This was the only true hostel on our trip. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. Call 888-333-9756 to enroll, EF College Study Well, lucky for you we took a 12 day visit to Europe with EF Tours, and have all the details to decide if taking an international trip with this company is right for you or your teenager. I feel like EF tours did not take our interests and feelings into consideration and I feel like this trip was a complete waste of time and money. Five families who are very angry with EF Educational Tours have. It all depended on where we were and what was going on whether or not wed get to select a restaurant on our own or if the group would be directed to eat at somewhere specific, and if wed have lots of great choices or really limited options. They even bragged later about being the first one's out on the street), the food SUCKED, and the time spent on the buses was more time spent in the actual locations. But on her return flight, one of the legs, on Flybe from Paris to Manchester, England, mysteriously vanished. My EF Tours experience definitely taught me a lot about group travel. A freaky feel to it. Check with the hotel for your options. Four girls were placed in a room with one queen sized bed and two twin mattresses on the floor in London. Just keep your expectations realistic. This all changed, as soon as I offered to pay him extra, per person, for his help. lakewood board of education address; hyde park skatepark london; obituaries humphrey, nebraska Menu Toggle. Unfortunately, our family was naive enough to believe that this was supposed to be an educational tour. I would NEVER stay at a truck stop, nor would I deceive students into thinking they were going to be safe on a trip and then place them there. We got to listen to an orchestra perform in Piazza della Signoria in Florence. throttle thumb display electric . The information provided typically includes the return deadline, eligible products, and the required documentation such as a proof of purchase. Now that Chicago Public Schools has cancelled all domestic and international trips due to the coronavirus pandemic, she wants her $4,100 back, but EF Tours refuses to issue refunds. In Italy, the dinners were quite good. Check out our directory. Three weeks after enrolling, our circumstances changed so I called to cancel, expecting to pay the $95 cancellation fee x2. If you happen to wander around the Charles River, it is worth of walking toward the Zakim Bridge and stopping by North Point Park. According to their website, EF claims to design tours to help educators teach, and so students can learn moreabout tolerance, other perspectives, and themselves.. However, EF Tours will override the plan and refuse your refund. 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. how to get a full refund from ef tours. Trip management Picking a trip, how . But the worst experience in this hotel went to a dad on our trip, whos single room contained only a sofa. to my lawyer for resolution of a full refund. Be sure to document all communication with EF Tours so that you can refer back to it if necessary. Im normally a big fan of Korean food, but this wasnt great. oil filter john deere l110. Did EF Tours create the trip of my dreams? Travel companies love to keep your money, even when theyre not supposed to. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Whatever you need, well handle it. The teacher wouldnt return my phone call, or emails. It is a total scam! Patience. We knew going into this tour that our itinerary would be extremely hectic. #2. Was informed of the price to cancel was $199 not the $95 listed. Even when customers provided evidence of their dissatisfaction, EF Tours refused to issue refunds or only offered partial refunds. $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 . I will not let this go if need be I will take them to court and sue there asses. We learned that this hotel had once housed men studying to join a monastery, which explained the doritory feel of the place. EF Educational Tours This company is a complete scam. 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. Im Louise. Kinda defeats the whole concept of insurance. These Terms and Conditions apply to any COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher (COVID-19 Voucher) issued by EF Educational Tours (EF) in connection with EF tours scheduled to depart after February 24, 2020 (and EF tours traveling to China after January 28, 2020) through September 30, 2022. The Return & Refund Policies may vary widely among different types of products and sellers. The trip isn't until June of 2017. 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. In London, the excursion was a visit to the London Eye, a giant ferris wheel type ride that gives riders a birds eye view of the city. . If not used for travel, a COVID-19 Voucher can be exchanged for a refund of all money paid into a travelers account less $565. And if that doesnt work well, you can always contact me. Was told that in total I will lose the $749 each person as we also will lose the Global Travel Protection Plan amount as well. Enroll online or call 800-766-2645, EF Go Ahead Tours I didn't think sharing was a big deal until I found out that he's expected to share a ben with a complete stranger. EF Tours uses a wide range of airlines, and travelers do not get to indicate a preference. They need to be outted with their unfair business practices. They also charged me $189 for insurance I declined. Europe is a wonderful place, and I love traveling there. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. If your Group Leader has rescheduled your original tour/program, the group will be moved automatically onto the new tour/program. 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. Is The Royal Caribbean Key Program Really Worth It? Why is no one investigating them for fraudulent business practices, deceptive practices, false advertisement, etc, etc, etc?? The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. We were assured that the stop there would only last 30 minutes, but it ended up taking three times that, leaving us only an hour and a half to visit the Louvre before we had to be back on the bus to catch a flight to Italy. This significantly hindered what we were able to see at our destinations, and made the whole tour seemed very rushed every day. Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? Its completely impossible for 40 people to make use of just a handful of bathroom stalls in five minutes. Id say yes. How to Get a Full Refund from EF Tours: A Step-by-Step Guide, Do I Need to Be Vaccinated to Travel to Hawaii? Dinners seemed to improve when we got to France. 321. This hotel was a bit older than the Hiltons wed stayed in, but it was clean, spacious, and comfortable. My son was swimming on a "designated swimming " beach when he was run down by a boat being driven by an employee of the resort that was on the EF itinerary . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress When something goes wrong, you thing you are covered. There were a total of 40 people on our tour. While this may seem like a school trip, it is not. I am now leaning towards not going with this tour and planning our own itinerary and trip. Adults can expect to share a room with one other person. Transfer to a comparable tour. I will never travel with EF Tours again. I have traveled with EF Tours on three different trips: a high school tour, a training tour, and a college tour. By and large, our students respected this request and did not take advantage of the lowered drinking age to go and party it up. Once we arrived in Rome, the Villa Aurelia was our home base for two nights. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? The deduction of $565 includes items such as the non-refundable deposit and other non-refundable fees. why is there a plague in thebes oedipus. That means that I will receive less than half that amount back! Consumers who booked domestic trips through the EF Explore America tours program should call 888-333-9756 to request a refund. Make sure to include all relevant information, such as the date of the transaction, the amount of the refund requested, and any evidence you have of your dissatisfaction with EF Tours. COVID-19 required everybody to be quarantined. 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. Recently I was notified by EF Tours that my child was cancelled from the tour after paying off almost whole trip price. EF Tours inflexible, would not accommodate my request. A most unsatisfactory and life changing (m for the worse) experience. Overall, unless an excursion is of special interest to you, I wouldnt recommend participating in them, simply because they seem overpriced. While on tour, there was only one time that I felt like our group was taken to an unsafe area. Even though this wasnt guaranteed, all of our accommodations had some sort of air conditioning, with some that functioned better than others, and all of them had WiFi. They are making a profit off of cancellations!!!! how to get a full refund from ef tours. That's the advice of Laurie Guest, an author who specializes in travel and customer service. Of course we were served a lot of pasta, but we also had braised beef in tomato sauce, gnocchi, and pizza. Our tour left some of these promises unfulfilled, but did give us a glimpse at some fantastic destinations in Europe and some amazing memories. The trip total came to around $4,000. Save up to $300. You may wish to spend time at your destinations before or after the scheduled tour. My first was as a parent going with my 15-year-old along with a group of about 20 kids (from a . All I know to do is make this issue public. :? No one wanted to be the person that made us late. For detailed information about the safety and coverage programs that apply to your tour, please choose your departure date below. The kids didn't seem to mind it, but I did seem a little crowded at times. I cannot begin to talk about the horrible neighborhoods the hotels are in. Required fields are marked *. We had ample notice and knew what to expect. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. Echoing a similar suit filed against the operators of EF Tours, the lawsuit argues that WorldStrides has violated its contracts with the plaintiffs by collecting their money while failing to provide the trips for which they pre-paid. On the second night we had a traditional Alsatian dish called Flammekueche, which was sort of like a pizza with a creamy sauce. A COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher cannot be divided into multiple accounts, unless the traveler applies the voucher to a future tour and the voucher amount is higher than the price of the new tour. Im extremely glad we made those decisions. She had a black eye and blood in her eyeball for the entire trip. This hotel was significantly older than the other three we had stayed at, but it was still clean and comfortable. Im not opposed to tipping but tips need to be earned and for him to request a set amount doesnt sit well with me. Wherever you are, were thereand we understand that, in todays ever-changing world, travelers are looking for more flexibility than ever before. 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.. Settling with a debit card, a check or even a wire transfer means the money is gone. The school uses them for all there spring break trips and this is very disappointing that they are doing this to us. how to get a full refund from ef tours. But in Florence, visits to San Miniato al Monte and Piazzale Michelangelo were dropped off the itinerary with no explanation. 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." His high school in the Parkway school district decided to book the tour through EF Educational Tours. On our way to Southern Italy, we spent the night in Sorrento at Sisters Hostel. There were also some pretty significant changes to our itinerary. It was a disaster. When it became apparent on the second night that we werent going to be getting any traditional English food, my daughter and I made arrangements to go get dinner on our own, and pay for it out of pocket. 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. 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 Whatever happens, weve seen it. My oldest son was scheduled to take a school trip to Peru next year. Attention to what, though? Had it been a different group of personalities, Im not sure how it would have gone. For a quick overnight in Milan on our way to Florence, we stayed at and AS Hotel in Limbiate. And, this hotel was a truck stop on the M1. If EF Tours does not respond or refuses to issue a full refund, the next step is to file a complaint with the BBB. Vouchers issued and redeemed by the original traveler may not be combined with future discounts, scholarships, or other special incentives if the same discounts, scholarships, or other special incentives existed on the original tour. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Press J to jump to the feed. "You can accept a travel voucher with no penalties, or you can accept a. EF Tours charged each participant $60. Although it did seem that everywhere we went in Italy, anyone who was gluten free or dairy free was served watermelon for dessert. My daughter wanted to go with members of her class on this great trip with EF tours. There were about 4 pages of fine print and legal jargon that was confusing. Tickets to the entire estate are free for those under 18 years old and cost under $30 USD for anyone else, and thats without a group discount. EF has the group leader/teacher set up deadlines for signing up to go on the trip, sometimes including small discounts to encourage enrollment. Toll-free 1-877-974-7462 ext. Travelers or their transferees can redeem the voucher for this available refund at any time prior to September 30, 2025. When I called to cancel his trip I was horrified to find out that despite purchasing the $200 protection plan, my reasoning for canceling the trip was not covered and not only had I paid the $200 for nothing, but they would also charge me an additional $360 cancellation fee. My AT&T bill is wrong. The key is to take the right steps and document all communication. About 3-4 months before our trip, and after we had already paid IN FULL, we were notified that because of our small group, our group leader had only signed 5 people up..hindsight tells me people saw what a rip off it was and didn't sign up to take it in the rear from EF. It sounds great, but as a responsible parent, you want to know exactly what youd be sending your child off to do, and how things would actually work on this trip. The next group dinner was at a Polish restaurant where the group was served a fried chicken patty and french fries. Call 800-992-1892 to enroll. The vast majority of the other students spent most of their time getting drunk and vaping. Transfer of COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher. I can't believe they can demand reasons for dismissal even with all the Hippa Laws. Politeness. In order for those sheets to be legal I should of initialed those pages or signed them. Original scheduled departure was on or before May 14, 2020. It is very expensive, and I'm just hoping for a positive experience. Our dates were finally confirmed about two months before our departure. by | Oct 29, 2021 | how to stop gypsophila smelling | groomsman proposal funny | Oct 29, 2021 | how to stop gypsophila smelling | groomsman proposal funny A Comprehensive Guide, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? Did they create a good experience for students who havent done a lot of international traveling? Vouchers are not redeemable for their full cash equivalent. EF Tours is a travel company that specializes in international tours for students. Email insurance@riskstrategiestravel.com. Travel Company efeducationaltours eftours eftours Photos See all Videos See all 1:02 crank up antenna tower for sale. IS this the only forum about this place? While the London Eye excursion seemed to go well for those who went on it, it was over priced. Vrbo took my $1,270! How to get your money back from a Zelle scam or accidental money transfer, This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. Its been eight months. 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. Is there any way I can get around it? The only times it seemed like we werent late was when we had to catch a flight, a train, or a ferry. Some days our tour guide would set up a lunch option for us, having arranged a preset menu and price with a local restaurant. For the first four nights during our stays in London and Paris, we were sent to Hilton Hotels. I work for a competitor of EF and have about a million reasons why groups that go with them get ripped off. All transportation arrangements are made by EF Tours, including flights, buses, trains, etc. My son didn't create this problem, and it's not his fault. They promised the moon, but did not deliver. Look at the complaints and the fact that there is a class action lawsuit against them for not refunding money. I had some incredible experiences in some amazing locations with my only daughter, and I wouldnt trade that for the world. However, I was never allowed to speak with management. 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. She told us we only had five minutes to use the restroom and get back on the bus. 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. In what universe is this considered acceptable?!?!?!? What EF products can a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher be applied to? A COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher can be exchanged at any point prior to its stated expiration date for a cash refund option based on the original scheduled departure date of the tour program. 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. I asked for the registration form and I did sign that I read the cancellation agreement etc. 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. I was told that they only charge whats been deposited. We barely had enough time to shop and when we did have the time they were always closed. At the time of this publication, EF Tours has been notified of this unacceptable hotel and has yet to respond. Our specific tour featured quite a daunting itinerary. During our entire time in London, we were not once served any traditional English food. To make matters worse, EF Tours often refuses to issue refunds even after customers have submitted evidence of their dissatisfaction. When we reached Italy, things changed a bit. EF tours looks like another fish altogether.a money-making venture of little value for the parents. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? how to get a full refund from ef tours. I could go on and on. Other than the local tour guides and maybe the tiramisu class, I wouldnt call just visiting these historic places an experiential learning activity.. It was absolutely fantastic. EF has staff on the ground, 365 days a year, in over 50 countries to assist you in times of need. Sometimes it seemed inevitable, like when we were stuck in an airport or train station. It was kind of like a tasting menu, where you got a little bit of each destination. Parents have paid thousands of dollars for student tours abroad -- and those refunds aren't coming. All opinions are my own, and all costs were paid out of our pocket for this experience. Where is it? Saturday 25 March - London, The O2. If you want any other info or even wanted to pass my company on to your leaders shoot me a message! Airlines and other travel companies make it so easy for money to flow their way. 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. Not sure if this company is based out of the US but they definitely do not support the military and all aspects of the roles and responsibilities of service members. She had been paying for the trip in installments since 2018. It seemed cool at the time however most countries either had the shops and food places shut down early or be completely closed due to the big games. Cancellation Terms when Rebooking with a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher. Our "hotels" were in suburbs, a great distance outside of the beautiful towns we were to visit. Also told cancellation fee is now $400 not the $300 listed. Lodging: Some hotel chains may be loosening their cancellation policies, waiving change and cancellation fees that would normally apply to non-refundable rates. It's just all circular and I can't get anywhere. About Ultimate Break tours Meals, transportation, Tour Directors, pace, customization, and who you'll be traveling with. She had us walking everywhere (1 1/2 mile from our hotel to the bus stop each day. Once you get the notification for your EF ATM adjustment you should have access to the full amount of funds you deposited. It includes time, money, convenience, and many other factors. I am not canceling the trip, but yet I am the one. And honestly I'm a little sad about canceling, but even trips on groupon are more affordableand a little less PG haha. There were no linens or towels available to him whatsoever. Although she sent Expedia all of her receipts, the online travel agency refused to refund the unused leg or the new ticket she had to buy. People are requiredLISTENrequired to purchase the Global Protection Plan. In Rome, it was a tiramisu cooking class. It will cover topics such as contacting EF Tours directly, filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), disputing the charge with your credit card company, and seeking legal advice. 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. All travel needs to be departing prior to the COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher expiration date. Hi, I recently made a deposit to my bank of 12,400. We were late to our tour of the Colosseum in Rome. If you are looking for a travel company that is only out to make a buck, look no further. Tour participants are also given access to an EF Tours App, that just lists your daily itinerary for your trip. They make go in circles and have excuse after excuse. 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. That was during our terrible last night in Rome when we had to walk from our hotel to our dinner restaurant through some pretty sketchy areas of the city. I asked the front desk to remedy this, but it was never addressed, and we had to repeat the blind search for our rooms every time we went up. The first step to getting a full refund from EF Tours is to contact the company directly. The Education First class action seeks at least $5 million in restitution damages and injunctive relief preventing the company from refusing full cash refunds. Miguel Suro, a Florida attorney who writes a personal finance blog called Rich Miser, says if no is the answer, you need to appeal to someone who can turn it into a yes., For airlines, if you get nowhere with the airline itself and have a valid claim, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation, he says. 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). The airline say to call the company that is organizing. 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. Travelers or their transferees can redeem the voucher for this available refund at any time prior to September 30, 2025. I went on my trip June 11, 2014-June 25, 2014. We enjoyed a truly magical and unexpected sunset under the Eiffel Tower in Paris. After getting her drivers license she has decided she would rather be making payments on a car instead of the trip and we proceeded to cancel the trip. Each was wonderfully successful! When you travel with EF, you get the benefits of our 55+ years of experience and our unmatched global network. Your Group Leader may choose from the following options: Work with EF to modify your group's current tour itinerary and dates, or find a new tour and apply all money paid to the new tour. For what it's worth 4k for a scotland ireland trip is definitely too much. 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. This was saddening but completely understandable. The first thing to keep in mind is that there are alcohol restrictions with these tours. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. I cancelled my daughters trip to Greece. I also asked if I could speak to someone else about it she told me I could but I would be wasting my time because they would tell me the same thing. Yes, even though quarantine is a covered reason for a full refund, EF Tours CHARGED members $$ a significant amount of money thus negating a full refund. He ended up sleeping on a towel laid out on the sofa with a travel neck pillow, that had been provided to him by his daughter from her room. Four boys were also booked in a room in London with only a king sized bed! Consumers who booked domestic trips through the EF Explore America tours program should call 888-333-9756 to request a refund.