Alva Travel Corp, They are Legit, But That's All

Alva Travel Corp Experience and Review

I had a voucher for CashCashPinoy's travel deal from one of their merchants, Alva Travel Corp. After a year and a half of trying to book a date for the travel, I searched ( yes, I was too late to do my homework ) about this travel company and I saw a lot of negative feedbacks pertaining to "scams" or misleading information by CashCashPinoy. Now I have availed the deal, and here's my unbiased view of the experience.

For the most important question, the Alva Travel Corp is legit. I can say so since I was able to push through with the travel, but not without issues.

I will no longer discuss about the misleading ALL-INCLUSIVE deal title, and the costs involved in which I needed to make additional payments on each and every move I make wherein I have expected to be included in the deal. What I will discuss is the experience I had dealing with the travel agency.

1. Questions are left unanswered for a long time. - There are many instances, for example, when I was trying to ask for updated availability dates. Sometimes they will reply after a few days or weeks, depending on how persistent I get in sending the same question through their viber or email. Take note that the viber conversations are group messages they made on their own, so there's no chance that none of them received the question. Otherwise, if they do reply, they are polite nonetheless.

2. They lack coordination with each other. - When the dates I have confirmed were near, I have talked to one person, and then will repeat the same thing to another staff since it seems that the other person went for vacation.

3. They are fast when billing, but very slow on the delivery. - I noticed that when I asked for some add-ons, for example seating arrangement or baggage reservation, they are very quick in sending me the quote, but after I have paid, the said add-ons never took place and I had to redo them on my own, thus making double payment. Until now they have not refunded my payment.

4. They don't seem to care if you will make it or not with the deal. - I was under the impression that having a travel agency arrange your travel would relieve you from most hassles, and will have continuous update and reminders on the dates, etc. In my case, I was asking for an update for the visa requirements but haven't received a reply. When I finally found the correct landline to call, I was even blamed that it was my responsibility to remind myself of the upcoming visa application. Take note that I have paid another amount for them to assist in the visa processing.

5. Eerie office location. - The address written in a voucher they sent me was in fort bonifacio. But I was asked to go to a different address when I needed to pickup my passport. It was at the fourth floor of an elevator-less-almost-torn-down building. I wasn't even able to locate the building via google maps. This doesn't really matter to me since I shouldn't judge them by where their office was located.

All in all, I think they do try their best to assist, but they lack consistency and sincerity. They are working until late as I found out myself, and they do deliver most of what was agreed.

As for my conclusion, the experience wasn't hell, but it wasn't exactly great. I would not avail of their services again.