Grand Crowne Travel Act In Haste--Repent in Leisure. Grand Crowne Travel is a scam. Springfield / Branson Missouri

We were solicited by Grand Crowne to come hear a travel pitch and receive a free vacation in Florida or Jamaica. The pitch was at the Grand Casino, Biloxi, MS (two weeks before Hurricane Katrina--too bad it didn't wipe out Grand Crowne). They had a really seasoned and professional pitch crew. We couldn't afford the $10,000 membership fee and would not finance anything be credit card.

They "found" a membership from someone who "could not continue in the club" which "they" (we should have asked further just who "they" represented) would sell to us for $3000. It was a "great deal" since it was a full ($10,000) membership.

A screen showed several "discounted" memberships and several limited memberships between the $3000 and $5000 range. Foolishly, we thought they were be upfront and honest.

Our real mistake was violating the one thing we had done throughout 29 years of marriage--never buy a big ticket item on demand but think about it and decide several days later. We have done that with several "time-share" pitches (if it is this great--it will be this great in a couple of days). Of course, we didn't buy the time shares since they were only interested in a same day (really--same hour) sale.

We were very interested in being able to start traveling and have access to good deals. Grand Crowne's promises were lies and absolute smoke. Every time I have tried to use the travel services for hotels or airlines--I have found better deals online and when I point it out, Grand Crowne comes back and tries to match it (you can get Diamond Rewards "even" if Grand Crowne can't beat the rate I found on the net). As far as condos go--very little selection (both of places and locations and availibility).

I have found Government & Armed Forces Travel Cooperative beats Grand Crowne Trave Club hands down every time--and I didn't have to fork over $3000 to use them. I have NEVER found Grand Crowne able to beat my own searches or G&AFTC! NEVER!

As far as cruises--USAA Travel, Sams' Club, G&AFTC and Carnival ALWAYS have better deals than Grand Crowne. What I was promised at Biloxi and what I found are completely different! I was lied to and misled and ripped off. If someone starts a class-action suit, I WILL be interested.

Just this past year, ARRP has warned about Grand Crowne Travel. Wish they had done this 3-4 years ago.

About getting our money back--not only is that not an option (we signed a contract--buyer beware) but Grand Crowne Travel wants just under $200 a year to have the privilege of continuing to rip us off every year. I called after Hurricane Katrina when the "dues" notice arrived and stated that we really would not be able to afford travel for the forseeable future. Could we sell our membership to someone just like we had purchased ours. Grand Crowne said they understood--they had lost an office in Biloxi--but a contract was a contract.

As far as selling a membership--they wouldn't even talk about it. And I got nowhere with them. Now I know why! If Grand Crowne Travel Club is such a great deal, why did Grand Crowne Travel quietly discontinue new memberships and never tell their existing membership about it? What we paid through the nose for everyone gets free now! We have a really a great deal!

While I have never had anyone from Grand Crowne be rude to me on the phone--getting them on the phone and getting them to return a call is a miracle. I also had difficulty getting on the website with my "membership". Everytime, construction or web-site updates, or some excuse is given.

And, about the vacation we were promised--it was a royal rip off by some outfit in a P.O. box in Florida. Black-out dates made availability almost a joke. Check ins and out were in the middle of the week--not a weekend, so taking a week off work became taking two weeks off. I had to send a $100 reservation fee (to be refunded when receiving our tickets or refunded if we cancelled).

After three months of trying to schedule our vacation week, I called and cancelled the whole deal--it took them 2 months and 2 registered letters to get our $100 back.

Act in haste--and repent in leisure. We have learned the truth of that proverb with Grand Crowne Leisure. They are not what they promised nor are they an honorable business.

J & S
Mobile, Alabama
U.S.A.