Anyone Used Viator???

[Flying Fox]

Hi

I am currently in the process of booking some tours for London and Paris and was going to book via Viator.com.

Has anyone used this website before and how did you go with them?

Many thanks

 

[Doug_Westcott]

I have used them a couple of times without any problems.

 

[markis10]

Have you checked Qantas.com, they use Viator but you earn points?

 

[codash1099]

I've used them quite a bit and not had any real problems. Their prices are usually competitive and they have the advantage of billing in $AU. I usually take the precaution of finding their tours at the source to both double check pricing and find variations on the tours they offer. I have occasionally ended up booking direct.

Beware that they don't always offer the best tour of the type you are looking at but that is true of most similar sites. Their directions are occasionally inadequate and sometimes wrong - again, find the original tour site to check. And if you are eligible for senior's rates, they tend not to offer them, so the original site can be better in this regard too.

 

[DeKa]

Whilst Viator can bill in AUD, they do so from the US. Some banks (HSBC, ANZ maybe others) will charge you an overseas transaction fee of ~3% as per their T&C's.

 

[jetpack]

I visited the mobile website of Viator earlier today and a 10% off code popped up. You might as well take up the discount.

 

[Paddy55]

Use Viator a number of times without problem.
Over a certain amount ($US200?) you earn AA points as well!

 

[Flying Fox]

Have you checked Qantas.com, they use Viator but you earn points?

Did not even think of looking at the QF website for tours. Great tip.

Whilst Viator can bill in AUD, they do so from the US. Some banks (HSBC, ANZ maybe others) will charge you an overseas transaction fee of ~3% as per their T&C's.

Thanks, might look at the QF offerings and see what happens.

 

[DeKa]

Did not even think of looking at the QF website for tours. Great tip.



Thanks, might look at the QF offerings and see what happens.

Still billed by Viator so same issue.

 

[Flying Fox]

One data point - amount quoted in AUD was exactly billed to my CC (ie. no currency surcharge added).

 

[Cynicor]

Viator seem ok, used them thrice in US (2) and Europe(1, somewhere).

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

I've used them quit ea few times.

Try the mobile app. I was lucky enough to get a 10% off code. came in handy for some expensive DMZ tours in South Korea.

The app also means usually you don't have to carry printouts with you.

 

[parsonstrish]

One I booked & used in Canada was fine. One I booked & used in NYC, all went well. One I booked in DC, was overbooked & not able to get on tour. Receiving a voucher not good, as left next day.

 

[Mattg]

I've made a few bookings via Viator. They basically just act as a third party, selling the services of other tour companies. I haven't had any problems with the bookings I made with viator (except for one tour which was cancelled, although I as notified a week out and received a full refund immediately).

Having said that though, I generally prefer just to book direct with the tour company. This often works out a little bit cheaper too as Viator takes a cut.

 

[Pushka]

I've used Viator a lot. Purchased Broadway shows with them (Phantom) and we were allocated brilliant seats. Also fast access tickets up Eiffel Tour. Worked well as we bypassed huge queues. Never had any problem with them. Sometimes they are a little more expensive than other options.

 

[RickyT84]

Viator get a thumbs up from me too as their prices are quite competitive (even better with a discount code) and it gives me the option to compare different tour operators and prices. So far I have used them twice in Europe and once in the USA.

 

[turtlemichael]

I've made a few bookings via Viator. They basically just act as a third party, selling the services of other tour companies. I haven't had any problems with the bookings I made with viator (except for one tour which was cancelled, although I as notified a week out and received a full refund immediately).

Having said that though, I generally prefer just to book direct with the tour company. This often works out a little bit cheaper too as Viator takes a cut.

I've used them several times particularly in remote places without any real problem, but for once. On that occasion the operator did not deliver what was agreed on a tour from Izmir to Pergamon in Turkey. I complained to Viator and got a full refund and an apology within a few days. So I believe they are reputable and that I would have struggled to get the same remedy if I had booked with the small local operator directly. All up, very happy to deal with them.

 

[basso]

I have never used them in terms of buying something, but have used them for researching purposes.

 

[Goodonya]

I have used them a few times in the past with no problems. One of the times with SWMBO in Paris I booked a night tour which included the river Seine cruise followed by dinner in the Eiffel Tower followed by the show at the Moulin Rouge. All went smoothly and seemed good value for money if on a tight schedule. I just booked a tour for August in Cancun to check out Chichen Itza with them.

 

[ftm]

+1 for no problems. Use them quite a lot.

The foreign exchange fee thing doesn't happen on an Amex Amex, only on the bank issued ones. More an issue with the banks than with Viator.