DEAR TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER: Last yr I desired to book a visit to the Turks and Caicos Islands. My travel agent advisable Apple Vacations and said that they had a promotion for a $200 resort credit. I booked the trip, but once we checked out, a hotel representative said the $200 credit was not valid. It had expired the month before our trip.
Apple eventually offered us a $200 credit toward a future trip with Apple Vacations and said it needed to be redeemed inside a yr. This is unacceptable to us as now we have no intention of booking one other trip – and definitely not with Apple. If the credit had been redeemed accurately as promised, $200 would have been immediately deducted from the bill upon checkout.
It's a small amount within the grand scheme of things, however it's just rude to supply us $200 provided that we book one other trip next yr. Can you help?
ANSWER: Your resort credit must have worked. And you're absolutely right – a $200 voucher that expires inside a yr is just not a suitable solution.
But wait a minute. The terms of your resort credit must have been clearly stated once you booked your trip through your travel agent. I reviewed your travel agent's offer and there was no expiration date listed.
Frankly, this could have raised red flags along with your travel agent. All offers expire and your travel agent must have came upon if any conditions might apply to your booking. But ultimately, it was Apple Vacations' responsibility to properly disclose the difficulty and, if mandatory, correct it.
You can also have asked in regards to the expiration date of your voucher, although you may be forgiven for not doing so. I mean, that's why you worked with a trusted travel advisor. A travel skilled can have a look at a reservation and be sure that nothing is missing.
When I suggested you set pressure in your travel agent to seek out an answer, you mentioned that your agent runs a small business in your neighborhood and that you just desired to be a helpful customer. That's an important attitude, but you're supporting travel agents by holding them accountable.
I list the names, phone numbers, and emails of Apple Vacations executives on my consumer protection website. Elliott.org. A fast, polite email to considered one of them might need quickly resolved the issue.
I even have contacted Apple Vacations in your behalf. Your travel agent also met with Apple and you furthermore mght sent an email to the corporate – a real team effort!
Apple Vacations has agreed to refund you the $200.
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