Hi Nico,
Thanks for considering my reviews. I hope they are helpful to you although it wasnt detailed enough. You have to keep following up with TS on your scheduled travel plans. If your total group pax fall below 10ppl on that day you have chosen to travel, then there might be uncertainties. That is why I organised my group of 6pax so that I know the probability of hitting 10pax min. from the combination of other travelers will be high. One of the reason is to ensure TS keep to their promise of providing a 5-star hotel as advertised. Well, the hotel wasnt as advertised by TS(Sariz) but it was decent except for the breakfast. If you are travelling by Jetstar which arrive Beijing at 01:00am, make sure you wait at the designated point as informed by TS at the specified time. Be on a lookout for the travel guide who may not hold the flag but just a badge. The other time I went, I noticed there was another group from TS as well(but they were staying at 4-star hotel) and they waited slightly away from the designated place and you might cause inconvenience to the travel guide if he/she has to go search for your group. It was fine for me to understand Mandarin although I can't read/write. Based on my experience, you don't really need an English speaking guide unless you are totally a non-speaker. Most tourist attractions eg Forbidden City have plagues at designated spots to explain the history. The travel guide is there to explain further more only. But you may still encounter problems when they bring you to the few compulsory places eg tea/silk/jade/pearl/fengshui/jewelry as the factory tour will be conducted by the internal staffs. Yes, there are some english speaking staffs catering to non-Mandarin speaking groups. If you still prefer an English speaking guide, you may want to ask in detail with TS how will this guide be allocated to you? because the other travelers in your group may not need a translator. You may not want to incur additional cost and in the end does not add value to you at all. Anyone with experience on Hangzhpu-Shanghai either via Groupon or personal trip? Plan to go next year. Thanks!

I will be heading to Beijing for our 5d4n groupon tour from Sunday Feb 26th to March 1st. After that, I will be extending my stay one night as I found a good hotel near the Forbidden City. Anyone else going for these days? I'll definitely will be giving KWChong's review a thorough reading before I head out!
I do have to admit, they are giving me the run around on confirming the tour and I'm a bit worried that they will cancel on me at the last minute! Also, they want to charge $50 per person for hiring an English Tour guide. Has anyone else experienced this?

I have 7 vouchers @ sgd 50 for Shanghai 7N since we cancel to go. Anyone interested?

i just bought $50 Beijing Travel at Groupon.....i appreciate if you could post detailed reviews of your trip....if its not worth it might as well give up the vouchers.....thank you in advance.....

Tix are v cheap because of all the extra conditions that will be attached after you are hooked, when you have no choice but to agree to all their "small request" like optional tours.
Shoppping trips are the main place where they take all your money.
But seriously, even big travel agencies like ChanBro, SA, CTC, etc all hire similar agencies in china, and they always, always bring you to silk, tea, jade, pearl, jewellery places. So it's not just TS. but still, because the deal is so cheap, perhaps they would want you to spend more?

Tix are v cheap because of all the extra conditions that will be attached after you are hooked, when you have no choice but to agree to all their "small request" like optional tours.
Shoppping trips are the main place where they take all your money.
But seriously, even big travel agencies like ChanBro, SA, CTC, etc all hire similar agencies in china, and they always, always bring you to silk, tea, jade, pearl, jewellery places. So it's not just TS. but still, because the deal is so cheap, perhaps they would want you to spend more?

To all,

I have taken Travel Star to the small claim tribunal in 2010 and they are make to refund all money paid plus compensate me $600 for screwing up my USA trip. TS dare me to make a claim as they though i wouldn\\\'t have the time and energy to do it, how wrong can they be as it turn out, i as well as their boss have to turn up at the small claim tribunal to face the judge and finally the so call boss give up and pay me my deposit plus interest for delay payment as the judge warned him that he would have to pay more if it drag on because he is wasting the judge and my time.

CS Travel sucks! Trip cancelled less than 3 days before departure and no effort on their staff to assist to find alternative options, they couldn't care less if we had taken leaves, bought winter wear, etc. In fact, I had to call them to find out the trip is cancelled as I find it strange a week before departure and they still yet to revert on trip details and flight.

Terrible!! Look for them at your own risk!

Hi all,

I bought 3 tics to Beijing travelling from 17 Feb to 21 Feb 2012. CS Travel has not found another 7 pple to go. Anyone interested to travel during these dates?

Hi all,

I bought 3 tics to Beijing travelling from 17 Feb to 21 Feb 2012. CS Travel has not found another 7 pple to go. Anyone interested to travel during these dates?

Wow KWChong gave a very good field report. Anybody kind enough to provide one for the Groupon $50 Shanghai trip?

Just back from Beijing 5D4N on this SGD50 Groupon deal form TS. While I must admit we have been lucky on this trip, I cannot guarantee on the rest. My purpose is to provide honest feedback and experience so that other travelers will beware and be cautious. Overall, the trip is ok. We do not have much complaints except for some of the food offered. The hotel although not Sariz as advertised in our itinerary, it is good enough(Crystal International). All of tour group members are satisfied. However, the breakfast sucks as well as most of the lunches and dinners we were brought too. There are at least 8 dishes to keep you full but some of the taste is weird and I thought that Beijing food fare is such horrendous taste. Even the Peking duck cannot compare to my local restaurant in JB. We decide to opt for the optional tours because half of our tour group have purchased it and we don't want to inconvenient the tour guide and driver. Anyway, let them make some money. Be careful of street vendors in Beijing who are out to give you the best purchase deal but when giving you change, they will hoodwink you with worthless Russian roubles. I believed they are run by syndicate making use of elderly people. Make sure you give small notes or authenticate your Renminbi after every change. There are all kinds of sales tactics employed by the sales people in all the shops the tour guide brought us to. The first shop is Fengshui. You are requested to 'invite' and not purchase a particular item of interest eg 'Pixiu'. They don't force you to buy but unless you are into Fengshui stuffs, you should be mindful of what you purchase which could be overpriced. We went to the Silk factory. No discounts but if you think there are worth a buy, demand for gifts as they would have earned a lot eventhough you may find this cheaper than elsewhere. We went to the Pearl, Jade and Tea factory. Unless you are keen on this stuffs, do not be tempted by any offers they provide lest you regret later by your impulse purchase. However, the best sales 'acting' award I would like to give out to is the Jewelry factory. They sell Jade here too and other gemstones and it is the last shop they bring you to. After the normal sales presentation, the young guy would tell you that his boss has just arrived in Beijing and would like to meet this tour group from Malaysia/Spore as it is the furthest group for that day. The boss was convincing and he told us his personal story which I find doubtful at first. He would tell us he lost millions of ringgit at Genting 20yrs ago and he kept 2 wives who are in conflict to gain your trust. I mean, are we really that lucky to have been able to meet the boss of that big company? He said it was his birthday and his mom's 80th bday is around the corner too. He gave each one of us a small jade gift and make us promise not to sell it and requested that we pray for his mother. He also impart some knowledge about good quality and inferior jade, thereby gaining our trust and confidence in him. I almost fell for it until he brought us to another glass cabinet in the same store. There were bracelets which retails for RMB400-500. He did not even ask us and he said that since its his birthday, he will just request that we pay him RMB100 only for the bracelets as he needs to pay taxes. Since the M'sian and Sporeans in my group do not feel its too expensive, a few bought it. Alas, he brought us to another glass cabinet and this time the display were jades of astrological animals with gold plating retailing between 3 & 4 figures. Once you've shown interest in any item, he will give you 80-90% discounts. Will one not be tempted? I retreated to the gents as I do not want to be pressured into purchase since I saw thru the strategy sales trick. One of my friend met another group from HK coming out from a different tinted room and he inquired if they have a 'boss' in there too and they replied affimatively. But there are some members in my group that still believed he's the boss. Well, I rest my case with the Oscars committee...I guess the factory employed different 'fake bosses' to cater to different regions of group travelers. You just have to travel smart and make smart purchases. Buy only what you need and bargain hard in China. They didnt bring us to Baoshutang although we were anticipating it as some of us wanted to buy the Baofulin cream. I think it could be due to the recent assault involving some medicine purchases that the tour guide decide to change it to another venue which is the traditional chinese medicine academy. We were given free massage for 40mins and there are physicians to provide consultation if we are interested. They will diagnose you through your pulse and persuade you to purchase their monthly prescription which is quite costly although I cannot comment on the efficacy. Unless you have a chronic illness that you will give it a last try...Our group extended 3nights after the Groupon deal. Stayed at Beijing Sentury apartment. Though slightly less comfortable than our tour package hotel, it was still a good stay as the room was much bigger with kitchen utility and internet. Traveling on our own, we saw Beijing from a different perspective. The local food fare was much better than those offered by the tour package. It helped to dispel the negative impression I had when I just arrived into the city. We also went to the famous Quanjude restaurant near Hepingmen MRT station. Although it was costly, the Peking duck was worth it. Thumbs up! We were almost 'cheated' by our tour guide when we asked him previously why we were not brought to the Quanjude Restaurant as advertised by TS. He told us with a serious look that it was just another branded name that doesnt really taste nice...My foot into his mouth! I would have really kicked my arses high if I've believed that and skipped it. It is like traveling to Spore and never tasted real nice hainanese chicken rice or go to Ipoh and never tried their best white coffee. Traveling by taxi or MRT was convenient and cheap and major attractions are nearby the subway. You just need to do some internet research which I should have done before I went. We also went to Tianjin which is a nice break from hectic Beijing. We were lucky to have met an old man who is a freelance tour guide/driver. It only cost us 6pax a mere SGD10/pax for a half day trip. If interested, call Mr.Ding@15122781255. He charges around RMB260 per van for half day trip. Remember to bring your passport/identification for train ticket purchase. Overall, I only purchased a small silk blanket for SGD60 of all the factory stores we went to. I am just plain lucky that my other tour members makes lots of purchases and I guess that helped to keep the smile on our tour guide face or otherwise it may have been a different story.

perhaps people who have gone through these ordeals should alert groupon to the fact that this particular organisation is undergoing investigation?

hey i chanced upon all these reviews while deciding whether to buy the 50 dollars groupon coupon. anyone who wants to buy it still shld seriously read this

http://www.facebook.com/notes/sgbulliedinsg-sg/letter-of-plead-for-witness-female-singaporean-got-scammed-in-china-assaulted-by/106833202756678

qt shocking really. 50 dollars or 40 dollars for the enhanced risk of getting injured or cheated / scammed and perhaps even have your safety endangered is just crazy. you are in a foreign land and you are in the mercy of that country's laws people and all. in this case, it seems like you are in the mercy of the local tour agent.

i love good value and buying value for money stuff. i will be there on the first day of mango sales, and when the discount drops to 70%. but good value things should not come at the expense of safety happiness and health.

rebekah and wenlin. since both of you went through the ordeal i think it will be really helpful if u guys can continue to monintor CASE's investigation, perhaps get your story out to the public at an approriate time (to carch the agency offguard) so that people will be warned. cant believe groupon is still advertising deals for them.

I GOT MY BEIJING TICKET ALREADY. THANKS.

Hi there, I need a $50 Beijing ticket. Going in April. Anyone who would like to sell? Please email me at besstan@gmail.com Thanks.

@Wenlin Yes I just went to the CASE office and told the officer the entire story. Bring along any receipts, proof of purchase, anything else you think might be important.

@Rebeka can you give more details of your complain? so just go to case and say describe what happened?

@Rikku @Wenlin

Are you guys planning to bring this up with CASE? I went down to lodge a complaint but they said they couldn't do anything unless more people came forward so I encourage anyone who's been cheated to step forward and maybe together we can see some justice done.

@Rikku @Wenlin

Are you guys planning to bring this up with CASE? I went down to lodge a complaint but they said they couldn't do anything unless more people came forward so I encourage anyone who's been cheated to step forward and maybe together we can see some justice done.

i just came back from shanghai yesterday. i went with apple holidays but some of the rest were from travelstar. also went to the jade store and heard the same story and the son said hes a lecturer at beijing university. luckily only bought 2 jade pendants for 100+ sgd each..
if anybody managed to get compensation of any sort, pls email me at wenlin@hotmail.sg
thanks

@Rebekah
the same things happened to me and my family too. but the manager called out their GM... he kept saying that he is not a businessman but a designer. we got cheated about sgd 2000. i just got back from china yesterday.

Hi, Would like to get feedback from those who hv gone for the trip with travelstar.

I bought a few vouchers from travelstar to go to beijing and shanghai. After reading all the posting, i hv a few questions to ask
1. does the tour guide bring the group for sightseeing other than go to those shops to con u to buy fake stuff? If they still bring u to places of interest, then i just dont buy anything from those shops the tour guide bring us to is still worth going for the trip right?

2. do they pressurise u or force u to buy stuff in the shop? or would they force u to buy at least 1 thing then u r able to leave the shop?

3. how was the hotel and the food they provided?

Would appreciate those who hv gone to the trip to share yr views, thank you!

@EH and @Pat

The same thing happened to us. The manager asked the "boss' son" to come out and he pretended to be friendly and said he would give us a 90% discount because he "doesn't want to work for his family business anymore". My mother bought a S$4000 jade pendant but when we got back to Singapore we went around asking many reputable jewelers and they said it was only worth S$10. We are going to report this to CASE too.

@EH and @Pat

The same thing happened to us. The manager asked the "boss' son" to come out and he pretended to be friendly and said he would give us a 90% discount because he "doesn't want to work for his family business anymore". My mother bought a S$4000 jade pendant but when we got back to Singapore we went around asking many reputable jewelers and they said it was only worth S$10. We are going to report this to CASE too.

http://www.facebook.com/notes/sgbulliedinsg-sg/letter-of-plead-for-witness-female-singaporean-got-scammed-in-china-assaulted-by/106833202756678

If dont believe can ask the witness at nearby chinese medicine massage shop at level 2.

Hi Patrick, would appreciate if you can update us whether you manage to seek compensation.

For those that just returned back, let me know if you manage to seek compensation from Travel Star. I have done my booking on next year Feb for Shanghai Trip, till now still no news yet, I wonder whether we can cancel the trip and ask for refund. Anyone try before?

For those that just returned back, let me know if you manage to seek compensation from Travel Star. I have done my booking on next year Feb for Shanghai Trip, till now still no news yet, I wonder whether we can cancel the trip and ask for refund. Anyone try before?

For those that just returned back, let me know if you manage to seek compensation from Travel Star. I have done my booking on next year Feb for Shanghai Trip, till now still no news yet, I wonder whether we can cancel the trip and ask for refund. Anyone try before?

For those that just returned back, let me know if you manage to seek compensation from Travel Star. I have done my booking on next year Feb for Shanghai Trip, till now still no news yet, I wonder whether we can cancel the trip and ask for refund. Anyone try before?

I just my most unpleasant encounter with Travel Star. I may just forgo my Christmas trip to Shanghai and seek compensation from them via Small Claims Tribunal Court. Btw, NATAS and CASE is investigating them already. They have spoilt all my Christmas holiday mood! If you want to know more, give me your email address. Too long for me to elaborate here.

Hi Guys, These cheap tours have an ulterior motive. They aim at churning in more sales from you.hence, they will bring you to factories and shop.they can earn commission from there. And the price of goods they are selling are higher than usual. They will use all kinds of sales tactics to convince you to buy more and more. e.g1. buy one free one. e.g.2. The manager of the shop will introduce the shop owner or Next-of-Kin to welcome you. The shop owner/NOK will give great discounts on a pretext of making friend with you. items on the price-tag of few thousands can go down to few hundreds China Dollars. These are the experiences gained from Beijing and shanghai Trip. Any queries, pls contact me at junhao88@hotmail.com

Travelstar is good at conning travellers who trapped in the price deal S$50. This travel agent has no reputation, no faith at all, and their strategy is to con customer $, and put the blame on its customer or staff,then change other way of talking/ offer at low price.They are shameless on their reputation, and the manager and prc boss have no morale at all, irresponsible,rude ethic in customer service, what they know is just conning, twisting the fact,blaming, and avoid compensation to customer.. Kindly stay away to avoid an unpleasant experience in your life and worse ever vacation offerred by Travelstar.

anyone purchased US tour package before?
I wanna know what u all think about the tour experience with this agent

EH,

The same thing happened to me! Please contact me so we can work out what to do. I am interested in seeking compensation of some sort as I will nto sit still and be cheated like this.

please email me: ptgc89 at yahoo dot com

AT LAST, I GOT MY BEIJING TICKET.
THANKS TO THOSE WHO RESPONSE.

Booked with Travel Star last 11 November for 3D2N Bali trip, but until now no hotel booking confirmation. Every time I called, answered by rude staff. All they said is \"Not confirmed yet\", \"We can\'t do anything, you must wait\". I mean, WTF! If they can\'t do anything, then who can?

Do yourself a favor, STAY AWAY from TRAVEL STAR.

Hi worrygal - I am sure the travel company wants to do business and they are for real. I love the October weather in China, i am not sure about June. Check it up. Hope you enjoy your trip as much as i do.

Hi Julie,
Tks for your info. We plan to go to shanghai 8 days 7 night in June next year. I worry as many negative info about this travel, confused wanna cancel or continue it. But after reading your experience, I feel much secured.

Hi Julie,
Tks for your info. We plan to go to shanghai 8 days 7 night in June next year. I worry as many negative info about this travel, confused wanna cancel or continue it. But after reading your experience, I feel much secured.

Hi worrygal. It is. I thought i read it somewhere that they are under the same management. Why?

Hi Julie is CS travel same with travel star travel, thks

Hi Julie is CS travel same with travel star travel, thks

Hi Julie is CS travel same with travel star travel, thks

I have just returned from a holiday in China and enjoyed myself so much that i immediately booked another deal to go to China again next year. six of us here plan to travel to Beijing on the 7th May 2012. We may extend for another day, solely for a day hike at jingshanling Great Wall. Interested anyone?

I was looking out for promotion by CTC Travel for Beijing 5D4N but alas, there isn't. Since i can't wait but to grab the S$59 deal which CS Travel is promoting.

However after reading much negative feedback about CS Travel i admit i am abit worried. I hope to have good experience in Beijing as same as i had in Shanghai's. Well hope so..let's see.

Allow me to talk abit about my shanghai tour:

At first i was skeptical about the S$59 deal, 8D7N Shanghai Jiangnan Tour on 13 October to 20th 2011, but to my amazement everything turned up well.

All of the travellers including I were very pleased with our holiday marketed by CTC Travel.

All the hotel accommodations are ok except York Hotel is thumbs down. All the meals provided were fabulous as per itinerary.

Our main tour guide Ms Linda Zheng is the best tour guide i ever met.
She is reliable, hardworking, efficient and speak well. In fact, on our last day leaving Shanghai, all of us tipped her again on top of the usual compulsory said tips.

HI! ANYONE SELLING HIS/HER BEIJING $50 TICKET? PLEASE EMAIL ME AT BESSTAN@GMAIL.COM
THANK YOU.

Hi Wonder
Sori for late response as I was not well. I have emailed to you regarding the ticket. My family going on April 4 tour. Heard there are 27 in the group so far. Thank you very much.

The worse company I have ever have the misfortune to encounter. Incompetent staffs, incompetent company.

Staffs cannot answer simple questions, and when press, start to panic and give one excuses after another. When I ask for refund for my money, start avoiding my phone calls and emails, and refuse to talk to me. And when I finally managed to get them on the phone, the manager keep changing her stories.

Keep up the bad work. It is almost unbelievable that such bad company exist in Singapore.

Hi, sure we can contact @junhao88@hotmail.com. Currently I have now 1 voucher to sell. @BESS or anyone, want to buy?

Hi Wonder

My family will be in the same trip as u to Beijing from 13 Dec to 17 Dec.. R u going with family too? Though i m worried, but really hope our trip will turn out ok..Should we get in touch?

i am going BJ 5D4N from 13dec to 17 dec. Anyone going too?

i am going BJ 5D4N from 13dec to 17 dec. Anyone going too?

why u neeed the beijing trip? u going alone? and when?

HI! ANYONE WILLING TO SELL ME A $50 BEIJING TOUR TICKET?
THANKS.

Juz returnn from 5D/4N Shanghai on 16/11/2011. Whole thing is a scam! Hotels were ok. BUT they brought u to shops that sells FAKE FAKE stuffs.

1st, they claim their Natural Tea Polyphenol capsules (at Hangzhou Meijiawu) are sold in Singapore Eu Yan Sang, which EYS deny totally.

2nd, the pearls bought at RAY-PEARL @ Wuxi wholesaler cannot be found on internet @ all. Pearls to be authenticated soon after 1 jade was authenicated in Singapore to be FAKE!! (Bought in Shanghai Tian Mai Fei Cui)

3rd, FAKE jade pendent bought in Shanghai Tianmai Feicui (or also known as Tian Mai Yi Shun Bo Lan Zhong Xin or Pulse Art Expo Center in Shanghai Days). Telling u is owned by S'porean followed by drama story-telling!


My advice is either totally cancel the trip or never ever buy anything @ all!! My family got cheated by SGD 3,000+ and now trying to settle with TravelStar!!

The guide that accompany our group was called Sun Qiang, male. HP: 0571-87998833

Hi,
Anyone purchased the 5D4N Beijing trip from Travelstar via GROUPON to travel on 23-24Dec2011? I have 6pax group here and would like to link up with other travellers who purchased this deal travelling on same date as we should be in same tour group. After hearing all the negative reviews, would like to know other similar buyers. You are free to contact me at usana.jb@gmail.com. Thks,

Hi SG Traveller

There will be 6 of us going, 2 adults plus 4 children, youngest is 5 years old. The optional tour will cost us S$420. Thats y i asked is it worth it. I also bought all the airtickets with travelstar as i thought since the land tour is cheap let them earn some money from air tickets, it cost a flat rate S$660 per ticket regardless adult or children. which i dont really mind since land tour is cheap, thats is b4 i saw this website..

I called travelstar again yesterday, but they still unable to confirm the hotel. Do u recommend city inn for family of 6 with children? So this hotel is located near eating areas n quite near to shopping area right? i will need 2 rooms. From the website, the hotel look ok to me.

Btw, do the shops there sell clothes that is suitable for Sg(summer wear)? Thinking of shopping new clothes for CNY.

I will be leaving on the 2nd week of dec n extending 3 days there will share my experience when i come back.

Hi fedup,
Yes, the Theme Park is across the hotel. I didn't go because we didn't bring kids. The optional tour is compulsory as we do not mind because we felt that this is the only time the tour guide can earn a little from us. We went to see Panda but they are sleeping, the Kungfu show is ok lah. For your information all entrance tickets to the historical sightseeing and the Great Wall of China are paid for. So I felt overall it's still worth it. Maybe u can ask them to give u more time at 秀水街 if you want to buy fake branded bags, luggage bags, mens shirt, women's coat, crystal, women's accessories, watches and even specticles. This building got many floor. For us we travel by taxi because it's not very expensive, they start with I think 3.20 CNY. We take a taxi to another nearby shopping centre call 燕莎only 10 CNY which is SG2, very cheap right. There are 3 bldg of shopping but alittle bit high class one la.
Around this hotel, opp the Theme Park there are alot of eating place. We go there eat century egg & pork porridge only 8 CNY, some fried veg. & meat all are reasonable.
Maybe u give yr update after u come back.
Thank you.

Hi SG Traveller
Like to check with you, the hotel travelstar put your group in is city Inn(happy valley), is it the one across to the happy valley theme park? Is it easy to more around? I intend to spend a day in the theme park, since is just across the road and spend next 2 days shopping, eating and visit 1 or 2 places that not covered in the group, so is the hotel within walking distance to mrt or stay in that is it easy to move around? I meant in term of transport.
Another question, the tour come with an optional tour of S$70.00 per pax, did u join the tour? is it worth going to the 3 places mentioned in the optional tour?
Tks for your sharing and advise!It really does set my mind at ease a little!

Hi Boneka
Thanks for your reply here. Since u dont understand mandarin, you hv to highlight to the staff n remind them again to try to request for a bilingual tour guide, so at least the guide will be able to give a little of simple explanation on places u will be visiting.

Is Travelstar arranging the same hotel as SG Traveller? Will u be staying in City Inn for throughtout your trip? They quoted me S$120 per room per night even without confirming which hotel we will be staying. They quote u $80 for City Inn? According to my friend who stay in China, they said winter is not their peak season.

I agreed with ST traveller, we have to really go without much expectation, in order to enjoy the trip, all i ask for is they just honour what is stated in the itinerary and dont pressure us to buy thing we dont want to buy. With Sg traveller's sharing, i think we shd feel a little more assured.

Hope u will have a pleasant, enjoyable and safe trip! Looking forward to your sharing after the trip!

Hi boneka,
Btw within walking distance u can go for massage very cheap. I tried and then introduce to our tour mates.

Hi boneka,
We stay there throughout this hotel. The name is City Inn (Happy Valley) Hotel.

Hi SgTraveller,
Care to share the name of the hotel you stayed there? Was it the same hotel throughout your stay?
Appreciate the info, thanks!

Hi Fedup,
The thing is, i dont understand mandarin as im not singaporean. The itinerary is all in mandarin & has very little translation to English. When i asked them for the english version, they told me to refer to the chinese version for more info... How stupid is that?! I told them my problem but well, nobody seems to bother.
I decided to take the extension stay from them as i forsee this problem. They way they work, surely will drag everything till last minute as they wana earn $, thus no info provided earlier. Also, i dont want the extra trouble juz incase they make things difficult for me on purpose. Anyway, i finally got my hotel address BUT!! They sent it in CHINESE, knowing my problem!! How CONSIDERATE huh!?
I used google translator on the name & address, it seems to be a good 5star hotel if the translation is right. Anyway, Have emailed them for the hotel's english name & address to make sure its right. Another day of waiting... Will keep you ladies updated on the trip.

Hi,
I came back from Beijing, it was not that bad from the review I have read. The tour guide is ok which he didn't force us to buy. The hotel is ok beside is a small shopping mall. Just bear in mind don't expect too much then you will feel ok. In fact, the $ we paid is not enough for 4 nights hotel so you have a roof over you and everyday you will be guided to all historical sightseeing is already worth it. All itinerary are covered as promised and all meals are provided. So just relax and enjoy your holiday. Cheers.

Hi boneka

The staff sttitude is really bad, I m also very worried, i booked with travelstar tour to beijing and my friends booked with them to shanghai. leaving early next mth, same as u, i extending a few ays, called them several times to confirm which hotel so i can book the hotel thru online will be cheaper, but till now they answer is always china side still not confirm yet. I m also very worried. Could u pls share here with us yr trip to beijing when u come back from the beijing trip pls? If what they promise never materialise, remember to take photos or video it down as evident to file a complain with case to demand for a refund, that's what case advised, need prove, else very hard to complain

I've booked 5D Beijing tours from CS Travel... So the boss is the same as Travel Star? The staffs there are rude as well. Im departing in 4days & yet to get my hotel info. Called 4x, all i received were useless irrelevant briefing sheet which stated 'lightweight clothes'. Autum of 5degrees ask ppl bring light weight clothes????!
When i made the booking, was told there are not enough ppl yet & i shld wait to see if the tour will be confirmed + extension of stay cost $80/night, its even written on paper. 1mth before travel date, still no news. Called them to enquire, the reply i got was 'its not confirm yet'. Tried explaining that i have to apply for leave early but i get a totally unexpected ans by the staff saying "we are not trying to cheat you". OMG! They must have really gotten too many complaints that the staff reacted this way! I was merely asking when will it be confirm! I called back again the next day to cancel since it wasn't confirm & guess what! I was told its confirm!! What a surprise miricle eh? Then i went back again to make necessary payment & my extension night became $100/night 'due to peak season'.
Seriously, now i really feel like being cheated! But anyway, lesson learnt. You pay peanuts, you get monkeys =\

I've booked 5D Beijing tours from CS Travel... So the boss is the same as Travel Star? The staffs there are rude as well. Im departing in 4days & yet to get my hotel info. Called 4x, all i received were useless irrelevant briefing sheet which stated 'lightweight clothes'. Autum of 5degrees ask ppl bring light weight clothes????!
When i made the booking, was told there are not enough ppl yet & i shld wait to see if the tour will be confirmed + extension of stay cost $80/night, its even written on paper. 1mth before travel date, still no news. Called them to enquire, the reply i got was 'its not confirm yet'. Tried explaining that i have to apply for leave early but i get a totally unexpected ans by the staff saying "we are not trying to cheat you". OMG! They must have really gotten too many complaints that the staff reacted this way! I was merely asking when will it be confirm! I called back again the next day to cancel since it wasn't confirm & guess what! I was told its confirm!! What a surprise miricle eh? Then i went back again to make necessary payment & my extension night became $100/night 'due to peak season'.
Seriously, now i really feel like being cheated! But anyway, lesson learnt. You pay peanuts, you get monkeys =\

Hi Mimiko/Worry Customer/ Nono,
Seem 3 of you either already came back from the trip or will be travel soon. But for Mimiko and Worry Customer, I believe you had came back from the trip already if you din cancel your trip. Could you pls share your experience as what you requested other ppl to share their experience to you also?

hi, can anyone share with me about shanghai trip that was posted recently from coupon site?

i had a bad experience from this agency, they are very rude, and until now they havent make any confirmation for our trip! and our trip will be in 3 days from today... can someone please help me if i shud just let go this shit agency?

can anyone share experience went to shanghai for 8 days, i worry as many negative comment about this travel star

can anyone share experience went to shanghai for 8 days, i worry as many negative comment about this travel star

Hi Mimiko n Worry Customer
We would really appreciate it if both of you could share your experience here with all of us after your trip. I too booked a family trip with them to Shanghai and Beijing in Dec. I noticed they always give verbal promise and agreement, one way to protect ourself is write clearly what they have promised and agreed email them or bring it down to ask them to sign what they have promised or agreed on to protect ourself, if during the trip there is any different, we can show the local tour guide the letter or could use it as evident to complain against them. I hv called CASE, they need evidents, so their advised is during the trip, whatever is not same as per agreed, take as much photos as proved and when back to sg, submit to CASE to complain, CASE said with evidents to prove, they could help us to process the complain and request for refund. Hopefully, both of you and all others who hv recently travel with travelstar to share yr holiday experience here.

Oh my god,sound horrible, the experience n staff they talk abt this agency. I book a trip to taiwan n going on 24/10 I am very worry now. I call up the agency to find out when I can get my hotel vouchor but they are soooo rude. They said it will not be ready until 5 days before departure. The staff is so rude , he actually ask me to count down 5 days and refuse to tell me when is the actual day to collect my vouchor. Actually why the boss is not doing something about their staff. Who would dare to book any thing from this agency anymore.

Hi Mimiko,
It would be highly appreciated if you could share your experience to us when you are back from Shanghai Trip. I suggest you may check your itinerary and the hotels that you are going to stay with this agent again in balck and white before you set off.

I also book the shanghai trip and travel date is next week,worry abt that~anyone back from this trip?Can share experience?

I bought $50 for the option to go Suzhou / Shanghai trip. Has anyone been on that trip? Any comment? Getting very worry on all the negative feedback from here...

Had a horrible experience with Travelstar. Booked a 3D2N Hong Kong deal with them. While the hotel we got was the same as that advertised, the room we got was so cramped it was hardly enough for 1 person. And I really don't understand how they could rate the hotel 4 star. No water provided, bar totally empty, no restaurants inside the hotel, no complimentary breakfast provided. Its a cheap, no frills, budget restaurant located way outside the city.
To make matters worse, the travel agent offered us airline tickets too at some cheap prices. We swiped our card, only to find out the next day that we cannot avail those tickets as our travel itinerary does not match the ticket deal (some bull crap). And now its been 50 days since that card transaction and we are yet receive our refund on it!!! Such a bogus agency! I wonder how they still have their license??? To anyone planning to use this agency in the future, please ensure you check out everything thoroughly the agency says it will provide.

hi,
I had bought 8 tickets to Macau & Zhu Hai for 5days nights from Deal.Com. After looking at all this reviews I'm very worry. Has any one went already?

We had bad experience with them also. Posted here before but reviewed was deleted. Never honour their word. Just go all the way out to cheat. Just ensure your agreement is written in black and white (we did it through email follow up after every discussion). Btw, CS travel is also under the same boss.

Can anyone who has travelled on the land tour package with Travelstar to beijing or shanghai share your experience pls. My family has purchased the land tour packages and air tickets to beijing and shanghai with Travelstar. After reading the bad reviews on hainan island tour, we are are very worred.

if tickets purchased thro internet it may b expensive to change time n destination.Just go free/easy . Its not worth while to travel n visit those places because its a sheer waste of time n money.

help!!! can someone offer any option for me. have booked 4 air ticket for my family. travelling date 16th oct.

I came back recently from Travelstar's 5d4n Hainan tour (that comes with a free 5d4n macau and zhuhai). To everyone reading this, please be very beware of Travelstar and their offerings. After reading the BaoShuTang incident, i can only conclude that Travelstar no longer have the moral, and is no longer fit to be a travel agency. My 5d4n in Hainan is a disaster. They give you a good hotel on the brocher, but eventuially you would be brought to a very lousy hotel. I trabvel with my family and mother, and was supposed to have 2 rooms in ming yue hotel (a super lousy hotel that they shamelessly labelled 4 star) but one of the room door scanner is damage. In the end we all have to squeeze in one room and i had to sleep on the floor.

Secondly, I felt really insulted throughout the trip. Hainan has many good foods, but the food they provided is horrendous and insulting. All the "restaurant" we were brought to is like some old, dirty and leaking "hei dian" specially catered for tourist. Yes there are 8 dishes for each main meal, but the dishes were insulting, and increably simple (but far from presentable and authentic)... Tourist do not spend money to go to that type of places to eat those crap food. We want good authentic hainan food!!! I would rather they not provide the meal but bring us to places where we can get decent food ourself.

Thirdly, all the compulsory items are charges 150%-200% the actual price!!! This is the most atrocious part!!! If you do not believe me, go check the internet. They shamelessly jack up all the prices of the optional items, and still give us that type of quality of food!!! In one of the optional item (a seafood meal), they provide us (for RMB160) a table of low quality seafood that the local hainanese would be ashame of. The preparation was bad and of very low quality. The final sum, all in, jacks up the price of the trip to the market price, and is definitely not worth it.

For people who wanted to get really good deals, go for Chan Brothers. You pay a little more, but they do not cheat or insult you like Travel star. At the very least they do not treat you like shit like the Shirley of Travelstar. Shirley has a terrible attitude and a horrific customer service attitude. Another agency that is not bad (but could provide reasonably but cheap package is Apple Travel. I had taken several packages from apple and i find them honest. At the very least they ensure that the China agent is credible and will provide reasonably good services in all aspect.

So if you believe me, STAY AWAY from TRAVELSTAR. They do not deserve it. They dun care at all the quality of their products. Cheap things from them are CERTAINLY NOT GOOD AT ALL!!!

I've bought $50 5D4N to beijing for 2 pax. Afer reading so many negative remarks I might just give up the $100 rather then paying more at the end of the trip.. not worth it................

Hi everyone,
After my Hainan trip, I bought Beijing trip for a group of 14 and will be going in April. It stated that we will be staying in Sariz Int'l hotel (4 or 5 star hotel when we bought the vouchers) but Travel Star staff said they can't confirm until at a later date. Sariz per nite is about S$110 from internet. As you can see optional tours are not cheap and some china travel agents quoted in US$. I extended another 3 days and might hire a mini-bus to travel around. Public buses are very crowded but it is cheap. Please let us know your experiences after your Beijing trip.

beware of favourable comments. It may come from Travel Star.Have told my friends to switch to other countries if possible.Personally I prefer to go to Thailand on free n easy .Food is good especially for Singaporean.going to Hainan is a waste of precious time n money

MY GROUP OF 11 WENT FOR THE HAINAN TOUR. IT WAS FINE. THE GUIDE DID NOT FORCED US TO BUY THE PACKAGE BUT WE DID FOR THE FACT THAT THEY WERE LOOSE MONEY IF WE DIDN'T PURCHASED THE CHEAPEST PACKAGE. FOOD WAS SO-SO; 8 DISHES AND A SOUP. WE ADD SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE DISHES. YOU DON'T EXPECT MUCH FOR $50 PACKAGE. THEY MAKE BACK BY CHARGING YOU MORE FOR ATTRACTIONS ENTRANCE FEES. THE TIPS WE PAID DON'T GOES TO THE DRIVER SO WE GAVE HIM SOME PERSONALLY. THE BAD THING IS THAT THE HOTELS TRAVEL STAR TOLD US WERE DIFFERENT WHEN WE WERE THERE. WE EXTENDED OUR STAY IN HAIKOU HOTEL WHICH I BOOKED MYSELF FOR 240RMB. SHOPPING VERY CONVENIENT. WE DIDN'T PURCHASED MUCH FROM BAO SHU TANG, ONLY THE BAOFULING CREAM. DON'T WORRY JUST GO! TRAVEL SMART!

Hi Mandy

I hv bought the $58 beijing tour package but will only going in Dec. I called travelstar last week to confirm again whether the optional tour is really optional and upto us to join or not join, the staff there said that it is really optional however, the local tour guide would \'strongly encourage\' us all to join as they would be able to get some commission from the price, she said that we can insist we do not want to join, but some local tour guide may appear to be a little displease as it affect their income. I m thinking when i go for the briefing b4 the trip, will said that since so many negative feedback, will ask travelstar to write in black and white that optional tour is strictly upto the us and we are free to join or not, hopefully they will agree to write it down as prove. Hv u go for the briefing, if not maybe u could also try asking them to state it to protect ourselves.
If u go with their land tour, do share here with us how is the experience. If is really still so bad as the rest shared here, i m also considering to report it to case.

Leaving for Shanghai this weekend for the $50 5D4N. Skeptical with this agency after reading the reviews. Considering to forgo the tour and go F&E instead. Need advice. Anyone been to the $50 5D4N tour already?

worst trip i have ever taken for the past 35 years.nothing interesting to see.overcharging for the \'compulsory visits\'eg charging $140 when seniors need only to pay $78 , charging $280 when ticket cost $160 ( possible seniors may pay less)etc . the idea is to recover whatever subsidies we received .lunch/dinner cost travel star s$4 per person .penalty for not joining outings s$100.from 8am to 7pm on the road.most of us felt very unhappy with trip

Just return from the 5d4n Hainan tour. As I have read too much negative reviews, I did not have high expectation for this trip. Perhaps it's due to this lower expectation that I feel that overall this trip is quite enjoyable and relaxing. I believe almost everyone in my group are happy with this trip. We are just unhappy that there are hidden costs not stated in the itinerary. I guess the unhappiness is more towards the Singapore tour agency. When I went for the briefing session, I was informed that I can choose not to go for the attractions which required extra money. However, when I was there, the tour guide said that all the extra attractions are sold to us as a package and we have to go. We do not have a choice. If we add the total costs spent on accommodation, flights and the paid attractions, per person is slightly more $500. I guess it is still quite worth going. To be fair, the hotels and foods are of acceptable levels. So for those who had already bought the vouchers, please just go and enjoy yourselves.

Just return from the 5d4n Hainan tour. As I have read too much negative reviews, I did not have high expectation for this trip. Perhaps it's due to this lower expectation that I feel that overall this trip is quite enjoyable and relaxing. I believe almost everyone in my group are happy with this trip. We are just unhappy that there are hidden costs not stated in the itinerary. I guess the unhappiness is more towards the Singapore tour agency. When I went for the briefing session, I was informed that I can choose not to go for the attractions which required extra money. However, when I was there, the tour guide said that all the extra attractions are sold to us as a package and we have to go. We do not have a choice. If we add the total costs spent on accommodation, flights and the paid attractions, per person is slightly more $500. I guess it is still quite worth going. To be fair, the hotels and foods are of acceptable levels. So for those who had already bought the vouchers, please just go and enjoy yourselves.

Hi everybody,
Last week, I just booked from travelstar for my family to shanghai 5 days 4 nights trip and a close relatives has booked 5 days 4 nights to beijing. After reading the review here, i m really worried, has anyone just returned from shanghai or beijing trip by travestar? How was the tour guide, overall trip and hotel stay? Any advise on what to take note or gimmick to watch out? Could anyone kindly pls share your experience pls?
Thank you for your sharing..

http://www.facebook.com/notes/sgbulliedinsg-sg/letter-of-plead-for-witness-female-singaporean-got-scammed-in-china-assaulted-by/106833202756678

This agency is a shame to all other agencies and I recommend everyone to stay away from this agency.

Hi, anyone travl to taiwan with travel star recently? How is it?

Hey Lawrence & Hong,after hear ur experience with travel star.i m start to worried now.recently i just booked a travel deal which is cost $58 per pax for travel to beijing 5D4N.
i bought 16pcs from deal.com.My friend and my family planing to travel on next year.But the time we redeem the ticket,we hv asking their staff its that any hiden cost ,they replied us say no.will they cheating on us?
The staff told us the tour will exactly same as the iltinery they post on the deals voucher that we bought.Yesterday i saw a newspaper got consumer complain about a travel agency that offer $50 hainan package but their tour totally different with the iltinery from what was given by travel agency.i m worried is that from travel star.
Hope everything is fine.

I also just came back from this Hainan Tour. Though it costs $50, the tour agency make back from the 4 \"Compulsory\" visits we need to pay. Eg, the entrance ticket for Guanyin visit is actually RM150, but the tour charged us RM198. I believe the agency got further discount from the tickets. In my assessment, the Hainan Tour is not really fantastic as comparable to my other China\'s tours. There is not such things as Hainan Chicken rice or Hainan coffee. Cant really find it there.

Just returned fr the 5d4n hainan tour. For the $50 package organised by Travel Star. When we ask for 1 night extension the agent charged us $50 per person ($100 per room) over at the hotel we found that the charges of Jingyuan Hotspring Hotel was S$50 per night and with 2 b/f (based on walkin rate) when we are back and made enquries the staff of the Travel Star was not friendly and did not give us an explanation.

good