While the London Eye excursion seemed to go well for those who went on it, it was over priced. Call 800-665-5364 to enroll, EF Language Schools It was quite nice not to have to worry about any of that. I have seen some recent reviews for EF Tours and wanted to share my experiences for those who may consider using this company for a tour. So they offered vouchers that were only good for up to 18 monthsUP TO 18 MONTHS! 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. The front desk did not seem to care and we were told no one was available to come clean the bathrooms. nike nationals track and field backpack; 0 comments. Do you have knowledge or insights to share? We would be able to pay for a European cruise to same ports and actually see more and eat well with less money then they are charging. 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. how to get a full refund from ef tours. 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. Wherever you are, were thereand we understand that, in todays ever-changing world, travelers are looking for more flexibility than ever before. When you travel with EF, you get the benefits of our 55+ years of experience and our unmatched global network. Would I go on another EF Tour? (I publish a full list of customer service executive contacts on my nonprofit consumer advocacy site, elliott.org. We also didnt have a way to contact our Tour Guide directly. When we arrived there, I watched as he was escorted upstairs for a nice steak dinner, while the rest of us went hungry (not enough time to stop elsewhere). We had ample notice and knew what to expect. Hursh can still be heard on the buses as well as the Magical Express. He refused to take us anywhere on our free time. Attention to what, though? 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. Hence the lawsuit (in CA 2020, look it up). One of the destinations was an Island called Tortuga. how to get a full refund from ef tours. 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. When we reached Italy, things changed a bit. Those memories are truly priceless. Whatever happens, weve seen it. 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. Also, keep every email and receipt. Patience. This all changed, as soon as I offered to pay him extra, per person, for his help. Be sure to document all communication with EF Tours so that you can refer back to it if necessary. 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. It was necessary for a family member to go to Costa Rica. 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. Not a sleeper sofa, but just a hard couch. 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. The EF in EF Tours stands for Education First. They want to keep $1000 each child therefore I will loss $2000. I am now leaning towards not going with this tour and planning our own itinerary and trip. Interested students and parents are invited to attend informational meetings either in person or virtually where the group leader/teacher goes over the itinerary and any questions potential participants may have. Other times it seemed like our guide might be creating these situations by not fully informing us what was available near by. Sometimes they were just continental breakfasts with cold offerings, and sometimes we were given hot breakfasts with eggs, bacon, and such. 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. But in Paris, a visit to Montmartre was abandoned, even though our dinner restaurant was within a mile of the historic location. This person is there to direct the group and handle any problems with logistics you may encounter along the way. Our first group dinner in London was at a Korean restaurant where the group was served a hot stone bibimbap with chicken. During our trip there were extra excursions offered in any city we stayed in more than one night. For detailed information about the safety and coverage programs that apply to your tour, please choose your departure date below. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Explain the situation and why you are requesting a full refund. How to Get a Full Refund from EF Tours: A Step-by-Step Guide, Do I Need to Be Vaccinated to Travel to Hawaii? 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. 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. Again, we found these rooms to be clean and pretty comfortable. We also had the unfortunate luck of awful traffic. The first step to getting a full refund from EF Tours is to contact the company directly. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. Two straight hours of calling the ef tours emergency hotline and no still no answer. Unfortunately, our family was naive enough to believe that this was supposed to be an educational tour. EF Tours uses a wide range of airlines, and travelers do not get to indicate a preference. 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.. And the airlines deferred to Expedia. But their ads sure reflect diversity! 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. My mom had to put hotel rooms for 30 students in her credit card. 110 comments. HOW CAN THIS BE LEGAL??? throttle thumb display electric . We were late to our appointment at the Louvre. Trips are usually initially introduced about two years before the travel date so that participants can make smaller monthly payments to cover the cost of the trip. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD ON AN EF TRIP!! It is a trip run by a business who just happens to recruit participants through the school system. EF Tours is a travel company that specializes in international tours for students. We also were traveling to all the countries during the world cup. used speakers for sale craigslist; pioneer woman carne guisada; how to get a full refund from ef tours; By . PLAN. Traveler's first name: Traveler's last name: Traveler's account number: Dinners are are pre-arranged with a preset menu by EF at local restaurants. I did purchase it actually! Tours are advertised by the group leader/teacher to students at their school and to their local community. They canceled my flight. 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!) I booked a trip with our homeschool "trip club" to do EF's Great Britain tour with a 2 day extension to Paris. Tickets to the entire estate are free for those under 18 years old and cost under $30 USD for anyone else, and thats without a group discount. I registered my son and I to go on a tour in June 2017. 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. They are in trouble financially and that is ok with me!!! For detailed information about the safety and coverage programs that apply to your tour, please choose your departure date below. Im not sure if the lunch situations were like this because of our tour guide or because of EF itself. We were so late to our tour of Pompeii. Foguth says details matter. It is very expensive, and I'm just hoping for a positive experience. Breakfast is provided each day at the hotel, usually continental style, but sometimes with hot offerings just depending on your hotel. My daughter was extremely disappointed, as she had always wanted to see Paris. Outside of Heidelberg we stayed in a gymnasium dormitory (German high school) that was out for the summer. They also charged me $189 for insurance I declined. Some days our tour guide would set up a lunch option for us, having arranged a preset menu and price with a local restaurant. If your Group Leader has chosen not to reschedule your original tour/program, you will receive a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher valued at 100% of monies paid toward your original tour/program. They need to be outted with their unfair business practices. We were able to marvel at the unparalleled artwork inside St. Peters Basilica in the Vatican. To make matters worse, EF Tours often refuses to issue refunds even after customers have submitted evidence of their dissatisfaction. Experts say you can overcome those hurdles by using the right payment method, creating a paper trail, and knowing how to appeal your case. Four boys were also booked in a room in London with only a king sized bed! 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. Often, a brief, polite written appeal to someone higher up can do wonders. Here are some of the most effective coronavirus refund tips: Negotiate politely. EF will make accomodations for those with specific dietary needs, such as gluten free or dairy free meals. 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. 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. 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. Our school will be traveling with three other schools from different parts of the country. fender american professional ii vs ultra. * (Smithsonian Student Travel repeat travelers will receive a My son is going on an EF tour this Spring and the teacher has suggested that each student pay a certain amount for tips. Image courtesy: EF Go Ahead Tours Benefits of EF Go Ahead Tours. Email insurance@riskstrategiestravel.com. 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. Transfer to a comparable tour. They even claim you can earn credit for going on these tour. 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. This company is a fraud and steals money from families. We were late to our tours in London, Florence, and the Vatican. The Return & Refund Policies may vary widely among different types of products and sellers. OH man! We found that participants can sign up just about any time before the trip departs. Wherever you are, were thereand we understand that, in todays ever-changing world, travelers are looking for more flexibility than ever before. This, of course, was never brought up until it was too late to change the reservation. We did not have enough free time (which we were promised). These refund policies cover only a partial amount of the costs EF has already incurred for each . For example, while we were driving across Italy, she had our driver stop at a large gas station for a bathroom stop. Our hotels along the trip started out stellar but seemed to go downhill from there, unfortunately ending in truly unacceptable accommodations. Europe is a wonderful place, and I love traveling there. You may wish to spend time at your destinations before or after the scheduled tour. In Paris, it was a trip to Versaille to tour the palace and the gardens. But they are excited to travel with their friends. 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. EF seems to take the money and doesn't provide much other info. Your local principals, school boards, etc. There were no linens or towels available to him whatsoever. My daughters room had the same layer of dirt in the bathroom, plus a shoe print from where someone killed a bug on the wall. Five families who are very angry with EF Educational Tours have. (Love to travel? If you want to make sure you get your travel refund every time, remember to use a credit card, keep every email and be ready to appeal your case. Would I travel with EF Tours again? Hi! 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 . Menu. They give gifts and perks to the teachers who organize these trips to get them to sign up students then end up stealing a portion of the mine with no trip. All travelers must pay the non-refundable, non-transferable $95 Enrollment Fee upon enrollment in order for the enrollment to be complete. Politeness. I will never travel with EF Tours again. "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,. I will say that the class was a fun experience at a great location, and we all enjoyed the desserts we made together. Accommodations and rooming Hotels and hostels, rooms and roommates, amenities, and upgrades. Edited: 11 years ago . For example, on our first full day of the trip, we visited the Tower of London. Read 131 . The best unexpected addition to our trip in my opinion was the opportunity to see a musical in the West End of London. COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher Does anyone have experience with this type of thing? Your password has been sent to the specified email address. On our way to Southern Italy, we spent the night in Sorrento at Sisters Hostel. They also provide a fundraising page, where friends and family can pay EF directly to offset the cost of your trip. This tends to give a false sense of urgency to the sign up process. as the premier companies. Read more, Copyright 2023 Chaotically Yours | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. This was saddening but completely understandable. The EF Go Ahead Tours app supports and connects our global community. Did EF Tours create the trip of my dreams? They are making a profit off of cancellations!!!! That way, when a company drags its feet on a refund, you can file a chargeback. They also promise to have the lowest price on the market for this type of travel. Trip Cancellation coverage This plan includes Trip Cancellation coverage. 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.