My winning from Stellar Hotel and Resort…and the 90-min ordeal

Posted byMs SheiPosted inUncategorizedTags:, , , , ,

There were actually 2 people who called me last week to get my free 3D/2N accommodation at Astoria. First was from Stellar Vacation Club and second is from AVLCI.

When I told the later that I had already won the same accommodation from Stellar, AVLCI didn’t send me a text message to confirm my winnings.

This isn’t the first time I heard about this strategy. I was invited by Astoria years ago when we were vacationing in Boracay. Hubby and I wasn’t able to join the lunch buffet since our itinerary was full.

So here’s the confirmation text message from Stellar.screenshot_2017-02-21-09-45-49_fotorscreenshot_2017-02-21-09-46-44_fotor

Since we didn’t have any engagements set for the weekend, we decided to make patol to the offer. After all, a free dinner buffet would be worth it.

We arrived at Astoria Hotel Plaza in Pasig at around 7:30pm. We headed straight into the basement parking. Parking is also free. Pero sa parking pa lang may aberya na. Somebody took our slot. Good thing the next one is vacant.

Anyways, we went into Cafe Astoria Restaurant at the Ground Floor. There were several couples and families taking their dinner. All of which were invited for the same presentation.

Cafe Astoria had an elegant vibe to it. Classy but simple.20170218_20240920170218_20244120170218_202137

I loved the selection of foods they offer.20170218_20215020170218_20220220170218_20221520170218_20222520170218_202234And here’s the salad bar. Happy tummy, Happy hubby. Kahit si Ate, masaya sa likod. 20170218_20225220170218_20235020170218_20234020170218_20232520170218_20231420170218_202309The desserts and bread stations.20170218_20224320170218_202402Our drinks were served in our table. An ice cold water and iced tea.

After the buffet, they will accompany you to the 2nd floor where they will conclude the 90-mins presentation. There are several tables inside where couples/families are assigned their own agent who will introduce their offerings. This is gonna be a long night of hard core selling. But you didn’t need to fall for it. And we didn’t, because of the only two obejctives we set our minds before attending. (1) free dinner buffet and (2) get the 3D/2N Gift Certificate. After all, the phone person said that there is no financial obligations in claiming the freebies.

So ayun na nga, it was super duper hard-core to the nth level selling. A certain Ernest is our sales agent. Can’t blame him, it’s his job to sell their services. He’s jolly, funny and gayish.

To cut the story short, he introduced the value of vacationing, Stellar’s tie-up hotels with RCI (Resorts and Condominiums International) and the concept of timesharing. Since we’re not really into it, we asked him to lay down the cost of what we would be getting ourselves into. And he did…after his 90-mins presentation (90-mins of daldal actually).

They are offering a holiday ownership. Stellar only have one membership plan for all walks of life, whether you’re working in a call center or a fish vendor or a bigtime Lawyers/Doctors. Those are who Ernest claims to have become their member. The cost of membership???

Three Hundred and Eight Thousand Pesos!!!

They offer an affordable payment option, maka join ka lang. Your downpayment option is only from 20%-30%. If you have the money to spare, you can make your DP higher. The balance is payable in 3-years with no interest. Roughly, Php 5,989 per month. Affordable right?

SO, what’s in the package:

  • It’s a 16-years membership validity
  • 7 days gift certificate/annual (in 16 years, that’s 112 days of free accommodation)
    • if unused, can be carried over to the next year. Maximum of 3 weeks or 21 days carry overs only.
    • this is a 1-BR suite accommodation
    • this is transferrable. you can sell it for all you want.
  • Can be use in any local or international destination
  • International destination includes: Asia, US and Europe
  • Accommodations through their tie-up hotels (your choice of a 4✯ to 5✯ resorts)

Here’s the catch:

  • In order for you to get the 1 week free accommodation, you need to have paid 30% of the total contract price. That’s Php 92,400.
  • Annual payment of Php 10,000 for the room maintenance fee. For 16 years, that’s Php 160,000
  • You pay a total of SGD 108 fee for your international accommodation with their tie-up hotels (regardless of how long you will stay. Min is 3 days). Convert…Php 3,672 may vary depends on the rate. For 16 years, Php 58,752.
  • There is a block out date, which are the holiday period
  • Annual payment of Php 5,000 for the copy of their international hotel directory (RCI and Stellar). For 16 years, Php 80,000.

You guys do the math.

Do it now, because once you get invited, they won’t give you the time to do the thinking. Also, the offer is available on the same day only.

This scheme may work for some but will not for most. If you think your hard-earned money is worth this, then go for it. But if you won’t be able to sustain the cost for 16 years, DO NOT COMMIT!

We ended the night getting our free gift certificate. And getting our tummy full.stellar-edit

What they got from us? Sama nang loob and pagod sa pagsasalita. Hahah.

Published by Ms Shei

She laughs without fear of the future.

63 thoughts on “My winning from Stellar Hotel and Resort…and the 90-min ordeal”

  1. Pingback: My winning from Crown Regency Hotel and Resort…and what I’ve gotten myself into – MOMIGER

    2. I used their GC I got from Boracay vacay 2016, I chose Bali from their offer and was there earlier this year. All transactions with them was smooth from booking, payment of deposit and the refund

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      1. Totoo ba ang GC from stellar? Just wondering.. legit ba ung travel abroad for free? Thanks sa reply..

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      2. Hello, i have a GC and would want to avail on it sana. Would just want to ask sana why may refund i thought the hotel stay is all for free?

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  5. Hi. Their gc is legit and fully refundable. Got to used mine earlier this year in Bali. The refund was quick too less than a week. 🤗

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    1. Hi. I just want to ask you few quaestion regarding the free 3days2nights accomomodation in Bali from Stellar. Thank you.

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  6. Maam Blanche, was the refund quick? Wala bang hassle…? Did you get your GC as a member of non-member? I got my voucher recently, and applied for a date…. just wanting to make sure it is legit and no extra charges… I am a bit worried about some of the stories… I got my voucher without paying or buying anything….

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    1. No hassle and quick. When i send the pictures as proof of our vacation, they deposit the refund in FULL in less than week lang (vs 2 weeks notif) .
      February yun. If you will book during peak season, it might take a while. I have the email pa of our conversation from the beginning of availment to refund as proof. 🙃 AVLCI is legit talaga!

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      2. Hi, I have a pending booking to use their GC in Bali. Seems like it’s legit. May I know how was the booking fee refunded? Thanks a lot!

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      3. After you send pictures of your proof of stay and short experience review, they will ask you of your bank details to deposit the refund FULL.

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  7. You cannot choose your Hotel. They have partner hotel. No idea for Bangkok,in Bali for the complimentary voucher, it is being booked at Kuta Central Park Hotel. It’s good, mejo old pero very satisfied of their service especially your shuttle service every hour starting 9am (I think) to some locations around Legian and Kuta. Look for Dayu and Handrei at the front desk, my personal favorites. They become our friends.

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    1. I did get the GC without availing their membership. I have not use the GC provided since its only for a tie-up hotel and not an Astoria hotel. I think it was a cheapipay na hotel. When I asked why not an Astoria, sabi lang nang ahente ‘Ano ka sinuwerte, di ka na nga nag pa member gusto mo Astoria pa.’

      Sa Crown ako nag avail nang membership.

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  9. Hi 🙂 Thanks for the info. I’m actually looking for a blog na patola sa buffet. Yung mga nababasa ko kasi about membership na. And goal din namin ni BF is buffet lang (PG mode on). Hehe 🙂 Really helpful. Gogora na kami dito tom but will not sign any membership form. 🙂 🙂

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  10. I also got invited and went with my friend last night. We were informed about the 90 minute
    “audio visual presentation” and decided to give it a go because we’re pretty excited about the free dinner buffet and the free 3D and 2N accommodation in “one of their hotels”. Dinner was alright. We get to chitchat with other guests , which is fun. After dinner, we get to listen to their membership promo and were given a tour of the amenities of the hotel. Also, we were informed that the gc is not with one of the Astoria hotels but with their tie – up hotel. Bad marketing strategy. In the end, we said no to everything they offered. We got the gc and now doing research to check if it’s legit or not.

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  12. I am also invited. Gusto ko lang malaman kung paano mo malalaman kung saang hotel ka mabubook. for example sa malaysia? kung makukuha ko ba gc bukas pwede ko na siyang gamitin by august? salamat po sa sasagot. GODBLESS

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  13. I also invited yesterday.. The good thing is hindi na kami nakapag 90mins. Presentation kasi super duper late na kami ng mother ko almost 9PM na kmi dumating because of the traffic.. We had the dinner buffet and while taking our dinner someone came to us to ask some thing about my source of income.. And I said to my mind “oh my God eto na ata un scam” and I just said I only have a “sari-sari store” which is wala nman tlga hahah and they asked about my husband because they know it’s a japanese because of my surname and I said wala po eh nsa work kya ndi nka attend.. After that iniba na nla yun questions about na sa food na knain nmin and I said it’s good.. Then they left after my dinner I went to the restroom, after I came back they gave me my GC.. Yes bnigay agad nla.. Naicp cgro nla wala sila mapapala samin hahaha!! Inexplain lang nla saglit about sa GC then uwian na.. Para lang kami nag eat and run hahaha!! Now I’m thinking if I’m going to avail the GC.. Ok lang po kaya i-avail yun wala po kaya mgging problem?.. How about the refundable?..

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  14. Hi, na invite din kami last night, pero di na kami nag 90min. After dinner namin kunting interview tapos binigay lang ang GC. Okay naman po ba ang kanilang GC? ma kuha ba ang dep after ma gamit ang GC?
    -Thanks-

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  15. went with my friend, who won the so-called complimentary dinner, last night. we were able to read this blog, so we changed tactics. initially, since the invite said that dinner will be at a french restaurant, we thought we dress better, even if i already suspected beforehand that it’s some marketing ploy with a catch.
    the invite said that it starts at 5:30 with a 90 minutes presentation. i thought, as long as i can eat those grilled lamb chops or boeuf bourguignon, and perhaps a discounted takeout of croque monsieur, i don’t care about them selling me something i am sure i won’t buy. we even planned to go there early so that the meat we intend to order will be cooked properly. but i read this blog, and my friend who was so excited to have won something was discouraged. we just thought of copying the “eat-and-run” comment from above. so we decided to go there past 6pm, just in time for the presentation to be halfway. we can savor the food all we want, oblivious of what they are selling.
    so when we entered the french resto, we were immediately pointed next door. we thought, ah perhaps an extension of the restaurant. immediately, as we entered, i looked for the food table…and lo and behold! there it is with bowl of buko-pandan, and chafing dishes of chopsuey, grilled chicken and pork adobo. yep! so french!
    there was only 1 table with a pair of diners…the room is basically empty. according to the man who let us fill-up something, presentation will be one-on-one. darn! so they haven’t started yet?!?! grrr… i was already starving, so we just proceeded to eat. we thought, there’s GC anyways.
    but to have the GC, we sat down listening to their tactics for over 90 minutes!!!! (went home almost 10). i almost fell asleep listening to their pretend-excitement. the only thing that makes me attentive (wrong move for me; i should have yawned a lot) is observing their well-orchestrated marketing drama. i thought, the food i ate was not enough (they removed the serving spoon on the buffet table during my 2nd round) to energize me for this 2+ hr ordeal. my friend got the GC, with 5K refundable deposit required. he is wondering now how to rig his pisonet business to earn money for plane ticket.
    lesson learned: french food now consist of pork adobo and buko-pandan.

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  17. Hello mam. We received also call from astoria after we fill a up a raffle coupon last week at the gasoline station, kasi nga nagpapa gas kami ng bf ko. And they said we won a free buffet good for two. And also a free accomodation sa mga affiliates hotels nila. And first time ko nga nanalo ng raffle na excite naman ako. But after i do a research wala palang raffle na nagaganap. Marami po nagsabi na scam. Pero yung iba naman po legit daw. Sa nabasa ko po sa blog nyo nakuha nyo po yung free gc nyo na wala po kayong nabayaran. Gusto ko lang e ask mam if ma aavail mo ba yung gc for free talaga? Pati fare and transpo? Bukas po kasi yung free buffet namin eh. Nagdadalawang isip tuloy ako.

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  18. Hello mam. I’m from cdo. Last week po nagpa gas po kami nga bf ko and nilapitan po kami nung taga gasoline station to fill up the raffle coupon. Kanina lang po tumawag nga po yung taga stellar club nga we won nga daw po sa raffle for free buffet and may gc nga po dapat e claim for free accomodation. After ko po nabasa yung blog nyo at nakuha nyo nga po yung gc nyo kahit hindi kayo nagpamember sa kanila. Guaranteed po ba na magagamit yung gc na wala po kayong ilalabas na pera. Free po ba talaga lahat? Pati po fare and transpo? Salamat po

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  21. Hello,
    Thank you for this valuable information. Today My husband received a call and message from Stellar Staff, informing us that the ticket or stub was selected by their management to have free dinner and 3D2N of any hotels (listed). Upon hearing from my husband, I got really curios of what is Stellar really about. I browsed the internet then I saw this post. And you give me the sufficient answers to my curiosity. Now I have an idea, we will meet them this Saturday at FB hotel. Go for dinner and 3D2N rin ang drama namin nito 😊

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  22. This post helps me… Katatawag lng sa akin ng Stellar and as i expected katulad din ng invites namin sa One Tagaytay Place na bebentahan din nang kung anong package meron cla… Pero baka hindi ko na kunin ung GC waste of time… Thanks ms Sheryl

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  23. Thank you so much with this post. I just received a call from the same company. At first, i felt a bit excited so i agreed to come tommorow. But because of this post i texted the number who just called me a while ago saying like this “please do stop doing that kind of marketing strategy! Your company will gonna fall in God’s time I’m sure!” so yon, d na nag reply… Sad caller/promoter. Fuck the hell are shit!😂😂

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  27. Just received a call today, I immediately searched stellar and read these stories, thNk God. We are about to travel 7 hours and be absent from work just to claim the gc and dine for free. Bad marketing strategy indeed.

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  29. Hi! kakatawag lang din sakin now from stellar. Hmmmm !may idea na ako for tom
    “Eat and Run” nalang kami ni wifey.

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  30. Hala ako din kakatawag lang sa akin bukas yung pa dinner! hehehe natatakot akong pumunta kase marupog pa naman ako sa mga ganyan napapabili agad ako hahahah

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  31. hi, sa mga naka attend po recently may i ask po how much yung offer nila sa inyo kapag 1 bedroom na 30 years membership? ang offer po kasi sa amin e 470k, thanks

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    1. Hi!
      Yep they trimmed down the offer from around 700k to 450k and then further down to 200k pero for 10 years lang. Of course we still said NO but we were there for 2 hrs coz my Mom got so fond of the agent. Anyway, I am filling out the booking form for the free GC now and just had to do some research about the 5k refund (and the quality tie-up hotels). So far, so good on the refund but I am still uncomfy about not knowing which hotel they would book us in.

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  32. The offer is too much expensive. I’d rather book online for an accomodation (that’s after doing the math). So, if u don’t like to avail it then better not attend. The 90minute encounter is no t woth the dinner.

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  34. May tumawag din sakin kahapon lang at today dinner night ang reservation daw namin. so i decided na mag research kung ok ba siya. buti nalang 🙂 Thanks po 🙂

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  35. We’ll be booking our flight this week for Palawan yung napanalunan naming GC. Is this even legit? Hehehe until now kinakabahan parin ako baka di marefund

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  36. Hello tomorrow kasi sched namin for free buffet. Ask lag re GC kung meron ng nakapag avail and kung pano naging process ng refund? thanks much

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  39. Hi. Just sharing my experience . GC is legit but you have to book it ASAP coz its only valid for like 3 Months booking. You need to give a deposit of 10K (International Trip) which is refundable after you trip. Note tho, they say the hotel is affiliated with them but when i got to Thailand it was disclosed to me by the staff that it was not endorsed by Stellar but simple an Agoda booking. Wow, right. In my Confirmation letter they said w/ breakfast – but the hotel staff told me it is on Personal Account. I emailed Stellar to clarify this- and well all i heard were ” I Apologize i send the wrong blah blah blah.” No action was taken. Had to pay for the Breakfast for myself. After your trip, you need to email them to ask for the refund, you need to send them a photo evidence that you stayed in the hotel. My refund process took 14 days.

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