Viator Discussion

[Denali]

I've also used them in the past and will be using them to book a Boeing tour next year.

My only complaint from the past is I found when they picked us up in the hotel lobby, their driver/guide was difficult to identify which was annoying in a busy lobby.

 

[The Rok]

I have no idea what viator is but every time I scan the unread threads I see a "B" in that word and I just giggle and then move on.

 

[zainman]

Used Viator in Istanbul for a tour and was very good. Good local company and good value. Also got cash back through either Topcashback or FatWallet.

 

[ShaneN]

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.

I have used Viator many times for booking day tours, airport transfers and theatre ticket, most recently in May 2014. Always through the Qantas website for the points. I have never had any problem - highly recommended.

I have never been charged an overseas transaction fee by ANZ for paying by my Amex credit card - charges were in AUD and the billing address is in Surry Hills, Sydney.

 

[docjames]

Ok, please take this as question (at the end) and discussion (not rant). Old Viator threads aren’t open.


Having successfully booked via QF and Viator for (excellent) transfers in Cape Town a few years ago, I was looking for an “easy” option for a transfer from LHR T3 to London (N19). I ordinarily use the tube or chauffeur drive, but this time will be travelling with family in tow and a 0530 arrival so just looking for “easy” option.

Plugged all the details in, including drop off address. Confirmation received. $149 charged to CC.

Then email appears about 8 hours later from “Viator supplier” asking for an extra GPB20 due to the location not in “central London”. And to be paid directly to driver. The email was moderately aggressive so I was unclear if i was actually being scammed or not!

Your booking has been not confirmed, Because your hotel location is too far from the central London so there is 20 GBP supplement charge which you will need to pay to the driver directly. So Please confirm us back, Are you ready to pay or not?

Whilst accepting this may be because the contractor has ESL, I was still a bit shocked!

So i replied by email, asking if this was legit, and pointing out my N19 destination was 20mi from T3, the exact same distance as say T5 to “central London” (albeit T3 to central London is ~18-19mi although i did check and fare is same from T5).

Got a semi-canned reply basically repeating “not in central London, pay extra or cancel”. So I cancelled as I couldn’t help but feel i’d been “bait and switched” a bit, plus the cost was now becoming equivalent to just hailing a black cab at the rank at Heathrow!

To give Viator credit, all was handled rapidly, will see how long the refund takes to process on the credit card.



So now i’m back to looking for “easy” T3 —> N19 options so i’m guessing that means Uber (which perhaps I should have decided upon on the first place). Looks like it may be cheaper also.What are people’s experience of Uber from LHR to non-central locations? Any traps? Mrsdoc has an active account with decent rating. I have no account.

Also happy to look at other options. Obviously tube or Heathrow express cheaper but way longer with two smallish children at 0 dark thirty arrival ex-long haul, i’m Not sure we’ll be up for tube with luggage etc.

TIA.

 

[levelnine]

Try this: Compare Airport Transfers with Skyscanner

 

[docjames]

That’s fabulous, thanks! Hadn’t thought to try skyscanner!

 

[Gold60]

Last year i used Carrot Cars from LHR to Canary Wharf - 52 Pounds. Very good service.

Ok, please take this as question (at the end) and discussion (not rant). Old Viator threads aren’t open.


Having successfully booked via QF and Viator for (excellent) transfers in Cape Town a few years ago, I was looking for an “easy” option for a transfer from LHR T3 to London (N19). I ordinarily use the tube or chauffeur drive, but this time will be travelling with family in tow and a 0530 arrival so just looking for “easy” option.

Plugged all the details in, including drop off address. Confirmation received. $149 charged to CC.

Then email appears about 8 hours later from “Viator supplier” asking for an extra GPB20 due to the location not in “central London”. And to be paid directly to driver. The email was moderately aggressive so I was unclear if i was actually being scammed or not!



Whilst accepting this may be because the contractor has ESL, I was still a bit shocked!

So i replied by email, asking if this was legit, and pointing out my N19 destination was 20mi from T3, the exact same distance as say T5 to “central London” (albeit T3 to central London is ~18-19mi although i did check and fare is same from T5).

Got a semi-canned reply basically repeating “not in central London, pay extra or cancel”. So I cancelled as I couldn’t help but feel i’d been “bait and switched” a bit, plus the cost was now becoming equivalent to just hailing a black cab at the rank at Heathrow!

To give Viator credit, all was handled rapidly, will see how long the refund takes to process on the credit card.



So now i’m back to looking for “easy” T3 —> N19 options so i’m guessing that means Uber (which perhaps I should have decided upon on the first place). Looks like it may be cheaper also.What are people’s experience of Uber from LHR to non-central locations? Any traps? Mrsdoc has an active account with decent rating. I have no account.

Also happy to look at other options. Obviously tube or Heathrow express cheaper but way longer with two smallish children at 0 dark thirty arrival ex-long haul, i’m Not sure we’ll be up for tube with luggage etc.

TIA.

 

[EB!]

Hi All

Just wondering if anyone has used Visitacity or Viator to book activities etc for overseas holidays recently?
Thanks

 

[AIRwin]

I've booked Viator through QF:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/book-a-trip/activities.html

 

[yachty]

Yeah I've used Viator a few times in SE Asia, never had any problem with the platform.

The vendors though... had a few bookings get cancelled just before because there weren't enough people, but Viator always refunded quickly if I wasn't able to do the new time.

 

[EB!]

Thank you for this.
I have just been reading some of the reviews for both these sites and it has made me a bit cautious as the reviews are indicating poor customer service and that you need to contact the tour operators directly as well to confirm.
Thanks

 

[Pushka]

Used Viator multiple times and it seems to work out. Sometimes I book direct with the vendor that shows on their website. I usually check with the vendors directly after booking.

 

[Major]

Viator is owned by Tripadviser and have used them with no problems

 

[jeza]

I’ve used them a few times, can sometimes get good Cashback offers up to around 15-20%.

I also do a search on the title line as the operators often advertise on more than one platform or have their own site, prices can vary quite a bit!

 

[RooFlyer]

I also do a search on the title line as the operators often advertise on more than one platform or have their own site, prices can vary quite a bit!

Yes, I think booking direct with the operator is nearly always better, and often cheaper (Viator aren't taking their cut).

 

[EB!]

Yes, I think booking direct with the operator is nearly always better, and often cheaper (Viator aren't taking their cut).

Thank you so much for this recommendation. While it does seem like it will be more work, it could be the better option.
Thank you

 

[tdimdad]

The best value of these consolidators is usually the ability to find various options for activities that would either be hard to tedious to find otherwise. They also do offer the convenience of booking it through the same page. I do the same than some others here, find the most attractive options through the consolidators and then attempt to seek out the actual operator and book directly.

 

[rugbyskier]

I'm seeking advice on how to retrieve tickets for Viator tours booked through Qantas. I booked a few activities through the Qantas website but forgot to download the tickets. The confirmation emails have dropped out of my email inbox and they aren't showing on my Viator account either. I've logged in to my QFF account but cannot see how to view the bookings with Viator. Any advice on how to retrieve the bookings would be appreciated, I have a tour next week and need to check the meeting point.

 

[offshore171]

You may have already tried the below suggestions, but a couple of longshots worth mentioning.:

Do you use Tripit by any chance? If so, Tripit may have picked up the bookings from your mail and logged into your itinerary. Log in to tripit and see if the bookings are there. Also check Unfiled Items

Also, for your email service, check if there's an archive function for older mails. Gmail for example goes back years.

Other than that, given it's a week away, probably contact Viator asap.

+61 291654336 or ia live chat