Sundance Vacations is a real company that sells travel packages and membership club benefits. However, some have questioned their sales tactics and if the deals are really as good as advertised. Here is an in-depth look at Sundance Vacations, their business model, and reviews from customers to help you decide if it is worth purchasing from them.
Overview of Sundance Vacations
Sundance Vacations is a travel company started in 1991 by James McMullen and John Dowd. They are headquartered in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and have over 25 locations across the United States.
Sundance sells discount vacation packages to destinations like Orlando, Las Vegas, Branson, and Myrtle Beach. Packages include things like hotel accommodations, airfare, car rentals, tickets to attractions, and more. They market these as wholesale travel deals up to 70% off regular prices.
In addition to vacations, Sundance sells travel club memberships. These membership clubs supposedly offer exclusive rates, extra amenities, and vacation discounts. Members pay an upfront fee and annual dues.
The company relies heavily on in-person sales presentations to market vacations and club memberships. Customers are offered incentives like free dinners or gift cards to attend timeshare-like sales pitches.
Company Timeline
- 1991 – Sundance Vacations founded
- 1996 – Opened first travel club, Sundance Vacation Travel Club
- 2005 – Launched Sundance Getaways membership club
- 2011 – Acquired Westgate Travel Club
- 2014 – Acquired Exploria Resorts
- Today – Over 1,200 employees and $150+ million in revenue
Are Sundance Vacations deals legit?
Many people are skeptical of Sundance Vacations’ claims of saving customers 50-70% on travel. Here are some key considerations when evaluating their vacation deals:
Limited availability
Sundance promotes incredible deals, but availability for these prices is often very limited. The deeply discounted rates may only apply on off-peak seasons or are only release in small allotments. Trying to book during popular times or locations, the savings may evaporate.
High-pressure sales tactics
The company is known for aggressive sales tactics, like falsely claiming “limited time offers” to get customers to buy immediately. Many people feel misled or pressured during their presentations. This causes concerns you may not get an honest deal.
Hidden fees
Reviews often cite hidden fees and charges that offset some of the advertised savings. This includes things like taxes, processing fees, resort fees, and required upgrades. The final price may be higher than initially promoted.
Murky price comparisons
It’s unclear how Sundance calculates the 70% savings they tout. Customers rarely have access to whatever rates Sundance compares their prices against. Without transparency, it’s impossible to verify the true discount amount.
Sundance Vacations reviews
Here are examples of customer reviews that demonstrate some of the concerns and criticisms commonly leveled against Sundance Vacations:
Positive
“We purchased an Orlando vacation package at a Sundance presentation. The hotel was very nice and the price was about $300 cheaper overall compared to me booking directly. We had a great vacation.”
“I sat through a 90 minute presentation, which was a bit tedious. But I ended up joining the travel club which has saved me money on a few vacations. The deals are pretty good if you can put up with the sales pitch.”
Negative
“Sundance offered a free $500 voucher if we attended a presentation. We booked a vacation package that they said was 50% off. But when we showed up at the hotel, they had no record of our reservation. Sundance customer service was no help. We got scammed by this bait and switch.”
“The sales person was very high pressure. He told us we had to buy the vacation package now or else the price would double tomorrow. It felt scammy so we walked out. I wouldn’t trust this company.”
Expert Opinions
Sundance Vacations has an “F” rating from the Better Business Bureau with over 900 complaints filed against the company in the past 3 years. Complaints mention deceptive practices and difficulty getting refunds.
Many consumer protection sites like Elliott.org and ConsumerAffairs warn travelers about deals “too good to be true” and advise using extreme caution with Sundance Vacations.
Are Sundance Vacations travel clubs worth it?
Here is a look at the pros and cons of their travel club memberships:
Pros
- Access to discounted vacation rates, nightly condo rates, and extra vacation amenities
- No blackout dates on vacations
- Complimentary bonuses like free airline tickets and rental cars
- Getaway condos available to rent around the U.S. for members
Cons
- High membership fees – $1,500 – $10,000 to join
- Annual dues around $150 per year
- Mixed reviews on how much discounts truly save
- Difficult to get out of membership contracts
Expert Opinions
Many experts advise avoiding timeshare-like vacation clubs with high fees that lock you into lengthy contracts. The benefits rarely outweigh the costs when compared to booking discounts directly from hotels and travel sites.
RedWeek.com says “Most travel clubs simply don’t measure up from a cost-benefit standpoint.” Timeshare Users Group warns that the discounted vacations may not be worth thousands paid in membership fees.
Should you book with Sundance Vacations?
The pros
- Offers legitimate vacation packages
- Some customers have saved money compared to other options
- In business for over 30 years
The cons
- Many complaints of deception and high-pressure sales
- Difficulty getting refunds or canceling
- Concerns discounts are exaggerated or misleading
The bottom line
Sundance Vacations has a concerning history of customer complaints and lawsuits over sales practices. While they are a real company, travelers should approach their deals with extreme caution.
The heavily-promoted deep discounts may not be realistic or come with many limitations. Timeshare-like memberships often rack up thousands in fees but mixed reviews on true savings.
It’s best to verify Sundance’s prices against other travel sites. And consider booking directly with hotels or airlines to avoid risky offers. If you do purchase from Sundance, pay with a credit card to dispute charges if needed.
Conclusion
Sundance Vacations is a legitimate company but has generated many complaints over sales tactics and misleading claims of big travel discounts. They rely on high-pressure in-person presentations to sell vacation packages and travel club memberships that may not live up to advertised savings. Customers report difficulties getting refunds or cancellations after purchasing.
While some have saved money, many expert reviews advise using extreme caution with Sundance due to a history of deceptive practices. Travelers are best booking directly through more reputable providers and comparing prices carefully before purchasing any Sundance deals.