Directia Travel Reviews: 15% Fee Truth You Must Know 

Directia Travel reviews: see the 15% cancellation fee, hotel complaints and the key questions to ask before you book an Asia trip.

A few years back I came very close to losing a down payment for a vacation to Southeast Asia. No major issues occurred. The airline changed the schedule of my flights, the dates did not work for me anymore, and I thought I would be able to simply cancel. However, this was not the case; in fact, I was going to have to pay a significant portion of the total cost if I wanted to cancel. Like many other people, I scanned through the terms in approximately 4 seconds and then checked off the box and continued with what I was doing.

A minor incident of that nature has completely changed the way I book my travels. Before I hand over any of my credit card information to a travel agent, I check out their cancellation policies before looking at the pretty pictures. Cheap deals are tempting, and I was actually looking up how to score cheap Holiday Pirates travel deals today when other agencies started showing up. When I began to notice the name Directia Travel appearing in search results, I did exactly what I always do. I started digging.

I will share with you what I’ve discovered about Directia. Although I’ve never booked with them, I’m not going to lie and say that I have. What I am capable of doing is gathering all of the public information available on Directia, what their reviews continuously point to, and what questions I’d like answered by Directia before I commit any funds. Consider this a friend completing your homework out loud.

What Is Directia Travel?

Let’s begin with the basics. Directia Travel is a Barcelona-based travel company specializing in Asia. They offer travel packages and accommodations throughout Asia. This is a very specific type of specialization for a travel company; however, it can be beneficial. Many times, agencies specializing in a single geographical area will have knowledge of details that are overlooked by agencies offering services globally. For example, they may know what types of transfers cause issues for customers, which hotels provide quality service for the price paid, and how to create a logical itinerary connecting multiple destinations within a reasonable amount of time.

A quick disambiguation, because this is something people often confuse. Directia Travel is not Direct Travel. Direct Travel is a large U.S. corporate travel management company that provides services to corporations. If you are looking for company travel programs, meetings and events, or corporate booking tools, that is another company. Directia is a Spanish travel agency that offers Asia holidays. Sometimes search engines combine the two, which is why if your search results seem unusually “corporate,” that may be the reason.

Why Do People Search for Directia Travel?

The majority of people who search for a company using Google are likely in one of several different categories.

• These are those who say, “I know what I am looking for.” They may have heard of it from a friend, seen an advertisement for it, or they have a reservation and need to find the website or phone number.
• The “Is This Real?” Crowd. I’m definitely one of those people. When I find a travel agency offering an amazing trip to Asia, I want to know what other travelers think before booking. Have they had a good experience, or did they end up regretting their decision? 
• Job hunters. Some of us look up the name of an employer we may wish to join, or find out more about the general atmosphere of a particular location. In this regard, employer reviews on sites such as Directia are similar.

Most of the content after this is geared towards the second group because that is where individuals actually make their decisions.

Why Asia Trips Are Easy to Get Wrong

Prior to the review of each product, I will make a brief detour to explain why every detail is important.

Cooking a large meal for company is similar to preparing a trip to Asia. There’s no way you can just combine ingredients and expect the result to be good. Flights, connections within the country, accommodations, visas, and schedules must be coordinated. If one of these components gets delayed, it will affect every other component of your travel plans. Because most of these types of travels are lengthy and expensive, the potential loss of money increases if something goes wrong.

Because of this, people use agencies. Agencies are hired to keep all aspects of your project coordinated, which saves you from doing it yourself. On the other hand, you give up a great deal of control with an agency. The contract you sign determines how things will proceed if plans change. This brings us to the question most people ask.

What Reviewers Say About Directia Travel

I am going to tell you honestly that the reviews I have seen are predominantly negative, and there is a common thread that runs through them all.

The 15% Cancellation Charge

There are several reviews complaining about the same thing. Many reviewers stated that if you have to cancel your trip, the agency will take 15% of your total trip cost regardless of why you are canceling. One reviewer was so angry at how the agency handled the situation that he added that the agency used the same policy when the cancellation was due to COVID-19.

Now, I want to provide a little more context about why fairness is so important. Many travel agencies charge a cancellation fee. Some may charge more if you cancel your trip close to the time you’re supposed to leave. Fifteen percent is certainly not excessive. It appears that what frustrated these reviewers was that the agency charged the fee for any reason, without showing any flexibility even under extreme conditions.

Here’s an example: A restaurant can charge you a cancellation fee when you cancel your reservation. That’s fine they have a right to do so. However, if you cancelled your reservation because there was a blizzard that caused road closures, you would probably want to receive some level of sympathy from the restaurant. The reviewers thought that Directia did not show any sympathy to them and that is what hurt them more than the cancellation fee itself.

Hotel Quality Complaints

A different reviewer was dissatisfied with the accommodations they stayed at. The reviewer stated that the agency was disappointing because they booked a hotel that had serious sanitation issues. While this may have been the experience of one individual, I am unable to confirm whether or not this is accurate. However, inquiring about the quality of the hotel prior to making a commitment is a reasonable question to pose. When you allow an agency to select your hotels, you are trusting the agency to maintain certain standards.

Worries About Being Stranded

A third reviewer took this advice a step further and cautioned other people against booking with them, because they may find themselves left behind in any part of the world. Although this is just one person’s opinion, it is a very strong statement that raises some interesting points for consideration. When you are traveling and something goes wrong during your journey, what types of support will you receive? This question leads me to tell you about my own bad experience while traveling.

A Personal Lesson About Support

The first time an airline cancelled my connecting flight, I spent the rest of that night at the airport trying to find anyone who would be able to assist me. After numerous attempts to contact the agency, they never answered their phone. Therefore, I was forced to book another flight myself and then battle for a refund. As a result, the very first thing I look for when choosing an agency is whether or not there is an actual emergency contact number available to customers — preferably one that can be contacted after normal business hours. For each agency (including Directia) that I consider using, I will inquire about this aspect prior to making a payment.

A Fair Reading of the Reviews

Reviews can be challenging. It’s much easier for people to post comments on a company’s website when they are unhappy with their service, as opposed to when things run smoothly. Therefore, a list of negative reviews may not provide an accurate representation of how the typical traveler viewed his/her experience. Those who had positive travel experiences typically return home and unpack.

However, if there is a pattern of complaints about a particular policy, then it is worthy of further investigation because it is a specific issue that may be verified by reading the terms of the agreement rather than relying on other people’s opinions.

So my personal opinion is simply this. The reviews have raised valid concerns, however you can resolve these issues prior to purchasing. Check out the terms of service, obtain written responses from the agency regarding your questions, and then make a decision with clear understanding.

Questions to Ask Before You Book With Directia Travel

The above is what I would take with me when making my reservation. I could also put this into an email as a form of confirmation.

1. What is the exact amount of the cancellation charge, and does this vary based upon the time frame prior to my departure date?
2. Are there times when the agency makes exceptions? Inquire as to whether they do so for things such as being sick; flights having problems; natural disasters; and/or government-imposed limits on travel.
3. The trip includes certain hotels, but can you find them prior to booking your reservation? Use the internet to search for each hotel on independent review sites.
4. How does an agency respond when a hotel is not up to the standards they represented to you? Will they provide you with an alternative or a refund?
5. Is there a phone number I can call after hours to contact an emergency contact?
6. How much of your trip will be included in the cost of your vacation package, and what items will you need to pay for on your own? Items like transfer services, meals, excursions and local taxes may significantly increase the overall total of your vacation.
7. Is there an agency requirement for travel insurance, or is it merely recommended, and what are the benefits of such insurance?

If the agency provides you with clear, written responses, that is a positive indication. However, if the agency is ambiguous, that can tell you about what kind of service you may receive from the agency.

How to Protect Yourself When Booking Any Asia Trip

These tips apply well beyond Directia, and they’ve saved me more than once.

• Where possible, make sure to pay using a credit card. Credit cards generally give people more opportunities to dispute transactions than do bank transfers. When things go wrong, you will be able to take advantage of more methods of fighting back.
• Travel insurance is worth buying, and reading the policy details will help understand what is covered. Often, standard policies do not allow you to cancel your trip because you simply changed your mind; therefore, consider purchasing a policy that has a ‘cancel for any reason’ option if you value having flexibility. This option will likely be more expensive than a basic policy, however, it can offset a costly cancellation fee.
• Take a picture of everything. Make sure to keep your travel plans, commitments made via chat, and the version of the terms you accepted. Web pages change, and memories can be short-lived.
• If you would like to be able to make changes to your travel plans, then you should consider buying your airline tickets separate from other aspects of your trip. Many people choose to purchase their own airline tickets while using an agency to assist with lodging and sightseeing. By doing so, you spread the potential risk of having to change your plans across multiple parties.
• Check the hotel on your own. A quick five-minute look at recent guest comments about a hotel can save you from checking into a bad one, regardless of who picked it for you.
• Start on your paperwork as soon as possible. Because visa requirements for different Asian countries can vary greatly and are subject to frequent changes, don’t wait until the last minute.

Pros and Cons of Booking With Directia Travel

Here’s the quick summary, based on what I found publicly.

Potential upsides

• A specialized focus on Asia, which can mean more destination knowledge.
• A package approach that takes the logistics off your plate.
• Spanish-language service, which helps Spanish-speaking travelers.

Potential downsides

• Reviewers repeatedly say there is an agency wide 15% cancellation fee.
• Some complaints about hotel quality and support.
• Limited independent information, so you’ll need to verify details yourself.

I’d stress the word “potential.” These are points to investigate, not verdicts.

Who Is Directia Travel Probably Right For?

Considering everything above, here’s how I’d think about it.

It would probably work well for you if you’re positive about when you’ll be traveling, you’re excited by a pre-planned Asia trip, you’ve read through the terms and conditions and are okay with them, and you have good quality travel insurance.

You may want to consider other options if your travel plans are subject to change, you need a flexible cancellation policy, or you are uncomfortable knowing that 24/7 customer service will not be available.

You have the choice of whether to purchase a custom-made suit or a pre-made suit. When purchasing a custom-made suit, the tailor will cut the fabric to your specifications; however, once he begins cutting, you are committed. Therefore, if you are unsure of the fit, you would be better off purchasing a more adaptable suit.

Alternatives to Consider

If the feedback provided by the reviews causes hesitation, then you have several alternatives available to you. For example, you may want to research other companies specializing in travel to Asia; investigate large global travel providers that offer flexible booking policies; or even create your own travel plan by booking individual portions of the journey (flights/hotels) separately. Creating your own travel arrangements will require additional effort on your part; however, doing so will provide you with full authority over your vacation plans and most likely allow you to clearly understand how each portion of your travel plans can be refunded should that become necessary.

As you evaluate each option for your travel plans, be sure to compare the cancellation policies of each provider, as opposed to only their overall cost. It is possible that a less expensive travel package with strict cancellation rules will ultimately cost you more money than a slightly more expensive travel package that allows for flexibility in changing your booking.

What About Working at Directia Travel?

Some people might be searching the name as part of their career research, so here’s a brief update. The employer-review pages for this company list a position called “Senior Travel Advisor” with a base salary and a commission component; these pages also contain questions from people wanting to know how the actual working environment is. There was not enough reliable information available to provide any additional details. If you’re interested in working at this company, check out the most recent employee reviews, ask about the commission structure during your interview, and speak with employees currently employed by the company or who have worked for them previously if possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are they a legit travel agency? Yes, they appear to be an actual Barcelona-based travel agency that offers Asia travel packages. Whether or not their services will fit your needs is another question. You should always read reviews, understand all of the terms, and ask questions prior to paying.

Directia Travel has a cancellation policy. Many of those who have used the agency have said they will keep fifteen percent of the total cost of your trip when you cancel it for any reason. Since policies do change, please check with the agency in writing to find out what is currently being charged for cancellation before making your reservation.

Does Directia Travel exclusively provide travel options to Asia? Based on what I’ve discovered about the company, it seems that their primary emphasis is on providing travel options for Asian locations.

No. Direct Travel is a separate US-based travel management corporation.

Yes, whether or not you will be able to receive a refund depends upon the terms of the agreement that you sign. Prior to paying, find out if there are refunds, partial credit, and other exemptions for cancellation. Additionally, think about purchasing insurance to cover your potential loss due to cancellation.

Directia Travel is accessible by using the contact information found on its official website. Make sure to keep all written promises made by the agency as documentation.

My Honest Bottom Line

At the end of all my research, here is what I have concluded. I can’t say that Directia Travel is bad, and I can’t say that Directia Travel is good. However, what I can say is that the public reviews that I reviewed were consistently concerned about a flat cancellation fee, and you can test those concerns prior to making a commitment to Directia Travel.

The lesson from my near-miss with that Southeast Asia deposit can be applied to this situation. It is very unusual for a trip to go bad because of an unforeseen event. Most of the time it is due to an ordinary event such as a change in date and the contract being much stricter than what was anticipated.

Read all of the fine print. Ask the difficult questions. Obtain answers in writing. Pay with a credit card, purchase adequate travel insurance, and research your own hotel selections. If you do each of those items then you will be in a much better situation when dealing with Directia Travel, or any other travel agency.

I would like to know about your booking experience with Directia. Reviews cannot compare to real life experiences.

Helpful Resources

These are the two best official sites to use if you need to know what your rights are prior to making a booking, or if you require assistance following an incident.

• The Official Guide to the EU Package Travel Directive: A clear summary of how the EU regulates package holidays, including providing clear pre-booking information, cancellation rights, and what happens when things go wrong. Since the EU is revising its regulations regarding package holidays, please consult your national authority for details on how your country currently implements the existing regulations.
• The European Consumer Centres Network provides free advice and assistance for cross-border consumer complaints. Each EU country has its own centre. If you do not reside in Spain and used a Spanish agency to book your trip, then you should contact the centre located in your home country.