• Travelzoo

Travelzoo

Overview

Travelzoo has a rating of 2.09 stars from 219 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Travelzoo most frequently mention customer service, credit card, and fine print problems. Travelzoo ranks 211th among Travel Search Engine sites.

  • Service
    52
  • Value
    46
  • Shipping
    14
  • Returns
    27
  • Quality
    37

This company responds to reviews on average within 2 days

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 47.1%
Positive
8
Neutral
0
Negative
9
22
See all photos

What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

No positive highlights yet

Critical highlights

  • I will be filing a complaint with the BBB for both Travel Zoo and the merchant.
  • The operation they run is borderline scam They do not back the product they sell and customer service is non existent.
How would you rate Travelzoo?
Top Positive Review

“Great visit to this beautiful house and gardens”

Lynn P.
6/7/23

I would highly recommend a visit to this lovely and interesting house with beautiful gardens. Staff are very friendly and welcoming. The coffee shop has a good choice of tasty hot and cold food. The coffee and cakes are so delicious. Lots of comfortable seating outside on the terrace to enjoy your food with gorgeous views of the gardens. I intend to visit again soon bringing some more friends to enjoy it too.

Top Critical Review

“Scam”

Chi Z.
12/20/23

We were scammed by a travel agency called Utovacation that travelzoo repeatedly recommended as top deal. There is a reddit chain regarding Utovacation being a scamming agency and people have tried to tell Travelzoo to stop recommendation them, but it continued to do so. Which I had read the reviews and reddit earlier. I didn't do any research on the travel agency since it was recommended repeatedly by travelzoo.

Reviews (219)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

travel zoo (28) customer service (36)
Thumbnail of user chiz5
1 review
1 helpful vote
December 20th, 2023

We were scammed by a travel agency called Utovacation that travelzoo repeatedly recommended as top deal. There is a reddit chain regarding Utovacation being a scamming agency and people have tried to tell Travelzoo to stop recommendation them, but it continued to do so. Which I had read the reviews and reddit earlier. I didn't do any research on the travel agency since it was recommended repeatedly by travelzoo.

Value
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello Chi,

Thank you for reaching out to us. We're sorry to hear you're disappointed with your trip secured with UTOvacations. We'd like to review this further. Please contact Travelzoo Customer Support directly at 877-665-0000 or email us at support@travelzoo.com with your trip details, including your booking number, so we may better assist you.

Regards,
Lisa M.

Thumbnail of user juliet1438
1 review
0 helpful votes
February 12th, 2024

I recently purchased a holiday to Crete that was advertised at a really low cost for a five star all inclusive holiday. When I came to pay, the cost had doubled and the flights were purchased separately which means I have not got ATOL protection. The way the holiday company went about the transaction was done in a way that you were not aware that when you had paid the advertised price they then charged you in addition for the flights. I am usually savvy but not in this instance. After writing to Travelzoo stating that they should simply put on the advert that commission is not included in the price they did not respond. They got their commission and that is their main aim. I paid an additional £300 on the cost of a £600 low season holiday. Be warned don't book a holiday through Travelzoo and next year you are going to pay the privilege of paying £30 to become a member. But not me!

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello Julie,

Thank you for sharing. We're sorry to hear you've had a bad experience booking the holiday to Crete, and that your experience was not what you were expecting. We'd like to review this further. Please contact Travelzoo Customer Support directly at 877-665-0000 or email us at support@travelzoo.com with your trip details including your booking number so we may better assist you.

Regards,

Lisa
The Travelzoo Team

Thumbnail of user mrslynnpj1
1 review
0 helpful votes
June 7th, 2023
Verified purchase

I would highly recommend a visit to this lovely and interesting house with beautiful gardens. Staff are very friendly and welcoming. The coffee shop has a good choice of tasty hot and cold food. The coffee and cakes are so delicious. Lots of comfortable seating outside on the terrace to enjoy your food with gorgeous views of the gardens. I intend to visit again soon bringing some more friends to enjoy it too.

Products used:
Visit to Winterbourne House and Gardens

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user hondagirl2008
1 review
1 helpful vote
August 11th, 2023

The tour was with Trafalgar and was a 19 day Britain and Ireland Panorama. It was a very unorganized tour. The hotels we stayed at were at the outer parts of the city. We arrived at the hotels late and there were usually no pubs close by and therefore we're eating at the hotel. Since we arrived late the museums were already closed.
The tour guide we had was less than mediocre

Tip for consumers:
Best to use a different tour company or mode of transportation.

Products used:
Trafalgar Tours

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello Rachelle,

Thank you for sharing. We're sorry to hear you've had a bad experience with Trafalgar Tours, and that the tour was unorganized which caused difficulties during your trip. We'd like to review this further. Please contact Travelzoo Customer Support directly at 877-665-0000 or email us at support@travelzoo.com with your trip details including your booking number so we may better assist you.

Thank you,

Amanda
The Travelzoo Team

Thumbnail of user hh168
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 1st, 2022

It was really frustrated when I end been scammed with travelszoo. Sale scammers which they use Travelzoo logo and they act as agent the worst was the unfair treatment by bank and delay I was lucky with transfergo to stop one of the transaction they were nice and act in good manner but other transfer agency called taptap they act really in a way I felt sick there was one transfer not approve and one pending they realised the one not approved and they miss the one pending so it is gone through so I lost lots money. My bank revolut is careless and make me laugh sick saying not enough evidence. My advice anyone subject to scam contact the agent that they are using to transfer your money you may have someone human and stop it for you or careless next the bank if your bank have bad reputation am advising people base on my experience do not bank with Revolut. Contacted travelzoo they said it is scam if you know someone acting on your name what have you done to stop them

Tip for consumers:
Never trust number sent to you by brochure on Facebook or what’s up or social media always search for the name of the company and check their number and make sure they are genuine they are clever and professional but if you trust you instinct and you feel they scammers don’t process stop and take all measure no one care about your pain or your kids end up without pocket money for months.

Products used:
It was scam using travelzoo name

Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello HH,

Thank you for this feedback.

We’re very sorry to hear about your circumstances. We have reported this malicious activity to the National Cyber Security Centre. We are actively seeking their assistance to shut down this fraudulent site.

Additionally, we recommend you take these steps:

- Contact your bank or credit card company to initiate a chargeback on your purchase.

- Report your event to Action Fraud, the UK’s National Fraud & Cyber Crime Reporting Centre, at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2020. Advisors are available 24 hours.

- Consult this consumer rights guide on how you might be able to recover your money: https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/advice/how-to-get-your-money-back-after-a-scam

We wish you all the best.

Sincerely,

Amanda

Thumbnail of user patriciap2978
1 review
0 helpful votes
June 6th, 2023
Verified purchase

We had a wonderful two night stay at The New Hobbit which was great Travelzoo value! The food was excellent and staff very friendly. The room was comfortable with a magnificent view. There was ample parking and a decking area to enjoy a drink while catching the sunset. The location is great for the views and close to the moors for walking. Its a steep and sometimes winding road to reach the hotel from Sowerby Bridge but it can be approached from the top road which is less challenging.

Thumbnail of user danikaz4
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
February 6th, 2024
• Updated review

Thousands of us fell victim to Utovacation because Travelzoo continuously recommended it as hot travel deals. We all believed Utovacation which turned out to be a fraudulent entity because of Travelzoo's continued vouching for the company.

Even after some victims contacting Travelzoo after being scammed and telling Travelzoo to stop advocating for Utovacation, Travelzoo continued to do so and claims it is a reputable business. There were some speculation that perhaps Travelzoo is profiting from running ads for the scam company so that they continued to do so despite reports from victims to Travelzoo.

You can view BBB revoked the business.
https://www.bbb.org/ca/on/richmond-hill/profile/travel-agency/utovacation-*******842 Utovacation has

Tip for consumers:
Don't trust Travelzoo

Products used:
I bought travel package from Utovacation as advertised by Travelzoo as hot deals many times.

Service
Value
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello Danika,

We're sorry to hear you've had a bad experience with UTO Vacations. I see our team has been in contact with you directly to assist with your travel credit. I'm sorry we're unable to provide the resolution you desired. If there are any other concerns, please call us at 1-877-665-0000, 7 days a week, 9 AM - 9 PM ET.

We are notifying our Deal Experts. Thank you for sharing that feedback.

Thank you,

Amanda
The Travelzoo Team

Scammed from their recommendations
December 14th, 2023
• Previous review

I purchased a travel deal based on Travelzoo's repeated recommendations for the company called Utovacation, which turned out to be a complete scam.

There's even a reddit thread dedicated to this scam company
https://www.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/120wway/uto_vacation_is_unethical_we_lost_1400/

Some people have contacted Travelzoo to ask them to stop recommending this scam business, but travelzoo continued to recommend them as hot travel deals. It was speculated that perhaps there are financial incentives for travelzoo to recommend clients to the scamming company.

Vet disappointed in Travelzoo and will never believe their recommendations again.

Service
Value
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user janeb1441
1 review
0 helpful votes
June 6th, 2023

Wow... what a meal this was! Tyddyn Llan was a chance find ahead of our trip to Wales, and we could not resist booking, and so glad we did! Fabulous, delicious meal, all beautifully presented and served by charming and attentive staff. So good that my friend, heading to Wales again in a few weeks, already has plans to book a stay here too!

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user julietf24
1 review
0 helpful votes
June 7th, 2023
Verified purchase

Right on the beach within walking distance to shops and restaurants. Weather did not cooperate on our stay. It was freezing and couldn't use the pool or beach end of May although we did try. Ate at bar near pool-meal came in a boxed lunch.

Thumbnail of user lisam4993
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
December 8th, 2022

Horrible Experience - hidden charges and no drop off or shuttle for early flights. The worst part -is they told us to drop off "around back" at 4:30am it was dark and 25 degrees. We had to walk around the facility to the front and wait in the cold for a Lyft. The resolution was I "should have read the website policy closer". Unacceptable, knowing that our safety was not taken seriously is really terrible. Hours should revolve around flight times. Enterprise and Avis were up and running with shuttles, use them!

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello Lisa,

Thank you for sharing. We're sorry to hear you've had a bad experience with Fox Rent A Car and that there were additional charges and that your drop off experience was unsafe. We'd like to review this further. Please contact Travelzoo Customer Support directly at 877-665-0000 or email us at support@travelzoo.com with your trip details including your booking number so we may better assist you.

Thank you,

Amanda
The Travelzoo Team

Thumbnail of user colleenb649
1 review
0 helpful votes
June 7th, 2023

We have purchased numerous vouchers over the years and had many great experiences. Always keep an eye out for upcoming deals.

Service
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user melissae1036
2 reviews
20 helpful votes
February 18th, 2023
Verified purchase

Please stop advertising for UTO Vacation. This travel agency is problematic and engages in bait and switch, breach of contract, and possibly other fraudulent activities. It has recently been suspended by the Better Business Bureau. I love Travelzoo, but continuing to advertise for UTO feeds vulnerable customers to this wolf of a disreputable company that will swindle your money and never take you on any promised vacation.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user joanneb902
1 review
0 helpful votes
June 6th, 2023

I love booking things on travelzoo. I know I can book with confidence and get the very best deals for great places and experiences. Always great value and perfect for gifts too. I know that all the hard work in finding a great offer has already been done for me...just click it and book it!

Service
Value
Shipping
Quality
Thumbnail of user maggien85
1 review
0 helpful votes
June 7th, 2023

We often use Travelzoo for holidays and short breaks. Been to some lovely places, latest was Coarse Lawn Hotel Gloucs. Really pleasant break, great staff and food.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user sebbyh
1 review
15 helpful votes
March 8th, 2020
• Updated review

I wrote my review after a very stressful day trying to cancel travel plans. Travel zoo reached out to me and when I explained the situation and reason for cancellations they actually gave me a full refund, which I was fine with a credit too. I still want to make the trip, but due to the health hazards with coronavirus, it puts my more fragile health in jeopardy. I want to say thank you for travel zoo for the special consideration.

To those booking, proceed with caution, but that's with everything these days and read ALL the fine print. Travel zoo completely redeemed themselves and I plan to use them in the future again.

Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello Sebby,

Thank you for your feedback!

I am very happy to hear our team was able to get your reservation cancelled without penalty. I will be sure to pass your feedback along to our Deal Experts.

Thank you,
Elicia

Misleading cancellation policy
March 5th, 2020
• Previous review

When booking using the site, it says that reservations can be cancelled even claim "book now cancel later", what they dont tell you is that it is only if you cancel more than 30 days before your travel date. Anything closer to the reservation date is charged full price. I called 21 days prior to travel, and can not cancel, get a partial refund, change dates or anything. Will be charged full price for a hotel I can't go to. I will never use this site again.

Use at your own risk.

Thumbnail of user heleend
1 review
1 helpful vote
January 26th, 2021

I have booked multiple Travelzoo vouchers. Most of them were fully refundable. I had to refund one voucher because of covid and did not have any problems at all. I had a great trip to Lago di Garda, booked a hotel in New York and tried out a few new restaurants. I never had any issues. I am a bit surprised by the negative reviews here on this website. Especially in comparison with Trustpilot for example (score 4.6/5).

Tip for consumers:
I love the deals in the Top20-newsletters!

Products used:
Multiple vouchers (Hotel in Lago di Garda, New York and London)
Restaurant vouchers
A Travel Package, booked through the Top20 Newsletter via a Travelzoo Partner

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello Heleen,

Thank you so much for the great feedback. We're glad to hear that you were able to refund one of your vouchers easily and that you were able to enjoy other deals! I'm excited to hear you had great experience and will share this with our Deal Experts. Happy travels!

Thank you,

Amanda

Thumbnail of user jeffreyd809
1 review
3 helpful votes
February 22nd, 2023

Run. Stay away. Save your time and money. Booked trip to Asia (3 counties) with travel dates in Nov 2023. First deposit was in Oct 2022 and second in Nov 2022. Final payment should be in May 13,2023. On Feb 16 2023 I got email that I have to pay full amount by Feb 26, if I want to continue with booking and sign wavers (that in case of any problems with trip like Covid-it my responsibility (not company). I tried to call them but after an hours of waiting they hang up on me. Complete scam. I will call all federal agencies to get my money back. Stay away from Uto Vacation

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello Jeffery,

Thank you for sharing. We're sorry to hear you've had a bad experience with UTO Vacations and that you've been unable to contact them. We'd like to review this further. Please contact Travelzoo Customer Support directly at 877-665-0000 or email us at support@travelzoo.com with your trip details including your booking number so we may better assist you.

Thank you,

Amanda
The Travelzoo Team

Thumbnail of user pearlb60
1 review
12 helpful votes
January 27th, 2021

With my son and new daughter-in-law having had to re-schedule their wedding date twice before in 2020, choosing 907 Main was like it was meant to be. Everyone from Catherine at the Front Desk offering to deliver our guests gift bags for us to Liz setting up the gorgeous private dinner table were so accommodating, as were the wait staff and bartenders too! Not to mention what a beautiful job they did setting up the rooftop wedding ceremony itself - simply spectacular and breathtaking! Thank you to all at 907 for ALL you did for making N & J's wedding one we will always remember now with a smile! Mrs. B.

Tip for consumers:
There is no parking on site, but a very reasonable parking garage only four minute walk away that charged $12.00 for an over-night Sat.-Sun. parking.

Products used:
The food was fantastic, and if you want to try something different, you are close enough to plenty of local varieties of restaurants!

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello Pearl,

This is great! We love to hear about our member's happy moments. So glad you enjoyed the venue for your your son's wedding and that the staff at 907 Main were pleasant and accommodating.
Thank You,

Crystal

Thumbnail of user as1216
1 review
6 helpful votes
October 14th, 2022
Verified purchase

This company has zero integrity and rips off its customers. I made a booking and 3 weeks before travel they advised me the hotel would not be open and therefore I had no accommodation. They then offered me compensation for the hassle and issues and advised me to send in my invoice once I'd picked and stayed a new hotel. When I submitted my invoice after my stay they are now refusing to honour the agreed upon amount even though it is clearly written in an email and recorded on the call. They have the worst customer service and dishonest employees. Do not give this scam company your money. They have zero integrity.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Dear Adrienne,

Thank you for sharing. We understand how frustrating it can be when a hotel has an unexpected closure. I see our team has been in contact with you directly and has provided a refund for the difference in cost for your alternative accommodations. I'm sorry we weren't able to provide the resolution you desired.

If there are any other concerns, please call us at 877-665-0000, 7 days a week, 9 AM - 9 PM ET.

Thank you,

Amanda
The Travelzoo Team

Thumbnail of user angelae1069
1 review
2 helpful votes
June 6th, 2023

Lovey day spent at the Cornwall Spa Hotel enjoying the facilities of the Spa, relaxing lunch & finished off unwinding with an hours facial & relaxation with a glass of delightful fizz. Highly recommended & can't wait to go again

Thumbnail of user marks6062
1 review
6 helpful votes
March 30th, 2023

I find that Travelzoo often clogs my inbox with vacation offers that seem too god to be true, and once I click on the link and read the fine print, they usually are a lot more expensive than they advertise. They will advertise the worst time to go to a certain destination, for example. If there's a cruise involved, they don't include tax, gratuities and fees. The final prices would be 2 to 3X more than advertised, which is misleading to say the least. Travelzoo's lack of transparency in advertising makes me apprehensive of doing business with them and their 3rd party vendors.

Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello Mark,

Thank you for your feedback!

For the best deals, we collaborate closely with our merchants. The advertised price in The Deal is the best available at that time. Depending on the options you choose (such as a shorter layover or a preferred accommodation type), the final cost of your trip may be higher than you expected.

The fine print on the voucher reminds you that taxes and gratuity are not included in the purchase price, so it is customary for the merchant to charge tax based on the promotional value of the offer.

We understand that this may cause confusion and encourage you to reach out to us directly with any questions or concerns.

Thank you,

Amanda
The Travelzoo Team

Thumbnail of user timc967
1 review
3 helpful votes
August 19th, 2021

In Sept of 2020 I booked a trip for Crete Chania through Exoticca. That trip is scheduled in 19 days. The US has just put Greece as Level 4 (do not fly) travel ban. The US has also imposed entry restriction for the next 500 days on folks coming from Europe. Greece itself has imposed travel restrictions in Crete and Chania. Chania the town is currently in lock down and has curfews. Exoticca will not cancel my trip nor refund my money. How is this possible? How can they take your money, trying to force you into flying into a pandemic war zone?

Tip for consumers:
Don't. Be wary about fully refundable. buy separate trip insurance.

Products used:
Not a product a service, flights and hotel will be lost

Service
Returns
Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello Tim,

Thank you for sharing. I'm sorry to hear that has happened. Would you please reach out to us at 1-877-665-0000 or send an email to support@travelzoo.com with your purchase details so we may better assist you?

We are available from 9am to 9pm ET, Monday-Sunday.

Regards,

Amanda
The Travelzoo Team

Thumbnail of user anul9
1 review
1 helpful vote
September 11th, 2022
Verified purchase

The resort is such a rip off. The travelzoo voucher was not a good buy at all. You can get so much better deals on air BnB on your own. The resort misrepresented their events on their site when I booked with them. They had quoted movie under the stars, when I contacted the resort they said due to low demand and executive decision they moved the date to the long weekend. Just before arrival they cancelled that event. I was outside of my cancellation window with the resort. There was no value for the money! Terrible experience with travelzoo. Will NOT be using them for ever. Will contact travelzoo but reading other reviews it seems their service is poor. Lesson learnt. I ask for 50% of my money back! The unit they put us had a broken shower, the fridge smelt like a dead skunk, the lights were out and not fixed.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello

Thank you for sharing. We're sorry to hear you've had a bad experience with Muskoka Bay Resort, and that I'm sorry that the hotel cancelled and moved the Movie Under the Stars that you were looking forward to. We'd like to review this further. Please contact Travelzoo Customer Support directly at 877-665-0000 or email us at support@travelzoo.com with your trip details including your booking number so we may better assist you.

Best Regards,
Crystal
The Travelzoo Team

Thumbnail of user alexl1140
1 review
2 helpful votes
February 23rd, 2023

Travelzoo.com was the site I used to book my tour to China. When I found out I was unable to travel because their partner never booked me on the tour. They refused to help me. Their vice president of HR Lisa Oswald did nothing to help me. When I posted a negative review on their face book account they removed it. So when you read their reviews you don't see the tens of thousands of negative reviews because they remove them. All you see our positive reviews. Their platform on Facebook is a fake.

Date of experience: January 18,2023

Tip for consumers:
Be careful once you book though them they will do nothing to help you. It's very upsetting to see your negative commits removed when you post them on their Facebook website. Had I known that they had thousands of negative reviews removed abd only showed the positive ones I would have used a trusted site like Priceline or dozens of others. Don't do business with this company if you do and there is any problems your screwed.

Products used:
none

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hello Alex,

We're sorry to hear you've had a bad experience with UTO Vacations. We understand how frustrating it can be when your tour is cancelled and there are difficulties rescheduling. I see our team has been in contact with you directly and has advocated on your behalf.

I'm sorry we haven't been able to negotiate the resolution you desired. If there are any other concerns, please call us at 1-877-665-0000, 7 days a week, 9 AM - 9 PM ET.

Thank you,

Amanda
The Travelzoo Team

Thumbnail of user kiwik2
1 review
0 helpful votes
July 1st, 2020

I'm updating my review due to the positive experience I received by emailing *******@travelzoo.com and Jayne helped me. Thank you.
Will continue to do business.

Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C. – Travelzoo Rep

Hi Kiwi,

I'm sorry you were unable to receive a refund for your purchase. I'd like to take a closer look. Would you please reach out to our Customer Service Team at 1-877-665-0000. Our Team is available Mon - Sun, 9am - 9pm ET.

Sincerely,

Delrae

Sitejabber for Business

Gain trust and grow your business with customer reviews.

From the business

Travel deals on hotels, flights, vacation packages, cruises and local & entertainment deals too. Join millions of travelers who already use Travelzoo!

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user travelzooc
Travelzoo C.
Typically responds within 2 days

How do I know I can trust these reviews about Travelzoo?

  • Sitejabber’s sole mission is to increase online transparency for buyers and businesses
  • Sitejabber has helped over 200M buyers make better purchasing decisions online
  • Suspicious reviews are flagged by our algorithms, moderators, and community members
Have a question about Travelzoo?