With all the hoopla surrounding the YTB entry into Canada, I am not sure it is going as smoothly as anticipated. Press releases tout 3,000 people attended the kick-off meetings, and one commenter on this blog has stated that they now have 9,000 Canadian RTAs that have forked over the $500 and $50 a month. But it seems there may be a problem on the travel end. Apparently, the YTB Canadian sites have no booking capability--there are no "Search" or "Book" or "Go" buttons.**** And more curious, is the disclaimer at the bottom of the page:
Unless otherwise marked, all prices are in U.S. dollars.
Copyright 2007 YTB Travel Network, Inc. - All Rights Reserved - v2.0 - Privacy Policy
ON: Seller of Travel – License Pending, BC: Seller of Travel – License Pending.
Licenses pending? What happened to all those years getting the ducks in a line before going full steam ahead into Canada? I thought YTB was only launching in two Provinces and now their licenses are pending...in both? Is there a problem? Or is this merely another "misunderstanding"?
***Apparently there is an issue with my browser in that the buttons are not displaying for me. I figured I better append the blog, rather than make a change to the entry!
I can't speak to the license pending issue but not sure what you mean about the search, book, go thing. I had no problem trying out several deifferent bookings from flights, crusies, hotels, etc.
ReplyDeleteI am sure that Canadian RTA is happy with the free pub!
The site from Canada did not have any booking buttons. You could search, but there were no booking buttons...is it a browser setting on my end? But I see them on a US site.
ReplyDeleteAs to the RTA liking the publicity---you need to determine if it is effective. Somehow I don't see him getting too much of anything from this. On this blog you are probably YTB and would not book on his site, or someone that is opposed to MLM in travel and would not book on his site--if booking was allowed.
But the PENDING is curious.
John,
ReplyDeleteAgain, I had no problem going through the "motions' up to entering in payment info on several trypes of travel. Not sure what is up with your computer. ;)
You make a good point about the publicity either YTB folks with their own site or someone who is opposed to YTB so wouldn't book anyway.
John, I don't know what the issue with your browser is, but I was able to search and book flights, at least up to where I would actually have to put in credit card info and confirm. I was also able to do the same thing with a Carnival Cruise.
ReplyDeleteApparently if everything is being "fulfilled" in US dollars, the sales are not actually happening in Canada? What is the advantage of using USD for Canadian consumers/sellers? Isn't there a cost to the consumer's credit card forthe currency exchange? How is this actually working?
ReplyDeleteYTB has an agreement/partnership with a Toronto agency that is handling the fulfillment. Prices are quoted in USD, but when you go to buy and enter in the credit card info it switches to Canadian Dollars.
ReplyDeleteI do not know how the whole thing is working. But it does seem like there are some glitches for sure.
Hopefully they will not piss off the 9000 RTAs that bought into the scheme
Oh please, I'm sure some people bought in - but not 9,000. Like all their numbers, this is probably grossly inflated and will be "corrected" later.
ReplyDeleteI find it interesting that just about every day or every other day another reader here identifies him/herself as a "supplier". I believe quite a few are watching and evaluating....
It's been said "a fool speaks before a matter has been fully established".
ReplyDeleteThat fool sentiment can certainly go both ways in tis particular argument...no?
ReplyDeleteJohn said, "With all the hoopla surrounding the YTB entry into Canada, I am not sure it is going as smoothly as anticipated."
ReplyDelete"Not sure"? And, I thought you knew everything? ;>)
olescorekeeper
Working or not, that site had terrible air prices and schedules on the 2 itineraries I priced out.
ReplyDeleteUSD or CAD someone is going to pay way too much. How YTB like, really.
I did the same thing, priced some air. More expensive than than any engines I used. What a bargain and on top of that you lose $500 and $50 a month...AMAZING!!!
ReplyDeleteOlescorekeeper---thanks for the vote of confidence, but I have never said I know everything, but if that is your assessment, thanks for the kudos.
ReplyDeleteYour welcome.
ReplyDeleteolescorekeeper
olscorekeeper 0
ReplyDeleteJohn 1
Montreal (YUL) to Los Angeles (LAX)
ReplyDeleteSame departure time and flight number.
Expedia $307.35
YTB $292.26
olescorekeeper
Best part about this is I booked it online and didn't pay John an extra $100 per ticket!
ReplyDeleteolescorekeeper
OLE how long did that take you to find that? Give me dates please...posting this airport to that airport and quoted $$$ doesn't mean jack unless you post dates. I want to beat it and I'm sure I will.
ReplyDeleteYTBscam 1
OLE 0
John 1
OLE 0
So your now 0-2 bud.
FLIGHT(S) SUMMARY
ReplyDeleteMONTREAL TO LOS ANGELES
Flight #: 5072 MONTREAL (YUL) to NEW YORK (JFK)
Departure Date: March 07, 2008
Departure Time: 17:40 Arrival Date: March 07, 2008
Arrival Time: 19:35
Flight #: 409 NEW YORK (JFK) to LOS ANGELES (LAX)
Departure Date: March 07, 2008
Departure Time: 20:50 Arrival Date: March 08, 2008
Arrival Time: 00:22
olescorekeeper
Ole you know how stupid you look now without dates...
ReplyDeleteOMG
Orbitz....YUL to LAX with what 8-11 hour layovers? Good luck with selling that. Thats why you didn't put dates.
Scam...I'm going to refrain from calling you a retarded moron.
ReplyDeleteolescorekeeper
GDS 248.32 x/cle
ReplyDeletegds non stop 276.00
You should because when you look at your GREAT booking, its not through YTB idiot.
ReplyDelete$797 through YTB is the best price.
$792 through travelocity
Delta Air Lines
Flight 5248 operated by Comair Inc / Flight 31 1:40pm
Montreal, PQ Canada (YUL) 8:09pm
Los Angeles, CA (LAX) 9hrs 29min - 1 Stop
Change planes in New York, NY (JFK) $792
per personSelect
Hell I wouldnt have to pay anyone if I booked myself! Only a idiot would book through YTB and their markup.
Ytbscam 2 OLE 0 (crapping the bag)
Eddie does no good....OLE wants people to be layed out for hours in a airport. Of course they will cut the overall with long layovers. OLE is about as dumb as the rock in my back yard.
ReplyDeleteI still believe that TOM/EAB and OLE are all the same person.
We are talking one way arn't we?
ReplyDeleteYes Eddie, one way. Expedia vs YTB. Scam is confused as usual.
ReplyDeleteolescorekeeper
Hey Ole, found your flights. What date were you looking for?
ReplyDeleteDL5072T 12MAR WE YULJFK 540P 735P
DL 409T 12MAR WE JFKLAX 850P 1222A
Fare $267.43 (USD)
I could add my $30 ticketing fee and still be competitive. Even flying tomorrow I get $302.30 (USD).
But I think I'd go with Eddie's nonstop...
Weird, because the YTB site is not charging the correct taxes. Taxes on that itinerary are $84.30...that could be a problem.
ReplyDeleteSorry Ole, missed the date. $302.30.
ReplyDeleteolescorekeeper,
ReplyDeleteIs your Expedia price in Canadia dollars because I see that you YTB price is. For these flights on my system I am getting $301.78 USD which at the current exchange rate would be $296.00 CAD.
One way I would even still beat YTBs overchage.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, I thought YTB had the "BEST" prices. Oh wait OLE is nit picking and just pulling out what he can. I'm sure I can still beat 99.9% of YTBs charges.
Ann, read my post. The depature date is there. Apples and apples comparison is all I wanted to show...Expedia vs YTB. ;>)
ReplyDeleteolescorekeeper
SCAM said, "One way I would even still beat YTBs overchage."
ReplyDeleteSo far your all talk and have not shown anything.
"But then again, I thought YTB had the "BEST" prices."
This shows how ignorant you are SCAM. We never have claimed "best" prices. We are competitive and 95% of the time as good or better the the other online click and orders.
"Oh wait OLE is nit picking and just pulling out what he can. I'm sure I can still beat 99.9% of YTBs charges."
You have failed to do this so far. So, let's see what you got SCAM. Money talks, bullshit walks. Got it?
olescorekeeper
I guess you don't know what apples to apples means. Go to www.Expedia.ca and then compare. That is Expedia's Canadian website. Compare both YTB Canada $292.26CAD and Expedia Canada $292.25CAD and you will see these flights are identical. So Expedia actually beat YTB by a penny.
ReplyDeleteI guess my flight was one of the 5% that beat YTB and it took seconds to look up eh?
ReplyDeleteHey Ole, why not address the real question. Why doesn't YTB have their Canadian licenses all in place yet? Where is Proud with all his knowledge? Where is anyone with the answer to this question?
ReplyDeleteThanks Rose for the Expedia Canada education. But you do prove my point, YTB is highly competitive. I've found that 17 out of 20 comparison bookings with Expedia, YTB is about same of better.
ReplyDeleteolescorekeeper
Yeah, this is a prime conversation for Proud to come in and say something to enlighten everyone...must be laying low....or maybe he is not so proud any more??
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDelete"Hey Ole, why not address the real question. Why doesn't YTB have their Canadian licenses all in place yet?"
Quite honestly Anon, it's probably nothing for you to worry about. I'm not. If you can't stand it and you really are itching for an answer, I suggest you pick up the phone and call YTB headquarters. Or, like me, just wait and see.
olescorekeeper
Well I beat you all with my one way fare YUL LAX on 7 March using Amadeus. So if any of you actually want to fly this call me, not book yourself via YTB, unless of course you like overpaying.
ReplyDeleteAutumnrose said, "Compare both YTB Canada $292.26CAD and Expedia Canada $292.25CAD"
ReplyDeleteWell, it's not the exact same moment in time rose, but I found:
YTB $292.26CAD
Expedia.ca $296.25CAD
Maybe you misread the Expedia fee.
Once again proving the competitive excellence YTB has to offer. Life is good!
olescorekeeper
Scam . . . I've ready all of your nonsense. Go back to flipping burgers at Hardees. You're out of your element.
ReplyDeleteI guess the percentages are coming down at this moment!
ReplyDeleteOLE you are down and out!
Too funny!!!
What competitive excellence? Oh I see, using YTB and paying more than a good GDS offers but $4 less than Expedia is competitive excellence. YTB canada is sure no competition for me! Get a life you mean!
ReplyDeleteHows that stock doing anyway? Just like I predicted.....you can't deny that.
ReplyDeleteBillions and billions made for those investers! Oh wait...some good news coming in Feb will make people Billionaires...oh wait...no it won't another oopsie!!!
And now I'm one of the 5% that beat YTB on the flight numbers, imagine that...TOO funny!!!
Eddie,
ReplyDeleteAnd thats for ONE person...add a few more and the savings increase. Wow book with some idiot that has no clue about Travel.....yeah, thats a smart move!
.95 and dropping. That is 95 cents to those who are math challenged. (Which seems to be the majority of YTB)
ReplyDeleteWARNING: YTBSCAM'S anon clone is back posting again.
ReplyDeleteHere comes the denial. ;>)
olescorekeeper
OK You guys are bickering too much. YTB was competitive in the one example.
ReplyDeleteBut no one addressed or had any real answers as to the point of the post---why are the licenses pending?
I guess we will stay tuned on this one and watch for future spin and a future blog entry from me.
In the meantime, go back to your corners and take a breather. This entry is closed for further posting.