Happening Travel Club ...legit or a scam? Happening Travel Club ...legit or a scam? - Talk of The Villages Florida

Happening Travel Club ...legit or a scam?

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  #1  
Old 05-07-2025, 09:00 AM
Cdj1040 Cdj1040 is offline
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Default Happening Travel Club ...legit or a scam?

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?
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Old 06-30-2025, 03:18 PM
patlarry patlarry is offline
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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
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Old 07-09-2025, 12:44 PM
Debra Smith Debra Smith is offline
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Default Was wondering the samething! Has anyone used them?

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Originally Posted by Cdj1040 View Post
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?
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Old 07-09-2025, 03:11 PM
Number 10 GI Number 10 GI is offline
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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.
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Old 07-09-2025, 03:14 PM
retiredguy123 retiredguy123 is offline
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It sounds like a scam to me.
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Old 07-09-2025, 03:52 PM
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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.

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  #7  
Old 07-10-2025, 03:41 AM
CoachKandSportsguy CoachKandSportsguy is offline
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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

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
  #8  
Old 07-10-2025, 06:32 AM
CarlR33 CarlR33 is offline
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The Daily Sunshine paper would only support legitimate business that pay them right?
__________________
I will say the things that others are probably thinking but afraid to say.
  #9  
Old 07-10-2025, 06:39 AM
CoachKandSportsguy CoachKandSportsguy is offline
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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?
  #10  
Old 07-10-2025, 06:50 AM
Rainger99 Rainger99 is offline
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Four reviews.

Happening Travel Club Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of happening.travel
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Old 07-10-2025, 10:04 AM
CoachKandSportsguy CoachKandSportsguy is offline
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4 reviews in 5 years. . .
trying to keep a low profile for some reason
  #12  
Old 07-10-2025, 10:12 AM
CoachKandSportsguy CoachKandSportsguy is offline
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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.
  #13  
Old 07-11-2025, 08:37 AM
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It's way too easy to buy positive online reviews. Don't trust them.

Skip
  #14  
Old 08-07-2025, 01:35 PM
EricN EricN is offline
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Post Happening Travel Club Current Reviews

Happening Travel Club Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of happening.travel
  #15  
Old 08-07-2025, 03:25 PM
mrf6969 mrf6969 is offline
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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.
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