MISSISSAUGA — TICO has announced the closure of Lexus Travel Inc.

The Greely, Ontario-based travel agency had its registration revoked under the Travel Industry Act, 2002, effective Dec. 22, 2023. The company operated under the names Uniglobe Voyages Lexus (www.voyagelexus.com) and Victory Travel & Events (www.victorytravel.ca).

Richter has been appointed the Trustee in Bankruptcy for Lexus Travel Inc. For more information, click here.

Any consumers affected by this closure are encouraged to contact TICO and verify the following travel arrangements: 

• Consumers with bookings: Consumers who purchased travel services from Lexus Travel Inc. and who are in possession of their airline tickets are asked to contact the airline(s) involved to confirm their travel arrangements. This includes consumers who began their travel prior to the closure of the travel agency and who may still be in destination.
  

Filing a claim with the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund involves the following:

• Standard Claims: Consumers who have not travelled and/or have unredeemed future travel credits and/or an outstanding refund.
  
  Consumers who purchased future travel services from Lexus Travel Inc. and who do not have confirmed bookings, or have not received a refund for cancelled travel services, including due to the pandemic, or are holding unredeemed future travel credits issued by Lexus Travel Inc. may request a claim form here or by contacting TICO at 1-888-451-8426 or (905) 624-6241 or tico@tico.ca.
• Trip Completion Claims: Consumers who began their travel services prior to December 22, 2023, and are in destination.
  
  Consumers who incur expenses in destination (transportation, accommodation and meals) to complete their travel plans due to travel services not provided as a result of the closure of Lexus Travel Inc. may have an eligible Trip Completion Claim. Consumers may request a claim form here or by contacting TICO at 1-888-451-8426 or (905) 624-6241 or tico@tico.ca.

Note that there is a legislated six-month filing deadline for claims on the Compensation Fund. The filing deadline is Monday, June 24, 2024. Claims received by TICO after this filing deadline date will not be valid.

FILING A CLAIM AGAINST THE COMPENSATION FUND

The legislation requires claimants to explore all other possible options for reimbursement as part of the claims process. Claimants who paid by credit card and who were charged by Lexus Travel Inc. for their travel services not provided, are required to do the following:

• Contact your credit card company and dispute the Lexus Travel Inc. charge and request a refund (credit/reversal of the charge on your account). 
• If your credit card company refuses to provide you with a credit refund, you will be required to obtain a letter from the credit card company stating that a credit refund will not be provided. 
• The letter from the credit card company must be submitted with your claim against the Compensation Fund.
• If you are unable to obtain a refund (chargeback) from your credit card company or obtain all the documentation required to substantiate your claim in a timely manner, please submit your claim form to TICO prior to the filing deadline date.
• Any additional documentation that is required to complete the claim can be sent to TICO when it is obtained.

For more information, contact TICO’s Claims Department at 1-888-451-8426 or tico@tico.ca.