Matt and Catherine Willis launched World Discovery Club in November 2011, marketing a premium travel club membership for $19,997. This venture sought to re-energize the multi-level marketing travel sector, which experienced a surge between 2008 and 2009. Many earlier clubs in this niche paid commissions primarily on new member fees, rather than on the use of travel services.
Matt and Catherine Willis, alongside Ryan Bifulco and Jon Shugart, are listed as co-owners. Matt Willis serves as CEO, with Catherine Willis as COO, overseeing daily operations. The couple previously launched "Cutting Edge Technologies," a lead generation system for MLM. Matt Willis also participated in GeneWize Life Sciences, a nutrigenomics MLM, in 2008. Their travel club background includes involvement with Coastal Vacations, Mor Vacations, and DreamStyle Vacations, which appear to have informed World Discovery Club's model.
World Discovery Club markets six membership levels directly to consumers. The organization does not offer retail products or packages for sale outside of these memberships. Memberships vary in price and access, with higher tiers unlocking more third-party travel offers and services.
These benefits include access to rental condos, luxury resorts, private homes, and villas. Members also receive exclusive hotel rates, entry to over 600 private airport lounges, and luxury ocean cruises discounted by up to 75%. Other offerings cover discounted airline tickets, vacation packages, preferred golf tee times, live performance arrangements, dining reservations, theme park tickets, and car rental deals. The club advertises "travel products not available to the general public."
Despite the array of listed services, members earn no commission from using these offers. Payouts occur only when a World Discovery Club membership is sold, either directly by the member or by their downline.