Premier Holiday Travel Service

Premier Holiday Travel Service

August 15, 2005

Business Location: Cancun Mexico

Type of Business: Was to be a discount travel service, for an up-front fee. Contracted with Premier Holiday Travel while on vacation at the Grand Caribi Hotel in Cancun Mexico in October 2004. We were approached by staff to listen to a presentation and that this presentation was not a time

share but a discount travel service. We liked what we heard, read and

re-read the contract, and it seemed to be a two way street, we pay up-front a certain dollar amount, $5,000 and we get 500 days of discount hotel reservations in Mexico and world wide hotels. Upon returning home after vacation, we tried to make reservations for April 2005, only to receive a change in the hotel price at the Grand Caribi Hotel, (not the $49.00 amount in our contract). Every time I called it was some other new item that I needed to pay or to solve. After two weeks of trying to get the reservation for 2 couples, I was told it would cost me $200.00, service fee to use our gift certificate, which is like cash or so I thought. We went on the vacation, and were told by the Hotel management that Premier Holiday Travel were not handling their clients correctly, and that they

(PH) left and took all the contracts with them. The hotel has taken the position that they will have their own Travel Club for an added $5,000. Needless to say, we did not go for this new proposal, as we had a contract with PH. In June 2005 I tried to call PH to make a reservation for 10 in October and was told that my account was assessed for $499.00. This assessment fee is not in my contract and they could not show or prove that it is. Every time we ask them to prove their right to charge us this extra money they would change the subject and say it doesn't matter if it is in our contract or not, we need to pay before they will make our reservations. 1. Never was informed of a Board of Directors meeting, (they said they sent letters in Feb. 205), 2. Was never given an opportunity to vote at this meeting or was informed of the agenda. 3. My contract does not state that they can charge me this fee. AND We will not pay this fee-end of that story. Since we put a good portion of money down on this contract, and were in the process of making monthly payments for the balance. In December PH placed the payments in the hands of Monterey Financial (another story all together), and although we sent Monterey Financial and PH a letter stating that PH was in default of their contract, and we were not going to make any further payments until such reservations are made, they are now in the process of repeatedly calling and using Mafia tactics, like 'we will ruin your credit, etc', if we wont pay . Sorry, I am not in the habit of paying for things that I do not get. Would you????? Joyce Click this link to e-mail the message author: Email User

Comment On This

I to was taken in by Premier Holiday Travel Service. I went to Playa de Carman and was approached about the same package. I was advised that because I was single they were offering me a package they had due to non payment. So I alledgely was getting the price left to pay, I thought this was a great deal, I was to get 498 days and I could use these days anywhere. I also was advised determining the type of room I wanted how many days would be used. I to was sent a bill for the assessment fee. I called and talked to someone there advising them that my contract did not have any additional fee's. I was advised that this was a one time fee. I did not find out about this fee until I tried to make some travel arrangements. I paid the assessment fee. I then tried to make some reservation but prior to calling them I called around for prices. I then called advised them where I wanted the reservations and they emailed me the information and advised me the price per day. The price they gave me was only about $10.00 less than what I had gotten. I called and complained about same but did not get anywhere. When I called them I advised them that when we were told that the assessment, same was to cover new hotels and brochure. I asked when would I receive this need book, and was advised due to hurricanes they were not doing the new brochures. This was acouple of years ago. My contract was sold to Montrey also, I have paid my contract off and I had them send me a paid in full letter. If anyone knows something we can do please let me know.

Comment On This

I too fell victim to Premier Holiday Travel and now Monterey Collections. I paid $6600 for a vacation membership in 2003. Thought it was a good deal and paid my maintenance fees for 2004 and 2005. Then in April I received a bill for a one time special assessment fee for $499.00. I immediately contacted their customer service by email and demanded to know how they could charge such a fee that was not in my contract. Mr. Baeza responded that the Board met and voted to assess the special fee to increase properties produce a new brochure and not raise annual maintenance fees. I immediately informed Mr. Baeza that the one time special assessment fee to raise capital was not authorized in my contract. I also informed him that I would not be paying that fee. He stated that they could not force me to pay this fee but they would deny me and my family the use of my fully paid and current vacation plan. I immediately demanded cancellation and a refund. Mr. Baeza responded that he regretted and noted my decision but that they could not refund my membership fees. I never heard anything else until Nov 2005 when I received a maintenance fee bill mailed out of a Miami Fl office. I immediately called that office and sent them another letter canceling my membership via FAX. I called and confirmed they received the FAX. I never heard another thing from Premier Holiday Travel. Then came Monterey Collection Services. They are rude and do not want to determine the truth. They do not seem to want anything other than payment. I sent two registered receipt letters documenting everything Mr. Baeza sent me by email in writing acknowledging my cancellation, that they could not force me to pay their special assessment fee and that they were denying me the use of my fully paid and current vacation package. The facts are present and clear yet Monterey Collections placed an adverse collection account on my credit report. Try as they may, they will not get another penny from me as I have already lost $7700.00 I plan to pursue court action in North Carolina if I can.

Comment On This

We too bought into what Premier Holiday was saying several years ago. We were able to use the service once and that was a problem. I haven't heard from them in over 3 years. Thought they went out of business. Checked my credit report and found Monterey Collection had an item on my report for $130 that I supposably owed to Preimer Holiday. I called to find out what the charges were for. When I asked for a copy of a bill they got nasty with me. I was told they would not send one to me unless I paid what I owed, things went south from there and got nasty. I will admit I got a bit heated with them, especially a guy named Kevin. I hung up on him then called back to ask for a Supervisor, got Kevin again. Told me I must be very worried about the $130 to be calling back again, told him it wasn't about the $130 it was about his attitude. He tried real hard to intimdate me. He told me that the only way I was getting a bill was when I had a cold hard credit card ready to pay the $130. I got a bit nasty then. My Husband proceeded to call him, Kevin then got really nasty and threatened him with not notifing the credit card companies if we paid the bill. We proceed to call the Federal Trade Commission. They said that the collection companies are not regulated very well. We were told to contact them by certified mail for a copy of the bill and what forms of payment were acceptable and we wanted it in writing. We were also advised not to give them our credit card or bank account information. They advised us to only use a bank draft of money order to pay the fees if we determined we did not want to dispute the bill. If they call and harass us or do not provide us with the information we are requesting we are to get back in touch with the Federal Trade commission. For us it's not about the money now it's about the way we have been treated. We are going to look into other agencies CA to see if we can get any satisfaction. Preimier Holiday is a rip off and Moterey Collections are the rudest people I have every delt with. If any one gets any information from another agency please post it, there is another blog site www.playamaniac.com that has other people in the same boat. There may be a class action suit we could get involved in. One Last thing folks, Monterey Collections bought this debt from a Mexican company, how do they have standing to collect this debt? If they do wouldn't American Laws now apply?

Comment On This

Add us to the list. We were approached also on our vacation in Playa Del Carmen and were supposed to receive so many nights of discounts at our hotel. When we called one year later to make the reservation Premier Holiday informed us we could not receive that rate. The rate was much higher then what we were quoted. We too received the special assesment letter for $499 and refused to pay it. Monterey Collection has also placed us in collection and are extremely rude. I tried several times to reach someone at Premier Holiday and no one has never responded back about my complaints. Maybe there's some strength in our numbers and we can seek some help in reporting Monterey and Premier ? Did anyone hear back from PROFECA in Mexico? Can we file a complaint against Monterey Collection ? How ?

Comment On This

Unfortunately five to six years ago, my husband and I were lured into this same thing. We were staying in Playa del Carmen and listened to there presentation and we too liked what we heard. Needless to say, $8000.00 plus has been spent and we have not been able to use it. Not only that about two months ago, I called and they could not even find us in their system. I called Mexico and of course no one seemed to want to help. We are very frustrated and would like to have our money back, but feel we are SOL!! I've learned one thing, not to do deals like that out of the states!!!

Comment On This

I am having the same problems with Premier Holiday Travel. Bought a membership in the Bahamas in 2003, paid in full at the time. Kept up on annual fees until we received the letter for 499.00 USD in 2005. I complained that we had not been informed of the meeting, that the annual fees were supposed to cover the costs that this 499.00 one time fee was being used for. Asked for answers, was repeatedly ignored. Tolde them to take me off their list. Heard from tehm in March 2006, (annual fee)and tried to again cancel membership and told them to keep all my money but take me off their list and billing. Initially denied by "board of directors" (whoever they are, cannot get an answer) Just recieved a credit notice from Monterey asking for money for 2006 and 2007 fees. Never received an invoice for 2007 so thought that Premeier had kept the money and left me behind. No such luck I guess. Just e-mailed them and told them to take me off their list. Also e-mailed PROFECA in mexico (Governemt Consumer Agency) Sometimes they can provide help, hopefully this time too). I am sick to death of Premier Holiday Travel. They are a real scam and have been for many years. Maureen

Comment On This

Hi Joyce, It has been a few years since your emial, I am curious, was your credit damaged because of Premier Holiday Travel. I to have been affectect by Premier. After 2 years I received a call from Monterey claiming maintenance fees. I also thought it was a travel club not a time share. Have you received a release letter from Premier?