Originally Posted by
Carolina2Cali
Jetlagged and groggy this morning, I answered a local Los Angeles number call to see who it was, half thinking it was a work call. It was a lady claiming to represent United Airlines' new facility in Sherman Oaks, CA. I found it odd but she promised she wasn't selling me anything, and she continued. She said I was invited to tour the new facility and I would receive a gift... 2 roundtrip tickets, for attending. Now, I almost primarily fly American (but occasionally Southwest, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Delta) so I thought hmmm, maybe they are trying to poach AA ExPlats or something. I was still in defense mode though, assuming she would ask me to confirm tons of personal details and then I would hang up. But instead, she said the invitation was only for COUPLES... I said I was single. She said oh, ok, she will call back next week to see if I have found a girlfriend by then... I won't as I am gay, and technically do have a psychotic OCD boyfriend, but none the less, we mutually ended the call.
What the heck? It feels like a timeshare offer but instead of checking out some random hotel it was a new United facility? I bet United has no such authorization into whatever such this is... so where would this gal's invitation ultimately have taken me?
Originally Posted by
MsMarinaJB
I decided to go to their presentation and report back to you. As best I can tell, this is a third party marketing company, which promotes various travel products. They don't sell Timeshares, but the presentation I was invited to is to promote a travel agency called "Travel Showcasae". This is their advertising strategy, and it appears they are trying to scoop up some market share from the online line services like orbitz or expedia but in a hybrid way like the old travel agencies (dating myself??). I've decided to attend their presentation this weekend, as I'm not busy (Sherman Oaks is about 1hr from where I live), and I will report back and let everyone know exactly what went down.
The tickets they are offering for attendee's to the promotion are on United Airlines, but they deny any affiliation with United Airlines. The travel service they are promoting is called Travel Showcase. I've never heard of it, I guess that's why they need to spend this sort of money on promotion, he admitted this was advertising, they are promoting travel services. They seem to be a third party, so some client will have to decide if they are getting their money's worth.
As I posted a few weeks ago, I went to these presentation, this is my feedback.
This is a sales pitch for a travel club. Basically, they sell a lifetime membership to access to their website where you get deep discounts on hotels, rental cars and cruises, NOT air travel. We did some live bookings, and the prices were decent, like any travel club, you have to know your own travel desires, and plans to know if it's worth your while. The cost of the membership ranged from about $9k to 15k (probably could get a lower price if you are not financing). I didn't buy, but had I been at the presentation a couple of years ago, I would have because I knew I would be taking at least three long road trips, and this would have paid for itself, but now I have other commitments, so I declined. It was no more of a "hard sale" than your average timeshare, and yes, I did get my free 3 day 2 night certificate (can't attach it as I haven't made five post yet), however you have to pay $50 deposit to claim it, which I decided NOT to do, since you have one year to use it, and I likely won't be able to make such a get away within a year. I was a bit disappointed by that, but I didn't see it as a scam. I don't know why anyone thinks this is a pyramid, with one membership, you can make reservations for anyone, so anyone in their right mind would become their own little travel agent to family and friends and earn a side fee. Maybe once you buy, they have incentives to get others to buy their own membership, but I don't know what that would be.
All and all, I would NOT classify this as a scam. It appeared to be a legitimate sales pitch for a travel club. I'm sure there are people who buy it, and regret it, and people who buy it and love it. Years ago, I owned Worldmark,The Club time share, and I loved it. Over time, I was annoyed by the constant cost increases to housekeeping fees and annual membership dues, but I still liked traveling this way. I sold it when Vacation Rentals dot com and AirBnB became popular.
I say this thread is closing in a few days, so if I happen to see any questions, I'll try to respond, however I cannot promise I will have time to check back.