Privileges Travel

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, Privileges Travel operates not as a conventional travel agency but as a membership-based travel club. This model promises access to wholesale prices and exclusive travel deals, a proposition that can be highly appealing to frequent travelers. However, customer experiences are sharply divided, painting a picture of a service that could either be a valuable asset for securing discount travel or a significant financial risk. The core of its business is a subscription or membership fee, which in turn is meant to unlock lower prices on a wide range of travel products.

The Membership Model: How It Works

Unlike a traditional travel consultant where you pay for services as you use them, Privileges Travel requires an upfront or ongoing financial commitment. Customers purchase a membership that grants them access to a private booking portal. According to positive reviews and the company's own information, this portal offers substantial savings on hotels, cruises, resorts, and more. One satisfied customer described it as a program where you pay a monthly price, and once paid in full, you receive discounts for life, suggesting a long-term investment model. The company's legal terms, fulfilled by a parent company named Arrivia, Inc., detail a system of "Savings Credits" and loyalty points that members can accumulate and redeem to further reduce the cost of vacation packages. This structure is similar to a vacation club, which is often presented as a more flexible and modern alternative to traditional timeshares.

Potential Advantages for Travelers

For those who have had a positive experience, the benefits are clear. The primary appeal lies in the potential for significant long-term savings. One user reported successfully using the program multiple times for cheaper rates on motels and flight reservations. Another older review mentioned receiving a $100 credit just for signing up for a free account, indicating that at one point, the entry barrier might have been quite low. The company also promotes a "Best Price Guarantee," promising to match a better price found elsewhere. Furthermore, the business maintains extensive operating hours, including weekends, which suggests a commitment to customer accessibility and support for members planning their trips.

The service also seems to have an affiliation with American Express Travel, as mentioned in several customer reviews and promotional materials. This connection could lend a sense of legitimacy and offer exclusive benefits for card members, such as the ability to use Membership Reward Points for travel purchases. For the right type of traveler—someone who is frequently booking trips and can maximize the membership benefits—this model could theoretically pay for itself over time.

Significant Risks and Customer Complaints

Despite the potential upsides, there are severe and well-documented complaints that prospective customers must consider. The most recent and detailed negative review describes the program as a "scam," alleging that it was deceptively sold as something other than a timeshare. The customer reported an inability to use the promised benefits, high-pressure sales tactics during a presentation at a resort in Jamaica, and a subsequent struggle to obtain a refund of $10,000. This account is not isolated. A review on Sitejabber echoes these frustrations, labeling the service as "Worse than timeshares!" and detailing losses of over $7,000, an inability to contact customer service, and last-minute trip cancellations without explanation. These experiences highlight a critical disconnect between what is promised during the sales pitch and what is delivered.

Regulatory and Reputational Concerns

Further investigation reveals that a related entity, Privilege Club, LLC, is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has an F rating. The BBB profile lists 15 complaints in the last three years, with a failure to respond to 8 of them. The complaints describe being lied to, unauthorized charges, and receiving poor service during trips, such as messed-up room reservations. These formal complaints align with the negative online reviews and suggest a pattern of customer service failures and disputes over the fulfillment of contracts. The lack of BBB accreditation and the volume of unanswered complaints are significant red flags for any consumer-facing business, particularly one that requires a substantial financial investment.

What Prospective Customers Should Consider

The business model of Privileges Travel is complex and presents a high-risk, high-reward scenario. The starkly contrasting reviews—from five-star praise for its hotel bookings savings to one-star warnings of financial loss—indicate that customer outcomes vary dramatically. The positive reviews are notably older, while the most recent feedback is overwhelmingly negative, which may suggest a decline in service quality or changes in business practices over time.

• Contract Scrutiny: Before signing anything, it is imperative to read the entire contract, including the fine print in the terms and conditions. Understand the total cost, the payment schedule, the cancellation policy, and what specific benefits are guaranteed.
• Sales Presentation Awareness: Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics, especially in a resort or vacation setting. Promises made verbally are not binding; only what is written in the contract matters.
• Benefit Usability: Investigate how easy it is to redeem points or use discounts. Some customers have reported that the promised savings are difficult to apply or that the booking portal does not offer the competitive prices advertised.
• Financial Commitment: This is not a service for the occasional traveler. The membership fee requires frequent use to generate a return on investment. Prospective buyers should honestly assess their travel habits before committing thousands of dollars.

In conclusion, Privileges Travel offers a membership that might provide access to deals on luxury travel and all-inclusive resorts for some. However, the significant volume of serious complaints, the F rating from the BBB for a related entity, and allegations of deceptive sales practices present a compelling case for extreme caution. The lack of recent positive feedback is particularly concerning. Anyone considering this travel club should conduct extensive personal research beyond the company's promotional materials and weigh the potential savings against the considerable financial and personal risk involved.