Dreams Travel & Tours INC
BackDreams Travel & Tours INC, operating from its office at 1279 Paterson Plank Rd in Secaucus, NJ, presents a complex and deeply divided picture to potential clients. On one hand, it is a full-service travel agency with a global presence, including offices in Canada, India, and Nigeria, offering seemingly comprehensive services from airline tickets to hotels and car rentals. On the other, it is the subject of numerous and severe customer complaints that raise significant questions about its reliability and business practices. The company's customer feedback is sharply polarized, suggesting that a client's experience is highly dependent on the specific agent and circumstances of their booking.
The Positive Experiences: Expertise and Personalized Service
For some travelers, Dreams Travel & Tours has been a reliable partner. Positive reviews frequently single out specific agents, most notably a professional named Praveen, who is described as an IATA-certified expert with extensive experience. Clients who have worked with him and another agent, Amit Goel, praise their transparency, attention to detail, and deep understanding of client needs. These positive interactions often highlight the agency's strengths in specialized areas, such as corporate travel, group bookings, and sports-related travel arrangements. Customers report a smooth and stress-free booking process, feeling that their customized travel plans were handled with professionalism and care. The 24/7 availability advertised by the company is a significant draw, promising constant support for travelers, which is a critical feature for any agency handling complex international travel.
Significant Red Flags and Severe Allegations
Despite the pockets of praise, a substantial volume of negative feedback paints a troubling picture. The criticisms are not minor grievances but serious allegations of malpractice and financial misconduct. Multiple former clients have labeled the company a scam, detailing experiences that go far beyond poor customer service. These accounts serve as a significant warning to anyone considering their services.
1. Booking Failures and Lack of Communication
A recurring and critical complaint involves the fundamental failure to secure and deliver travel documents. One customer reported being led on for days, only to discover 12 hours before their flight that no tickets had ever been issued, forcing them to purchase last-minute flights at four times the original cost. Another client proactively checked their reservation on the airline's website, finding it had been canceled by the agency without any notification. These incidents represent a catastrophic failure for a travel agency, leaving customers stranded and financially compromised.
2. Financial Misconduct and Security Concerns
Perhaps the most alarming allegations involve financial and security breaches. One detailed account describes how, after a booking failed, fraudulent charges for Amtrak tickets appeared on the customer's credit card, for an amount suspiciously close to the quoted airfare. The client strongly believes their financial information was leaked or misused by the company's representative. Other reviews mention being drastically overcharged—up to three times the price of booking directly with the airline—and having credit cards charged without final approval of the itinerary. This pattern of behavior suggests, at best, a profound lack of professionalism and, at worst, predatory business practices.
3. Inconsistent Customer Service and Blame Shifting
While agents like Praveen receive commendations, others like Kurtis, Emil Stone, Kevin, and Patricia are named in reviews detailing profoundly negative experiences. Customers describe agents being argumentative, unhelpful, and, in one case, blaming the client for the agency's errors by misinterpreting a request for "flexible dates." This inconsistency means that engaging with Dreams Travel & Tours is a gamble; you may be connected with a helpful travel consultant or an agent who creates more problems than they solve. Furthermore, reports of calls going to hold music or automated messages when issues escalate suggest a pattern of avoiding accountability.
Operational and Transparency Issues
Further investigation reveals discrepancies that potential customers should consider. While the company's website claims it is accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), the BBB profile for Dreams Travel & Tours shows it is not accredited and, depending on the listing, holds a low rating. This contradiction is a major red flag regarding the company's transparency. The business also lists multiple addresses, including a headquarters in Arizona and registration in Florida, which can be confusing for a customer dealing with the Secaucus, New Jersey office. Additionally, while the business is listed as being open 24/7, one positive review still noted a need for a more robust support system for off-hours and during travel, suggesting the advertised 24/7 support may not be as seamless as claimed.
Conclusion: A High-Risk Proposition
Ultimately, choosing Dreams Travel & Tours INC is a significant risk. There is a clear possibility of having a positive experience, particularly if dealing with their more reputable agents for complex itineraries like corporate travel or group vacation packages. These agents appear to deliver the expert service one would expect from professional tour operators. However, the weight and severity of the negative reviews cannot be ignored. The repeated, detailed allegations of failed bookings, financial malfeasance, and abysmal customer service present a clear and present danger to potential clients.
Anyone considering this agency should proceed with extreme caution. It is advisable to:
- Use a credit card with strong fraud protection.
- Independently verify all booking confirmations directly with the airlines and hotels immediately after they are made.
- Get every detail, including cancellation policies and final costs, in writing before providing payment information.
- Be wary of flight deals that seem too good to be true.
The stark contrast between success and disaster in customer experiences makes it impossible to give a broad recommendation. The dream trip this agency promises can, for an unfortunate number of its customers, turn into a complete nightmare.