Great Destinations

When seeking assistance for holiday planning, consumers often look for a reputable travel agency to handle the details. Great Destinations, located at 5550 CA-27 #130 in Woodland Hills, presents itself as an entity in the travel sector, but a closer examination of its business model and extensive customer feedback reveals a company that operates very differently from a traditional travel service. The consensus among former clients is that Great Destinations is primarily a sales office for vacation ownership, more commonly known as timeshares, using high-pressure tactics and enticing offers to secure long-term financial commitments.

The Initial Approach: Prizes and Presentations

The journey for many customers begins not by seeking out travel advice, but through an unsolicited offer. Potential clients report being contacted after entering drawings at local malls or events, being told they have won a prize, such as free flights or a complimentary vacation. The condition for receiving this prize is attending what is typically described as a "90-minute presentation." However, a recurring complaint is that these sessions consistently extend well beyond the promised timeframe, often lasting two and a half hours or more. This initial discrepancy sets the stage for a process that many find to be misleading. The business's operating hours, exclusively on weekday evenings from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM, are also characteristic of a presentation-based sales model rather than a customer-service-oriented agency.

The Core of the Business: The Sales Pitch

During these lengthy presentations, attendees are introduced to a membership-based program promising exclusive access to luxury travel and significant discounts on vacation packages and all-inclusive resorts. Sales personnel are often described as friendly, professional, and highly skilled at their jobs, painting an alluring picture of a lifetime of affordable, high-end travel. The pitch is centered around concepts like "Anytime Getaways," suggesting a level of flexibility and availability that seems revolutionary.

However, the positive aspects largely end with the presentation's delivery. The core of the criticism leveled against Great Destinations lies in the disparity between what is promised and what is delivered. The friendly demeanor of the sales staff is frequently cited as part of a carefully constructed, high-pressure environment designed to encourage immediate, on-the-spot decisions. Customers report being told the special offers are only available "that night," a classic tactic to prevent them from leaving to conduct their own research or think over the significant financial commitment.

Red Flags and High-Pressure Tactics

Multiple reviews highlight a systematic approach to overcoming objections. When a potential buyer hesitates, the initial salesperson will bring in a supervisor or manager to present a "better" deal, increasing the pressure. This continues until the attendee either signs a contract or firmly and repeatedly refuses. This aggressive sales strategy is a significant point of contention and a primary reason for the company's low overall rating. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) profile for Great Destinations confirms the nature of their business as offering "sales services of resort timeshares." Notably, the company is not BBB accredited and has received numerous complaints related to refusal to cancel contracts and lack of communication.

The Aftermath: Unfulfilled Promises and Financial Issues

For those who do sign up, the problems often begin when they attempt to use the service. A dominant theme in customer complaints is the inability to access the promised travel deals.

• Lack of Availability: Members report that when they try to book trips through the system, dates are perpetually unavailable, and destinations are never accessible as advertised. The "Anytime Getaways" prove to be anything but, rendering the primary benefit of the membership effectively useless.
• Empty Promises on Savings: The claims of securing the "cheapest airfares" and deeply discounted accommodations are described by many as fabrications. Customers find that they can often find better deals through public travel websites, negating the value of the expensive membership.
• Hidden and Escalating Fees: Beyond the initial purchase price, clients have been surprised by rapidly increasing annual HOA or maintenance fees, sometimes rising by as much as $100 per year. These ongoing costs are allegedly downplayed or omitted during the sales presentation.
• Poor Customer Service: Once the sale is complete, the attentive service experienced during the presentation reportedly vanishes. Customers describe it as nearly impossible to get assistance, with calls and emails going unanswered. This lack of support is particularly frustrating for those trying to book travel or resolve billing issues.
• Negative Financial Consequences: Several former clients have made serious allegations about the company's billing practices, including claims that auto-payments were stopped without consent, leading to large accrued bills and damage to their credit scores.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

The consistent pattern of complaints has led many customers to label the operation a "scam" or "fraud." Multiple reviews mention consulting with attorneys to explore legal options for contract cancellation and recouping their money. The practice of holding presentations late in the evening is also seen by some as a deliberate strategy to target people when they are tired and less likely to think critically. These allegations paint a grim picture for anyone considering a purchase from this vacation ownership company.

Is There Anything Positive?

In an objective analysis, it is difficult to find positive feedback regarding the actual product or service provided by Great Destinations. The most charitable comments relate to the politeness of the sales staff, though this is always framed within the context of a manipulative sales pitch. One reviewer offered a neutral perspective, advising attendees who are only interested in the promotional gift to go in with the firm intention of saying no. By understanding the process, they were able to endure the presentation, decline all offers, and receive their promised voucher. However, they also noted the significant time investment and the uncomfortable pressure, and questioned the ease of actually redeeming the "free" holiday.

Conclusion for Potential Customers

Great Destinations in Woodland Hills is not a conventional travel agency. It is a sales front for a timeshare or travel club membership, and the business model relies on high-pressure, lengthy sales presentations to secure contracts. The overwhelmingly negative reviews, which span several years, combined with complaints filed with the BBB, indicate a high risk for consumers. The promises of cheap and easy luxury travel are consistently challenged by customer experiences of non-existent availability, poor service, and escalating fees.

Anyone drawn in by an offer of a free trip should be aware that they are walking into a highly persuasive sales environment. It is crucial to be prepared for a significant time commitment and intense pressure to buy. Based on the available data and customer testimony, the promised benefits of a membership with Great Destinations appear to be largely illusory, while the financial and personal stress reported by past clients is very real.