Looks like no WHUPC for me, Golden Palace is going against its word

[Jurollo]

So I entered the world heads up championship super satellite last saturday and won the trip. However, before I did so I asked one of their managers if everything was included even if it was over the $3500, they said yes, "all inclusive" so I entered. No 4 days later after being affirmed several times that everything is included I was told by the poker room manager that it is indeed not and I would need to pay for my own trip from the states. So now it looks like I only get the $500 spending money they already sent and golden palace gets the rest of my $3000. Does anyone think I have a legitimate gripe to get my $3000 that I would have gotten for the trip? considering they had told me on 4 occassions it was all inclusive and not to worry. I am just pissed because it is the first big prize I have won and now it might be ripped away by the casino.

[Cubswin]

Im a little confused here. The buy in for this event is 2000 euro which is about $2400. 3500-2400 = 1100 ...Where is this $500 figure coming from?

cubs

[GrannyMae]

Does anyone think I have a legitimate gripe to get my $3000 that I would have gotten for the trip?

why do you say GP "is getting your 3k"? they are not getting it, most of that is the entry fee. when these places say "all inclusive", they feel the extra $$ will cover the travel (whether that is high or low in your case can be debated). therefore the all inclusive claim does not seem to be too far off the mark.

jmho

http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/1/rolls.gif

[dogmeat]

Congrats on winning a major seat! That is terrific. As for the idea that they should pay more than what was offered I think you are out of luck. In vacation parlance, "all-inclusive" does not mean airfare, transfers, taxes etc. All-inclusive usually means a hotel where your room and meals (sometimes drinks) are included. Sorry. Even if you had asked and had a reply that airfare or lodging was included they would probably tell you that is what the $500 is for (of course that won't cover it, but that is the way it is).

Dogmeat /images/graemlins/spade.gif

[Jurollo]

Well the $500 is the money they have already give me. Then it was like $2800 for the entry and fees, and I would get the rest. My gripe doesnt come from the fact that I am not getting everything, it comes from the fact that I was told that all was covered even if it was over the $3500. I was told this exactly, I would get the buy-in, the rest in spending money, hotel and airfare, however, I only get buy in and extra money, no hotel and no buy in.

[Cubswin]

If they advertised it as a $3500 package i think he the right to receive $3500 minus the cost of buy in. Its a 2000+100 euro event (or $2525) so i think he should get $975. I havnt read the fine print though.

cubs

[GrannyMae]

I only get buy in and extra money, no hotel and no buy in.

are you saying you expected them to pay your entry fee, and then give you the cash equivalent of a SECOND entry fee?

that would be one hell of a tourney. let me know if you find any like this

you do understand that GP has to pay the tourney organizers your buy-in, right? they don't just say "he's with us at GP" and you get to sit for free.

http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/d/confuse.gif

[Jurollo]

you sarcasm is noted granny. I know this seems to be extraordinary but when you are told 4 times that this is the case, by 4 different hosts of the site then last second they change their story, it can be frustrating.

[crazy canuck]

If they advertised it as a $3500 package i think he the right to receive $3500 minus the cost of buy in. Its a 2000+100 euro event (or $2525) so i think he should get $975. I havnt read the fine print though.

I think the $475 is for the hotel costs.

[Cubswin]

I think the poker room manager either misspoke or didnt fully understand your question. From their website:

At least one $3,500 package given away weekly to the June 13th - 19th World Heads Up Poker Championship being held in Barcelona. Package includes $2,800 buy-in plus $700 travel and spending money.

To me it sounds like you shouls be getting $700 and not $500

[Cubswin]

CC

Where are you getting this $475 figure from? Is the hotel included in this package?

cubs

[Ulysses]

Granny,

I think he mistyped and meant to say he only gets buyin and spending money, no hotel and no airfare.

Seems like things are spelled out pretty clearly in the terms, but I've seen other people get confused by this stuff as well when it comes to these trips/packages.

Poster here expected to get buyin, spending money, and travel expenses. Person he talked to said package was all-inclusive - meaning $3500 is all you get which is for buyin + expenses, while poster interpreted that to mean all-inclusive up to whatever his ticket/hotel/etc. cost. No big deal.

Anyway, to the poster - you misunderstood the deal. They are giving you exactly what they offered. Be happy about your win, enjoy the trip, and good luck!

[Jurollo]

I think we are getting off my original question. Since, I am not going to be able to go due to the huge airfare costs do I have any gripe to attempt to get the cash equivalent of the prize rather than going?

[Ulysses]

Well the $500 is the money they have already give me. Then it was like $2800 for the entry and fees, and I would get the rest.

Sounds like he's getting $3500 minus whatever the fees turn out to be, as you'd expect.

[Thythe]

Nope, they won't give you the cash, I can guarantee that 100%. Doesn't $500 (or is it $700) come close to covering airfare/hotel. If it's close, just pony up the extra few hundred and go. Once in a lifetime chance.

[Poker Jet]

Where u at and where u going Ill get u a cheap airfare ticket!

[Jurollo]

I'm in the States, and am a poor college student, basically live up to every poor college stereotype there is, which is why I was pumped up about this trip only to be deflated. The airfar is $1000 at the cheapest round trip. I was left with this from golden palace today, "maybe we can make an exception for you, or figure something out that is fair to us and you" so we'll see, the manager was nice about it, I just don't like that the hosts were promising things they had no business doing.

[Cubswin]

Where exactly in the US....it makes a big difference in terms of cost. First step for you should be to get an ISIC card then go to statravel.com. Many airlines save seats at greatly reduced price for students. Give me your departure city and dates and ill see what i can pull up... this may help you when it comes to their offer.

cubs

[Poker Jet]

Really good post Cubs, I also have other routes, especially for students, like Student Advantage, etc.... as well as a few ppl I know who do nothing but do searches for best fares.

But - if u dont go, I dont see them having to really give you anything, as most are tied into you actually going/playing.

[Jurollo]

I would be going out of Boston, MA

[Cubswin]

OK... heres my advice. I did a quick search on ryanair.com and found a cheap flight from london to barcelona leaving june 9 and returning june 19 for 39.87 pounds or about $60 (tax included). Flights into london are going to be a lot cheaper then flights into barcelona and im sure you can find a student rate that will work around these dates for less then $600 from logan to london heathrow. I know the tourny goes beyond the 19th but my logic is that you are still playing by this date you will have enough money to change your flights. The only downside with using ryanair is that you will have to go to some smaller airports which add to the cost a bit.... add $40 to the total cost to get to and from these airports. Let me know if im getting closer to your price range.

cubs

PS lodging wont be too much if you stay in cheapo hostels... figure $10-15 a night.

[Jurollo]

Thanks for your research cubswin. Right now I am in "sit and wait" mode to hear back from Golden Palace. At this point if we can settle on me getting some of the cash instead of the trip I may take it, just because even if I got there I wouldnt have any spending money, so me, in foreign country, broke, doesnt work. I'll keep you all informed. Thank you so much for all your help though, best case scenario I can thank 2+2 after winning the WHUPC.
~Justin

[Poker Jet]

so Boston to Barcelona? Let me search and Ill get back to you

[Senor Choppy]

There's a fare on Orbitz for Boston to Dublin for $280. You'll also find good rates leaving from NY. If you only look at flights from Boston to Barcelona you'll be paying a lot extra. Find something to a surrounding city and take the train, you'll get to see different places and you'll get there for around $500.

Good luck at the tournament /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Jurollo]

Well here is the news of the day on this fiasco. Golden Palace called me today and told me that they would indeed pay my airfare. So this is terrific, trip is back on! Thanks for everyone's help, and even their sarcasm (granny) haha.

[GrannyMae]

wtg!!

i was not being sarcastic btw, just being me (smartass). i could not understand how you thought the buy-in was going to be awarded twice, but ulysses pointed out that there was likely a miscommunication.

i'm thrilled for you, AND jealous. win one for the zoo. also, try and get first class

woooooo

http://www.anchoredbygrace.com/smileys/plane5.gif

[Jurollo]

boy oh boy, if I went digging for first class they would probably spend the money to fly to the states and smack me! haha. I am just happy everything worked out, I have a box of Golden Palace polo's and T-shirts en route as we speak I guess. I know what I thought may have been hard to believe but I mean I was told it time and time again by the casino so I am just glad they stepped up and admitted the miscommunication. The poker room manager could not have been kinder and empathetic to my situation. Thanks again guys hopefully I can at least get in the cash, represent 2+2, and the USA well in this thing.