Card dispute saves iffy vacation club purchase

A credit card dispute is usually the final option when you’re having trouble with a travel company. But for Carl and Helen Quesnell, it became the first choice — and apparently the best one.

The Quesnells attended a presentation of Travel More Now in Branson, Mo., recently. The company promises membership in its travel club will allow people to live their lives to “its fullest, making dreams come true,” by, “stretching those valued vacation dollars to put more enjoyment and fun into every vacation adventure,” according to its Web site.

Believing that to be true, and having survived what they called a “high pressure” sales presentation by Travel More, the couple plunked down $5,599. Then they saw an article in the AARP Bulletin about the company, and had second thoughts about their decision.

Fortunately, the Quesnells came to their senses quickly. A Missouri law requires that clubs such as Travel More Now offer full refunds within three days, and they met that criteria.

But Travel More balked, according to the Quesnells, because they had also been issued $60 in Red Lobster gift certificates after the presentation. “We thought the gift card deal was a reward for enduring the presentation,” they wrote. “They claim it was a membership benefit that invalidated the rescission.”

Good thing they didn’t use the certificates. Although they offered to return them, Travel More wouldn’t budge, according to the couple.

What should the Quesnells do?

I recommended a credit card dispute. Travel More seemed to be trying to keep the money on a technicality. Obviously, the Red Lobster gift certificates were a separate issue from $5,599 in vacation club purchases. The denial appeared to be a stall tactic designed to run down the clock.

They took my advice, filing an immediate dispute. This morning, I received word that they had won.

So when do you jump straight to a dispute? I think if a travel company is dealing with you in bad faith and there’s a time limit on your purchase for a refund, you shouldn’t waste your time with going through normal channels with a refund request. Time isn’t on your side.

Christopher Elliott is the author of Scammed: How to Save Your Money and Find Better Service in a World of Schemes, Swindles, and Shady Deals. Critics have called it “eye-opening” and “inspiring” — it’ll “grab your attention and won’t let go.” Order your copy now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or iTunes.

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