Woman books $7,976 European tour for 2 to get 'complimentary' trip to Dubai -- but it's not really free
A woman booked a European tour for two with a travel agency to get a "complimentary" trip to Dubai - only to learn the trip was not actually free.
Stomper Ang shared photos of the redemption letters from EU Holidays that said in big bold typeface: "Complimentary return air ticket to Dubai by Gulf Air for 1 person."
But in the terms and conditions, one paragraph read: "Airport taxes and fuel surcharges are excluded. Estimate S$500 per person. Subject to change."
"Why 'complimentary' isn't complimentary?" she asked.
The Stomper had received the redemption letters after paying $7,976 for her European tour at the Natas Holidays 2025 Travel Fair at Singapore Expo on Aug 16.
Natas stands for National Association of Travel Agents Singapore.
"I was told that I would get a complimentary Dubai trip for two if I booked two pax for my Europe land tour," recounted the Stomper.
"We were told it was a great promotion. After we paid, they gave us the letters.
"We weren't briefed on the content. We were just given these letters and no explanation while paying the deposit and the cashier said to go find the salesperson who attended to us, but he wasn't at his desk. We asked the cashier counter again and were advised to go Suntec to redeem the letters."
Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre is the address of EU Holidays.
When the Stomper went to Suntec to redeem the letters, she was informed she had to pay $540 each for the tickets to Dubai.
"The specific airline in my free gift was Gulf Air," said the Stomper.
"I went online to the Gulf Air website and discovered if I were to spend my own money to go to Dubai, I'd only pay $1,081 for two - all in.
"Then this free complimentary gift isn't a gift."
In response to a Stomp query, an EU Holidays spokeswoman said: "When the recipients redeem their gifts at our counter, our redemption team will brief them on the applicable terms and conditions.
"Airline promotions may sometimes result in lower fares appearing online. As these are managed directly by the airlines, they are beyond our control, and we are unable to comment on them."
