Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed suit last week against a Branson travel club company for allegedly deceiving consumers about its membership benefits.
The lawsuit alleges Anytime Vacations LLC, organized by Ryan Michael McKinney in
March 2009, promised discounts on airfare, hotel accommodations, cruises and other travel benefits, but after joining, members found the discounts were nonexistent or they could get better deals through free services such as Travelocity and Orbitz, according to a news release.
Koster's office received some 50 complaints against Anytime Vacations, which claim consumers paid fees totaling more than $140,000 to the company for the discounts. In one case cited by Koster, a consumer paid $6,995 to join the club but Anytime Vacations allegedly refused to cancel his contract and refund his money after he discovered it cost more to book a flight through the company than through routine travel websites.
“Some travel clubs use high-pressure tactics to make it difficult for consumers to say no, and then put up roadblocks for consumers to cancel,” Koster said in the release. “My office will pursue travel club businesses that cheat Missouri consumers and violate our state’s laws.”
In the suit filed in Taney County Circuit Court, Koster is seeking restitution for consumers, as well as civil penalties and a refund for costs of the investigation and prosecution.[[In-content Ad]]
