Ever since The VIP Pass launched in Singapore, itโs been a non-stop source of entertainment, from its stock photo testimonials to its infinite loop sales notifications and attempts to launch an MLM scheme.
Thatโs not even taking into account the more serious issues like hidden fees, non-existent hotel partnerships, and misleading media mentions/awards.
But perhaps those days are coming to an end. About a week ago, I noticed that The VIP Passโ Singapore operations were gradually erasing their online presence.
As it stands, their Facebook page is no more, their advertisements have disappeared, their Singapore hotline has been disconnected, and their affiliate program has been shut down.
More disconcertingly for those who actually bought a VIP Pass, the booking portal is no longer accessible- at least not from a Singapore IP (see next section).
And hereโs the kicker- if you visit http://www.getvippass.com, youโll see the following message (although strangely, visiting https://getvippass.com works just fine).
Update: the website now loads properly, regardless of link.
Right now the only trace that VIP Pass ever existed in Singapore is a couple of Instagram stories by two Faves micro-influencers (yes, that Faves). Oh, and this 404 link on The Straits Times.
A VIP Pass customer I spoke to said heโs not received a reply from the company in more than a week, although he did in fact manage to complete a one-night staycation at the Carlton Hotel recently. The booking agency listed on his reservation? Expedia.
What if you bought a VIP Pass?
VIP Pass customers wonโt be able to make any bookings via the online portal right nowโฆif theyโre in Singapore.
However, if they use a VPN to change your location, the portal becomes accessible once more.
So the portal clearly still works, itโs just blocked off to Singapore IPs. Why thatโs the case, only VIP Pass knows.
For those seeking a refund, I donโt think thereโs any point visiting their Singapore office because (1) itโs not even clear which address is the correct one (the website says 6 Battery Road while the ACRA filing lists an address at the Forum Shopping Mall) and (2) these are likely to be virtual office addresses, without any physical presence.
If youโre unable to make any bookings with your VIP Pass and canโt contact anyone, you can attempt to file a chargeback with your bank on the basis of non-delivery of goods/services. The relevant codes would be:
- American Express: 4554 [Goods and Services Not Received]
- Mastercard: 4853 [Cardholder Dispute- Goods or Services Not Provided]
- Visa: 13.1 [Merchandise/Services Not Received]
Youโll need to present evidence that youโve attempted to contact the merchant without success, so hold on to whatever emails youโve sent as proof.
Conclusion
VIP Pass is still going strong in Malaysia, at least based on the regular deluge of content from sponsored influencers, but the Singapore operation seems to have gone AWOL. Itโs certainly possible it might pop up again in the near future, but this must be a nervous period for anyone who actually bought a pass.
Watch this space.
Still able to get access to their website with my phoneโฆ
yeah for whatever reason itโs not consistently blocked. your phone is probably auto-redirecting to the https version, which is still available.
Is the charge back period already passed?
Blocking of website isnโt done by the SPF, right?
If theyโre trying to pretend that SPF has blocked the website, isnโt there some element of impersonation?
given the grammatical errors on the โpublic statementโ, I think itโs not actually the SPF blocking the site.
If theyโve stopped operating in Singapore however, there is little SPF can do about the impersonation or other Singapore crimes they commit in Malaysia.
I can access from my computer today
yup it seems back to normal.