EF Educational Tours
reviews and complaints

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. A situation completely out of the control of myself and other families. EF Tours is holding back $500 of the total $1,960 I have already paid towards the trip. Their solution is to book another tour to avoid losing money. Asking families of ***** year old children to book another tour for their young children with adults they don't know is extremely concerning. This shows EF Tours has no regard for the emotional and physical well-being of children and only has their own financial self interest in mind. Refunding all the money spent thus far is the right thing to do considering the cancellation is completely out of the control of the families. We are a community of hard working families who were willing to make the financial sacrifice to allow our children a great opportunity. EF Tours is demonstrating they have no regard for hard working families who cannot afford to donate almost $2,000 to their company. I am seeking a full refund, not a partial one. 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.

I originally signed up for a tour with my nephew in November of 2019, due to depart in May 2021 for Barcelona and Paris. Of course our trip was rescheduled for another year due to COVID. Which we were fine with (my nephew and myself). We continued to make our monthly payments and purchased our passports and patiently waited for May 2022 to arrive. Then on February 24th, 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine. I immediately emailed my tour leader. She responded that she had already been in touch with EF for guidance and would reach back out when she learned more about our tour. As the week and next month progressed my nephew and I grew more anxious about the situation. We’ve lost sleep, lost our appetite, and decided we no longer feel safe to leave the country right now to travel to Europe. (This would be our first time leaving the country)

I didn’t get a response from the group leader, so I reached out again. She responded asking us to just wait it out. We weren’t comfortable with that and made the decision to cancel. Since we are under 110 days away from departure, EF took a little more than half of what I’ve paid for the trip. Their justification is that “tours are operating as normal right now” but no one can reach a human via phone to speak with. I’ve only been able to reach someone via online chat. I was enrolled in their Peace of Mind program too due to COVID. But they said I no longer qualified because my trip is due to depart in less than 110 days. Well, Russia didn’t invade Ukraine on December 16th, 2021. There should be concessions to their policy given the fact there is a war going on, and massive amounts of refugees fleeing in other European countries. They have penalized me for not feeling safe enough to go now after already having to wait a whole year because of COVID.

This is a terrible company. Just don't use them. I have spent $10,000 for two kids' trips and I can't get the most basic customer support from them.

Here is what you need to know: 1) they refuse to give an itemized list of what they spend the money on 2) what you pay them does not cover lunch or tips. Your travelers have to cover that. 3) They pretend that you can extend your student's trip. And you can. But guess what? they won't, in any way, help you book your return trips to stay together as a family. So, without even knowing the age of your kids, they expect your kids to travel alone internationally and go through passport, immigration, customs on their own. 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). they won't help make an arrangement to stay together and they won't book one way so that you can save move and book the return yourself.

Then, you can't get through on the phone. They have horrible people on the chat, like actually rude.

Just don't do it. It isn't worth the hassle these people have created. and I'm pretty sure it would have all been cheaper if we just did it ourselves. Our only hope now is that our kids have a great time with their class.

I trusted my kid's school to pick a good company. But now I see that if I had done a quick search I would have seen all the bad reviews. Look at all the one star reviews. Read those reviews. Beware. And just think, are our kids safe with this company? if this is how they treat us before the trip?

Purchase was completed prior to pandemic..tour to Italy. Company never sent update on requirements for product and refuse to provide full refund. Company is stealing 500.00 saying that is the cancelation policy. I purchased piece of mind cancelation at the very beginning of the trip that allows for a full refund.

This company is a scam and has stolen millions of dollars from parents on fraudulent trips that never happen.

Please Never purchase anything from these scam artists.

Avoid at all costs! This company is a scam. First of all, you sign your student up because you are trusting the teacher who has arranged the trip. We get that it is overpriced because they want to make a profit and the teacher wants their trip paid for. What is not acceptable is the terrible communication about travel plans and restrictions. Especially during a pandemic where these things change constantly. Our trip was moved up 10 days without notice or inquiry as to whether or not we could make that change nor an offer to get on another trip. Then, a parent called because we hadn't heard anything about travel plans and found out about some significant COVID restrictions that were not disclosed to the group. Many are not able to meet those restrictions and need to cancel. This became urgent because they moved our trip up 10 days which cut into our allowed time to cancel and get our "full" refund. 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. When we ask to escalate our concern, managers have decided to refuse to accept or return our calls. They know they are being dishonest and scamming these kids and their families. 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.

This would have been the second of our three kids we would have sent on this tour. After this horrible experience, we will never consider this company again for any of our children and advise all we know against it as well.

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. Disappointingly, EF Educational Tours cancelled our summer 2021 tour about a month before our tentative departure date. As a single mother or two, I used my savings ($8, 336.00) to give my daughter a graduation gift of travel and experience. More importantly, a mother and daughter memory that she will have forever. Sadly, this was not the case. Now she is moving on to college. I have requested my money back. EF Educational Tours is keeping $700.00 as a cancellation fee. I did not cancel this trip! They cancelled it - TWICE! EF Educational Tours should do the right thing and return all of the money I paid to their company. They claim the $700.00 is money that was already spent to secure travel details. However, we are no longer traveling. Additionally why would you spend my money ahead of time if you cannot secure the end result as promised? In my opinion, this is stealing. I want all of my money refunded as it is the right thing to do.
Tour # 2130465UX - London, Paris, and The Alps
Original departure date 7/13/2020
-Sandra Joubarani

My family and I scheduled a tour with ef educational tours. They simply answered the phone, we provided the tour, dates and names of our family members and paid a deposit for each of us. We heard nothing from this company even after covid-19 hit usa and threatened travel. We sent emails. No one responded. 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. They simply refuse to refund your deposit. Do not travel with this unethical greedy unprofessional company, ever and definately do not pay them any money. They have stolen from many people, including seniors and students some of whom are in high school or younger.

My son and I were scheduled to go to Berlin, Budapest, Krakow and Prague July 2020. Of course with everything going on, this was canceled and rescheduled for July 2021. That's all fine and dandy, but we signed up for THIS July. I don't understand how they can keep any of our money, let a lone $500 each. This has to be illegal. My signature was on paperwork for a trip THIS July.

My 17 year old son was scheduled for a trip in July, they refuse to refund the entire amount stating that the insurance the company carries do not cover this pandemic and they are now going to switch insurance companies. He works hard for his money for him to just throw it away like this. We have a group of 17 parents that are not happy and are going to go to social media to express the disappointment with this company unless things get resolved.

EF Tours company has gladly excepted the government stimulus hand out. Still capitalizing from us by refusing to refund the total amount. Even with the "Global traveler's protection" insurance I purchased at $165 per traveler, which I paid for both my daughter and I. They insist on keeping $500 per person! This is morally and ethically wrong. No one could have predicted a world wide pandemic. I did not break the contract they did, nor did they provide services. Shame on them.

EF is not refunding my family full amount of $9696 for our canceled trip to NY City June 1-4 2020 due to pandemic. They are keeping $350 for each traveler for a total of $1400 for "admin fees" which is unacceptable.

I am requesting a FULL refund. The "peace of mind" policies are not updated to include pandemic or if tour company cancels what happens to our money.

Account number #[protected]
Tour number #2226740UU

Louis Donati
[protected]
[protected]@hotmail.com

My son was scheduled to take a trip with EFTOURS in March. The tour company cancelled due to Covid 19. I had called prior to them cancelling to find out what would happened if I cancelled due to the virus. I was told that I would forfiet all money's paid ($4000) because fear of travel was not a reason for cancelling. So, I waited, and they cancelled on our group. They state that they would issue travel vouchers for future trips, which doesn't work with my son. They state they will refund all money minus $1000. They state the $1000 is for airfare and hotel, which is a lie. Airlines and hotels are refunding money let and right. I requested the refund...it has been 1.5 months, and I have not received a dime. I have called and emailed, I get a generic, pre-drafted response that in no way answers and questions that I have asked. There is a group of families affected by this company and covid, to the tune of 3000+. EFTours has kept 1000 of every persons money. That's $3M right there... highway robbery. It is dispicable.

This company has the ability to immediately draft money from my account for payment, but has the audacity to not offer the same for refunds. They are just keeping our money and earning interest on it. It's sickening.

I am very disappointed and disgusted with this company, during covid-19 this company has proven they don't care about the welfare of our children they are just about the money. I tried to cancel this trip before they decided to cancel on their own. I was told I would be charged the $95 deposit fee the $200 global insurance fee plus and extra $500 to ef tours. They said covid-19 was not covered in the insurance for it does not cover world wide pandemics. It did however cover medical issues, immediately death and lose of employment. I contacted them again once they cancelled this years trip and postponed it for next year, I informed them that I lost my job due to covid-19 and they refused to honor the agreement that the insurance I purchased covered lose of employment and still withheld $500 extra. I explained I was having hard ship and they did not care. The representative even hung up on me as I was talking to her trying to get her to allow me to speak to a supervisor or anyone higher up. I definitely will never use their services again.

I have been reading many of other complaints regarding the handling of cancellations due to this Global event, COVID-19. As many others, I too am disappointed and disturbed by the failure and unethical practice of EF Tours of their failure to refund our total payments (minus the $95 nonrefundable deposit, and potentially the insurance cost of $165). There is reference to other nonrefundable fees; however, given this is a World Health Organization (WHO) GLOBAL CATATROPHIC event (COVID-19), all monies should be refunded. This company is an agent that organizes travel events, which is like other travel agencies, e.g., AAA. My last check on their site (April 8 2020) to determine the extent of travel arrangements finalized, as been NIL- "Hotel and Flight information is not available until 21 days prior to departure". With the travel environment, I do not believe travel will be permitted indiscriminately between countries. Given our trip was scheduled for New Zealand and Australia July 2020, I do not foresee their borders opening without stipulating some form of quarantine. Currently, both countries have closed their borders to anyone outside of their citizens. If anyone is given permission to enter, there is a 14-day quarantine. I have little hope that this will drastically change overnight or within the next few months. As for waiting until next year 2021 or select another trip, I can arrange my own travel. This was a trip that was to be shared, experienced, and enjoyed with my niece. But, given the current circumstances, we will arrange our own trip without the constraints of EF Tours dictating the itinerary. It is absurd that they should keep any of our money booked for this trip! I can acknowledge a small fee ($95 + $165 insurance cost) for their administrative costs, but (as many others have stated), it is not $500 or $1000's of cost to them. The US government have provided a means for companies and individuals to obtain monetary subsidies for loss of business and employment during this Global Pandemic of 2019-2020. There is a Class Action Suit (www.classaction.org) against EF Tours for failure to refund payments made due to this COVID-10 Pandemic.

I have had a horrible experience with EF Tours along with several other parents of my daughters school. I wonder if anyone else has had similar experiences? They have refused to refund any of us all of our money for a tour that they canceled. We even had the insurance but before any of us could do anything the upper management of this company made changes to their policy and will not up hold our agreement. They are taking $1000 from each of us. Not $100, not $300 like some. $1000! It's shameful to be taking advantage of families at dire times like these! How can you just change policy in the middle of a tour right before you cancel it. One of the main reasons to cancel says quarantine and that's basically what we all are. It's criminal and it's a shame

I am so disappointed in this company. I had a senior trip scheduled to Japan for my son and now the pandemic of 2020 has set in and per the world health organization and U.S. Department of State no international travel but yet EF tours is wanting almost 1k in refund fees or leave it as a credit for my son why already has a date to enlist in the U.S. Air Force and will be gone for boot camp which was planned months ago based upon high school graduation and the EF tour. I am very disappointed in their policy during a world pandemic. very underhanded. EF tours is not willing to understand or work with the fact that a WORLD PANDEMIC has occurred and they are not willing to budge on the refund policies what so ever. So with that being said I will never do business with them again as they have tours for adults that the wife and I were looking at….. not any more… not with them. Do not do buisness with this orginazation

EF Tours cancelled my daughter's high school tour in May 2020 and is keeping $1000 for their 'expenses'. I understand they may have incurred some non-refundable fees on their side BUT NOT $1000 PER STUDENT! I understand that's their harsh refund policy if WE cancel, but THEY cancelled and can't expect to profit! Despicable!

EF TOURS - REFUND OUR STUDENTS' MONEY!

Upon research, I discovered a law firm in Californian has begun a class action lawsuit again EF INSTITUTE FOR CULTURAL EXCHANGE, INC.
Please visit classaction.org.

I did not cancel. EF sent me and email stating my child's excursion was cancelled due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

My twins booked to go on a tour in June 2019 - with a worldwide pandemic you would think we would be able to cancel (heck we bought trip insurance for both) but EF Tours is telling us that if we want to cancel they need to keep 1, 000 per kids for admin fees - seriously with a global pandemic - how is that fair - we deserve better - I am filing a complaint with the Attorney General and hope to have this resolved ASAP -
P.s you do realize it's summer now in this country try and winter will be soon coming at the same time we would be traveling there...umm and you don't think the Coronavirus cases will go up - unreal...

I booked my child on a school/group tour to Spain and France with EF Tours. I booked this trip in Fall 2019 for summer 2020 travel. I purchased the global travel insurance they offer as well. Then COVID-19 broke out and travel bans were put into place and Italy death toll and Spain is outrageous at this time due to a pandemic. When I called EF Tours to cancel, I was told that they wouldn't speak to me because I was a parent. My only options are to get a refund MINUS $1000, or a voucher for future travel. This is a class trip, if I book for future travel it is not guaranteed my daughter will be with people she knows. This is nationwide and globally effecting everyone and they aren't willing to budge. They gave us other options such as selling our voucher to another parent, these options are unethical at a time like this whereas America is in a crisis and we are in a middle of a pandemic. Refund us the money!