Not by a long shot. I always like to start my reviews by reminding you that I was not compensated in any way to write this post. So talking to the customer service representative, I asked how if we hadn't paid so much into the trip that they would be receiving that much back in fees. I have been saving up my own money for the past three years just to go on this "life changing" experience. Lost one full day of 8 day tour. Dinners are are pre-arranged with a preset menu by EF at local restaurants. Our guide that year was a young US college student who worked at a bookstore in downtown Rome. During our time in Rome, lunch came with some free time to wander, so we were able to go out and select the restaurant of our choice. This tends to give a false sense of urgency to the sign up process. We were not given specific dates for our trip, but instead we were given a window of time during which the trip would occur. EF Tours charged each participant $60. They give gifts and perks to the teachers who organize these trips to get them to sign up students then end up stealing a portion of the mine with no trip. A most unsatisfactory and life changing (m for the worse) experience. 29 Jun, 2022 . I was so angry but nothing was done about it. That's the advice of Laurie Guest, an author who specializes in travel and customer service. Friday 24 March - London, The O2. And that wasn't even a full guarantee of a full refund. Jose had approached her online agency and every airline in her itinerary. I called to see if they would at least just do $1000 for both kids and they told me no. According to the folks on our trip who had special dietary needs, the dinners were pretty good for the most part. On our way to Rome, our guide added a stop in Ovierto, a beautiful small town with picturesque views, wonderful dining and great little shops which we enjoyed immensely. The menu included a plate with 1 chicken drumstick, a handful of french fries, and a wimpy green salad with one tomato slice. Sometimes it was quite obvious where our group was supposed to go, and sometimes it wasnt. 824. While not happy with that amount I understood. Angry demands for a refund and threats to take a company to court almost always backfire. Once we arrived in Rome, the Villa Aurelia was our home base for two nights. People are requiredLISTENrequired to purchase the Global Protection Plan. For what it's worth 4k for a scotland ireland trip is definitely too much. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). Hi! Following these steps should give customers the best chance of getting a full refund from EF Tours. Even when customers provided evidence of their dissatisfaction, EF Tours refused to issue refunds or only offered partial refunds. Getting a full refund from EF Tours can be a difficult process. This caused problems for a few kids on our trip who werent expecting these costs, and they unfortunately had to miss out on some of the better additions. By clicking "submit" below, you are requesting to have your refund issued by check, which will be made out in the travelers name and mailed to their primary address on file. Also told cancellation fee is now $400 not the $300 listed. You can also call 800-665-5364 to request a refund on an international tour; for bookings of domestic trips through EF Explore America, call 888-333-9756. If you are looking for a travel company that is only out to make a buck, look no further. This is the biggest scam ever. Also, keep every email and receipt. I think our group leader made that choice when she set up our trip. Whenever I called and asked for a manager, I was told that non were available and that they would call me when they became available. 321. EF books all travelers in economy class seats for all transportation methods. I could honestly go on for 10 pages about the terrible food and the fact that you will only be given warm milk, cereal, coffee and last night's rolls for breakfast every day! Thus far I've paid off $1,500. Be nice! My kids are going on an EF tour in March. B)there are about 1,000 people in the building and I have yet to see anyone that wasn't white as the driven snow. Saturday 25 March - London, The O2. Has anybody seen anyone of color working in their offices? However, we understand the existing account on file may be inactive, or that you may prefer a check to be sent to you by mail instead. Things took a turn for the worse on our last night of the tour, when we stayed at Hotel La Pergola in Rome. Original scheduled departure was on or before May 14, 2020. In Italy, the dinners were quite good. The deduction of $565 includes items such as the non-refundable deposit and other non-refundable fees. Overall, Id say that the hotels provided were quite good, with the exception of Hotel La Pergola. It is a trip run by a business who just happens to recruit participants through the school system. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. And if that doesnt work well, you can always contact me. As you can imagine the difference between 0 and 55 is immaculate and only caused problems throughout the entire trip. When you travel with EF, you get the benefits of our 55+ years of experience and our unmatched global network. I struggled to pay for this trip and now after paying for travel insurance also they are denying full refund. I was told that they only charge whats been deposited. Children are not monitored, left to find their own way in cities across the . Will this be the busiest spring break ever? EF Tours inflexible, would not accommodate my request. We waited for an hour-and-a half for him to return to the motor coach. In most cases, refunds can be issued electronically with the funds being sent directly back to your current account on file. I am self employed so I had to send a letter stating that my business went under and this had created a hardship. General sale starts at 9am . Per the website, tour participants are assured that travelers can count on safe, clean and comfortable hotels with private bathrooms but much beyond that the info is sparse. Our dates were finally confirmed about two months before our departure. It took me to every floor and A) the offices are gorgeous! What options or Cancellation Terms apply to a traveler who has rebooked their tour with a rescheduled departure date between October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022 using a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher? One student got up in the middle of the night and tripped on the mattress and smashed her head into the wall. When I called about a refund for the extension being taken off I was told by customer service "They make the cost even out." Only the EF Go Ahead Tours allow alcohol for adult travelers. Our hotels along the trip started out stellar but seemed to go downhill from there, unfortunately ending in truly unacceptable accommodations. All dinners were set up at local restaurants before our arrival. Four kids to a room was common on our tour. My daughter insisted on being signed up for her school trip in 2020. But whats this $452 bill? Said she would pay for it herself as the total cost for her to go alone would be enough to take my entire family on a nice vacation. . Sometimes this was a good thing, but sometimes it was incredibly frustrating. Dont accept vouchers or points. If necessary, set a calendar reminder so that you dont forget. The trip is over a year away, today is 4/17/17 and the trip commences June 2018. Our help is free. Transfer to a comparable tour. "You can accept a travel voucher with no penalties, or you can accept a refund minus $1,000 per person. On the second night we had a traditional Alsatian dish called Flammekueche, which was sort of like a pizza with a creamy sauce. Parents are upset that a student tour company won't give full refunds for canceled European vacations. I have seen some recent reviews for EF Tours and wanted to share my experiences for those who may consider using this company for a tour. But use a credit card, and you have the full force of federal law ( the Fair Credit Billing Act) and your credit card's resolution department in your corner. How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? He or she is super excited about all the cool things they get to do and is just begging you to let them go. The only options available to us were food trucks along the river right next to the Tower complex. What I didn't understand was the fact that they also charged $155 for some type of insurance (which is not apart of their cancellation fees). Just keep your expectations realistic. After travel is completed on the fi rst tour, repeat travelers will receive a $100 Repeat Traveler Discount off future tours. Menu. Since the legal drinking age in the areas we visited was 18, student who met this requirement were allowed to drink alcohol on our trip, but were asked to limit it to one drink with dinner. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? Thats why weve enhanced our already top-tier, industry-leading coverage programs to provide even more choices, and to give travelers, families, and school communities the widest range of safe and flexible plans. The COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher cannot be used for: When I redeem a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher, can I split the value across multiple accounts? In addition the insurance company retained by EF initially declined to pay to have my son evacuated from Cost Rica. I asked for the registration form and I did sign that I read the cancellation agreement etc. Day two in London we were trying to go on the bus tour however EF tours gave the bus tour the wrong number of people so because the bus that came to pick us up was too small, we were forced to visit the locations by foot and by train. In Paris, those who went to Versaille told us the experience was underwhelming because of the limited time available inside the palace, and the lack of lunch options available to those who went. by | Oct 29, 2021 | ark center hidden underwater base locations | john mccririck falling out of a boat | Oct 29, 2021 | ark center hidden underwater base locations | john mccririck falling out of a boat New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Our group had a few in person meetings at a local restaurant prior to our trip where we discussed issues ranging from passports to packing for our trip to Europe, and got a chance to meet our fellow travelers. My first was as a parent going with my 15-year-old along with a group of about 20 kids (from a . When we did get on the city bus, she told us we had to pay our own fares (the tour was to include ALL transportation), but then told us to NOT pay the fare, as we would never get caught, and even if we did, the fine would only $20. Get Involved; Contact; Donate! My EF Tours experience definitely taught me a lot about group travel. So, no refund. The best unexpected addition to our trip in my opinion was the opportunity to see a musical in the West End of London. Explain the situation and why you are requesting a full refund. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Countless study abroad trips have been canceled due to COVID-19, leaving many families out thousands of dollars. This Tour Director is supposed to handle just about everything on your tour, including all your pre-booked accommodations, meals, excursions, tickets, and transfers. However, we had already paid and were still excited to be spending 2 weeks in Europe together. Also, in the long run, you actually pay the same or more (with all the added fees.) Is there any way I can get around it? The vast majority of the other students spent most of their time getting drunk and vaping. We were told that other than the deposit and a small admin fee, all the rest of the money was refundable. Flights Cost, airlines we use, booking flights, baggage, requests, and managing your flights. In what universe is this considered acceptable?!?!?!? I will never, ever even consider sending any of my other kids on one of these trips. We found that that number was not quite accurate for us, especially if we ever wanted to stray from the planned meals that EF Tours had set up for us. My moms stairlift has a big problem it does not work outside! She told us we only had five minutes to use the restroom and get back on the bus. This was the only true hostel on our trip. I have been a group leader with EF for 10 years and they have been getting so bad that I will no longer travel with them. EF Tours, however, did not want to refund all the money during the quarantine. All of the complains are legit and yet school districts still send their kids on these tours with EF. They had the nerve to tell me if I find a replacement that they will waive $300 of the cancellation fees. But COVID-19 canceled those plans. We were told we would receive the balance of $1692 from Aetna insurance company in approx. They are making a profit off of cancellations!!!! (Love to travel? For a fee, a single room can be requested for the tour. My mom had to put hotel rooms for 30 students in her credit card. I have traveled extensively with Expedia, always buy travel insurance, and am covered for any thing, from war to terrorism, to a pandemic. Here's my EFTours experience: 1.I have been on 3 EFTours and have another planned for next summer. Sometimes they were just continental breakfasts with cold offerings, and sometimes we were given hot breakfasts with eggs, bacon, and such. This company is a complete scam. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Pricing of products and services. There were no medical facilities available on this resort, and it was necessary to have my son medically evacuated back to the states to receive treatment. Feel free to ask me in the comments!! Overall, breakfasts were adequate throughout the trip. Travelers or their transferees can redeem the voucher for this available refund at any time prior to September 30, 2025. Usually if you haven't paid in full you could get a cancel for any reason insurance which will give you about 75% back. EF Tours makes a big deal out of their tours being focused on education. But they are excited to travel with their friends. They book all accommodations and attraction admissions for tour participants. This has caused many customers to feel frustrated and helpless when trying to get a full refund from EF Tours. WBTV contacted EF Tours to find out why, in the middle of a global pandemic, they are refusing to give a full $3,300 refund. fender american professional ii vs ultra. $20 million net worth lifestyle appleton post crescent archives how to get a full refund from ef tours 07 jun 2022. how to get a full refund from ef tourshouse joint resolution 192 of 1933 Posted by . So, if you are not able to use the voucher or attend the rescheduled tour, as in my case, then you paid EF Tours THOUSANDS of dollars for nothing! I sent the letter and will contact them again Monday to try and get answers. I work for a competitor of EF and have about a million reasons why groups that go with them get ripped off. I called EF and they directed me to the insurance company-which is an absolute rip off. My son had a very poor experience with the Grecian Odyssey EF tours. The trip was booked for June of 2019. Were always here to help. Three weeks after enrolling, our circumstances changed so I called to cancel, expecting to pay the $95 cancellation fee x2. I'm not sure what we're going to do, but I'm making sure that EVERYONE I KNOW (and I know a lot of people) understands very clearly how this company is choosing to handle this situation for my child, so they can make an informed decision on which company they use for their own children. We enjoyed a truly magical and unexpected sunset under the Eiffel Tower in Paris. While on tour, there was only one time that I felt like our group was taken to an unsafe area. Against my better judgement. They need to be outted with their unfair business practices. The front desk attendant seemed more than annoyed anytime someone from our group would approach them, and insisted that we all leave our keys at the front desk when leaving the hotel for dinner that night. Hi, I recently made a deposit to my bank of 12,400. Though not quite as refined as the Hiltons, and a little slap-shot with the furniture, we found this place to be clean and welcoming. They also promise to have the lowest price on the market for this type of travel. We found that there wasnt that much education attached to our tour. For example, while we were driving across Italy, she had our driver stop at a large gas station for a bathroom stop. Would I travel with EF Tours again? Technics in Management Transfer inverness animal clinic. I am not canceling the trip, but yet I am the one. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. It's essential for customers to examine a seller's return policy before . I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. Im not opposed to tipping but tips need to be earned and for him to request a set amount doesnt sit well with me. For the first four nights during our stays in London and Paris, we were sent to Hilton Hotels. I decided to give them on more try, as they promised a better experience..my bad. No one asked to go there, and most of us seemed annoyed that we were stopping. So, even the itinerary is a lie! IS this the only forum about this place? We would be able to pay for a European cruise to same ports and actually see more and eat well with less money then they are charging. COVID-19 required everybody to be quarantined. If you want any other info or even wanted to pass my company on to your leaders shoot me a message! Hence the lawsuit (in CA 2020, look it up). Not only could we barely keep up with the tour guide, but we could not hear him due to he gigantic group and we had to stop every 5 minutes to make sure the entire group was there. Once you get the notification for your EF ATM adjustment you should have access to the full amount of funds you deposited. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. Call 800-665-5364 to enroll, EF Tours for High School Graduates EF has the group leader/teacher set up deadlines for signing up to go on the trip, sometimes including small discounts to encourage enrollment. labelled. I've decided that I'm not going to go for financial reasons and feeling that it's too expensive for what I'm getting. The rooms at these Hiltons were very new, immaculately clean and extremely comfortable. They won't tell you which airline or which hotel you will be staying at. Were always here to help. Im Louise. This hotel was a bit older than the Hiltons wed stayed in, but it was clean, spacious, and comfortable. She had us walking everywhere (1 1/2 mile from our hotel to the bus stop each day. Trips are usually initially introduced about two years before the travel date so that participants can make smaller monthly payments to cover the cost of the trip. If you want a quality tour experience, with a reliable professional tour company, I wholeheartedly recommend that you contact TSA Tours. She did make sure we were always wary of our passports and where we were keeping them during our travels. For detailed information about the safety and coverage programs that apply to your tour, please choose your departure date below. We got to listen to an orchestra perform in Piazza della Signoria in Florence. Thailand (/ t a l n d,-l n d / TY-land, -lnd), historically known as Siam (/ s a m, s a m /) and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning 513,120 square kilometres (198,120 sq mi), with a population of almost 70 million. They also charged me $189 for insurance I declined. The purpose of this article is to provide a step-by-step guide on how to get a full refund from EF Tours. 109 to 45 days prior to departure: Full refund less $95 non-refundable deposit, all Non-Refundable fees, and 50% of program price. However, EF Tours will override the plan and refuse your refund. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? Despite these frustrations, the itinerary did take us to some fantastic places and we had some absolutely unforgettable experiences. I really did expect there to be more education involved in what we did while on our tour. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. Persistence. $900 which we did. For example, you can shoot an email to an executive of a hotel chain when one of the properties refuses to offer a refund you deserve. I just hope the tour goes well. They along with their team canceled the tour and refuses to refund the full amount. Our specific tour featured quite a daunting itinerary. Four other members of our group chose to join us. how to get a full refund from ef tours. Although it did seem that everywhere we went in Italy, anyone who was gluten free or dairy free was served watermelon for dessert. Tickets can be purchased individually at the ticket booth for just $42 USD or for groups ahead of time for just $24 USD. Save up to $300. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? We had a fantastic time seeing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. Getting a full refund from EF Tours can be a difficult process, but it is possible. There were no linens or towels available to him whatsoever. It felt like a complete waste of time to travel and waste that many days. To date I paid $1063 on this trip to Peru and canceling it over 1 year in advance due to unforeseen circumstances has cost me $560. If not for her, 30 of your kids would be sleeping in the airport for two nights in a row since their new flight to London has a huge 13 hour layover. He refused to take us anywhere on our free time. Whatever you need, we'll handle it. While this may seem like a school trip, it is not. If you wanted a refund, there was a fee. EF Tours Return & Refund Policies. Our "hotels" were in suburbs, a great distance outside of the beautiful towns we were to visit. Five families who are very angry with EF Educational Tours have. While it wasnt quite as comfortable as some of the other places wed stayed, it was completely acceptable and had a spectacular view of the Gulf of Naples from the rooftop terrace. However, I was never allowed to speak with management. to my lawyer for resolution of a full refund. Adults did need to pass a background check in order to participate in the trip, since adult tour participants are traveling with minors. Costs for these trips can range widely, depending on the destinations and length of the trip. Things started off poorly when our tour guide was an hour late to meet us at baggage claim and then our bus was over another hour late to pick us up at the airport. According to their website, EF Tours has been in operation since 1965 and offers trips for students and teachers designed to provide immersive, life-changing education., Basically, EF Tours organizes international trips for students to a wide variety of destinations, promising compelling itineraries full of experiential learning.. We did have some great cultural experiences while we traveled. Before or at 110 days prior to the departure of the rescheduled tour: Travelers may cancel and elect to have their COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher reissued in the same amount of money that was applied to their rescheduled tour. We were quoted a price and told the insurance was a great thing to have because with it you could cancel up to 24 hrs before the trip for a full refund minus the cost of insurance. Before our tour, the group leaded made sure every person who showed an interest in going on the trip got the glossy, full color brochure that outlined our itinerary and told us what to expect on the tour. I am a retired college Professor of Art. (I publish a full list of customer service executive contacts on my nonprofit consumer advocacy site, elliott.org. They make zero effort to please traveller once fees paid. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. John Deere Air Filter Kit - GY20661 (4) $14. Your email address will not be published. But why cant I get a refund? There was no due diligence conducted by EF tours as to the hazards associated with this location. Politeness. Original scheduled departure was from May 15, 2020 September 30, 2022. On our way to Southern Italy, we spent the night in Sorrento at Sisters Hostel. All total they are withholding $760. This Arizona based company has been organizing dozens of tours for teachers and college professors all across the country for 30 years. For example, on our first full day of the trip, we visited the Tower of London. When something goes wrong, you thing you are covered. Before or at 110 days prior to departure: Travelers may cancel and elect to have their COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher reissued in the same amount of money that was applied to their rescheduled tour. We stayed 20 miles outside of Salzburg at a ski resort youth hostel. I cant guarantee this Ive advocated many cases where a company promised a refund in writing but it can help. These Whispers often had glitches or were garbled, making it very hard to understand our guides. Travelers remain able to exchange their reissued COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher up and until the originally stated expiration date for a refund of the amount on the original COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher less $565. Consumer Alert: No more automatic refunds for skipped ports? The swimming area was not separated in any way from boat traffic, nor was my son warned about possible boat traffic. She was frequently the last person downstairs at our hotels to meet our bus 15 to 20 minutes after the time she told us to meet her, and did not budget in adequate travel time to most of our destinations. The EF Go Ahead Tours app supports and connects our global community. There also seemed to be major sites in some of these cities that were not ever even an option to visit or see, due to our limited time in each city. Visite nuestra pgina web de Trminos y Condiciones de los Crditos de Viaje Futuro aqu. Thanks :). Seriously, that was suppose to be the best part?!?!?! hodgetwins tour Adjustment to EF Atm Deposit. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. For the cost, I could organize something less stressful. I won't go into detail about our trip except to say our tour guide left half the group on several occasions, got us lost, left us in a hotel that's fire alarm system was going off in (our group leader also left us behind. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress Do your trip make a suggestion about tips? In the meantime, I received notice that I would be required to attend a mandatory training evolution with the military and learned that the dates overlapped. What is a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher? Read more, Copyright 2023 Chaotically Yours | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. These refund policies cover only a partial amount of the costs EF has already incurred for each . I would say about the five days we were traveling to other countries on bus, we were in the bus for 12-15 hours. If your original tour needed to be postponed but you have not yet been notified of your Group Leaders decision or been issued a voucher, you may request a voucher or choose the available refund option by calling our Traveler Support Team at 800-665-5364.
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