WorldStrides
Reviews and Complaints

As a teacher who has traveled with Worldstrides, I would say that it IS the responsibility of the teacher on the trip to communicate if there are flight delays. I would never expect the company to be updating parents about things like that.

Sorry to hear of the difficulties you’re experiencing. WorldStrides makes resources like the Extended Payment Plan available to families to assist in funding their travel programs. Please try and reach out to one of our Customer Service representatives for assistance once you discover that your payment will be overdue. The team members are prepared to work with you to facilitate your payment, but more importantly, to help ensure that your daughter is able to travel and benefits from the experience. --- Wayne@WorldStrides

Do you receive commissions, stipends or perks from them? Be careful if you choose to answer... like they say, "once it's on the internet, it's forever".

Just returned from my second trip to Washington D.C. in 2 years with my second daughter. Absolutely INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE! Yes, it's a long way from California to D.C., which means a long flight - but my kids both had the trip of a lifetime. AMAZING COMPANY! Wish I had more chldren so I could go again!

Good to read this. My daughter came home with information about a trip to DC and I was shocked that it was $1500 for 3 nights! And, the sample itinerary shows them going to 5 museums on the day they arrive in DC! You could spend one full day at the Air and Space Museum alone. Thanks for taking the time to post this.

I agree. A trip to Washington DC cost $200o for 6 days ( One day was wasted on travel) They have a ridiculous letter sent out begging relatives for money. I remember complaining about the price after they quickly got me to guarantee my child's place for a $100 deposit, following a slick presentation that is hard to resist( especially living in an age where parents feel guilty for not being able to be more a part of their children's lives.) Their answer has a wonderful PR spin: using Worldstrides reduces the liability so that chaperones have less stress etc. It makes life easy with their turnkey gimmick, but at about 2x the cost of planning the trip themselves.

They spent 45 minutes at the Smithsonian Institute and one half hour at another museum. I was amused at how many war memorials were visited and of course the mandatory trip to the Holocaust museum- nothing like a little sensationalism even though the holocaust has little to do with American history. So the kids will at least be able to say " Oh well, I have been here and there", While they inevitability enjoy the experience, they will never really learn about where they went.

Worldstrides counts on the kids coming back smiling with glee and rattling off all the places they can brag about visiting, but with a little deeper inquiry parents will learn it was all for show. Worldstrides is a made for profit enterprise but they hit on a very easy market. One PT Barnum would envy. "Sucker born every minute"

Marvin Rosenberg, Santa Rosa, California

You think that's a complaint? Worldstrides charged me an additional 200 insurance above the price the teacher had quoted me. They suckered the students into going to on the trip and they profit from unsuspecting parents! they're a scam, dont use them.

Ripped Off Parent, Jane Dickson - Portland Oregon...

100% agree!

Outrageous School Trip Charges

My daughter's school trip to Washington DC for 4 days cost $2200. They go to all the FREE tour sites and 4 to a room. That equals $550 per kid. My daughter really wants to experience this great educational opportunity.

Payment options stated raising funds. But they do not, they charge you huge monthly payments that if you do not pay every month they charge you over $20 in fees every month. Their financial aid, the max you can receive is $100. Then on top of it, they intimidate you to purchase the full refund program. Canceled trips have happened, to find out you can only get a full refund if you cancel the day before, they do have clauses that they don't have to give you all back.

If you are a school administrator looking for a company that will work with your parents, offer flexibility, and is a reasonable price, do NOT go with WorldStrides. They take a $900 trip and pocket $1300. Companies like this take advantage of schools and students. Another example of companies that say education opportunities only means the privileged students get opportunities.

My son attended the June 11, 2022 Jr. Leadership program. We paid close to $3300.

I have called to request a refund for the trip due to:

- Unsafe Actions by group leaders

- False Advertising - portions of the advertised activities either did not occur at all or were not actual tours but rather drive by sightings.

- Portions of the trip were canceled with warning

- Distressing orientation processes

-- leaving children in waiting areas until close to midnight with no rooms

-- combining groups due to lack of staff causing a disproportionate unsafe staff to child ratio

-- traumatic moment the advisors could not locate children on an outing

—driving off quickly due to scheduling conflicts while the children were still standing on the bus heading to their seats.

-Overall lack of program content - the children sat in a conference room for multiple days filling out worksheets.

In addition to the trip, I experienced minimizing and embarrassing feedback during the intake communication. I have placed 3 calls in 11 days to seek to resolve this.

The initial call was received by a women that appeared argumentative regarding my claims.

She said this was unheard of and they never had complaints like this before. I explained that many of my sons groups had experienced the same thing but she was persistent.

A week later I called again after having received no call back. At this time, they are processing entire group cancellations due to Covid. I let them know I understand the immediate need to talk to these families during that time but am still awaiting a call back. I was assured that should happen and I was in a list.

11 days later, the third intake specialist: Henry Butler was lacking professionalism. He minimized my experience telling me, “well your son is safe, isn’t he. He made it home didn’t he”. I was shocked. He took an unsettling,unsafe event my son experienced and suggested his experiences weren’t worthy of my complaints because he “made it home”. When I explained I had been waiting for a call back prior to the class cancellations, he said, “well ma’am you have to get in line as far as receiving a call back. There are thousands of parents just like you calling for refunds.” I explained I called prior to the course cancellations. He said. “I don’t know what to tel you it’s only been 11 days.”

I explained that sounds like it says more about the business then it does about me. I told him that I have no choice at this moment but to file a complaint. He said, “do what you feel like you need to do.”

I can’t emphasize enough how concerned I am that this company is trusted to look after hundreds of thousands of kids every year.

True, true just posted this on their site...

My child has not gone yet. 10 more days. This is a review for low income and people on fix income.

If you are planning on sending your child on a trip be sure to have all money upfront. If you don't and try to pay around what income you have. They will charge you "Late Install Installment Charges" on top of the money you are paying. Most of use don't have $500+ a month to pay out.

My remaining balance was due by 3-23-22. I paid it all off by 3-1-22. Because it wasn't paid on thier schedule is was changed 3 times $15 + 3 "handling fees" of $6. So that is additional $63 to something I was struggling to get paid in time. Even though I paid in full before deadline. Just not at thier schedule time.

Good job WorldStrides for squeezing any cent you can form struggling parents that just want thier kids to enjoy life like rich people can.

I'm having the exact same experience right now. Am caught up with payments, yet they sent me a bill for almost $600, saying if its not paid, they may cancel my child's trip. No one will help me via phone or email get clarity on this or rectify this. I can't wait until I don't have to deal with this company again. I'm a principal and was looking to use this company for our school's trip, I clearly won't be, I would never do this to my families.

Yesterday we had a parents meeting at my dughter's scool about this worldstrides next planning trip to DC. Based on the teacher what he spoke there and said they are really amazing and student friendly company I did register my daughter today.
First thing you see that If you don't pay attention to the agreement you are automatically going to be register at full refund ripping program, then you don't have any option to pay by credit cards but only debit card or a specific bank check. Then there are fees associated if you don't sign up for automatic payment etc.
The worst part is if you contact their costumer representative. In first call lady there called me "maam" and I am a male and I speak in deep voice. Today I called them to ask for their FLAG program and they guy there hang up on me for no reason and never called back. I called them back and as it was advertised at invitation packet from school that if you are family that makes less than 85 000 annually maybe you can qualify and they said there is zero assistance, because this is only for people with less than 35 000 a year. Clear false advertising. Now I am concern about my daughter travelling with these crooks. I hope everything goes well

I can attest to the fact that teachers DO get paid for these trips! I know teachers who have and I was told by a WorldStrides sales representative that they do (on top of getting their trip free) at a rate of $50 per paying traveller. This only means the PARENTS are paying a higher price. I also know that teachers who refer other teachers can get upwards of $1000 referral fees. Guess who is paying for that too? I guarantee that is not coming out of their bottom line. It is figured into the trip cost per student when quoted. I can see the positives of this type of travel (convenience, experience in the location) but in the end I am not comfortable signing my students/parents up for something that I cannot get any confirmation on. I have no idea who hotel or airline we would use, I have no idea about the time of departure or arrival and I do not like the idea that prices can change if fuel prices rise (sorry, but a quote is a quote). I am sure there have been many who have been very happy with this company (and others like it) or they wouldn't still be in business, but knowing what I know already based on my research and discussing at length details of the trip with a WS employee, it's not for our group.

I am, to say the least, baffled at the amount of negative reviews and how aggressive these reviews are. I have been taking my econ high school students on international trips each year for the last 6 years, and have not had one complaint. I had found many complaints on sites and review columns similar to here, and I was very skeptical initially. After connecting with them, my expectations for the process of building and preparing a program as well as the actual execution of the program itself exceeded my expectations! At first, I turned them down. Every few weeks I would get a call from a representative until I said "no" outright. They left me alone! I had an experience with another provider that was unpleasant, and went back to Worldstrides to try them. Don't trust me, or any of the other comments. Contact them and see for yourself!

As for all the repeated complaints, there are reasons for all these complaints. In my opinion, it all comes down to perspective and I have categorized them below based on my experience. Take them as you wish!

"Only teachers stick up for Worldstrides" - Well, teachers and professors are the ones who have to plan the program out. Logistics are NOT easy! Yes, Worldstrides is more expensive, but no other provider will tailor a program and provide you with an individual, genuine opportunity for less. In addition, and this is where my administration became interested, Worldstrides has the best insurance of any provider I've looked into. No one else has doctors on call, 24/hour emergency service, and $50million in coverage. When you pay for a new car, you expect it to run as such in exchange for the price. I WILL NOT be sending my students on a rust-bucket from the junk yard just because it's cheap. No amount of savings is worth the hassle or lack of ability to insure a quality program, especially when it comes to the students. Teacher stick up for Worldstrides because the process is efficient, safe, and reliable.

"don't listen to the good reviews, they pay teachers" - What? Either this remark was fabricated by Worldstrides competition or these individuals are desperate to turn people away form looking into Worldstrides. I have had colleagues who have asked Worldstrides to pay them and tried to get me to request the same, Worldstrides has refused.

"they are scammers/I can't get my refund back" - When you register to attend the trip and there us a section that SPECIFICALLY states that the price is going to be more expensive if not enough students register, don't be surprised when the words become actuality. That's something you should consider before registering. I have had trips do this, and the price was raised within a decent margin. Can't get a full refund? HA! When they have booked flights 9 months in advance and you try to pull your child/student out of the program 3 weeks before, you think you're going to get your money back? Let me ask you this, do you expect to receive the down payment on a new car back when you decide not to pay your monthly payments? (yes I like car analogies).

"their representatives wouldn't leave my alone/I couldn't get in touch with their VP or CEO" - This is business, people. They have representatives to generate new business, look into referrals, and distribute information to potential clients. It's extremely rare, you know just like every other business in capitalism, when they advertise and utilize marketing techniques. Tell them NO if you're not interested and I be they'll back off! They did for me. And I can't believe ANYONE would call in to a profession business and expect to VP or the CEO without a scheduled call or an appointment! There are administrative assistants and customer service representatives for a reason.

Anyhow, I am digressing. In summation, realize they're a business, realize their price reflects their quality and leadership in the industry, realize it's a financial commitment, and decide on your own what you think of them. I promise you won't be disappointed.

The prices are high so the program leaders/coordinators get to go for free. If enough people go they get to bring a chaperone for free, usually a teacher's family member Teachers using you to get free trips disguised as learning trips. They are technically employees of Worldstrides. ShamelessCheaper to book it yourself.

Read page 4 of their employee (program leader/coordinator) guide:
[url]http://olr.worldstrides.net/PLResources/planning/docs/History-Science_2013-14_Policy_Handbook.pdf[/url]

If you ever find the time to look at ALL the companies that offer World travel for students you will find complaints for each one of them! What strikes me is people complaining about the refund policy. People you need to read the conditions BEFORE you sign anything! If you had read properly you would see that they don't reimburse everything in case of cancellation ! Myself and my students had an excellent experience with Worldstrides 2 years ago.I would definitely use this company again. Yes they are mpore expansive than other companies but they offer better service !