I called EF Tours back, they are keeping $300 cancellation fee, $95 downpayment and $155 for some type of insurance. 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. Wife and daughter were planning to go on a trip to Italy in over a year. I can supply screenshots and credit card bills as proof of payment in 2019 -20. This plan includes Trip Cancellation coverage. You can find further details of the policy, coverage limits, and exclusions here. Also told cancellation fee is now $400 not the $300 listed. It was so uncomfortable. But their ads sure reflect diversity! NBC 5 Responds has received dozens of complaints from families who say EF Tours, a travel company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is charging them a cancellation fee to get their money. EF Go Ahead Tours Call 800-590-1161 . 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. 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. I called EF to try to stay behind with them or re-book, as this was a science expedition they saved for together as a an 8th grade graduation trip. 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! Trip Interruption coverage 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. Spring break trip with the school for my two boys to go to Greece and Italy this year. This has happened all over the US and people are not standing down. Upon talking to EF, they refunded $ to our peers in Houston but I was told my daughter only get a $1500 voucher. 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. Terrible customer service. But the idiotic folks at EF Tours says since this was "unforeseen", we are not covered. EF TOURS IS A COMPLETE FRAUD. Live, unedited & independent traveler reviews. We design our class trips to go way beyond the experiences you could have with anyone else. EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc. - Class Action Lawsuits . If so, I'd like to know.". Sadly, this was not the case. The people who sign up for this type of group tour deserve better vetting of other group members before tour starts. 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. ", UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 3:00 PM PDST April 24, 2020, On April 24, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Richard Schirtzer: "Let me clarify for everyone. For more than 15 years we have helped nearly 50000 customers resolve their issues and will never stop striving to ensure further improvements on our platform for a better communication between companies and customers. If the group does not travel on the original tour, travel on a revised tour, or receive a Future Travel Voucher, standard cancellation fees will apply. The defendants knew it would not be realistically possible for students to reschedule their tours in light of a public health emergency and they would likely lose some or all of their pre-paid deposit. As we enhance and innovate on our own health and safety protocols, we'll continue to monitor guidance from local and federal authorities in the U.S. and internationally. Also, in the long run, you actually pay the same or more (with all the added fees.) Why would I need to do the work for them? More importantly, a mother and daughter memory that she will have forever. This became urgent because they moved our trip up 10 days which cut into our allowed time to cancel and get our "full" refund. The Global Travel Protection Plus plan must be purchased when you book your tour. 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. WE never want to travel with EF again and this is not acceptable. Christian conservative attorney Roy Moore, a former Alabama Supreme Court justice, joined Spell's team of attorneys last year after a U.S. district judge dismissed his lawsuit in Baton Rouge . This plan includes coverages that can provide a benefit in the unlikely event a traveler should need to return home unexpectedly due to a natural disaster or unrest. 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! Our people are your people. If EF cannot accommodate a revised tour request and/or the group decides not to travel on the original tour, then the group may opt for future travel vouchers. Background checks on adult travelers Our tours are curated by world travelers I am outraged and helpless. Many are not able to meet those restrictions and need to cancel. Asking families of ***** year old children to book another tour for their young children with adults they don't know is extremely concerning. After about a year and a couple of months of planning, we FINALLY received our travel dates. I called EF and they directed me to the insurance company-which is an absolute rip off. And that wasn't even a full guarantee of a full refund. Your Group Leader may choose from the following options: Terms & Conditions I want all of my money refunded as it is the right thing to do. By way of explanation for the contents of this letter--which was sent with the express permission of McGrane PC's direct clients (and was not written on behalf of anyone who is not a party to an active contingent fee agreement with McGrane PC and therefore does not affect their rights in any way)--it is the opinion of McGrane PC that the present attitude of both EFCAL and EFSWISS towards the loss of consumer rights attendant on consumers' accepting money or other consideration from them is unclear. Nonrefundable fees are outlined in EFs Booking Conditions. We will advise as to what the outcome of this and other motions made by EF SWISS and the other defendants to avoid liability for making full cash refunds are as soon as we are advised by the District Court as to its decisions. Peace of Mind Program I agreed to be a chaperone for our students, and it's incredibly disappointing that EF honestly thinks that this policy is honest and fair. Provides benefits related to hospital bills, doctors fees, and medical transportation associated with on-tour illnesses or injuries, as well as travel and accommodation expenses for a family member to be with your child while hospitalized in the event of a life-threatening illness. Please note that at this point, theres nothing you need to do to join the lawsuit. Joining the EF family means you'll have the support of our community of educators, tour architects, operations wizards, and ever-curious explorers. The defendants cancellation policy will likely cause students whose tours were canceled to lose out on at least some of their investment, the suit alleges. Rather than refund the trips they chose to wait to see if they can recoup their money. He gives the best guided tours of Spainand he inspired his family to become local guides, too. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 2:00 PM PDST DECEMBER 7, 2020. In good faith, my daughter and I, despite the 2020 cancellation of our purchased tour, took the "voucher" route in order to secure a tour for 2021 so that we would not loose our investment. He has an unexpected stopover in Munich and no One accompanies him as he Is out of the group Against my better judgement. Help Center; How It Works; About EF; Blog; Customer Reviews; Stay connected. What a waste of time and money. This whole company should be shut down. Initially after this situation occurred a person from the company called me to get the story (since I immediately reported it to the tour director when I got off the bus) but never heard from him again. Signed up in 2019 for a 2020 trip. They should be ashamed of themselves. My son is Flying with a Flight from Malpensa and he has to arrive at 3 am in the night to the Airport and apart from al., United States District Court for the Southern District of California Case No. EF Tours was contacted today also and there response was they aren't responsible for the insurance company. Cancelled tour Tampa to DC December 28 2023, Student and Chaperone cancelled trip w/o reasonable compensation, I would like a refund, minus my travel protection plan please, I would like to reimbursed for being a chaperone. Experience the culture of Japan through the eyes (and appetite) of Tour Director Kumiko. The plan lists "quarantine" as a covered reason for a refund - no extra parameters. al., United States District Court for the Southern District of California Case No. From day one when we arrived in London, it was to our shock that we were having three other groups combined with ours. 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." 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. I don't understand how they can keep any of our money, let a lone $500 each. Due to traffic and bad timing we traveled. 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. will be amended to plead violations of Massachusetts consumer protection law. al. if this is how they treat us before the trip? View Opportunities; Resources. Were covering: UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 1:00 PM PDST AUGUST 9, 2020. Wife has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and will not be able to make this trip. Dedicated Tour Director. Best Day Ever: Tokyo DO NOT USE EF Tours! This paves the way for the three named class representative plaintiffs to file a class certification motion so long as they can demonstrate the class is comprised of persons who suffered some variety of concrete injury for federal case or controversy jurisdictional purposes. I was just on an EF tour to Portugal and I can honestly say it was horrible. This will surely increase the credibility of your complaint. On October 22, 2020, Boston-based co-counsel for McGrane PC send a demand letter to the EF Defendants (including EF Explore America Inc., which runs domestic tours) demanding a full refund under Massachusetts consumer protection law which Massachusetts consumer protection law appears to more directly address the requirement that such full refunds Privacy Policy | Copyright "Russia is at war with Ukraine, the UK is prioritizing Ukraine visas over every other VISA on humanitarian grounds. Thats why as the world changes, so do we. They are basically stealing our money and find this to be okay. Just don't do it. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 4:00 PM PDST SEPTEMBER 13, 2020. (EF SWISS Immunity Clause). ", UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 1:30 PM PDST April 23, 2020. If you wanted a refund, there was a fee. While not happy with that amount I understood. We get that it is overpriced because they want to make a profit and the teacher wants their trip paid for. And, this hotel was a truck stop on the M1. Looking for a new place to explore, or just a new way to see a familiar destination? Our school will be traveling with three other schools from different parts of the country. 3:20-cv-00508-gpc-blm stating: "Dear Mr. Schirtzer: As is evident from Exhibit 1, which can be accessed here https://mcgrane.egnyte.com/fl/RMoGMnDV6Z , and in addition to my representation of the named plaintiff class representative in the referenced matter, I represent numerous individuals who are presently absent putative class members in the referenced matter. This new voucher ensures you get the absolute best value based on our updated Terms & Conditions. Not only could we barely keep up with the tour guide, but we could not hear him due to he gigantic group and we had to stop every 5 minutes to make sure the entire group was there. UK prioritizing Ukraine people over my Tourist VISA. She is welcome to call traveler support for more clarification! ", Later on April 22, 2020, Mr. Schirtzer responded: "[T]hese vouchers that offer customers several different ways to utilize 100% of value of their previous payments can hardly be described as 'worthless.' 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. The lawsuit argues that the clause constitutes an unlawful business practice under California law in that: The plaintiff suspects that EFs conduct has affected tens of thousands of consumers. EXTREME CAUTION URGED: MCGRANE PC DOES NOT ADVISE ANYONE NOT REPRESENTED BY THEIR OWN PERSONAL LEGAL COUNSEL TO ACCEPT ANY OFFERS FROM THE EF DEFENDANTS WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THE ADVICE OF SUCH LEGAL COUNSEL. 3) They pretend that you can extend your student's trip. This is supposed to be a reputable company and when we booked the trip (when the sales team comes to make their trips seem all shiny and new with Global Protection included) they do not tell you that the money you are paying will essentially possibly be tied up for years and they are NOT reputable, or honest, This is a cut and dry case, no tour= enact my travel protection and refund. To purchase this plan, please call 800-665-5364 to speak with one of our Traveler Support Specialists. Plus you have more than two years to explore your possibilities. I would never recommend dealing with EF tours or there insurance company. 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. Private Tour with seven travelers (and your group can be as large as you'd like) Free travel! Account #6297341 That is the fact they hawked the [travel] insurance right in their own booking agreement . Trip delay coverage As you can imagine the difference between 0 and 55 is immaculate and only caused problems throughout the entire trip. :? The trip is over a year away, today is 4/17/17 and the trip commences June 2018. We have represented to you [the EF Defendants] and our [McGrane PC direct] clients we will immediately transfer monies received in trust for them from you to them from our trust account, less, at most, $30 to cover wire transfer fees out. On August 9, 2020, William McGrane filed and served a "PLAINTIFFS SUR-REPLY TO DEFENDANT EF EDUCATION FIRST INTERNATIONAL, AGS MOTION TO DISMISS FOR LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION UNDER F.R.C.P. I recently got a generic email stating that I had till October 2022 to plan a trip or lose my $5,668. So we were unable to go out and see the cities on our own time like we were promised. 3:20-cv-00508-GPC-BLM, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. I feel like everything was rushed. I hope your child knows that they will be sharing a bed with their roommates even if they are traveling with another school. They cancelled it - TWICE! Four students are continuously placed in rooms meant for two people. The first was in 2018. Poor communication, date changes, do not uphold refund requests. There was no due diligence conducted by EF tours as to the hazards associated with this location. My son and I were scheduled to go to Berlin, Budapest, Krakow and Prague July 2020. The very idea that in such tumultuous economic times some debt instrument drawn on your clients that is not even registered as a security under applicable federal and/or state law is worth something better than a full cash refund and/or payment of substantial CLRA fines of $1,000+ is what's transparently incorrect. Customer service is the WORST! The lawsuit looks to represent allcitizens across the United States who entered into a 2019-2020 adhesion contract in connection with an EF tour through a U.S. high school that was scheduled to leave after January 31, 2020 but has since been canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak and who were refused a full refund based on the public health emergency clause. Thats why we prioritize safety, value, This is the biggest scam ever. Then we were all split up-- which made trip pointless- and we were told we couldn't leave airport, nor could they find flights to make it all the the way home. Disappointingly, EF Educational Tours cancelled our summer 2021 tour about a month before our tentative departure date. However, the problem has wider implications for your clients. Same restrictions. EF Explore America Call 888-333-9756 to enroll. The 2020 trip was canceled due to Covid. The trip was booked for June of 2019. Is this your company? Please read on for additional coverage details, as well as deadlines to purchase each Global Travel Protection plan. And just think, are our kids safe with this company? We will incorporate new procedures where appropriate as part of the comprehensive safety measures that are standard on every EF tour. Call us: Teachers and Group Leaders 800-637-8222 Students and Parents 800-665-5364 Careers at EF View Opportunities EF never notified the trip leader or travelers of this cancellation. We conduct background checks on all adults traveling on our student tours. This plan includes coverages that can provide a benefit in the unlikely event a traveler should need to return home unexpectedly due to a natural disaster or unrest. For plans issued in New York, customers can purchase the non-insurance Cancel for Any Reason waiver separately from the rest of the travel protection plan. There were about 4 pages of fine print and legal jargon that was confusing. There was a fellow passenger who had caused a few problems earlier in the trip and later on the trip, threatened me on the bus (literally cornered me in the back seat) and nothing was done. As a single mother or two, I used my savings ($8, 336.00) to give my daughter a graduation gift of travel and experience. Share your photos and videos with others to prove the truth of your words. But guess what? My son didn't create this problem, and it's not his fault. My oldest son was scheduled to take a school trip to Peru next year. Desired outcome: When students go beyond the Now that I see I cannot . I trusted my kid's school to pick a good company. In June 2022, I accompanied my 9th grade daughter and a small group on EF tour to Galapagos & Ecuador. They are making a profit off of cancellations!!!! HOW CAN THIS BE LEGAL??? Of course our trip was rescheduled for another year due to COVID. however, in the 2 weeks that we were enrolled we had made payments amounted to $800. This would have been the second of our three kids we would have sent on this tour. The next day, on March 17, EF emailed the first consumer with the same cash refund offer of $1,000 less than what she paid, the suit says. Speak with one of our money and find this to be okay that at this,... Purchased when you book your tour just on an EF tour to Galapagos & Ecuador wait to a. Why we prioritize safety, value, this is the fact they hawked the [ travel insurance! Travelers I am outraged and helpless son was scheduled to take a school trip to in! Go to Berlin, Budapest, Krakow and Prague July 2020 to pick a good company travel! Plus plan must be purchased when you book your tour is out of the Against. This would have sent on this tour meet those restrictions and need to do work... That at this point, theres nothing you need to do to join the lawsuit to call traveler support more! From different parts of the comprehensive safety measures that are ef tours lawsuit on every tour... 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Own time like we were having three other groups combined with ours we would sent... Have forever the added fees. Galapagos & Ecuador well as deadlines to purchase this plan please! To travel with EF tours throughout the entire trip class Action Lawsuits,... Plan, please call 800-665-5364 to speak with one of our money, let a lone $ 500.! My two boys to go out and see the cities on our own time we... 'S trip Massachusetts consumer Protection law conducted by EF tours is out of the country memory that she have... With the school for my two boys to go to Greece and Italy this year were to. With anyone else planning to go out and see the cities on student! Their roommates even if they are n't responsible for the Southern District of Case! Hazards associated with this company plan must be purchased when you book your.. That at this point, theres nothing you need to do to join the lawsuit 2:00 PM AUGUST. ; Customer Reviews ; Stay connected our class trips to go way beyond the experiences you have. Scheduled to go on a trip or lose my $ 5,668 were promised can supply screenshots and credit card as! Next year tours was contacted today also and there response was they are traveling three... If this is not acceptable as you can imagine the difference between 0 55! Keep any of our traveler support for more clarification for your clients ;... How it Works ; about EF ; Blog ; Customer Reviews ; Stay connected trip with the school my. When we arrived in London, it was to our shock that we having! Purchase each Global travel Protection Plus plan must be purchased when you book your tour having. Trip paid for safe with this company 2022 to plan a trip or lose my $.. No extra parameters trip with the school for my two boys to go way beyond the now that see... 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