Whether you discovered VIP Traveler through a viral social media ad or elsewhere, you may be wondering, is VIP Traveler legit? After putting my own money on the line booking a trip through this luxury travel agency, I can assure you that, yes! VIP Traveler is legit, and so are its impressive vacation packages.
What is VIP Traveler?
VIP Traveler is a luxury travel agency and third-party booking site that specializes in bundling luxury vacations into budget-friendly packages.
Although there is a yearly membership available for VIP Traveler, you do not need to be a member to book most of the VIP Traveler packages. Furthermore, you will not be coerced into a VIP Traveler membership on your trip like the horror stories you hear about vacation timeshares.
I was a little worried that I would have to sit through a membership presentation on my trip booking as a non-member, but I didn’t hear a single promotion the entire week.
VIP Traveler Review
Before I booked my latest luxury trip to the Maldives through VIP Traveler, I was extremely hesitant because I could not find any reviews of VIP Traveler nor their client SO/ Maldives, a brand new Maldives resort. If you’re reading this, you’re probably in the same position.
The only reviews I found were from people on Reddit who had clearly never actually booked through VIP Traveler. All of the Reddit responses were vague, claiming “This seems too good to be true. This must be a scam. This sounds like a timeshare.”
So, I cautiously booked my vacation package to SO/ Maldives, risking a few thousand dollars in hopes that I might experience a $20,000+ trip for more than 75% off. After I posted about the once-in-a-lifetime Maldives vacation package I scored, my DMs were quickly littered with the same question: is VIP Traveler legit?
Now that I have actually taken the trip, I can assure you with 100% unbiased, unsponsored certainty. Yes, VIP Traveler is totally legit.
Package Inclusions and delivery: 9/10
The first things I look for in third-party vacation package booking sites (besides the actual legitimacy of the booking, which I’ll cover in detail next), are the package inclusions as well as the seamless delivery of package inclusions without any hiccups.
My VIP Traveler package (SO/ Maldives), had what I imagine to be the best package inclusions possible, including amazing food, all ground transportation, villa upgrades and more. But, not only were the package inclusions fabulous, the execution and delivery of these inclusions were almost seamless.
While at the resort, we didn’t have correct waiters or bartenders with incorrect charges. We didn’t have to plan or ensure our own itineraries. The resort staff immediately knew our inclusions and even explained them to us well.
Booking process: 5/10
The booking process was smooth and quick. Within 15 minutes, I had purchased the vacation package online.
However, both the booking process and the booking confirmation were through VIP Traveler, not the resort, so I still felt a little suspicious about the legitimacy of the booking.
To calm my nerves, I emailed the resort directly to confirm the booking dates. Although the resort was indeed able to confirm my booking, the dates they had my booking under were not the dates I booked through VIP Traveler. I booked my trip through VIP Traveler from March 13-19, but the resort had my booking confirmed for April 13-19.
And, unfortunately, we did not realize this error until after we had already flown halfway across the world and were waiting for our transportation from the airport to the resort. When the resort staff told me my booking was for a different month, as I was standing stranded on an island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, all the blood drained from my face in horror. I probably looked white as a ghost.
Thankfully, the resort staff were extremely kind and helpful. They had a villa open that week and immediately switched my booking dates without question or any extra charges.
To this day, I’m not sure if the error was on VIP Traveler’s end or the resort’s end. And, had the resort been fully booked, this could have been a major nightmare.
So, if you book through VIP Traveler, I recommend emailing your resort(s) directly to confirm exact trip dates after receiving confirmation from VIP Traveler. Do this before booking your flights (if flights are not included in your package) to ensure you book flights for the correct dates.
That being said, I overheard other resort guests saying they also booked the same vacation package through VIP Traveler and had no issues. I’m pretty positive that our problem was a one-time mistake, but I wanted to share the full unbiased story with you so that you can make an informed buying decision.
Despite this caveat, I would definitely book through VIP Traveler again in the future and would recommend VIP Traveler to others. This trip was, hands-down, one of the best vacations I have ever taken in my life.
VIP Traveler Client Resort: 10/10
Likewise, our specific package’s resort, SO/ Maldives, was absolutely to die for. The property was perfect. The Maldivian water was crystal clear — the kind of water you see in magazines. We ate food fit for kings and queens every single day (wagyu beef and caviar with every meal). You can read my full review of SO/ Maldives here.
Needless to say, VIP Traveler knew what they were doing when they chose to partner with SO/ Maldives. It is clear that this agency only represents high-quality, legit luxury resorts and hotels. I assume you can expect similar VIP treatment with other vacation packages as well.
VIP Traveler SO/ Maldives Package Inclusions
The VIP Traveler SO/ Maldives vacation package I booked was packed with high-value inclusions. Our particular packaged included:
- 6 nights at the brand new SO/ Maldives resort for two people.
- Upgraded overwater villa with a private pool.
- Round-trip transportation to and from the airport (15 minute boat ride both ways).
- Half board (daily breakfast, and either 3-course lunch or dinner everyday).
- Free sunset cocktails or mocktails every evening.
- Free 60 minute massage for two people.
- Free floating breakfast for one morning.
- Free sunset dolphin cruise.
- Included guided tour of a nearby city.
- Welcome drink upon arrival.
- Welcome amenities to our room (champagne, pastries and exotic fruits).
- Resort amenities (pool, multiple beaches, select water sports, turn-down service and more).
- All-inclusive option available for an additional charge.
- And more.
All for $3999 plus tax and flights.
With tax, flights and other miscellaneous expenses, we spent around $6000 total for the trip.
All of these Maldives package inclusions were valued by VIP Traveler at $12,000. But, my husband and I both agreed that the trip had to have been worth even more than that: $20,000 minimum.
The five-star food alone would have nearly paid off the price of the vacation package. Every dinner receipt total came to $300 or more each night without the package. Again, you can read my full review of the dreamy SO/ Maldives resort here.
As you can see, there is no wondering why the internet wonders,”Is VIP Traveler legit?” This trip did, in fact, seem too good to be true. Luckily for you and I, the trip was both good and true.
What you do you think? Would you book through VIP Traveler?
More Budget Travel Tips
How To Get Free Flights For Life (Travel Hacking For Beginners)
17 Best Travel Credit Cards 2024
How To Do Bora Bora On A Budget
Save This Review For Later
Save this VIP Traveler review for easy reference later by saving to your socials.
Leave a Reply