They have tarnished their reputation and people are not as comfortable traveling with them anymore. Our tour guide didnt seem to have this mentality. EF claims that they are the least expensiveYou get what you pay for. Four boys were also booked in a room in London with only a king sized bed! Be sure to document all communication with EF Tours so that you can refer back to it if necessary. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). What should I do? When it became apparent on the second night that we werent going to be getting any traditional English food, my daughter and I made arrangements to go get dinner on our own, and pay for it out of pocket. 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! 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. While we were aware of this upfront before the tour, it really did feel like they didnt allow enough time in any location to really see the cities we were in. So Hignite and other parents contacted EF Tours, to learn they could get only vouchers, or pay a penalty to cancel. There were a total of 40 people on our tour. The trip isn't until June of 2017. . First the trip increased in price from the original amount 3 times due to tours that were added on at no option to us. They also provide a fundraising page, where friends and family can pay EF directly to offset the cost of your trip. "You can accept a travel voucher with no penalties, or you can accept a refund minus $1,000 per person. 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. Our help is free. We were late to our tours in London, Florence, and the Vatican. Here are some of the most effective coronavirus refund tips: Negotiate politely. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? They canceled my flight. We've got you covered. Those memories are truly priceless. "All travelers with trips through April 30 will automatically receive a transferable travel voucher for the full amount paid (including all non-refundable payments) good through September 30,. 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. 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. We were frequently told we could just grab a bite to eat at the train station or the airport, only to be left with minimal time and very limited options. That EF 12-Day tour was called "Europe with an Alpine Flavor." 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. They also charged me $189 for insurance I declined. 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. And, this hotel was a truck stop on the M1. But whats this $452 bill? Even when customers provided evidence of their dissatisfaction, EF Tours refused to issue refunds or only offered partial refunds. Sometimes it was quite obvious where our group was supposed to go, and sometimes it wasnt. And the airlines deferred to Expedia. Other times it seemed like our guide might be creating these situations by not fully informing us what was available near by. (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.) That's when we found out it would be around $800 to cancel. I think I would, but I would definitely choose a slower paced itinerary with more time in each destination. how to get a full refund from ef tours. why is there a plague in thebes oedipus. Worry-free guarantee; If you cancel the booking within 60 days from the reservation date, you are entitled to a full refund. There are usually two or three optional excursions that can be added to any tour. Our "hotels" were in suburbs, a great distance outside of the beautiful towns we were to visit. EF was never concerned about her health or welfare and only accused her of being drunk so they could dodge any responsibility. But the worst experience in this hotel went to a dad on our trip, whos single room contained only a sofa. by | Oct 29, 2021 | how to stop gypsophila smelling | groomsman proposal funny | Oct 29, 2021 | how to stop gypsophila smelling | groomsman proposal funny Fully Refundable Booking Period Feel good about your decision by enrolling in AutoPay or paying in full when you book your tour. 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. Vrbo took my $1,270! Absolutely not. It was a disaster. :? We were told we would receive a check from Ef Tours in 2 to 4 weeks for approx. Yet I received a check in the mail for $300 before I could talk to someone. 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. This significantly hindered what we were able to see at our destinations, and made the whole tour seemed very rushed every day. Where is it? (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? When we did get on the city bus, she told us we had to pay our own fares (the tour was to include ALL transportation), but then told us to NOT pay the fare, as we would never get caught, and even if we did, the fine would only $20. EF, as a company, offers may types of tours ranging from group trips for adults to organized gap years for high school graduates. Im a wife, a mom, a crafter, a Disney fan, and a french fry connoisseur. We signed up about a year out from the trip, while another student who traveled with us signed up just a month or two before we left. If you pay by credit card, you should receive a refund to that credit card. How to get your money back from a Zelle scam or accidental money transfer, This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. These refund policies cover only a partial amount of the costs EF has already incurred for each . New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. 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. They split group in half. But in Paris, a visit to Montmartre was abandoned, even though our dinner restaurant was within a mile of the historic location. They are also putting about 4 kids in a room! For many years I organized and lead group tours to Europe for my college. Hi, I'm Happy Sharer and I love sharing interesting and useful knowledge with others. It felt like a complete waste of time to travel and waste that many days. 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. The tiramisu cooking class in Rome was not optional for our group for some reason. 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. websites, advertisements, etc. 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. Things like this happened over and over again throughout the trip. John Deere Air Filter Kit - GY20661 (4) $14. 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). Tours are advertised by the group leader/teacher to students at their school and to their local community. Some days our tour guide would set up a lunch option for us, having arranged a preset menu and price with a local restaurant. They also promise to have the lowest price on the market for this type of travel. Those options were usually something like a burger, pizza or a cold sandwich. And if that doesnt work well, you can always contact me. The brochure promised that participants would be surrounded by the people, the language, the food, and the way of life of the destinations on our itinerary. Travelers or their transferees can redeem the voucher for this available refund at any time prior to September 30, 2025. how to get a full refund from ef tours . 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.. Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. Our school will be traveling with three other schools from different parts of the country. I was so angry but nothing was done about it. Original scheduled departure was on or before May 14, 2020. 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. 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. After travel is completed on the fi rst tour, repeat travelers will receive a $100 Repeat Traveler Discount off future tours. No one wanted to be the person that made us late. PLAN. If I cancel, I lose about $400 in cancellation fees. 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. I could honestly go on for 10 pages about the terrible food and the fact that you will only be given warm milk, cereal, coffee and last night's rolls for breakfast every day! This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to get a full refund from EF Tours. Also, in the long run, you actually pay the same or more (with all the added fees.) Read more, Copyright 2023 Chaotically Yours | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. The key is to take the right steps and document all communication. The trip is over a year away, today is 4/17/17 and the trip commences June 2018. Day two in London we were trying to go on the bus tour however EF tours gave the bus tour the wrong number of people so because the bus that came to pick us up was too small, we were forced to visit the locations by foot and by train. It was necessary for a family member to go to Costa Rica. $900 which we did. They even claim you can earn credit for going on these tour. He paid Vantage $18,536. If you booked a trip like this as an adult, you would scream from the rooftops for a refund but since these are kids, apparently EF doesn't have to listen because there will be another crop of unsuspecting students waiting to go next year. 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. One of the destinations was an Island called Tortuga. Tuesday 28 March . 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. labelled. We did have some great cultural experiences while we traveled. The bus driver was a surly Dutch man, who was gruff and impossible. If you do not have a claim in process but have general questions about plan benefits, please contact the plan's producer - Risk Strategies Eduction. 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. EF Explore America said in light of the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, it offered the school three options. Whatever happens, weve seen it. 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. While the room wasnt much to write home about, some members of our group lucked out and got spectacular balconies. 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 these options are available, the bread and butter of the company is the basic high school student tour which is what we took. Four kids to a room was common on our tour. Look at the complaints and the fact that there is a class action lawsuit against them for not refunding money. The original discount amount will apply. #2. We saw the stunningly beautiful sites of Capri from a private boat tour. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Grabovsky and the proposed Class are represented by William McGrane and Matthew Sepuya of McGrane PC and Michael J. Hassen of RealLaw APC. Image courtesy: EF Go Ahead Tours Benefits of EF Go Ahead Tours. 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. This has happened all over the US and people are not standing down. Often, a brief, polite written appeal to someone higher up can do wonders. As for hotels, travelers know very little about where they are staying ahead of time. The best unexpected addition to our trip in my opinion was the opportunity to see a musical in the West End of London. While our tour guide was a very sweet, personable woman, she didnt seem to understand how to manage the timing logistics for a group of 40 travelers. I could go on and on. For the first four nights during our stays in London and Paris, we were sent to Hilton Hotels. That way, when a company drags its feet on a refund, you can file a chargeback. As you can imagine the difference between 0 and 55 is immaculate and only caused problems throughout the entire trip. We stayed 20 miles outside of Salzburg at a ski resort youth hostel. In spite of these two disastrous group travel experiences with EF Tours, I LOVED organizing and leading tours to Europe. How to Get a Full Refund from EF Tours: A Step-by-Step Guide, Do I Need to Be Vaccinated to Travel to Hawaii? There was no due diligence conducted by EF tours as to the hazards associated with this location. The only times it seemed like we werent late was when we had to catch a flight, a train, or a ferry. HOW CAN THIS BE LEGAL??? If you change your mind, you have 60 days to receive a refund of all money paid (including your deposit! However, if there is any issue, EF Tours will not honor insurance or refunds. There were no linens or towels available to him whatsoever. 321. Focus on maintaining . Also, I want to upgrade my kids' flight on the way home - EF passes the responsibility to their "booking" agent in Switzerland or they say to call the airline. 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. When I called about a refund for the extension being taken off I was told by customer service "They make the cost even out." I was told we should have paid extra if we wanted to be IN Sorrento. Has anybody seen anyone of color working in their offices? 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. We were late to our tour of the Colosseum in Rome. Call 800-590-1161 to enroll, EF Tours for Girls Imagine being in London not able to tour anything because you don't have the proper tour bus that you were promised?? Call 877-485-4184 to enroll, EF Ultimate Break Unlock new opportunities and expand your reach by joining our authors team. But in the most frustrating example, during our time in Paris a visit to the Frogonard Perfume Museum was added to our itinerary. I checked our beds for bedbugs and thankfully did not find any. 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). 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. I work for a competitor of EF and have about a million reasons why groups that go with them get ripped off. 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. To request a refund, consumers who booked international trips through EF's Educational Tours program should call 800-665-5364 to request a refund. We did not have enough free time (which we were promised). All total they are withholding $760. Europe is a wonderful place, and I love traveling there. In addition the insurance company retained by EF initially declined to pay to have my son evacuated from Cost Rica. For the cost, I could organize something less stressful. First, was the chance to rebook the tour at no additional cost to any cities offered . I will say that the class was a fun experience at a great location, and we all enjoyed the desserts we made together. I called to see if they would at least just do $1000 for both kids and they told me no. 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. This Arizona based company has been organizing dozens of tours for teachers and college professors all across the country for 30 years. We had a fantastic time seeing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. hodgetwins tour Adjustment to EF Atm Deposit. How Does PTO Work for Salaried Employees? 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. I am now leaning towards not going with this tour and planning our own itinerary and trip. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? 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. It is very expensive, and I'm just hoping for a positive experience. The menu included a plate with 1 chicken drumstick, a handful of french fries, and a wimpy green salad with one tomato slice. 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. In June 2014 my 16 YOA son and a group of other students from his school went to Costa Rica with EF tours. You can also call 800-665-5364 to request a refund on an international tour; for bookings of domestic trips through EF Explore America, call 888-333-9756. 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. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. So..after extensive research, I found a custom tour company who could arrange my own tours, with my itinerary, with my hotels, and with my schedule. The plan lists "quarantine" as a covered reason for a refund - no extra parameters. to my lawyer for resolution of a full refund. Now I've fought this as much as I could. We found that participants can sign up just about any time before the trip departs. They make zero effort to please traveller once fees paid. Thanks. But relinquishing that control does require a certain amount of trust. The team will contact you and assist you thereafter. Settling with a debit card, a check or even a wire transfer means the money is gone. By and large, our students respected this request and did not take advantage of the lowered drinking age to go and party it up. It's just too many in my opinion. to a single room. The company is known for its strict refund policies and lack of customer service. This isnt to say that we didnt learn anything on our trip. 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. 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. 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. These Terms and Conditions apply to any COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher (COVID-19 Voucher) issued by EF Educational Tours (EF) in connection with EF tours scheduled to depart after February 24, 2020 (and EF tours traveling to China after January 28, 2020) through September 30, 2022. These Britrail England Flexi Passes are taking forever to refund. * (Smithsonian Student Travel repeat travelers will receive a The Education First class action seeks at least $5 million in restitution damages and injunctive relief preventing the company from refusing full cash refunds.