Travel City Direct- most disappointing

[EvertonCJ]

We fly to Florida in 2 weeks and have just received all our documentation. Most unhappy that instead of receiving actual tickets for Disney and Universal we have received vouchers. Looking back at the TCD brochures it clearly states on at least 2 occasions that you receive " actual tickets". I rang up and was told this was old literature even though I received it when I booked the holiday. If you want actual tickets please don't book with TCD as you will be most disappointed. You will not be told that you only receive vouchers at any time. I now have to return the vouchers and hope that I get a refund before we go. But, I already know who I will be booking with next year (not!)

 

[Grumpy John]

All they are after is to get you to go the Welcome Meet to pick up your tickets and then try to prise even more money out of you. If you go in 2 weeks dont hold your breath about getting your money back!

Have a really great time.

Off to see the Mouse in 10 weeks

 

[UKDEB]

The more I read about TCD, the more they come across as sharp operators. To advertise one thing, deliver another and then claim the defense of 'old literature' without informing those clients directly impacted seems incompetent at best and deceptive at worst.

 

[cjc]

Can the vouchers be exchanged at Disney/Universal entrance kiosks or does it say you definitely have to attend the Welcome Meeting.

I travel with TCD next year and staying onsite at both WDW and Universal - I hope I can show my vouchers at the hotel reception/ticket booth and exchange for the real thing. I dont want to go to the Welcome Meeting especially if off site e.g International Drive.

Anyone had experience of vouchers - are they easy to exchange or hassle?

Thanks

CJ

 

[Nick_UK]

Originally posted by cjc
Can the vouchers be exchanged at Disney/Universal entrance kiosks or does it say you definitely have to attend the Welcome Meeting.

We have just got our tickets from TCD (we go next Thursday!!) and we too have a voucher for Universal Studios. However the letter included with our holiday info says that to redeem your attraction ticket voucher you must go to the Guest Relations/Hospitality Office at the theme park entrance to collect your actual ticket.

So I guess you can miss the welcome meeting

I've only had vouchers once before, in 1996 - for Universal Studios again (booked through UniJet) and to be honest there wasn't that much hassle involved in changing them over to tickets.

 

[Astrid]

Well, I admit that the voucher situation is not the best, however, I have to stand up and say that I found TCD to be an excellent tour operator when I travelled with them in May, couldn't fault their service and would certainly travel with them again.

Even though there was a long delay on our outbound flight, through no fault of there own, they did their best to make the situation better for us and on my return home there was a letter of apology from them.

Just thought I'd add this post to keep the balance right, the fact is that all companies have their hiccups.

Astrid

 

[Madjock]

We had vouchers when we went 2 years ago with Virgin. We had to take the voucher to the guest relations window at any park on our first day and exchange them for tickets. It was absolutely no hazzle at all and we didn't have to go near the welcome meeting.

Hopefully TCD's procedures for exchanging are the same.

Annmarie

 

[BevS97]

we did the voucher thing with Airtours as well, and it wasn't a big hassle, slightly irritating yes, but I wouldn't return them and hope for a refund with only 2 weeks to go - the stress would be more than I could take.

Bev

 

[allie5]

The voucher thing isnt much of a hassle if you are prepared. Just take your tickets to the Guest Services window to be exchanged. It takes about 10 mins tops. The only problem can be a long queue at this window! Just allow a bit of extra time on your very first day and thats it, hassle over. You DONT need to attend the welcome meeting. It can be advisable to have ID with you. I wouldnt bother with the hassle of a refund as exchanging the vouchers isnt going to take long.

On the subject of Travel City. I had a major bust up with them this year over baggae allowance. I knew I would need the double allowance as we were bringing our own car seats. I tried to do it before we left, but I was told on the phone "It MUST be done at the resort". Needless to say, in Orlando, I was told "it has to be done in the UK". Fortunately, I had documentation that stated it could be done in resort (apparantly this was out of date literature too....hmmmmmm). But they DID relent, and I got the allowance.

I think they have gone down hill lately, purely because they are a victim of their own success. They seem to have grown HUGELY in the last 18 months (they have their own AIRCRAFT for goodness sake!) and I dont think they have kept up in terms of staff training and customer care. They need more KNOWLEDGEABLE staff and much better customer service. Definately need to iron out some wrinkes, but I would use them again. The service I have received from Virgin in the past has been appalling compared to TCD!

 

[Grumpy John]

Apart from the thread from Rick which does seem very unfortunate although his alternative is still an indirect flight! there is definitely no comparison between TCD and Virgin. Virgin wipes the floor with them. We too were on the May flight and encountered many problems. Everything had to be sorted out by either letter or fax. TCD customer service dept does NOT deal with any problems over the telephone. We fly out in September with Virgin, had a problem with car hire check in on the return journey, phone call plus e-mail - problem sorted in a couple of days. Give me Virgin anytime plus they fly scheduled services.

 

[BevS97]

I haven't dealt with travel city direct at all, but I would be very surprised if you carseats counted as part of your luggage allowance, any airline I have ever flown with has given you xkilos of luggage, plus carried a car seat and a stroller in addition.

Bev

 

[amf]

I too have certain reservations about TCD direct. You see their adverts quoting a lead in price. Try and get your holibucket at that price...no chance. They will add on booking fee (next time you're at Tesco be grateful they don't add on a shopping fee!) and possibly a TOD fee (having picked up tickets on departure many times I know its a twenty second job). They will automatically quote you with all insurances etc relating to your car hire....I believe if you want to arrange your own CDW etc (far cheaper to do in the UK if car comes with your flight) they ask for a very substantial deposit on your CC which is not repaid for months.

I certainly would have qualms about using TCD.

PS....for those hiring cars independently of flights I would always advocate going fully inclusive of all insurances etc. For those on a package with a "free" car it will cost you less to purchase your CDW etc in the UK unless the TO can put these barriers in your way.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I've booked a flydrive with TCD and did not not take out their car hire insurance. TCD did not ask me for a deposit for the car hire. I fully expect Dollar (the car hire company used by TCD) to require a deposit of $1,500 because I've declined their insurance, but this will be taken as a credit card imprint rather than an actual payment. Although thius will reduce the available credit on my card, it will not be necessary to 'repay' it as the payment will not be processed.

Regards

Rob

 

[EvertonCJ]

Thanks for all your comments. The frustrating thing is that I spent a lot of time doing my homework on Attraction tickets and chose TCD as they clearly state that you get the tickets and not vouchers. If they had said that you got vouchers I would have booked my tickets elsewhere. All I ask for is a bit of honesty or am I being totally naive!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[UKDEB]

Originally posted by EvertonCJ
Thanks for all your comments. The frustrating thing is that I spent a lot of time doing my homework on Attraction tickets and chose TCD as they clearly state that you get the tickets and not vouchers. If they had said that you got vouchers I would have booked my tickets elsewhere

Precisely my point. The voucher system itself isn't the issue here. I've often used it myself and I agree with everyone who says it isn't a hassle.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Hi there EvertonCJ - can't help with TCD, but just wanted to say hello from a fellow New Forest dweller

We live in Milford on Sea - whereabouts are you

 

[AlexE]

An alternative to the vouchers is to purchase tickets on your first day at the ticket booth. In the case of Disney you will be very very lucky to get a different price elsewhere.

We do it each time, although this year we bought Annual Passes, so this is slightly different.

If you buy at the ticket booth and pay by credit card the cost is not incurred until your next credit card bill comes.

If you have funds to buy vouchers prior to your holiday, surely it is better to keep those funds in your bank account until you have to part with them, ie credit card bill when you get home.

Also the voucher system may be more secure than issuing proper tickets - ie if they get lost between travel agent and you and then you at the Disney - all is lost.

Hoe this helps someone.

AlexE

 

[Grumpy John]

I totally agree with AlexE. We have visited Orlando on many occasions since the early 80s and have never purchased tickets in this country. You get very little off if anything at all.

We have always bought all our park tickets at the parks and used the good old credit card. Also means that we do not have to take much money with us wherever we go.

If you get to the parks early enough the wait for the ticket booths is never too long and you are soon away enjoying yourself.


10 WEEKS AND COUNTING

 

[WDWfan uk]

In September 2002, Disney introduced a sort of two tier pricing and passes bought in advance offer a saving over passes bought at the gate.

They recently increased the Gate prices even more and so it is even more worthwhile buyin them in advance.

You can book hoppers with them on-line and choose to collect your tickets at the Guest Services at any of the four main parks, so you don't pay shipping and you've also saved some dollars - check out their on-line ticket sales at:

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/waltdisneyworld/landing/landingIndex?id=ReservationsRoot


You can also get savings from www.ticketmania.com who will often ship free, and they ship the actual tickets - you'd need a sufficient time margin to do this or I think they offer some other option for pick up.

 

[jjcollins]

Well sounds a bit funny to me -- i'd buy with KP no probs http://www.keithprowsetickets.co.uk/ and they still have some good offers on WHY queue up


jj....