Several items listed on our initial brochure were changed before the trip due to pandemic restrictions and travel challenges, which was fine. Students and parents can then sign up directly through the EF Tours website, and submit all payments directly to the company. That is INSANE. 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. There were some areas that I would definitely trust EF to arrange again, and other areas where I really think they could do better. As a working class family that was attempting to give our child a wonder experience, I am outraged that a company would gain such a profit off of a cancellation! And, this hotel was a truck stop on the M1. By skipping the London Eye, we were able to have a bit more time to explore and plenty of time to enjoy our pub dinner that we mentioned earlier since the London Eye excursion was timed to happen right before dinner. I called EF and they directed me to the insurance company-which is an absolute rip off. Travel companies love to keep your money, even when theyre not supposed to. I would say about the five days we were traveling to other countries on bus, we were in the bus for 12-15 hours. 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. 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. They have tarnished their reputation and people are not as comfortable traveling with them anymore. I will say that the class was a fun experience at a great location, and we all enjoyed the desserts we made together. He went as part of a group of senior high school students on a school sponsored trip. But some days lunch was great. Enroll online or call 800-766-2645, EF Explore America We did have some great cultural experiences while we traveled. If you pay by credit card, you should receive a refund to that credit card. In Italy, the dinners were quite good. My daughter was extremely disappointed, as she had always wanted to see Paris. She had us walking everywhere (1 1/2 mile from our hotel to the bus stop each day. It's just all circular and I can't get anywhere. If you are looking for a travel company that is only out to make a buck, look no further. The first was in 2018. 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! How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? EF books all travelers in economy class seats for all transportation methods. 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. Did EF Tours create the trip of my dreams? While not happy with that amount I understood. 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. 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. The purpose of this article is to provide a step-by-step guide on how to get a full refund from EF Tours. So Hignite and other parents contacted EF Tours, to learn they could get only vouchers, or pay a penalty to cancel. Im thrilled to share all my ideas with you and hope you like what you find here in my little home on the internet. I cant guarantee this Ive advocated many cases where a company promised a refund in writing but it can help. Overall, breakfasts were adequate throughout the trip. Persistence. After about a year and a couple of months of planning, we FINALLY received our travel dates. Be informed, says Michael Foguth, founder of Foguth Financial Group in Brighton, Michigan. We werent left with much recourse, since this was a group trip and we were on our last night, so we decided to just grin and bear it, and did our best to get some sleep. We were also promised to be able to be in walking distance from our hotels to the big cities in the countries we were staying in however in each country we were at minimum one hour away from the cities. The vast majority of the other students spent most of their time getting drunk and vaping. 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. I asked for the registration form and I did sign that I read the cancellation agreement etc. 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. For detailed information about the safety and coverage programs that apply to your tour, please choose your departure date below. 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. Dont accept vouchers or points. Due to traffic and bad timing we traveled. According to a survey conducted by Consumer Reports, one in three travelers who booked tours with EF Tours did not receive a full refund when they attempted to cancel their trip. Out of that $550, $95 is the none refundable deposit but come on, the rest if ridiculous, especially when the cancellation request is made OVER A YEAR in advance. Be sure to document all communication with your credit card company so that you can refer back to it if necessary. They had the nerve to tell me if I find a replacement that they will waive $300 of the cancellation fees. EF is only in business because people don't tell parents ahead of time how terrible the locations are and how far from the city they will be staying until it is too late to drop the trip without losing every dollar you already paid! 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. In spite of these two disastrous group travel experiences with EF Tours, I LOVED organizing and leading tours to Europe. Wherever you are, were thereand we understand that, in todays ever-changing world, travelers are looking for more flexibility than ever before. Once you get the notification for your EF ATM adjustment you should have access to the full amount of funds you deposited. Vrbo took my $1,270! But in the most frustrating example, during our time in Paris a visit to the Frogonard Perfume Museum was added to our itinerary. Pricing of products and services. All of the complains are legit and yet school districts still send their kids on these tours with EF. We were told we would receive a check from Ef Tours in 2 to 4 weeks for approx. If you have general questions about your enrollment in the travel . Travelers should expect to receive a refund approximately 4-6 weeks after it is requested. All dinners were set up at local restaurants before our arrival. Traveler's first name: Traveler's last name: Traveler's account number: For cancellations and refunds, call 1-800-USA-RAIL. Things took a turn for the worse on our last night of the tour, when we stayed at Hotel La Pergola in Rome. (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.) While these options are available, the bread and butter of the company is the basic high school student tour which is what we took. Only the EF Go Ahead Tours allow alcohol for adult travelers. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Original scheduled departure was on or before May 14, 2020. In Paris our group had to travel by Metro clear across town for our dinner. Interested students and parents are invited to attend informational meetings either in person or virtually where the group leader/teacher goes over the itinerary and any questions potential participants may have. have zero control or influence on these trips. For example, while we were driving across Italy, she had our driver stop at a large gas station for a bathroom stop. 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. For many years I organized and lead group tours to Europe for my college. 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. . All travel needs to be departing prior to the COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher expiration date. While this may seem like a school trip, it is not. What kind of money the travel company wants to send you, for starters. 110 comments. Hi! This may or may not be true or all groups that are traveling with EF. Things like this happened over and over again throughout the trip. Im a wife, a mom, a crafter, a Disney fan, and a french fry connoisseur. 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! About Ultimate Break tours Meals, transportation, Tour Directors, pace, customization, and who you'll be traveling with. As for hotels, travelers know very little about where they are staying ahead of time. Do you have any questions about EF Tours that I didnt answer? Trips like this EF Tour require students to be pretty mature when it comes to safety. It was quite nice not to have to worry about any of that. I just hope the tour goes well. I registered my son and I to go on a tour in June 2017. She collected it before we left. By and large, our students respected this request and did not take advantage of the lowered drinking age to go and party it up. :? Is The Royal Caribbean Key Program Really Worth It? 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. Consumers who booked domestic trips through the EF Explore America tours program should call 888-333-9756 to request a refund. Finally, make sure youre dealing with the right company. That seems to be the question at hand here. It is a trip run by a business who just happens to recruit participants through the school system. It was a disaster. What can a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher be used for? 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 Southern Italy, we spent the night in Sorrento at Sisters Hostel. 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. If your Group Leader has chosen not to reschedule your original tour/program, you will receive a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher valued at 100% of monies paid toward your original tour/program. We had ample notice and knew what to expect. If I cancel, I lose about $400 in cancellation fees. Now it wont refund my $3,606. They should be ashamed of themselves. Edited: 11 years ago . She had been paying for the trip in installments since 2018. I always like to start my reviews by reminding you that I was not compensated in any way to write this post. We were so late to our tour of Pompeii. 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. Required fields are marked *. Here are some of the most effective coronavirus refund tips: Negotiate politely. 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. 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. Seems a little steep for cancelling a trip that is still almost 2 years away. She signed up October 1 and we had to cancel Oct 14 due to conflicts with my work schedule. Lost one full day of 8 day tour. Our tour left some of these promises unfulfilled, but did give us a glimpse at some fantastic destinations in Europe and some amazing memories. EF provides a Tour Director to accompany your group through the entire trip. Hence the lawsuit (in CA 2020, look it up). EF Tours Return & Refund Policies. Wherever you are, were thereand we understand that, in todays ever-changing world, travelers are looking for more flexibility than ever before. Explain the situation and ask them to dispute the charge. While on tour, there was only one time that I felt like our group was taken to an unsafe area. We did not get to select from a menu and were all served the same thing each night, with the exception of those who had special dietary needs. fender american professional ii vs ultra. Now I've fought this as much as I could. EF Tours is definitely a budget tour company, and for the price, you do get a good experience. At the time of this publication, EF Tours has been notified of this unacceptable hotel and has yet to respond. Get the best deals for oil filter for john deere l110 at eBay. 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. The first step to getting a full refund from EF Tours is to contact the company directly. Some of it was just bad luck however I feel like most of it was EF tours being lazy and not trying to help make the experience the best that it could have been. Things started off badly when we discovered that the lights in all the hallways were not on, and that we had to hunt around with our cell phone flashlights to find our way to our rooms. Additional fees may apply if requested between 129-90 days before departure. Welcome to Chaotically Yours. Also, keep every email and receipt. 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. Which btw the ticket was $100!!! There is a $95 non-refundable deposit + $300 cancellation fee (totals to around $400). Students can expect to room with one to three other students, and possibly have to share beds. Dinners seemed to improve when we got to France. Usually if you haven't paid in full you could get a cancel for any reason insurance which will give you about 75% back. It's essential for customers to examine a seller's return policy before . It was absolutely fantastic. 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. And pay attention.. If you want any other info or even wanted to pass my company on to your leaders shoot me a message! You can call EF Ultimate Break at 1-800-766-2645. Once I realized that time would be much more limited at every destination than I expected it to be, the trip went much more smoothly. The team will contact you and assist you thereafter. 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. Can I exchange my COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher for a Cash Refund Option? I think I would, but I would definitely choose a slower paced itinerary with more time in each destination. Id say yes. EF has staff on the ground, 365 days a year, in over 50 countries to assist you in times of need. If not used for travel, a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher can be exchanged for a refund of all money paid into a travelers account less $500. Theme: Newsup by Themeansar. Four boys were also booked in a room in London with only a king sized bed! General sale starts at 9am . Our first group dinner in London was at a Korean restaurant where the group was served a hot stone bibimbap with chicken. Four students are continuously placed in rooms meant for two people. COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher Parents have paid thousands of dollars for student tours abroad -- and those refunds aren't coming. Tour participants may also choose to upgrade the insurance for the tour. Image courtesy: EF Go Ahead Tours Benefits of EF Go Ahead Tours. I will not let this go if need be I will take them to court and sue there asses. I cancelled my daughters trip to Greece. Three weeks after enrolling, our circumstances changed so I called to cancel, expecting to pay the $95 cancellation fee x2. The design and architecture of the building are very unique and modern contemporary. My daughter wanted to go with members of her class on this great trip with EF tours. It was kind of like a tasting menu, where you got a little bit of each destination. You may wish to spend time at your destinations before or after the scheduled tour. 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. Parents are upset that a student tour company won't give full refunds for canceled European vacations. It has been no surprise that management NEVER called. For ten of the eleven nights of our trip, we were provided with clean, safe accommodations that lived up to what the EF Tours website told us to expect. 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. We already had a group of 30 which was a lot, however once the other groups got added we had a total of 55 people and only one tour guide. I booked a trip with our homeschool "trip club" to do EF's Great Britain tour with a 2 day extension to Paris. You dont always have to appeal to the government. Did we mention it's free? While the teacher recruiting students is designated as your group leader, they dont actually lead the tour once you start traveling. - Make a personalized map of where you've been and where you want to go. 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. 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. 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. Call 877-485-4184 to enroll, EF Ultimate Break Between Florence and Rome, we spent the night at the Hotel Villa Ricci (not pictured). 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. Often, a brief, polite written appeal to someone higher up can do wonders. I have a passion for learning and enjoy explaining complex concepts in a simple way. This hotel was significantly older than the other three we had stayed at, but it was still clean and comfortable. We did not have enough free time (which we were promised). By using this website you agree to our Cookies Policy. I went on my trip June 11, 2014-June 25, 2014. 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. We were combined with a group from upstate New York consisting of 14 travelers: one teacher, one adult, one child and 11 students. I sent the letter and will contact them again Monday to try and get answers. They won't tell you which airline or which hotel you will be staying at. We had a wonderful group of kids who took their personal safety pretty seriously, and didnt take unnecessary risks that would put them in jeopardy. It includes time, money, convenience, and many other factors. 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. Give the system a chance to work before filing a chargeback. Im not opposed to tipping but tips need to be earned and for him to request a set amount doesnt sit well with me. 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. hearts shooters choice; clark county police scanner; elton john albums in order the unforeseen. All total they are withholding $760. Did you purchase trip insurance? Be nice! 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. Settling with a debit card, a check or even a wire transfer means the money is gone. Why is no one investigating them for fraudulent business practices, deceptive practices, false advertisement, etc, etc, etc?? A money grab. So your kid just came home from school with a gorgeous full color brochure about an upcoming trip to Europe with EF Tours that one of their teachers is leading. 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. This significantly hindered what we were able to see at our destinations, and made the whole tour seemed very rushed every day. My mom is part of a tour departing for a 10 day trip to Europe. 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. That's the advice of Laurie Guest, an author who specializes in travel and customer service. My first year to Europe with a group was through EF Tours. No one asked to go there, and most of us seemed annoyed that we were stopping. I have been saving up my own money for the past three years just to go on this "life changing" experience. We were served in a huge warehouse, with 20 other large tour groups. When you travel with EF, you get the benefits of our 55+ years of experience and our unmatched global network.