Worldstrides

Review: I've been given te run around with worldsrides since I started making payments! When I signed my daughter up I was told that worldsrides was here to help us in which ever way they could and I have spoken to numerous supervisors regarding eztra fees as well as needing a little more time to pay! My mistake was not realizing that I received a new debit card and forgot to change it however I was called and threatened by [redacted] from the financial dept that my daughters trip qas going to be cancelled over a 50 dollar payment! I then spoke with [redacted] to put a formal complaint on ms [redacted] and ms [redacted] assured me my daughters trip would not be cancelled and that I was able to make the payment this week 02-03-2016 . I then attended the last meeting for the trip on 02-02-2016 to be humiliated by the teacher telling my daughter and I that her trip was cancelled! I left [redacted] a voicemail last night as soon as I walked into my house and requested that a manager not a supervisor call me in regards to this matter she then had [redacted] call me who was a supervisor/team lead not a manager and he as well was rude and did not want to provide me with his employee ID number nor his last name so that I can file a complaint on mr [redacted] as well! I never recieved any feedback from [redacted] in regards to ms [redacted] and her threats and rudeness! Its seems that they're only concerned about the money and not our children! I call that false advertisement!Desired Settlement: I would like to her from Mr Jim Hall ceo himself with a resolution to my issue as well as the other parents that have been disrespected and treated poorly and a guarantee that his employees will all take some more customer service training!

Business

Response:

Dear

Ms. [redacted]:Thank

you for contacting WorldStrides regarding your daughter’s account. It is my understanding that [redacted] was scheduled

to accompany [redacted] on their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C. on 2/13/2016 however her account was

cancelled when you were unable to honor the payment terms & conditions required

for the trip.On

May 13th 2015 when you registered online, you were presented with

and agreed to certain Terms & Conditions.

Those terms and conditions outline the payment options and associated

fees. If you register directly with WorldStrides, you will have three

payment options: (1) pay in full, (2) make regularly scheduled installment

payments under an installment plan established by WorldStrides, or (3)

establish automatic payments to be charged to your checking account at a U.S.

banking institution via WorldStrides EZPay program. If you choose to follow the

installment payment plan, WorldStrides charges a $6 non-refundable handling fee

on each installment payment following your registration, except the initial

deposit and the final payment. There are NO HANDLING FEES associated with

payments made through the EZPay program.The

final payment due date for this trip was 11/30/2015. On 11/20/2015 you contacted Customer Service

to advise them that you would be unable to pay for the trip by the final

payment date. Our Customer Service Team

worked with you to set up an extended payment plan that would allow you to pay

$50 each month in December, January, February, and the remaining balance by

3/31/2016. At that time our Customer

Service Team also courtesy waived $24 in processing fees on the account at your

request. On 1/12/2016 your agreed

installment of $50 was declined. You

were contacted by the Financial Service Representative assigned to your account

on 1/26/2016 to request the scheduled payment of $50 within the next 24 hours

to keep your account in good standing and avoid cancellation. You informed the associate you were unable to

make that payment and after speaking to our Customer Service Manager we agreed

again to provide you an additional payment extension until 1/29/2015 to make

the $50 payment, but if unable to make the payment by that date the account

would be cancelled. The manager made a

courtesy call to you on the 1/29/2015 regarding the payment and you advised her

you were unable to make the payment on the agreed date and disconnected the

line. The account was then cancelled. We

take our customer concerns very seriously and I have personally listened to

each phone call between yourself and the associates you referenced in your

complaint. After review we stand by our

associates and disagree with the characterization of your interaction with our

Customer Service Team. All of the associates

were professional and attempted to assist you in this challenging situation.I

apologize that in this circumstance we were unable to meet your

expectations. We have in good faith attempted to work with

you and demonstrate our desire to have [redacted] travel with us including

granting $220 in financial aid towards your account; courtesy waiving processing

fees; setting up an extended payment plan past your travel date; and giving you

additional time to make the $50 declined payment. Unfortunately, despite those efforts we were

unable to come to agreeable terms to keep the account in good standing. We will provide a full refund of all monies

paid towards the account including the non-refundable deposit, which is $519.Should

you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me

directly at (434) 951-8455. We will be

providing a copy of this correspondence as part of our response to the recent

filing you made with the Revdex.com (Case #: [redacted]) in Richmond.Sincerely, [redacted]

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the offer and/or response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

[Provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.]

Regards,

This Company has got to have the WORST Customer Service Department EVER! Due to a lack of communication on BOTH parties, my daughter will NOT be able to attend her much earned Graduation Trip. Over a $50 payment. After continuously requesting to speak to a Supervisor I was rerouted to various customer service reps. That were anything but helpful, [redacted] was extremely rude and disconnected the call. I called Customer Service requested a supervisor, and was connected with a Supervisor named [redacted], who was very helpful and we reached an agreement regarding the $50 payment. Going to the school on the 2nd of Feb. I was informed that my daughter was being dropped from the trip for lack of payment. The next day I called and was not able to contact Ms. [redacted], spoke with a Rep. named [redacted], who was extremely rude and stated that the decision was already made. Again I asked for a Supervisor and was denied. Frustrated with the run around, I made a complaint with the Revdex.com, immediately after that, I receive a phone call and an E-mail from the VP of Customer Service basically defending her employees and canceling my daughters trip and giving me a FULL REFUND (although it's against policy)! I am also sending you another e-mail from Worldstrides, that I received on Saturday Feb. 6th 2016 at 12:01am stating that I contact them to resolve the issue, giving me a sense of false hope. So when I call first thing Monday morning, I was informed that since the refund was sent, disregard that e-mail! I never requested a refund. All I wanted was for my daughter to attend her Graduation Trip.

Review: My daughter is participating in a travel program to [redacted] with her class. Worldstrides is the company the school chose to organize this trip. The school provided information to sign up for the trip. To register, $99 deposit is required. The total cost of the trip is $999 for 3 days. I went back to the Worldstrides site to pay the remaining $900 but found that they were charging me $109 for trip insurance and a $6 handling fee (none of these were previously mentioned) I tried countless times to contact the company to clarify but cannot reach them, either get put on interminable hold or get a busy signal. I have also tried email but haven't received a reply from that either. I then noticed I was being charged a late fee of $15 in addition to the other fees they added on but you cannot actually talk to anyone to fix the problem so the charges keep accruing. I called the school and they couldn't reach them either. So frustrating and unfair! They trip was very expensive anyway on top of having 7 children to provide for, ridiculous.Desired Settlement: I would like to pay in full the amount of the original contract which would make it $900 that I owe ($999 minus $99 deposit) and possibly a phone call or email

Business

Response:

Dear [redacted]Thank you for contacting WorldStrides regarding your daughter's account. It is my understanding that[redacted] is scheduled to accompany [redacted] on their upcoming trip to [redacted] andthat you have some concerns regarding the fees associated with her account.On November 19, 2014, when you registered online, you were presented with and agreed to certain Terms & Conditions. Those Terms & Conditions provided a detailed explanation of the Full Refund Program, which protects your payments and provides a refund minus the Full Refund Program fee and nonrefundabledeposit if you, the Program Leader. school. or school's administration needed to cancel at any time prior to departure for any reason, as well as the fees associated with this program.The Terms & Conditions further explain payment plan options, handling fees and [ate fees which may be associated with your account. You chose to spread your payments out into instillments rather than enroll in the EZ Pay program for payment. As explained in the Terms & Conditions and noted on your invoices, "Ifyou choose to follow the installment payment plan, WorldStrides charges a $6 non-refundable handling fee on each installment payment following your registration, except the initial deposit and the final payment.,However,pursuant to your conversation with our Customer Service Department on January, 19, 2015, wehave made an exception on the account and waived all handling and late fees. Further, as directed, wehave removed the Full Refund Program and associated fees. Total payment has been received and [redacted]'saccount is paid in full.I apologize for the inconvenience and dissatisfaction this situation has caused you. However, I amconfident that [redacted] will have an extraordinary experience on her upcoming trip,Should you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly at [redacted]We will be providing a copy of this correspondence as part of our response to the recent filing youmade with the Revdex.com [redacted] in Richmond.

Consumer

Response:

[A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's offer. If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]

I have reviewed the offer made by the business in reference to complaint ID[redacted], and find that this resolution would be satisfactory to me. I will wait for the business to perform this action and, if it does, will consider this complaint resolved. If the company does not perform as promised I can get back to you at: [redacted]

Regards,

Review: I registered my child and myself for 8th grade class trip to Washington DC, through Worldstrides. I paid the initial deposit of $200, which was $99 for my child and $99 for myself. I also enrolled in the Full Refund Program at $129 per account totaling $258. I chose not to sign up for Automatic withdraws because I did not want them withdrawing from my bank account twice a month. I then find out when I called in on 2/25 that because I did not have Automatic Withdraws on my account they were charging me $6 per month, PER Account. I also found out they were charging me$15 per month in late fees because I was not making monthly payments. I HAD NO IDEA I was being charged additional monies NOTHING, indicated that I would be charged LATE fees if I did not make monthly payments. And I made my payments online. Furthermore, I was not getting any invoices detailing any of this information so I was completely unaware. [redacted] at this time waived my late fees which I was appreciative of. In February 2015, I paid $1400, $700 on my child’s account and $700 on my account. On March 16, I find that we cannot attend this trip, therefore on 3/16 I sent an email advising to cancel both accounts (my account and my child’s account). I then followed that email up with a call on the same day. I again spoke to [redacted] and he advised that he will put my account in a PE status and my refund will take 4-6 weeks (this is entirely too long for a refund when paying by credit/debit card). According to [redacted] he waived $75 on my account and $90 on my child’s account. I got an email advising me they have received my request for cancellation. I emailed the person back asking how much would my refund be and no reply. Today, April 27th, 2015 I called because I had not yet received my refund. I spoke to a [redacted], [redacted] she advised that a refund was processed today on my child’s account for $621, but the refund on my account had not been processed, however advised me that only $547 would beDesired Settlement: I want be refunded all but the $99.00(x2) "non-refundable deposit" listed in their advertised materials. I paid $1,856. And they want refunded $1,168.00. I should be refunded $1658.00 in total, which includes the bogus $6 fees on both accounts, the bogus late fees charged to both accounts, and the cost of the Full Refund program of $258 on both accounts.

Business

Response:

Dear Ms. [redacted]:Thank you for contacting WoridStrides regarding your accounts. It is my understanding that youand [redacted] were scheduled to accompany [redacted] on their upcoming trip toWashington, D.C. However, you recently cancelled your accounts and have some concernsregarding your refund.On September 23 , 2014, when you registered online, you were presented with and agreed tocertain Terms & Conditions. Those Terms & Conditions provided a detailed explanation of the$99 non-refundable deposit, as well as the Full Refund Program Fee. Pursuant to the Terms &Conditions, the Full Refund Program Fee for this trip was $129.The Terms & Conditions further explain payment plan options, handling fees and late fees whichmay be associated with your account. You chose to spread your payments out into installmentsrather than enroll in the EZ Pay program for payment. As explained in the Terms & Conditions,"If you choose to follow the installment payment plan, WoridStrides charges a $6 nonrefundablehandling fee on each installment payment following your registration, except theinitial deposit and the final payment. There are NO HANDLING FEES associated with paymentsmade through the EZPay program."In reviewing your account I found the following: Payments received total $799. You werecharged $15 in late fees and $24 handling fees. Our Customer Service Representative waived$75 in fees on your account as of March 17,2015. On April 30, 2015 , a refund in the amount of$607 was processed. The amount refunded on your account was actually $36 in excess of whatyou should have been refunded as $799 minus the $99 non-refundable deposit and $129 FullRefund Program Fee would result in a refund in the amount of$571.In reviewing [redacted] account I found the following: Payments received total $879. You werecharged $90 in late fees and $30 in handling fees. Our Customer Service Representative waived$90 in late fees on this account as of March 17,2015. On April 27, 2015 a refund in the amountof $621 was processed. This amount was the appropriate amount to be refunded as $879 minusthe $99 non-refundable deposit and the $129 Full Refund Program Fee would result in a refundin the amount of $621. However, given the circumstances, we have made an exception to ourTerms & Conditions and have provided you with an additional $30 refund for the handling feesassociated with [redacted] account as a good faith measure. This refund has been credited to thecredit card used to make payment on this account.I apologize for the inconvenience and frustration this situation has caused you and do hope thatyou and [redacted] are in a position to travel with WorldStrides in the future.Should you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly at[redacted] We will be providing a copy of this correspondence as part of our response tothe recent filing you made with the Revdex.com (Case #: [redacted]) in Richmond.

Consumer

Response:

I have reviewed the offer and/or response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint. For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

I am NOT satisfied with this. I paid a TOTAL OF $1856; first account $700 + $99 + $129 = $928; second account $700 + $99 + $129 = $928. If you waived all these fees then you would have AT LEAST given back $1400. You issued me a refund thus far of $1258, $621 posted 4/28 on my daughters account + $30 you just sent on 5/20 = $651; on my account you issued $607. These totals in NO WAY says all the fees were waived or a full refund was issued. Furthermore NOTHING indicated or explained about a $15 per month LATE fee nor a $6 per month fee for not allowing you to draft from my account. I didn't even get billing notices. Your company has issued complete refunds to others with this same complaint. This practice of yours is criminal. My next stop is the news station with facts of the other complaints. You have completely wasted my time and taken my hard earned money. I am requesting a refund of the remainder of my $1400 plus my 2 $99 deposits which is $142 + $99 + $99 = $340.

Review: My daughter planned on going on a trip with her school, I sent twenty dollars towards my daughters trip to World Strides. She has since decided not to go on the trip and I have tried contacting World Strides numerous time for the refund. To which they never returned the money or respond to a email. I also had paid $50.00 for a full refund option....if my child at any time chooses not to go on the trip they would refund the whole amount that was paid. The fifty dollars is non-refundable.

02/10/2016 WORLDSTRIDES [redacted] PPD 20.00 this is when they took out the twenty dollars

This is the worst business I have ever dealt with I just want my money backDesired Settlement: I want a full refund, it is why a paid the nonrefundable 50.00 dollars for....so I can get my money back if my daughter changed her mind.

Business

Response:

Dear

Ms. [redacted]Thank

you for contacting WorldStrides regarding your daughter’s accounts. I

am glad you were able to speak directly with our Customer Service Manager, Cindy

S[redacted]. I was pleased to hear we were

able to work together to help clear up any confusion regarding the

account. The original $50 paid towards

the account was not for the purchase of the Full Refund Program, but the

non-refundable deposit for the account. Although

under the standard cancellation policy the additional $20 payment would

normally be retained by WorldStrides we are going to make an exception and

refund you the $20 in full.I

hope that [redacted] is able to travel with WorldStrides in the future. Should you have any further questions or

concerns, please feel free to contact me directly at [redacted] We will be providing a copy of this

correspondence as part of our response to the recent filing you made with the

Revdex.com (Case #: [redacted])

in Richmond.Sincerely, Jessica

S[redacted]

Review: My husband and I paid for a trip to Washing DC this past November (11/9/15). Around March they said they would have to double the price of the trip due to lack of interest. We could not afford to pay the extra money so we requested a refund. They did grant us a refund but took 215 dollars claiming fees they ensued. It seems to me to be a scam where they charge you money then up the price out of your reach so they can take more of your money. It's a rip off scam. In addition to the 215 they took a 99 dollar nonrefundable deposit. I feel they should only be entitled to that amount. If there were other nonrefundable fees that should be addressed before the trip was paid for not after. After we paid for the trip they sent us an offer to pay an additional 99 dollar full refund guarantee offer. They are misleading the public and taking advantage of families that want the best for their children.Desired Settlement: I want my 215 dollars back. I also think they they should have to request all possible fees up front so that people are aware. Thirdly I don't think they should be able to change the price of the trip after the fact. Once the trip price is set it should have to be honored. My granddaughter was so disappointed that she was not going. She had been looking forward to going the whole year.

Business

Response:

Dear Ms. [redacted], Thank you for contacting WorldStrides regarding your daughter's account. It is my understanding that [redacted] was scheduled to accompany [redacted] on their upcoming trip to Washington DC in June of 2017, but .you cancelled the account on May 23rd, 2016 . Upon review of your account there was a change of travel date for this trip and as such we are honoring your request for full refund minus the deposit on your account. The total refund due to you is $234.50, which we will process next Tuesday back to your Visa card on file. I hope this satisfies your outstanding concerns and thank you for working with us to resolve this matter. I hope that [redacted] is able to travel with WorldStrides in the future. Should you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly at [redacted]. We will be providing a copy of this correspondence as part of our response to the recent filing you made with the Revdex.com (Case #: [redacted]) in Richmond. Sincerely, Jessica S[redacted] VP Customer Service