One thing is guaranteed. Im not sure what EF added to the experience to warrant that upcharge. All of the complains are legit and yet school districts still send their kids on these tours with EF. The Education First class action seeks at least $5 million in restitution damages and injunctive relief preventing the company from refusing full cash refunds. However, we had already paid and were still excited to be spending 2 weeks in Europe together. Which btw the ticket was $100!!! 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. EF claims that they are the least expensiveYou get what you pay for. She had a black eye and blood in her eyeball for the entire trip. Do you have any questions about EF Tours that I didnt answer? I was told to call EF to see what my options are. Accommodations and rooming Hotels and hostels, rooms and roommates, amenities, and upgrades. EF, as a company, offers may types of tours ranging from group trips for adults to organized gap years for high school graduates. When Will Hawaiis Safe Travels Program End? Recently I was notified by EF Tours that my child was cancelled from the tour after paying off almost whole trip price. I went on my trip June 11, 2014-June 25, 2014. Frugality is the mental approach we each take when considering our resource allocations. Were going to start with the breakdown of how things work with EF and what to expect as a participant or a parent, and then move on to our specific experience with our tour. The bus driver was a surly Dutch man, who was gruff and impossible. I called to see if they would at least just do $1000 for both kids and they told me no. Worry-free guarantee; If you cancel the booking within 60 days from the reservation date, you are entitled to a full refund. I was super excited to go experience 6 countries however from day one everything seemed to go wrong. The biggest problem I saw with safety was when our Tour Guide would take off walking at a breakneck speed, frequently leaving half our group stuck at crosswalks or a few turns behind. For example, while we were driving across Italy, she had our driver stop at a large gas station for a bathroom stop. Of course we were served a lot of pasta, but we also had braised beef in tomato sauce, gnocchi, and pizza. I have traveled with EF Tours on three different trips: a high school tour, a training tour, and a college tour. Breakfast and dinner every day were included in what we paid for our tour. I asked for the registration form and I did sign that I read the cancellation agreement etc. We got to listen to an orchestra perform in Piazza della Signoria in Florence. Tours are advertised by the group leader/teacher to students at their school and to their local community. EF will make accomodations for those with specific dietary needs, such as gluten free or dairy free meals. They also provide a fundraising page, where friends and family can pay EF directly to offset the cost of your trip. I work for a competitor of EF and have about a million reasons why groups that go with them get ripped off. "You can accept a travel voucher with no penalties, or you can accept a. 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. We've got you covered. We are currently preparing to issue the refund you recently requested. They are so many other excellent companies out there. Tune Up Kit Oil Air Filter Kit for John Deere L130 G100 G110 SABRE 2554. According to their website, EF claims to design tours to help educators teach, and so students can learn moreabout tolerance, other perspectives, and themselves.. 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. 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. And honestly I'm a little sad about canceling, but even trips on groupon are more affordableand a little less PG haha. 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. Since the legal drinking age in the areas we visited was 18, student who met this requirement were allowed to drink alcohol on our trip, but were asked to limit it to one drink with dinner. On June 20th we called them to verify and were told our claim was denied and we wouldn't be receiving anything back from them. If requested after enrollment and up to 130 days before departure, the fee is $195. crank up antenna tower for sale. General sale starts at 9am . Getting a full refund from EF Tours can be a difficult process. 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. Hursh can still be heard on the buses as well as the Magical Express. So they offered vouchers that were only good for up to 18 monthsUP TO 18 MONTHS! If you change your mind, you have 60 days to receive a refund of all money paid (including your deposit! EF Go Ahead Tours also allows you to change the date of tour or destination up until your final payment day. 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. While they still stuck with four students to a room, several of the student rooms had enough beds to sleep up to 12 people. Kinda defeats the whole concept of insurance. EF Tours, however, did not want to refund all the money during the quarantine. 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. how to get a full refund from ef tours. 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! 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. 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. 321. The tiramisu cooking class in Rome was not optional for our group for some reason. 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. $900 which we did. 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. I don't even know how it is legal to have these moron bastards do business. Travelers or their transferees can redeem the voucher for this available refund at any time prior to September 30, 2025. Our specific tour featured quite a daunting itinerary. Has anybody been to the office of EF? We were able to marvel at the unparalleled artwork inside St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican. It is a total scam! Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). Each was wonderfully successful! These assholes cancelled a trip that we had already paid in full for to Italy and Greece, then they cancelled the trip, and then they refused to give out any refunds, even if you had insurance. 29 Jun, 2022 . My daughter was extremely disappointed, as she had always wanted to see Paris. The company is known for its strict refund policies and lack of customer service. EF has staff on the ground, 365 days a year, in over 50 countries to assist you in times of need. The reviews of the food were always " not enough food and mediocre food". These added stops almost always involved additional costs as well, which we were not informed of before leaving for our trip. Getting a full refund from EF Tours can be a difficult process, but it is possible. 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. 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. Her itinerary, booked through Expedia, included several airlines. Why am I being charged a total of $550 in cancellation fees? Before our tour, the group leaded made sure every person who showed an interest in going on the trip got the glossy, full color brochure that outlined our itinerary and told us what to expect on the tour. While this may seem like a school trip, it is not. 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. Call 800-590-1161 to enroll, EF Tours for Girls 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. Be aware of high-touch surfaces, such as handrails, arm rests, and security bins at the airport, and be sure to wash hands thoroughly after coming in contact with such surfaces, or before any meal. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. In spite of these two disastrous group travel experiences with EF Tours, I LOVED organizing and leading tours to Europe. Have had 2 separate travel experiences with EF. Your email address will not be published. Vacation rental mistakes every family makes (but you shouldnt), This is how to fight a hotel billing error and win. I hope your child knows that they will be sharing a bed with their roommates even if they are traveling with another school. Two straight hours of calling the ef tours emergency hotline and no still no answer. For what it's worth 4k for a scotland ireland trip is definitely too much. How to get your money back from a Zelle scam or accidental money transfer, This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. If EF Tours does not respond or refuses to issue a full refund, the next step is to file a complaint with the BBB. They were both located about an hour outside of the city center, but that wasnt too much of a problem. 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. She had us walking everywhere (1 1/2 mile from our hotel to the bus stop each day. Our Tour Director said it was because London is a melting pot of cultures, but our group didnt buy that. 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 . We were combined with a group from upstate New York consisting of 14 travelers: one teacher, one adult, one child and 11 students. One of the destinations was an Island called Tortuga. They can advise you on the best course of action and represent you in court if necessary. EF books all travelers in economy class seats for all transportation methods. Call 800-665-5364 to enroll, EF Language Schools But in the most frustrating example, during our time in Paris a visit to the Frogonard Perfume Museum was added to our itinerary. They also promise to have the lowest price on the market for this type of travel. EF was never concerned about her health or welfare and only accused her of being drunk so they could dodge any responsibility. You might be able to work something out. But when it comes to refunds, they quote rules and policies designed to make it difficult, if not impossible, to get a refund. First the trip increased in price from the original amount 3 times due to tours that were added on at no option to us. I was so angry but nothing was done about it. Also out of all four excursions throughout the trip, THREE OF THEM WERE CANCELLED! Your password has been sent to the specified email address. For this trip it really came down to adjusting expectations once we were traveling. A most unsatisfactory and life changing (m for the worse) experience. Other times it seemed like our guide might be creating these situations by not fully informing us what was available near by. Not a sleeper sofa, but just a hard couch. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. Not only could we barely keep up with the tour guide, but we could not hear him due to he gigantic group and we had to stop every 5 minutes to make sure the entire group was there. Be nice! Consumers who booked domestic trips through the EF Explore America tours program should call 888-333-9756 to request a refund. HOW CAN THIS BE LEGAL??? She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Vouchers are not redeemable for their full cash equivalent. If you dont believe me, ask Melina Jose, who was supposed to fly from Paris to Orlando, Florida, recently. She signed up October 1 and we had to cancel Oct 14 due to conflicts with my work schedule. She and her husband, Jerard, had to pay $437 for new tickets. Additional fees may apply if requested between 129-90 days before departure. 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. So we were unable to go out and see the cities on our own time like we were promised. 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. He paid Vantage $18,536. The front desk attendant seemed more than annoyed anytime someone from our group would approach them, and insisted that we all leave our keys at the front desk when leaving the hotel for dinner that night. They said if we wanted to appeal we had to send them a letter from my company explain why I am no longer employed or show a death certificate that I died. Students and parents can then sign up directly through the EF Tours website, and submit all payments directly to the company. Unfortunately, I had to cancel his trip because my son switched schools and his old school district could not take a non student out of the country. 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. With the backing of a major credit card you can even dispute part or a percentage of the services provided.. To request a refund, consumers who booked international trips through EF's Educational Tours program should call 800-665-5364 to request a refund. I have been pretty disappointed with EF when I call for questions. First, was the chance to rebook the tour at no additional cost to any cities offered . By and large, our students respected this request and did not take advantage of the lowered drinking age to go and party it up. how to get a full refund from ef tours; how to get a full refund from ef tours. Our school will be traveling with three other schools from different parts of the country. There were a total of 40 people on our tour. In most cases, refunds can be issued electronically with the funds being sent directly back to your current account on file. 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. Four kids to a room was common on our tour. Edited: 11 years ago . You dont always have to appeal to the government. Explain the situation and ask them to dispute the charge. If I cancel, I lose about $400 in cancellation fees. I struggled to pay for this trip and now after paying for travel insurance also they are denying full refund. Between Florence and Rome, we spent the night at the Hotel Villa Ricci (not pictured). EF will book with whatever airline has space available for the lowest price for the group. 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. 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. Menu. We were not given specific dates for our trip, but instead we were given a window of time during which the trip would occur. Feel free to ask me in the comments!! I think it's just something they do to alleviate kids carrying too much cash with them. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. 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. Our hotels along the trip started out stellar but seemed to go downhill from there, unfortunately ending in truly unacceptable accommodations. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. EF Tours was contacted today also and there response was they aren't responsible for the insurance company. Things took a turn for the worse on our last night of the tour, when we stayed at Hotel La Pergola in Rome. EF TOURS IS A COMPLETE FRAUD. The purpose of this article is to provide a step-by-step guide on how to get a full refund from EF Tours. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. Overall, the meals on our trip were pretty good, but could definitely have been better. Dinners are are pre-arranged with a preset menu by EF at local restaurants. Be sure to document all communication with your credit card company so that you can refer back to it if necessary. - Keep a travel log of your adventures. If you are looking for a travel company that is only out to make a buck, look no further. By the first week I was already begging to go home and I kept hoping, thinking and praying that things would get better however they never did. we signed my son up for a trip to England , Paris, and Rome. That invoice for antivirus protection is a scam, How a company could easily get a false F rating from the BBB. They should be ashamed of themselves. Whatever happens, weve seen it. We stayed 20 miles outside of Salzburg at a ski resort youth hostel. The team will contact you and assist you thereafter. Unfortunately, frustrated travelers are the norm with most EF Tours. Im thrilled to share all my ideas with you and hope you like what you find here in my little home on the internet. Flights Cost, airlines we use, booking flights, baggage, requests, and managing your flights. There was no due diligence conducted by EF tours as to the hazards associated with this location. EF Tours uses a wide range of airlines, and travelers do not get to indicate a preference. 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. Fully Refundable Booking Period Feel good about your decision by enrolling in AutoPay or paying in full when you book your tour. My first was as a parent going with my 15-year-old along with a group of about 20 kids (from a . You can definitely have a positive experience on the trip. as the premier companies. I am outraged and helpless. All total they are withholding $760. Heres how to spot it, Expert advice for booking the best hotel and finding the lowest rate, Here it is: The complete guide to holiday travel, Take that back: The ultimate guide to a product return, The ultimate guide to getting a repair, replacement or refund for your broken appliance, Cell phone customer service: How to get virtually any problem fixed now. Whatever you need, well handle it. Im extremely glad we made those decisions. 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. Cancellation Terms when Rebooking with a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher. Just keep your expectations realistic. Tour participants may also choose to upgrade the insurance for the tour. I won't go into detail about our trip except to say our tour guide left half the group on several occasions, got us lost, left us in a hotel that's fire alarm system was going off in (our group leader also left us behind. 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. Transfer of COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher. Hence the lawsuit (in CA 2020, look it up). But the worst experience in this hotel went to a dad on our trip, whos single room contained only a sofa. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. These Whispers often had glitches or were garbled, making it very hard to understand our guides. There were some areas that I would definitely trust EF to arrange again, and other areas where I really think they could do better. The first was in 2018. The North American headquarter of Education First (EF) locates in Cambridge Massachusetts US. No one wanted to be the person that made us late. The only times it seemed like we werent late was when we had to catch a flight, a train, or a ferry. And pay attention.. What is a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher? As someone who travels pretty frequently, I usually make most of my own travel arrangements, from flights to hotel reservations to activities. I will not let this go if need be I will take them to court and sue there asses. 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. Whatever happens, weve seen it. For detailed information about the safety and coverage programs that apply to your tour, please choose your departure date below. Our group had a few in person meetings at a local restaurant prior to our trip where we discussed issues ranging from passports to packing for our trip to Europe, and got a chance to meet our fellow travelers. Attention to what, though? How to Get a Full Refund from EF Tours: A Step-by-Step Guide, Do I Need to Be Vaccinated to Travel to Hawaii? Things like this happened over and over again throughout the trip. 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. 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. We had ample notice and knew what to expect. 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. Im not sure if the lunch situations were like this because of our tour guide or because of EF itself. corvette parts california. Four boys were also booked in a room in London with only a king sized bed! I think our experience would have been better with a more seasoned Tour Guide. I did purchase it actually! The company may refer your case to its legal department, where it could linger for weeks or months. This person is there to direct the group and handle any problems with logistics you may encounter along the way. . Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? John Deere Air Filter Kit - GY20661 (4) $14. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. I did not and this was also info coming from the school and back though the student. I really did expect there to be more education involved in what we did while on our tour. But their ads sure reflect diversity! 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. All dinners were set up at local restaurants before our arrival. COVID-19 Future Travel Vouchers that were issued to travelers whose original tour was scheduled to depart on or after February 24, 2020 may be redeemed for travel departing on or before September 30, 2025. to my lawyer for resolution of a full refund. Parents are upset that a student tour company won't give full refunds for canceled European vacations. Sometimes they were just continental breakfasts with cold offerings, and sometimes we were given hot breakfasts with eggs, bacon, and such. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. The front desk did not seem to care and we were told no one was available to come clean the bathrooms. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Foguth says details matter. Once EF has processed and notified you of this move, you may opt to receive a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher valued at 100% of monies paid toward your original tour/program. If you want a quality tour experience, with a reliable professional tour company, I wholeheartedly recommend that you contact TSA Tours. Flights cancelled, rerouted. It's essential for customers to examine a seller's return policy before . Dinners seemed to improve when we got to France. Trip management Picking a trip, how . Tour participants are also given access to an EF Tours App, that just lists your daily itinerary for your trip. A freaky feel to it. The menu included a plate with 1 chicken drumstick, a handful of french fries, and a wimpy green salad with one tomato slice. This has happened all over the US and people are not standing down. 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. In Italy, the dinners were quite good. She told us we only had five minutes to use the restroom and get back on the bus. They are also putting about 4 kids in a room! EF Tours inflexible, would not accommodate my request. It includes time, money, convenience, and many other factors. Authors Channel Summit. While the teacher recruiting students is designated as your group leader, they dont actually lead the tour once you start traveling. Would I travel with EF Tours again? I sent the letter and will contact them again Monday to try and get answers. How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? My son had a very poor experience with the Grecian Odyssey EF tours. 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!) The worst dinners EF provided happened during the first few days of our trip. 2/22/2022. Parents understand why CPS canceled the trips. Costs for these trips can range widely, depending on the destinations and length of the trip. Get Involved; Contact; Donate! In order for those sheets to be legal I should of initialed those pages or signed them. On our way to Southern Italy, we spent the night in Sorrento at Sisters Hostel. That means that I will receive less than half that amount back! If you're seeking an EF Tours. We enjoyed a truly magical and unexpected sunset under the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In what universe is this considered acceptable?!?!?!? . Its been eight months. If all other attempts to get a full refund from EF Tours fail, it may be time to seek legal advice. EF seems to take the money and doesn't provide much other info. The vast majority of the other students spent most of their time getting drunk and vaping. Check out our directory. If it concerns you, definitely mention it to the teacher. 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. It was kind of like a tasting menu, where you got a little bit of each destination. 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. 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.. They won't tell you which airline or which hotel you will be staying at. During our first night there we had a lovely traditional French meal of chicken with mushroom sauce in the back room of a small picturesque cafe with a ton of ambiance.