customer service I find this appalling & they should have fixed this issue with the same flights so we don't lose out due to their "technical error". Worst business I have ever dealt with & I will be taking this further to consumer affairs & the ombudsman. Do yourself a favor, DO NOT BOOK WITH THEM! The couple hundred dollars of savings is not worth the hassle or stress! If I could give 0 stars I would.