Protravel International

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Trying to plan a vacation with ProTravel International. They agree to help, and then one week before I am supposed to leave tell me to pay more than we agreed or they will quit.



The Players: Me, wanting help planning a vacation to Australia

Denise Bonnici and Elaine Pesky from ProTravel



Act 1: The Introduction



Me [February 24]: Hi there. You have come highly recommended. I want help planning a vacation to Australia. I am terrified of trying to plan it using the internet and understand that you are an old fashioned travel agent that can help.



ProTravel: Yes. For $250 we will work with you to plan your vacation. Do you know where you want to go?



Me: Yes. I want to start out in Sydney, then visit my brother in Adelaide. After than I want to fly to the Great Barrier Reef and the back to Sydney. I have my plane tickets from the USA and back. I can use your advice on areas and hotels to stay in Sydney, and then whether it is worth it to take the train to Adelaide. Also, I will need your advice on getting to the Great Barrier Reef and where to stay.



ProTravel: Great. We will get back to you with ideas for your trip. We are happy to arrange your plane and train travel within Australia.



Act 2: The First Itinerary



Me [March 2]: A lot of good work here. However, you have put me in hotels that are far beyond my means. I was hoping you could help find a moderately priced place in Sydney as well as one in the GBR. Also, your itinerary has me taking a train to Adelaide on Tuesday, but the train only leaves on Wednesdays.



ProTravel: We are happy to get back to you with a more moderately price trip. And we still commit to booking your internal rail and air travel.



Act 3, Scene 1: Bait and Switch

Me [March6]: I am confused; this itinerary is no less expensive than the previous one. It does not include your arranging my plane and train travel within Australia. Finally, it seems to be booked, not by yourselves, but by an organization called Pacific Experience. What does that mean?



ProTravel: The work with Pacific Experience means that you cannot change any portion of this trip without incurring monetary penalties. However, we commit to arranging your plane and train travel within Australia. If you cannot afford our current itinerary, what would you like to pay?



Me: I don’t know. I have no idea what constitutes a moderate priced vacation in Australia. I would like your advice on this point.



Act 3, Scene 2: The Sting



ProTravel [March 7]: We work with Pacific Experience to create high-end, luxury travel experiences. There was some miscommunication in Ms. Bonnici’s telling you that we would help plan your moderately priced trop.



Me: But there is only one week before I am supposed to leave! What am I supposed to do?



ProTravel: Pay us the $1,000 a day, plus air fare and other services. Or go plan you own vacation on the internet.



Me: This is not what we agreed to weeks ago when I asked to work with you.



Ms. Pesky: Well, now you know what kind of agency we are and we are not the one for you. Good luck planning your own vacation.