Happening Travel Club ...legit or a scam?

[Cdj1040]

This club posts ads regularly in the Daily Sun. Their prices are very good. They state they are a 501c3 meaning a non profit organization exempt from taxes. They state they are an educational travel club and charity. David Hopkins is the main person and the one who runs the ad. There are NO REVIEWS to be found on line and nothing in the BBB. We are reluctant to book a great trip with them without some assurance. The trip includes a Celebrity cruise with pre and post tours. Does anyone have any experience with thus organization?

[patlarry]

I would be interested in the information also. I have looked at the ads and get email s. I would like to use this compaqny but don not know anything about it

[Debra Smith]

This club posts ads regularly in the Daily Sun. Their prices are very good. They state they are a 501c3 meaning a non profit organization exempt from taxes. They state they are an educational travel club and charity. David Hopkins is the main person and the one who runs the ad. There are NO REVIEWS to be found on line and nothing in the BBB. We are reluctant to book a great trip with them without some assurance. The trip includes a Celebrity cruise with pre and post tours. Does anyone have any experience with thus organization?

Has anyone used them? Prices look good. But is this a scam?

[Number 10 GI]

Do some internet searching, I spent a little time looking and for me personally, no thanks. Information is too sketchy about the club, can't find a street address for their main office or any satellite offices or corporate head names. Big red flags! Get on the internet and search, don't make plans with this outfit and send money without feeling secure in your decision. They do have a face book account so that is a plus for them, but I'm pretty sure face book didn't do a background investigation on them either.

[retiredguy123]

It sounds like a scam to me.

[Skip]

Have not seen his ads. But if he's advertising a specific trip, at an advertised price and does not have his license number (ST#) on the ad, he's already committing a crime. I'll watch for Sunday's paper. And I'm surprised that the Daily Sun would accept the ad without the license on it.

Skip

[CoachKandSportsguy]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hopkins-80196116a/

David Hopkins Linked in Page url above

Zero Activity, one item in background copied and pasted below

Experience
Executive Assistant
It's Happening Out
Feb 2018 - Present · 7 yrs 6 mos

Access to this page has been denied (https://www.zoominfo.com/p/David-Hopkins/5529626139)

David Hopkins is a Senior Travel Coordinator at HappeningOut.Travel based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

HappeningOut.Travel
2021-present (5 years)
Address
5975 N Federal Hwy 123, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33308, United States
Phone Number
(954) 256-9061
Number of Employees
12
Industry
Hospitality
Travel Agencies & Services

[CarlR33]

The Daily Sunshine paper would only support legitimate business that pay them right?

[CoachKandSportsguy]

do you understand how 503(c) non profit organizations work?

Do you understand how the employees are paid at a non profit organization?

What's the percentage of your payments as revenue collection from donations of a small number of rooms and trips from major cruise lines, etc. actually go to their charitable organizations?

Is it the minimum? or are all your charitable revenue to them going their inflated salaries?

are you being seduced by the words you want to hear or read?
How does your critical thinking evaluate cheap / lower price versus quality versus a grifting endeavor by telling you what you want the hear/read?

[Rainger99]

Four reviews.

Happening Travel Club Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of happening.travel (https://www.trustpilot.com/review/happening.travel)

[CoachKandSportsguy]

4 reviews in 5 years. . .
trying to keep a low profile for some reason

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Gemini (Google) AI review
search term: "reviews for happening out travel club"

AI Overview



+7
Happening Out Travel Club has mixed reviews. Some users report positive experiences with specific trips and deals, while others express concerns about the club's practices, including high pressure sales tactics and limited availability of advertised deals. Some users found the deals comparable to or more expensive than booking independently.
Positive Experiences:
Some users have reported successfully booking trips, including a 10-day Peru and Machu Picchu trip with included airfare and sightseeing.
Users have mentioned finding value in condo rentals through the club, especially when compared to other exchange companies.
Negative Experiences:
Some users found the sales presentations to be high-pressure and misleading, with promises of discounts that were not ultimately available.
Concerns were raised about the club's pricing structure and the availability of advertised deals, with some users finding it difficult to book the trips they were promised.
One user reported that the club cancelled their reservation at the last minute, causing significant stress and difficulty in finding alternative accommodations.
Some users felt that the club's membership fees and annual renewal fees made the overall cost of travel more expensive than booking independently.
Several users reported negative experiences with customer service, including difficulty reaching representatives and issues with refunds.
Some users found that the resorts offered by the club were outdated and not worth the price.
There were reports of users feeling pressured to make immediate decisions and sign contracts without proper review.
Overall:
It's important to be cautious when considering travel club memberships, as some have been described as scams or deceptive.
Before joining any travel club, it's recommended to research the company thoroughly, read reviews from multiple sources, and carefully review all terms and conditions.
If a deal seems too good to be true, it's likely a good idea to be skeptical and do more research.
Consider whether the potential benefits of a travel club membership outweigh the potential costs and risks.
Be wary of high-pressure sales tactics and limited-time offers.

[Skip]

It's way too easy to buy positive online reviews. Don't trust them.

Skip

[EricN]

Happening Travel Club Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of happening.travel (https://www.trustpilot.com/review/happening.travel)

[mrf6969]

We went to a travel club here in TV years ago and everyone there was only there to hopefully sell their timeshare. What a bust.

[Stu from NYC]

I am regularly getting ads for them on fb. Not ready to book anything at the moment but pricing is very good but almost too good to be true