My husband and I were initially contacted by Casablanca Express Travel about a trip to Sunriver Resort. We thought $139 for two nights stay at a resort was pretty good deal, so we agreed. There was also a timeshare presentation we were required to attend to as part of this deal. But in return, we would receive $75 visa card after one-hour presentation. Even better deal, except… We were also told there would be additional $99 we would have to pay if we fail to make the trip or the presentation.
When we got to the resort, we were impressed how luxurious our room was. The next morning, we called the office to confirm date and time of the scheduled appointment for the presentation. We were told all presentations were booked up and that we had to reschedule it at another location when we get home. To complicate the matter, this presentation was done by Vacation Internationale, not Casablanca Express. When we got home, we were contacted by Casablanca Express and they were going to charge us $99 for not attending a presentation. We explained them what had happened, and they told us the fee would be waived, but we won’t receive $75 because we did not attend a presentation. My husband even took a day off from his busy work schedule to go on this trip, and we drove over 150 miles each way to go to this resort. It was not such a good deal after all. I would tell everyone I know about this experience.
** Disclaimer: This post was written by a guest author. The information contained in this article should not be taken as a fact, but only as an indicator. The story represents the authors individual experience with the subject in question. As such it can be true or misrepresented and in some cases even purely fictional in an attempt to harm the company or individual in question. You are advised to use your own judgment to realize the truth behind the story.
April 18th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
THATS A PRETTY CHEAP TRIP FOR $139.00 SOME PEOPLE SO CHEAP NOTHING IS FREE IF YOU DON’T GO TO THE PRESENTATION YOU LOSE!!!!!!!!
May 1st, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Wow, sounds like Sandra works for one of these rip off vacation scams. I received a certificate that I need to mail Casablanca Express in order to get my mid week Las Vegas slum vacation that I received after sitting thought a 1.5 hour presentation. I sent an email to Casablanca Expresfrom their website that was provided to me on the certificate. The email was returned undeliverable.
May 9th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
i went to a timeshare presentation for wyndham and received a travel certificate for 3 nights in big bear. i sent it in and paid the $50 tax, and about three months before the trip they sent a letter asking if i wanted to pay $220 to upgrade and stay at the northwoods resort. apparently the regular accommodations are similar to a motel 6 or thundercloud (whatever that is), but i figured hey who cares it was only $50 bucks and i’m still going to big bear, i’m not going for the hotel.
SO after the trip is confirmed a representative of casablanca calls and offers me the upgrade again, this time for $157, explaining that if we stay in the normal booked hotel it won’t be near town, but that northwoods is literally RIGHT there, and that it had a pool and jacuzzi. i thought what the hell why not, and did it.
the hotel was about motel 6 quality. clean, not ghetto, service was decent, but i would NOT call the room and grounds a “resort.” there was a small workout area and a small sauna, plus a heated pool and jacuzzi outside. so altogether i paid $207 for the trip (my boyfriend and i went), and for the total price + quality of hotel it was a decent deal, so i will not complain. and it WAS literally right in the area with all the shops/restaurants/bars.
only thing though that i found was pretty funny… a hotel called the thundercloud was right across the other side of big bear blvd from northwoods. hmm… gee… guess i could’ve stuck with that and saved some cash just for locations sake! oh well.
June 2nd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
My husband and I went to a Wyndem timeshare presentation a year ago. We were unable to use the 2 night certificate because the available times did not fall with his vacation time. I received a call from Casablance Express in March 2009 asking why we hadn’t used our certificate and if we wanted an upgrade. They said we could stay in Sunriver in Bend, OR.(an actualy timeshare). It was for 3 days and 2 nights we would pay $149 now, but would received a $75 gift card once we attended a presentation. Sitting through a 90 min presentation would be worth the stay at Sunriver. I told them, several times, we had to travel in August because of my husbands vacation time. They told me to call the first part of June (30-60 days before we wanted to travel) and I could set up the time. I called this morning and customer service informed me the earlist time avalialbe was in October! I was so mad. I explained that I spoke to two people and explained our time restraits and they both told me to call in June. The customer service gal said my confirmation conversation had been recorded back in March, so if I had actually told them the travel restrictions then it would be easier to get a refund! She called me back and said that I had told them of the travel restraints and she was sorry so they would refund my money. I explained that we had made plans to visit family in the area and now we have no place to stay. She said that they could give me 2 free nights and a non timeshare location in Canada or Las Vegas or Newport, OR. The hotels are usually Budget Hotels or Travel Lodge. A huge downgrade from the resort. I explained that we couldn’t do that because of my husbands vacation and we couldn’t spend the time to travel there. (We were able to drive to Sunriver) I asked to speak to the manager and I have yet to receive a call back. To make things worse the customer service gal told me that back in March, when I paid for this package, Sunriver was already booked for August! They are scam artists and probably hoped that I would have to reschedule my time or just loose my money. I’m so thankful I made the statement on the recorded phone call. Waiting to see when/if I get my money back. And I am still left with no vacation for August!
July 21st, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Attention Casablanca Express Customers:
Please contact us if you feel that we did not meet our obligations as stated in the terms and conditions of your certificate.
We cannot respond directly to the above claims as they are anonymous.
Please Call Me Directly And Leave The Name And Phone Number Written On Your Original Certificate And Certificate Number If Available And A Brief Description Of Your Experience.
I Will Personally Look Into Each And Every Complaint. You Will Receive A Call From A Member Of Our Management Team Within 3 Business Days.
Sincerely,
Nick McClendon
Vice-President
Casablanca Express
800-315-2065 x 7102
August 11th, 2009 at 9:50 am
I went to a lousy timeshare presentation with the promise of a mini vacation. The “vacation” was a mid-week stay at one of three (my choice) of Las Vegas’s skankier hotels. Well, then I had to indicate a date 90 days away. AND pay a tax of $90. It appears that the tax is really reimbursement for Casablanca’s lousy hotel booking. I never took the trip. I can drive there anytime and buy 3 or 4 nights at their same skanky hotels for the same price. Casablanca really makes their money on the upgrades – Yeah, they tried to sell me an upgrade for $150. If you ever see Casablanca’s name anywhere, hang on to your wallet, then turn and walk away.
September 21st, 2009 at 9:48 am
When i call them , they never respond. This is too bad!!
September 21st, 2009 at 9:50 am
Casablanca should improve their services and should quit, if they dont have the capital to cope with the promotions they offer the public. They should stop their services instead of putting people’s lives in jeopardy.
Again, this is not right, its almost a SCAM!!!
October 12th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
We drove from Portland to Sunriver yesterday, and our reservation had actually never been made by Casablanca Express.
We drove home, 9 hours and time off from work- what a waste!
I already filed with the attorney general and the better business bureau.
Customer service said they cant refund the $149 even after stating twice that it was their own fault the person I booked with didnt do their job.
I also emailed all of the major timeshare companies so that they know what Casablanca is treating their potential timeshare owners like.
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Casablanca Express called because I had received a voucher for a trip that I never used. They said for $139 they would give me a trip to Vegas or Sunriver in Oregon. In addition I would receive $75 visa card for going on the tour at the resort. I was skeptical and so wanted to research them, but it was tied to a legitimate vacation certificate that I never used which had my card information. I said I wanted to think about the trip for a few days and would call them back. I called them back the next day and said I wasn’t interested. The next day they charged my card “on accident” for $139 and said it would take ten business days to return my money. The customer service agent was Tammy Maddox (not sure on spelling). Phone numbers to reach Casablanca express are 877-509-2510 using extensions 2903 or 2942. Do NOT go to The Pines at Sunriver, best way to stop these scam artists is to contact the resorts they say they represent and complain to management and the local chamber of commerce, let them know you will never visit their town if they continue to deal with Casablanca Express.