EF Institute for Cultural Exchange, Inc.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # [redacted]. Please add your rejection comments below. 
That's just it - we COULDN'T. When I contacted the airlines, I was told that because we were traveling in a group, individuals couldn't make special requests, nor could they do seat assignments. Have I not been clear? I'm attaching the file I meant to attach during our last exchange. Our hands were tied in so many ways! Why would a family go with a tour company like EF when they could just go with a company like Destination Asia? Why else would someone spend the extra money to go with a US tour company? So that all of the flights would be smooth (especially considering the length of the journey). So that we WOULD have assigned seats so we could sleep on the long flight. So we wouldn't have to beg at the last minute to sit together with our unaccompanied minors. I could go on and on about why we thought we should spend so much money to go with a tour company instead of just doing it ourselves. We felt as though our expectations were reasonable. We were disappointed over and over again, even being told by an airline rep that our tickets were for cheapest seats. The logistics were maddening - I could have made better arrangements myself.I reject the notion that you do not have any responsibility to provide basic services to a traveler. I paid my money to EF Tours but you seem to want to deflect blame onto group leaders. But you don't "vet" your group leaders. You have no idea if a leader is competent or responsible enough to travel with unaccompanied minors. In our case, our group leader was NOT competent. Having her on the trip was like having an additional teenager to take care of. And her trip was free? Hmmmm.Regards,
[redacted]

EF has a standard cancellation policy whic takes in consideration the costs EF incurs long before groups depart. At 150 days or more prior to departure, the standard cancellation is a full refund, less the $95 deposit and non-refundable fees, and a $300 deposit.This is policy that the individual...

falls under.The refund has issued by EF.If a formal travel is issued by the US Department of State stating that Americans should not travel to any location or locations on the groups tour itinerary, the entire group can use EF's Peace of Mind Program.EF's Peace of Mind Program allows groups at 45 days prior to departure or more to do the following:- Change the travel dates.- Work with EF to modify the current tour, or find a new tour.-Cancel the tour and all travelers will receive a transferable travel voucher from EF.Sincerly,EF Education

Tell us why here...
 
In this case, because everything was handled through the airline with whom the traveler elected to choose a seat valued at $100, EF doesn’t have the ability to issue a refund. Costs associated with upgraded seating, baggage, and other airline fees are the...

responsibility of the travelers. Thank you,[redacted]Customer Relations, EF College Study Tours

Hello, A check was issued to [redacted], IN[redacted] USThe check was issued on 02/26. If the check was not cashed by [redacted] we will issue a new one.Thanks,EF Education