Vacation Certificates: Travel Offers via Direct Mail Advertising

By now with the influx of direct mail advertising, most of us have received (at least once, if not several times), a certificate for a Florida vacation. You know, the one with the toll free number asking you to call within 72 hours, to receive a free or discounted vacation to sunny Florida or other glorious vacation destination. It still amazes me to this day, the number of people who have not only responded to these offers, but actually bought into them. The reality is, not only are most of them NOT free, but in addition to costing upfront money, do require the traveler (or husband and wife, if traveling together) to attend an often times, lengthy timeshare sales presentation. The presentations are a minimum of 90 minutes long at the very least. For some people, that's not such a bad deal in exchange for a deep discount on a family vacation. That is where the perceived value ends. The problem with these vacation certificates is, are you really getting a significant discount by paying in advance? Unfortunately, the vast majority of the time, the answer is no! When it's all said and done, with a little research, you will find it's not that difficult to find a very good value for your money, booking a trip on-line with travelocity or hotels.com etc..

In the last several years , a company out of Ft Lauderdale, FL called Ramada Plaza Resorts has been doing the bulk of vacation certificates, via direct mail in the US. Although it may appear at first by the name (or what the rep tells you on the phone), that your talking directly to a Ramada hotel employee, your not. These companies typically own a franchise hotel property with big name recognition. This makes it easy for them to make a believer out of unsuspecting callers who otherwise might not be so vulnerable. The Ramada vacation certificate , typically ends up costing $698, which is based on double occupancy. So, at the very least your looking at $1396. The upfront charge (they want on a credit card), is usally the first passengers ticket ($698). The balance is due 60 days prior to travel. All travelers are required to give at least 60 days notice in order to guarantee your requested dates of travel. There are usally some blackout dates involved as well. This is only the beginning! The $698 per person charge covers hotel accomodations only (4/3 Orlando, 3/2 Ft Lauderdale, 2/2 Bahama Cruise). Not only is the traveler responsible for airfare to and from each destination, you will also end up paying hotel taxes ($10 per night per person or more), and taxes and insurance on a rental car (if included in package). If your vacation certificate includes a rental car, it will be the smallest car in the fleet. Most people end up paying additional fees to upgrade to a larger car or van. Most packages will accomodate up to 4 people. If you take the cruise, the 3rd and 4th passenger are responsible for their port and sevice charges as well (another $198 per person). Oh yeah, don't forget your food and beverages, other than the cruise, you'll be picking up the tab on all those expenses too! This so called discounted vacation certificate, can end up easily costing a family of four a cool $5000. If that's not bad enough, you still are required to take a (min 90 minute) tour of the timeshare property in each location. Not only is there not one shred of value in these vacation certificate offers (most of them), the hotels included in the offer are at best, economy accomodations.

Fortunately, there are a few offers out there, that still offer value in exchange for taking a time share tour. The best of these offers usally are short mini vacations (4 days 3 nights or even 3 days 2 nights). Some are still being offered via direct mail, but lately even more through e-mail marketing. Fairfield is one example of these companies. They typically will cost you around $299. Most of the time that is a one time fee for up to 4 people. Other than transportation, the only other out of pocket expenses are meals and hotel taxes. These packages often times involve better than average accomodations and require only one qualified tour per vacation package.

So if your in the market for a vacation and you receive a vacation certificate in the mail, be sure and add up all the costs involved before hand. There are still great deals to be had. Buyer beware, or you could end up being had!

Dave P