Anyone had problems with Affordable Tours?
Jan 13th, 2014, 01:21 PM
#21
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Is Affordable Tours a franchise or are we talking about the company with an address in Stafford, Texas. I just booked a cruise from them today. I'd appreciate a confirmation whether this is the company in question on this post. Thanks, Deborah
Jan 13th, 2014, 02:52 PM
#22
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Franchise of what? It's a travel agency http://www.affordabletours.com/Info/AboutUs/
Feb 13th, 2014, 12:09 PM
#24
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If I had to do it all over again, I would ABSOLUTELY NOT book with Affordable Asia. If you want to make any changes, then you are out of luck unless you want to pay BIG (read $200-300) in change fees per person. When we called about the change fees early on, all they said was "do it asap," but never told us when. When we finally figured out our dates to make the change, we had passed the window to make changes cheaply, and then had to spend over $300 for the changes we wanted to make (we wanted to extend our stay in China). We called them to make the changes over a month before the tour began. We also got another friend to want to come on the tour with us, and were going to share a room (3 people to a room). I called AA to see if we could get a small discount for the third person, and they refused to work with us! I don't understand why, as the third person wasn't costing them anymore for hotel, and we had recruited this person for them. The least they could have done (and I asked), was to give all three of us some of the little tours for free. Horrible people to work with. Definitely DO NOT recommend.
Apr 17th, 2015, 05:56 PM
#26
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TYPICAL BAIT AND SWITCH!!!! POOR customer service.
We saw a good rate for a cruise at affordabletours.com. My boyfriend and I both work during the day so we only have time to look for vacation deals at night. We went through the process of giving our information on the Affordable Tours website. We even emailed them the same night. We, then, called them the next morning to follow-up during their normal business hours to give them the benefit of the doubt. BUT FOR THE WHOLE DAY, THEY DIDN'T ANSWER CALLS. We never got a response back with our emails. When we called back that afternoon, they finally picked up, but gave us a COMPLETELY different rate. It is very unprofessional not to honor a rate you posted. It makes me lose confidence in this company. Next time, I'll book through a more reputable company. NEVER AGAIN. I hope no one else gets deceived like we did by affordabletours.com.
We saw a good rate for a cruise at affordabletours.com. My boyfriend and I both work during the day so we only have time to look for vacation deals at night. We went through the process of giving our information on the Affordable Tours website. We even emailed them the same night. We, then, called them the next morning to follow-up during their normal business hours to give them the benefit of the doubt. BUT FOR THE WHOLE DAY, THEY DIDN'T ANSWER CALLS. We never got a response back with our emails. When we called back that afternoon, they finally picked up, but gave us a COMPLETELY different rate. It is very unprofessional not to honor a rate you posted. It makes me lose confidence in this company. Next time, I'll book through a more reputable company. NEVER AGAIN. I hope no one else gets deceived like we did by affordabletours.com.
Apr 19th, 2015, 09:35 AM
#27
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JetSetJasmine,
Did you actually go ahead and book with them after being given a different rate? That was your decision.
One other thing though. Cruise prices can and do change in minutes. It is all computer based, and the cruise rate first posted may have no longer have been available to the company to sell. The types of cabins offered for that rate may have sold out. Even if they posted it in the morning, if the cruise line changed it at noon, the travel company may have the ability to give a very small discount, but they do not set the price.
If cabins are not selling fast enough, the computer may be set to mark them down until a certain number are sold. When it hits that number exactly, the computer may be set to raise the rate again. It is instant. That is why if you see a cruise rate you want, you need to book right away. It may not be available a few hours later. It has happened that I paid a good bit more by waiting a day to make a decision. Not saying it was not a bad agency, but rate change was not the agency's fault.
For others thinking about it, it is best to check prices with three or four agencies plus the cruise line, itself. Some of the bigger agencies "may" be allowed discounts or credit because they sell in such quantity. My last two cruises, I booked with the cruise line itself. Others have been with vacationstogo, but you need to know exactly what you want if you use them.
Did you actually go ahead and book with them after being given a different rate? That was your decision.
One other thing though. Cruise prices can and do change in minutes. It is all computer based, and the cruise rate first posted may have no longer have been available to the company to sell. The types of cabins offered for that rate may have sold out. Even if they posted it in the morning, if the cruise line changed it at noon, the travel company may have the ability to give a very small discount, but they do not set the price.
If cabins are not selling fast enough, the computer may be set to mark them down until a certain number are sold. When it hits that number exactly, the computer may be set to raise the rate again. It is instant. That is why if you see a cruise rate you want, you need to book right away. It may not be available a few hours later. It has happened that I paid a good bit more by waiting a day to make a decision. Not saying it was not a bad agency, but rate change was not the agency's fault.
For others thinking about it, it is best to check prices with three or four agencies plus the cruise line, itself. Some of the bigger agencies "may" be allowed discounts or credit because they sell in such quantity. My last two cruises, I booked with the cruise line itself. Others have been with vacationstogo, but you need to know exactly what you want if you use them.
Apr 26th, 2015, 01:44 PM
#28
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I feel like it's that commercial where the old lady says,"That's not how any of this works!"
First of all, if you complete the form on their web site, you will have a price in writing and a travel agent assigned to you within 24 hours, usually less. You can put a 48 hour hold on a cabin and look around for a better price if you want to. No deceit. No bait and switch.
In the past year, I have booked through Affordabletours a Caribbean cruise with Princess, an Alaska cruise with Celebrity, a French River cruise with Avalon, a Canada, NE cruise with Princess, canceled another Alaskan cruise ( no hassle, refunded every penny of my deposit) and just booked a river cruise for 2016. In all my dealings with this company I never once had to call. Everything was handled very efficiently through e-mail. Deposits and final payments went directly to the cruise line within minutes.
I just think that some people, especially first time cruisers, should stick with a local travel agent. Until you understand pricing including taxes and port charges, the difference between categories and sailing dates that impact the price, on board credits, and even discounts for where you live, you are going to be disappointed. However, if you don't need your hand held, AT, Vacations to Go, Best Price Cruises, and many other on-line travel agencies, can get you a very nice price on a cruise vacation.
First of all, if you complete the form on their web site, you will have a price in writing and a travel agent assigned to you within 24 hours, usually less. You can put a 48 hour hold on a cabin and look around for a better price if you want to. No deceit. No bait and switch.
In the past year, I have booked through Affordabletours a Caribbean cruise with Princess, an Alaska cruise with Celebrity, a French River cruise with Avalon, a Canada, NE cruise with Princess, canceled another Alaskan cruise ( no hassle, refunded every penny of my deposit) and just booked a river cruise for 2016. In all my dealings with this company I never once had to call. Everything was handled very efficiently through e-mail. Deposits and final payments went directly to the cruise line within minutes.
I just think that some people, especially first time cruisers, should stick with a local travel agent. Until you understand pricing including taxes and port charges, the difference between categories and sailing dates that impact the price, on board credits, and even discounts for where you live, you are going to be disappointed. However, if you don't need your hand held, AT, Vacations to Go, Best Price Cruises, and many other on-line travel agencies, can get you a very nice price on a cruise vacation.
Oct 27th, 2016, 10:50 AM
#29
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Interesting. We are researching a Croatia trip for next spring, and they popped up with a cruise that looked neat to combine with maybe flying in to Venice and home from Rome. Helps to know they are a "known" entity. Yeah, we can book lots of things on our own, but maybe it would be fine to do the cruise portion with them and we can handle the pre and post easily on our own.
Nov 2nd, 2016, 06:03 PM
#31
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Uhoh, it is an old thread, but since you are considering a cruise, look at other well known websites like cruisecritic and vacationstogo. When you find exactly what you want, you can also contact the cruise line and book directly.
Jan 11th, 2018, 07:58 AM
#32
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Think twice, please research before using AffordableTours.com
I've saved for 5 years to take a trip for my 50th birthday. I chose a 'reputable'' company that apparently uses AffordabeTours.com to book the trip details. Never in my life have I been so confused, disappointed and frustrated in the customer service and tactics of a company that I wanted to give my money to!
They have invisible procedures, unknown to the customer and imaginary 72 hour policies to ''approve'' your trip, and you can not ask for help from another travel agent, (or accidentally click a button that sends your info to another agent)! You'll get your hand slapped, and told they can no longer 'assist' you, as did agents Rachel and Amalia did, and eventually due to their chaos and drama, my trip was Denied! This also meant I could not benefit from the discounts that were available to, me before they wasted my time.
Don't even bother with contacting a customer service manager, they'll basically repeat what the agents said, as did Naomi did me. Basically because I accidentally 'played outside the imaginary lines', clicked submit more than once, I was in the wrong.
I have proof that Paige stated on 1/9 at 2:21 pm ET that she could No Longer Assist me due to the reasons state above. Please also note that AFTER Amalia Denied my trip on 1/9/ at 5:29pm ET, Rachel emailed me a ''friendly reminder'' on 1/10 at 5:21PM telling me I needed to complete my booking details (i.e. down payment)!
Before I contacted the primary company, I spent several days researching and planning for this trip, only to deal with AffordableTours.com, who in my experience, is Not about the customer, but only about who gets credit for the customer's trip.
I urge you to be very careful if you decide with any travel company that uses AffordableTours.com as a 3rd party!
I forgot to mention that there was Never an apology to me from these people. I apologized for potentially 'messing' up their routine - if that was the case, but never did they reciprocate.
They have invisible procedures, unknown to the customer and imaginary 72 hour policies to ''approve'' your trip, and you can not ask for help from another travel agent, (or accidentally click a button that sends your info to another agent)! You'll get your hand slapped, and told they can no longer 'assist' you, as did agents Rachel and Amalia did, and eventually due to their chaos and drama, my trip was Denied! This also meant I could not benefit from the discounts that were available to, me before they wasted my time.
Don't even bother with contacting a customer service manager, they'll basically repeat what the agents said, as did Naomi did me. Basically because I accidentally 'played outside the imaginary lines', clicked submit more than once, I was in the wrong.
I have proof that Paige stated on 1/9 at 2:21 pm ET that she could No Longer Assist me due to the reasons state above. Please also note that AFTER Amalia Denied my trip on 1/9/ at 5:29pm ET, Rachel emailed me a ''friendly reminder'' on 1/10 at 5:21PM telling me I needed to complete my booking details (i.e. down payment)!
Before I contacted the primary company, I spent several days researching and planning for this trip, only to deal with AffordableTours.com, who in my experience, is Not about the customer, but only about who gets credit for the customer's trip.
I urge you to be very careful if you decide with any travel company that uses AffordableTours.com as a 3rd party!
I forgot to mention that there was Never an apology to me from these people. I apologized for potentially 'messing' up their routine - if that was the case, but never did they reciprocate.
