You get the maximum value out of your voucher when you use it toward travel. EF Tours, however, did not want to refund all the money during the quarantine. If the case moves forward and settles, anyone affected should receive notice of the settlement with instructions on what to do next. Was informed of the price to cancel was $199 not the $95 listed. We also were traveling to all the countries during the world cup. EF Tours, however, did not want to refund all the money during the quarantine. . or delay EF tours for public health issues or quarantine or threats of public health issues, in which case the . var dt = new Date(); Some of it was just bad luck however I feel like most of it was EF tours being lazy and not trying to help make the experience the best that it could have been. 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. I want all of my money refunded as it is the right thing to do. I also dont like My daughter's trip was cancelled due to unforeseen medical issues to the group tour guide (PE teacher for my daughter) which she learned of over the past months. This plan includes Trip Cancellation coverage. 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 understand that plans can change due to unforeseen circumstances. We have decided to not travel in the US. I booked a trip with our homeschool "trip club" to do EF's Great Britain tour with a 2 day extension to Paris. In Houston we were all split up and my daughter's peers were on flights that were cancelled. I did not cancel this trip! Other EF tour brands. Not only did I make a complaint to the Better Business Bureau but I also requested that a manager call me and I have yet to hear from anyone. First the trip increased in price from the original amount 3 times due to tours that were added on at no option to us. I trusted my kid's school to pick a good company. Is this your company? 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 be offered than does California consumer protection law. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 2:00 PM PDST DECEMBER 7, 2020. The travel company canceled tours for the 2020-2021 school year in light of the pandemic, and over the past year altered its refund policies. Our tours are curated by world travelers In addition, and for future purposes, all communications with these persons must and should come exclusively through me or my co-counsel of record in the referenced matter. I had to also pay $500.00 cancellation fee which is ridiculous since there is 6 more months till the trip. Two straight hours of calling the ef tours emergency hotline and no still no answer. Work with EF to modify your groups current tour itinerary and dates, or, 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 of any purchased Travel Protection plan, Cancel your tour with applicable fees under the Standard Cancellation Policy. Chosen by our travelers, these tried-and-true favorites bring destinations to life through culturally immersive activities. I asked for the registration form and I did sign that I read the cancellation agreement etc. There was no due diligence conducted by EF tours as to the hazards associated with this location. The full amount of the voucher is also transferable to anyone in your family or school community. 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. This company is a fraud and steals money from families. Now she is moving on to college. I struggled to pay for this trip and now after paying for travel insurance also they are denying full refund. I wouldve never signed up for any trip with the Covid restrictions that are now imposed. This browser does not support PDFs. 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. Four boys were also booked in a room in London with only a king sized bed! They should be ashamed of themselves. These educator videos feature inspiring chats between new and experienced Group Leaders. I overlooked all that because it was time spent with my daughter. Dear Sirs Risk-Free Enrollment Period Finally, and on condition that any cash refund your clients may wish to offer my clients is specifically agreed not to prejudice my clients remaining rights to sue your clients on any legal theory available to my clients, I write to advise you of my clients willingness to negotiate a partial cash refund to be paid them through this office without deduction by us for anything beyond the [estimated $30] cost of receiving and then transmitting monies received on their behalf [by wire-transfer].". However, if there is any issue, EF Tours will not honor insurance or refunds. 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. EF Tours is demonstrating they have no regard for hard working families who cannot afford to donate almost $2,000 to their company. IS this the only forum about this place? 3. Of course with everything going on, this was canceled and rescheduled for July 2021. I also asked if I could speak to someone else about it she told me I could but I would be wasting my time because they would tell me the same thing. This plan includes Trip Interruption coverage. EF Educational Tours Call 800-665-5364 to enroll. Coverage for baggage in cases of theft or delay. Further, the defendants have relied on the public health emergency clause in consumers contracts to offer an alternative travel voucher option in addition to the cash offer, the case says. (This allows us to partially cover costs related to non-recoverable payments to our suppliers our staff and the investment we have always made and continue to make in itinerary date and destination flexibility.). 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. So, no refund. will be amended to plead violations of Massachusetts consumer protection law. Seems a little steep for cancelling a trip that is still almost 2 years away. However, I was never allowed to speak with management. It is a total scam! The company told me I can sell my voucher. Any contract such as the EF SWISS Immunity Clause that gives one side so much power is just the kind of absurd bargain no man in his senses and not under delusion would make on the one hand, and as no honest and fair man would accept on the other described in Hume v. United States (1889) 132 U.S. 406, 411; see also Harper v. Ultimo (2003) 113 Cal.App.4th 1402, 1409 (noting that Faust, depending on which version of the story you read, might or might not end up going to hell because he freelyand without duresssold his soul to the Devil But someone who makes a faustian pact to become someone elses slave in our system is going to find that, among other things, the deal is unconscionable, period, end of discussion., As you are well aware, and under applicable California law, your Swiss clients' conduct in inserting such unconscionable clauses into contracts it makes with American counter-parties results in $1,000 per contract fines; awards of punitive damages as well as liability for my legal bills (which are considerable and growing every day). "Russia is at war with Ukraine, the UK is prioritizing Ukraine visas over every other VISA on humanitarian grounds. In response to the public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization on January 30, 2020, EF canceled all tours that were scheduled to leave on or after that date, according to the suit. Read those reviews. They are in trouble financially and that is ok with me!!! COVID-19 required everybody to be quarantined. We wanted to go to Israel and 2 other countries. I also was being charged late fees even though I changed my payment plan. 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. My oldest son was scheduled to take a school trip to Peru next year. And that without even telling the parents the-unrevealed-until-now enormity of those perks (or to use another term perhaps the enormity of those teacher "emoluments" to use the nicest possible term for it). 2022 . I just felt like it should have been planned better. Please DO NOT add attachments that contain your or other peoples personal information, if you dont want it to be visible to the public. Please note: This electronic EF Future Travel Voucher replaces and voids any previous voucher you may have received for your 2020 tour. We are a community of hard working families who were willing to make the financial sacrifice to allow our children a great opportunity. She is welcome to call traveler support for more clarification! But the idiotic folks at EF Tours says since this was "unforeseen", we are not covered. The first was in 2018. 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. This was saddening but completely understandable. Hands-on experiences and collaborations with experts in the field. 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. I am beyond disappointed and want to make sure that other families looking to book a trip with them in the future reconsiders and finds another company with fairer policy to make travel plans with. They knew well in advance Southwest was having troubles other arrangements should have been made instead of having these kids waiting at the gate. EF provides an exclusive Peace of Mind program to account for such situations. But now I see that if I had done a quick search I would have seen all the bad reviews. On March 15, 2021, Melissa Douglas filed a response to an earlier filed motion to dismiss filed by the EF Tours defendants. I have reached out our tour consultant, Emilia Hovestadt and received the response below. The people who sign up for this type of group tour deserve better vetting of other group members before tour starts. v. EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc., et. 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. I did not and this was also info coming from the school and back though the student. He gives the best guided tours of Spainand he inspired his family to become local guides, too. Well isn't that what insurance is for??? :? EF never notified the trip leader or travelers of this cancellation. Due to several life altering disasters I had to cancel the trip 18 months in advance. When something goes wrong, you thing you are covered. 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. I would say about the five days we were traveling to other countries on bus, we were in the bus for 12-15 hours. Tour # 2130465UX - London, Paris, and The Alps A few days later, EF responded to an earlier complaint submitted by the plaintiff to the Arizona Office of the Attorney General in which the defendants allegedly offered the plaintiff a partial cash refund of $1,000 less than what she paid for her childs tour. We were told we would receive a check from Ef Tours in 2 to 4 weeks for approx. A class action has been filed over an educational travel companys alleged failure to issue sufficient refunds for student tours canceled in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. He could no get us on flights home. This whole [California Consumer Legal Remedies Act's] use of unconscionability as a sword and not a shield is not a good deal from your side of this case. I booked a tour in 2022 to Greece through Girl Scouts of America for 2024. Travelers who had booked their program by redeeming a previously issued Future Travel Voucher may have different terms and options available to them based on the originally issued voucher terms. 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. Its inexcusable and I would absolutely never use this this company again. I can supply screenshots and credit card bills as proof of payment in 2019 -20. Weve experienced the transformative power of travel firsthandand we cant wait to explore the opportunities that are out there for you and your students. Not helpful. Desired outcome: They informed me that my type of service is not recognized and I would not be covered. Travel Company efeducationaltours eftours eftours Photos See all Videos See all 1:02 They claim the $700.00 is money that was already spent to secure travel details. The teacher wouldnt return my phone call, or emails. classroom it brings education to life, unlocks new potential, and Liability Coverage. Trip Cancellation coverage 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. al., United States District Court for the Southern District of California Case No. It was discovered by a parent who was monitoring the flight status. Were covering: First of all, you sign your student up because you are trusting the teacher who has arranged the trip. Of course our trip was rescheduled for another year due to COVID. . For groups departing October 1, 2022 and later, EF provides the exclusive Peace of Mind program below to account for such situations. 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. 321. Pursuant to California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.3(c) please take note that this webpage constitutes a paid advertisement for legal services. release my refund and return $500 cancelation fee. Policy terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. I signed on in 201920 when no restrictions were in force. People should be able to get a refund, without all of the hidden fees. My son didn't create this problem, and it's not his fault. Trip leader or travelers of this cancellation five days we were in the bus for hours... 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