He refused to take us anywhere on our free time. I would just like some advice if there's any way to lessen the blow. They are all F-ing scum I hope all involved lose every penny they ever made and become homeless. Vrbo offered a refund after my husband lost his job. 109 to 45 days prior to departure: Full refund less $95 non-refundable deposit, all Non-Refundable fees, and 50% of program price. 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'll look into that. But the worst experience in this hotel went to a dad on our trip, whos single room contained only a sofa. According to the folks on our trip who had special dietary needs, the dinners were pretty good for the most part. Im not sure what EF added to the experience to warrant that upcharge. What a waste of time and money. Edited: 11 years ago . I will say that the class was a fun experience at a great location, and we all enjoyed the desserts we made together. Your password has been sent to the specified email address. During our entire time in London, we were not once served any traditional English food. 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. 110 comments. Several items listed on our initial brochure were changed before the trip due to pandemic restrictions and travel challenges, which was fine. They are also putting about 4 kids in a room! 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. It was necessary for a family member to go to Costa Rica. throttle thumb display electric . All total they are withholding $760. 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. The brochure also claimed that students could earn educational credit while on tour, and that all tours feature experiential learning activities.. I checked our beds for bedbugs and thankfully did not find any. 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. Electric Bike Thumb Throttle 12-84v LED Display Voltmeter & ON OFF Kil torquetech.co.uk. It's essential for customers to examine a seller's return policy before . The Versailles excursion seemed overpriced as well. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. This was the only true hostel on our trip. 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. While I could not find information about individual class pricing, I highly doubt that EF paid that much per person for us to spend an hour making tiramisu. We need to cancel due to medical and we were told we loose close to $800. So, Hignite and other parents contacted EF Tours to learn they could get only vouchers, or pay the penalty to cancel. I feel I paid twice as much as the tour was worth with the lack of amenities and accommodations that were promised by EF as those that were . There were a total of 40 people on our tour. The only options available to us were food trucks along the river right next to the Tower complex. Dont let months pass by without letting the company know that your money is still missing. EF is keeping $565 dollars needed to cover their overhead and costs to hotels and airlines but students could reschedule. He ended up sleeping on a towel laid out on the sofa with a travel neck pillow, that had been provided to him by his daughter from her room. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. 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. Other than the local tour guides and maybe the tiramisu class, I wouldnt call just visiting these historic places an experiential learning activity.. You can call EF Ultimate Break at 1-800-766-2645. My kids are going on an EF tour in March. I worked on the building and had to be in the offices every 3 months for 2 years. crank up antenna tower for sale. Having extra free time to see the sites of your choice seemed to be the best option during our tour. For what it's worth 4k for a scotland ireland trip is definitely too much. Some days our tour guide would set up a lunch option for us, having arranged a preset menu and price with a local restaurant. 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. Parents understand why CPS canceled the trips. 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. Once we arrived in Rome, the Villa Aurelia was our home base for two nights. There were also some pretty significant changes to our itinerary. I cancelled my daughters trip to Greece. On May 1st I lost my job and we immediately contacted Ef Tours to cancel. From that time forward I lead 20 overseas tours to Europe for my college. They are in trouble financially and that is ok with me!!! What can a COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher be used for? Despite these frustrations, the itinerary did take us to some fantastic places and we had some absolutely unforgettable experiences. "You can accept a travel voucher with no penalties, or you can accept a. A Comprehensive Guide, Is Hiring a Travel Agent Worth It? Read more, Copyright 2023 Chaotically Yours | Birch on Trellis Framework by Mediavine. But whats this $452 bill? 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. IS this the only forum about this place? They make zero effort to please traveller once fees paid. The Global Travel Protection Plus plan provides a refund of the Program Price (minus the cost of the plan and other non-refundable fees) if your child needs to cancel their tour up to 24 hours prior to departure for any reason. About Ultimate Break tours Meals, transportation, Tour Directors, pace, customization, and who you'll be traveling with. how to get a full refund from ef tours. And that wasn't even a full guarantee of a full refund. 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 been pretty disappointed with EF when I call for questions. The company may refer your case to its legal department, where it could linger for weeks or months. Sometimes they were just continental breakfasts with cold offerings, and sometimes we were given hot breakfasts with eggs, bacon, and such. I just hope the tour goes well. 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.. All dinners were set up at local restaurants before our arrival. Breakfast and dinner every day were included in what we paid for our tour. While not happy with that amount I understood. But when it comes to refunds, they quote rules and policies designed to make it difficult, if not impossible, to get a refund. EF will book with whatever airline has space available for the lowest price for the group. A COVID-19 Future Travel Voucher can be exchanged at any point prior to its stated expiration date for a cash refund option based on the original scheduled departure date of the tour program. We knew going into this tour that our itinerary would be extremely hectic. Do you have any questions about EF Tours that I didnt answer? 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. How to Get a Full Refund from EF Tours: A Step-by-Step Guide, Do I Need to Be Vaccinated to Travel to Hawaii? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Proudly powered by WordPress I've been paying off a trip to Ireland/England from EF Tours for Girl Scouts for about a year. SCUMBAGS!!!!! For example, airlines love to send you vouchers, but that funny money expires after a year. RIP OFF!! 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. Visite nuestra pgina web de Trminos y Condiciones de los Crditos de Viaje Futuro aqu. The bus driver was a surly Dutch man, who was gruff and impossible. how to get a full refund from ef tours; how to get a full refund from ef tours. I overlooked all that because it was time spent with my daughter. 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. The Return & Refund Policies may vary widely among different types of products and sellers. During the tour, your group will meet up with various local guides who will give you some sort of tour of the city or historic site that youre visiting. For cancellations and refunds, call 1-800-USA-RAIL. The trip was booked for June of 2019. The tour guide was a London college student who had traveled little, not having been to many of our tour destinations. 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 . EF has the group leader/teacher set up deadlines for signing up to go on the trip, sometimes including small discounts to encourage enrollment. But COVID-19 canceled those plans. Stories like hers repeat themselves every hour of every day. If requested after enrollment and up to 130 days before departure, the fee is $195. Breakfast is provided each day at the hotel, usually continental style, but sometimes with hot offerings just depending on your hotel. The front desk did not seem to care and we were told no one was available to come clean the bathrooms. 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. Flights cancelled, rerouted. Focus on maintaining . 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. She was more worried about herself and her family I guess. Image courtesy: EF Go Ahead Tours Benefits of EF Go Ahead Tours. Settling with a debit card, a check or even a wire transfer means the money is gone. This tends to give a false sense of urgency to the sign up process. Be informed, says Michael Foguth, founder of Foguth Financial Group in Brighton, Michigan. Hi, I recently made a deposit to my bank of 12,400. They won't tell you which airline or which hotel you will be staying at. In the meantime, I received notice that I would be required to attend a mandatory training evolution with the military and learned that the dates overlapped. As you can imagine the difference between 0 and 55 is immaculate and only caused problems throughout the entire trip. 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. You might be able to work something out. There are mice in my vacation rental! The fee for this service is $145 if requested upon enrollment. First, was the chance to rebook the tour at no additional cost to any cities offered . Crypto Wallet Development: Types, Features, and Popularity, 5 Ways AI is Detecting and Preventing Identity Fraud. Id say yes. Our Tour Director said it was because London is a melting pot of cultures, but our group didnt buy that. EF tours looks like another fish altogether.a money-making venture of little value for the parents. Meals on the tour ran the gamut from weird to stellar, but overall were not to bad. She signed up October 1 and we had to cancel Oct 14 due to conflicts with my work schedule. Enroll online or call 800-766-2645, EF Explore America In June 2014 my 16 YOA son and a group of other students from his school went to Costa Rica with EF tours. And, this hotel was a truck stop on the M1. 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. The North American headquarter of Education First (EF) locates in Cambridge Massachusetts US. One of the destinations was an Island called Tortuga. Accommodations and rooming Hotels and hostels, rooms and roommates, amenities, and upgrades. Here are some of the most effective coronavirus refund tips: Negotiate politely. Cancel your tour and all travelers will receive a transferable Future Travel Voucher in the amount of all monies paid for the original tour, less the cost . 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. 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. Usually if you haven't paid in full you could get a cancel for any reason insurance which will give you about 75% back. Have had 2 separate travel experiences with EF. I am self employed so I had to send a letter stating that my business went under and this had created a hardship. 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. Get online free 48v Electric Bike Controller Wiring Diagram e-books in eBook format, PDF, ef go ahead tours appMotorcycle Electrical Wiring Diagram Pdf - Motorcycle Wiring Diagram charlotte-purser.blogspot.com. If you think you might want a refund on a travel product at some point and lets face it, who doesnt? Overall, breakfasts were adequate throughout the trip. Angry demands for a refund and threats to take a company to court almost always backfire. 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. I am out of $4,200.00, what is EF Tours out of??? But in the most frustrating example, during our time in Paris a visit to the Frogonard Perfume Museum was added to our itinerary. When I called about a refund for the extension being taken off I was told by customer service "They make the cost even out." The information provided typically includes the return deadline, eligible products, and the required documentation such as a proof of purchase. EF books all travelers in economy class seats for all transportation methods. I had some incredible experiences in some amazing locations with my only daughter, and I wouldnt trade that for the world. ?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. This hotel was significantly older than the other three we had stayed at, but it was still clean and comfortable. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? Most of the time we had no idea where we were headed when we were walking to different locations. TSA Tours, of course. Four students are continuously placed in rooms meant for two people. Well isn't that what insurance is for??? We were promised experiential learning activities during the trip. Whatever you need, well handle it. 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. We also were traveling to all the countries during the world cup. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. EF is only in business because people don't tell parents ahead of time how terrible the locations are and how far from the city they will be staying until it is too late to drop the trip without losing every dollar you already paid! 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. Why is Good UI/UX Design Imperative for Business Success? Call 800-992-1892 to enroll. She told us we only had five minutes to use the restroom and get back on the bus. 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. You dont always have to appeal to the government. There was a layer of dusty film all over my bathroom and my pillow had an unidentified crusty stain on it. Tours are advertised by the group leader/teacher to students at their school and to their local community. They book all accommodations and attraction admissions for tour participants. 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. I have traveled extensively with Expedia, always buy travel insurance, and am covered for any thing, from war to terrorism, to a pandemic. Between Florence and Rome, we spent the night at the Hotel Villa Ricci (not pictured). Would I travel with EF Tours again? Tune Up Kit Oil Air Filter Kit for John Deere L130 G100 G110 SABRE 2554. I booked a trip with our homeschool "trip club" to do EF's Great Britain tour with a 2 day extension to Paris. What kind of money the travel company wants to send you, for starters. We were combined with a group from upstate New York consisting of 14 travelers: one teacher, one adult, one child and 11 students. 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. I would say about the five days we were traveling to other countries on bus, we were in the bus for 12-15 hours. John Deere Air Filter Kit - GY20661 (4) $14. A most unsatisfactory and life changing (m for the worse) experience. The original discount amount will apply. . Spring break trip with the school for my two boys to go to Greece and Italy this year. Worry-free guarantee; If you cancel the booking within 60 days from the reservation date, you are entitled to a full refund. 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. EF seems to take the money and doesn't provide much other info. how to get a full refund from ef tours These Whispers often had glitches or were garbled, making it very hard to understand our guides. If you happen to wander around the Charles River, it is worth of walking toward the Zakim Bridge and stopping by North Point Park. Save up to $300. 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. Be sure to document all communication with your credit card company so that you can refer back to it if necessary. So, no refund. 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. 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. The purpose of this article is to provide a step-by-step guide on how to get a full refund from EF Tours. On the rare occasion when this requirement is not fulfilled, participants are given one or more of the following options: 1. In addition the insurance company retained by EF initially declined to pay to have my son evacuated from Cost Rica. Also, keep every email and receipt. Costs for these trips can range widely, depending on the destinations and length of the trip. The first step to getting a full refund from EF Tours is to contact the company directly. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. EF has staff on the ground, 365 days a year, in over 50 countries to assist you in times of need. I work for a competitor of EF and have about a million reasons why groups that go with them get ripped off. Also told cancellation fee is now $400 not the $300 listed. 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. It felt like a complete waste of time to travel and waste that many days. This may or may not be true or all groups that are traveling with EF. EF Tours Return & Refund Policies. After travel is completed on the fi rst tour, repeat travelers will receive a $100 Repeat Traveler Discount off future tours. If I cancel, I lose about $400 in cancellation fees. Jose waited three months before contacting me. 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. The EF in EF Tours stands for Education First. It was over $8,300," Hignite said. 824. 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 school uses them for all there spring break trips and this is very disappointing that they are doing this to us. I work for a competitor of EF and have about a million reasons why groups that go with them get ripped off. 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). The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Foguth says details matter. It's just all circular and I can't get anywhere. One thing is guaranteed. Consumers who booked domestic trips through the EF Explore America tours program should call 888-333-9756 to request a refund. With no more than 48 hours in any location, we expected it to be jam packed. In Munich, we were given lodging one block from the red light district, and had three young women awakened during the middle of the night by a drunken man demanding access to their room (their room entrance was directly onto the street). EF will make accomodations for those with specific dietary needs, such as gluten free or dairy free meals. Two straight hours of calling the ef tours emergency hotline and no still no answer. Did EF Tours create the trip of my dreams? But on her return flight, one of the legs, on Flybe from Paris to Manchester, England, mysteriously vanished. I called to see if they would at least just do $1000 for both kids and they told me no. 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. The first was in 2018. Its completely impossible for 40 people to make use of just a handful of bathroom stalls in five minutes. But their ads sure reflect diversity! Call 800-590-1161 to enroll, EF Tours for Girls Was informed of the price to cancel was $199 not the $95 listed. Visit the BBB website to find out how to submit a complaint. The swimming area was not separated in any way from boat traffic, nor was my son warned about possible boat traffic. Sometimes this was a good thing, but sometimes it was incredibly frustrating. 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. There were no linens or towels available to him whatsoever. However, EF Tours will override the plan and refuse your refund. I really did expect to spend some quality time at these major historic sites. The Elliott Report is supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. have zero control or influence on these trips. The school is only involved in the process as far as whether they allow teachers to hand out information in schools or not. Exploring the World of Knowledge and Understanding. EF Tours charged each participant $60. While they still stuck with four students to a room, several of the student rooms had enough beds to sleep up to 12 people. 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. My son didn't create this problem, and it's not his fault. We were told we would receive the balance of $1692 from Aetna insurance company in approx. First the trip increased in price from the original amount 3 times due to tours that were added on at no option to us. Had it been a different group of personalities, Im not sure how it would have gone. Make sure to include all relevant information, such as the date of the transaction, the amount of the refund requested, and any evidence you have of your dissatisfaction with EF Tours. Although it did seem that everywhere we went in Italy, anyone who was gluten free or dairy free was served watermelon for dessert. Did they create a good experience for students who havent done a lot of international traveling? Empowering Lives with Nutritious and Delicious NDIS Meals! 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. Enroll online or call 800-766-2645, EF Go Ahead Tours 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. Were always here to help. 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. These refund policies cover only a partial amount of the costs EF has already incurred for each . 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? (I publish a full list of customer service executive contacts on my nonprofit consumer advocacy site, elliott.org. 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. 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. For a fee, a single room can be requested for the tour. 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. 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. Curfews and group rules were left up to our group leader, who didnt set many boundaries for our students. Authors Channel Summit. This hotel was a bit older than the Hiltons wed stayed in, but it was clean, spacious, and comfortable. As a result, the plaintiffs and thousands of others have suffered "direct and consequential financial damage .
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