EF, as a company, offers may types of tours ranging from group trips for adults to organized gap years for high school graduates. His high school in the Parkway school district decided to book the tour through EF Educational Tours. ?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. 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. 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. While this may seem like a school trip, it is not. 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. This article was published on February 22, 2019. Thanks :). On the second night we had a traditional Alsatian dish called Flammekueche, which was sort of like a pizza with a creamy sauce. Trip Cancellation coverage This plan includes Trip Cancellation coverage. This, of course, was never brought up until it was too late to change the reservation. consumer advocate is called the three Ps., WHAT YOU CAN DO WHEN YOUR TRAVEL COMPANY WON'T SEND YOUR REFUND. They can advise you on the best course of action and represent you in court if necessary. Sometimes they were just continental breakfasts with cold offerings, and sometimes we were given hot breakfasts with eggs, bacon, and such. We had a fantastic time seeing the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. EF Tours charged each participant $60. Four kids to a room was common on our tour. Toll-free 1-877-974-7462 ext. Enroll online or call 800-766-2645, EF Go Ahead Tours I have traveled with EF Tours on three different trips: a high school tour, a training tour, and a college tour. In Paris our group had to travel by Metro clear across town for our dinner. But they are excited to travel with their friends. 109 to 45 days prior to departure: Full refund less $95 non-refundable deposit, all Non-Refundable fees, and 50% of program price. Here are some of the most effective coronavirus refund tips: Negotiate politely. If your original tour needed to be postponed but you have not yet been notified of your Group Leaders 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. #2. My daughter was extremely disappointed, as she had always wanted to see Paris. That's the advice of Laurie Guest, an author who specializes in travel and customer service. 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. My daughter wanted to go with members of her class on this great trip with EF tours. However, EF Tours will override the plan and refuse your refund. 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. Meals on the tour ran the gamut from weird to stellar, but overall were not to bad. The trip isn't until June of 2017. Lunches were always a gamble. It is very expensive, and I'm just hoping for a positive experience. Prefieres leer en espaol? 2/22/2022. This tends to give a false sense of urgency to the sign up process. Our tour guide didnt seem to have this mentality. If you want any other info or even wanted . The Return & Refund Policies may vary widely among different types of products and sellers. For example, while we were driving across Italy, she had our driver stop at a large gas station for a bathroom stop. Tickets can be purchased individually at the ticket booth for just $42 USD or for groups ahead of time for just $24 USD. Here's my EFTours experience: 1.I have been on 3 EFTours and have another planned for next summer. The trip total came to around $4,000. 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. have zero control or influence on these trips. Transfer of COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher. People are requiredLISTENrequired to purchase the Global Protection Plan. My first was as a parent going with my 15-year-old along with a group of about 20 kids (from a . 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. If not for her, 30 of your kids would be sleeping in the airport for two nights in a row since their new flight to London has a huge 13 hour layover. 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. Sometimes it was quite obvious where our group was supposed to go, and sometimes it wasnt. 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. 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. by | Oct 29, 2021 | how to stop gypsophila smelling | groomsman proposal funny | Oct 29, 2021 | how to stop gypsophila smelling | groomsman proposal funny We use cookies to improve your experience on our site and to show you personalised advertising. 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. Which btw the ticket was $100!!! 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 . You might be able to work something out. But relinquishing that control does require a certain amount of trust. For the most part, I felt quite safe during our trip. The school is only involved in the process as far as whether they allow teachers to hand out information in schools or not. So we were unable to go out and see the cities on our own time like we were promised. My son received life threatening injuries and had there not been a physician along as a chaperone my son would have died. I loved knowing that I could write my own tour, knowing that every detail would be done right. Costs for these trips can range widely, depending on the destinations and length of the trip. - Make a personalized map of where you've been and where you want to go. If you happen to wander around the Charles River, it is worth of walking toward the Zakim Bridge and stopping by North Point Park. Again, we found these rooms to be clean and pretty comfortable. nike nationals track and field backpack; 0 comments. Press J to jump to the feed. Do your trip make a suggestion about tips? 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. They also charged me $189 for insurance I declined. Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? Each participant in our tour was required to submit a copy of our passport to EF to insure that we had the proper documentation to travel. We had to accept them. The deduction of $565 includes items such as the non-refundable deposit and other non-refundable fees. Is The Royal Caribbean Key Program Really Worth It? 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 books all travelers in economy class seats for all transportation methods. Kinda defeats the whole concept of insurance. That invoice for antivirus protection is a scam, How a company could easily get a false F rating from the BBB. Miguel Suro, a Florida attorney who writes a personal finance blog called Rich Miser, says if no is the answer, you need to appeal to someone who can turn it into a yes., For airlines, if you get nowhere with the airline itself and have a valid claim, file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation, he says. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. Ms. Alaina Kommer from Grant High School does only think about herself and her travelling experience. As a result, the plaintiffs and thousands of others have suffered "direct and consequential financial damage . It felt like a complete waste of time to travel and waste that many days. 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. Be nice! EF Tours was contacted today also and there response was they aren't responsible for the insurance company. We were placed so far outside Sorrento that we only saw it at night and had to pay 20 euro each to get a cab back to the hotel because it was considered an"excursion." Once you get the notification for your EF ATM adjustment you should have access to the full amount of funds you deposited. 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! how to get a full refund from ef tours. Has anybody seen anyone of color working in their offices? So they offered vouchers that were only good for up to 18 monthsUP TO 18 MONTHS! During our entire time in London, we were not once served any traditional English food. I cancelled my daughters trip to Greece. HOW CAN THIS BE LEGAL??? Boston In an assurance of discontinuance filed in Suffolk Superior Court, EF Institute for Cultural Exchange Inc. and EF Explore America Inc. (EF) will offer additional cash refunds ranging from $100 to $435 to consumers who booked domestic and international travel through the company scheduled to depart between March 11 and May 14, 2020 that was ultimately cancelled due to the escalating . Click Registration to join us and share your expertise with our readers.). It includes time, money, convenience, and many other factors. They also promise to have the lowest price on the market for this type of travel. I think I would, but I would definitely choose a slower paced itinerary with more time in each destination. What can we do with this company? The EF Go Ahead Tours app supports and connects our global community. 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.. Hi! Students can expect to room with one to three other students, and possibly have to share beds. 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. My moms stairlift has a big problem it does not work outside! All dinners were set up at local restaurants before our arrival. Unfortunately, our family was naive enough to believe that this was supposed to be an educational tour. So, Hignite and other parents contacted EF Tours to learn they could get only vouchers, or pay the penalty to cancel. Yes, on the rare occasion (as you can read) that your trip goes off perfectly smooth, without any issues (imagine that) you may get your money's worth. May 9, 2 Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! All travel needs to be departing prior to the COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher expiration date. I'll look into that. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. This all changed, as soon as I offered to pay him extra, per person, for his help. Required fields are marked *. You're in!) The next group dinner was at a Polish restaurant where the group was served a fried chicken patty and french fries. In most cases, refunds can be issued electronically with the funds being sent directly back to your current account on file. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Lodging: Some hotel chains may be loosening their cancellation policies, waiving change and cancellation fees that would normally apply to non-refundable rates. I was told to call EF to see what my options are. They book all accommodations and attraction admissions for tour participants. Politeness. 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. Will this be the busiest spring break ever? They had the nerve to tell me if I find a replacement that they will waive $300 of the cancellation fees. Explain the situation and ask them to dispute the charge. Traveler's first name: Traveler's last name: Traveler's account number: For example, on our first full day of the trip, we visited the Tower of London. Wherever you are, were thereand we understand that, in todays ever-changing world, travelers are looking for more flexibility than ever before. Vouchers are not redeemable for their full cash equivalent. Im not sure if the lunch situations were like this because of our tour guide or because of EF itself. Focus on maintaining . The original discount amount will apply. We enjoyed a truly magical and unexpected sunset under the Eiffel Tower in Paris. You may wish to spend time at your destinations before or after the scheduled tour. It's just all circular and I can't get anywhere. About Ultimate Break tours Meals, transportation, Tour Directors, pace, customization, and who you'll be traveling with. For cancellations and refunds, call 1-800-USA-RAIL. 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). Experts say you shouldnt use a credit card dispute unless you have no other choice, which is to say the travel company wont refund your purchase even though its agreed to do so. Even when customers provided evidence of their dissatisfaction, EF Tours refused to issue refunds or only offered partial refunds. WBTV contacted EF Tours to find out why, in the middle of a global pandemic, they are refusing to give a full $3,300 refund. 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. According to the folks on our trip who had special dietary needs, the dinners were pretty good for the most part. Your Group Leader may choose from the following options: Work with EF to modify your group's current tour itinerary and dates, or find a new tour and apply all money paid to the new tour. I was told that they only charge whats been deposited. 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. I feel like everything was rushed. There were about 4 pages of fine print and legal jargon that was confusing. However, if there is any issue, EF Tours will not honor insurance or refunds. how to get a full refund from ef tours how to get a full refund from ef tours You can call EF Ultimate Break at 1-800-766-2645. However, I was never allowed to speak with management. allego spac presentation lake placid skating rink how to get a full refund from ef tours. 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! 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. If requested after enrollment and up to 130 days before departure, the fee is $195. EF Educational Tours If you wanted a refund, there was a fee. Were always here to help. 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. How do I fix this $499 mistake? Trip management Picking a trip, how . Get Involved; Contact; Donate! This Tour Director is supposed to handle just about everything on your tour, including all your pre-booked accommodations, meals, excursions, tickets, and transfers. 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. Children are not monitored, left to find their own way in cities across the . John Deere Air Filter Kit - GY20661 (4) $14. 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. the unforeseen. I overlooked all that because it was time spent with my daughter. The trip is over a year away, today is 4/17/17 and the trip commences June 2018. Flights cancelled, rerouted. 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. She collected it before we left. Visit the BBB website to find out how to submit a complaint. Im not opposed to tipping but tips need to be earned and for him to request a set amount doesnt sit well with me. These tours are usually walking tours, but sometimes are bus tours, depending on the location. . If all other attempts to get a full refund from EF Tours fail, it may be time to seek legal advice. If you wanted a refund, there was a fee. They canceled my flight. If your Group Leader has rescheduled your original tour/program, the group will be moved automatically onto the new tour/program. 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. She and her husband, Jerard, had to pay $437 for new tickets. 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. COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher The vast majority of the other students spent most of their time getting drunk and vaping. The menu included a plate with 1 chicken drumstick, a handful of french fries, and a wimpy green salad with one tomato slice. This company is a complete scam. Those options were usually something like a burger, pizza or a cold sandwich. My kids are going on an EF tour in March. 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. While not happy with that amount I understood. If you need help with any problem,please contact us through this form. Despite these frustrations, the itinerary did take us to some fantastic places and we had some absolutely unforgettable experiences. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. What options or Cancellation Terms apply to a traveler who has rebooked their tour with a rescheduled departure date between October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022 using a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher? We need to cancel due to medical and we were told we loose close to $800. 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. hodgetwins tour Adjustment to EF Atm Deposit. The first step to getting a full refund from EF Tours is to contact the company directly. EF TOURS IS A COMPLETE FRAUD. Consider hiring a lawyer who specializes in consumer protection and travel law. Does anyone have experience with this type of thing? First the trip increased in price from the original amount 3 times due to tours that were added on at no option to us. 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. (Note: Is this article not meeting your expectations? "You can accept a travel voucher with no penalties, or you can accept a. Parents have paid thousands of dollars for student tours abroad -- and those refunds aren't coming. Two straight hours of calling the ef tours emergency hotline and no still no answer. But he did recommend that our group stop at an Austrian "crystal factory" for "a short 30 minute" visit. Dinners seemed to improve when we got to France. Your email address will not be published. Absolutely not. The airline say to call the company that is organizing. He went as part of a group of senior high school students on a school sponsored trip. Why am I being charged a total of $550 in cancellation fees? Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. My mom is part of a tour departing for a 10 day trip to Europe. Accommodations and rooming Hotels and hostels, rooms and roommates, amenities, and upgrades. Its been eight months. Even if every single person had to buy a ticket, I cant imagine that the cost for a group tour and the transportation to get the group there cost an additional $84 USD per person. I am a retired college Professor of Art. 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. Each was wonderfully successful! 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 also provide a fundraising page, where friends and family can pay EF directly to offset the cost of your trip. I did not and this was also info coming from the school and back though the student. :? She had a black eye and blood in her eyeball for the entire trip. 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. Flights Cost, airlines we use, booking flights, baggage, requests, and managing your flights. Why is no one investigating them for fraudulent business practices, deceptive practices, false advertisement, etc, etc, etc?? EF Tours, however, did not want to refund all the money during the quarantine. Did EF Tours create the trip of my dreams? 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. IS this the only forum about this place? Adults can expect to share a room with one other person. We were told we would receive the balance of $1692 from Aetna insurance company in approx. And honestly I'm a little sad about canceling, but even trips on groupon are more affordableand a little less PG haha. For many years I organized and lead group tours to Europe for my college. 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. But their ads sure reflect diversity! Jose had approached her online agency and every airline in her itinerary. But COVID-19 canceled those plans. 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 was quite nice not to have to worry about any of that. When something goes wrong, you thing you are covered. Would I travel with EF Tours again? The only options available to us were food trucks along the river right next to the Tower complex. 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. Breakfast is provided each day at the hotel, usually continental style, but sometimes with hot offerings just depending on your hotel. By clicking "submit" below, you are requesting to have your refund issued by check, which will be made out in the travelers name and mailed to their primary address on file. Its always best to book any tour, hotel or activity for your trip with a major credit card, explains Claire Soares, founder of the travel company Up in the Air Life. 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. Our award-winning daily newsletters keep you posted on our random acts of consumer advocacy. I just hope the tour goes well. I am now leaning towards not going with this tour and planning our own itinerary and trip. 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.. Im Louise. I didn't think sharing was a big deal until I found out that he's expected to share a ben with a complete stranger. Foguth says details matter. If you dont believe me, ask Melina Jose, who was supposed to fly from Paris to Orlando, Florida, recently. They were both located about an hour outside of the city center, but that wasnt too much of a problem. 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. Has anybody been to the office of EF? But the worst experience in this hotel went to a dad on our trip, whos single room contained only a sofa. Im a wife, a mom, a crafter, a Disney fan, and a french fry connoisseur. Your card has consumer protection programs built in so you can challenge a charge if the vendor does not fulfill what was promised. All I know to do is make this issue public. $900 which we did. 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. 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. 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. We also had the unfortunate luck of awful traffic. Five families who are very angry with EF Educational Tours have. I have been a group leader with EF for 10 years and they have been getting so bad that I will no longer travel with them. They make zero effort to please traveller once fees paid. I was so angry but nothing was done about it. Having extra free time to see the sites of your choice seemed to be the best option during our tour. We are currently preparing to issue the refund you recently requested. I think our group leader made that choice when she set up our trip. 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. I have been pretty disappointed with EF when I call for questions. Before we get into that, it must be said that EF Tours operate fully independently of the local school district, and are not endorsed or supported by them whatsoever. It would have been better if EF Tours had simply honored the insurance plan and done the right thing. But the idiotic folks at EF Tours says since this was "unforeseen", we are not covered. The COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher cannot be used for: When I redeem a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher, can I split the value across multiple accounts? Our lead teacher did this as well. how to get a full refund from ef tours . Thanks. The teacher wouldnt return my phone call, or emails. Things took a turn for the worse on our last night of the tour, when we stayed at Hotel La Pergola in Rome. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. They informed me that my type of service is not recognized and I would not be covered. EF Go Ahead Tours also allows you to change the date of tour or destination up until your final payment day. Our tour left some of these promises unfulfilled, but did give us a glimpse at some fantastic destinations in Europe and some amazing memories.
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