If sky-high prices are leaving you grounded this summer…you're not alone. Experts say that's why so many consumers are tempted by travel clubs.

They promise huge savings on everything from flights to hotel stays.

We wanted to find out if they're the real deal, or a trip trap.

Jerry McManamon loves to travel and play golf abroad. But one thing he'd never done.

"I've never been on a cruise, and neither has my wife," he told us.

So when this postcard arrived offering a free Caribbean cruise, Jerry was thrilled.

The catch: In order to cash in, he had to attend a sales presentation for a travel club.

Alison Preszler, who is with the Better Business Bureau, explained what travel clubs are.

"A travel club is a club whereby a consumer can pay a fee to join and they are told that by joining they'll get to take advantage of special travel offers," she told us.

Jerry says he was promised up to 60% off on airfare and hotel rates, so he signed up. It wasn't cheap; it cost him nearly $4800.

"If we could get a room normally 120 dollars and we could get it for 60, that makes it a lot easier or more affordable for us to go," he told us. That was his justification for the purchase.

But despite high hopes, Jerry feels like he was taken for a ride-- and not the kind he expected.

The Federal Trade Commission says travel clubs are on its radar.

"The FTC has taken action against 17 different travel clubs over the past several years. Primarily, we've alleged that they have deceptively advertised what it is that they promise," Lois Greisman, a Federal Trade Commission spokesperson, told us.

The Better Business Bureau has logged more than 350 consumer complaints this year alone.

"We've heard from consumers who say that it was actually very difficult to book the travel that they wanted to through the company," the BBB's Alison Preszler said.

As if that weren't bad enough, the FTC told us often consumers could have gotten better deals on their own!

That's what happened to Tom Cross. He shelled out thousands to join a club. When he tried to book a condo, he found the travel club price was $500 more than if he booked on his own!

"That upset us and that's when we really started to question the whole operation," Cross admitted.

Jerry tried to book a flight through his club but says he only saved about five dollars. "It definitely wasn't any big savings."

The BBB says it considers travel clubs to be "A suspect industry," but acknowledges there are a number of reputable clubs operating in the U.S.

Alison Preszler with the BBB gave this warning. "Because there are so many travel clubs out there that we've heard complaints from consumers about, it's something that a consumer has to be very, very careful about before joining."

If you want to join, the FTC said you should read the club's contract carefully, and know the cancellation policy. Also, be wary of high pressure sales tactics. You can also check with the BBB for prior complaints.

There are several complaints registered against both Jerry and Tom's clubs …something the men wish they had known.

"I just hope that my words and my experience will help other people in the future to avoid spending a lot of money," Tom Cross said.

As for the complimentary cruise…Jerry decided not to go. It wasn't totally free; he would have had some costs.

Both men tried to get out of their contracts, but have been unable to do so. We contacted both men's travel clubs for comment. Neither returned our calls.