SmallBizGenius Analysis

Great Value Vacations offers packaged trips, including flights, hotels, and rental cars, primarily targeting international destinations. Customers generally report positive experiences, praising the convenience and cost savings, but some mention issues with flight arrangements, hotel locations, and customer service responsiveness.

Category Breakdown

Scores based on analysis of 304 recent reviews

Value and Cost Savings

8.5/10

Many reviewers highlight the cost-effectiveness of Great Value Vacations, stating that the packages offer significant savings compared to booking flights and hotels separately. Customers frequently mention finding deals on Groupon and appreciating the all-inclusive nature of the packages. For example, one reviewer stated, "This company is named appropriately for sure. We felt that value we received was much greater than what we paid."

45 reviews mention this

Flight Arrangements

5.5/10

A recurring issue is dissatisfaction with flight arrangements, including inconvenient layovers, long travel times, and flight cancellations. Some reviewers mention having to rebook flights at their own expense due to lack of assistance from the company. One reviewer said, "Flight was cancelled within hours of departure, No ONE from your company was available to assist! $800 later, we were finally able to rebook our own flight at our expense."

25 reviews mention this

Hotel Quality and Location

7.0/10

While some reviewers praise the quality and location of the hotels included in the packages, others express disappointment with hotels being located far from city centers or lacking desired amenities. Several reviewers noted inconsistencies in hotel quality across different legs of their trips. One reviewer mentioned, "The package is great except for the location of our hotel in Rome (quite far from most of the attractions)."

30 reviews mention this

Customer Service

6.0/10

Customer service experiences are varied, with some reviewers praising the promptness and helpfulness of the staff, while others report difficulty reaching assistance, especially during travel disruptions. Some reviewers also mention issues with name corrections and other booking changes. One reviewer stated, "From start to finish our experience with great value vacations was phenomenal. They were prompt, courteous and helpful."

20 reviews mention this

Trip Organization and Planning

8.0/10

Many customers appreciate the ease of trip planning and coordination facilitated by Great Value Vacations, noting that the company handles most of the arrangements, allowing them to focus on enjoying their vacation. Reviewers often mention that everything was well-planned and seamless. As one reviewer put it, "What made the experience great was that everything was planned, allowing enough wiggle room to plan our own activities, as well as have the big attractions planned out."

22 reviews mention this

Rental Car Experiences

6.5/10

Some reviewers had positive experiences with rental cars, while others encountered issues such as unreliable GPS or cars being too small for their group. These issues sometimes resulted in extra costs for upgrades. One reviewer noted, "The GPS on the rental car was unreliable, which was frustrating and sometimes scary!"

8 reviews mention this

Pros & Cons

What Customers Love

Significant cost savings compared to booking separately Mentioned 40x
"This company is named appropriately for sure. We felt that value we received was much greater than what we paid."
Convenient, all-in-one trip planning Mentioned 22x
"The ease of trip planning and coordination facilitated by GVV makes taking this vacation enjoyable and fun."
Well-organized itineraries Mentioned 15x
"Everything was seamless, well-organized, and completely stress-free."
Opportunity to customize trips Mentioned 10x
"We love that everything is included and that we get to stay in unique hotels that give us a flavor for the country. We also love that we can take the suggested itenerary and add our own adventures."
Prompt and helpful customer service in some cases Mentioned 8x
"From start to finish our experience with great value vacations was phenomenal. They were prompt, courteous and helpful."

Common Complaints

Inconvenient flight arrangements with long layovers or cancellations Mentioned 20x
"Flights were not even close to being relatively convenient, needing to leave at 4:30 am to get to the airport for a 7:00 am flight with a 4 hour layover."
Hotel locations far from city centers Mentioned 15x
"The package is great except for the location of our hotel in Rome (quite far from most of the attractions)."
Inconsistent hotel quality Mentioned 12x
"It seems to be the trend when you are going to more than one place with them that the first hotel is excellent. The second hotel is not so nice and the last hotel is usually very nice given the pattern."
Difficulty reaching customer service during travel disruptions Mentioned 10x
"Flight was cancelled within hours of departure, No ONE from your company was available to assist!"
Issues with booking changes and name corrections Mentioned 8x
"We needed a name correction on one airline ticket and notified Great Value Vacations months in advance. We were told it had to be handled at the airport the day of travel, which immediately created unnecessary stress."

Common Questions About Great Value Vacations

Answers derived from customer review patterns

Is Great Value Vacations legit and trustworthy?

Many customers find Great Value Vacations to be a legitimate and trustworthy company, citing well-organized itineraries and cost savings. However, some reviewers report negative experiences with flight arrangements, hotel quality, and customer service responsiveness, particularly during travel disruptions. While the majority of reviews are positive, it's important to be aware of the potential for issues and to carefully review all booking details before committing. Customers should also consider purchasing travel insurance to protect against unforeseen circumstances.

Based on 25 reviews

Does Great Value Vacations have good customer service?

Customer service experiences with Great Value Vacations appear to be mixed. Some reviewers praise the promptness and helpfulness of the customer service team, particularly during the initial booking process. However, other customers report difficulty reaching customer service representatives, especially when dealing with flight cancellations or other travel-related issues. The inconsistency in customer service quality is a recurring theme in the reviews, suggesting that experiences may vary depending on the specific situation and the agent involved.

Based on 15 reviews

Is Great Value Vacations worth it for small business travel?

Great Value Vacations can be a worthwhile option for small business travel, particularly for budget-conscious owners or teams seeking simple travel arrangements. The pre-packaged nature of the trips saves time on planning and coordination, and the cost savings can be significant. However, small business travelers should be aware of the potential for inconvenient flight schedules, less-than-ideal hotel locations, and potential difficulties reaching customer service during travel disruptions. Carefully weighing the pros and cons and considering travel insurance is recommended.

Based on 10 reviews

What are the common issues with Great Value Vacations?

Based on customer reviews, common issues with Great Value Vacations include inconvenient flight arrangements with long layovers or cancellations, hotel locations that are far from city centers, and inconsistent hotel quality. Some customers also report difficulty reaching customer service, especially during travel disruptions, and issues with booking changes or name corrections. While many customers have positive experiences, these recurring issues suggest potential areas for improvement.

Based on 30 reviews

How customizable are Great Value Vacations trips?

Great Value Vacations trips offer a degree of customizability, allowing travelers to add excursions and adjust itineraries to suit their preferences. Some reviewers mention the ability to extend their stays or modify the included activities. However, changes to flights or hotels may be more difficult to arrange and could incur additional costs. The level of customizability may depend on the specific package and the terms and conditions of the booking.

Based on 8 reviews