Fodorites that have used Compass Tours in India. . .
 

Hi All,

I’m in need of advice and insight from travelers that have used Compass Tours in India.

I’m planning to go to India next month on a 3 week journey and am using Compass for all the bookings. After much back and forth, I thought the price they quoted me was fair and I put down my deposit. However, it so happened that Compass just recently quoted me their rates at 2 hotels in Delhi (Swati Deluxe) and Alleppey (Punnamada Resort) (the quotes came out as I was inquiring about some other issues) and I found that their price was higher than was is quoted on the hotel website. Compass also quoted me hotel price as p/person rather then p/night.

For example:
For Punnamada, Compass quoted me: $85 p/person or $170 per night for double occupancy
On the hotel website: Standard Villa at Punnamada is $136 + 15% tax = $156.40 p/night or $78.20 p/person

I realize that the price difference isn’t that much, but I thought in general any tour operator should be offering a better value then if one were to go to the hotel themselves. Also, all of a sudden I’m becoming more concerned about the ethics of this company and what I may deal with while on the tour.

I know Compass is popular on this board. Can you please give me your thoughts? Besides the service, what is your experience related to the cost of their services?

Thank you very much!

What is included in the cost that Compass quoted - taxes, service, breakfast? Is the room type the same? Can you actually get a reservation at the rate quoted on the hotels' websites? Not defending Compass - its been 3 years since I actually negotiated pricing with them - its just important to make sure you are comparing apples to apples...

craig is correct....it is very difficult to find out from many of these operators what is included....often quotes are based on last year's pricing also...

i had similar situations with the agency i used....in the end i also was charged a hefty charge by their processing agent for use of my credit card....this was not compass however..

At the recommendation of Craig and others on this board, we used Compass to help us with some India arrangements for our trip in Dec/Jan 2005. We did not book hotels via them (had already done that ourselves via website/email), but they did all driver/car/guide arrangements. We found them to be very straight-forward and never had any major problems.

We have a travel agent friend who once told us that getting pricing for hotels in India can be very tricky -- sometimes the prices are raised by the hotels themselves after quotes have gone out. Demand for hotels exceeds supply, so perhaps getting lower rates has become tougher for agents like Compass?

So I heard back from Compass this morning and while I didn't get a direct explanation as to the price discrepancy b/w what the direct hotel quote and Compass' quote.

They sent a lot email about the strong reputation of the company and had this to say regarding the hotel costs:

"Please note that the price I have offered is for a night in Punnamada Resort along with the transportation charges for an extra day. Even if you do not go out with the vehicle the vehicle would be with you and the driver allowances, his accommodations, meals has to be taken care by Compass for an extra day.



Regarding the stay at Swati Deluxe we have offered the executive room which also includes the breakfast and taxes. We have our local offices in each city. Therefore our executives even checks the room before my guest check in and see wether the rooms have a good view and is not facing any building or something which spoils our guest mood in the morning.



May be these are small things but it makes a lot of difference."

In in my itin they didn't specify the class of hotel room that I would receive at the hotel. Also at Punnamada, in Alleypey, I was just shifting a night from Mumbai to Allepey so the driver/car cost should have been already been built in.

I don't want to split hairs with Compass. I do want an enjoyable trip and feel that I can trust them while I'm in India in case any issues arise.

Your thoughts? Anyone have similar issues or concerns?

The best way to get satisfaction is to be as specific as possible. If something is not spelled out to your satisfaction, send Compass an e-mail for clarification. This is not splitting hairs - this is so both sides have a mutual understanding of what is expected - these are good and reasonable business people you are dealing with and they want to ensure your satisfaction. You have a right to diplomatically ask exactly what you are getting and at what cost.

When I originally solicited hotel quotes from Compass (and 2 others), I was very specific about the type of room I wanted, and that breakfast, tax and service were to be included in the price. We priced the services of a driver for the duration of the tour separately.

I have used Compass Tours twice in the past few months (and I am currently based in India). I also stayed at Punnamada. I highly recommend Compass Tours if you want a worry-free, high quality vacation.

There is no question that you will pay a premium with Compass. That is, if you did all the booking yourself, you will save money. But you have to be willing to put in that legwork (which can be a lot) which Compass does for you.

Deewani, I don't know where you are getting those rates for the Punnmada Resort. I found the current rates are $ 150 (172.50 including tax) for a standard room, and $200 (230 including tax) for a deluxe room. The price for Indian residents is lower, which may be where the confusion arose.
As Craig says, you really have to compare apples with apples.