Not helpful. . UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 3:30 PM PDST MARCH 30, 2020, On Friday, March 27, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Richard Schirtzer regarding Natalia Grabovsky, etc., et. Still capitalizing from us by refusing to refund the total amount. Then, you can't get through on the phone. The first was in 2018. My oldest son was scheduled to take a school trip to Peru next year. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 2:00 PM PDST SEPTEMBER 22, 2021. The trip was rescheduled for August and was later. cash refund for the unused trip. After only 3 days on tour Israel kicked everyone out because of Covid. steer clear of this scam! Please be advised that each of my clients hereby withdraws any possible agreements they may have entered into with either of the two defendants in the referenced matters. Its a joke. Was informed of the price to cancel was $199 not the $95 listed. But their ads sure reflect diversity! . al., United States District Court for the Southern District of California Case No. EFs Emergency Service & Support Team is available 24/7 to resolve any issue, from a missed flight to a lost passport to more serious on-tour incidents. Earn benefits like one spot on tour for every six travelers you bring. 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." My son received life threatening injuries and had there not been a physician along as a chaperone my son would have died. This company canceled our tour claiming Covid caused them to be short of staff to accommodate the tour. Protection for your belongings We've experienced the transformative power of travel firsthandand we can't wait to explore the opportunities that are out there for you and your students. I am out of $4,200.00, what is EF Tours out of??? Find out more details today at 1-800-438-7672. Against my better judgement. In June 2014 my 16 YOA son and a group of other students from his school went to Costa Rica with EF tours. Our people are your people. . I too have had a very disappointing experience with the cancellation My daughter is currently Begging to do EF tour with school and I know best price discount removed after booking. Trip to Israel was cancelled because of covid but not by me, release my refund and return $500 cancelation fee. Future Travel Vouchers are valid up to 25 months from the month of the original tours scheduled departure. EF Tours is just horrible. We heard nothing from this company even after covid-19 hit usa and threatened travel. Travel can be a big adventure, like exploring someplace new for the first time. opens a world of possibilities. Why am I being charged a total of $550 in cancellation fees? They also facilitate communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency at home. When we called to cancel, they refuse to give us our full refund and claim to keep $500 despite their poor communication, COVID restrictions, and the paid insurance plan which has turned out to be a scam too. Imagine being in London not able to tour anything because you don't have the proper tour bus that you were promised?? And, this hotel was a truck stop on the M1. Our 50,000+ staff and faculty members around the world provide a local presence and are able to react quickly and in person where necessary. Later on April 20, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Mr. Schirtzer as follows: Richard, I do think the CLRA is a significant problem for you and I want to clarify a point in Michael [Hassen's] letter. EF Educational Tours Call 800-665-5364 to enroll. Meet Carlos, an expert local guide The trip is over a year away, today is 4/17/17 and the trip commences June 2018. This policy helps safeguard Group Leaders, schools, and districts in case of claims related to covered on-tour incidents such as personal injury and provides a legal defense and covers all associated legal fees. On September 8, 2020, and over vigorous objection, federal District Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel granted a motion to change venue from the Southern District of California to the District of Massachusetts that had previously been filed by the EF Defendants and set for hearing on September 11, 2020. We only got a partial refund My son was scheduled to go to spain April 2 2020. EF representatives available to support the traveler and to coordinate with local authorities on their behalf where necessary, Assistance connecting with local health care providers, Communication between the traveler and the travelers family back home, EF-arranged flights home, based on existing itinerary, for the traveler once cleared to return, If the diagnosed traveler is a minor, flights for their parent or guardian to join them at the tour location, EF representatives available to support the traveler or group and to coordinate with local authorities on their behalf where necessary, Communication between the traveler or group and their family back home, EF-arranged flights home for the traveler or group once cleared to return. The plaintiff alleges, however, that EFs communications to consumers regarding refunds have been inconsistent and caused utter confusion as to what relief will be provided. Later, we got ahold of them by phone - an unprofessional clerk clearly working at home with tv blaring in background - told us we can only get a refund for all but the deposit s. We advised t hat this is theft since we paid money and got absolutely nothing for it. Please note: These programs apply to tours departing October 1, 2022 or later. Kinda defeats the whole concept of insurance. Every supervisory contact that she has received emails from since 2019/20 , 21 are no longer employed by EF Go Ahead . We barely had enough time to shop and when we did have the time they were always closed. I worked on the building and had to be in the offices every 3 months for 2 years. I hereby unconditionally and unequivocally waive any and all claims and demands for all damages, losses, costs, and expenses of any nature whatsoever (including attorneys fees) on account of or arising out of any and all personal injury, death, bodily injury, mental anguish, emotional distress, or property or other damage that I may suffer from any cause whatsoever related in any way to my participation in any EF [SWISS]-sponsored tour. Customer service is the WORST! Filed against EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc. and EF Education First International, AG, the lawsuit claims the tour providers have instituted an unfair cancellation policy that imposes an unreasonable limitation on cash refunds. So, no refund. We believe travel is for everyone. Trip delay coverage We were offered a wait and see attitude for the following year 2021 . EF Explore America Call 888-333-9756 to enroll. 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! 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. Travel Company efeducationaltours eftours eftours Photos See all Videos See all 1:02 He refers to the folks who bought travel insurance as a subclass, which they may well be. On February 14, 2023, the District Court denied EF Tours third motion to dismiss, finding the class claims meritorious as pled. Why would I need to do the work for them? Refusal to refund refund after they cancelled tours! v. EF etc. Thats why we prioritize safety, value, Looking ahead. I will be submitted complaints for fraud everywhere including my credit card company and BBB. In what universe is this considered acceptable?!?!?!? They also facilitate communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency at home. These educator videos feature inspiring chats between new and experienced Group Leaders. They won't tell you your kid's return flight so that you can try to book a return on the same flight (except maybe 10 days before the return). If any location(s) included in the groups itinerary is newly designated as a Travel Advisory Level 4 by the U.S. Department of State; or a U.S. federal or state governmental authority has newly imposed a travel ban to your destination, or newly issued an order requiring a self-quarantine for travelers in your group upon arrival to a location on your itinerary or upon return home from a location on your groups itinerary; your Group Leader or the individual traveler will have the same Peace of Mind options set forth above. 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. But guess what? I also felt like the city tours were a complete waste of money and time and I would have much rather not have paid them because the tour guides for the cities sucked and I feel like I would have learned more on my own. 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. Tour Consultant, EF Education First, Desired outcome: "Russia is at war with Ukraine, the UK is prioritizing Ukraine visas over every other VISA on humanitarian grounds. Travelers can choose to enroll in one of the Global Travel Protection plans, both of which are designed specifically with EF travelers in mind. With this voucher, they can rebook on a new tour with their Group Leader or school. EF Tours was contacted today also and there response was they aren't responsible for the insurance company. It has been no surprise that management NEVER called. 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. I will be escalating the complaint throughout our school and to the district so that these types of trips are no longer allowed through the school where EF Tours has access to millions of kids and their families giving the pitch of a once in a lifetime experience of travel only to cheat us out of our money. 3:20-cv-00508-gpc-blm stating: Dear Mr. Schirtzer: As you are aware, I am counsel of record to the named putative class representative plaintiff Natalia Grabovsky and you are counsel of record for EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc. 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