Manara Travel Agency

Great staff and even better prices

I purchased an ummrah ticket through this office with a group of friends for a trip back in January. Hajj Maher was very nice and helpful with everything including the process and travel requirements for ummrah.

I can't believe how bad this agency, they don't know the requirements for traveling to the USA? And once I paid for the ticket I found that Canada needs a visa so I called to change the reservation and ended up losing $120.00. This is the worst agency in Michigan and I advice against buying from them.

My family used this travel agency twice and I personally used them once. I have family that lives in Saudia and other Gulf countries and I booked my own ticket. At first the agency refused to let me only get the Umerah visa and requested me to get the ticket through them, then they changed their mind and charged me $150 per person for the Umerah visa which I am ok with. I was told that I need to pay $100 per person for transportation from the airport in Saudia to Makkah. I was told that in Saudia my passport will be held until a local driver comes in to pick me up from the passport control which is weird. I paid the $100 per person. When I got to Saudia, my passport was released just like any other country and I waited over 1.5 hours for his driver to come which he never showed up. I tried contacting the agency from Saudia, but I believe the agency was closed. I ended up finding my own taxi to Makkah. I contacted them the next day and spoke to one of the agents. I was told by the agent that he will help me get my money back when I come back to the States. When I came back to the States the same agent was on my side, but Maher the owner told me the driver came and couldn't find me. His agent (Jazah Allah khair) assured Maher that I wouldn't lie and eventually got my money back. I only gave them 2 stars, because I got the transportation fee back. The agent that helped me no longer works for Manara and I wish him luck. They refuse to give quotes over the phone which is stupid. They come up with their own fake rules like last year when I tried to get my mother a Umerah visa, I was told the Saudia Consulate requires the travel agency to book the flight which is a lie. As long as you have a flight booked, you just pay the visa fee and a visa can be processed. I use a travel agency in San Francisco now or Chicago. I won't name the agency I use because I don't want whoever reads this to think I am bashing Manara to advertise another agency

Do not go to Hajj with these people. I say this as advice. You will have a hard time at hajj with these people. Communication is horrible. They do not inform you of anything... Literally. Not even the slightest indication of where the kaaba is was given. You will either not be informed of bus arrivals and leavings, or be informed right before they arrive. We were kicked out of our hotels the day we left mekka and were left out in the lobby with no prior notification of this. I could give many examples on this, but it will take too long. I am doing this for the sake of advice, not to bash these guys, so I will keep it short and hope you accept my advice. I do want people to have an enjoyable and easy hajj. This is not possible with these people except by Allah's will.