Absolutely USA/Overseas Travel & Tourism in Administration

Dear_Mr_Echo

Hi

We booked a villa in Orlando through Absolutely USA (who are part of Overseas Travel & Tourism based in Accrington, Lancs) on the 20th of last month, got a confirmation through and sort of just left it. We passed their details on to my sister because she was also after a villa for next summer. She called them a few times and spoke to the same people we had. After a little more shopping around she then called them, got no reply but left a message that she was ready to book but she never got a call back. This started off some small alarm bells and we decided today to double check that everything was OK and find out what we needed to do when we get to Florida. So I've been trying to call Absolutely USA and the phone just rings and rings. I did a Google for Absolutely USA and I found this thread which shows that there are a few people in the same (and worse) situation and it seems that the company has gone into administration... just 9 days after our booking which is annoying as they must have known at some level that it was going to happen while they were taking our money.

I called ABTA and the chap there was instantly aware of the company and their status. He said that it was possible that our booking might still be valid and asked for the tour operator's name on the confirmation but there isn't one listed - so I'm not hopeful about that at all. Because there was no tour operator listed they put me on to the company's administrators (Price Waterhouse Cooper 01202 294 621) who might be able to confirm who the operator (if any) is and if they had been paid. Because they have literally just started working on the case and are still combing through paperwork she said they will be in touch with me in a few days.

So I just thought I'd post here in case anyone else has any bookings with either of these two companies. Also another company, All Star Quality Vacations may be affected by this.

We aren't going until after Easter next year so at least we have some time to get things fixed and we did book via credit card so at least we should be covered as far as the money is concerned but now we need to go through the hassle of finding new accomodation. Any reliable & cheap recommendations for Orlando villas?

blindman

I've used both Holiday Rentals and VRBO successfully.

You deal with the owners direct.

Dear_Mr_Echo

Thanks for that - I'll check them out later

Nordictat2

So sorry to hear about the troubles you guys are having but maybe these links can help you out?

http://www.vacationhomerentals.com/vacation-rentals/Orlando-Disney-Area-Florida.htm?OrderBy=weekly_average_rate&OrderCond=asc

http://www.coastal-villas.com/vacation.asp

http://www.holidayinflorida-uk.co.uk/florida-getaways/cheap-kissimmee-package-holidays.htm

Awrenn

We booked in May with Absolutely USA for a villa this year which they booked with Contempo homes in the US. We had a great holiday and we very happy. However, we have received a letter from Contempo homes today telling us that they have been informed that Absolutely USA have ceased trading and that they didn't pay for our Villa rental. They have therefore taken the money from our Credit card (they had the details from the breakages deposit we left). Neither ABTA nor our Travel insurance company say we have any comeback - we have payed twice for the same thing! Does anyone know how we go about getting our money back from Absolutely USA?

Dear_Mr_Echo

I would imagine a call to your credit card company would be good first step Awrenn.

And thanks for posting on here. It appears that even if you had your holiday a few months ago that doesn't make you immune to the effect of A USA going under.

sarahian

We booked our holiday with Absolutely USA on Sept 2006, we had our holiday beginning of May this year. We received a letter from Contempo yesterday stating that the reservation has not been paid for and they have charged our credit card as in your case. We have paid twice. We have been on the phone to the credit card company but they say they cannot do anything as it is an American company. We have been in contact with the administrators and they say that Overseas Travel and Tourism (The company associated with Absolutely USA) have not yet declared themselves insolvent so we will have to wait to see what happens there. At the minute it appears we can't get our money back. If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated. Thanks

sarahian

We have a couple of numbers to ring in order to try and make a claim to get your money back - BDO Stoy Hayward 0161 817 7522 Commercial Building 11-15 Cross Street, Manchester M2 1BD - for All Star vacations/Absolutely Useless sorry mean Absolutely USA! Price Waterhouse cooper (administrators) for Overseas Travel and tourism -01202 414317. We have just tried but it is 7pm and just going to answer phone that is stating to go to your credit card compant or ABTA. We are going to ring again on Mon to try and speak to someone. We will update if we get more info.

Dear_Mr_Echo

Pricewaterhouse Cooper have left the following message on the thread at holidaywatchdog.com...

"Message from Joint Administrators of Overseas Travel & Tourism Limited:

David Thornhill, Ian Oakley Smith and Robert Birchall of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP were appointed Joint Administrators of Overseas Travel & Tourism Limited on 7 September 2007.

Queries should be directed to the Administrators office on telephone number 01202 414317.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have not been appointed in relation to Allstar Quality Vacations Limited and are unable to comment on any queries relating to that company. Prior to contacting PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, please check the terms and conditions within your booking information to see which Company your contract was with.

The Administrators are unable to respond to any queries or comments made on this website and this notice is provided for information purposes only.

Please note that the Joint Administratators are agents of the company and act without any personal liability."