Al Anolik, the attorney representing travel agents who claim to be
owed commissions by SunTrips, filed a motion in the U.S. Bankruptcy
Court Northern District of California, in San Jose, to force the
tour operator into Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
However, the law gives SunTrips the right to convert the case to
Chapter 11, which would give them the option of reorganizing and
resuming business. The filing lists four creditors who claim to be
owed a combined total of more than $49,000.
“There were hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars owed.
We have hundreds of agents. These were just the first four
signatures we got,” Anolik said.
Anolik is not alone in his sentiments. Chris Russo, president of
the Rocky Mountain chapter of American Society of Travel Agents
(ASTA) told TravelAge West: “As of today not one agent that I know
of has been paid by SunTrips.”
The motion, filed June 9, is the latest in a series of actions
taken over the last several months as part of a class-action
lawsuit aimed at retrieving unpaid commissions from SunTrips or its
parent company, OneTravel Holdings. The next step in the case is
for the judge to set a court date.
‘FUN FOR SURE’ WITH FUNJET
Funjet Vacations is helping travelers have “Fun for Sure” by
adding a new Hurricane Plan to its existing Pre-Travel Penalty
Wavier (PTPW). The plan applies to all hotels and destinations
Funjet offers, allowing travelers to cancel for any reason up to
the time of departure no questions asked and receive a refund. The
Hurricane Plan includes money back for interrupted and unused
nights and a $100 per person certificate redeemable for a future
vacation.
Fun for Sure is available for $69.99 per person. As an
introductory offer, the Hurricane Plan is included free to
travelers who purchase the PTPW between July 1-Oct. 31.
www.funjetfun4life.com
GUTSY WOMEN TRAVEL
Gutsy Women Travel has created an eight-day Magnificent Florence
and Tuscany tour, which includes a cooking class, vineyard tour,
wine tasting, pizza making, spa treatment, shopping and more.
Departure dates for this year are set for July 8, Sept. 9 and
Oct. 7. This trip priced from $2,899 per person, double includes
roundtrip flights from New York to Florence (other departure cites
available), six nights at the Anglo American in Florence, some
meals and activities.
Additionally, clients making a new booking on any Gutsy Women
Travel tour by July 31 will receive a $100 savings off the tour
price (refer to promo code OPRAPR100 when booking).
www.gutsywomentravel.com
PLEASANT TRAVEL
Pleasant Holidays is handing travelers the keys in Hawaii this
fall, with a free economy-size vehicle from Dollar Rent A Car
during vacations between Aug. 20-Dec. 15. In addition, the vehicle
will be automatically upgraded. The free-car offer is open to all
air-and-hotel-inclusive reservations made through Aug. 15.
Travel professionals can earn reward points and cash from the
Pleasant Holidays Travel Reward Incentive Program (TRIP), with more
points and bigger rewards if they book at
www.pleasantagent.com.
The company also announced it will reward agents with double
TRIP points when they send clients to Hawaii this fall, good for
bookings at participating Hawaii Hotels during stays between Aug.
20-Dec. 15. Hotels include Aqua Aloha Surf Hotel on Oahu, Hyatt
Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach
Club and ResortQuest Kona by the Sea on the Big Island.
www.pleasantagent.com
THREE NEW PACKAGES
Avanti Destinations has announced the creation of three new
packages combining several popular destinations in Ecuador, Costa
Rica and Spain for adventurous independent travelers, which can be
booked on Avanti’s recently revamped Web site. The 12-day, 11-night
Ecuador Adventure package travels to Galapagos, Quito and
Guayaquil. Prices start at $3,195 per person. River rafting on the
Sarapiqui River and a visit to Tabacon Hot Springs highlight the
eight-day, seven-night, Costa Rica Volcano and Beach Adventure, at
$1,799 per person. Lastly, the eight-day, seven-night Taste of
Spain explores Madrid, Seville, Malaga and Andalusia’s food and
wine. Prices start at $1,295 per person. Commission is 10
percent.
www.avantidestinations.com
NAPA FEAST WITH WOMEN & WINE
Women & Wine and ArTours have partnered to create a
four-day, three-night Insider’s Sonoma and Napa Feast in
California, Aug. 3-6. This package offers guests an intimate wine
country “feast” of premiere wine tasting, fine dining, spa
pampering, cooking lessons and more. Each day features a
behind-the-scenes sampling with some of Sonoma’s and Napa’s most
celebrated winemakers, chefs and tastemakers.
“Women & Wine has become a trusted source for women who love
wine, travel and living well,” said founder Julie Brosterman. “And
we believe this signature ArTours package is the perfect way to
stir everyone’s senses and offer a celebratory toast to the
summer.”
Space is limited to just 20 guests for this unique wine country
experience. The price for this getaway is $ 3,500 per person, based
on double occupancy and includes taxes and gratuity.
www.womenwine.com
