Complain about a product or service

Grand Circle Travel

347 Congress Street, Boston, MA

Donald of Huntsville AL (08/11/08)
My wife and I purchased a China tour in March 08---trip was to be in October 08. We also purchased their travel insurance supposedly to cover concellation for any reason -- from Trip Mate. We paid them $1268 deposit and for the trip insurance.

Because of the major earthquakes in China, the spread of disease due to faulty water supplies and the predictions of future earthquakes (a major one occurred within the last week), we elected to cancel 121 days before the tour was to begin -- over 4 months ahead. What we received was a cash refund of $300 of our $1268 -- less cancellation fees of $200 a person, and less the $560 insurance premium.

The insurance company stated that cancellation was not for any of our covered reasons even though they had previously stated good in case of cancellation for any reason. They have refused to give us our money back -- despite the fact we cancelled over 4 months prior to the tour and they had very little out of pocket expenses on our behalf.

The result was that we are out $968 for a trip we never took and that we DID cancel, by certified mail, in plenty of time. We wrote them, tried dealing with our credit card company and the Better Business Bureau, all to no avail. I feel that GCT was very unethical, fraudulent regarding their trip insurance, and unresponsive in not returning our money. In addition they gave us $400 in travel vouchers for another trip to be taken within one year -- non transferable. I promise you, we will never again book with this company, and we will do our best to propagate this message to all our friends and acquaintences who travel. DO NOT deal with this company if there is the remotest chance you may have to cancel...they are unethical.

Dee of Mesa AZ (08/09/08)
My wife and I booked a trip to Egypt along with a trip extension to Israel with Grand Circle Travel in May 2008. The cost of this trip extension was $995 per person. All the travel brochures and trip itineraries specified that our hotel accommodations on the Israel portion of the trip would be the Olive Tree Hotel in Jerusalem. Our final travel documents also stated that the hotel would be the Olive Tree, as did the information sheet they sent us with instructions to distribute to family and friends, that they would be able to locate us should the need arise. In addition, we phoned the Grand Circle offices in Boston while en-route from Vienna Austria on June 8, 2008 to confirm our accommodations, as we would be arriving late due to flight delays and might have to find the hotel ourselves. Once again, we were assured that our hotel was the Olive Tree in Jerusalem.

Upon arrival, a day late due to delays, we were met by a Grand Circle representative. We boarded a bus to be transported to the hotel and not until we passed by the Olive Tree Hotel were we informed of the fact that we would not be staying there. Instead we were taken to the Ritz Hotel.

The Ritz Hotel cannot be seen as equal to the Olive Tree or even similar. The rooms are small and cramped with worn and minimal furnishings, not even a lamp or room safe. We were required to leave a $20 deposit just to get a hair dryer to use. There was no shower door on the shower, and towels had to be placed around the shower base to prevent the entire bathroom from flooding. In addition the hotel is located in an unsafe Palestinian neighborhood. The adjoining car lot has a barbed wire fence around it. Some of our fellow travelers heard gun shots at night. The included breakfast each morning included no hot food and the only eggs available were cold hard boiled. We have photos available which we have provided to Grand Circle to prove our case.

While on the trip, Grand Circle gave all the travelers a 50% credit on an optional trip of $130. We do not agree that this is be adequate compensation for the misery of being switched to these substandard accommodations. We mailed a letter of complaint to Grand Circle, and after no response sent emails with photos of the conditions at the Ritz Hotel on two separate occasions to the quality control department and still have received no response of any kind regarding our complaint. Had the hotel been even remotely similar to the promised hotel we would be complaining. Being forced to stay there truly marred the entire trip to Israel.

Marshall of Coronado CA (07/03/08)
On or about April 17, 2008 we received an e-mail regarding special savings on a river trip in Holland from Grand Circle Travel. The trip was to depart April 29, 2008 ( less than 2 weeks). I made a call to inquire about this offer. The offer included air from New York with an add of about $300.00 for departure from Los Angeles. I believe the entire expense was to be about $4500.00 including insurance. The sales person told us that if we wanted to travel business class we could fly from San Diego directly to Holland. This addition would be about $6000.00 over the basic flight charges. I asked about the schedule and he said I must leave my credit card number to hold the cabin on the boat until he researched the flights. I did not authorize any charge.

The next day I received his proposed flights requiring us to go to LA and stay overnight and then to change planes in New York and somewhere else that I can no longer remember. This was both directions. In addition to a hugh expense , the trip was very inconvenient. I immediately told him that the flights were not acceptable and that we would travel another time. On April 18 a charge appeared on my credit card for $11, 546.06. I immediately told the card company that I did not authorize the charge. I am having trouble getting them to remove the charge since I did leave my card number.

I had traveled with Grand Circle previously and they already had my card number. Grand Circle tells me to apply for the insurance. This would not be ethical since I did not authorize the charge and since the tickets were never issued. Grand Circle has removed all the information concerning the reservation from the web site and the dates and charges might vary very slightly for the actual numbers, but they are very close.

Jim of Berkeley Springs WV (07/02/08)
I was requested to send info about Passport, DOB, and emergency contact about a planned trip. The form with the info was sent. Several weeks later I received a request to contact Grand Circle about my name on the air ticket. Upon contacting them I was told my paper work had not been received. Also, I would have to pay $150.00 ticket re-issue fee to United. Circle told me since my name did not match my passport the ticket must be re-issued. No match, no boarding! I was also told the tickets were issued June 4. The request for name verification arrived to my travel partner and myself was June 7.

Circle Travel had purchased the tickets BEFORE confirming the names on the air tickets. My name is James but upon initial contact I used Jim. I had paid in full upon the initial contact and used James with my credit card. They had that info! I explained to a customer Rep that Circle Travel gave me the option to mail or send the info by email. I selected mail. They were insistent that I pay the $150 to change my name on the ticket. I was flying from Dulles to Boston. The passport name issue was a mute point. I did not have to show the passport to get the boarding pass.

Finally Circle agreed to pay half, $75, toward the change. I refused the offer stating I followed their option of mailing the form. I followed procedure, they, Circle Travel, had purchased the tickets PRIOR to confirming names. Also the passport excuse seamed strange. Later I called United and was told that Jim is a nickname of James and I would be allowed to board. Obviously, I need not show a passport. Was this a scam to get more money out of the traveler? I will experience the trip August 15 - September 2, 08. I'm wondering what else is going to happen with this company and my travel friends. We will see!

Two hours on the phone with a so-called customer rep that was absolutely not going to help and totally unable to LISTEN to the customers side. She constantly used the term if you mailed it. I responded by if you mailed it to me, then I returned it. Economic? If Circle Travel did something to NOT allow me to board, as cancelling the ticket for re-issue, I will not make it to Boston when the tour starts. I will be out about $2300.00. The hassle on the phone with the rep was exhausting. I was furious when I hungup. This seems to be the start of a nightmare.

John of Meas AZ (06/11/08)
I received an invitation to purchase a trip with said company. This invitation was sent to me via an e-mail directed to me specifically as I am a past customer. Remember now this was not an advertisment but a personal e-mail. The offer was stated that it was a Special Exclusive Offer, a value of up to $2400.00 on select River Cruises-reserve by 6/6/08. This offer is being offered only to our best customers.

It further stated that if I reserved any of the River Cruise departures they would give me the following: #1 A free upgrade to the Best Available Cabin- a value of up to $1400.00 per couple, #2 Up to an additional $1000.00 per couple in Travel Credits to apply to these departures for a total value of up to $2400.00 per couple.

They offered three (3) trips to choose from. (A) Eastern Europe to the Black Sea- 13 days from only $2595.00 valid for these departure dates only: August 25; September 19, 28; October 5; 20; 2008. (B) Russia Revealed: Moscow to St. Petersburg-16 days from only $2995.00 valid for these departure dates only: August 25; September 8; 22; October 6, 2008. (C) The Seine: Paris to Normandy-13 days from only $3095.00 valid for these departure dates only: August 20; September 3; 17; October 1; 15, 2008. Refer to this code when reserving: EBGG119.

Based on this invitation I chose the Eastern Europe to the Black Sea trip and computed my trip from the information supplied. $2595.00 for the basic trip departing NY (which is standard), and applying $300.00 for additional air fare so as to be able to depart LA, applying the free upgraded cabin to the Serenade Deck, deducting the $500.00 cabin credits allowed and I came up with a sub total of $2395.00 while GCT said the sub total should be $3295.00. That's a total of $900.00 difference. To these prices there would be other items of cost to be either added or subtracted but would be the same for both price structures in general.

The complaint here is that GCT operates off another pricing schedule rather than the one they promote. Also, in the figuring of the final total cost GCT operates from many other charts and schedules that are not offered to be reviewed at the time of totaling up the purchase. (This is always done over the phone). For example, on this trip the PTC entered $380.00 for the trip insurance cost for my trip. When looking through the tables that I obtained from there web site after cancelling the trip do to the circumstances stated above, it is stated in their tables that my travel insurance should have costed out at $335.00. An over charge of $45.00.

In cancelling the trip, GCT wants to collect a 10% cancellation fee of $463.00. They then called back and restated the fee as being $348.72, when the full charge for the trip ended up at $3989.26 and 10% of that is $389.27. It's obvious that these travel companies are not sufficiently controlled and they therefore can do pretty much what want without repercussions, and this is wrong.

This fiasco isn't over yet but it looks like I am going to be out a cancellation fee for which I don't feel I should be held responsible fordue to the way I was handled and the shortness of time between booking the trip and the attempt to

Sharon of Portland OR (06/04/08)
GCT accepted my payment and assigned us a cabin for a France cruise. Four days before departure they left a message that due to overbooking, we could not go. No amount of complaining helped. Then by chance someone on another cruise departing 3 weeks later, cancelled, and they gave us that cabin. They also gave us a monetary compensation. Their treatment of us was cold.

Due to our bitter tirades, we eventually got a supervisor instead of their usual cold peons, and she did help us with the new trip. The Boston office of GCT is indifferent to the needs of their customers and cares mainly about profit. Our new air flights were inconveniently timed because they don't care to find flights that are compatible to us if it costs them a little more money. The entire excuse about informing us of overbooking 4 days prior to departure smells more than fishy. They never hinted at any such possibility but claimed that we were informed. They also changed the hotel from an upper level hotel to a Holiday Inn.

Due to the delay in travel, I had to cancel 6 classes, a play, 2 medical appointments, and miss the memorial sevice of a dear friend. My plans for all of June were ruined. The new flights were for difficult departure and arrival times with a ridiculously long layover in NY.

Eleanor of Henderson NV (05/07/08)
On March 28, 2008 I returned from a river cruise with Grand Circle Travel. My purpose for this trip was to visit 2 cities in Germany where my parents were born. I had the phone number of the contact person in Germany who was to show me around after taking a train to the village. When I asked the front desk for the phone city code to reach that individual I was given the wrong city code so was not able to make contact with her and never was able to visit the 2 places that were important to me and the reason for the trip. The front desk on the ship gave me an INCORRECT city code and my contact person emailed me but the front desk didn't give me the emails until 2 days after they arrived so I was not able to meet with her.

There were 160 people on this trip, and each time we left the ship we received a boarding pass to be turned in on the return to the ship. I was told by the front desk that they couldn't find me. This was certainly an unacceptable explanation as the emails could have been slipped under my door immediately upon receipt but they dropped the ball and didn't do this. I wrote a letter to Alan Lewis, the President of Grand Circle Travel and also sent an email to the company. When I didn't receive any reply I sent another letter to him certified and included all the backup information from the first letter.

I felt that since it was through the inefficiency of their staff that Grand Circle should provide me airfare to Germany and 4-5 days hotel so that I could accomplish what I originally took the trip for. They give travelers so many opportunities for lengthy surveys on satisfaction yet when there is an issue they do nothing about it. They continually send me more and more propoganda about future trips, and I have told them that under the circumstances I can neither book another trip through them or encourage others to travel with their company.

Unfortunately, I did not check the Web before I made the reservations because I found more than 142,000 complaints against the company and also learned that the Better Business Bureau refused their membership in 2006. I don't understand why they have travelers fill out surveys relating to the satisfaction of their trip if they do nothing about it and don't even reply when an issue is sent directly to the president of the company.

At this point (5/7/08) nothing has happened. The president didn't even bother to respond to my 2 letters (the last one was a certified letter that I know he received).

Michael of Montgomery TX (04/04/08)
In Dec., 2007 I booked a 23-day African Safari with OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel) and paid in full. I had trouble booking the trip because their trips were full and I had to take the dates I got because that was the only availability. OAT sent me a confirmation, airline flight schedule, and Visa applications. They even allowed me to book an optional tour on Apr.1, 2008. On Apr. 3, 2008 they contacted me to tell me my trip had been canceled due to low interest, and they could not offer me alternate dates! I was promised a full refund (which I have not yet received) but they have been holding my $10,000 for all this time. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND AGAINST USING OVERSEAS ADVENTURE TRAVEL or their parent GRAND CIRCLE TRAVEL!

I lost the interest that I could have realized on $10,000 for 4 months plus I now can not re-book a safari for these same dates as it is too late. I have spent money buying clothes and a SLR camera for the trip that they have denied me, even though everything was confirmed to me.

Lisa of Lutz FL (12/15/07)
This was my first and last trip with Grand Circle. My grandmother and I went on an 18 day tour through Italy. Our last night was in Venice at the Hotel Continental and I was awakened at 1:30 a.m. from constant scratching and itching to find both of our beds infested with bed bugs. Due to the extremely early flight that GC assigned to us we had a 3:45 a.m. wake-up call which we did not need because we never went back to sleep. The flight back home went through two other cities and then gave us an hour and a half in Atlanta to go through customs, grab some food, and make it to the next gate. I contacted GC as soon as I returned home concerning the bed bugs and all they told me to do was send an e-mail. I received a confirmation that they received my e-mail and that I would get a response back in 2-3 weeks. GIVE ME A BREAK! This is unacceptable! Grand Circle's optional tours all seemed to be based on bringing you to places where you are supposed to buy things. A lot of the tours we could have done on our own and saved about $80 a piece, especially at the Vatican.

David of Putney VT (10/04/07)
we have traveled with Grand Circle four times and prior to this latest trip...the Rhone River, Nice and Paris, we have always been more than satisfied. This last trip began in Nice where our hotel room was the only one without air conditioning and my wife had to threaten to not board the bus until we had received some satisfaction, we were finally given a voucher for Comfort Inns in Europe. The boat trip on the Rhone was wonderful, but at the Meridien hotel in Paris, I was attacked by bedbugs. the hotel did give us STarwood points but when I contacted Grand Circle I was told that they would give us $150 off our next trip.

I hardly consider that fair compensation for our discomfort. AS a result I wrote their consumer affairs section and was brushed off summarily. One can be certain that we will never use this company again despite the fact that we have been told that as INner Circle members we would be accorded special treatment.

Norene Stucka of Glencoe IL (03/20/07)
Grand Circle Travel (GCT) booked airline reservations from ORD to MEL (Australia) via LAX with less than 2 hours connection time in LAX (1 Hr 55 Min). In wintertime from a northern city like Chicago during Thanksgiving weekend when there was only 1 flight per day to Australia, such a tight connection was unreasonable and it caused us to miss the flight costing us $725 in lost prepaid vacation and out-of-pocket expenses for cab fares.

GCT would only agree to pay $43 for our cab in MEL to catch up with our tour group; they refused to reimburse us for our $84 in cab fares home and back in Chicago or to give us future credits for the $598 in prepaid travel that we lost.

R of Santa Rosa CA (12/29/06)
My Aunt (81 years old) and her friend (81 years old) and my cousin and I booked a Grand Circle Trip to Alaska. My Aunt and her friend flew out of and in to Las Vegas, NV. We were not given our flight informaton until a few days prior to the trip. Grand Circle booked my Aunt and her friend on United Airlines with several stops. It took them 24 hours (of no sleep) to get from Anchorage Alaska to Las Vegas. There were no flight delays just a lot of time between stops. Somewhere along the line the airlines lost some of the luggage which did not show up until the next day. At 81 years old they deserved better!

The seniors were exhausted, hungry, frustrated and vowed to never travel with Grand Circle ever again.

Craig of Hilmar CA (08/05/06)
MY new wife , from Peru, recently obtained her permanent resident green card. When I made the travel plans with grand circle travel I advised the person taking the trip plans that my wife was from Peru and had a green card. I previously called the INS and was advised that she could travel with her green card. I was told that where I needed a visa, my wife, would also need a visa. Upon reaching Germany I was told that my wife could not enter Romania because she needed a visa. We were sent home and not able to complete our trip.

Upon arrival Customs officials were astonished that she was made to come home. They said she can travel to europe with her permanent resident green card. Grand Xircle travel has said that they will not reimburse me the 5,348.00 dollors. I was told the fault lies with me and there has not been any further negotiation.

My wife is almost in a state of nervous breakdown as this is an incredible financial loss. Her friend, who we invited, went on the trip. Our luggage was lost for three weeks and we had to sleep in airports for three nights. My wife saved for a long time to take this trip and worked for starvation wages in an improvished country, peru, to save for this trip.

Kaare of Sturgeon Bay WI (06/21/06)
Grand Circle Travel appears to book the cheapest and least convenient flights for its travelers. We booked a 10 day Alaskan trip with several days in Vancouver. United Airlines has nonstop direct flights from Chicago O'Hare to Vancouver at convenient times. A call to United indicated that there was plenty of seats available on these flights. GCT, however, routed us on Air Canada through Toronto with a necessary plane change.

I called GCT and informed them of the United nonstop direct flights and the representative advised me that GCT does not have a contract with United and we would have to take the Air Canada multiple flights. After arriving at our hotel in Vancouver we discovered that other travelers in our group originating from the Chicago area did, in fact, fly the preferred United flight. GCT just plain lied to us. I then proceeded to check the United flight returning to Chicago following our vacation. United advised me there were plenty of seats available. When I brought this to the attention of GCT, they refused to make any changes and, again sent us through Toronto on the return trip while other fellow GCT travelers boarded the United direct flight.

Roberta of Ashland MA (05/24/06)
My husband , myself and 4 friends just returned from a river cruise to The Netherlands and Brussels on the Debussy. This was our third river cruise with Grand Circle. Since we had wonderful experiences on the 2 previous trips, we looked forward to another great time. Unfortunately, this trip was less than we expected. Our main problem was with the ship. The entire time we were on board (7 nights) there was a terrible smell of open sewer on the main deck by the front desk. When the crew was asked why the ship smelled, the reply was we don't smell anything.

In addition to the horrible smell, 50% of the passengers got a stomach bug. When asked what was being done about it we were told that the passengers must have brought the bug aboard the ship and that we picked it up from the air systems on the planes. The rooms were not cleaned well. I found used tissues under my bed that were left from a previous passenger. My husband found peanuts in his bed one evening. He had not eaten any peanuts either in bed or out!

As we left the ship to travel to the hotel, they were already boarding new passengers. The ship should have been completely disinfected before anyone else was allowed on board. We are waiting to hear from Grand Circle to see what, if anything will be done for the passengers from this trip (May 4- May 15, 2006). Since our other experiences with them were so good I am hoping that this trip was just a unusual event and we will all receive compensation from Grand Circle.

Sharon of O'fallon IL (05/13/06)
Do NOT go through Grand Circle Travel (GCT) for your Canadian rail trip. We did so last September/October and were very disappointed; not only with the trip itself, but also with the response we received from GCT. After returning from our trip, we sent a letter to GCT with the following facts:

1) Our tour director did not have leadership skills needed for a successful tour. One person in our group thought he was the leader, and at one point during the tour became verbally abusive with us. Most of the time our group was confused as to what was next on our agenda (i.e., meeting time, meeting places, etc.) as the tour director was not clear in her communication. Sometimes she would change her mind and not communicate the changes to the whole group.

2) When we originally booked our tour, we were told Gold Leaf service was sold out, so opted for Red Leaf service. On the second day of the tour, another couple upgraded from Red Leaf to Gold Leaf, while no one else was given the upgrade option. The Red Leaf vs. Gold Leaf service separated the group as a whole. We felt like second class citizens in Red Leaf as Gold Leaf passengers tended to separate themselves from Red Leaf passengers for the rest of the tour. We believe that all GCT travelers should either travel Gold Leaf or Red Leaf to maintain the camaraderie of the group.

3) GCT’s policy regarding “exposure to controversial topics” should be reviewed. Due to this policy, our tour director had our Vancouver motor coach driver drive out of his way so we could see an abundance of drug users congregating in a park. We could do without these controversial topics while on vacation as we face many of these controversial issues at home. A vacation is a time to get away, relax, and enjoy.

4) We joined the optional excursion to Whistler at the wasteful cost of $95 each. The dog sled portion of this tour was very unauthentic. The dogs were restrained by an all-terrain vehicle that pulled a wagon, similar to a hay ride. The dogs also appeared to be underfed as their ribs were showing.

5) The Whistler excursion also included lunch. After arriving in Whistler, we were told only one restaurant was open to accept our $15 food voucher. The highest priced item on the menu of this restaurant was under $7. Consequently, we lost $8 of our food voucher. 6) GCT should institute a policy for passengers to rotate seats on the motor coach. This is a policy with other tour companies we have used in the past. This is fair and equitable as everyone gets a front seat view at least once. On this trip, the same passengers sat in the front section of the motor coach for the entire trip.

7) VIA Rail Canada was approximately 12 hours late departing Jasper, Alberta. GCT did not have a contingency plan in place for the train’s late arrival into Jasper. Our tour director made many phone calls to GCT for guidance. GCT decided to extend our tour of Jasper National Park that afternoon; however, after the tour, we spent approximately seven to eight hours in the Chateau Jasper hotel lobby. A few travelers were assigned hotel rooms due to their health. This was a nice gesture, but this gesture should have been afforded to everyone as we all paid around the same price for this tour. We finally boarded the train around 11:00 p.m. after a very exhausting day.

8) We booked this trip with another couple. Due to their health, they were assigned Car 213 on the VIA Rail, while we were assigned Car 216. The tour director’s reasoning was that 213 was closer to the dining car, which we felt was very reasonable. After the room assignments were handed out, the tour director told us that we would be in dining car B, while the other couple would be in dining car A. Although we do understand the bedroom assignments, we still are not quite sure why we couldn’t sit together during meals.

9) After spending the first night on the VIA Rail, the toilets stopped working in Car 216. VIA Rail employees were not sure when they could be repaired, so after smelling the urine stench for most of the day, we asked for another room. We were then moved to Car 222, even further away from our traveling companions in Car 213. In addition to the Car 216 toilets being inoperable for the entire trip, it should be noted that the bedrooms on the train were not clean as they were dusty and had dirt on the walls and in corners.

10) Due to the 12 hour delay of VIA Rail, we spent three nights instead of two nights on the train. Several times while on the train, the tour director informed us that we were missing all of the good scenery, as it was dark outside when traveling pass these scenic areas. It was very disappointing to have been told this several times. Additionally, we spent a night on the train that should have been spent at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. We lost one night of luxury to another sleepless night on the train. During the night, the train was traveling at approximately 90 mph, and being in the back of the train in Car 222, we were whipped around causing sleepless nights.

We have traveled with several tour companies and have never experienced anything as deplorable as our GCT tour. For the reasons outlined above, we attempted to get some type of compensation from GCT, but were only offered a $200 voucher to use on a future GCT trip. Needless to say, we were quite disappointed with GCT and have decided not to travel with Grand Circle Travel (GCT) again as this was a very expensive trip with very little compensation offered for such an awful experience.

W. of Murrieta CA (05/07/06)
We were scheduleld to travel with GCT to China departing April 24, 2003. We paid in full, took out insurance, had Visas, shots, medications etc.. SARS became a serious concern for health reasons. We were advised that over 90 passsengers had been booked, 68 were listed in a mailing received several weeks prior to the departure date and the day prior to departure there were 12. And likely even less than 12 travelled!

The U.S. State Department, the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization recommended not travelling because of SARS. Three personal contacts in Hong Kong also advised us not to travel. Because of the health risks we cancelled our trip. GCT even modified the itinery because of the SARS outbreak but refused to cancel the trip or allow us to postpone our departure. Other travel companies offered their travellers the opportunity to reschedule and their passengers suffered little or no financial loss.

We experienced a personal loss of approximately $3000.00 that included useless insurance, recommended vacinations/shots, recommended medications, China Visas, weight compliant luggage and GCT vouchers that would force us to travel with GCT to receive any value (after this experience we had no desire to travel with GCT).

Judith of Naples FL (05/01/06)
We are scheduled to leave for Turkey May 9th. On Apr. 26th my husband returned from Sulawezi with a blood infection due to a cut in that country. This required 5 days of hospital stay and IV antibiotics. He is home now and on IV antibiotics and wound cleaning. The Internist, infectious disease specialist and the surgeon all say he cannot go to Turkey. We did not purchase insurance. I cannot travel alone so asked a friend to go with me. But GC will not allow her to use my airline ticket. They will not allow the name change. That is interesting as they have changed a lot of this trip but cannot change that. Also, I understand that they tell you that it is full and they cannot make a change but that then they get people off the waiting list.

Debbie of Medina OH (04/30/06)
Hi Everyone, By now I figure you have all received your certificate for $250 towards future Grand Circle travel. THe company thinks this will make up for the complants they received from our group. If you noticed in your letter withthe certificate they write about our frank comments yet they give us a piece of paper that costs them nothing for the hassles we had. I think this was an insult to our intelligence.

If you don't remember I will quickly remind you. The Normandy Hotel-less then one mile form the airport-hours of wait without an offer of tea/coffee nothing but a seat in the lobby. After the wait we were introduced to the grogeous room that may be the size of a large walk in closet. Not the cleanest of room s and the lights didn't work in alll of them and after tripping over our luggage (no were to keep it) We went on. Next hotel in York was a dream but just wait. How could we all forget THE GRAND. I remember pulling up and hearing us say the worst would be to get the room with the scafling by it. If we only knew!

No phone, no serrvice in the room and the staff at the grand had no idea what cleaners were. If you did not know they did not change your sheets-the only reason your bed was made was because a few of us complained and demanded they clean the baths and make the beds (their policy is to only do that when you check out). My room had no shower and enough mold to make anyone sick. The food there, well it could have been better. Next stop-right off the highway. Another change in the itinerary from what we all booked. No town to walk into here-only a four lane highway.

London was great. Just what we expected. I do not know how many of you did a little research but upon arriving at home I have found 4 DIIFERENT itineries for this trip. One in the catalog-one on the internet-one with my documents in the mail - and one I received upon arrival in Scotland. I kow the brochure gives them the right to change but I think we should have some rights also. If you read all the itineries we have missed alot of sites-starting with Inverny Castle (there is an entrance fee)-to Stonehenge listed on 2 of the itineries.

I think Grand Circle owes us all a little more then a brush off for the problems of this trip. We all paid a premium price for a budget trip. In no way does this voucher make up for the lost sleep, the headaches, and stress off the trip-yes the sites were beautiful but a vacation should be just that a vacation. I have spoken to customer service and they could not believe that was all we received. They recommended rewritting to Grand Circle and letting them know that the certificate was not acceptable. If you figure the cost of the trip and the problems and stress we encountered $250 in future travel is an insult. This costs the company nothing, and they hope at least 1/2 of the people will not use it and the ones that do they will make more then that on their profit of the trip booked.

Carl of Sun City West AZ (04/21/06)
While it is recognized almost uniformly throughout the travel industry that in the event of a terrorist attack in a region, airlines, hotels and tour operators will allow changes and cancellation without penalty, I would like to relate what happed to four of us travelers with Grand Circle Travel of Boston, MA.

We were scheduled to leave for Bali and Angkor Wat on a 23 day trip October 3, 2005. Total cost for the four of us was $10,484.60. On Oct. 1, 2005 terrorists bombed three restaurants in Bali, killing 27 and wounding 125. The major bombing was right up the street from the resort at which we were to stay. We then became aware that the State Department had issued a travel warning months before advising “U.S. citizens to defer all non-essential travel to the country (Bali, Indonesia).” At no time had GCT informed us that a travel warning was in effect for Bali.

Because of the travel warning we cancelled our trip and requested Grand Circle Travel (GCT) to reroute us to Thailand so we could enjoy the Angkor Wat portion of the trip. They refused to make any changes. The clerks on duty directed us to return our tickets which had been issued by Cathay Pacific Airways for the air and resort portions and told us they would work out an appropriate refund. On Oct. 3, 2005, we returned our 4 tickets which showed a face value of $8,641.40. We have since been told by Cathay Pacific that GCT returned our tickets to them and GCT received a complete refund less $75.00 per tickets administrative cost.

GCT’s only reply to us has been, “We sent the trip off as planned and since you cancelled you are not entitled to any refund.” Thus they gained an unjust enrichment of our $10,484.60 because we followed the Travel Warning of the State Dept. Best advice, try to learn something about the company you are about to do business with. GCT had their membership in the Better Business Bureau of Massachusetts revoked on 10/27/05. Let that be fair warning. Carl Fischer, Sun City West, AZ.

We have received no cash for our payment of $10,484.60 we paid for a trip to Bali which we cancelled after we found out that the State Department had warned against any travel to Bali, and terrorists had just killed 27 people.

James of Savannah GA (02/16/06)
Booked passage for two (2) to Ireland on 11/30/2005 with a scheduled tour date of 3/11/2006. GCT confirmed the dates but did not provide travel instructions. Fourth letter from GCT dated 12/14/2005 still did not have confirmed flight information. Personal travel agent "Linda" and later Lourdes confirmed flight information from Atlanta departing Atlanta for Dublin non-stop as per the ads in the last five (5) GCT magazines. Bornelus telephonically confirmed that were were to depart Savannah at 7:00 P.M. 3/11/2006 and returning on 3/28/2006 at 3:40 P.M. I made my own reservations from Savannah to Atlanta based on this information.

I received tickets from GCT on 2/7/06 and to my suprise the itenary had been changed without notice routing us from Atlanta to Chicago to London, to Dublin. Hardly non-stop as agreed and making our tickets to and from Atlanta useless. I advised Lourdes Bornelus of the situation on 02/07/06 and again several times on 02/08/06. Grand Circle advertises non-stop flights from Atlanta to Dublin on Delta airlines. Obvioulsly British airwarys from Chicago was in GCT best interest and not as advertised as "making endeavors to privide the most efficient air routing". Efficent is not the priority but profit margin is.

On 2/8/06 GCT employee Julie sitting at the Air Supervisor's desk stated that the Delta direct flight was not available. She was then advised the confirmation #QIJB52 from Debria Hunter of Delta reservations confirmed the seatting was availabe and my wife and I had seats numbers 34C and 34D. Our friend Lorine  from Aiken South Carolina had seat 35A reserved. Our friends Charles and Sarah of Matthews North Carolina also had reserved seats on this flight. All of us were interested in the direct flight, however, we were scheduled on British Airways and not Delta as agreed.

On 2/8/06 I advised Janet, Sherri, Julie, Carice, and Lourdes all of GCT that I would absolutely not travel through Chicago in the middle of the winter. That I was willing to change our tickets to leave from eather Baltimore, Boston, Miami, or New York which was advertised and would place us on British Airways (preferred by GCT). GCT response was the same...tickets had been issued and there would be no changes. Incomplete itenaries is unexceptable, ambigous, and inconsistant with good business practices. Our tickets are scheduled to be expressed mailed back to GCT on 02/10/06.

Waiting for refund of $6,404.22 from GCT as agreed by Lourdes Bornelus on evening of 02/08/06. Lost our $530.00 frequent travler discount with GCT. Lost $100.00 for converting frequent flier miles into tickets round trip to and from Savannah/Atlanta. Lost $100.00 for converting tickets back to frequent flier miles. Lost our window of oppetunity to take a winter vacation. As Gold Members of Grand Circle Travel, I cannot even begin to express how truly disappointed I am with their service.

Lee of Encinitas CA (11/29/05)
Would not stop sending catelogues (average 3 a week) even when I request them to cease and desist. All those colorful thick catelogues cost so much money! Obviously it is paid by innocent senior citizens who have signed up for the packaged tours. Those catelogues are baits, and the switch might be 'overpriced services'.

Ben of Monroe Township NJ (09/08/05)
We had scheduled and paid for a trip to Portugal & Spain, leaving May 13, 2005. I had also bought 2 tickets for a Broadway show, the week we returned, which was supposed to be June 6. TWO WEEKS prior to leaving -- we get a phone call: "sorry, no hotel rooms are available in Portugal - so we're scheduling you to leave ONE WEEK LATER." They would not answer any questions - just repeat their statement!

First, I had to reschedule my vacation with my employer -- which was a big pain! Then, I had to quickly sell my 2 tickets on EBay - where I lost $50

Alfred of Teaneck NJ (07/28/05)
On 1/17/2005 my wife, I and another couple paid a deposit for a Rhone River Cruise as was advertised in their cruise catalog. The remainder of the total cost was paid, by check as they would not charge this to our credit cards, prior to the due date of 4/04/2005. The departure date was scheduled for 7/04/2005. On the evening of Friday,7/01/2005, I received a phone call informing me that the ship that was to be our home for seven nights had been damaged while being repositioned. The extent of the damage was not know but they were trying to get it into a dry-dock and check it out. However, the person speaking to me felt that the ship would most probably not be ready for boarding on 7/08/2005 the date that was called for in the itinerary.

I asked, at this point, if we could cancel and was told yes. But, he said, why not wait till tomorrow morning and check on the condition of the ship. I did wait till the following morning, 7/02/2005, and was told the ship would not be available at all and our Rhone River Cruise was being changed to a motor coach tour. At this point we four canceled. Calling the next morning, the only phone number I was privy to, I was told to e-mail the Quality Customer Care at GCT. I got back a request for further information which I sent that same day and was told in that message that I would be contacted by phone or mail. I have yet to hear from them.

I did obtain a phone number from the travel insurance company on 7/25/2005. This number, which no one at GCT would give me, brought me to Customer Service. The person I spoke to could not provide a satisfactory answer except to say that what had happened is not a concealable condition under their contract. I requested to speak with a supervisor and was turned over to a Ms. Webster who listened to my tale and repeated what the first person had told me. I told her that this trip was to be a celebration of my eightieth birthday and that I am the youngest of the four. A bus tour would be too tiring and stressful for us.

I asked where GCT would be able to find, at this time of the tourist season, hotel rooms to accommodate the entire group. Then I mentioned your web page and the letters written on it. I gave her your web address which she typed into her computer and said "Good Lord, this is interesting". She said she would be taking our story AND your web address to someone. Incidentally, I was told that we would not receive money in any event, only a voucher good for a year from our original departure date. We are not to certain we would want to travel with GCT in the future after this experience. Thanks for listening to me and allowing me to release some of my frustration.

GCT is holding $5704.20 of our money. We have started proceedings, through Visa, to charge back the $1000.00 deposit each couple had paid. This has not happened yet. I now realize why GCT demands cash. If the insurance company handles the claim we would lose the cost of the trip insurance, $528.00, and a $125.00 handling fee. There has been no physical damage only stress, aggravation and disappointment.

Ruth of Philadelphia PA (07/20/05)
Instead of routing us from Phila to Barcelona (& returning Madrid/Phila), they routed me Phila/Miami/Madrid/Barcelona (!!) and vv, and my travel companion Nashville/JFK/London/Madrid/Barcelona (!!!) so that, in addition to the sheer (and unnecessary!!! there are non-stop flights from Phila to and from Barcelona and Madrid!) brutality of such travel, we also (1) couldn't visit together in PHila pre- and post-trip as planned, (2) couldn't travel together there and back and (3) eventually she couldn't join me at all because of her anxiety over these 24 hour marathon journeys, necessitating medical attention.

The tour company would not respond to our pleas to change the routing and I had to tour alone under these extremely trying circumstances, not knowing that my friend would never arrive. To start with, they would not let me make my own flight arrangements; I accepted that, having no idea that their arrangements would be senseless and brutal, that they would prevent my friend from visiting with me (on the ticket she had already bought Nashville-Phila-Nashville, and that they would not make the least concession in rearranging our flights. They could have cared less how many airports, lines and planes we had to endure; they simply found what was cheapest to them. Nor did they tell us in advance, when informing me that they wouldn't let me make my own air arrangements.

I knew the itinerary for the tour; that was public. The flight arrangements were kept secret to our terrible detriment and they simply didn't care in the slightest. I modify that: their V.P.in Spain, once I arrived alone, was very sympathetic, but even he couldn't persuade them to change even my return flights to the non-stop one so easily available from Philadelphia. The health and well-being of the people on their tours is of no concern to them, even though it is they who compromised both. And of course my trip was so much less enjoyable alone.

Once before, some years ago, this friend and I had traveled with the parent company. We had made the same sort of arrangement of her pre/post visit. They had discussed the flight arrangements with us. We had no problem and no reason to expect the total unreasonableness of what happened this spring. Perhaps if I hadn't been diagnosed with cancer in February I would have called, when I didn't hear from them, to find out about the flights. But even that might have done absolutely no good. I know this, because 4 other people on the tour were given no fewer than 3 different flight itineraries--that is, one, on which they based their plans for visiting Mallorca after the tour, then another one, so that they had to rearrange their plans, and then a third different one. So the mistreatment and lack of consideration for my friend and me as human beings with needs and plans was not an aberration but rather part of the company culture. Either way, it needs to be addressed and they need to have some kind of motivation to change--which at present they do not have.

Jean of Bremerton WA (07/14/05)
Last year we signed up for a cruise across the Atlantic on the Queen Mary II in October, 2005. We used their "Good Buy Plan" which involved paying the full price of the trip a year in advance because they said we would "be protected from any increase in the land, cruise, or international air portion of your cost." We received an invoice marked "paid in full." In April, 2005, we received an invoice asking for more money because of increases in "government fees." Soon after, we received another invoice seeking additional payment for a "fuel surcharge."

We refused by letter to pay either of these charges, citing our "Good Buy Plan" protection. After considerable delay, I received a letter back, claiming that their catalogs indicate "GCT reserves the right to correct promotional or pricing errors at any time, or to increase the program price in the event of cost increases due to changes in airfare, cruise fares, currency fluctuations,...or fuel surcharges."

In some of the abundant advertising material they have sent us lately, much of that language does appear in their "Good Buy Plan" promotion, but not in the material they sent us for the trip we bought. That promotion, headed "Lock in the cost of your trip," and reading precisely as stated above, was unqualified by any reservation of rights. We have canceled the trip, and are continuing to argue with the company about the unrefunded portion thereof. They have clearly breached their contract with us, and are liable for a refund of the entire amount we paid them.

Thomas of Tucson AZ (05/19/05)
Several months ago my wife and I booked a tour to Costa Rica with Grand Circle Travel using their toll free number. Our departure date was to be August 10th and our return date was to be August 23. We sent in a deposit and received confirmation along with a considerable amount of written material. We were reminded to submit final payment by May 11th (90 days before departure) which we did. On Sunday, May 15th we got a phone message indicating that our tour was being canceled due to low enrollment but that another tour was available six days later. There was a mention of a penalty if we didn´t take this tour. We were told to call their office on Monday. We got out all of the literature that they had sent us.

There was a considerable amount of information about penalties if the client cancels, but nothing about what happens when the company cancels. By the way, we had purchased trip insurance from Grand Circle at a rate considerably higher than we would have paid a travel insurance company mainly because with it we could cancel for any reason. To further investigate we went to the Grand Circle website. It took a while to find it but finally we found a link called "terms and conditions" which addressed the company´s policy if they cancel a tour.

It said that if the company offers a similar tour within 14 days, the client will be assessed cancellation penalties if s/he doesn´t rebook on that tour. We had engaged a house sitter for August 10 to 23. We were not certain if that person would be available from August 16 to 29. Besides which, since when is a client penalized when a company cancels a tour? Fortunately, our house sitter is available and we did opt to take the tour on the 16th. I have written a letter to Grand Circle telling them that even if the tour is fantastic, I will never book with them again and I will spread the word about this unfair practice. I also told them in the letter that cancelling the tour four days after requiring final payment seems like a dubious practice to me. When I spoke with an agent to rebook, he told me that if we did not opt to take the trip on the 16th of August, our trip insurance would pay for it. I informed him that we had paid over $400 for that insurance and that I assumed that that amount would not be refunded.

Therefore though Grand Circle was canceling the tour, we would be out over $400 for the insurance if we chose not to take the later tour. I imagine that this policy is not illegal, but it certainly does not seem right. Grand Circle emphasized what will happen if the client cancels probably because they want to sell insurance. However, you have to search their website to access their policy if they cancel. My wife and I wondered if this practice is standard among large tour companies. I called Gate 1 Travel, a company that I had used for a tour a few months ago. Their representative said that if they cancel a tour the client has a choice between a full refund including insurance payment or they will book a similar tour with another tour operator.

Patricia of Louisville KY (8/18/04):
A friend and I are scheduled to leave Louisville KY airport to Atlanta, leaving 2:00 p.m., arriving JFK 4:08 p.m. - Then, from Terminal 3, we are to go to Terminal 8 and board a Finnair at 5:55 p.m. for Helsinki (8/26/04) Both of us called and said this was too close a connection, especially since the literature sent AFTER we had to request an itinerary stated that all Finnair passengers were requested to be in the desk area two (2) hours before departure.

GCT told us we could leave on an earlier flight, provided we paid an extra $61.00. We did not book this flight, THEY did. A very cold and unhelpful supervisor told us that no one would change this, that we could go to the top, etc., that this is why we buy insurance, etc., etc. To add insult to injury, after rushing to make such a connection, IF we make it, we must cool our heels in Helsinki for FIVE hours (at the end of a tiring overseas flight) to board a plane to St. Petersburg.

I wrote to the Quality Dept. Aug. 6, and have heard not one word. My travel friend has tried likewise. And, of course, using the phone to call GCT requires a half-hour wait, if you are lucky. I have assured them that this is the last trip I will take with them, and as I travel extensively, many people ask me with whom I book my trips. Well, NEVER again GCT. Delta, with whom we fly from Louisville/ATL/JFK was very kind and sympathetic. I was told that GCT had booked this trip on two separate tickets, so that if anything happened in NY and we did not make our connection, Delta was not responsible.

Luckily, none of these things has occurred YET. The only problems I anticipate will be spending our own money in JFK if we are unable to make our connection. My major complaint is with poor service and uncaring personnel.

Stanley of River Edge NJ (9/25/04):
I paid for a trip on a cruise ship departing in Oct 2004. After paying in full I got a receipt marked paid in full. About 3 weeks later I got a bill for an extra amount marked "Euro difference." I called and was told this was due to Euro fluctuation from the time I booked. I asked for proof of this since the Euro changed very slightly and was told this was proprietary info and could not be given to me. I asked what if I didn't pay and was told I would not get my airline tickets or any information. I asked to cancel and was told the penalty would be over $500 a person. I have taped all conversations and will sue in small claims court.

Edwina of Kingsport TN (9/28/04):
My husband and I booked a river cruise from Paris to Normandy departing September 16, 2004 with Grand Circle Travel. We had paid in full and had a cabin assignment. THREE days before our departure, we were called late morning to say GCT had overbooked and we were being bumped from our tour. They did offer us a $1,000 per person voucher for a future trip and to insure that we get that, GCT asked us to leave some of our money as a deposit. Needless to say, we didn't agree to that. We requested a full refund and are still waiting for that refund because we never intend to travel with GCT. GCT is reimbursed in full if anyone cancels 29 days prior to departure so they are essentially overbooking and collecting double on some cabins. We found GCT travel hard to deal with and not customer friendly.

Mary of Bremerton WA (7/1/04):
On April 19, 2004 my husband had a heart attack. My 3 female friends and I had planned and paid for a trip with Grand Circle Travel to depart on April 24, 2004 to Holland and Belgium. When I called to inform GCT that I was unable go on the tour they asked me to have my roommate call them. When she called them they told her that she would be unable to go on the tour as they didn't have a room for a single and they had given our room to two people who were on the standby list.

Needless to say we were upset with that outcome. My friend had a very difficult time getting an email from GCT stating they had cancelled her and they would be refunding her money. When she called Delta Airline which was our airline to see if in fact GCT had cancelled her on the flight she found they had just done so the day prior to departure. The Delta representative that she talked to said that GCT was very difficult to deal with. My friend did receive her money back plus a $250 certificate which she will never use as none of us will book with Grand Circle Travel again. Fortunately I had purchased trip cancellation insurance but not through GCT and I had no problem being reimbursed.

We all felt very disappointed (including my husband) that my friend was not allowed to go on the tour. Two of them went and had an enjoyable time.

Roger of Austin TX (6/10/04):
We booked a tour to Eastern Europe on a specific date - August 10, 2004 with return on August 28, 2004. On June 9, 2004 we were called and told that they had not filled that trip and we were moved to August 16, 2004 with return on September 3, 2004. We must not be gone on the first of the month and asked that they cancel our trip and return our $6,069.20.

Although not included in the Travel Handbook they supplied, there is an unwritten company policy that they will not refund the entire amount and there is a charge of $600 if you cannot move to their new dates. At no time was this policy stated or divulged to me during the entire process. In other words, they may change the date of departure at their leisure and it becomes a cancellation on your part and subject to their refund policy.

Charles of Las Vegas (4/10/04):
I booked a tour/cruise for 4 people in September of 2003 for departure 4-22-04. I used a travel discount certificate good for $250.00 per person. It turned out that the certificate was only good for 2 people. OK, the wording was misleading so I told my brother and his wife I would share my discount of $500.00 with them. Meanwhile I paid for the trip for 2 in full within the "Good Buy" Discount period for a discount of $100.00, which I deducted from my final payment.

I did not receive $500.00 refund for the travel discount certificate. Instead they sent me $400.00 ck on November 8,2003. I called Customer service and told them it should be $500.00 not $400.00 I called Customer service, Vadim said $100.00 would be sent to us.1-14-04 I received a check for $59.00. I called and talked to Brian who transferred me to accounting, Zachary said that was all I was entitled to.

OK, chalk another one up to misunderstood discounts. I have 2 Cruise cabin confirmations, from Grand Circle stating my cabin number is 5589. One is dated 9-30-03, the other11-18-03. That was just fine as it was what I had been told in the beginning when I booked the trip. My brother and his wife have cabin 5591 just across the aisle from me. I received a card from Grand Circle dated 3-2-04 asking me to call. I called them and was told that my cabin had been changed to 5529. I protested this saying we were traveling with family and wanted our cabins close to each other. I called twice to protest the change and Ruth told me they would notify the cruise dept.

Early this month my brother called customer service to protest the cabin change and was told that it was changed back to 5589 I put this cabin number on the Guest Registration form required by Norwegian Cruise lines, which I mailed 2-9-04. Today (4-10-04) my travel documents arrived and wonder of wonders they have me in cabin 5529 and the labels are for that cabin. I immediately called Grand Circle, talked to Ruth who said she had told the cruise department that I was "unhappy' about the change. No one has contacted me to update the cabin fiasco.

I called Norwegian Cruise and was told that Grand Circle booked a block of cabins and they had control of who got what cabin. they of course had blamed Norwegian for the cabin mistake saying the computer was giving trouble. Whom did people blame before computers? My husband and I and my brother and his wife are so disgusted with being jerked around that I doubt any of us will travel with Grand Circle again. We have never ever had trouble traveling and when cabin changes or the like took place, UPGRADES were given to keep the customer happy. That makes good sense to me. However, all I am asking is that we get our original cabin near my family. Grand Circle does not inspire much faith in fair treatment and Norwegian Cruise line is tainted by their association and by not doing anything to ameliorate the situation.

Barry of Lake Forest CA (3/8/04):
We booked a tour of Portugal and Spain in November of 2003. At this time the Euro was 1.00 Euro to 1.22 US Dollars. On Feb. 14, 2004 we paid the remaining balance of our contract of $7024.00 and recieved a letter stating the account was paid in full. Two weeks after paying the final amount we recieved a letter from Grand Travel requesting another $132.00 charged because of "Currency Fluctations". On the date we recieved the letter the Euro was 1.00 Euro to 1.23 US Dollars. The letter stated that the increase was due to the fact that Grand Circle Travel based their trip cost of a currency rate of 1.00 Euro to 1.05 US dollar.

The letter signed by the Chairman explaining the extra charge was a form letter and not dated. If the letter is true than Grand Circle Travel knew before quoting us a price they would be raising the cost to us, and just waited until we had paid the entire bill and could not get our money back. In addition, on the same day we recieved their letter asking for more money we also received a new brochure for the exact same trip at the exact same price originally quoted to us. It appears it is Grand Circle's intent to do the same thing to the next group that signs up with them.

When we complained they said we could cancel the trip, but that would cost us $250.00. If we do not pay the additional amount we lose everything. Also even though Grand Circle Travel was told when I first booked the trip I did not want Travel Insurance they kept putting such insurance in the bill and in the total amount owed hoping it would be paid by accident.

Helga of Carmel Valley CA (1/5/04):
In October 2003, I made a reservation for a trip to Thailand for a certain amount quoted to me on the phone by the agency. They charged my Visa $350.00 as a down payment. Between 10/7/03 and 10/21/03, I received 6 different invoices, quoting different sums for the remainder of the balance due, all of them more than the sum originally quoted when I made my reservation. I wrote a letter to which I received no answer.

I consequently called to cancel my reservation, based on the fact that I had lost faith in their ability to handle the financial end of this transaction. I was told I would get my deposit back less $125 cancellation fee. They credited my account with $41 (out of a $350 deposit). I then wrote another letter to the company, including xerox copies of the entire correspondence. I received a call and at that time they credited my account with an additional $184. I said I really did not think that I should be penalized for the cancellation because the only reason for it was the fact that they mishandled my reservation. I was promised that instead of the cancellation fee, I would receive a $125 voucher for a future trip.

That was 7 weeks ago and I still have not received the voucher. I just called again and the person I spoke with apologized and said it was an oversight. I don't think I dare travel with this company. If they cannot even handle a simple, uncomplicated reservation, how can they plan an overseas trip.

Linda of Colorado Springs CO (12/16/03):
We booked a tour that included 7 "free" nights in London, airfare, and crossing on the QE2. The hotel in London was supposed to be Jolly St. Ermin's. A week before our departure date, we received our final documents and information that the hotel was now Tower Thistle.

First, these hotels are in completely different areas of London; St. Ermin's is close to the West End, Mayfair, Buckingham Palace, etc., while Tower Thistle is out in the Docklands in the East End. The kinds of things we planned to do were all close to St. Ermin's. Second, the customer service representatives I spoke to lied to me when I called to complain about the change. One said Cunard Line had made the hotel change; Cunard had nothing to do with this tour other than issuing the ship's tickets. A second customer service rep said St. Ermin's had cancelled its contract with Grand Circle.

We found out after arriving in London that some of the people in the group were in fact staying at St. Ermin's; the problem was that Grand Circle had booked too many people and had to find another hotel on short notice. When I made the original booking, I changed our travel dates in order to stay at St. Ermin's. I am aware of the clause in the tour operator's contract that says changes can be made for comparable accommodations when necessary. My contention is that the hotel they substituted was not a "comparable" hotel when you consider size, location, and ambiance.

My husband and I booked our own hotel -- at our own expense -- in order to be in a convenient part of London. I believe Grand Circle owes a partial refund to cover a portion of our additional expense.

We spent over $1000.00 more than we intended to get a hotel that was located in the part of London we had expected to be in.

Ashok of Orange CA (2/17/03):
To inquire about and if satisfactory, I wanted to book a Norwegian Cruise Liner 18 day Cruise for Panama and I called the Grand Circle Travel and was in the process of telephone conversation with their representative Clair on Monday February 17, 2003 at around 11 am PST. She took my VISA CARD number for booking the trip.

Even before disconnecting the call, with several questions to her, I found out that this cruise was not suitable for me and before disconnecting I told her that I want to cancel my plan. She told me that she had already placed the information about me in their system and if cancelled there would be a penalty of over $500. I did not get even one minute to make my decision to cancel the booking.

I talked with Mr. Greson Waters and I told him that I would like the Manager of the company. He told me that the manager has holiday (Washington's Birthday) and he was not there to waive the cancellation penalty. It appears to me that they just want to force the cruise on me without giving me enough time to think. I still haven't talked with their manager yet and will try to reach him/her on Tuesday.

Susan of Bartonville TX (1/16/03):
I purchased insurance for a trip to Egypt back in May 2001, leaving in April 2002. I was told by phone, the insurance was $125 and covered a cash refund in the event I had to cancel the trip "for whatever reason". Now I've cancelled because of 9-11. They tell me the insurance is only good if I am sick and unable to go, doctor's affidavit or death certificate. I believe they should have told me this up front or sent something in the mail, neither of which they did. I am out the insurance price of $125 and the $500 deposit on the trip.

I can't go because I'm afraid of the air travel on Eqypt Air and the region. I am afraid because of 9-11.

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