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An unlikely case surrounding a Hawaii travel agency that defrauded stranded travelers in Hawaii has had its day in court. The whole event got us thinking about Hawaii travel agents and where they fit into a Hawaii vacation plan.
Wendy Wong, the virtual travel agent for Aloha Hawaii Home, has been charged with 48 crimes, although surprisingly, only 37 victims are said to be seeking compensation. Individual and group Hawaii vacation losses have been reported as high as $200,000. And she may have cheated on her own parents. Yesterday, Wong pleaded guilty to two felony charges this time, instead of the 50 the district attorney is facing. That happened in California, where the victims live.
Wong must return the $155k they requested.
If it is not paid by November 4, there will be serious consequences. If her restitution is not completed, she still faces one year in jail and one year of probation. If returned, she will avoid jail time but still face two felonies and two years of probation.
“Consumers allege the company failed to arrange, book and pay for their travel plans, including airline and hotel reservations, after paying them for trips to Hawaii. Consumers were also sent false itineraries for their trips, leading them to believe the travel arrangements were made.” – Better Business Bureau
Wendy Wong and her Ewa Beach company House of Aloha Travel defrauded their customers. Even her own father once said, “The house of Aloha Hawaii is nothing more than a house of cards, a house of deceit, and a house of lies.” Wong, who was charged in California, where her client lives, returned to court earlier this year after pleading not guilty.
When we reported this back in 2019, Wong appeared as a member of the American Association of Travel Advisors (ASTA). The since-deleted listing said at the time that she specialized in “All Inclusive, Beach Vacations, Camping/Hiking, Corporate/Government, Disney, Family Fun, Group Vacations, Honeymoons, Leisure Travel, Luxury Travel…”
Hawaii business registration records indicate Wong was not a licensed travel agent.
It begs the question of how to protect yourself when dealing with an unfamiliar travel agent. First, ask for confirmation that your agent is licensed before exchanging any money. Next, pay by credit card only. Also consider travel insurance, which can provide protection against theft and cancellations. Finally, do your own follow-up to make sure your airline and hotel reservations are booked correctly.
When does it make sense to use a Hawaii travel agent?
1. For those with limited computer skills.
2. If you don’t have time or interest in Hawaii travel research.
3. Planning a cruise. Here travel agents can often find discounts and promotions. The cruise industry is one of the last resorts for travel agents and still one of the best compensated.
4. Large weddings and events. Here, a travel agent can help with group bookings and discounts, and coordinate multiple itineraries.
5. High-end traveler. Travel agents still have an important place here and can be of great service.
6. Complex itineraries or special needs. Here, agencies, especially those specializing in Hawaii, can be very helpful in building your travel plans.
7. The elderly or those with physical or other challenges can benefit from the services of a travel agent.
Some thoughts on Hawaii travel agents.
Hawaii travel agents can save you valuable time in complex travel planning. On the other hand, if you don’t at least do your own confirmatory studies, you have no one to blame but yourself if you’re not happy with the results. And when it comes to cruises, travel agencies offer better deals than the cruise operators themselves. We’ve found that to be true and think you might be, too.
We have to admit that finding a good travel agent may not be as important today as it used to be, especially for those of us who are internet savvy and think that planning a Hawaii vacation is one of the most fun parts of the trip. .
As with anything, shop around and compare agencies, based on their in-depth knowledge of Hawaii, reputation and value. We would love to hear about your experience with Hawaii travel agencies and the quality and authenticity of your advice.
Disclosure: We receive a small commission on purchases from some HawaiiBit links. These links cost you nothing and provide the income necessary to provide you with our website. Mahalo! Privacy Policy and Disclosure.
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