Smartergetaways Avis 6

Consumer Beware: My Experience with Smarter Getaways

We originally joined Smarter Getaways through TrippsPlus with what was presented to us as a premium-style membership — free trips, meaningful travel discounts, and a price-guarantee benefit that made the program feel like a smart long-term travel solution. Based on that understanding and paperwork we received, we later renewed our membership through TrippsPlus all the way through 2029.

Fast forward to now, and the experience has been incredibly frustrating.

Despite our valid renewal, we’ve received repeated emails stating our membership “expired” in 2026. When we reached out to clarify, we were told our account is no longer considered a premium membership — it’s now classified as “basic,” which comes with very limited perks. Conveniently, we were also told that most of the benefits we originally joined for can be restored if we upgrade again… for over $6,000.

For example:
• We were told our annual discounts are capped at $500 — and only usable on certain bookings. This is very different from how the benefits were originally explained at the time of purchase.
• We were then offered the chance to increase that to $1,000 per year if we upgrade to a higher-tier membership.
• The widely promoted “price guarantee” that helped sell us on the program is now apparently not supported under our current membership classification.

Trying to get clear answers has meant being bounced between departments, repeating the same story multiple times, and feeling like meaningful assistance only becomes available when there’s an opportunity to sell us another membership.

This review isn’t about venting — it’s about helping others make an informed decision.
If you’re considering a membership with Smarter Getaways, ask very specific questions about:

– How long your benefits are guaranteed
– What can change over time
– Exactly how discounts are applied
– What happens after renewal
– And what level of service you can expect if you’re not upgrading

Travel clubs can sound incredibly appealing upfront. Just make sure you fully understand what you’re committing to — and what protections you actually have if the terms or perks evolve later.
We wish we had known to ask more.

We made probably the biggest mistake years ago by signing up with this company. I paid them 10x more than any benefit I have received. Now they call me from 1-5 times A DAY! I asked them numerous times to stop calling me and they don't understand what that means

I know that I am going against the grain with this, but my experiences with Smarter Getaways have been really solid. They hooked me up with a couple of really great cruise deals. Someone that I would like to recommend is their agent.Sujan Roy. Mr. Roy gets back to me right away, he is friendly, and he always looks to get me the best deal. Now, I will tell you, that I have been skeptical because Smarter Getaways came from.Tripps whom I felt was a company that was a total scam job. I hope that Smarter Getaways can continue to make me feel good about being a member!

It should be noted that this company was formally or currently affiliated with VO (Vacation Offers). They are a scam. We booked with them only to show up to a cancelled reservation. After 5 hours and being hung up on multiple times we were moved to a cheap hotel and not refunded. Any “vouchers” they offer you will cost additional fee’s to use.
Any calls to them will get you dumped in an auto queue that will eventually hang up on you. Do not get involved with this company.

I paid over $900 for a 5 year extention and find my account is inactive due to an autdated credit card. I cannot get into my account to upload new credit card information and when I call to resolve I get a bunch of rum dums who can't seem to resolve my issue. Stay away from Smarter Getaway.
Worst customer service that I have ever received from any company.

This company is a complete scam. $10,000 to join and guarantees they will save you thousands of travel dollars. They cut out the middle man - NOT TRUE.
Always there to help book travel. They will help book it and then you are on your own. Worst customer service ever! You get a different story every time you call.
The company they use if you wish to book travel insurance is General Global Assistance. They are also a scam. Assistance should not be a part of their name. It doesn’t exist. When you need to file a travel cancellation due to a health incident - good luck. They make it as difficult as possible assigning ridiculous deadlines. No customer service to help you there either. They just send a bunch of forms to fill out by their ridiculous assigned deadlines.
PLEASE READ THIS AND SAVE YOUR MONEY!
I am so very disgusted that I purchased this travel program!