Intrepid Travel
Read all reviews for Intrepid Travel →
Intrepid Premium China avoid !!
There is a common theme on this site many people from different trips have expressed their disappointment about “Premium” I am adding to the number. So, if you’re thinking of booking a Premium trip with Intrepid do your research and read the reviews in this section. Premium is a price paid for above and beyond some basic or intrinsic value. This trip was not on any level above and beyond basic. Intrepid Response from Jacky “Value can be a difficult topic to address, as people's perceptions of value will differ.” It was an awful experience of eating in the must basic of cafes. We were not even allowed to order our food!!! The establishments could not even offer alcoholic beverages. What’s Premium about that? I came on a Premium holiday and expected premium food premium establishments with wine lists etc. I would have been better off booking a standard trip and we could decide where we ate. And order our own choice of dishes! We were on holiday and eating in these places was just plain awful and miserable. Intrepid response from Jacky "Our guides prioritize the safety and well-being of the entire group, which may sometimes limit dining options. " “It's disappointing to hear that the quality of meals and dining establishments did not meet your expectations. Our Premium style of travel is indeed designed to offer a higher standard of service and provide travellers with memorable experiences.” “Disappointing”? They were in back streets I would not venture to walk down on my own. Dietary restrictions, hygiene and health would be more likely to be compromised in establishments like these. “Our Premium style” did not offer a higher standard of service, your “design” is flawed. Premium China offers “first class” travel around China. So misleading it was ordinary minibus that on some days you could smell the cigarette smoke of the driver who had been waiting for us. I wrote to Intrepid to ask what was Premium about this trip. Intrepid Jacky response “As part of our Premium tours – while you state that intrinsic value is not accounted for- the experience of your guide does”. Our guide badgered us to rate her for 5 stars as she wouldn’t get her bonus. This was not an exceptional guide. She was a nice lady but that’s it. When we challenged her that we would like to order our own food she said she was afraid we would go over budget. I said tell us the budget and we will pay the difference. She refused. “Handpicked accommodation”, including Scaffolding and maintenance working going on so we had to use back entrance? I have travelled a lot in Asia the hotels were just run of the mill nothing premium. Intrepid Jacky response “We understand that the trip did not meet your expectations, and we sincerely apologize for any disappointment this may have caused. Your feedback is appreciated, and we will use it to make necessary improvements for future travellers.” How does that compensate me? The holiday was nearly £4000 and they offerd me a derisory £175.00 in compensation, so they accepet it wasn’t Premium but that’s all they were prepared to pay in recognition of that! I was so angry how bad this trip was I really want my money back as I was mis sold a holiday on a flawed and misleading concept of Premium quality. "We can see that you have been in communication with our Customer Care team who have been addressing your concerns. Should you wish to discuss anything further, they are available to assist" They closed the case!!! they never addressed my concerns largely ignored them.