Check with the hotel for your options. For the most part, I felt quite safe during our trip. Our lead teacher did this as well. They are basically stealing our money and find this to be okay. Outside of Heidelberg we stayed in a gymnasium dormitory (German high school) that was out for the summer. With patience and persistence, you should eventually be able to get a full refund from EF Tours. But relinquishing that control does require a certain amount of trust. We were encouraged to invite friends and family to join us on the tour, whether or not they were associated with our school or even local to our area. For detailed information about the safety and coverage programs that apply to your tour, please choose your departure date below. I could go on and on. Submit a Claim - Risk Strategies Travel They are making a profit off of cancellations!!!! Our first group dinner in London was at a Korean restaurant where the group was served a hot stone bibimbap with chicken. The front desk did not seem to care and we were told no one was available to come clean the bathrooms. - Get inspired with the latest travel guides, tips, and stories from our team. Get the best deals for oil filter for john deere l110 at eBay. If you're seeking an EF Tours. Our group was quite good about being on time to meet up locations with a couple of small exceptions that could not be helped. This hotel was a bit older than the Hiltons wed stayed in, but it was clean, spacious, and comfortable. You may wish to spend time at your destinations before or after the scheduled tour. She was more worried about herself and her family I guess. Cancellation Terms when Rebooking with a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher. They also charged me $189 for insurance I declined. Settling with a debit card, a check or even a wire transfer means the money is gone. 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. They informed me that my type of service is not recognized and I would not be covered. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. A COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher retains the value of all money paid into a travelers account which can be applied to any EF tours or language product with a departure date prior to the COVID-19 Future Travel Vouchers expiration date. You're in!) In most cases, refunds can be issued electronically with the funds being sent directly back to your current account on file. Prefieres leer en espaol? Vouchers are not redeemable for their full cash equivalent. General sale starts at 9am . They want to keep $1000 each child therefore I will loss $2000. I can't believe they can demand reasons for dismissal even with all the Hippa Laws. 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. If all other attempts to get a full refund from EF Tours fail, it may be time to seek legal advice. This hotel was significantly older than the other three we had stayed at, but it was still clean and comfortable. 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. 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 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. COVID-19 ruined my travel plans. Now what? | Consumer Advice Email insurance@riskstrategiestravel.com. They both were on the higher end of what I expected based on the descriptions provided by EF Tours of what our hotels would be like. EF provides a Tour Director to accompany your group through the entire trip. 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. Travelers should expect to receive a refund approximately 4-6 weeks after it is requested. Most of the time we had no idea where we were headed when we were walking to different locations. 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. My kids are going on an EF tour in March. I really did expect there to be more education involved in what we did while on our tour. Our Safety & Incident Response team is available 24/7 and we have a resource network of industry experts, healthcare professionals, and government personnel who liaise with local embassies, government authorities, and health providers. Of course we were served a lot of pasta, but we also had braised beef in tomato sauce, gnocchi, and pizza. Curfews and group rules were left up to our group leader, who didnt set many boundaries for our students. I am now leaning towards not going with this tour and planning our own itinerary and trip. 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. Class Action Seeks Refunds from WorldStrides for Trips Canceled We had ample notice and knew what to expect. EF books all travelers in economy class seats for all transportation methods. I overlooked all that because it was time spent with my daughter. * (Smithsonian Student Travel repeat travelers will receive a The tour dates are as follows: Thursday 23 March - Manchester, AO Arena. The traveler can then utilize the remaining portion of the COVID-19 Voucher on another EF product for themselves or a member of their immediate family or community. EF Tours was contacted today also and there response was they aren't responsible for the insurance company. 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. EF has staff on the ground, 365 days a year, in over 50 countries to assist you in times of need. Experts say you shouldnt use a credit card dispute unless you have no other choice, which is to say the travel company wont refund your purchase even though its agreed to do so. Several items listed on our initial brochure were changed before the trip due to pandemic restrictions and travel challenges, which was fine. (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.) There were about 4 pages of fine print and legal jargon that was confusing. Thus far I've paid off $1,500. Our "hotels" were in suburbs, a great distance outside of the beautiful towns we were to visit. allego spac presentation lake placid skating rink how to get a full refund from ef tours. We were able to marvel at the unparalleled artwork inside St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican. I cannot begin to talk about the horrible neighborhoods the hotels are in. Id say yes. Call 877-485-4184 to enroll, EF Ultimate Break EF Tours - Home | Facebook As a result, the plaintiffs and thousands of others have suffered "direct and consequential financial damage . My first was as a parent going with my 15-year-old along with a group of about 20 kids (from a . The menu included a plate with 1 chicken drumstick, a handful of french fries, and a wimpy green salad with one tomato slice. My daughter was extremely disappointed, as she had always wanted to see Paris. Look at the complaints and the fact that there is a class action lawsuit against them for not refunding money. 29 Jun, 2022 . Call 800-665-5364 to enroll, EF Language Schools In my opinion they are if they hired them to insure these trips they should make good on there promises to get you to buy the insurance. 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. 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. 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. He went as part of a group of senior high school students on a school sponsored trip. Breakfast is provided each day at the hotel, usually continental style, but sometimes with hot offerings just depending on your hotel. About Ultimate Break tours Meals, transportation, Tour Directors, pace, customization, and who you'll be traveling with. Enroll online or call 800-766-2645, EF Go Ahead Tours 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. When you travel with EF, you get the benefits of our 55+ years of experience and our unmatched global network. Also, keep every email and receipt. EF Educational Tours Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of www I just put a downpayment for our trip to Europe next summer. In addition the insurance company retained by EF initially declined to pay to have my son evacuated from Cost Rica. We told to make sure we ate lunch after our tour, before rejoining the group to get on the bus. Meals on the tour ran the gamut from weird to stellar, but overall were not to bad. I think communicating with the group more about where were going could have avoided some sticky situations that a few of our travelers found themselves in when they were left behind. This company is a complete scam. Travel Company efeducationaltours eftours eftours Photos See all Videos See all 1:02 To make matters worse, EF Tours often refuses to issue refunds even after customers have submitted evidence of their dissatisfaction. Im not sure if the lunch situations were like this because of our tour guide or because of EF itself. Patience. When my husband and I decided to send our daughter, we felt like one of us should go with her since she was only 15 at the time we went on the trip, and had not traveled internationally like this before. Dinners seemed to improve when we got to France. Against my better judgement. Note that this is a salesperson who will try to sway you into "changing your destination, adjusting dates or setting up a new payment plan to make paying for your trip easier" according to their help center. Those options were usually something like a burger, pizza or a cold sandwich. 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 . Accommodations and rooming Hotels and hostels, rooms and roommates, amenities, and upgrades. The school uses them for all there spring break trips and this is very disappointing that they are doing this to us. Between Florence and Rome, we spent the night at the Hotel Villa Ricci (not pictured). EF Tours uses a wide range of airlines, and travelers do not get to indicate a preference. For example, on our first full day of the trip, we visited the Tower of London. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Read more, Copyright 2023 Chaotically Yours | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. If requested after enrollment and up to 130 days before departure, the fee is $195. 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. Full list of UK dates. 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. And if that doesnt work well, you can always contact me. 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. 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. I loved knowing that I could write my own tour, knowing that every detail would be done right. Senior trips that were canceled by EF Explore America Tours due to the Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak should be refunded in FULL, ALL travelers' trip costs minus the travel protection plan cost per traveler since the reason for cancellation was out of the school or the travelers' control. As for hotels, travelers know very little about where they are staying ahead of time. My daughter insisted on being signed up for her school trip in 2020. Two meals a day are included in the cost of a trip with EF Tours. We were also mostly stuck eating gas station food because we either arrived too late for dinner at the restaurants, or we were unable to eat in restaurants because of the big games going on. When he asked for these items at the front desk, he was told that we should have called earlier to request them since they were all locked up in a cabinet by the time we arrived at the hotel. About Ultimate Break tours Meals, transportation, Tour Directors, pace, customization, and who you'll be traveling with. 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. Well isn't that what insurance is for??? Have had 2 separate travel experiences with EF. Boston In an assurance of discontinuance filed in Suffolk Superior Court, EF Institute for Cultural Exchange Inc. and EF Explore America Inc. (EF) will offer additional cash refunds ranging from $100 to $435 to consumers who booked domestic and international travel through the company scheduled to depart between March 11 and May 14, 2020 that was ultimately cancelled due to the escalating . 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. Flexible Options | EF Explore America By enrolling on an EF Educational Tour pursuant to a COVID-19 Voucher redemption, the traveler is agreeing to the most current version of the Booking Conditions, which is available at www.eftours.com/bc. It was a disaster. Other times it seemed like our guide might be creating these situations by not fully informing us what was available near by. She had us walking everywhere (1 1/2 mile from our hotel to the bus stop each day. Parents lose thousands after annual school trip canceled due to - WAGA Some days our tour guide would set up a lunch option for us, having arranged a preset menu and price with a local restaurant. 2022-2023 EF Discovery Tours Booking Conditions On our way to Southern Italy, we spent the night in Sorrento at Sisters Hostel. It was absolutely fantastic. I was told to call EF to see what my options are. My first year to Europe with a group was through EF Tours. According to the folks on our trip who had special dietary needs, the dinners were pretty good for the most part. EF has the group leader/teacher set up deadlines for signing up to go on the trip, sometimes including small discounts to encourage enrollment. During the tour, your group will meet up with various local guides who will give you some sort of tour of the city or historic site that youre visiting. Has anybody seen anyone of color working in their offices? Our Travel-Ready Approach | EF Go Ahead Tours . We also found that we frequently needed to buy water to stay hydrated in the high temperatures of Italy during the summer, and at most of the locations we visited, water was marked up quite a bit. Does anyone have experience with this type of thing? We also were traveling to all the countries during the world cup. While this may seem like a school trip, it is not. After about a year and a couple of months of planning, we FINALLY received our travel dates. $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 . When Chicago Public Schools canceled all district-sponsored international travel for the upcoming spring break because of the threat of coronavirus, Derek Dattner assumed he would be refunded the. We were assured that our tour director would be with us around the clock, handling local transportation, hotels, and meals while also providing their own insight into the local history and culture.. how to get a full refund from ef tours. For this trip it really came down to adjusting expectations once we were traveling. EF Tours are set up to be hosted by a local teacher who is then designated as the group leader. Teachers are incentivized with free and reduced price travel to recruit students to join their tours. Not by a long shot. 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. We were combined with a group from upstate New York consisting of 14 travelers: one teacher, one adult, one child and 11 students. All I know to do is make this issue public. 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. To request a refund, consumers who booked international trips through EF's Educational Tours program should call 800-665-5364 to request a refund. #2. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress She had been paying for the trip in installments since 2018. Finally, make sure youre dealing with the right company. Having trouble getting a travel refund? These tips can help. On October 22, 2020, Boston-based co-counsel for McGrane PC send a demand letter to the EF Defendants (including EF Explore America Inc., which runs domestic tours) demanding a full refund under Massachusetts consumer protection law which Massachusetts consumer protection law appears to more directly address the requirement that such full . My oldest son was scheduled to take a school trip to Peru next year. 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. Im normally a big fan of Korean food, but this wasnt great. Also told cancellation fee is now $400 not the $300 listed. We were late to our tours in London, Florence, and the Vatican. I feel like everything was rushed. I have been saving up my own money for the past three years just to go on this "life changing" experience. For example, airlines love to send you vouchers, but that funny money expires after a year. They won't tell you which airline or which hotel you will be staying at. 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. We toured Europe for 12 days, visiting sites in London, Paris, Florence, Rome, Pompeii and Capri, with no more than two nights in any destination. how to get a full refund from ef tours - igas.co.za how to get a full refund from ef tours . While the London Eye excursion seemed to go well for those who went on it, it was over priced. What EF products can a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher be applied to? We also had the unfortunate luck of awful traffic. Just keep your expectations realistic. 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. As a parent considering an EF Tour for my teenager, I know safety was a big concern for me. Press J to jump to the feed. how to get a full refund from ef tours how to get a full refund from ef tours Worry-free guarantee; If you cancel the booking within 60 days from the reservation date, you are entitled to a full refund. These usually include some special activity or visit to an additional landmark. Technics in Management Transfer inverness animal clinic. All breakfasts were served at our hotels. Call 800-665-5364 to enroll, EF Tours for High School Graduates She signed up October 1 and we had to cancel Oct 14 due to conflicts with my work schedule. Evidently, just before the drop deadline, the other boys in our group dropped out because of cost, and he's the lone boy traveling from our school with a group of girls. Save up to $300. 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. how to get a full refund from ef tours - nakedeyeballs.com This Tour Director is supposed to handle just about everything on your tour, including all your pre-booked accommodations, meals, excursions, tickets, and transfers. Thanks. The EF Go Ahead Tours app supports and connects our global community. And the airlines deferred to Expedia. EF tours looks like another fish altogether.a money-making venture of little value for the parents. Your password has been sent to the specified email address. If you happen to wander around the Charles River, it is worth of walking toward the Zakim Bridge and stopping by North Point Park. Europe is a wonderful place, and I love traveling there. Global Travel Protection plans | Coverage & flexibility | EF Tours Help Center: Payments & policies EF's industry-leading safety & coverage programs When you travel with EF, you get the benefits of our 55+ years of experience and our unmatched global network. EF Tours - complaintboard.com 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. 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. to my lawyer for resolution of a full refund. 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. On the second night we had a traditional Alsatian dish called Flammekueche, which was sort of like a pizza with a creamy sauce. Pricing of products and services. Parents frustrated with EF Tours not giving full refunds - WRTV Transfer to a comparable tour. Here's how we make world travel easy. This isnt to say that we didnt learn anything on our trip. There were a total of 40 people on our tour. 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. Getting a full refund from EF Tours can be a difficult process, but it is possible. how to get a full refund from ef tours - anmolsahota.com 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. I cant guarantee this Ive advocated many cases where a company promised a refund in writing but it can help. Instructions on how to request a refund are located on the COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher page, which can be found on the traveler secure site. 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). Friday 24 March - London, The O2. My son had a very poor experience with the Grecian Odyssey EF tours. You can call EF Ultimate Break at 1-800-766-2645. As you can imagine the difference between 0 and 55 is immaculate and only caused problems throughout the entire trip. I checked our beds for bedbugs and thankfully did not find any. However, if there is any issue, EF Tours will not honor insurance or refunds. Trip management Picking a trip, how . 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. Call 800-992-1892 to enroll. Our tour left some of these promises unfulfilled, but did give us a glimpse at some fantastic destinations in Europe and some amazing memories. So, no refund. Lodging: Some hotel chains may be loosening their cancellation policies, waiving change and cancellation fees that would normally apply to non-refundable rates. Lunches were always a gamble. The only options available to us were food trucks along the river right next to the Tower complex. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? What can we do with this company? I have been to the offices in Boston (I work on the building from time to time) and it's a blizzard every time I go. Our tour guide didnt seem to have this mentality. Five families who are very angry with EF Educational Tours have. Recently I was notified by EF Tours that my child was cancelled from the tour after paying off almost whole trip price. The trip total came to around $4,000. Parents furious student tours not offering full refunds - WCPO 9 News Also out of all four excursions throughout the trip, THREE OF THEM WERE CANCELLED! Again, we found these rooms to be clean and pretty comfortable. Seems a little steep for cancelling a trip that is still almost 2 years away. Whatever you need, well handle it. 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. One of the techniques Ive developed as a consumer advocate is called the three Ps. It works great on refunds.