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Trafalgar Tours West IncThis business is NOT BBB Accredited.
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Reviews
24 Customer Reviews
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Review from Heather F
1 star09/15/2024
We were looking to plan a tour with Trafalgar. Within a period of 48 hours, we received three different pricings for the same tour, with the justification of "dynamic pricing". Trafalgar "Travel Experts" purposely fail to disclose and itemize what you're being charged for. Abusing customers with their Illegal business practices, disregarding consumer laws and their right to know, as demanded by law is their business ******** contacting any representative, be ready to waste your time; these scammers operate in such a way that for any inquiry you may have, they'll significantly increase your quoted pricing without notice. On top of this, their travel agents are extremely rude, no service skills nor respect at all for their customers.BUYER BEWARE: Planning a vacation in this day and age should be a pleasant experience, this company makes it a real nightmare. Conclusion: Fraudulent network targeting senior citizens, avoid TRAFALGAR.Trafalgar Tours West Inc Response
09/16/2024
We are sorry to learn of your experience! Please email ************************ with the specifics and we will ensure that our Director of Reservations is made aware of this situation. If you can include names of the people you have worked with as well as copies of the three quotes you have received, this would be ideal. Thank you, and we look forward to receiving your email.Review from Kathryn S
1 star06/17/2024
A friend and I booked the ******, ******, ******** tour for December 2023. We noted from other reviews that many not-to-be-missed sights were either optional for extra money or not included at all. Our reception in ****** was the tour director giving information in a crowded and noisy hotel lobby while other guests checked in. Notified we had to decide on upcoming optional experiences that evening. We were told that the ******************* was closed as part of the tour. We investigated. It was open but we had to buy our own tickets. Optional boat trip for next day was cancelled since not enough people signed up. At the palace complex, we were turned over to a local guide. It was very crowded. Our guide flipped up his hood and walked without a backward glance as we tried to keep up. He was difficult to hear and expressed irritation when we said we couldnt easily see where he went and dismissed our suggestion that he could have a tall Trafalgar sign for us to follow. The tour only consisted of walking around outside for about 30 minutes as he gave information. We never entered any of the historic buildings/cathedral which is the highlight of ******. We stayed behind the group to use our purchased tickets to access everything. St. Vitus was gorgeous. Unfortunately, inside another building, I fell, dislocated and broke my wrist. I had to go to the hospital. The tour director came for a short while but doesnt speak Czech so he left while I dealt with staff/medical procedures. The next day, the tour group went to ******* for the day while we spent hours trying to figure out how to get home. Since we had booked our airline tickets, we were on our own to make all travel arrangements and flew home a day later. We decided that since we had already done so much research, we would try the ********* markets in ****** and ******** again this December. But after such a disappointing experience, we are not definitely not doing this or any other tour with Trafalgar!Trafalgar Tours West Inc Response
06/18/2024
Hi *******! We are so sorry to learn of your disappointment and that you had to return home early as a result of your injury. We show that our Guest Relations Team has been in contact with you regarding your concerns, and if you require a letter from us to assist with your insurance claim, feel free to respond to the email sent in May and our colleagues will be more than happy to help.Review from Karen L.
1 star02/02/2024
Tour Director **** was awful, rude and condescending to the point of embarrassing me in front of a group of other travelers.Trafalgar Tours West Inc Response
02/02/2024
I am so sorry to read this review. Please email us at ************************ with more detailed information and examples of what transpired, and we will begin investigation upon receipt. Thank you, and we look forward to receiving your email.Review from Maureen H
1 star01/26/2024
We will never use Trafalgar again and have advised all our relatives and friends to avoid this company. We booked a tour to ****** and ******** and needed to reschedule the dates due to work commitments. We purchased trip insurance. It took us several months of phone calls and emails to actually speak to someone and was given the run around by both Trafalgar and AON insurance. In the end, while we hoped to go on the same tour at a different date, we were told that we lost the $2000 that we gave as a deposit towards the tour and insurance. Their customer service was horrible, wit inadequate information or contrary information given at each step. They are very responsive when we were trying to book the tour but absent once they had our money. At the very least they seem unhelpful and unethical in their business practices. Would never use them again and hope that others beware of their shady business practices! We have traveled quite a bit with other tour companies and cruises and have never had issues of this nature.Trafalgar Tours West Inc Response
01/28/2024
We are so sorry to learn of your concerns and appreciate you bringing this to our attention. All documentation sent for your booking shows that deposits and insurance costs are non-refundable and therefore cannot be reimbursed or transferred to a new booking. We are sorry to know of your upset with this policy, however are unable to waive the non-refundable deposits or insurance costs for our guests. We do hope that you were able to rebook for dates that fit your schedule, and look forward to welcoming you on board again in the future!Review from Marjorie G
1 star10/31/2023
Would never use Trafalgar again. A storm cancelled our flights and we were not able to book another for several days after. The full price of the tour was already paid and could not receive a credit. We were charged for gratuities even though the trip had not occurred. Totally unacceptable. Buyer beware.Trafalgar Tours West Inc Response
11/01/2023
We're so sorry to learn of the storm affecting your trip! All day of cancellations are at 100% Cancellation Penalties, so we do hope that you purchased travel insurance to protect your vacation. If so, please file a claim at your earliest convenience and email ************************ should you require any information from us to assist with your claim.Review from Kerry D
1 star10/01/2023
I had a tour scheduled and completely paid in full. Two months before the trip Trafalgar cancelled it. I lost the airfare cost even though I had purchased their trip insurance. I tried to change the date of the trip to one in **** and was told there was a 50/50 chance that one would be cancelled also. Obviously I will never book a trip with them again.Trafalgar Tours West Inc Response
10/03/2023
We are so sorry to know that your trip was withdrawn! We do not like making these decisions, however ultimately reserve the right to do so based on operational issues, or any other unforeseen event. We will ensure that our Service Desk team is aware of your feedback, and suggest that you reach out to our Reservations Team should you have any further concerns.Review from ASMITA M
1 star08/16/2023
FEEDBACK FOR GRAND EUROPEAN WITH EUROSTAR EXTENSION TRAFALGAR TOUR No. A040216 Hello, The two of us, ****** ******************* and ******************************* travelled in the above mentioned tour from 19th July 2023 to 8th August 2023. 2 Before the trip began, and multiple times during the tour, we had informed the Tour Director ************************** that we are Non-Vegetarians, but we dont eat beef and pork and that we should be served Chicken or Fish in our meals. On many occasions, we were served only vegetarian food inspite of informing him earlier, much to our dislike. In fact, for one of the optional dinners (only I ****** ******************* went for it), that costed 99 EUR, only vegetarian food was served. On asking ***********, he in turn asked me what I eat, as if he doesnt know. On enquiring the restaurant staff about this, they informed me that they dont provide fish or chicken there. Its either vegetarian or pork. Why did *********** not inform this to me earlier when he knew well in advance that I have opted for this optional dinner? Inspite of me reiterating to him so many times, I had to eat the same vegetarian food. Why was I not informed earlier that food options are limited for that evening? 99 EUR is not a small amount. It was a complete waste of money as I couldnt eat anything.4 We had an itinerary. But *********** kept changing the itinerary frequently at his whims and fancies, as a result of which we could not visit and see some very important places which were clearly mentioned in the itinerary. Focus was always shifted to the Optional experiences.a) **** We were not taken to ************* to visit and take photos. b) ***** - We were not taken to the ************ to view and take photos. We only saw it from the Seine river cruise (which was an optional tour), and were only shown the *********** at 10:30 pm on our way back from the cruise from a far distance and we were given 5 minutes to get down and get back into the bus.Trafalgar Tours West Inc Response
08/16/2023
Thank you for your email! We show that your booking was made outside of North America which is what this BBB account is for. we are unable to access bookings made outside of our region, so we suggest you email **************************** as they would oversee bookings made outside of North America.Review from Cleopatra Z
1 star07/26/2023
I had book a trip with Trafalgar to **** that was canceled due to lack of interest on the date that I had selected. I was informed in April 2022 that I would be receiving a reimbursement of my deposit. It is now July 2023 and I have yet to receive my deposit. I have called 5 times and each time I am told that my money will be in my account in 5-7 business days and that is not the case. Do not use this company!Trafalgar Tours West Inc Response
07/27/2023
Thank you for your note and we are sorry to learn of your concerns! Please email us at ************************ and we will certainly look into this and respond within the same day. Thank you!Review from Cathy R
1 star07/10/2023
We booked an Imperial Europe Tour with Trafalgar. Upon booking, we explained that we would be staying an extra night and would have a family member join us. We understood at the time that they would not be able to participate at the farewell dinner, but it was left open whether they could stay at the hotel with us. We were charged by trafalgar for the extra night immediately. After months of multiple calls and chats with trafalgar and the hotel (and spending hundred of dollars on international calls), they both told us to talk to our tour director upon our arrival. We were happy to purchase another room or pay an extra fee to add a bed for our family member, but simply needed clarification and direction as to how to handle the matter. Upon our arrival, the tour director was notified. He was not helpful at all and acted like this was not his problem, and that we should have had this figured out beforehand. We were shocked at the lack of service and rudeness of the tour director. Ultimately, neither the tour director or hotel was able to accommodate us. We paid for an extra night that we did not use and trafalgar refuses to refund or credit us. We ended up leaving the hotel and the tour director was notified and never even checked to see if we were okay or safe. I would NOT recommend them. We have done several tours with trafalgar and had wonderful experiences in the past. That is why we chose to travel with them, but their lack of service was appalling and shocking. Additionally, most of the hotels were awful. For as much money as we paid, we could have done a River cruise.Trafalgar Tours West Inc Response
07/11/2023
Thank you for your response! Your cancellation was elective, and therefore the hotel has enforced their penalties and have denied our request for reimbursement. It is difficult when it comes to hotel reservations while traveling as it is based on availability and may not be able to be confirmed until we arrive at the property. We hold no control over hotel availability or their policies and procedures, so we must adhere to their directive. That being said, again the hotel is holding us at 100% Cancellation Penalties and did deny our requests for reimbursement, so we are unable to refund the penalties they have imposed. The post night was not required to purchase through us, so if you wished to secure a reservation for you and your friend at the end of the trip, you could certainly book independently to ensure this was done.Review from Maria G
1 star05/30/2023
My family of 4 were scheduled to go to ***** on April *****, 2023. We purchased a trip via Trafalgar traveling company. The trip costs of $11,906 which includes a Travel Protection plan, Aon Affinity Travel Practice of $876. Unfortunately, my *********** were positive for Covid days before the trip. We had to cancel the trip as we do not want to make anyone sick joining the trip. We cancelled the trip 48 hours before the trip. I went to urgent care to get a documentation to support that I was seen by a doctor & was positive for Covid 19. I sent a cancellation via AON Travel Insurance www.aontravelclaim.com on April 14, 2023. I received an email from AON Travel Insurance on April 14, 2023, with message: We've received your claim. Your reference number is XXXXXXXXX. We will notify you if additional information is required or when your claim is finalized. Aon Affinity Travel Practice.May 4, 2023. We received the following email from Aon Affinity Travel Practice: (we were given 1 of the same email below, the only difference is our names were on the email) We are pleased to advise you that we have completed our review of the Trip Cancellation claim for name of insured and have approved $219.00 for payment.I am claiming the whole value of $11,906.00 from Aon Affinity Travel Practice and Trafalgar is because it is written on their Travel Protection plan that The Travel Corporation Cancel For Any Reason Credit Feature Provided by The Travel Corporation, dba Brendan ********** ******** Grand European Travel, Insight ********** Trafalgar.Trafalgars own website it states If you choose to purchase Trafalgars own Travel Protection plan, you will have the flexibility to cancel your trip for ANY reason, up to 24 hours before departure. Depending on the plan you select, you will be eligible for either a Future Travel Certificate, or a mix of 60% cash back insurance benefit with a 20% Future Travel Certificate. Both plans include additional coverage for COVID-19.Trafalgar Tours West Inc Response
05/31/2023
Thank you so much for your review. Aon Affinity is not at all affiliated with Trafalgar, as they are a third party travel insurance provider. As such, we are unable to view your claim or hold any jurisdiction over their resolutions, polices, and procedures. We suggest that you file a rebuttal with Aon Affinity as we acted accordingly within our Terms and Conditions. Should you continue to face difficulty in receiving a response from Aon, please feel free to email us at [email protected] and we will forward your concerns to them on your behalf. Thank you again!Trafalgar Tours West Inc Response
05/31/2023
Thank you so much for your review. Aon Affinity is not at all affiliated with Trafalgar, as they are a third party travel insurance provider. As such, we are unable to view your claim or hold any jurisdiction over their resolutions, polices, and procedures. We suggest that you file a rebuttal with Aon Affinity as we acted accordingly within our Terms and Conditions. Should you continue to face difficulty in receiving a response from Aon, please feel free to email us at [email protected] and we will forward your concerns to them on your behalf. Thank you again!Customer Response
05/31/2023
When I booked the trip, the ONLY available option provided by Trafalgar was to book a Travel Insurance with AON Affinity Travel. I took the insurance offered as this was the ONLY available option provided by Trafalgar. If there was another insurance available I may have taken that Insurance Company instead. What I want to point out with Trafalgar was the statement that reads: The Provider urges you to purchase travel insurance which covers such circumstances ( Early Return, Illness or Absence). These statement was copied from Trafalgar-USA booking conditions, page 6. Trafalgar gave me 1 option to use as a Traveling insurance, hence I paid a trip insurance via AON Affinity. One more thing: on Trafalgar’s own websiteTrafalgar.com>FAQ>How will you take care of me> What travel insurance do I need to purchase that protects me against Covid related claims? If you choose to purchase Trafalgar’s own Travel Protection plan, you will have the flexibility to cancel your trip for ANY reason, up to 24 hours before departure. Depending on the plan you select, you will be eligible for either a Future Travel Certificate, or a mix of 60% cash back insurance benefit with a 20% Future Travel Certificate. Both plans include additional coverage for COVID-19. My husband and I were positive for Covid and hence we should be eligible for a cash back. Being positive for Covid should be an acceptable reason.
Customer Review Rating
Average of 24 Customer Reviews
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