Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site sdcrdcf.UUCP Path: utzoo!utcs!lsuc!pesnta!pertec!scgvaxd!trwrb!sdcrdcf!shaprkg From: shaprkg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Bob Shapiro) Newsgroups: net.travel,net.consumers Subject: Re: FYI: 800-number of discount-travel-outfit Message-ID: <1738@sdcrdcf.UUCP> Date: Tue, 5-Feb-85 15:11:56 EST Article-I.D.: sdcrdcf.1738 Posted: Tue Feb 5 15:11:56 1985 Date-Received: Thu, 7-Feb-85 02:00:50 EST References: <1234@ut-ngp.UUCP> Reply-To: shaprkg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Bob Shapiro) Organization: System Development Corp. R+D, Santa Monica Lines: 55 Xref: utcs net.travel:1050 net.consumers:1768 Summary: In article <1234@ut-ngp.UUCP> werner@ut-ngp.UUCP (Werner Uhrig) writes: >[ from a latenight TV-ad: however I do not know the company myself - Werner ] > >DTI, which I believe to stand for Discount Travel something-or-other, is a >company which sells underbooked plane and cruise-tickets, advertised their >800-number to request more (and free) information on how to save up to >70% of travelling costs > > 1-800-251-4900 > >friends of mine have taken amazingly cheap trips with such outfits. Just for laughs I called that number. They would tell me nothing but said if I gave them my address they would mail me info. I did and it just came. The packet consisted of a form letter telling how great they were and how they could save you money if you could travel on 6 weeks' notice or less. They never mention a single operator but claim they can get you air, tours, and cruises at large discounts. There are some examples of savings but in only one case was it air only. This was between Boston and Athens. There are a lot of companies such as Spur of the Moment Cruises who sell last minute space on tours, cruises, and charters. It has been my experience that the better cruises and tour companies do not deal with these outfits so what you get is a bad vacation at a discount price. As I own a travel agency, I have had the opportunity to call these discounters (they deal with agents also and even pay us commissions) when a client has requested. So far my batting average is zero for getting results. Either nothing was available when they wanted to go or the quality was horrible. What I haven't mentioned so far is that there is a $40 membership fee for joining. They do claim that they will give you back $25 if you join before 25 Feb 1985 as a discount on your first booking. They also claim that if you don't at least double your $40 membership fee every time they will give you a free trip to Paris for 2. This is no big deal as they are giving large discounts off of expensive trips. So what we have here is a club which sells a nebulous product at a discount and a $40 annual fee. First you pay the $40 and then they tell you what they have to sell. I guess it is like anthing else. You get what you pay for. Bob Shapiro PS By the way occassionally some of the quality cruises and tour companies have discounts for last minute bookings. NCL cruises was doing it for a while but the discount did not include air and you did not get to pick which of their ships you went on. Only the date and inside or outside room. These discounts usually came with no air package so unless you worked for the airlines or lived close to Miami the air cost would almost kill the whole discount. Also some cruise lines such as Carnival will give large discounts if you are willing to accept 4 to a room and have them choose your three other roomates. Almost all cruise lines and tour companies give discounts for the 3rd or 4th person in a room. (sometimes even free) All of these discounts are available through standard booking procedures such as a travel agent or directly with the wholesaler.