Has anyone tried Journee (mystery holiday company)?

[ChilliBandit]

I keep getting adverts of overexcited people at airports for a company called Journee. From what I can gather you fill in a questionnaire, give them money and they plan/book a whole trip for you. You only find out your destination at the airport. I am far far too much of an anxious planner to try it but really want to know whether anyone has tried it, or something like it, and whether it was any good. Their reviews online are overwhelmingly positive which makes me a little suspicious. They certainly have a large SM advertising budget!

I did fill out the form and it was so expensive but I also was a bit suspicious of their glowing reviews.

I did find one review which said they take 25% (!) of your budget as commission which seemed a bit steep so I guess that’s why they are expensive. I wonder how many destinations they have, or if it’s the same 5 or something.

I filled out the form, but it didn't really ask the questions I wanted to answer. Like it was just generic "do you like sight seeing?" Well yes, I do, but there's be l certain things I like to see!

'a fool and his money' comes to mind

How would you know what to pack?

They must send a heads up for packing right? Otherwise you could back shorts and T-shirts and end up in the Alps!

What happens with visas?

Exactly my point.

I know two people that have done it - one has already had their holiday and the other due to go in a few weeks. The one who has been loved every aspect of their holiday. They ask loads of questions about what you want to do, what amount of time you want to spend with others/on your own, how much walking etc. Seems pretty good especially for singles. The clues they send are fun although very easy to work out. They do send you a packing list!

Myself and my partner had a look as all the planning stresses us out. After you fill out the initial questionnaire, they send over a tailored recommendation around 24 hours after.
Yes it is expensive, but the price includes activities you do there too (which can easily spend £100s anyway!).

As a sly trick for anyone who would want to know - they tell you what flights you'd get in and out. My partner looked on the Gatwick departure sites, which narrowed it down to 6 locations flying out at 6:30AM on that day.
We then looked to see if return flights from each of the 6 places matched the return flight Journee had booked us, and were able to work out it was Dubrovnik!

Myself & my daughter used Journee last year. You give them a budget & fill in questionnaire about what you like, don't like. They send you a plan which you can revise, accept or reject. We changed flight times for example. If you book they send you clues for few weeks before departure about destination & final list of temperatures/weather etc for where you're going. Everything was well organised, hotels were lovely & excursions well led. We are considering another trip next year for her birthday. Other people on our excursions had used Journee several times. Hope this helps.

It's a scam, beware and avoid.

What sort of scam?

How is it a scam?

It’s definitely not a scam. I’ve done two and been delighted.

I have just got my first proposal from Journee. Based on flight details I have worked out the destination. The proposal cost is £750 and about £300 of that are the flights. So that leaves £450 for the accommodation and three 'excursions'. That doesn't seem too bad for four nights in this particular destination. Of course it does depend on the quality of the accommodation, which is described as 3 star.

IS £300 reasonable for the flight? You can often fly to Europe for £50/100 return. Is luggage included? What are the flight times? You might find yourself arriving late at night and then flying out very early on the day of departure, so not making the best of your time away.

What are the excursions? How much would they cost if sourced elsewhere? Are there any extra costs? There are people who do free walking tours in cities that get a lot of tourists, but obviously you're expected to tip them for their time.

I can see that a lot of the time, when costed up, your saving will be minimal, and the flights/accommodation/activities will probably not be the ones that you'd have chosen yourself. But obviously you might experience something new that you'd not have thought to do, but enjoyed anyway.

The specific flights from the preferred airport are £148 each and are mid day departures including full luggage allowance.
One of the excursions is a guided bike tour that I think typically costs about £35 per person. The other is a beer tour which is £55 per person. The third is more of a mystery.