You’re promised a tropical paradise, but there could be sharks in the water.

Everyone dreams about a holiday in the sun. BookVIP promises enriching, affordable travel across the Caribbean, Mexico, and southern United States. However, some buyers believe BookVIP doesn’t deliver on its promises. The company’s cancellation policy is quite strict. Buyers only have a few days to finalize their plans before becoming ineligible for refunds. Rescheduling and delaying travel can be difficult or impossible. With COVID, reality doesn’t always fit neatly with the company’s policy. BookVIP also collaborates with timeshares. All travelers, regardless of age or financial status, have to attend lengthy sales pitches to qualify for BookVIP’s discounts. There are tales of family vacations hijacked by pushy salespeople, as well as lurid accounts of bait and switch techniques. Some of the company’s deals are tempting. Flexible travelers may be able to score a great deal on their next trip. However, the site isn’t ideal for most vacationers, unless your idea of fun is being upsold a timeshare.

BookVIP company information

Official Website:https://BookVIP.com/
Headquarters Location:PO Box 695 Natchitoches, LA 71458
Founded:2008
Industry:Travel and Hospitality
Contact:1-888-849-8450
Trust Score:Low to Medium
Social Media:Facebook, Twitter

What is BookVIP?

BookVIP is an online travel agency. The company specializes in all-inclusive getaway packages for married couples. Most of the destinations BookVIP offers are timeshares. They aim to recruit new buyers and investors. The low rates offered for holidays reflect the fact that much of the vacation will be spent hearing sales pitches. BookVIP destinations are primarily in North America, including the continental United States, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The brand is owned by House of Berlin, a marketing company. It is the sister company of Interactive Marketing Solutions and World Links Group.

  • Is the site generally legal? In all countries? BookVIP is an American LLC registered in Louisiana. It is legal for American tourists but is not legal in most other countries. BookVIP contracts with specific resorts and hotels. Not all hotels or resort locations are willing to do business with the company. Many of the destinations are time-share companies interested in selling space to American holidaymakers.
  • How high is the chance of being scammed? There is some risk you could be scammed by this website. BookVIP has had over 300 complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau over the last 3 years. Some clients needed to alter their travel plans due to COVID restrictions and lockdowns. However, the company refused to cooperate or issue refunds in many cases. BookVIP also forces all travelers, including children, to attend sales presentations, called “resort preview presentations” (see #3 on the company’s “About Us” section). These “orientations” are mandatory and average 1-2 hours. High-pressure sales techniques are used to urge visitors to purchase extras or invest in resorts. Most travelers consider these presentations a scam because they waste their valuable and limited travel time.
  • Does the site contain viruses or malware? The website doesn’t seem to have any viruses or malware. It isn’t flagged by browser or third-party antivirus. When downloading items from the site, scan them with your antivirus software.
  • Does the site steal sensitive data? No, BookVIP is not likely to steal personal information. However, there is no way to know whether their vendors and partners may misuse information. The resorts you visit will have access to your identification such as passport or ID card. They will also have your credit card information. Some unscrupulous hotels may misuse your information for marketing or sell it for profit. If you are concerned, look up the individual hotel before booking your trip. You can also use bank-protected traveler’s cheques to pay for your holiday.
  • Are there similar fake sites to be aware of? Unfortunately, many sites are offering “too good to be true” vacations and holidays. A few we have found are listed below. Sales for timeshares and deceitful travel deals pop up in many shops, newsletters, and social media posts, too. We recommend only using well-established, trusted travel agents and vacation sites. Contact your desired hotel or resort directly to verify prices and amenities if deals seem too good. The front desk will be able to tell you if they are affiliated with the travel agency or sales company. Avoid any sites which require you to attend sales seminars in exchange for a holiday deal.

Is BookVIP reliable and trustworthy?

  • How good are the company’s overall web ratings? BookVIP has positive ratings on sitejabber.com, but mixed ratings on several other review sites. On the BBB, BookVIP has a B+ rating. This is considered acceptable, but not as good as more reputable sites. On Trustpilot, the reviews are average. Because BookVIP offers vacations to many different resorts, the ratings may reflect the reviewers’ feelings about the location.
  • Does the site have a refund policy? BookVIP does offer refunds, but only within 3 days of booking. Refunds between 3-7 days of booking will be partial and may be difficult to get. The company makes no promises about refunds after 7 days. Some buyers have managed to reschedule or get credit toward a different trip. Others have been disappointed they couldn’t get their money back. The majority of BookVIP’s poor ratings are due to cancelation and refund problems.
  • How many scam reports are there compared to positive reports? The brand’s ratings differ a lot from site to site. On some websites, they have 90%+ positive ratings, but on others only 50-60% of reviews are positives. Complaints of scams are frequent. Usually, this has to do with confusion about refunds and cancellations. Others also say they were diverted to unpopular, lower-quality resorts than those originally booked.
  • How reliable is customer support? Customer support is hit or miss. Some shoppers have good experiences. Others felt their concerns were not addressed appropriately. The company is strict about upholding the policies written on receipts and the brand website. Agents usually won’t agree to go above and beyond what was agreed upon at the time of purchase.

The pros and cons of BookVIP

  • Pro – The company offers excellent deals which often save vacationers hundreds of dollars.
  • Pro – BookVIP works mostly with all-inclusive resorts. This means there is one fee for your room, meals, and included amenities.
  • Pro – If you are open to hearing a sales pitch, you can save money and still have a good time.
  • Pro – It is easy to find the right holiday. The company lets you browse by location, price range, and other filters.
  • Con – BookVIP requires buyers to sit through long sales presentations. Some people feel uncomfortable with this technique. Others consider it an interruption of a long-planned vacation.
  • Con – Rescheduling and making changes can be difficult or impossible. The refund policy is not very forgiving. Some buyers complain they paid for holidays they never got to take.
  • Con – BookVIP has a limited number of destinations and facilities. They do not offer vacations outside of North America. They also don’t book cruises, single destinations, or short-term stays.
  • Con – Buyers must be legally married to take advantage of certain destinations or offers. Some people feel this interferes with their privacy and they don’t feel comfortable sharing marital information with the company.
  • Con – Ratings are inconsistent and conflict a great deal. It’s difficult to predict whether you will like your vacation or be dissatisfied with the choice.

How does BookVIP make money?

BookVIP connects with all-inclusive resorts around North America. The company earns money by referring travelers to these resorts and hotels. Locations pay the agency to promote their destinations to holidaymakers. BookVIP also takes a cut of the package price. Timeshare sellers and renters also work with BookVIP to find potential clients. Each group that tours with the company are required to sit through a presentation. During presentations, buyers are encouraged to purchase extra side trips and items or to extend their stay. If the vacationer books additional resort time, BookVIP receives a commission for the sale. The company takes many orders annually. They appeal to a lot of budget travelers who need a good deal. Bulk sales let them profit without charging exorbitant prices.

Best BookVIP Alternatives

You might find the deal of a lifetime on BookVIP. However, we suggest tried-and-true travel agencies and booking alternatives. Here are some to consider:

BookVIP FAQ

Q. Do you need to be married to use BookVIP?

A. According to the company’s FAQ, you need to be married to participate in some vacations or score certain deals. The company primarily focuses on delivering married couples to timeshare owners and investment companies. However, some packages are open to singles, common-law couples, and families.

Q. Can I bring my children on a BookVIP vacation?

A. Yes, most holiday packages are open to families with children. Keep in mind, BookVIP does require all travelers, including small children, to attend their sales presentations. Also, each resort has different facilities and amenities. You will want to research the resort before booking a trip. This will let you verify any childcare options, kid-friendly amenities, and safety information.

Q. Can LGBTQ families go on these trips?

A. Yes, the company welcomes LGBTQIA+ people on most of their trips. For details, check on the individual resort you’re interested in.

Q. Are the resorts good quality?

A. BookVIP partners with many different resorts. Some are classy, well-respected 3 or 4-star facilities. Others may be more focused on cutting costs than on providing safety, comfort, and memorable experiences. You should be able to find out the name of your destination resort before booking your package. Don’t just take BookVIP’s word that it is a quality establishment. Contact the hotel directly or look at trusted online sites for unbiased reviews.

Q. Can I reschedule my vacation?

A. Some buyers were able to reschedule for a fee, but others could not. Ideally, verify your travel dates and itinerary with your travel party before booking. BookVIP does allow refunds as long as you cancel within 3 days. If possible, double-check your plans within 24-48 hours so you can cancel and change your holiday. BookVIP tends to work out well for people who enjoy last-minute travel deals. If you’re the sort of person who books months or years in advance, you may run into trouble.