Korean Job Discussion Forums

[naeria]

Hello Everyone,

I have never used a travel agency before usually I book my own tickets and plan my own trips. However I was cramped for time and decided to sign up for a package tour with Kang San Travel.
At this point I have paid for everything and they are processing my visa for China. After I wired the money I send an email asking when I would be receiving my tickets/e-tickets. I was told that "it's a group ticket so one of our staff will bring the ticket at the airport".
Again I have never used a travel agency or a packaged tour, but this sounds completely sketchy to me. Has anyone ever traveled with them before on a package tour? Is this something normal or am I about to get completely screwed over?

Thanks so much..

[Louis VI]

I have often used Kangsan Travel through its original office in Busan. Its more recent branches in Daegu and Seoul I have no idea.

[mm]

I often use Kangsan travel too. They are sometimes slow with sending me my ticket and a little bit rude. But they have never stolen my money or not given me a ticket. I have also never signed up for a package tour, that sounds like torture.

[Kurtz]

Kangsan are inept

1) I changed my ticket to another date, gave the extra money, had to return to pick up my ticket which they never sent (this is a week before flying and I organized this a month ago) only to find there wasn't a flight on the date I wanted and they didn't ring up to tell me that was the case, and I had to ask for the extra money I paid for;

2) On another occasion, I had to go into the shop in person to get my ticket as they kept forgetting to send me my e-ticket;

3) Sent the details of my insurance after I left for the trip, not before;

I don't think they are dishonest, just useless.

[JBomb]

they tend to not have enough options in terms of airlines. I usually go through Hanatour. Most of their office ladies can speak ok English and I can usually get through with rudimentary Korean.

[ttompatz]

[naeria]

Thank you so much =)

It's good to know that I'm not the only one who has had frustrations with this.

Thanks again!

[BoholDiver]

No wonder so many ajummas and ajosshis have no clue how to travel.

[matthews_world]

Just do as they say and follow their lead. This is typical tour group procedure. It's also good to be proactive but show patience. It is the busy season.

Kangsan is a very good company. I have booked a few annual visa runs with them but not used them for international travel.

By the way, did you get the multiple entry stamp yet on your passport? It's 50,000 at Kimmigration and part of the new international travel regs for this country.

[naeria]

Kangsan Travel is doing my visa application for me (since now you have to go through a travel agency to get a visa to China... or at least if you are an expat in Korea) sooo provided everything is taken care of properly on their end then yes, I will have my visa.

[silc]

Are you doing the Incheon to Beijing trip with them? The 21st-24th?

I booked with them on Saturday. Have you received your visa yet? They seem super disorganized. They said they would mail it to me, but obviously I'm concerned!

[naeria]

I am doing that trip!

And yes, same situation.

I just sent them an email asking about my visa. If I don't hear back from them by the end of school then they will be getting another phone call from me.

Yes, extremely disorganized.

[silc]

So I just talked to Erin from their Daegu office and my visa is there for pickup. I'm gonna get my friend to pick it up for me, since I'm a long way from Daegu.

I'm just hoping it all works out.

PM me your details. I'm pretty new the forums so it won't let me msg other ppl just yet!

[naeria]

Hey there!

I'm mostly a lurker so I can't pm either. But send me an email (remove spaces)

leomorris @ gmail . com

I got an email back and they told me I would be getting my visa in the mail tomorrow *fingers crossed*