Contiki Tours - Overall Rating based on 18 reviews
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Recent booking experience
I just booked a trip and had the worst experience with customer service. I called so many times to make sure everything was all good with my reservation, but when the time came for the trip, they said I didn't pay! I didn't miss any calls or emails, and it felt like nobody wanted to help me out.
African Adventure trip
I just went on this African Adventure trip with that travel company, and let me tell you, I was really let down by the whole thing. The schedule said that some activities were part of the package, but when I got there, they were actually extra charges. I felt like they weren't upfront about the prices, and the info they gave me before the trip wasn't very accurate. Plus, their customer service was not good at all - took them forever to get back to me when I had questions. All in all, my time with this company was dishonest and disappointing.
Refund issue
They said I'd get all my money back, but they only gave me some of it. I've been trying to reach them forever, but all they do is give me the runaround. They're crooks preying on youngsters like me. I suggest trying out a different company, like G-adventures.
Recent trip, postponed, future credit
Just when I thought I found a travel company worth my time, they go and do me dirty. I was already unsure about traveling again post-pandemic, but their terrible communication and customer service just cemented my choice to never use them again. Having to fight for a refund, only to get store credit instead, is not cool. It's not on me that they kept booking trips during such uncertain times. Nope, not dealing with that again.
Tour cancellation inconvenience
My recent experience with this tour company was totally disappointing. I booked a tour, paid in full, and then they just up and cancelled it without even giving me a heads up. I had to scramble to rearrange my flights and ended up shelling out extra cash to join a different tour. To top it off, they didn't even bother to apologize or offer anything to make up for the hassle. Yeah, they gave me a refund for the cancelled tour, but I was still out of pocket because of their last-minute decision. It really sucked to see how little they cared about their loyal customers and how they didn't seem willing to do whatever it takes to make sure customers are happy. Other tour companies have systems in place to make sure tours happen no matter what, but this company clearly doesn't have that same customer-focused approach.
Travel insurance with World Nomads
Don't listen to Contiki when they tell you to get travel insurance from World Nomads. I did what they said and now I feel like I got ripped off. World Nomads won't answer my emails and keeps saying they didn't get the papers they need to process my claim. It's so annoying having to send the same stuff again and again with no end in sight. Shame on Contiki for suggesting such a sketchy company. I strongly suggest not using World Nomads for your travel insurance.
Overcharged, lack of communication
My time with this company has been a total mess. I got double charged for one trip and then it got canceled because of the weather. Trying to get in touch with customer service has been a nightmare - nobody ever answers the phone, and when they do, it's just empty promises of speeding up the process. They owe me more than $3000 and I have no idea when I'll get it back. I'm so fed up with how incompetent and terrible at communicating they are.
Trip cancellation due to Coronavirus
It's really annoying when companies don't show any empathy during tough times like the Coronavirus pandemic. I had planned a trip in June of 2018 that was supposed to start on March 31, 2019. But just 10 days before the trip, the company cancelled because of the pandemic. They not only wouldn't give me a partial refund, but they also wanted me to rebook a cheaper trip. It's just really disappointing and frustrating how they're not willing to be more flexible and understanding with their customers. It shows a real lack of compassion and empathy during a worldwide crisis.
Travel insurance purchase
This company's customer service and business practices are just awful. I mean, I bought travel insurance for my honeymoon and then COVID-19 happened, so we had to cancel. I tried to reschedule like they said in their policy, but I still feel so let down. And to top it all off, their insurance doesn't even cover pandemics or furloughs! Like, seriously? I'm so disappointed in Contiki and I won't be giving them my business again. They just care about keeping our money and making us reschedule too soon, instead of being understanding or flexible. It's just not right.
Tour cancellation
I was so excited to start my adventure with this company when the pandemic hit and ruined my plans. Even though I was bummed about not being able to travel, I have to say, their customer service was amazing. Emilia was super fast in letting me know about the cancellation and she gave me all the help and info I needed during this stressful time. Hats off to the team for being so efficient and professional!
Group travel purchase
I booked this travel tour for a group but, honestly, they cancelled on us last minute. And guess what? They wouldn't even give us our money back for the trip THEY cancelled. Like, seriously, that's just not cool. They really need to treat their customers better. I wouldn't suggest going with this company, just saying.
Recent tour experience
I just went on a tour and was kinda bummed to see that most of the group was from one country. I was really looking forward to meeting folks from all over the place. And their pricing thing, called dynamic pricing, seemed a bit sketchy to me. I'd suggest paying in the local currency to avoid any unexpected charges. For me, I prefer staying in hostels when I travel - it's a cheaper and more fun way to meet cool and diverse people.
Reservation denied, lost money
Booked a reservation and paid upfront, but got denied later on. I had to chase them down for a refund. The staff was helpful though.
LA to the Bay Trip
My experience on the LA to the Bay trip was amazing, eh! From the time I left London, everything went so well - the flights, transfers, and the tour itself. The hotels we stayed in were top-notch and the activities were super exciting and filled with adventure. I definitely got my money's worth for this trip and I don't regret booking it at all. It's kind of a bummer that I'll soon be too old for these trips, though, because I enjoyed every minute of it.
Andean Crossing tour cancellation
Eh, my time on the Andean Crossing tour was really disappointing and frustrating, eh. Contiki went ahead and straight up cancelled the tour without giving me a heads up, and I was already out of the country, eh. Luckily, I found out about it through the grapevine from a past trip manager, or else I could have ended up in the middle of a civil conflict, eh. The lack of communication and help from Contiki was not cool at all, especially since I've done four other tours with them before, eh. This whole situation left me feeling let down and unsafe, and I won't be booking with them again, eh. I really suggest others think long and hard before making a booking with Contiki, eh.
Tour Purchase
I just had a really frustrating experience with the tour company. I had to leave the tour halfway through because I wasn't feeling well due to Covid-19 concerns. Even though other sick tour members were allowed to keep going, putting everyone at risk, I wasn't given the option to have my own room. The lack of care for health and safety rules made me decide to leave the tour, and I ended up missing out on what could have been a great time.
Accommodation booking issue
So I just booked a place to stay through this company and it was so ridiculous. They told me I'd have to pay a dumb cancellation fee if I tried to switch to a better room. Like, who does that? I called up the hotel myself and they said there shouldn't be any fee for upgrading. Seems like Contiki was trying to pull a fast one on me and that is just not cool. I just wanted a nicer room, not to cancel my whole booking. I seriously recommend booking your own place instead of going through them. Take it from me.
Canceled trip, no refund
I had actually booked a trip with this company, eh, but then they went and canceled it because of some unexpected stuff. Even though they said they'd give me all my money back in this situation, all they offered me at first was a voucher after making me wait for over 3 months, eh. It wasn't until I said I'd get my credit card company and maybe a lawyer involved that they finally gave me some money back, but only a partial refund. I was so done with their lack of honesty and communication that I decided to get in touch with my credit card company to get that full refund, eh. This whole thing has really left me feeling pretty unhappy, especially since I've been a loyal customer with more than 20 trips with them, eh. It's just too bad that the company's reputation's taken a hit because of all this, eh.
Review with most votes
Accommodation booking issue
So I just booked a place to stay through this company and it was so ridiculous. They told me I'd have to pay a dumb cancellation fee if I tried to switch to a better room. ... Read onBy: Mikayla