Minimum Capacity

[adambomb85]

Hi All - Right now, my trip to Greece in July is at about 37% capacity. Realizing that we are still more than 6 months out and plenty of time for people to book, I was curious, is there a rough percentage AbD usually requires to run a trip? I was going to purchase some airfare using miles, but am hesitant to at 37%. Thanks!

 

[Bobo912]

Our trip last July had 16. I've heard of as few as 12. If I were you, I wouldn't worry.

 

[DisFan10]

Hi Bobo912,

Did you ever receive your Insider package of Greek goodies?

 

[Bobo912]

Hi Bobo912,

Did you ever receive your Insider package of Greek goodies?

No. It's been about 2 weeks since the date ABD said it would be shipped. So I've given up on ever receiving it.

 

[adambomb85]

No. It's been about 2 weeks since the date ABD said it would be shipped. So I've given up on ever receiving it.

Thanks for the reply Bobo - same thing happened to me with my package. I gave up as well and sadly don't have a lot of confidence that we will receive anything in the future either...

 

[Bobo912]

Thanks for the reply Bobo - same thing happened to me with my package. I gave up as well and sadly don't have a lot of confidence that we will receive anything in the future either...

Did you call ABD? Not that it will do any good. I called and they investigated, called me back and promised my package would be shipped on Sept 20. I've never know UPS to be so slow that it takes 2 weeks to deliver a package, so I'm pretty sure I'm still not going to get it. And I don't have any confidence I'll receive anything in the future either.

 

[adambomb85]

Did you call ABD? Not that it will do any good. I called and they investigated, called me back and promised my package would be shipped on Sept 20. I've never know UPS to be so slow that it takes 2 weeks to deliver a package, so I'm pretty sure I'm still not going to get it. And I don't have any confidence I'll receive anything in the future either.

Yup, I did. I called before booking my trip to Greece. I was told it was being shipped out the next day (this was back in early September). When I called to book my trip several days later, I talked to the booking agent and a manger to inquire again. I was told I was on the Insider List and it was shipped out to me. Alas...

 

[sayhello]

Did you call ABD? Not that it will do any good. I called and they investigated, called me back and promised my package would be shipped on Sept 20. I've never know UPS to be so slow that it takes 2 weeks to deliver a package, so I'm pretty sure I'm still not going to get it. And I don't have any confidence I'll receive anything in the future either.

Yup, I did. I called before booking my trip to Greece. I was told it was being shipped out the next day (this was back in early September). When I called to book my trip several days later, I talked to the booking agent and a manger to inquire again. I was told I was on the Insider List and it was shipped out to me. Alas...

Wow, you guys! This is just ridiculous!!! I get that the folks we talk to aren't the ones sending out the packages, but what the HECK is going on with the communication??? This is really the worst I've seen from them by FAR! (I also called, was added to the list, and told I'd get a package -- *if* they still had them). So I was less surprised to not get one. Total Fail!

Think I'm gonna call ABD again and ask what gives....

Sayhello

 

[WeLoveABD]

Wow, you guys! This is just ridiculous!!! I get that the folks we talk to aren't the ones sending out the packages, but what the HECK is going on with the communication??? This is really the worst I've seen from them by FAR! (I also called, was added to the list, and told I'd get a package -- *if* they still had them). So I was less surprised to not get one. Total Fail!

Think I'm gonna call ABD again and ask what gives....

Sayhello

Say, Sayhello....add us to the list if you call! I had given up on that (we booked the Greece trip in any event so I don't think the content of the mailing will make much of a difference in my life, but what the heck). Thanks!

 

[sayhello]

Say, Sayhello....add us to the list if you call! I had given up on that (we booked the Greece trip in any event so I don't think the content of the mailing will make much of a difference in my life, but what the heck). Thanks!

If you (or anyone else) wants to PM me your Real Life name & the email address you gave ABD for the Insider program, I'll be contacting ABD later today to see what I can find out.

Sayhello

 

[Tozzie]

Add me to the list of people who didn't get the package, to me it isn't even the package it is the principal of it. I really am amazed that those of us who have taken multiple ABD trips didn't recieve a package.

 

[kmc33]

I really am amazed that those of us who have taken multiple ABD trips didn't recieve a package.

I am amazed too! I haven't gone on an ABD trip yet. But it makes me think twice about them vs some of the other tour operators that I have read about that seem to take good care of their past guests.

 

[sayhello]

So I spoke to someone at ABD, and while she couldn't give me any answers yet, she has promised to get back to me with some answers. As I've said before, the people we talk to are not the people running the Insider program. I told her how frustrated people were getting, and that things like this were making them (and me!) feel unappreciated. That it was more about being acknowledged than the actual contents of the package. She totally understood what I meant.

I gave her WeLoveABD's and adambomb85's information, as well as my own. If anyone else would like me to add their information to the list, please PM me your Real Life name and email address. ABD are also interested in how you booked your ABD's, and if you were proactive about joining the Insider program (signing up online or calling them). I told them everyone I knew who was complaining had done one or both of these (sometimes multiple times!)

I'll report back as soon as ABD gets back to me!

Sayhello

 

[WeLoveABD]

Thanks Sayhello!

 

[Bobo912]

I called ABD back to let them know I still haven't received the package. They seem to think they have all been shipped. When I compare the way ABD has handled their return guest program with the other companies that I've travelled with ABD falls woefully short. I love the ABD trips I've taken, but it seems like each year the price gets higher, but fewer activities and/or meals are included. I already booked with Tauck for next summer, largely because of their return guest offer (and the itinerary looks awesome too, of course). Unless something changes, I'm not sure I'll be travelling with ABD again.

 

[DisFan10]

I called ABD back to let them know I still haven't received the package. They seem to think they have all been shipped. When I compare the way ABD has handled their return guest program with the other companies that I've travelled with ABD falls woefully short. I love the ABD trips I've taken, but it seems like each year the price gets higher, but fewer activities and/or meals are included. I already booked with Tauck for next summer, largely because of their return guest offer (and the itinerary looks awesome too, of course). Unless something changes, I'm not sure I'll be travelling with ABD again.

I share your sentiments (even though I did receive the Insider package).

And with Tauck Bridges, I like the fact that the quoted price includes everything, including gratuities for the TB guide(s) and everyone else.

 

[Bobo912]

I share your sentiments (even though I did receive the Insider package).

And with Tauck Bridges, I like the fact that the quoted price includes everything, including gratuities for the TB guide(s) and everyone else.

Even if I had gotten the package, that combined with the ride to the airport still doesn't measure up to the two nights stay in some very nice hotels that Tauck offers or the $400 off per person offer that I received from Lindblad. I would love to travel with ABD again, so I hope they can come up with some better incentives or something about their intineraries that is so unique nobody else can compare. As good as they are, IMO there is nothing that puts them head and shoulders above the rest.

 

[DisFan10]

Even if I had gotten the package, that combined with the ride to the airport still doesn't measure up to the two nights stay in some very nice hotels that Tauck offers or the $400 off per person offer that I received from Lindblad. I would love to travel with ABD again, so I hope they can come up with some better incentives or something about their intineraries that is so unique nobody else can compare. As good as they are, IMO there is nothing that puts them head and shoulders above the rest.

I agree with you about the very nice hotels that Tauck uses. For example, our room at the Bayerischer Hof in Munich had a foyer with a French door at the entrance to the bedroom. The large flat-screen TV also had Internet and hotel messaging capabilities. And the spacious bathroom even had a French balcony with doors that opened for fresh air!

 

[Bobo912]

I agree with you about the very nice hotels that Tauck uses. For example, our room at the Bayerischer Hof in Munich had a foyer with a French door at the entrance to the bedroom. The large flat-screen TV also had Internet and hotel messaging capabilities. And the spacious bathroom even had a French balcony with doors that opened for fresh air!

That's sound wonderful. We have an extra day the Bayerischer Hof. We may not want to spend all of it in our room!

 

[jlou]

I am also worrying about my trip being cancelled. We are doing an Italy trip, which I know has been traditionally very popular, but there are *so many* trips offered throughout the summer, and the big thing this year is the Greece trip. I'm worried that my trip will be cancelled and we'll have to change dates. I don't want to go through changing flights; I'm considering paying extra (as opposed to using miles) for our flights, so that Disney handles any rebooking costs. (and hassles). Anyone have any thoughts on this?

My trip currently just has my family booked. There are two other folks listed, but the vacationist said that they are probably the guides.

Here's hoping others join us.