It isn't worth the hassle these people have created. Trip Interruption coverage What a waste of time and money. Flights had been re-booked. EFs unmatched global presence We had to accept them. Also, in the long run, you actually pay the same or more (with all the added fees.) On June 20th we called them to verify and were told our claim was denied and we wouldn't be receiving anything back from them. She had a black eye and blood in her eyeball for the entire trip. EF was never concerned about her health or welfare and only accused her of being drunk so they could dodge any responsibility. 3. On February 14, 2023, the District Court denied EF Tours third motion to dismiss, finding the class claims meritorious as pled. It took me to every floor and A) the offices are gorgeous! What can we do with this company? In June 2014 my 16 YOA son and a group of other students from his school went to Costa Rica with EF tours. You get the maximum value out of your voucher when you use it toward travel. This has happened all over the US and people are not standing down. Revised tours must depart within one year of the original tour. Recently I was notified by EF Tours that my child was cancelled from the tour after paying off almost whole trip price. Building tours that go beyond expectation. This company is a scam. We believe travel is for everyone. They are basically stealing our money and find this to be okay. A most unsatisfactory and life changing (m for the worse) experience. Get the latest on closing arguments in the Alex Murdaugh case, charges for a college football star and a settlement over photos taken after a helicopter crash site killed Kobe The plan lists "quarantine" as a covered reason for a refund - no extra parameters. to a single room. Its inexcusable and I would absolutely never use this this company again. 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. A hearing date for oral argument with respect to this motion remains to be set by the District Court. Please help us receive refund for this experience. Call us: Teachers and Group Leaders 800-637-8222 Students and Parents 800-665-5364 Careers at EF View Opportunities What I didn't understand was the fact that they also charged $155 for some type of insurance (which is not apart of their cancellation fees). The defendants placed the clause in their 2019-2020 adhesion contracts despite being aware of the potentially calamitous effects of global public health emergencies that have long been predicted as very likely to occur; The contract was presented to consumers on a take it or leave it basis; Consumers were lulled into a false sense of security since trusted teachers acted as the middlemen between the students and EF, leading consumers to believe that EF had their best interest in mind; A public health emergency would likely result in EF not being able to schedule any future tours and could hinder the defendants ability to honor the travel vouchers; and. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 1:30 PM PDST April 12, 2020, On April 10, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Richard Schirtzer regarding Natalia Grabovsky, etc., et. Background checks take place through a secure process that is meant to specifically identify individuals who could present a risk to student travelers while on tour. EF Educational Tours reviews 76 G GwenWil30 of Peoria, US Feb 22, 2023 3:34 pm EST Verified customer Fraud I booked a tour in 2022 to Greece through Girl Scouts of America for 2024. This company is a scam and has stolen millions of dollars from parents on fraudulent trips that never happen. 321. 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. I would love for someone from EF Tours to get back to me about my kid's flight home. They won't tell you which airline or which hotel you will be staying at. These unconscionable provisions include, but are not limited to, the following : I [the United States consumer] agree to release EF [SWISS] from, and agree not to sue [EF SWISS] for, any and all claims of any nature related in any manner to my participation in an EF-sponsored tour including, but not limited to, claims for negligence, breach of contract, breach of express or implied warranties, negligence or wrongful death, or any statutorily based claim. We had the insurance but they own that too. Private Tour with seven travelers (and your group can be as large as you'd like) Free travel! 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. Now that I see I cannot . Russia is at war with Ukraine. Our only hope now is that our kids have a great time with their class. I am out of $4,200.00, what is EF Tours out of??? Dedicated Emergency Service and Incident Response Teams I didn't think sharing was a big deal until I found out that he's expected to share a ben with a complete stranger. I was just on an EF tour to Portugal and I can honestly say it was horrible. A freaky feel to it. Coverage for baggage in cases of theft or delay. When I told them that nowhere in their cancellation policy where the egregious fees stated they said Well thats what they are now 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. If you'd like to learn more and find out if you are eligible to participate in a lawsuit against Education First, please visit our FAQ page. They informed me that my type of service is not recognized and I would not be covered. ", On April 23, 2020, Mr. McGrane responded to Mr. Schirtzer, stating: "I stand by my 'worthless' remark. 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. The first thing to keep in mind is that there are alcohol restrictions with these tours. document.write(dt.getFullYear() ); Pursuant toCalifornia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.3(c)please take note that this webpage constitutes a paid advertisement for legal services. This whole company should be shut down. Before we will give you [the EF Defendants] wire transfer instructions and thereafter accept any monies on behalf of any of our clients, however, we [McGrane PC] will insist on a clear written agreement that our acceptance of such payments on their behalf is without prejudice to their rights to seek further legal recourse against the EF Defendants on any theory available to them in law, equity or by virtue of statute. Each one of our tours resonates with today's students, and provides lessons that will stick with themand help drive themwherever they go next. Due to several life altering disasters I had to cancel the trip 18 months in advance. 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! ", UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 1:30 PM PDST April 23, 2020. Look at the complaints and the fact that there is a class action lawsuit against them for not refunding money. When I told them Id been in an accident & lost my job they said to file a complaint then hung up on me! 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. With our EF Parent Ambassador Program, we'll connect you with a fellow parent who has "been there, done that" and can help answer any questions you may have about your traveler's upcoming tour. Unfortunately, I had to cancel his trip because my son switched schools and his old school district could not take a non student out of the country. In order for those sheets to be legal I should of initialed those pages or signed them. His high school in the Parkway school district decided to book the tour through EF Educational Tours. 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. 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. cash refund for the unused trip. 1. We bottled some of this events magic in our student Summit video recap. They knew well in advance Southwest was having troubles other arrangements should have been made instead of having these kids waiting at the gate. Only the EF Go Ahead Tours allow alcohol for adult travelers. I went on my trip June 11, 2014-June 25, 2014. 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. And you can. Hence the lawsuit (in CA 2020, look it up). EF Ultimate Break Enroll online or call 800-766-2645. We have decided to not travel in the US. She was more worried about herself and her family I guess. The people who sign up for this type of group tour deserve better vetting of other group members before tour starts. Earn benefits like one spot on tour for every six travelers you bring. I trusted my kid's school to pick a good company. EF Tours was contacted today also and there response was they aren't responsible for the insurance company. 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. 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. This plan includes Trip Interruption coverage. EF Gap Year Call 800-726-9746 to enroll. I have been a group leader with EF for 10 years and they have been getting so bad that I will no longer travel with them. We barely had enough time to shop and when we did have the time they were always closed. IT IS THE PROFESSIONAL OPINION OF MCGRANE PC THAT A SERIOUS RISK EXISTS THAT ACCEPTING SUCH OFFERS WITHOUT THE ADVICE OF SUCH LEGAL COUNSEL WILL WORK A FORFEITURE OF VALUABLE LEGAL RIGHTS. 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. EF travel chose bureaucracy over the customer which happens to be students so now we are waiting until January 11th for an update. EF Tours is demonstrating they have no regard for hard working families who cannot afford to donate almost $2,000 to their company. I will be submitted complaints for fraud everywhere including my credit card company and BBB. I originally signed up for a tour with my nephew in November of 2019, due to depart in May 2021 for Barcelona and Paris. EF Go Ahead Tours Call 800-590-1161 . Subject: RE: Darianne Hicks reimbursement Travelers canceling from a revised tour will be charged a cancellation fee based on the date that the original tour was revised or the date of cancellation from the revised tour, whichever is higher. This new voucher ensures you get the absolute best value based on our updated Terms & Conditions. Has anybody been to the office of EF? The EF SWISS Immunity Clause was substantively unconscionable because it is so extremely one-sided as to shock the conscience in that it purports to permit EF SWISS to take as much future advantage of its American counter-parties as it might wish, all without any fear of being sued anywhere in the world no matter how badly it subsequently behaves towards those American counter-parties. Purchase was completed prior to pandemic..tour to Italy. It is a total scam! The Global Travel Protection Plus plan must be purchased when you book your tour. Emilia Hovestadt It is nothing but a money grab from unsuspecting parents! Of course our trip was rescheduled for another year due to COVID. 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. Policy terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Trip delay coverage Best Day Ever: Tokyo People should be able to get a refund, without all of the hidden fees. They insist on keeping $500 per person! 2. There are several hidden fees which totaled $1,300! 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. Spring break trip with the school for my two boys to go to Greece and Italy this year. This was saddening but completely understandable. Imagine being in London not able to tour anything because you don't have the proper tour bus that you were promised?? I learned from the group leader the trip is cancelled due to civil unrest and I have 2 options. I hope your child knows that they will be sharing a bed with their roommates even if they are traveling with another school. Dear Sirs I have requested my money back. Trip to Israel was cancelled because of covid but not by me, release my refund and return $500 cancelation fee. All Group Leaders, schools, and districts who travel with EF are automatically added as additional insureds under our $50 million General Liability Policy, whether or not the tour is considered a school event. As for persons who may be what are called absent class members before class certification please be aware you are NOT represented by McGrane PC and McGrane PC has no fiduciary or other duties to you based on a direct attorney-client relationship because no such attorney-client relationship yet exists nor will it exist until you consent to its coming into existence. It has been no surprise that management NEVER called. I asked for the registration form and I did sign that I read the cancellation agreement etc. They simply answered the phone, we provided the tour, dates and names of our family members and paid a deposit for each of us. I cannot begin to talk about the horrible neighborhoods the hotels are in. al. Wife has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and will not be able to make this trip. ", Later on March 29, 2020, Richard Schirtzer wrote back to William McGrane stating: Bill, the representation you are now asking for exceeds the one I made. On Thursday, March 26, 2020, at 5:59 PM PDST you [previously] wrote to Michael Hassen as follows: Michael, per our earlier conversation, I can confirm that my client is not requiring anyone to sign a release to obtain any of the offered options, including the cash refund option. The purpose of this letter is to confirm the accuracy of the above-quoted written representation before I undertake to advise McGrane PCs multiple individual clients (as well as putative class members in general) that, absent further advice from you to the contrary, they are now free to accept whatever consideration may be tendered them by either or both EFCAL or EFSWISS without prejudice to their future rights to participate in the referenced matter either as absent putative class members or as additional named putative class representative plaintiffs. 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. Why is no one investigating them for fraudulent business practices, deceptive practices, false advertisement, etc, etc, etc?? I understand that Will told her she should have received a discount but in a case like this where she became a chaperone at the very last minute, there is nothing we can do. HOW CAN THIS BE LEGAL??? Very creative thinking by the [California] Legislature.For what its worth, just trying to urge you to stop ignoring us and use the class mechanism to fully and fairly settle this increasingly thorny problem, which will get only thornier once we do discovery into the perks offered group leaders that are obviously the costs EF Defendants are really trying to recoup. This is morally and ethically wrong. This company is a rip off send your complaints to your states Attorney General! I have been to the offices in Boston (I work on the building from time to time) and it's a blizzard every time I go. 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. Liability Coverage. Whenever I called and asked for a manager, I was told that non were available and that they would call me when they became available. Careers at EF. In my opinion they are if they hired them to insure these trips they should make good on there promises to get you to buy the insurance. UK prioritizing Ukraine people over my Tourist VISA. EF Educational Tours Reviews | Read Customer Service Reviews of www.eftours.com Travel & Vacation Activities & Tours Tour Agency EF Educational Tours EF Educational Tours Reviews 4,382 Excellent 4.3 VERIFIED COMPANY www.eftours.com Visit this website kharden 1 review US 2 days ago DO NOT USE EF Tours! This complaint was posted by a verified customer. I would say about the five days we were traveling to other countries on bus, we were in the bus for 12-15 hours. Please download the PDF to view it: Download PDF. When something goes wrong, you thing you are covered. Desired outcome: We put a deposit down and also the registration fee $199 plus $500. Seems a little steep for cancelling a trip that is still almost 2 years away. You can select one based on your preferred continent/countries, timespan, budget, and other aspects like road/air travel. Well isn't that what insurance is for??? Illness and accident coverage COVID-19 required everybody to be quarantined. That's when we found out it would be around $800 to cancel. A more personalized on-tour experience. 4. New cases and investigations, settlement deadlines, and news straight to your inbox. We were also promised to be able to be in walking distance from our hotels to the big cities in the countries we were staying in however in each country we were at minimum one hour away from the cities. 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. I haven t received any schoolplan, no activities, Just an enourmous amount of Money paid and no information at all, apart some general meetings where lots of people speak and no body answers your questions on the chat. I was super excited to go experience 6 countries however from day one everything seemed to go wrong. To purchase this plan, please call 800-665-5364 to speak with one of our Traveler Support Specialists. I finally reached an emergency contact at EF and was told to stay on our flights. Safety First Program The trip was booked for June of 2019. 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). Along with others from our tour, in Quite we were then shuttled to a holding room near the airport terminal , no water, no food, one bathroom, Their local guide had no information. EF tours do not want to speak to me to accommodate my child's travel to join the EU trip after taking $6000 from me Trip Interruption coverage Avoid at all costs! This is a terrible company. They said if we wanted to appeal we had to send them a letter from my company explain why I am no longer employed or show a death certificate that I died. This is ridiculous and really wrong. The Future Travel Voucher is not a merchandise credit or a gift certificate and may not be redeemed for cash unless specifically noted on the voucher. I purchased piece of mind cancelation at the very beginning of the trip that allows for a full refund. My daughter insisted on being signed up for her school trip in 2020. They know they are being dishonest and scamming these kids and their families. 2021 came with Covid restrictions that could not be met. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 4:00 PM PDST SEPTEMBER 13, 2020. We will promptly associate local counsel who are licensed to practice law in the District of Massachusetts and thereafter continue to pursue this case under Massachusetts state law for the benefit of everyone we represent except California citizens. 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. With Genesis and Atomic blocks, you can build beautiful, powerful websites in minutes with our robust theme framework and professionally-designed sections and layouts. Refunding money SEPTEMBER 13, 2020 we bottled some of this events magic in our student Summit video.. From his school went to Costa Rica with EF Tours to get a,... Your inbox in June 2014 my 16 YOA son and a ) the offices are gorgeous knew well advance! But they own that too, timespan, budget, and news straight to your inbox i asked for worse! 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