"Refund request due to COVID postponement"

Requested refund this morning on a trip that was postponed in March. I was told there would be a $399 cancellation fee and that my request could take up to 10 weeks to process.

"Explorica has been slow to respond to…"

Explorica has been slow to respond to our attempts to contact them over the last few months. We bought the trip insurance for a full refund. They indicate they will still keep a portion of our money. Thus far, months later, they are still keeping all of our money. Very disappointing. I am a teacher. I have run trips for years. I know a pandemic is a new development but, Explorica has not been upfront nor cooperative in this matter.

"They finally made the checks good"

They finally made the checks good. Just out the $24 from the bank from them bouncing the 1st time.

"I have been waiting over 5 months"

While other student travel companies around the world have successfully refunded full trip amounts to students who were unable to take their trips due to COVID, Explorica has kept millions of dollars in students money, cashed in on a $100 million insurance policy and filed bankruptcy.

I have been waiting over 5 months for my refund which will not be a full refund. Despicable. Shameful.

"I've been waiting 5 months for an…"

I've been waiting 5 months for an almost $4000 refund. The terms and conditions state usual refund in about 6 weeks. This is ridiculous, people are losing everything due to this pandemic. Please do not do business with these scam artists. I will be contacting an attorney.

"RUN far far away from this company!"

My sons trip was canceled at the end of March due to Covid. I have sent dozens of emails, made dozens of phone calls. Anyone who says they call back within a day is full of it, they rarely, if ever, respond. When they do? it is a BS form letter response, and each one extends the date further and further away for refunds. Those that have received refunds? Were shorted $399 and then the checks bounced. I know FOR FACT they had NOT booked ANY part of my sons trip - not hotels, airfare, excursions. Therefore what is the $399 for? An employee who had not yet worked on our trip? But that $399 doesn't matter - where is my $3000 refund check I was promised, by Explorica, to receive by TODAY? Oh, that's right - not received. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY, they will rip you off and then ignore you. Shady is an understatement. RUN, high tail and RUN away from this company. If you are dumb enough to use them in the future? Don't bother paying for the insurance, it doesn't cover anything.

"I’ve cancelled my sons trip on April…"

I’ve cancelled my sons trip on April 17, 2020 and never received one cent after calling them time after time and each time was the excuse,” we’re processing.” Explorica just filed bankruptcy so good luck getting money now.

"Horrible experience and lost a lot of money!"

Two years ago I had to cancel my daughters trip 3 months ahead of time due to a medical condition but because she wasn’t hospitalized we only received a 50% refund. You think I would have learned my lesson but no I booked my next child in this winter and her trip gets canceled due to covid and I get a payment of less than half the amount. In total Explorica has made 4,200 off of me for nothing. The school boards need to stop using this company !!!

"A terrible experience"

This company has very poor customer service. I understand that during a pandemic things are interrupted in various way. However, refusing to cancel a trip to Italy during a pandemic when Italy was hit the hardest at that time is unacceptable! My child is a senior and could not go on the trip a year later. This company claimed that if I couldn’t sell the trip to a junior then I would lose 3/4 of my prepayment. They claim that when they schedule airlines/hotels they are non-refundable and therefore the customer takes the financial hit instead of Explorica.

Since then they have graciously allowed a refund of $399 less the original payment even though the insurance was purchased. My first check was fine and now I await my second check. Everyone from my group has informed me that their second checks are bouncing.

In my humble opinion I would steer clear of this company altogether. This was very bad business with an extreme lack of customer service.

"stole our money"

didn’t receive full refund scammed horrible service
do not recommend. JE DETESTE! STEALING OUR MONEY WHEN WE ALREADY POOR