It was over $8,300," Hignite said. Two meals a day are included in the cost of a trip with EF Tours. 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. While the teacher recruiting students is designated as your group leader, they dont actually lead the tour once you start traveling. Airlines hate it when you get a third party involved, and may respond favorably. 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. After travel is completed on the fi rst tour, repeat travelers will receive a $100 Repeat Traveler Discount off future tours. Whatever you need, well handle it. The Education First class action seeks at least $5 million in restitution damages and injunctive relief preventing the company from refusing full cash refunds. His high school in the Parkway school district decided to book the tour through EF Educational Tours. 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. 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. Im a wife, a mom, a crafter, a Disney fan, and a french fry connoisseur. We knew going into this tour that our itinerary would be extremely hectic. Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? 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. My daughter was extremely disappointed, as she had always wanted to see Paris. I was so angry but nothing was done about it. Do you have any questions about EF Tours that I didnt answer? 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. We were served in a huge warehouse, with 20 other large tour groups. It felt like a complete waste of time to travel and waste that many days. If you dont believe me, ask Melina Jose, who was supposed to fly from Paris to Orlando, Florida, recently. Our tour consisted of 26 travelers from our high school: three teachers, seven adults and 16 students. 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 original discount amount will apply. We also found that we frequently needed to buy water to stay hydrated in the high temperatures of Italy during the summer, and at most of the locations we visited, water was marked up quite a bit. In Paris, those who went to Versaille told us the experience was underwhelming because of the limited time available inside the palace, and the lack of lunch options available to those who went. She signed up October 1 and we had to cancel Oct 14 due to conflicts with my work schedule. If you think you might want a refund on a travel product at some point and lets face it, who doesnt? Thailand (/ t a l n d,-l n d / TY-land, -lnd), historically known as Siam (/ s a m, s a m /) and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning 513,120 square kilometres (198,120 sq mi), with a population of almost 70 million. 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. Travelers or their transferees can redeem the voucher for this available refund at any time prior to September 30, 2025. 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. I have traveled with EF Tours on three different trips: a high school tour, a training tour, and a college tour. 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. There were a total of 40 people on our tour. Just keep your expectations realistic. We are currently preparing to issue the refund you recently requested. 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. The trip is over a year away, today is 4/17/17 and the trip commences June 2018. On our way to Southern Italy, we spent the night in Sorrento at Sisters Hostel. Menu. This has caused many customers to feel frustrated and helpless when trying to get a full refund from EF Tours. As you can imagine the difference between 0 and 55 is immaculate and only caused problems throughout the entire trip. 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. Cancellation Terms when Rebooking with a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher. I think our experience would have been better with a more seasoned Tour Guide. We've got you covered. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? EF has the group leader/teacher set up deadlines for signing up to go on the trip, sometimes including small discounts to encourage enrollment. For detailed information about the safety and coverage programs that apply to your tour, please choose your departure date below. Global Travel Protection plans | Coverage & flexibility | EF Tours Help Center: Payments & policies EF's industry-leading safety & coverage programs When you travel with EF, you get the benefits of our 55+ years of experience and our unmatched global network. 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. 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. On May 1st I lost my job and we immediately contacted Ef Tours to cancel. 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. - Get inspired with the latest travel guides, tips, and stories from our team. Toll-free 1-877-974-7462 ext. Due to traffic and bad timing we traveled. For the first four nights during our stays in London and Paris, we were sent to Hilton Hotels. 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 . The vast majority of the other students spent most of their time getting drunk and vaping. For example, airlines love to send you vouchers, but that funny money expires after a year. 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. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. Wife has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and will not be able to make this trip. If requested after enrollment and up to 130 days before departure, the fee is $195. 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. The first step to getting a full refund from EF Tours is to contact the company directly. It was quite nice not to have to worry about any of that. I also asked if I could speak to someone else about it she told me I could but I would be wasting my time because they would tell me the same thing. We were late to our appointment at the Louvre. We were told that other than the deposit and a small admin fee, all the rest of the money was refundable. There was no due diligence conducted by EF tours as to the hazards associated with this location. That way, when a company drags its feet on a refund, you can file a chargeback. There were also some pretty significant changes to our itinerary. However, I was never allowed to speak with management. Angry demands for a refund and threats to take a company to court almost always backfire. Experts say the paper trail will get you a refund faster. Our tour guide didnt seem to have this mentality. But whats this $452 bill? 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. Meals on the tour ran the gamut from weird to stellar, but overall were not to bad. For what it's worth 4k for a scotland ireland trip is definitely too much. 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. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The deduction of $565 includes items such as the non-refundable deposit and other non-refundable fees. by | Oct 29, 2021 | how to stop gypsophila smelling | groomsman proposal funny | Oct 29, 2021 | how to stop gypsophila smelling | groomsman proposal funny For the most part, I felt quite safe during our trip. The Return & Refund Policies may vary widely among different types of products and sellers. Kinda defeats the whole concept of insurance. crank up antenna tower for sale. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress Students can expect to room with one to three other students, and possibly have to share beds. Once we arrived in Rome, the Villa Aurelia was our home base for two nights. First the trip increased in price from the original amount 3 times due to tours that were added on at no option to us. 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. My daughter wanted to go with members of her class on this great trip with EF tours. I just hope the tour goes well. About Ultimate Break tours Meals, transportation, Tour Directors, pace, customization, and who you'll be traveling with. - Keep a travel log of your adventures. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? IS this the only forum about this place? Wife and daughter were planning to go on a trip to Italy in over a year. Travelers should expect to receive a refund approximately 4-6 weeks after it is requested. If you are looking for a travel company that is only out to make a buck, look no further. how to get a full refund from ef tours . But when it comes to refunds, they quote rules and policies designed to make it difficult, if not impossible, to get a refund. All total they are withholding $760. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD ON AN EF TRIP!! Several items listed on our initial brochure were changed before the trip due to pandemic restrictions and travel challenges, which was fine. I was told to call EF to see what my options are. The rooms at these Hiltons were very new, immaculately clean and extremely comfortable. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Visit the BBB website to find out how to submit a complaint. Per the website, tour participants are assured that travelers can count on safe, clean and comfortable hotels with private bathrooms but much beyond that the info is sparse. Im not opposed to tipping but tips need to be earned and for him to request a set amount doesnt sit well with me. A Comprehensive Guide, Do Travel Adapters Change Voltage? 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. 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. Can I exchange my COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher for a Cash Refund Option? That way, when a company drags its feet on a refund, you can file a chargeback. Tour participants are also given access to an EF Tours App, that just lists your daily itinerary for your trip. Anyone was allowed to sign up for the trip. The cancellation was due to a National Emergency not voluntary of the travelers. 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. Overall, unless an excursion is of special interest to you, I wouldnt recommend participating in them, simply because they seem overpriced. I have traveled extensively with Expedia, always buy travel insurance, and am covered for any thing, from war to terrorism, to a pandemic. First, was the chance to rebook the tour at no additional cost to any cities offered . Electric Bike Thumb Throttle 12-84v LED Display Voltmeter & ON OFF Kil torquetech.co.uk. Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! Dont accept vouchers or points. EF is withholding $500 in administration fees, plus the $95 deposit, plus some other fee. When he asked for these items at the front desk, he was told that we should have called earlier to request them since they were all locked up in a cabinet by the time we arrived at the hotel. Transfer of COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher. 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. Also, keep every email and receipt. (Love to travel? Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. The design and architecture of the building are very unique and modern contemporary. 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. hodgetwins tour Adjustment to EF Atm Deposit. Europe is a wonderful place, and I love traveling there. There is a $95 non-refundable deposit + $300 cancellation fee (totals to around $400). Tickets can be purchased individually at the ticket booth for just $42 USD or for groups ahead of time for just $24 USD. We were late to our tour of the Colosseum in Rome. There were no linens or towels available to him whatsoever. Our dates were finally confirmed about two months before our departure. She and her husband, Jerard, had to pay $437 for new tickets. It was an equally devastating experience. Students and parents can then sign up directly through the EF Tours website, and submit all payments directly to the company. allego spac presentation lake placid skating rink how to get a full refund from ef tours. 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. EF provides a Tour Director to accompany your group through the entire trip. Lunches were always a gamble. You might not know all the answers, but you've got a friend in us! Our first group dinner in London was at a Korean restaurant where the group was served a hot stone bibimbap with chicken. Four boys were also booked in a room in London with only a king sized bed! I was told that they only charge whats been deposited. If your original tour needed to be postponed but you have not yet been notified of your Group Leader's 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. There are usually two or three optional excursions that can be added to any tour. Enroll online or call 800-766-2645, EF Explore America This caused problems for a few kids on our trip who werent expecting these costs, and they unfortunately had to miss out on some of the better additions. It sounds great, but as a responsible parent, you want to know exactly what youd be sending your child off to do, and how things would actually work on this trip. 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. Additional fees may apply if requested between 129-90 days before departure. EF seems to take the money and doesn't provide much other info. Overall, the meals on our trip were pretty good, but could definitely have been better. What is a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher? 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. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. While it wasnt quite as comfortable as some of the other places wed stayed, it was completely acceptable and had a spectacular view of the Gulf of Naples from the rooftop terrace. While this may seem like a school trip, it is not. Feel free to ask me in the comments!! Im not sure what EF added to the experience to warrant that upcharge. Between Florence and Rome, we spent the night at the Hotel Villa Ricci (not pictured). Be informed, says Michael Foguth, founder of Foguth Financial Group in Brighton, Michigan. Information about our flights was not available until about a month before our departure, and information about our hotels was not available until we were about three weeks out from leaving. Four other members of our group chose to join us. 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. I cant guarantee this Ive advocated many cases where a company promised a refund in writing but it can help. Her itinerary, booked through Expedia, included several airlines. One of the destinations was an Island called Tortuga. For example, on our first full day of the trip, we visited the Tower of London. 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. Just another site how to get a full refund from ef tours This person is there to direct the group and handle any problems with logistics you may encounter along the way. This place was truly one of the worst hotels Ive ever had the misfortune to stay at (and as a travel blogger, Ive stayed at a LOT of hotels). But in the end, Expedia was responsible for her refund; as her travel agent, it needed to work with those airlines to determine the right refund. We stayed 20 miles outside of Salzburg at a ski resort youth hostel. The information provided typically includes the return deadline, eligible products, and the required documentation such as a proof of purchase. We toured Europe for 12 days, visiting sites in London, Paris, Florence, Rome, Pompeii and Capri, with no more than two nights in any destination. "You can accept a travel voucher with no penalties, or you can accept a refund minus $1,000 per person. EF Tours says the vouchers can be used until Sept. 30, 2022 for any of the company's tours and can be used by students, their immediate family members or other students or faculty members in the . Costs for these trips can range widely, depending on the destinations and length of the trip. This isnt to say that we didnt learn anything on our trip. During our trip there were extra excursions offered in any city we stayed in more than one night. Our lead teacher did this as well. Consumers who booked domestic trips through the EF Explore America tours program should call 888-333-9756 to request a refund. 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. This has happened all over the US and people are not standing down. The first was in 2018. One student got up in the middle of the night and tripped on the mattress and smashed her head into the wall. Five families who are very angry with EF Educational Tours have. My mom is part of a tour departing for a 10 day trip to Europe. So who will I be using to make my tour group arrangements? I think I would, but I would definitely choose a slower paced itinerary with more time in each destination. Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). The trip total came to around $4,000. Whatever happens, weve seen it. This hotel was a bit older than the Hiltons wed stayed in, but it was clean, spacious, and comfortable. You're in!) How do I fix this $499 mistake? 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. I am now retired, but have organized and will be leading another "Best of Europe" tour this September. They make go in circles and have excuse after excuse. Thank you for your honesty! Only the EF Go Ahead Tours allow alcohol for adult travelers. I am outraged and helpless. 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.