petlover

My sister informed me that she had a pop-up informing her that she had won some freebie including a 3 night stay in Orlando and a 2 night cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to the Bahamas. She then told me that this "freebie" it is costing $595.(it excludes transportation to Florida) plus they have to sit through a time share presentation.

She is really naive. It doesn't sound like she "won" anything....she just did this today and paid with a C.C. so perhaps there is a 3 day recission period and she can get out of it. Anyone have experience with this? The hotel in Orlando is the Hyatt so that part sounds good. What do you think? Is this really a good deal or some type of scam?

gplimpton

This is pretty much a big scam.
It's been discussed here in the past.
The one discussed last year was a cruise is on a rustbucket, food was horrible, hotel was a seedy place with bars on the windows in a ghetto.
Plus, there are several hidden fees.
Simply avoid.

Heartburn3

Considering it's hot as h*ll down here in Fla and it's also hurricane season, sounds like your sis should ask for her money back. Those trips shouldn't cost that much this time of year.

Personally, I click off ALL pop-ups as soon as possible. I don't buy stuff from phone solicitors, either.

saskdiamond

Hi petlover, my wife went and did the same thing without asking me, I don't trust anything that sounds too good to be true but it's too late. Instead of the 2 tickets to Universal I opted for the one weeks car rental and 3 nights in Orlando. She can go to the timeshare presentation...LOL

I was wondering if anyone knows if some of these companies treat you better (better hotels) or are they all just as bad. I wonder what other fees might be added on, we were told the $99 PP and nothing else will be charged.

As for all the other nights stays for free in Vegas,Branson, Mexico, Ft. Lauderdale, williamsburg, who can get to all those places in a year. Nothing free there.

Saskdiamond

Marci_77

Another thing to consider is that you have to claim these "winnings" as income on your federal income taxes. Definately a scam IMO

diann

My elderly Mother-in-law got herself involved with some type of scam via a phone solicitor. The trip to Orlando and then a cruise to Bahamas. Sounds exactly like petlover. I figured out air fare for 2 rd trip was not even close to worth it. What they say is "You ONLY have to provide transportation." I asked where are the hotels what are there names? She didn't know anything. We explained and showed over the comuter how they were not giving her anything. My DH called and luckily they took it off her credit card. Be careful. Especialy the elderly. They are prime targets for these scam artists.

OliveOyl

There are 3 Hyatts in Orlando: Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, Hyatt Regency International Airport, and Hyatt Orlando. If she got Grand Cypress, I'd say she got a deal, but I doubt she did. Hyatt Regency is a nice hotel, but at the airport. My guess is that she got Hyatt Orlando...an okay hotel, but older and on the lines of a motel, rather than a hotel (my impression from years ago, and I haven't seen it recently).

Because there are some pretty grim "cruise ships" plying the seas--if there's any way out, I'd grab it.