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Touring

T.B.A
Level Contributor
159 posts
3 reviews
3 helpful votes
Touring
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booked a tour with Smiling Trips of Malaysia staying in various hotels this was done through Travel Triangle

I was told by Smiling Trips I would have to make my own way to the first hotel.

I disagreed and told Smiling Trips it was their responsibility to make all transfers and gave them the pick up address and told them I needed picking up at 12 noon.

I waited 3 hours I gave up and made my own way to the first hotel

The reason I was given for this was they couldn’t contact me for directions

This was rubbish as all taxis have Sat Nav.

On arrival at the hotel, They could not find any reservation under my name. I was very worried that I had no where to sleep that night However after various phone calls and a protracted length of time a booking number was given to the hotel and I finally booked in after 5 hours from pick up time

For the length of stay I had taxis booked for sight seeing. What turned up was a shared Mini bus. While I had no problem with that. As long as I was advised but it was not what I believe I had booked

I questioned this with Smiling Trips who said it was booked on a SIC basis which apparently means a shared basis and to take the matter up with Travel Triangle. Waste of time !!

I was now worried I would have the same hotel booking in problems with the remaining hotels so repeatedly asked Smiling Trips to text me the booking reference numbers I was told I would receive the booking voucher for the last hotel by their local representative but this never happened but luckily this time the hotel had my name Why they could not just of text me to give me peace of mind I don’t know. Finally on the last 2 days of my holiday I was told I would have a private taxi to go sight seeing for my personal use which I had paid for However the Taxi company told me the tour company Smiling Trips had only booked a taxi for only half a days.

I decided to change 2 of the hotels as I did not like the location and asked for a refund I was told By smiling trips the hotels had a no refund policy this was a lie as I contact the hotels.

I was told by Smiling Trips as it was Christmas I had to pay an additional $360 However when I got to the hotel and asked what the cost was and was told $208

Finally I overpaid $40 which Travel Triangle said it would refund Also Smiling Trips said it would make a $20 ex gratis payment through Travel The latter I have now received

After Kuala Lumper onward to Vietnam and Cambodia with the tour company Asia Pacific Tours who I would highly recommend

Norfolk, United...
Destination Expert
for Chaweng, Ko Samui
Level Contributor
40,368 posts
352 reviews
398 helpful votes
1. Re: Touring
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Another reason NOT to use tourcompanies, who see us tourists that want a tour as easy pickings. I always have to ask why use a tour company in a country that is sooooooooo easy to explore?

2. Re: Touring

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