Surge 365 Reviews: Scam Or Legit?

What is Surge 365?

Lloyd “Coach” Tomer, one of the founders of Surge365, also founded YTB International in 2001, another MLM.

YTB was the focus of lawsuits and investigations in Rhode Island, Illinois, and California between 2006 and 2008, alleging that the company was running an illegal Pyramid scheme. California Attorney General Jerry Brown sued the company in 2008, and the case was settled out of court.

YTB International Timeline

2001   In 2001, YTB, a Travel MLM company just like Surge365  was founded in Alton, Illinois, by J. Lloyd "Coach" Tomer, his son Scott Tomer, and Kim Sorensen. In 2004, the company's founders purchased a majority stake in a similar company, REZconnect Technologies, raised their marketing budget, and successfully attracted new members using videos of successful salespeople.

2007   Royal Caribbean ceased doing business with YTB in 2007, labeling the business as a "card mill," an industry word for a company that offers perks to the general public that are meant for a small number of travel agents.

2008   California Attorney General Jerry Brown sued the firm in 2008. An out-of-court settlement necessitated revisions to the company's business model, as well as a decline in membership due to negative press. In late 2008, YTB announced the layoff of 17 workers as part of a reorganization. The company made $44.8 million in sales in 2008. YTB's independent audit, released at the end of 2008, voiced "substantial uncertainty regarding our company's ability to survive as a going concern," a view shared by the company later.

2009   The firm lost $1.9 million in the first three months of 2009, according to its financial statements. Revenue fell by 49 percent to $21.8 million in the first year, then to $18 million in the second. The number of paid members has also decreased significantly, from a high of 138,000 in April 2008 to 60,414 in mid-2009. Because of the drop in sales, the company sold many commercial assets in 2009, including its Learjet. [nineteen] RezConnect, YTB's hardware and booking arm at the time, was also sold to two of RezConnect's officers that year. YTB will indemnify the new owners for all YTB-related liability under the terms of the agreement.

2011   The company's headquarters building and surrounding property were sold for $7.6 million in 2011. Sixth Scott LLC, a newly founded business, began buying YTB Travel Network from YTB International in October 2011. One year after, the organization was renamed First Alliance Travel.

2012   J. Kim Sorenson, one of the company's founders, died on February 1, 2012, at the age of 62. YTB announced a merger with LTS Nutraceutical, another MLM company, in March 2012. In May, the company announced a major overhaul and announced that President and CEO Robert Van Patton had resigned. In September, YTB called off the merger and revealed that Scott Tomer, the company's founder, and chairman, had resigned.

2013   YTB International filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in federal court in St. Louis on March 1, 2013. The company's most recent quarterly earnings report was for the third quarter of 2011, but it was later revealed that the report contained errors.

On October 11, 2013, YTB completed the selling of its assets to Sam Hathi of Jamraval, Inc., a Chicago-based businessman. In a quote, Hathi said, "We think the YTB franchise can be turned around and reclaim the leadership role it once held in the travel services industry." Since being purchased, YTB has run as YTB Global Travel.

Surge365 Review: Lawsuits?

California Attorney General Jerry Brown sued the MLM firm for $25 million in August 2008, charging that it was a pyramid scam among other things. Brown was joined in the investigation by the Illinois Better Business Bureau and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.

Several former agents filed a class-action case at the same time, charging that the firm was a pyramid scheme. The company "claims to offer travel services, but said the company's key business is inducing others to become a travel agent," according to the case.

The lawsuit was dismissed in July 2009 on the basis that non-residents of Illinois should not prosecute the matter under Illinois law. After her office and the Illinois Better Business Bureau received more than 150 complaints about the company, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan joined Brown's office in his state's investigation.

According to the BBB, new agent recruitment accounted for 80% of YTB income, with agents receiving an average of only $111 a year, almost $400 less than the $499 sign-up fee. In May 2011, it was reported that YTB had signed a $150,000 restitution agreement with the state of Illinois. The settlement made no admissions or denials of guilt.

In 2007, YTB was investigated in Rhode Island over similar charges.

Is Surge365 A Pyramid Scheme? Is Surge365 A Scam?

Surge365 is, in reality, a pyramid scheme. Their members would not be able to make money if they do not recruit. The only way they can make money in Surge365 is by recruiting someone to join. That alone is sufficient proof that this MLM is a pyramid scheme.

It is entirely possible to build a profitable, successful MLM business, but there are better options.

My #1 pick proves this.

Because unlike Surge365, it actually provides real proof of real success from real people as recently as a few days ago.

And what's the definition of a pyramid scheme?

Instead of selling actual products or services, a business using a pyramid scheme promises members cash compensation for recruiting new members. Many countries have already declared these businesses unlawful because their owners have no other way to make money but by recruiting.

Based on the picture below, you will see that it is difficult for all members of a business like this to profit because you will soon run out of people to recruit.

So, is Surge365 a scam?

Yes, Surge365 is, without a doubt, a scam. Their business targets are just lies, claiming that consumers would make a lot of money by joining and selling "travel" services such as tickets and hotel reservations.  In truth, they're simply redirecting customers to another ticketing service that sells individual flight tickets and hotel reservations.

How Do You Make Money with Surge365 As A Travel Agent?

The Surge365 Business Associate Compensation Plan

There are four ways to profit from the Surge365 Compensation Plan:

1. Recruitment Commissions
2. Residual Commissions
3. Matching Bonus
4. National Marketing Director Bonuses

Surge365, like many MLM, uses grand names and fancy words to make customers believe there are numerous opportunities to make money inside the company when, in fact, there is only one thing you need to do in Surge365, and it is to recruit people.

SURGE365 FAQs

What Does SBA Stand For? What Does An SBA Do?

SBA is the abbreviation for Surge365 Business Associate.

SBAs use the MML platform to build a team and earn commissions and bonuses by selling The Ultimate Travel Solution: Vortex / Vortex Membership / Vortex Platinum. There are two categories of an SBA: the Jr. Executive Program and the Travel Owner Executive Package Program.

Who Can Join Surge365 As An SBA?

You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Social Security Number, FEIN, or the equivalent Tax ID Type for your region in order to enroll as an SBA in Surge365. All major credit cards are accepted, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.

Since Surge365 pays commission to the SBAs and issue a Form 1099 (or region-specific form) to SBAs who receive a minimum of $600 in a calendar year, all information given must be accurate.

Is There A Fee To Enroll As An SBA In Surge365?

Yes, an SBA can collect limitless commissions and bonuses by selling the Ultimate Travel Solution products for a $19.95 monthly fee (Jr. Executive Program), or a $99.95 monthly fee (Travel Owner Executive Program).

You'll also have access to the Winners Win Live Training, the first 60-Day Success Coach (must choose at signup), the Surge365 Mobile App so you can work on your SBA business while on the move, and the Taxbot app, which is the ultimate mileage and cost tracker!

What does the Surge365 Mobile App include?

SBAs can use the Surge365  Mobile App to send videos to prospects, enroll new members, start 3-way opportunity calls, access their Back Office, which contains a variety of resources and training, monitor leads, view future activities, and gain real-time corporate updates. (iPhone and Android users can download the app.)

Why should I use Taxbot?

Taxbot is the ultimate mileage and expense tracker for your business, with the intention of automating your accounting. Taxbot uses the GPS on your iPhone or Android smartphone to track all of your business driving, helping you to recognize and categorize your business trips at a later time. One of the few accounting products that focus on IRS (and CRA) enforcement is Taxbot.

What tools are offered by Surge365 to SBAs?

For team-building purposes, each SBA is given a special website URL by Surge365;   www.surge365.com/(yourending) is an example of a website. You have a Back Office (my.surge365.com) that houses all of your personal account and team information, in addition to your own exclusive marketing website. Only you can log in and alter or watch your account information since it is username and password protected.

Other resources that are available in the Back Office and can be found under Menu > Resources are:

• Approved Social Media Images
• Vortex Guide
• 2P&C Sales Process
• Surge365 Policies & Procedures
• Compensation Plan
• International How-To
• Presentations
• Spanish Materials

What does it mean to be QTO?

QTO is an acronym for Qualified to Override. You can qualify as a QTO if you have three (3) personally sponsored Vortex, Vortex Membership, or Vortex Platinum subscribers. To win Team Builder Commissions, Bonuses, and the % Match, you must be a QTO.

What is the 3 and Free Club?

As an SBA, you can share with your Vortex, Vortex Membership, and Vortex Platinum subscribers access to the 3 and Free Club. They can join the 3 and Free Club by referring three (3) subscribers who each pay a $59.95 monthly fee.

Their monthly fee for a travel subscriptions would be waived if they personally refer at least three (3) subscribers. If any of those three (3) fail to make a payment, the monthly travel subscription fee will be automatically charged to the Vortex Owner.

Members of the 3 and free clubs should make sure their referrals are active subscribers of Surge365.  There is no time limit for achieving membership in the 3 & Free Club.

Fast Start to Team Builder

You have 30 days to become a TeamBuilder with 6 personal points. A Vortex sale is worth one point. A sale of a Vortex Membership is worth one point. A sale of Vortex Platinum is worth two points.

Team Builder

After 30 days, an SBA must have a total of fourteen (14) points to be considered a Team Builder (six [6] points must be personal).  There is no time limit to becoming a Team Builder.

$150 Fast Start Bonus

When you personally make three (3) sales on any product ($199, $299, or $499) in your first eight days as an SBA, you will earn a $150 Fast Start Bonus. Sales may count toward both the $150 FSB and $1,000 FSB. If you are eligible for one of the Fast Start Bonuses, the sales will not count towards the $1000 Team Builder Bonus.

$1,000 Fast Start Bonus

When you personally make a total of fourteen (14) points in sales in your first 30 days as an SBA, you will earn a $1,000 Fast Start Bonus. A Vortex sale is worth one point. A sale of a Vortex Membership is worth one (1) point. A sale of Vortex Platinum is worth two (2) points. Your next sale will begin the process of earning the $1,000 Team Builder Bonus.

Regional Team Builder

The Regional Team Builder Group is the next level of leadership for a business associate to aspire to achieve. Via Executive Package Sales, you should earn 70 total Team Builder points to advance to the next level of leadership. You will be promoted to this level after you have earned 70 total Team Builder points and will begin building your Regional Team Builder Group with your next personally enrolled Junior Executive (SBA).

What is the cancellation/refund policy?

You may cancel at any point by sending an email to cancellations@surge365.com or by submitting a Support Ticket on your personalized website. All monthly subscriptions come with a five-day money-back guarantee.

Surge365 MLM Review: What I Like And Don’t Like

What I Like About Surge 365

I will be blunt and not beat around the bush. There is nothing I like about this MLM. In my own opinion, Surge365 is a pyramid scheme in disguise. I do not recommend anyone to join Surge365

What I Don’t Like About Surge 365

• This MLM company looks, talks, and walks like the old pyramid scam of YTB International which has the same founders as Surge365
• Their problematic Money Back Guarantee. After researching the BBB profile of Surge365, it turns out that, despite the promise of a one-year money-back guarantee on your investments, you can only be eligible for that if you meet the criteria. This is a major issue because it did not affect just one or two people! So, if you're excited to join Surge365 because you've heard it's a "risk-free investment to make a lot of money",  you should reconsider.

Surge365 Review: My Final Thoughts

As much as I don't want to smear Surge 365's name in this review, I strongly encourage everyone to avoid this MLM opportunity. Surge365 has both a high-risk business model and a shady compensation plan similar to that of pyramid schemes. Therefore, no, Surge365 is not for you, in my opinion. Maybe it would be safer for you to check out the other MLM companies.

What Is Our Top Recommendation For Making Money Online In 2024?

Our review team has come across a program in the real estate industry that is next level!

Although it’s not real estate in the traditional sense, it’s all digital.

Yup, Digital Leasing!

Where SURGE 365 falls short is in scalability.

There’s only so much time in a day and there’s only so many people you can reach to sell by yourself.

MLM companies know this! Which is why they push so hard for you to recruit for your downline…you can’t get rich with it as a one man/woman show.

But what if you could make even more money off of little local websites without having to spend hundreds of dollars on overpriced products and a bunch of time recruiting people to sell under you?

With this Digital Leasing program, you can make recurring monthly income without constant sales to your friends and constant recruitment!

Sound too good to be true?

Of course it does!

But it isn’t…in fact, business owners wish they had this skill!

All you have to do is build and rank a LOCAL website and forward the jobs off to a business owner in town, you could even email it to them!

This works for literally any service based business:

• tree service
• plumbing
• towing, etc.

How do you get paid and how much?

Simple, after you forward the jobs off to a business owner and he makes some money off of them, you simply ask to make the deal beneficial for each other.

A fair price to charge per lead, depending on the industry is 10-20%…let’s just use the tree service industry for example and go by worst case scenario.

Let’s say you build and rank the site and only 10 jobs a month come in. The average tree service job is anywhere from $500-$2000!

That means at bare minimum you have an asset worth $500 a month!

See why they call it Digital Leasing now?

That’s a rent payment.

The great thing is how easy it is to scale. You don’t have to worry about:

• Your upline getting paid before you
• Begging your friends and family to buy from you
• Recruiting people all the time

As with  SURGE 365, You only get what’s left of the pie if you meet a monthly quota…

The course we recommend actually allows you to collect HUGE FLAT RATE DEALS. Truly passive income!

The training program takes making money online to a whole other level. The owner of the program walks you through how to build and rank a site hand in hand, with the occasional voice over when he is sharing his screen.

You will learn the importance of keywords, website name, how to send call notifications via email, backlinking, etc.

Once the training program is completed you will also have access to a Facebook group much better than the SURGE 365 group in our opinion. This group is much more active.

Unlike SURGE 365, where you’re getting maybe $10 per sale, you could be getting 10-20X THAT.

A business will always want more leads and another job. In fact it doesn’t even matter that the job isn’t coming from their website name…they see it as it is…expanding Digital Leasing.

Unlike SURGE 365, more people have been able to walk away from their 9-5 job as well.

Digital Leasing allows you to have total passive income with most of your day being spent WITH your friends, NOT selling to them.

Now, I know you probably have tons of questions…

So, check this out to learn more.