Anonymous
map-marker Dahlonega, Georgia

Dishonest charge twice for their cancellation. Recommend Road Scholar

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Charges that are not warranted Poor service. Tour directors not very good

Recommend other operators--Road Scholar

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Sharon R Gfz

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Verified Reviewer

They are horrible I tried for over 10 days trying to call them waiting 2 hours on line and no pickup. They have $2600 of my money. Put a dispute in to credit card will see what happens. You can’t

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Get a refund from them. We paid out of pocket for our airfare the plane was canceled and they sent the money to grand circle and they pocketed money. Over two years ago.

View full review
Loss:
$2600
Pros:
  • Trips are very good
Cons:
  • Management horrible

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Don’t use them!

Anonymous
map-marker Bradenton, Florida

Neededd much help with corporate policies

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they did review after I persisted and I was able to have resolution of the issue I had with credit from trips that did not occur due to Covid

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Natalie B Bdh

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Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Alexandria, Virginia

Communication like everyone else

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I had to cancel my trip this October because of major health issues that developed after i booked the cruise. I cancelled on May 11, 2022.

I was told that I would receive my refund electronically within 45 days. At that time that seemed pretty outrageous that they could hang on to my money that long.

After over 100 days & numerous waiting on hold for hours I did receive the money however the amount is incorrect. It is several hundred dollars less.

Now I have to go on hold again! I have emailed them we will see if respond to that.

I was clever enough to call the new sales number one time that was answered after a few rings. Agent was very pleasant & told me he would call me back if we got cut off. We did & he did NOT! the refund did come a couple of weeks after this so maybe he did something about it.

Tried sales # today but long wait.

They probably have flagged my phone # or something...

I have a few friends who have enjoyed traveling with this company & sister company OAT however I am quite put off but this inability to answer their phones!

Also charges when changing tour due to Covid not honoring free air fares on original reservation. I will be telling my friends about these bad reviews on line & I will not be booking with them.

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Loss:
$599
Cons:
  • Customer service contact ability

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: Ability to talk to customer service rep & slowness of refund off putting

Linda K Xzq

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Verified Reviewer

I have been on hold for over an hour -

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I sent two email that were never answered.

Unable to contact them by phone.

So - no email response and no way to contact by phone.

I'm thinking i should cancel the trip - what will happen if i have a problem in Kenya?

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Anonymous
map-marker Tarpon Springs, Florida

They have not refunded our money.

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We canceled our trip less than 12 hours after we booked. I called to cancel as soon as they opened the next day.

This was a month ago. They still have not refunded our $700. Don't use this company. This company has no interactive web site.

You have to call and wait for hours to speak for a rep. They try and take control of your money. They will take a credit card for the down-payment.

But for the rest they want your bank account number. We have waited to hear back but they haven't done anything.

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Resolved
Carmen A Kby

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Supporter
| map-marker Miami, Florida

Resolved: Terrible Customer Service

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Grand Circle Travel - Terrible Customer Service
Updated by user Feb 11, 2022

Company fixed the issue and I have been provided with apology. The day after my complaint, I immediately received a phone call and my issue was resolvedThank you Pissed ConsumerCarmen.

Original review Jan 12, 2022
Yesterday I was on hold for 3 hours and 16 minutes when a recording came on saying that I had reached the maximum hold time limit and that I would get a call back. I still haven't received a call back, and don't know how they do it since I was not asked for the phone number.
I need a couple of things done including clarification on dates so I can book my flights and make changes to another one.
How can their customer service be so bad?

American Airlines for instance will ask if you want to be called back and you won't lose your place in line, and they will call you back yes sometimes 3 - 4 hours but they call back.
With GCT/OAT forget it, you don't know where you stand.

Every time you call is the same thing, you are put on hold.
I've traveled with them in the past and yes I've had to hold but never to this extent. All my trips with them have been great, and that's why I chose them for my next two trips, but Unless this company has a quick FIX, they will lose a lot of customers, me being one of them.
View full review
Pros:
  • Good destinations
  • Trips are very good for single travelers
Cons:
  • Terrible customer service

Preferred solution: I have a multiple issue. I have a trip booked for August 2022, which I need exact dates as the website is a little confusing and I need to book my flights. I also need to cancel a future trip for 2023 and have the money applied to my 2022 trip.

User's recommendation: BEWARE, Terrible service

2 comments
Carmen A Kby

Because of my complaint my problem was resolved and received a call back.

Carmen A Kby

I want to notify you that thanks to you OAT called me back today, and my issue was resolved. It's unfortunate that I had to write a bad review in order to get a reply. My trips with them in the past have been great, and its ashamed they have such bad phone service and they just need to get their Customer Service up to par.

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Andrea K Hqn

HORRIBLE ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE

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My friend unexpectedly passed away. I am her medical contact and have spent HOURS waiting to talk to someone to obtain her $5,000+ back for a cruise she (and I) will never go on.

I CANNOT IMAGINE that, in this day and age, the only way to contact these CROOKS is via phone.... FYI, I still have not been able to speak to a SOUL....

DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY. THEY ARE CROOKS.

View full review
Loss:
$3595

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: supplied by brokers

Mary P Xpr

Dissatisfaction with refund policies, and their refusal to refund

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I booked a tour with Overseas Adventure Travel ( a subsidiary of Grand Circle) on April 8, 2021 to travel beginning October 14, 2022. A deposit of $350.00 was paid under the guise of "no risk travel".

On or about October 15, 2021 I called to cancel the trip due to a change in my health circumstances. I requested the return of my deposit, and was told that there were cancellation fees of $300.00. The person helping me was to call me back on the following Tuesday, October 19 to discuss options. He never called.

Due to my health and age (77) I don't forsee traveling in the future, and while the money is a relatively small amount it is the principle of the matter.

They advertise no risk, and yet he claimed the cancellation fees were in large print on the page. I was not able to find that statement.

I would like my deposit refunded in full.

Monetary loss is $350.00 USD.

View full review
Loss:
$350

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: While I have traveled several times with Grand Circle, and Overseas Adventure Tours in the past and been very satisified, I would advise caution in utilizing their services in the future. Financial policies appear to have changed, and if in fact the companies have been sold I would be concerned about future changes in policies and procedures.

Celestine A

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Verified Reviewer

Have not received refunds now 2 months past due date.

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GC cancelled Maritimes trip in July 21. They promised a refund to bank account and credit card within 30 days.

No such thing has happened yet. Please help.

View full review
Loss:
$5000
Cons:
  • Poor customer service
  • Customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

Chere S

Difficult to communicate with. Understand they have 50% dissatisfied rate.

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I booked 2 trips but cancelled one and it is going to take al least 2 months to get refund. I think this company has deteriorated greatly.

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Pros:
  • Customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

Anonymous

This review is written by an individual who has purchased the reviewed product/service and/or confirms being a paying customer of this company. Check our FAQ

Verified Buyer
| map-marker Nokesville, Virginia

GCT in March refused to refund down payment for July trip, under Covid nat. Emergency!

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Grand Circle Travel - GCT in March refused to refund down payment for July trip, under...
Grand Circle Travel - GCT in March refused to refund down payment for July... - Image 2

I paid $1150.00 down payment, with full payment due 23 March for a July trip to Europe with GCT. That trip was later cancelled by GCT.

Stonewalled repeatedly by GCT reps.. And finally this month received $150.00 refund, leaving approx. $1000.00 of my hard-earned/saved $ for this trip lost! I am totally disappointed with this company, having taken 7 trips with them previously and even recommending it to others.

I will Never travel with them again, there are others as equals or better. Larry Ledbetter

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User's recommendation: Will not!

Anita C Ndp

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Verified Reviewer

Grand Circle Travel Company robs people without a gun!

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I booked a trip in January, 2020 to Spain and Portugal for May 20,2020, they cancelled the trip and "rebooked" me on the trip for May, 2021....I do not want to go, despite their most recent offer of $1,500 in perks if I would again allow them to "rebook" with a final usage of 2023...(and get this, if I agree, I could give my credit to someone else). When I said no, I was told the process for my refund was started on 12/23....now I can't even get through on the phone to request that an email be sent to me confirming this cancellation!

RUN, Don't WALK and get the *** away from GCT

View full review
Loss:
$3252
Cons:
  • Inattentive telephone staffing
  • After grand circle canceled my trip

Preferred solution: Full refund

Linden J

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Verified Reviewer

Money not refunded

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Grand Circle Travel - Money not refunded

We had scheduled at trip with Grand Circle Cruise this coming August - we called to cancel due to Covid in March 2020. We were told they would refund us the full amount minus a cancellation fee of 600$, in 7-10 days.

To date, we have not received a penny. Beware of dealing with this company.

View full review
Loss:
$10180
Cons:
  • Poor customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: BEWARE

Larry L Fjm

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Verified Reviewer

Loss of $$ for cancelling July trip under Nat. Emergency

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Grand Circle Travel - Loss of $$ for cancelling July trip under Nat. Emergency

As background, I've made 7 enjoyable trips with GCT/OAT with another scheduled for July to Europe. For that trip I paid $1145.00 as down payment in January with the remainder due 04/22/2020.

By early March CO-VID 19 began to spread wildly and that is when I made my first call to GCT expressing doubts that my trip would even go and discussed the possibility of cancelling the trip. Then on 13 March a National Emergency was declared, and at that point I called GCT to cancel my trip, but all I got from them was stonewalling to accept credit for a future trip, rather than returning my down payment. As the World continued to turn upside down and with 3 more calls to GCT for some reasonable settlement but with none offered, on 9 April I cancelled my trip. Of the $1145 I will lose $799.00 because I refused to pay the $5271.00 by 22 April, and then be issued a credit for some future trip, because my July trip is not going, and you can count on that!

At 83 with a heart condition, A-Fib, I was just ˋthrown to the dogsˋ by a company without a heart, GCT.

Furthermore, how many of you out there will feel comfortable boarding a plane this summer with hundreds of people for an 8 hour flight, and then on a crowded bus for three weeks just to visit castles and churches with a knockwurst in between? Scary thought isnt it?

View full review
Loss:
$699
Pros:
  • Taken 7 trips with this company
Cons:
  • Customer service

Preferred solution: Full refund

User's recommendation: I would be extremely cautious in dealing with this company because when the chips are down they are not the quality company you may want to deal with.

Anonymous
map-marker Brooklet, Georgia

Is Customer Welfare Of Importance?

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With the growing international concern regarding the coronavirus, I am concerned about Grand Circle Travel's hesitancy to cancel upcoming trips which include the area of Italy which is the center of the disease. Both the State Department and CDC have elevated the travel warning to Italy to Level 3.

Yet, GCT hesitates in cancelling trips planned to that area in hopes that customers will simply accept vouchers rather than cash refunds which would be required by law and their own policy should they cancel the trip. I just sent the following letter to GCT to express my concern:

Good day. I am writing to express a concern that my wife and I have relative to Grand Circle Travel's delay in making decisions regarding scheduled trips which involve travel in the Lombardy region of Italy, which includes the city of Milan.

We are currently scheduled to fly into Milan On April 25 for a 15 day tour of the Alpine Villages of Europe. We are five time travelers with GCT and are members of your Inner Circle group.

We are also seniors who have experienced periodic respiratory and coronary difficulties.

On yesterday, I spoke with one of your travel counselors regarding any prospective decision to cancel the trip for which we are registered. The young lady with whom I spoke was emphatic that GCT is closely monitoring developing issues in the world. She pointed to the fact that the company has already cancelled all trips to China for 2020 and 2021. She assured me that the company will act in the best interests of prospective passengers.

She then explained in very specific detail what would occur should a cancellation become necessary. She explained that, since we purchased the "cancel for any reason" rider to our trip insurance, should we cancel prior to March 26, we would receive $2544 in cash and a $4725 voucher for future travel. She further explained that should we cancel after March 26, we would receive a $7270 voucher for future travel. Finally, she related that, should GCT cancel the trip, we would receive a full cash refund of $8068 including the cost of the travel insurance we purchased.

As you are almost certainly aware, both the United States State Department and the Center for Disease Control have elevated the travel warning for Italy to Level 3, urging all Americans to avoid non-essential travel to Italy.

Based on this issued warning, my question is "Why does GCT not cancel scheduled trips to Italy, especially those such as ours which routes air travel through Milan, the center of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy?" I fully realize that, by cancelling the trip, GCT will potentially suffer a significant economic loss. However, it occurs to me that a company which truly places its customers first would not delay making such a decision. We do not plan to cancel our trip prematurely, as we would prefer to receive a full refund rather than a voucher.

If we are forced by you to do so, we will obviously do so, use the voucher, and then look for other companies to utilize in making future travel plans. I am hoping that you will determine that making timely decisions in the best interests of your customers will be in your best interest.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding this matter.

View full review
3 comments
Guest

I would like to hear GCT's response to this letter.

Leola Tin

My wife and I are inner circle members; also. Our trip is scheduled to depart for Rome and on to Catania Sicily.

The U. S. state dept. has tagged the entire country as a level 4 (avoid).

I am scheduled to have a heart procedure tomorrow March 2; 2020 . Why has Grand Circle chosen not to cancel this trip?

As senior citizens we are the most at risk to the Corona Virus.?? We are not looking for a voucher; but for a full refund.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Leola Tin

Did you ever get your refund?

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About

Related Companies

Overseas Adventure Travel, Grand Circle Foundation

Summary

Grand Circle Travel was founded in 1958. The company is one of the leaders in the travel industry. Until the year of 1982, the company served members of AARP was based in New York. In 1985, Alan Lewis bought Grand Circle Travel and the headquarters was moved to Boston. The company operates 45 offices all over the world. Grand Circle Travel offers its clients Grand Circle River Cruises, OAT Small Ship Adventures, and numerous land-based trips. Grand Circle Travel insures the protection of the reserved cruises from ALL fuel surcharges and currency fluctuations. Conde Nast Traveler magazine chose Grand Circle as one of the world's best cruise lines in their annual Gold List poll.

Grand Circle Travel reviews and complaints

Grand Circle Travel is ranked 20 out of 257 in Cruises and Ships category

Area Served

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