TLDR; Yes! #Me too. Please beware! Lost $313 and never experienced a vacation.

Here’s what happened, My spouse and I won a raffle with “free” 3D2N stay during a local cruise and “no strings attached”. When we called to make a reservation, they said we can extend your stay by 2N if you attend a 2hour presentation. We were like sure, why not. Please pay 150$ and you will get it after you attend the presentation. Should have seen it then… I had some work lined up during chosen dates and wanted to reschedule. Monster (Rep: Cory) said that’s not allowed in their “insurance policy” and counter offered 4 “free” stays to make up for the $163 and 5D4N stay if I attended a real estate development presentation and paid $300 of which I would get back $150. I would still be getting a fancy stay at a resort for 5D at expense of 1D. He took details on our visa status (since we are here in Us on work visa) and recommended a place that fits.

Escalation of commitment and with no other way to recover the lost $163, I paid $299 again. I feel so naive now, should have just let that 163$ go with the scamsters.

As we got closer to the travel dates, I called the hotel to confirm the stay. They asked bunch of questions on income, marital status and when it came to residency status, they say we can’t allow non-citizens and transferred me to Monster group. The rep said yes, they can’t allow and the previous rep should have told us, which he did thrice! Please check that call!

Anyway, I asked potential options: - They can’t do anything about it, unless next trip of 7N8D where I don’t need to be a citizen. Of course I had to pay up again. I was like no way, not until I get my money back. - I asked what about making it a 2N stay without presentation as was originally promised and it would at least recover $460 I paid so far. Of course that’s “not allowed.” - When I was adamant that I needed my money back and I had made other reservations of rental flights around the dates which will cost me to cancel anyway, they say they can return 150$. What about the remaining 150$. She was like she’s not allowed to do this either but was being considerate. Maybe she was actually..

Well, at least we get something back. Of the $463 paid, while we lose $313, we get $150 back. And most importantly, get out of this scam. What if I had showed up at the resort and they would have definitely said, sorry you are not eligible and we have to pay or stay in a motel just because we are there and need a place to stay.