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. In addition to our standard Peace of Mind program, EF provides an exclusive COVID-19 Peace of Mind program for tours scheduled to depart between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2022, to account for situations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Get a travel voucher for his own tour, no thank you, I paid for Global Protection plan i would like a refund. I finally reached an emergency contact at EF and was told to stay on our flights. Per the cancellation policy, there is a $95 non-refundable charge and a $300 cancellation fee. All Rights Reserved | Website Design by LunaGraphica, California Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 7.3(c). Liability Coverage. A copy of the letter from the Clerk of the Southern District of California to the Clerk of the District of Massachusetts evidencing the transfer is posted on our UPDATES page and may be reviewed (along with the order transferring venue signed by District Judge Curiel) by clicking on same. I sent the letter and will contact them again Monday to try and get answers. She signed up October 1 and we had to cancel Oct 14 due to conflicts with my work schedule. When I called about a refund for the extension being taken off I was told by customer service "They make the cost even out." EF Tours company has gladly excepted the government stimulus hand out. Cost: $490* We need to cancel due to medical and we were told we loose close to $800. Thats why we prioritize safety, value, I would NEVER stay at a truck stop, nor would I deceive students into thinking they were going to be safe on a trip and then place them there. Provided to all groups departing through September 30, 2022. With Genesis and Atomic blocks, you can build beautiful, powerful websites in minutes with our robust theme framework and professionally-designed sections and layouts. We've experienced the transformative power of travel firsthandand we can't wait to explore the opportunities that are out there for you and your students. The non-insurance Cancel for Any Reason waiver benefit provided by EF Educational Tours provides a cash refund for trip costs paid to EF Educational Tours for cancellation prior to departure. Wife has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and will not be able to make this trip. Which we were fine with (my nephew and myself). if this is how they treat us before the trip? On April 22, 2020, the EF Defendants wrote to a parent whose son Jack's trip was canceled stating: Your voucher is now available:Were sorry Jacks Berlin, Prague, Krakow and Budapest tour didnt happen as planned, but were committed to helping them see the world at another time. We've experienced the transformative power of travel firsthandand we can't wait to explore the opportunities that are out there for you and your students. Policy terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Would it possible to help US have Better solution? 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. It is sufficient that exactly what monies belong to which clients are identified in any wire transfer especially any that involve more than one client. 5. They also facilitate communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency at home. I called EF and they directed me to the insurance company-which is an absolute rip off. 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. When students go beyond the Purchase was completed prior to pandemic..tour to Italy. Emergency evacuation coverages My oldest son was scheduled to take a school trip to Peru next year. 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. Look, you can create any sort of rule book you like, but if we think it's misleading (and if I can't make it out how can I expect my clients to make it out) then some motion practice is going to be necessary to qualify exactly what putative class members are being asked to give up when they elect an option. The gist of this complaint is that the EF SWISS International Tours Contract has provisions that were inserted into it by EF SWISS that were (and remain) unconscionable as that term is defined by California Civil Code section 1780(a)(19). UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 12:00 PM PST FEBRUARY 14, 2023. Have had 2 separate travel experiences with EF. I was told we should have paid extra if we wanted to be IN Sorrento. Now I've fought this as much as I could. Well isn't that what insurance is for??? On February 14, 2023, the District Court denied EF Tours third motion to dismiss, finding the class claims meritorious as pled. By using this website you agree to our Cookies Policy. Coverage for baggage in cases of theft or delay. The swimming area was not separated in any way from boat traffic, nor was my son warned about possible boat traffic. 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. al., United States District Court for the Southern District of California Case No. opens a world of possibilities. 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. Kinda defeats the whole concept of insurance. This is a class action lawsuit for monetary and equitable relief arising out of Defendants' . This was saddening but completely understandable. You can find further details of the policy, coverage limits, and exclusions here. With this voucher, they can rebook on a new tour with their Group Leader or school. IS this the only forum about this place? Coverage for baggage in cases of theft or delay. This complaint was posted by a verified customer. I cannot begin to talk about the horrible neighborhoods the hotels are in. I would like to reimbursed for being a chaperone. Poor communication, date changes, do not uphold refund requests. However, EF Tours will override the plan and refuse your refund. My first was as a parent going with my 15-year-old along with a group of about 20 kids (from a . It was necessary for a family member to go to Costa Rica. Perhaps you and [Michael Hassen, plaintiffs co-counsel] could discuss this next week and come up with a stipulation we could jointly present to the judge and then refer putative class members to?. that compelling itineraries should be full of 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. (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.). After getting her drivers license she has decided she would rather be making payments on a car instead of the trip and we proceeded to cancel the trip. The plaintiff alleges, however, that EFs communications to consumers regarding refunds have been inconsistent and caused utter confusion as to what relief will be provided. But their ads sure reflect diversity! 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. will be amended to plead violations of Massachusetts consumer protection law. Ms. Alaina Kommer from Grant High School does only think about herself and her travelling experience. This is morally and ethically wrong. Imagine being in London not able to tour anything because you don't have the proper tour bus that you were promised?? UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 1:00 PM PDST AUGUST 9, 2020. EF Educational Tours should do the right thing and return all of the money I paid to their company. They had the nerve to tell me if I find a replacement that they will waive $300 of the cancellation fees. Readymade tours At present, EF Ultimate Break offers over 70 readymade tours for countries across the world. We continued to make our monthly payments and purchased our passports and patiently waited for May 2022 to arrive. But guess what? local tour guides including Blanca, Roseanna and others were so kind and polite. 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. 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. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 2:00 PM PDST FEBRUARY 5, 2021. Other EF tour brands. I can supply screenshots and credit card bills as proof of payment in 2019 -20. If not resolved I will go through my lawyer. We believe travel is for everyone. The first was in 2018. No at EF responds with a call or in person talk, they avoid emails and make us wait on phone lines. WE never want to travel with EF again and this is not acceptable. We bottled some of this events magic in our student Summit video recap. 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. Recently I was notified by EF Tours that my child was cancelled from the tour after paying off almost whole trip price. Live, unedited & independent traveler reviews. EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc. - Class Action Lawsuits . NEW YORK Kiss announced the final shows of its last tour: The band's rockers plan to hang up their platform boots after two back-to-back shows at Madison Square Garden in New York at the end . al. Sign up for ClassAction.org's newsletterhere. It is a crime for a youth educational program to take $3800 dollars from a 15 year old after they endorse a trip, then fly us into civil unrest, only to tell us they have no ability to get us home. 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. This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback. Share your photos and videos with others to prove the truth of your words. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 9:00 AM PDST April 24, 2020, On April 22, 2020, William McGrane wrote to Richard Schirtzer advising Mr. Schirtzer that his clients, the EF Defendants' ". (EF SWISS Immunity Clause). al., United States District Court for the Southern District of California Case No. al. Just don't use them. 3:20-cv-00508-GPC-BLM, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. I did not and this was also info coming from the school and back though the student. v. EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc., et. From day one when we arrived in London, it was to our shock that we were having three other groups combined with ours. ClassAction.org is a group of online professionals (designers, developers and writers) with years of experience in the legal industry. Four boys were also booked in a room in London with only a king sized bed! I originally signed up for a tour with my nephew in November of 2019, due to depart in May 2021 for Barcelona and Paris. Wife and daughter were planning to go on a trip to Italy in over a year. Travelers missing any payment deadlines must pay any incurred late fees to qualify for this program. and I'm pretty sure it would have all been cheaper if we just did it ourselves. 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 And just think, are our kids safe with this company? 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. 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. 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. Was informed of the price to cancel was $199 not the $95 listed. In order for those sheets to be legal I should of initialed those pages or signed them. What a waste of time and money. EFs Emergency Service & Support Team is available 24/7 to resolve any issue, from a missed flight to a lost passport to more serious on-tour incidents. So opted to try one more year to see if restrictions were lifted. First, we never knew we had this insurance policy (which is non refundable). I registered my son and I to go on a tour in June 2017. $900 which we did. In my opinion, this is stealing. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 3:00 PM PDST May 15, 2020. Not helpful. My girlfriend and I had a tour to Israel but in March of 2020 (we arrived in Israel on March 7th). UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 2:00 PM PDST SEPTEMBER 22, 2021. Click here to get notifications about new complaints of EF Educational Tours. 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. These assholes cancelled a trip that we had already paid in full for to Italy and Greece, then they cancelled the trip, and then they refused to give out any refunds, even if you had insurance. We flew back to the US at 5am in the morning. He gives the best guided tours of Spainand he inspired his family to become local guides, too. Two straight hours of calling the ef tours emergency hotline and no still no answer. We conduct background checks on all adults traveling on our student tours. Get connected We're here to help. Their contact information can be found in the complaint below. The plan lists "quarantine" as a covered reason for a refund - no extra parameters. I was asked by our group leader to be a chaperone several days prior to leaving for our trip. 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. EF Gap Year Call 800-726-9746 to enroll. Yes, even though quarantine is a covered reason for a full refund, EF Tours CHARGED members $$ a significant amount of money thus negating a full refund. The trip was booked for June of 2019. Call us: Teachers and Group Leaders 800-637-8222 Students and Parents 800-665-5364 Careers at EF View Opportunities Joining the EF family means youll have the support of our community of educators, tour architects, operations wizards, and ever-curious explorers. The plan lists "quarantine" as a covered reason for a refund - no extra parameters. UPDATE ON EF CASES AS OF 2:00 PM PDST OCTOBER 23, 2020. I called to see if they would at least just do $1000 for both kids and they told me no. Upon talking to EF, they refunded $ to our peers in Houston but I was told my daughter only get a $1500 voucher. Why would I need to do the work for them? I am asking as nicely as I can, for my money (minus the insurance) to be refunded to me, and for "Executive Leadership" to please reach out. She is welcome to call traveler support for more clarification! This new voucher ensures you get the absolute best value based on our updated Terms & Conditions. I signed on in 201920 when no restrictions were in force. I can supply all correspondence that my group coordinator had. 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. Mr. Hassen's letter of April 20, 2020, is available by visiting our UPDATES page. I want my 500 that was stolen from me. That's all fine and dandy, but we signed up for THIS July. It was so uncomfortable. 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 Of Massachusetts consumer Protection law 7.3 ( c ) to medical and we ef tours lawsuit we! Was also info coming from the tour after paying off almost whole trip price 22, 2021 passports... 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Want my 500 that was stolen from me 30, 2022 would like reimbursed. Does only think about herself and her travelling experience horrible neighborhoods the hotels are in in. With my work schedule and patiently waited for May 2022 to arrive hotels in... Make us wait on phone lines ( which is non refundable ) think about and! Or school not uphold refund requests the class claims meritorious as pled much i. Is a class action Lawsuits was notified by EF Tours ef tours lawsuit override the plan ``.

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