HolidayXP - Box Hill, Victoria

Chandana N.

We booked our tour to Vietnam, through Holiday XP- Box Hill office Australia. We booked a 4 star- Tripple share package and our group included 12. The cost per person was Aus $ 1500.00 excluding the international air flight cost. I was given an itinerary by Holiday XP which included detailed explanation of places/activities included in the package and a few names of the possible hotels and curses that included in the package (Initial itinerary). When it comes closer to our tour, we were contacted by Halong Tours Booking’s local agent Tammy. She was based in Halong Bay. Tammy also provided an itinerary that included the activities, names of the exact hotels and the cruise they planned (Final itinerary).

Positives.

1. Initially, I dealt with the Managing Director (Joe Lin) of Holiday XP – Box Hill was friendly, timely answered all our questions and timely organise the payments.
2. The local agent Tammy was extremely helpful throughout our tour. She was prompt when replying to our queries. She assisted one of our group members with her e-Visa issue by going beyond and above.
3. The hotels we were provided included Harmony Saigon, Delicacy Hotel Hoi Ann, and Rex Ha Noi. I have included separate reviews on them in Trip advisor. Basically, there’s nothing to complain about these hotels. Highly recommended.

Negatives

1. As mentioned, the Initial Itinerary and the Final Itinerary didn’t match. On day 6, the initial Itinerary included some activities but in the Final Itinerary we had a free day. Tammy and her counter part in Australia (Andy) told us the Initial itinerary given by Holiday XP was an outdated version due to a clerical error. For us to accommodate activities in Hoi An, we were advised to pay extra Aus $ 120.00PP (This included more activities than the Initial itinerary). We all refused to pay that but organised the same activities once we reached Hoi Ann.
2. As a compensation, we were provided printed mugs. Therefore, please compare the two itineraries (initial and the final) before finalasing the tour.
3. The cruise we were put in was Le Journey Premium cruise. This cruise was a nightmare for all of us. Basically, I won’t recommend this Cruise. Please refer to my review in Tripadvisor for more information.
Overall, the tour was good, we all enjoyed it. Except for the Itinerary issue and the Le Journey premium cruise matter, we highly recommend Holiday XP- Box Hill and Halong Tours Booking.

Wendy Y.

Terribly planning! Couldnt have the exact itinerary time even the day before travel. The timeline finally sent to us was remarkably different from the one we've been told at the booking! Will never use this agent again!😡

Floss V. S.

Still trying to get a refund from covid, no responses to emails

Sarah W.

very terrible
I would highy recommend any other agencies like "go west" or "wine hop tours". This one you can't have coffee or eat in the bus and they force everyone to tip the guide, which is very unreasonable.

They are lying. They didn't say anything about tipping upfront and you couldn't find "tip" in their terms and conditions .
Besides, you can definitely book a better tour without having to tip the guide.
And tipping is not even a norm in Australia. The guide is a Chinese. They just try to earn extra money from Chinese, Taiwanese tourists,which is very disgraceful.

Cc C.

When you asking questions about the trip, the sales person will chase you to pay, if you don’t pay next day they will tell you the hotel you want to book is fully booked, they forced me to down grade it, the person who answers your questions is also rude, thay rude because you asking them too much questions. As a customer you just need to read information sheet and pay straight way. after you paying them they will ignore your messages. How excellent👍

Fang B.

Two tourist attractions were cancelled without letting us know until we started the trip. Surprisingly, the driver and guide took his family along the trip. Took the family to lunch, had kids have ice cream but when customers needed translation when ordering food, he declined. Won’t go to this place again.

Sarah L.

Super Dodgy travel agency!!!! I booked a Mt Buller tour with them in July. Because of the lockdown I have to cancel my trip, so I applied for refund at the beginning of August. On their refund form, they said the refund will take 20-28 days, but now it’s already been 40 business days!!!! I haven’t got anything back yet!!! No one answered my phone call, no one replied my message, no one explained anything. Nothing!!!!!!!!! I don’t know other people’s experience, for me, they are super super dodgy!!!! Such a shame!!

Peter Y. (.

Booked a trip to Melbourne Snow Mountain with my friends and it was a great experience! ! Our tour guide was very friendly and provided us with a great trip. highly recommended!