Luxury Link Shuts Down

LuxuryLink.com, a site that offered deals on high-end hotels and resorts, told customers it has ceased operations and entered into “general assignment for the benefit of creditors,” an alternative to bankruptcy under which the company works with a law firm that specializes in liquidating insolvent businesses.

The website makes no mention of the shutdown, and telephone calls to the company went to an overloaded voice mailbox. The site does not allow a hotel booking to be completed, however.

Missing from the site is the “executive team” page. A Google link takes the user to the general “About Us” section.

Distressed customers
In an e-mail sent to some customers, Luxury Link made it clear that “it will be unable to assist you in rearranging your travel plans or obtain a refund.” Nor will it honor reservations booked on the site.

Luxury Link suggested that customers contact their credit card companies and their hotels to see what arrangements could be made.

Customers took to Facebook, FlyerTalk and other social media sites to air their distress and explore their options.

Some had paid months in advance and were told by their hotels that they had never been paid. Several were facing the possibility of having to pay twice for their honeymoons.

Some said they had not received the e-mail but had been told by their hotels that Luxury Link had canceled their reservations.

No common ownership
The website also offers tours, but customers who click on a tour product are rerouted to AdventureLink.com.

Kelly Tompkins, CEO of Adventure Link, told Travel Market Report that there is no common ownership of the two companies, and their relationship is limited to an affiliate arrangement.

Tompkins stressed that customers who purchased tours on Adventure Link are in no danger of losing their trips or their funds; the operations are completely separate.

Luxury Link, which had been in business for at least a decade, had been funded by venture capitalists.

Messages left for partners at San Francisco Equity Partners and Rally Ventures, both known to have invested in the company, were not returned.

Good reputation
Luxury Link had built up a reputation for high customer satisfaction and had loyal customers who would book hotels on the site several years running.

The nature and timing of its financial woes is not known. However, some customers questioned how the company could maintain profitability yet offer such low prices along with amenities such as $100 spa credits.

In January, Luxury Link signed a partnership agreement with Gilt.com, a membership luxury shopping website. The Luxury Link section of the Gilt site has been removed.