But whats this $452 bill? Now it wont refund my $3,606. Following these steps should give customers the best chance of getting a full refund from EF Tours. And pay attention.. If you have general questions about your enrollment in the travel . I cant guarantee this Ive advocated many cases where a company promised a refund in writing but it can help. Our dates were finally confirmed about two months before our departure. EF claims that they are the least expensiveYou get what you pay for. For travelers who had booked their program by redeeming a previously issued COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher, the cash refund option available will be based on the originally issued voucher terms (e.g., travelers who received a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher for a tour originally scheduled to depart between March 1, 2020 and May 14, 2020 may exchange their voucher for all monies paid, less $565). Travelers or their transferees can redeem the voucher for this available refund at any time prior to September 30, 2025. Two meals a day are included in the cost of a trip with EF Tours. The kids didn't seem to mind it, but I did seem a little crowded at times. Our tour consisted of 26 travelers from our high school: three teachers, seven adults and 16 students. Why is no one investigating them for fraudulent business practices, deceptive practices, false advertisement, etc, etc, etc?? Outside of Heidelberg we stayed in a gymnasium dormitory (German high school) that was out for the summer. How do I fix this $499 mistake? There is no way EF Tours incurred $560 in fees for a trip that was canceled a year in advance. The rooms at these Hiltons were very new, immaculately clean and extremely comfortable. I am outraged and helpless. According to the folks on our trip who had special dietary needs, the dinners were pretty good for the most part. As a result, the plaintiffs and thousands of others have suffered "direct and consequential financial damage . I think I would, but I would definitely choose a slower paced itinerary with more time in each destination. If you think you might want a refund on a travel product at some point and lets face it, who doesnt? But when it comes to refunds, they quote rules and policies designed to make it difficult, if not impossible, to get a refund. To date I paid $1063 on this trip to Peru and canceling it over 1 year in advance due to unforeseen circumstances has cost me $560. 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. Not by a long shot. The Return & Refund Policies may vary widely among different types of products and sellers. 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. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? While these options are available, the bread and butter of the company is the basic high school student tour which is what we took. Four students are continuously placed in rooms meant for two people. 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. Persistence. Europe is a wonderful place, and I love traveling there. I was told to call EF to see what my options are. She signed up October 1 and we had to cancel Oct 14 due to conflicts with my work schedule. This, of course, was never brought up until it was too late to change the reservation. EF is keeping $565 dollars needed to cover their overhead and costs to hotels and airlines but students could reschedule. PLAN. EF books all travelers in economy class seats for all transportation methods. You're in!) TSA Tours, of course. If EF Tours still refuses to issue a full refund, the next step is to contact your credit card company. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Countless study abroad trips have been canceled due to COVID-19, leaving many families out thousands of dollars. I had to do this for a foreign airline that owed me a partial refund for a flight originating in the U.S., and they wound up giving me a full refund, voluntarily.. 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. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Children are not monitored, left to find their own way in cities across the . 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. This may or may not be true or all groups that are traveling with EF. If EF Tours does not respond or refuses to issue a full refund, the next step is to file a complaint with the BBB. My daughter wanted to go with members of her class on this great trip with EF tours. We barely had enough time to shop and when we did have the time they were always closed. That EF 12-Day tour was called "Europe with an Alpine Flavor." My AT&T bill is wrong. Has anybody seen anyone of color working in their offices? Parents are upset that a student tour company won't give full refunds for canceled European vacations. EF will book with whatever airline has space available for the lowest price for the group. Trips like this EF Tour require students to be pretty mature when it comes to safety. 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. crank up antenna tower for sale. Required fields are marked *. 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. Explain the situation and ask them to dispute the charge. Our first group dinner in London was at a Korean restaurant where the group was served a hot stone bibimbap with chicken. For many years I organized and lead group tours to Europe for my college. Dont let months pass by without letting the company know that your money is still missing. A money grab. We found that that number was not quite accurate for us, especially if we ever wanted to stray from the planned meals that EF Tours had set up for us. 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. Just another site how to get a full refund from ef tours Read 131 . All travelers must pay the non-refundable, non-transferable $95 Enrollment Fee upon enrollment in order for the enrollment to be complete. Check out our directory. 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. Why am I being charged a total of $550 in cancellation fees? They informed me that my type of service is not recognized and I would not be covered. For a quick overnight in Milan on our way to Florence, we stayed at and AS Hotel in Limbiate. 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. If you want a quality tour experience, with a reliable professional tour company, I wholeheartedly recommend that you contact TSA Tours. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. Consider hiring a lawyer who specializes in consumer protection and travel law. They even claim you can earn credit for going on these tour. In Paris our group had to travel by Metro clear across town for our dinner. Vouchers are not redeemable for their full cash equivalent. While this may seem like a school trip, it is not. 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. Often, a brief, polite written appeal to someone higher up can do wonders. The only times it seemed like we werent late was when we had to catch a flight, a train, or a ferry. Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? She collected it before we left. how to get a full refund from ef tours . Accommodations and rooming Hotels and hostels, rooms and roommates, amenities, and upgrades. 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.. Things took a turn for the worse on our last night of the tour, when we stayed at Hotel La Pergola in Rome. He refused to take us anywhere on our free time. Travelers or their transferees can redeem the voucher for this available refund at any time prior to September 30, 2025. Our "hotels" were in suburbs, a great distance outside of the beautiful towns we were to visit. Do I regret going on an EF Tour? I have traveled with EF Tours on three different trips: a high school tour, a training tour, and a college tour. Adults can expect to share a room with one other person. Im extremely glad we made those decisions. Frugality is the mental approach we each take when considering our resource allocations. What should I do? The cancellation was due to a National Emergency not voluntary of the travelers. Our hotels along the trip started out stellar but seemed to go downhill from there, unfortunately ending in truly unacceptable accommodations. I feel like everything was rushed. Also out of all four excursions throughout the trip, THREE OF THEM WERE CANCELLED! 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. Again, we found these rooms to be clean and pretty comfortable. why is there a plague in thebes oedipus. We also were traveling to all the countries during the world cup. 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. Our school will be traveling with three other schools from different parts of the country. 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. I've been paying off a trip to Ireland/England from EF Tours for Girl Scouts for about a year. They are in trouble financially and that is ok with me!!! So they offered vouchers that were only good for up to 18 monthsUP TO 18 MONTHS! The reviews of the food were always " not enough food and mediocre food". Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? It includes time, money, convenience, and many other factors. How to Get a Full Refund from EF Tours: A Step-by-Step Guide, Do I Need to Be Vaccinated to Travel to Hawaii? She was frequently the last person downstairs at our hotels to meet our bus 15 to 20 minutes after the time she told us to meet her, and did not budget in adequate travel time to most of our destinations. Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? And the airlines deferred to Expedia. I'll look into that. Dont accept vouchers or points. The country is bordered to the north by Myanmar and . nike nationals track and field backpack; 0 comments. 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. Traveler's first name: Traveler's last name: Traveler's account number: Whatever happens, weve seen it. Had it been a different group of personalities, Im not sure how it would have gone. Whatever happens, weve seen it. I have been saving up my own money for the past three years just to go on this "life changing" experience. 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. EF does indicate up front that hotels may have small rooms without air conditioning, television, or elevators, and that WiFi may not always be available. This was the only true hostel on our trip. Experts advise people to frequently wash their hands in warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds and to avoid touching their face. Kinda defeats the whole concept of insurance. Thanks. Check with the hotel for your options. You dont always have to appeal to the government. 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. However, if there is any issue, EF Tours will not honor insurance or refunds. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! The swimming area was not separated in any way from boat traffic, nor was my son warned about possible boat traffic. Exploring the Pros, Cons, and Benefits of Utilizing Professional Vacation Planning Services. There were no linens or towels available to him whatsoever. Your password has been sent to the specified email address. EF Tours was contacted today also and there response was they aren't responsible for the insurance company. oil filter john deere l110. Here's how we make world travel easy. 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. First, was the chance to rebook the tour at no additional cost to any cities offered . I can't believe they can demand reasons for dismissal even with all the Hippa Laws. Did EF Tours create the trip of my dreams? Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? I've decided that I'm not going to go for financial reasons and feeling that it's too expensive for what I'm getting. And that wasn't even a full guarantee of a full refund. For what it's worth 4k for a scotland ireland trip is definitely too much. 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. A minimum number of 35 or 55 participants (varies by tour) is necessary to qualify for the group rates on which the Discovery Tour is based. EF Go Ahead Tours also allows you to change the date of tour or destination up until your final payment day. I had some incredible experiences in some amazing locations with my only daughter, and I wouldnt trade that for the world. Technics in Management Transfer inverness animal clinic. How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? #2. 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. 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! Can I exchange my COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher for a Cash Refund Option? Lunches were always a gamble. :? I just hope the tour goes well. 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. We also had the unfortunate luck of awful traffic. Our Tour Director said it was because London is a melting pot of cultures, but our group didnt buy that. Focus on maintaining . Im not sure if the lunch situations were like this because of our tour guide or because of EF itself. 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. I think our experience would have been better with a more seasoned Tour Guide. My son is (or perhaps was) traveling on an EF tour this summer with a very small group from our high school. This significantly hindered what we were able to see at our destinations, and made the whole tour seemed very rushed every day. With no more than 48 hours in any location, we expected it to be jam packed. websites, advertisements, etc. I just felt like it should have been planned better. My oldest son was scheduled to take a school trip to Peru next year. 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. Vol 1, #2. corvette parts california. EF Tours charged $114 USD to each participant. 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. Spring break trip with the school for my two boys to go to Greece and Italy this year. The EF Go Ahead Tours app supports and connects our global community. Menu. They canceled my flight. Flights cancelled, rerouted. However, EF Tours will override the plan and refuse your refund. What can a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher be used for? 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. Seems a little steep for cancelling a trip that is still almost 2 years away. Our help is free. 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. After travel is completed on the fi rst tour, repeat travelers will receive a $100 Repeat Traveler Discount off future tours. Call 877-485-4184 to enroll, EF Ultimate Break Wherever you are, were thereand we understand that, in todays ever-changing world, travelers are looking for more flexibility than ever before. 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. 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. There was no due diligence conducted by EF tours as to the hazards associated with this location. 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. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. Cancellation Terms when Rebooking with a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher. We also didnt have a way to contact our Tour Guide directly. We put a deposit down and also the registration fee $199 plus $500. Im thrilled to share all my ideas with you and hope you like what you find here in my little home on the internet. This company is a fraud and steals money from families. She usually did a count to make sure everyone was there when we were ready to leave, but she did leave people behind at least twice during our trip and have to go back and get them. While the teacher recruiting students is designated as your group leader, they dont actually lead the tour once you start traveling. Our group was quite good about being on time to meet up locations with a couple of small exceptions that could not be helped. Parents have paid thousands of dollars for student tours abroad -- and those refunds aren't coming. Experts say you can overcome those hurdles by using the right payment method, creating a paper trail, and knowing how to appeal your case. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. 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. Consumers who booked domestic trips through the EF Explore America tours program should call 888-333-9756 to request a refund. We were so late to our tour of Pompeii. If you want any other info or even wanted . $900 which we did. What can we do with this company? Lost one full day of 8 day tour. The purpose of this article is to provide a step-by-step guide on how to get a full refund from EF Tours. So talking to the customer service representative, I asked how if we hadn't paid so much into the trip that they would be receiving that much back in fees. 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). 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. Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. allego spac presentation lake placid skating rink how to get a full refund from ef tours. My daughter and I have a lot of great memories from our trip, despite the difficulties. Authors Channel Summit. We would be spending time in three different countries, seeing some of the most beautiful and historic cities in Europe. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. ?we were then offered a tour of a castle which was supposedly a make up gift from ef tours for the bus situation however, once we got there we only had about 45 mins- an hour to tour the entire castle. Do your trip make a suggestion about tips? However, we had already paid and were still excited to be spending 2 weeks in Europe together. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? Tours with scheduled departures from October 1, 2020 September 30, 2022, If at 44 days or less prior to departure of your tour, travel restrictions, governmental orders, or other conditions related to the COVID-19 pandemic make it impossible or impracticable for EF to operate your tour as scheduled, or any of the COVID-19 travel related events referenced in the. I really did expect there to be more education involved in what we did while on our tour. If you dont believe me, ask Melina Jose, who was supposed to fly from Paris to Orlando, Florida, recently. Patience. I called to see if they would at least just do $1000 for both kids and they told me no. All total they are withholding $760. Four boys were also booked in a room in London with only a king sized bed! Do you have knowledge or insights to share? how to get a full refund from ef tours. Five families who are very angry with EF Educational Tours have. What EF products can a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher be applied to? 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. Vouchers are not redeemable for their full cash equivalent. On the second night we had a traditional Alsatian dish called Flammekueche, which was sort of like a pizza with a creamy sauce. 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. She had been paying for the trip in installments since 2018. When you travel with EF, you get the benefits of our 55+ years of experience and our unmatched global network. hearts shooters choice; clark county police scanner; elton john albums in order Each meal came with water, but we were allowed to order additional drinks at our own expense if we choose to do so. When will I be issued a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher? What we didnt expect was the significant amount of wasted time and changes to our itinerary that happened on our tour. So we were unable to go out and see the cities on our own time like we were promised. 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. My son had a very poor experience with the Grecian Odyssey EF tours. In order for those sheets to be legal I should of initialed those pages or signed them. My mom had to put hotel rooms for 30 students in her credit card.