Grand Circle Travel
Reviews and Complaints

told us they would get cash refund minus processing fee almost 400 dollars expect a check in 30 to 60 days i called after 70 and was told they changed their policy and only gave a credit toward another trip I was lid to and they stole my money

After Grand Circle/OAT cancelled our trip to Spain and Portugal they told us they would refund us including the so called travel insurance. That was in mid March, after waiting a few weeks they again told we would get refund within 10 - 15 days.

After hearing nothing from them for weeks I again contacted them only to be told they had changed their policy and would not refund us but schedule us for next year. Over the years we have taken several trips with them.

.I am at a loss on what to do next. It seems that Grand Circle/OAT have deceived us.

On September 19, 2019 my wife and I reserved a trip to Spain and Portugal. The trip was scheduled for April 25, 2020.

We paid a total of $12, 024 that included at a cost of $1,298 for travel insurance9. The insurance provided for a full refund if Grand Circle Travel (GCT) unilaterally cancelled the trip.

On March 20, 2020 my wife received an email informing us that our trip was cancelled due to the corona virus and giving us 3 options, one of which was to receive a full refund. We informed GCT that we chose to receive full refund. In an email dated April 3, 2020 GCT informed us that we were not receiving a refund but would receive vouchers for future travel.

On April 8, 2020 I called GCT and spoke to a supervisor, Joe D'Alessandro to request the previously promised refund of $12, 024.

I explained that my wife and I are elderly, in our 70's) and are responsible for the care of another elder. I explained that the vouchers they were offering were for trips during a time I was expecting a knee replacement surgery and possibly a hip replacement. Additionally, Joe stated the trip insurance we had purchased for $1,298 did no good and did not provide insurance for cancellation of the trip. Joe attempted to sideline the refund request with a promise to see if, due to my medical issues, he could get our vouchers spit to enable my wife and I to make separate use of the vouchers.

On April 24, 2020 Joe left a voice mail to say the vouchers could be split.

This was not our original request.

To add insult to injury my wife and I only agreed to go on the Spain trip to accompany her sister.

Her sister has pursued complaints, received a FULL REFUND and then received a May 1, 2020 letter of apology from Harriet.

On May 20, 2020 I called GCT and, after WAITING long enough to be put to sleep, spoke to a Dillon who said that he would have Joe D'Alessandro return my call. I continue to await the return call.

I plan to next file a complaint with the BBB, AARP and am open to joining a class action lawsuit against GCT plus its owners and operators.

My husband and I booked a cruise with this company for April 2020 which was canceled by the company due to the Coronavirus outbreak. Clearly not the company's fault.

We received both a phone call and an email from the company's representatives promising a full refund by mid-May if we chose not to book a future cruise. We received a second email telling us that the refund option was no longer available, and we get a future cruise instead. It will be difficult to travel with a company that I suspect is headed to bankruptcy court in the next 6 months. We are out $12,431 which I feel has been essentially scammed out of our pockets.

This is not a small amount of money for two 69 year olds. Shame on them.

LISTEN FOLKS, the only way to get this company to act ethically is if they receive enough complaints to the Better Business Bureau and the Attorney General of the state of Massachusetts! Very easy to fill out the forms and the agencies, if they receive enough complaints about this unethical company, may act on our behaves.

I paid GCT over $8400 for this trip. They are not issuing refunds but only offering vouchers toward future trips with them.

What recourses do I have?

I have heard that Road Scholar and Rick Steves tours are issuing refunds. How can we encourage GCT to be more accountable.

I have traveled with GCT, OAT, and on their River Cruises a total of 33 times and never had any problems. I was promised a refund after 5/1 for the cancelled trip that was supposed to start on 3/28.

I called a few times and was promised that the money would be credited to my Mastercard, but I keep receiving bills with interest, but no refund so far.

I am desperate and will take further action if I do not get any result otherwise. I am so sad, loved to travel with them.

We had booked a trip to Italy this spring which Grand Circle Travel cancelled due to Covid 19 and Italy shutting boarders. They provided us with an email in March that we would be receiving a complete refund if we elected not to take another trip.

We notified them via phone and email that we desired the refund. They responded that we would receive such. NOW when contacting them regarding where is refund or told NO refund only a voucher for a future trip. CAN ONE TRUST THIS TYPE of company.

Are there others interested in a class action suit? Please contact me at ghmsail2@***.net

Grand Circle lied to us.

They are a bunch of theives.

Are they going out of business.

I think it is class action lawsuit time

My trip was canceled by Grand Circle and they refused to provide a refund. I called my credit card company, they reversed the $10,000 charge for the trip, and have put the credit in my account.

I also submitted a complaint through the BBB.

Received a message from Grand Circle today that I had been 'approved' for a refund. I hope this information helps the rest of you get your refunds resolved with them.

Grand Circle Tour had a cancellation policy in place when we went into contract with them in January of 2020 and we cancelled due to the virus and then they actually cancelled the trip as well. We expected to pay the cancellation fee of $600 and received an email from them stating that they would be sending a refund in 7-10days.

That was on April 4th and it is now May 21st. In speaking with an associate today I was told that the company changed their policy on April 26th and will NOT be refunding money, just offering vouchers!

VERY unethical! How can you retroactively change your policy?

booked trip 10/2019: they called us to cancel because of the Corona Virus and told us we would get a full refund.( I have voicemail saved) I called 3/17/20 spk to rep. was told refund check would be sent no later than May 1, 2020.

I called to follow up 4/6/20 on my refund check &;;;;;;; was told no money would be refunded on vouchers for future trips.

Now they will be keeping my money for 18 months with out my permission!!!! Spk to a superviser 4/13/20 he said no refund will be made and stated they made that decision on March 23,2020 but we were never informed

Did not receive refund as promised. My March 26 Paris to Normandy was canceled due to the pandemic.

I was giving three choices, I chose number three a full refund. I was then promised that I would receive it may second.

I called May 7 and was told they change their minds and I would not get a refund. I want my money

I was to travel with my retirement community on a GCT river cruise April 1, 2020. Because of the virus the cruise was cancelled.

I received an email with 3 options. Option #3 was to receive a full refund. I even talked to a GCT agent how and when this refund was to occur. Then I receive another email stating they can't give a refund.

You have to book another cruise with them sometime in the future. According to GCT it was an "executive" decision . In my opinion this is a very poor business practice to promise and then change your mind. What kind of reputable business does that?

We have traveled with Viking before and was very pleased. I heard Grand Circle provided more services and we would like them much better.

We were willing to give them a try. I'm very disappointed in Grand Circle business practices.

+ Pat Schmidt