Ever since the rise of travel clubs, people have been constantly searching for them. But it’s hard to find a legitimate one, as many scams are going around. Also, many people don't know the pros and cons of joining one. If you’re one of those, then you should consider reading this blog, especially if you’re new to this concept.
What Is A Travel Club And How Does It Work?
A travel club is a membership organization that offers exclusive travel deals, group trips, and vacation packages. From pre-existing packages to personalized trips, members can expect big discounts and plenty of perks.
As the definition suggests, a travel club is a membership organization, which means you must sign up to unlock the discounts. However, the discounts you receive depend heavily on the tier you choose.
Most travel clubs, including Crest Travel Club, split their membership plan into three categories: basic, standard, and premium. Each plan includes a set of benefits and perks. The higher the plan, the more perks you unlock.
How Exactly Does Travel Clubs Work?
The above section provides a basic overview of Travel Clubs. But that is not enough to help you understand exactly how they work before deciding whether to join one and whether it is a worthwhile investment.
These are the ways that explain better how a Travel Club works:
- Follow Membership Model: Most travel clubs, including Crest Travel Club, use a membership model with three tiers, from basic to premium. For instance, Crest classified its membership into Signature (Basic), Elite (Standard or Pro), and Prestige (Premium or VIP). Each membership requires a joining fee.
- Sign Up Required: Even though most details, including the joining fee and tier details, are visible on the main site, you still need to join the club or have an active account. Travel Clubs often require sign-up to view the hidden fares and get member-only discounts.
- Monthly/Yearly Membership Renewal: Travel clubs often require a monthly/yearly renewal fee to keep using the benefits and perks. Most travel clubs notify you in advance regarding the automatic renewal. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t stop paying the renewal fee if you don't plan to renew.
- Offers Numerous Perks: Travel Clubs like Crest Travel Club offer numerous benefits and perks to their members. From hotel and flight bookings to cruises, the club covers several high-end services. However, to enjoy the most benefits, you need the higher plan. For instance, with the Crest Prestige plan, members can access private mid-size jet services.
This information is enough to help you understand how the travel club works. Now it's time to learn if joining a travel club is actually worth it.
Why Is Joining A Travel Club Considered a Worthwhile Choice?
Whether joining a travel club is worthwhile is highly subjective. Some believe it's worth the hype, while others think they scam people by failing to provide clear rules. Both statements are correct in their own way; how? Check the answers below:
Joining a travel club is worthwhile only when you choose a reputable, legitimate club like Crest Travel Club.
Here are the reasons that describe why it is considered a worthwhile investment:
- Curated Itineraries: If you’re someone who does not like investing your time in researching or making travel-related decisions and needs a quick solution, joining a travel club is a good choice. You’ll easily get curated itineraries. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t get a personalized trip.
- Exclusive Savings and Discounts: The biggest reason a travel club is a worthwhile choice is its exclusive savings and discounts. The club may require a sign-up fee but offers huge discounts to its members. For instance, Crest Travel Club offers 40- 50% discounts and member-only rates when booking premium hotels and resorts.
- Offers Wholesale Rates: Another reason joining a travel club is worthwhile is getting wholesale rates on travel-related services. Travel clubs offer wholesale rates on accommodations, transport, and tours without requiring any additional commission. However, confirm any hidden charges with the club's customer support.
- Reliable Emergency Support: Travel Clubs like Crest Travel Club offer robust, 24/7 emergency and medical support. From immediate support to documentation handling and medical assistance, members can rely on a travel club. However, check the membership plan, as medical assistance is often tied to a higher-tier plan.
Why Some Believe A Travel Club Is OverHyped?
One reason some believe a travel club is overhyped is a lack of research. Many people join the club without doing background checks and end up paying a lot of money. Because of their bad experience, they then generalize to all travel clubs in the same category.
Here are the reasons why travel clubs are called “Overhyped”:
- Aggressive Sales Tactics: Many people who fell victim to travel clubs' aggressive sales tactics considered them overhyped. A genuine club will never force you to buy a membership plan. Instead, they focus on addressing the issues you raise. Even though they need you to join the club, they never force you until you’re satisfied with their terms and conditions.
- Unclear Rules: Another reason to call out travel clubs as “overhyped” is the unclear rules. Many unauthorized travel clubs often avoid sharing rules, such as hidden costs, double-digit interest rates, unclear cancellation or exit policies, and refund details. However, not all clubs are responsible for not sharing rules; sometimes people ignore important questions, such as their cancellation rules.
- Hidden Costs: Several individuals believe travel clubs add extra costs that appear at the final payment. According to them, they charge thousands of dollars initially and claim to offer lower booking rates. However, when it comes time to make the final payment, they add hidden costs. Hidden costs include annual maintenance fees, Peak-season surcharges, etc.
- Limited Availability and Cancellation Difficulty: Many believe it is hard to find bookings during peak season because of limited inventory. Many also believe cancellations are difficult because members sign long-term contracts without realizing it. Some travel clubs even include legal contracts to make it difficult for members to cancel or walk out.
These are some of the reasons many people believe travel clubs are overhyped.
What Is The Reality Of Travel Clubs?
It is hard to put the reality of travel clubs into words, because what you get depends on the choice you make. If you connect with a legitimate travel club such as Crest Travel Club, your experience may be positive. But if you connect with an unauthorized travel club, your experience may be bitter.
Below are some of the points that describe the reality of travel clubs and whether it's worth the money:
- Organized Itineraries: What actually makes travel clubs worth the money is getting organized itineraries. People who avoid indulging in mapping out the whole trip on their own can get curated itineraries. And even if they want, they can get a personalized package.
- Member-Only Discounts: One major con that makes travel clubs worth the money is member-only discounts. Travel Clubs such as Crest Travel Club offer 40-50% discounts to their members and can help you save up to 70%. They offer unlisted fares that provide huge discounts and savings on luxury properties that are otherwise hard to get, especially on direct bookings.
- Expert Assistance: Connecting with a legitimate travel club helps provide expert assistance and on-the-ground support before or during trips. Several clubs offer 24/7 guidance and medical assistance. You can also plan your whole trip with a travel expert and learn how much extra you need to pay or how much you can save.
- Contract Restrictions: The major drawback of travel clubs is their contract restrictions. Terms and pricing comparisons are often restricted or hidden and require sign-up to view. Several clubs unlock unlisted fares only after you sign up, making an active membership compulsory.
- Exclusive Access: Many travel clubs offer access to luxury properties, private condos, and various group excursions. Plus, you can connect with travelers who share a similar mindset about travel. However, it is wise to confirm with travel clubs about any unexpected additional costs.
- Automatic Membership Renewal: Most travel clubs automatically renew membership fees monthly or yearly. However, this automatic renewal is disclosed during initial sign-up and can be canceled within a certain time period if connected with a legitimate travel club like Crest Travel Club. This point is both a pro and a con of travel clubs.
What Is Better To Join Travel Club Or Timeshare?
As stated, what is better to join, a travel club or timeshare, is subjective. But if you’re looking for more flexibility and lower upfront costs, travel clubs are better. If you’re someone who wants a fixed and long-term vacation home, a timeshare is a good choice for you.
Difference Between Travel Club And Timeshare
Travel Club
- Access To Booking Platform: With a travel club, you get access to a private or branded booking platform. Members get a restricted portal or app to log in, which is not available to the general public.
- Wholesale Pricing: With travel clubs, one can unlock wholesale pricing, huge discounts, and savings on hotels, flights, car rentals, cruises, and travel-related services.
- Rewards: Joining a travel club also lets you earn cash back, points, and even commission on your own bookings. For instance, Crest Travel Club offers members the chance to earn room coins and enjoy fine-dining perks.
- High-end perks: Lastly, travel clubs also offer high-end perks that aren't available in timeshares. One can get airport lounge access, BagAssure, VIP beach club access, etc. However, the perks you get depend on your membership level.
It's fair to say that travel clubs are best for people who want a varied vacation style and flexible planning without being tied to a single location. However, you may need to pay annual dues or renewal fees. It may also be difficult to get bookings during peak season.
Timeshare
- Long-term Vacation Property: With a timeshare sign-up, an individual locks in a long-term vacation property. This means they don’t have to pay repeatedly to book the property. However, it blocks the chance to explore other properties.
- Home-Like Space: Unlike typical hotel rooms, timeshares offer a home-like space with a full kitchen, living areas, and laundry machines. Additionally, owners also get on-site perks like spas, gyms, and swimming pools. However, the resale value of such property is zero.
- High Maintenance Fees: A timeshare investment comes with annual maintenance dues and property taxes. These increase every year and must be paid even if the property is not in use.
- Booking Restrictions: Even though the property is locked for a year under the contract, it is still difficult to secure peak holiday weeks because of points-based systems.
Timeshare works best for those who love returning to the exact same destination and resort. It can be a long-term vacation investment, but it has no resale value. It may also be difficult to break the contract. ]
Which Travel Club Is Best To Join?
Travel Clubs like Crest Travel Club are best to join as they offer numerous benefits, huge discounts, and savings. But most importantly, canceling or exiting the travel club is also easy. However, you'll need to review the cancellation rules.
You can also find details on membership plans and their benefits on their official website. This helps you make the right decision and choose the plan that best fits your travel needs.
Crest Travel Club classifies its membership plans into three categories: Signature, Elite, and Prestige. The website clearly lists the perk details. However, to check unlisted fares, you need an active membership.
Conclusion
Travel clubs can be worthwhile for frequent travelers seeking exclusive discounts, curated itineraries, and premium perks. Ready to see if it's the right fit? Join Crest Travel Club and start with the tier that matches your travel style. Crest Travel Club holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Ultimately, careful research helps travelers avoid scams and select a membership that genuinely suits their needs.
