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BEWARE: terrible problems with APPLE VACATIONS and their charter flights!

BEWARE: terrible problems with APPLE VACATIONS and their charter flights!

Old Feb 7th, 2001, 08:09 AM
  #21  
Mariarosa
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Can someone tell me if it is posible to book a land-only vacation with Apple, or do they only sell air & land packages?
 
Old Feb 7th, 2001, 08:17 AM
  #22  
rosa
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I wanted to say go for you, Angie. I was involved in a similar situation with Apple Vaations and I too had trouble getting them to take my complaint seriously so I filed a suit in small claims court. Here in Indiana a small claims suit can be filed by anyone and individuals are not required to obtain an attorney. The cost of the suit was $60. I had $905 in actual expenses (receipts from hotel, food, and transportation bills). I'll pay $60 to recoop $900 any day. by the way, we never even went to court. Rather than expend the time and money in court, Apple settled with me as soon as they got their summons in the mail. They offered me $1500 in credit toward my next Apple vacation or $1000. I took the money and haven't booked with Apple since!
 
Old Feb 7th, 2001, 12:45 PM
  #23  
Anon
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Monica: How do you know they can't send another plane? You know this for a fact? If so, why not?

You ask why we would want to waste our time suing? Because we're not lazy, we feel we've been wronged, and we don't want to be walked all over, that's why.

Tanya: Yes, a few hundred dollars is worth suing, especially because there were almost 25 people in our group. A lot of it is based on principle too. Besides, I gave a very edited version of what happened. There's more to it. Apple was and should be held responsible. Even though we were delayed 12 hours, we lost a full day at the resort. Not to mention the numerous other things that all add up. That should be worth something, and definitely not nothing.

Good for you Rosa and good luck Angie!!!!
 
Old Feb 8th, 2001, 05:07 AM
  #24  
xxxx
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I believe this as all i ever hear about Apple Vacations are bad experiences!
 
Old Feb 8th, 2001, 05:26 AM
  #25  
Gary
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They can't send another plane because chartered planes have a small fleet and only run charters...so if that flight has a problem there is no other plane to be sent to take over. Only scheduled airlines have a big enough fleet for back-up service. This is one of the pitfalls of charters but everyone jumps at the opportunity to take charters due to the lower price and don't think of the ramificatins if there is a plane problem.
 
Old Feb 8th, 2001, 05:27 AM
  #26  
Charlie
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Yes Mariarosa you can buy "land only packages" for any of Apple's offerings and then book your own air.Traveling via charter air is always risky because its usually the only flight for that day(or days)and a break down or bad weather can become a nightmare.Charter ing resultes in the best price and makes the packages much more attractive but you need to be aware of the risk involved,then again I've been stranted for a day(24 hours)when flying scheduled air lines as well sooooo you need to decide whats best for you.
 
Old Feb 8th, 2001, 05:55 AM
  #27  
traveler
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It has been my experience with Apple that you have no chioce as to using a charter or not. Our last trip to Cancun ws supposed to be a commercial flight on TWA from St. Louis, 4 days before the trip our travel agent called and told us our times and flight had changed. We were now leaving 3 hours later and coming home 6 hours earlier on the final day because we had been switched to a charter flight.

I was a bit irritated because I don't like charters but I got over it.
 
Old Feb 8th, 2001, 10:27 AM
  #28  
karen
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Ironically, I just got back today from a week in Punta Cana booked through Apple vacations. Flight down was great (early in fact)and the week was wonderful (although I didn't think much of the local Apple reps down there). The flight home was something out of a bad movie. As we were starting to board the plane, they waved us back to the gate. 4 hours later we were finally able to board and be on our way. In the meantime, we had learned that they had to fly a mechanic in from Santo Domingo to look at the problem and if major repairs were necessary, they would have had to fly in another mechanic from Miami. Fortunately, it was a small engine that ran some ground facilities and was simply disabled for the flight. Luckily, this happened on the way home and not on the way to our destination so it was easier to deal with. Quite honestly whether we were on a charter or not, there was not much other U.S. traffic coming out of Punta Cana that day. In fact, other than a few charters, there were no domestic, commercial flights all day. I think we would have been as screwed if this was a United flight. There were others on our flight who travel frequently, with both Apple and domestic scheduled carriers, and found the percentage of times being delayed by both to be fairly equal.
 
Old Feb 9th, 2001, 06:53 AM
  #29  
Ivy
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We too had problems with Apple. My fiance and I vacationed in Cancun in 1998. I continuously hear about the problems with their charters. We only had to wait for our plane for 5 hours, but they made us board from the runway. Then about two weeks after we returned, we noticed that one of the employees at our hotel (Yalmakan Cancun), got our visa card# from the check in, and rented a taxi cab to Mexico City. We wrote to Apple several times regarding this matter, and they were not even curteous enough to respond.
 
Old Feb 9th, 2001, 09:45 AM
  #30  
M.M.
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Ivy I agree that Apple has charter problems but blaming Apple because someone banged your credit card is a stretch.I can understand Apple not responding to you.I hope that your complaint was directed to the hotel and then only after you contacted your credit card company.
 
Old Feb 9th, 2001, 10:07 AM
  #31  
Doug
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The charter company, Apple, is not responsible for a hotel clerk using your credit card. You used your card at check-in and that is how the clerk got the info he needed. You should be contacting the hotel and also call the credit card company and tell them you are disputing the charge and this way they will investigate also. Apple is not responsible.
 
Old May 1st, 2001, 06:37 PM
  #32  
Sunny1
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Have taken over a dozen Apple vacations and always had great trips (charter flights and all). Sorry for your bad luck.
 
Old May 6th, 2001, 06:19 AM
  #33  
Alissa
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I have heard alot of this before about Apple. Although they don't have another plane to send out theh CAN get one. There are plenty of companies ready at the drop of a hat to hire out their aircraft. It just costs alot more so companies like Apple choose to ignore the possibility.
I have a reccomendation, Although Vacation Express is also a charter company they utilize alot of major airlines in their flights. They also are a little cheaper than Apple on average. Although all companies have some problems, you don't hear too many major complaints on Vacation Express. Their website is www.vacationexpress.com, if you want to check them out. Also they book with travle agents but you can book it youself if you prefer not to deal with a middleman.
Wishing all of you great travels, Alissa
 
Old May 6th, 2001, 07:30 AM
  #34  
anonymous
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The disadvantage of booking yourself via the internet or via phone directly is that when things go wrong (and they do go wrong), a call to your agent can sometimes (most of the time) work out an alternate! They do have some "clout" especially if they send lots of business to the resort/consolidator/whomever! They sometimes have some options that you aren't even aware of!
First you chose to travel to Caribb which is the height of "trouble times" when it comes to weather ... whether of not to go is the question. Then, you chose to fly a charter which might have only one flight in/out a week or a few times a week and you have NO flexibility if a weather problem occurs. Apple contracts with the plane but the plane is responsible for the flight! And weather delays are not usually awarded compensation by any commercial airlines (I know - I've gotten compensation [food and room] but only if I were tenacius and didn't give up the battle - and polite and sweet knowing and stating exactly what I was entitled to and what I expected!) Since most of the Caribb was "screwed up" as this was a weather related incident, there may indeed not have been an alternate plane available - you were not the only flight/island/passengers affected. Even tho airports close just for hours, it can cause a terrible domino effect and you have to factor in times that crews are able to work as well! I would definitely put in writing to Apple, including copies of all receipts and explain your disatisfaction. I have found short and simple is the best way to go and clearly explain what you feel would be "just" compensation for your trouble. Your time lost from work is NOT a concern to them but you can site it as a very severe inconvenience. Acknowledge that the weather problems were not their fault and that you understand that but the other problems you encountered were! (Don't let 'em off the hook with "weather!")
Hope the vacation despite its ending was still enjoyable and you discovered why I never never do charter flights - just hear too many horror stories but know there are thousands and thousands of people out there that have no problem with them! If a problem develops, the alternatives are pretty limited!
 
Old May 9th, 2001, 01:48 PM
  #35  
nancy
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you should report this to both the better business bureau and the new york times. this usually gets businesses to do the right thing. sorry about your ordeal. what a mess.
 
Old Jun 20th, 2001, 02:17 AM
  #36  
jen ratta
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I suggest filing a report with the Attorney General as well. The Better Business Bureau is a good start but the AG can usually get quicker and better results.
 
Old Jun 20th, 2001, 08:17 AM
  #37  
Cousin Oliver
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Okay, here's my two cents worth. First, if you read the fine print in your Fair Trade Contract with Apple under paragraphs 3 and 6, you'll read that Apple has no control over what a contracted airline does, i.e. if say Ryan International has to delay a flight due to mechanical problems or weather, Apple is not liable for those changes. ALL airlines reserve the right to change flight times for whatever reason they deem necessary. When you purchased the package, you agreed to those terms. If you purchased their AV ok travel insurance, it automatically includes trip delay of up to $100 per day (max. $500)if you are delayed more than 12 hours due to carrier delay or natural disasters (hurricanes e.g.). Of course, you must save receipts as your proof that you spent money for food/hotel.
 
Old Jun 20th, 2001, 01:15 PM
  #38  
xxx
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Yeah, and an amusement park ride often says "ride at your own risk." Does that mean if the roller coaster falls off the track and someone is killed, the family can't sue? Give me a break.
 
Old Jun 21st, 2001, 07:50 AM
  #39  
Karen
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I disagree with cousin Oliver for several reasons. True, the Fair Trade contract attempts to abdicate Apple from any liability BUT . . . when I have booked my last 2 apple vacations, it was done via my travel agent and we never received the Fair Trade Contract. It is impossible for Apple to hold you to a contract which they never even send you a copy of! Furthermore, even if Apple cannot control flight delays or changes surely this means your normal delays, not 2 days. Even if someone purchased travel insurance it only covers up to $100/day. I'd like to see a resort hotel where you can stay the night and eat under $100! The maximum of $500 could easily be eaten up in 1 or 2 days. I think Angie and some others have received outrageous treatment. I have been wavering on whether to book my next trip with Apple or not as I think their level of service has gone down lately especially with the quality and timing of flights. After reading this post, I'm not wavering and I will NOT book with Apple!
 
Old Jun 22nd, 2001, 06:14 AM
  #40  
Cousin Oliver
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If you received the Apple Vacations brochure from your travel agent, you received the fair trade contract. I agree though that it may be hard for Apple to hold a client to those terms.
 

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