As for hotels, travelers know very little about where they are staying ahead of time. I will not let this go if need be I will take them to court and sue there asses. to my lawyer for resolution of a full refund. There was a layer of dusty film all over my bathroom and my pillow had an unidentified crusty stain on it. One thing is guaranteed. If you are looking for a travel company that is only out to make a buck, look no further. Airlines and other travel companies make it so easy for money to flow their way. I was told to call EF to see what my options are. If your Group Leader has rescheduled your original tour/program, the group will be moved automatically onto the new tour/program. Although student were allowed to go out on their own during our free time, they were asked to go in groups of three or four and were left in pretty safe areas to spend their free time. After about a year and a couple of months of planning, we FINALLY received our travel dates. The first was in 2018. There is a $95 non-refundable deposit + $300 cancellation fee (totals to around $400). Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? In London, a walking tour of Piccadilly Circus, Covent Garden and Leicester Square was replaced with free time at the British Museum, which we really didnt mind. But the worst experience in this hotel went to a dad on our trip, whos single room contained only a sofa. Recently I was notified by EF Tours that my child was cancelled from the tour after paying off almost whole trip price. We also learned that our high school would not give any credit to students who participated in these trips, even though much was made of the educational credit during the pitch to get us to join the tour. While the London Eye excursion seemed to go well for those who went on it, it was over priced. Sometimes it seemed inevitable, like when we were stuck in an airport or train station. Now it wont refund my $3,606. My son is (or perhaps was) traveling on an EF tour this summer with a very small group from our high school. What should I do? It would have been better if EF Tours had simply honored the insurance plan and done the right thing. 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. 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. Other than the local tour guides and maybe the tiramisu class, I wouldnt call just visiting these historic places an experiential learning activity.. So, even the itinerary is a lie! Get Involved; Contact; Donate! This all changed, as soon as I offered to pay him extra, per person, for his help. They can advise you on the best course of action and represent you in court if necessary. Meals on the tour ran the gamut from weird to stellar, but overall were not to bad. 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. I really did expect there to be more education involved in what we did while on our tour. 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! Our group was quite good about being on time to meet up locations with a couple of small exceptions that could not be helped. Hi, I recently made a deposit to my bank of 12,400. It is very expensive, and I'm just hoping for a positive experience. I checked our beds for bedbugs and thankfully did not find any. My mom had to put hotel rooms for 30 students in her credit card. I am now retired, but have organized and will be leading another "Best of Europe" tour this September. These refund policies cover only a partial amount of the costs EF has already incurred for each . It can be used for all components of the tour booked through EF prior to departing on tour including the deposit, program price, the optional Global Travel Protection plan, optional excursions, optional extensions, and rooming supplements. This hotel was a bit older than the Hiltons wed stayed in, but it was clean, spacious, and comfortable. We didnt go to Westminster Abbey or St. Pauls Cathedral while we were in London, and there were too many things to count in Paris that we didnt even glimpse. Getting a full refund from EF Tours can be a difficult process, but it is possible. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress If you change your mind, you have 60 days to receive a refund of all money paid (including your deposit! All dinners were set up at local restaurants before our arrival. We've got you covered. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. 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. We simply got information from our Tour Guide when and where to meet up with the group after dinner and selected a nearby local pub so we could have a traditional English dining experience. Cancellation Terms when Rebooking with a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher. The front desk did not seem to care and we were told no one was available to come clean the bathrooms. Im thrilled to share all my ideas with you and hope you like what you find here in my little home on the internet. Hence the lawsuit (in CA 2020, look it up). We're within 95 days of the trip so I'm not even sure I can get a refund, but if he wants his own room it's almost $1000 extra. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. 8 weeks.It has been 8 weeks so my son contacted the insurance company and was told the money would be put back into our account between June 20 to 25th. Angry demands for a refund and threats to take a company to court almost always backfire. Not only did I make a complaint to the Better Business Bureau but I also requested that a manager call me and I have yet to hear from anyone. Adults did need to pass a background check in order to participate in the trip, since adult tour participants are traveling with minors. as the premier companies. 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. We learned that this hotel had once housed men studying to join a monastery, which explained the doritory feel of the place. Which btw the ticket was $100!!! One student got up in the middle of the night and tripped on the mattress and smashed her head into the wall. We would be spending time in three different countries, seeing some of the most beautiful and historic cities in Europe. Our guide was able to secure tickets (for an extra fee) for those who wanted them to a performance of Wicked during our free evening. Ours just didnt seem quite ready to handle all the pressures and logistics that are required for managing a group of 40 people for 12 days. If you want any other info or even wanted . Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced Thursday her office has reached a settlement with EF tours that resulted in more than $1.4 million in additional refunds for nearly 4,200. You can definitely have a positive experience on the trip. EF Tours is definitely a budget tour company, and for the price, you do get a good experience. 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! Europe is a wonderful place, and I love traveling there. Is The Royal Caribbean Key Program Really Worth It? The key is to take the right steps and document all communication. Required fields are marked *. Anyways, we were told the new trip was "similar/almost identical" to the one we had signed up for, but there would be no extension to Paris and it would be 2 days shorter. A few days later, EF responded to an earlier complaint submitted by the plaintiff to the Arizona Office of the Attorney General in which the defendants allegedly offered the plaintiff a partial cash refund of $1,000 less than what she paid for her child's tour. Usually if you haven't paid in full you could get a cancel for any reason insurance which will give you about 75% back. The local tour guides who showed us the sights of each city were the most informative folks on this trip, with extensive knowledge of the history and culture at each stop, but we were forced to use amplifying devices called Whispers in order to hear the guides. 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 Politeness. 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. Before our trip, our group leader did make sure to advise us about pickpocketing and theft at major tourist sites in Europe, and advised us to be prepared. My daughter insisted on being signed up for her school trip in 2020. 824. That way, when a company drags its feet on a refund, you can file a chargeback. Experts say you can overcome those hurdles by using the right payment method, creating a paper trail, and knowing how to appeal your case. Patience. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. I had to do this for a foreign airline that owed me a partial refund for a flight originating in the U.S., and they wound up giving me a full refund, voluntarily.. Thanks. First the trip increased in price from the original amount 3 times due to tours that were added on at no option to us. Enroll online or call 800-766-2645, EF Explore America (Just this year I found out our group leader got something for a refund, but she never mentioned it or even helped me get my money back in 2018.thanks for that.) Before we left on our trip, we were told by our group leader that we shouldnt need more that $25 US dollars per person per day for lunches and snacks. Trip Cancellation coverage This plan includes Trip Cancellation coverage. The EF in EF Tours stands for Education First. Trips like this EF Tour require students to be pretty mature when it comes to safety. During our trip there were extra excursions offered in any city we stayed in more than one night. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? These tours are usually walking tours, but sometimes are bus tours, depending on the location. His high school in the Parkway school district decided to book the tour through EF Educational Tours. This resulted in our group being habitually late to most of the tours we went on, and significantly cut into our time at some really important places. Also out of all four excursions throughout the trip, THREE OF THEM WERE CANCELLED! We paid an extra $85 USD above and beyond the base tour price to experience it. But use a credit card, and you have the full force of federal law (the Fair Credit Billing Act) and your credit cards resolution department in your corner. - Make a personalized map of where you've been and where you want to go. While the teacher recruiting students is designated as your group leader, they dont actually lead the tour once you start traveling. Overall, the meals on our trip were pretty good, but could definitely have been better. They were giving us the runaround, says Jose, a medical technologist from DeLand, Florida. For the most part, I felt quite safe during our trip. What is a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher? I just put a downpayment for our trip to Europe next summer. I am outraged and helpless. You dont always have to appeal to the government. How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? To make matters worse, EF Tours often refuses to issue refunds even after customers have submitted evidence of their dissatisfaction. EF is keeping $565 dollars needed to cover their overhead and costs to hotels and airlines but students could reschedule. The Return & Refund Policies may vary widely among different types of products and sellers. Only a couple of people were given her contact information, which made communication confusing and difficult during our free time, especially when she got delayed during our free evening in Paris and our meeting time had to be pushed back significantly. Lunches were not included in the initial price of our trip and were paid out of pocket each day. Vol 1, #2. Overall, unless an excursion is of special interest to you, I wouldnt recommend participating in them, simply because they seem overpriced. EF has the group leader/teacher set up deadlines for signing up to go on the trip, sometimes including small discounts to encourage enrollment. Only the EF Go Ahead Tours allow alcohol for adult travelers. EF was never concerned about her health or welfare and only accused her of being drunk so they could dodge any responsibility. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. Once youve signed up for your EF Tour, youll be given access to a tour portal on the EF website where you can track your payments and what steps you need take next to participate in the trip. Saturday 25 March - London, The O2. 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. 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. This place was truly one of the worst hotels Ive ever had the misfortune to stay at (and as a travel blogger, Ive stayed at a LOT of hotels). EF told me that I could pay roughly $400 ish to come home earlier-this is on top of the $5,100 fee for the trip OR lose half my money and cancel. In Munich, we were given lodging one block from the red light district, and had three young women awakened during the middle of the night by a drunken man demanding access to their room (their room entrance was directly onto the street). Call 800-665-5364 to enroll, EF Language Schools RIP OFF!! Jose had approached her online agency and every airline in her itinerary. This is exactly the type of honest review I am searching for as I consider enrolling my son in a 9 day tour of Japan next summer, and also go myself. We choose not to participate in the excursion in London because Im not the biggest fan of heights, and in Paris because my daughter wanted the opportunity to spend some extra free time in the city. EF has staff on the ground, 365 days a year, in over 50 countries to assist you in times of need. Did we mention it's free? She collected it before we left. They make go in circles and have excuse after excuse. Electric Bike Thumb Throttle 12-84v LED Display Voltmeter & ON OFF Kil torquetech.co.uk. ). Flexible, fee-free rebooking options Need to make new travel plans? Often, a brief, polite written appeal to someone higher up can do wonders. They even claim you can earn credit for going on these tour. That's when we found out it would be around $800 to cancel. Transfer to a comparable tour. 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. how to get a full refund from ef tours. With no more than 48 hours in any location, we expected it to be jam packed. We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you personalised advertising. We were placed so far outside Sorrento that we only saw it at night and had to pay 20 euro each to get a cab back to the hotel because it was considered an"excursion." I work for a competitor of EF and have about a million reasons why groups that go with them get ripped off. When we arrived there, I watched as he was escorted upstairs for a nice steak dinner, while the rest of us went hungry (not enough time to stop elsewhere). Consumers who booked domestic trips through the EF Explore America tours program should call 888-333-9756 to request a refund. 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 $500. It was over $8,300," Hignite said. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. I always like to start my reviews by reminding you that I was not compensated in any way to write this post. Foguth says details matter. This article was published on February 22, 2019. websites, advertisements, etc. labelled. Were always here to help. Whatever happens, weve seen it. The first thing to keep in mind is that there are alcohol restrictions with these tours. Experts advise people to frequently wash their hands in warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds and to avoid touching their face. I was told by the EF Tours representative that he could room with boys from other schools or upgrade (at an additional $90 per night!) My son is going on an EF tour this Spring and the teacher has suggested that each student pay a certain amount for tips. The North American headquarter of Education First (EF) locates in Cambridge Massachusetts US. Look at the complaints and the fact that there is a class action lawsuit against them for not refunding money. There were also some pretty significant changes to our itinerary. Other times it seemed like our guide might be creating these situations by not fully informing us what was available near by. Call 800-590-1161 to enroll, EF Tours for Girls My daughter wanted to go with members of her class on this great trip with EF tours. While not happy with that amount I understood. All travelers must pay the non-refundable, non-transferable $95 Enrollment Fee upon enrollment in order for the enrollment to be complete. Flights cancelled, rerouted. 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. There were some areas that I would definitely trust EF to arrange again, and other areas where I really think they could do better. But their ads sure reflect diversity! It is a trip run by a business who just happens to recruit participants through the school system. About Ultimate Break tours Meals, transportation, Tour Directors, pace, customization, and who you'll be traveling with. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? The next group dinner was at a Polish restaurant where the group was served a fried chicken patty and french fries. Im a wife, a mom, a crafter, a Disney fan, and a french fry connoisseur. EF Tours says the vouchers can be used until Sept. 30, 2022 for any of the company's tours and can be used by students, their immediate family members or other students or faculty members in the . Wherever you are, were thereand we understand that, in todays ever-changing world, travelers are looking for more flexibility than ever before.