any experience with ClassicTravel.com? (Virtuoso)
May 22, 2020, 12:34 am
#91
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
What does 'reach out' mean? Is this TA speak for 'please call me or email.'
Last edited by Pausanias; May 22, 2020 at 5:11 am
May 22, 2020, 5:20 am
#92
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
May 22, 2020, 4:06 pm
#93
Was sydakllon
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SYD
Programs: Virtuoso, Rosewood Elite, FSPP, Bellini, Dorchester, MO Fan Club, Oetker Pearl, etc.
Posts: 709
May 22, 2020, 4:47 pm
#94
formerly htang333
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Wi-Fi
Programs: Virtuoso, Top Ranked: Four Seasons (Top 25 Advisor), AMAN (Top 50), Rosewood, Hyatt Prive, etc.
Posts: 1,455
May 22, 2020, 6:01 pm
#95
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,527
I don't mind using the online booking service, however, as I have mentioned before the Mariott system fails to load all my information using my loyalty number. It does immediately lock in the rate, but I note it adds the address of my TA (but only suburb and postcode).
Shangri-La also had issues.
May 23, 2020, 6:28 am
#96
formerly known as deathscar
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Virtuoso | Four Seasons Preferred Partner | Rosewood Elite | Hyatt Prive - and more
Posts: 2,096
For short stays, the direct booking tool might come in handy in terms of processing anything quickly, but of course still needs follow ups.
Apr 23, 2021, 2:23 am
#97
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: Delta Silver, HH Gold, Accor Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,340
I had a short and straightforward booking for a Virtuoso rate for which I, frankly, didn't want to bother an advisor. So I decided to book online via the ClassicTravel portal. I did not receive a booking confirmation by email. Called a couple of times but the phone wasn't answered. An e-mail also wasn't answered for a few days, after which I decided to cancel and reach out to another TA. Booking was then handled within a day and I had the confirmation in my inbox swiftly. Don't know if this is standard for ClassicTravel, but I wasn't impressed by the absence of customer service availability.
Apr 23, 2021, 2:54 am
#98
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: OZ Diamond, QR Gold, HH Gold, IHG Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 669
I had a short and straightforward booking for a Virtuoso rate for which I, frankly, didn't want to bother an advisor. So I decided to book online via the ClassicTravel portal. I did not receive a booking confirmation by email. Called a couple of times but the phone wasn't answered. An e-mail also wasn't answered for a few days, after which I decided to cancel and reach out to another TA. Booking was then handled within a day and I had the confirmation in my inbox swiftly. Don't know if this is standard for ClassicTravel, but I wasn't impressed by the absence of customer service availability.
To be fair, Classic Travel did get in touch. I had made the booking over a weekend and they got in touch on Monday morning (east coast time) when I was in Asia.
I tend to work in inhospitable places where calling NYC is a pain as I have to call on Skype and in the evenings. I can't be doing with that so just booked with hotel directly but not on an Impressario rate.
If Classic Travel gave automated booking confirmation I would be much more likely to use them in future. Till that date comes I don't see myself using them unless an Impressario rate or whatever is eye wateringly good or I really want and highly value the benefits the rate provides.
Apr 23, 2021, 5:48 am
#99
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Canada
Programs: Virtuoso TA, Four Seasons Pref Partner, Rosewood Elite TA, Ritz Carlton STARS TA
Posts: 4,737
Hope you give them another shot.
On the Hyatt Prive thread, skywalkerLAX, mentioned a different online type service he used under the branding of QX Travel.
That one isn't part of Virtuoso, but perhaps another option for those who don't want to interact with a human
DavidO's team I believe still makes use of the Virtuoso.com hotel booking interface. Maybe David could comment, but I don't believe they do instant confirmation emails either. Needs to be received by an advisor first if I remember right.
Apr 23, 2021, 10:47 am
#100
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: OZ Diamond, QR Gold, HH Gold, IHG Plat, Accor Plat
Posts: 669
A long time senior staffer (and amazing advisor) left Classic in Feb 2021 to establish her own brand. This def left a void, but I hope Classic remains a strong shop as things re-launch.
Hope you give them another shot.
On the Hyatt Prive thread, skywalkerLAX, mentioned a different online type service he used under the branding of QX Travel.
That one isn't part of Virtuoso, but perhaps another option for those who don't want to interact with a human
DavidO's team I believe still makes use of the Virtuoso.com hotel booking interface. Maybe David could comment, but I don't believe they do instant confirmation emails either. Needs to be received by an advisor first if I remember right.
Hope you give them another shot.
On the Hyatt Prive thread, skywalkerLAX, mentioned a different online type service he used under the branding of QX Travel.
That one isn't part of Virtuoso, but perhaps another option for those who don't want to interact with a human
DavidO's team I believe still makes use of the Virtuoso.com hotel booking interface. Maybe David could comment, but I don't believe they do instant confirmation emails either. Needs to be received by an advisor first if I remember right.
Sep 18, 2023, 7:34 pm
#101
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Accor Gold, OW Emerald, SIXT Diamond
Posts: 833
Made a booking for St Regis Singapore.
Instant email confirmation, anything else I should do to double check the booking is done ?
Cancellation policy is 2 days prior to arrival (1 month away), somewhat concerned to arrive and find that the booking has been cancelled or am I worrying too much ?
Instant email confirmation, anything else I should do to double check the booking is done ?
Cancellation policy is 2 days prior to arrival (1 month away), somewhat concerned to arrive and find that the booking has been cancelled or am I worrying too much ?
Sep 18, 2023, 7:44 pm
#102
Join Date: Sep 2023
Posts: 20
These days, there are a bunch of platforms — Noble, Hotelux, etc. — that allow you to book Virtuoso rates online. It’s no longer a new concept, and I never had problems with the reservations not being made, or unilaterally being cancelled. I wouldn’t worry about the integrity of reservations made through Classic Travel (being the OG), in the same vein. They just plug into the same API. (That said, the others do provide confirmation emails, unlike the complaints about Classic above)
Again, the main issue is the quality of service vs. a TA whom you know.
Again, the main issue is the quality of service vs. a TA whom you know.
Sep 18, 2023, 10:02 pm
#103
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
I think this thread has reached a natural ending point so I am closing it. If anyone has a reason why it should be re-opened, please write the mods.
RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels and travel
RichardInSF, moderator, luxury hotels and travel