Travel nightmares: Long Islanders say travel agency took thousands without booking trips
News 12 has now spoken with multiple Long Islanders who say Crafty Getaways accepted large payments for vacations that were never booked.
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Paul and Janice Piazza were looking forward to celebrating a lifetime of love and commitment. The Coram couple had planned a dream getaway to the Dominican Republic with their extended family to mark their 60th wedding anniversary. They say they paid $20,000 to a company called Crafty Getaways to make it all happen.
But instead of white-sand beaches and sunset dinners, they were left with heartbreak.
“Here we are — our money’s gone, our trip is gone,” Paul Piazza said.
“I was devastated. This is something we had been so looking forward to. It was for a special occasion, and we were going to be with our whole family," said Janice Piazza.
The Piazzas are not alone. News 12 has now spoken with multiple Long Islanders who say Crafty Getaways accepted large payments for vacations that were never booked.
The complaints have now drawn the attention of the New York State Attorney General’s Office, which confirms it is reviewing complaints.
Adding to the confusion, the company’s former office in Miller Place is now abandoned. Clients say the agency has relocated to Bethpage and is now operating under a new name Luxe Travel Society.
Christine LoPiano, of Miller Place, says she lost $1,000 for a vacation that never materialized.
“I was like, oh my gosh — I’m getting ripped off. I’m not going to get a trip,” LoPiano recalled.
News 12 reached out to Crafty Getaways, and a spokesperson requested more information about the cases before providing a statement. That information was shared, but the company has not commented as of publication.
Meanwhile, the Piazzas didn’t let the travel turmoil ruin their celebration. They rebooked the entire trip themselves — paying out-of-pocket again for both flights and hotel — and are now disputing the original $20,000 charge with their credit card company.
