ef go ahead tours cancellation policy

Trip Protection plans

With Trip Protection, you can set off on a life-changing, horizon-expanding adventure with peace of mind.

Tour cancellation & interruption

Baggage & personal effects, travel & baggage delay, accident & sickness, your plan options.

Travelers can choose to enroll in one of the Trip Protection plans, both of which are designed specifically with Go Ahead Tours travelers in mind. These affordable plans provide pre-departure and on-tour benefits, including medical expense coverage that may apply on tour and tour cancellation for the stated reasons above. Please read on for additional coverage details, as well as deadlines to purchase each Trip Protection plan.

TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN*

Safeguard your investment with cancellation protection for unexpected situations, such as an emergency at home that prevents you from traveling or requires you to interrupt your tour along the way. The Travel Protection Plan provides you with coverage for:

Deadline to enroll: Tour Finalization Date

Should certain circumstances hinder your ability to travel as planned, such as an emergency at home, a family member’s medical emergency that requires you to return home early, and more, you may be eligible for valuable refunds and reimbursements.

Benefits may be paid in the event of permanent loss, theft, or damage of your baggage or personal belongings while coverage is in effect.

Should certain circumstances cause you or your baggage to be delayed in reaching your tour destination, you may be reimbursed for related out-of-pocket expenses.

Trip Protection offers up to $25,000 in coverage for medical expenses incurred during your trip.

Extended Protection Coverage

Extend your Travel Protection Plan coverage for your pre- or post-tour arrangements. This coverage is available for up to 14 additional days before or after your Go Ahead Tour, if you have purchased airfare as part of your Go Ahead Tour.

*Travel Insurance Products are not available to residents of Québec.

**Benefits under AnyReason Protection are administered by Go Ahead Tours and are not insurance products underwritten by Zurich Insurance Company (Canadian Branch). Please note that vouchers issued by Go Ahead Tours as an AnyReason Protection benefit may not be used as a tour deposit.

Policy Number 8451415 (purchased after September 1, 2023)

Certificate of Insurance – English

Please see below for full terms and conditions.

TRAVELSAFE*

Safeguard your investment with cancellation protection for unexpected situations, such as an emergency at home that prevents you from traveling or requires you to interrupt your tour along the way. The TravelSafe package provides you with coverage for:

TRAVELSAFE PREMIUM

Upgrade your TravelSafe plan for just $75 to receive additional coverage.* If your scheduled Go Ahead Tours flight is canceled for any reason, our 24/7 emergency support team will provide you with a new airline ticket at no additional cost (up to a $3,000 value) so that you can rejoin the scheduled tour as quickly as possible. Go Ahead Tours will also reimburse you for missed time on tour in the event of a delay.

Extend your TravelSafe Benefits for your pre- or post-tour arrangements. This coverage is available for up to 14 additional days before or after your Go Ahead Tour, if you have purchased airfare as part of your Go Ahead Tour.

**Benefits under TravelSafe Premium and AnyReason Protection are administered by Go Ahead Tours and are not insurance products underwritten by Chubb Insurance Company of Canada. Please note that vouchers issued by Go Ahead Tours as an AnyReason Protection benefit may not be used as a tour deposit.

Policy Number 9912-1444 (purchased between February 1, 2023 and August 31, 2023)

Summary of Coverage – English

Policy Number 9908-9943 (purchased between April 1, 2022 and January 31, 2023)

Policy Number 9908-6986 (purchased between March 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022)

Certificate of Insurance - English

For policies purchased before March 2021 please call 1-800-754-5066.

Bonus Protection!

Anyreason protection.

When you enroll in Travel Protection Plan within 72 hours of reserving your tour, you'll automatically receive AnyReason Protection—that's a $100 value, yours for free. With AnyReason Protection, should you need to cancel your tour at any time prior to checking in for your first flight, Go Ahead Tours will provide you with a credit voucher that may be applied toward any future tour. After 72 hours, you'll have the option to add AnyReason Protection for $100 when you enroll in a travel coverage plan. Learn more about AnyReason Protection here

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EF’s industry-leading safety & coverage programs for 2023 tours and beyond

When you decide to travel with EF, we want you to feel secure in that decision. That’s why as the world changes, so do we. Below are a range of policies and programs designed to flex to meet our travelers’ specific needs—no matter where they are in the planning process.

Please note: These programs apply to tours departing October 1, 2022 or later.

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We’re covering: 1. Safety First Program 2. Individual Coverage 3. Peace of Mind Program 4. General Liability Coverage 5. Risk-Free Enrollment Period

Provided to all groups 

This program was created to provide the safest possible tour experience for our customers.

EF’s unmatched global presence With 600 schools and offices in 50 countries worldwide, including regional offices dedicated to on-tour support, our global presence is truly unmatched. Our 50,000+ staff and faculty members around the world provide a local presence and are able to react quickly and in person where necessary. Plus, the staff in each office and school are trained to respond to a wide range of emergency situations.

Dedicated Emergency Service and Incident Response Teams EF’s Emergency Service & Support Team is available 24/7 to resolve any issue, from a missed flight to a lost passport to more serious on-tour incidents. They also facilitate communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency at home. The Emergency Service & Support Team is made up of highly trained, dedicated EF staff based in our Boston, Denver, and Austin offices who are equipped to solve problems and answer questions that may come up, even outside of regular business hours. This team also maintains direct communication with our Operations Safety & Incident Response Team to jointly solve issues as needed.

Background checks on adult travelers We conduct background checks on all adults traveling on our student tours. This is meant to help provide a safer tour experience for all travelers, and is a similar process to what many school districts implement for adults who volunteer in schools or chaperone school activities. Background checks take place through a secure process that is meant to specifically identify individuals who could present a risk to student travelers while on tour.

Individual coverage

Trip Cancellation Coverage** This plan includes Trip Cancellation coverage. If a traveler needs to cancel a trip due to reasons specified in the plan, this reimburses non-refundable pre-paid payments. Tour interruption coverage Additional coverage if a traveler needs to return early from tour due to reasons of serious injury or illness requiring hospitalization. Baggage and property coverage Coverage for baggage, airline tickets, travel documents and valuable property in cases of theft or delay. Flight delay coverage Coverage for expenses due to flight delays (lodging, food, and other reasonable expenses) as well as limited coverage for every full land day missed of your program due to flight delays or cancellations. Emergency evacuation coverage Coverage in the unlikely event a traveler should need to return unexpectedly back to his/her departure gateway (airport) due to a natural disaster or unrest.

**The Travel Protection plan includes insured components that are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, a cancellation fee waiver benefit provided by EF Explore America, and non-insurance assistance services provided by Falck Global Assistance. You can find further details of the policy, coverage limits, and exclusions here . The Travel Protection plan becomes non-refundable after any of the following occur: when you depart on your tour, when you file a claim, or 10 days after payment.

*$119 is the current cost for tours departing on or after October 1, 2023.

Cost: $309* Must be added at the time of enrollment

Trip Cancellation Coverage** The Travel Protection Plus plan provides a refund of the Program Price (minus the cost of the plan and other non-refundable fees) if your child needs to cancel their tour up to 24 hours prior to departure, for any reason. Tour interruption coverage Additional coverage if a traveler needs to return early from tour due to reasons of serious injury or illness requiring hospitalization. Baggage and property coverage Coverage for baggage, airline tickets, travel documents and valuable property in cases of theft or delay. Flight delay coverage Coverage for expenses due to flight delays (lodging, food and other reasonable expenses) as well as limited coverage for every full land day missed of your program due to flight delays or cancellations. Emergency evacuation coverage Both plans include coverage in the unlikely event a traveler should need to return unexpectedly back to his/her departure gateway (airport) due to a natural disaster or unrest.

For additional details regarding the insurance components of this plan, underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, including coverage limits and a full list of exclusions, please visit this page . For information on filing a claim, visit the Filing a Claim article.

*$309 is the current price for tours departing on or after October 1, 2024.

Provided to all groups

We understand that plans can change due to unforeseen circumstances. EF provides an exclusive Peace of Mind program to account for such situations. This program is automatically included for all travelers and can be enacted at the group level for any reason, including terrorism, pandemics, or other world events.

For groups traveling before October 1, 2025, your Group Leader may choose from the following options:

45 days or more prior to departure:

• Work with EF to modify your group’s current tour itinerary and dates, or find a new tour and apply all money paid to the new tour
• Cancel your tour and all travelers will receive a transferable Future Travel Voucher in the amount of all monies paid for the original tour, less the cost of any purchased Travel Protection plan
• Cancel your tour with applicable fees under the Standard Cancellation Policy

44 days or less prior to departure:

• If any location(s) included in the group’s itinerary is newly designated as a Travel Advisory Level 4 by the U.S. Department of State; or a U.S. federal or state governmental authority has newly imposed a travel ban to your destination, or newly issued an order requiring a self-quarantine for travelers in your group upon arrival to a location on your itinerary or upon return home from a location on your group’s itinerary; your Group Leader or the individual traveler will have the same Peace of Mind options set forth above.

For groups traveling on or after October 1, 2025, your Group Leader may choose from the following options:

60 days or more prior to departure:

59 days or less prior to departure:

Terms & Conditions Benefits of the Peace of Mind program are only available to the entire group and not to individual travelers unless specifically indicated. Travelers missing any payment deadlines must pay any incurred late fees to qualify for this program.

Revised tours must depart within one year of the original tour. If the revised tour has a higher price than the original tour, travelers will be required to pay the difference as a condition of traveling on the revised tour. If EF cannot accommodate a revised tour request and/or the group decides not to travel on the original tour, then the group may opt for future travel vouchers. If the group does not travel on the original tour, travel on a revised tour, or receive a Future Travel Voucher, standard cancellation fees will apply.

Travelers canceling from a revised tour will be charged a cancellation fee based on the date that the original tour was revised or the date of cancellation from the revised tour, whichever is higher. EF will make every effort to accommodate revised tour requests.

Future Travel Vouchers are valid up to 25 months from the month of the original tour’s scheduled departure. Future Travel Vouchers are transferrable at the face value of the voucher to members of the traveler’s immediate family or school community. The Future Travel Voucher is not a merchandise credit or a gift certificate and may not be redeemed for cash unless specifically noted on the voucher. Travelers who had booked their program by redeeming a previously issued Future Travel Voucher may have different terms and options available to them based on the originally issued voucher terms.

Provided to all Group Leaders and Schools

All Group Leaders, schools, and districts who travel with EF are added as additional insureds under our $50 million General Liability Policy, whether or not the tour is considered a school event. This policy helps safeguard Group Leaders, schools, and districts in case of claims related to covered on-tour incidents such as third party personal injury or property damage and provides a legal defense and covers associated legal fees. Policy terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.

New travelers traveling on or after October 1, 2024 who enroll during the Early Enrollment period can cancel for any reason up to 7 days after enrollment for a full refund of 100% of the money paid to EF. The early enrollment period is defined as the window in which your program is eligible for an enrollment discount. To be eligible, the traveler must enroll on a tour at least 110 days prior to the scheduled departure date. Travelers must pay in full or enroll in our Automatic Payment Plan at the time of program enrollment and must remain either paid in full or enrolled in our Automatic Payment Plan and in good financial standing at the time of cancellation to remain eligible.

Included in your Program Fee

All travelers receive supplemental Illness and Accident Coverage for injury/illness contracted during your tour. The Illness and Accident Coverage Plans are underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company. You can view the terms and conditions here: https://riskstrategiestravel.com/efsi/

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EF Go Ahead Tours Review 2024: Are their guided tours worth it?

EF Go Ahead Tours is a world-leading guided tour company offering a comprehensive travel package with local guides and authentic travel experiences. You've likely heard of them before, but are they really worth it? What do they offer, and how do they stack up to other guided tours?

Guided tours are a great way to travel, make new friends, and enjoy new experiences without the hassle of planning the logistics of the trip. 

While guided tour companies boast of convenience, they tend to fall short when it comes to flexibility and customization. Hence, many travelers resort to planning their trips by themselves using helpful apps like  Pilot .

But, if you still prefer a guided tour with some level of flexibility, EF Go Ahead Tours is definitely a choice to consider. 

EF Go Ahead Tours is one of the world's largest tour companies that host small group tours with unique, authentic experiences. A great benefit of joining an EF Go Ahead Tour is that they allow travelers the benefits of hosting a free private tour with larger groups. 

However, are the experiences they're offering for you? What are the pros and cons? Here's our review of EF Go Ahead Tours! 

What is EF Go Ahead Tours?

EF Go Ahead Tours  is a brand under the EF Tours group that offers both guided and fully customizable tours to destinations worldwide. It caters to young and older travelers, admitting anyone from age six and above (under-age travelers accompanied by adults). The number of travelers in each group is capped at 14-38, and small group tours only admit 10-22 people. 

EF Go Ahead Tours aims to provide you with meaningful tours with flexibility and personalization. It also promotes responsible travel by supporting local communities and adopting sustainable practices.

EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app helps you easily manage your bookings and view tour details. It is available for both Android and iOS devices. 

What does EF Go Ahead Tours offer?

• Tour directors and local guides:  A tour director is assigned for each group to be in charge of all logistics of the trip. They will accompany you throughout, sharing insider knowledge and background information about places you visit.
• Accommodation:  3-4 star hotels that provide comfortable amenities while being located in close proximity to the city. 
• Meals:  Breakfast and some other meals are included in the pricing. Primarily, they focus on local food and beverage specialties. They will arrange meals meeting your dietary requirements if necessary.
• Transportation:  Transport between airport and hotels and other transportation required during the trip are included in the package. While flights are not included, you can get EF Go Ahead Tours to arrange them for you at an additional cost. 

How does EF Go Ahead Tours work?

You can browse for tours by  Destination  or  Travel Styles  on the website. Travel styles are further categorized as  Trip Type, Interests, Seasonal and Special Events , and  With Your Own Group . 

For example, all the related tours will appear if we pick Adventure Tours under travel styles. You can filter the results further by destination, dates, duration, price, and travel style. 

Check out its details, trip highlights, prices, reviews, etc. There's a list of FAQs below related to the trip and other similar tours for you to compare and choose from. 

What destinations does EF Go Ahead Tours cover?

EF Go Ahead Tours covers many of the popular destinations worldwide. Here's a list of where EF Go Ahead Tours covers:

• Europe:  Ireland, Italy, Greece, Iceland, England, France, and Germany 
• The Americas:  United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, and Belize 
• Africa & Middle East:  Egypt, Kenya, Israel, South Africa, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates
• Australia & Asia:  Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China, India, and Thailand

Benefits of EF Go Ahead Tours

• Worry-free guarantee

If you cancel the booking within 60 days from the reservation date, you are entitled to a full refund. EF Go Ahead Tours also allows you to change the date of tour or destination up until your final payment day. It helps you book with confidence knowing there's ample time to make changes. 

In addition to covering many destinations worldwide, the tour company also offers a diverse range of tours. Group trips for solo travelers provide ample privacy while facilitating socialization. In addition, there are cruise tours, rail tours, food & wine tours, battlefield tours, winter tours, and many more!

• Fewer people 

The worrisome factor about large group tours is they can seem too crowded and noisy to have a quality experience. There's also less opportunity to get to know other travelers better. In this case, small group tours offer a more intimate travel experience. Guides can give individual attention and advice easily. Overall, it makes the trip more enjoyable and memorable. 

• Flexibility 

If you like to travel with friends but don't have the liberty to plan, get EF Go Ahead Tours to plan one for you. You can explain your requirements and get a whole new itinerary done or choose one they offer. Invite your friends and/or family, choose your travel dates, and enjoy. There's also the option of organizing faith-based tours!

Drawbacks of EF Go Ahead Tours

• Increase the number of tours 

While there's a variety of tours, different trip options under each category are quite limited compared to other guided tour companies like  G Adventures  or  Contiki . For example, there's only one tour option for India. They can also add more countries to their list of destinations. 

• Improve refund and cancellation issues

Customers had faced refund and cancellation issues for scheduled or booked tours during the pandemic. There were complaints of EF Go Ahead Tours not refunding the money as per its cancellation policy. But, it's a common problem that many tour companies dealt with their customers following the Covid outbreak. We hope they are resolved now. 

EF Go Ahead Tours vs. EF Ultimate Break

The most significant similarity between EF Go Ahead Tours and EF Ultimate Break is that they are managed by EF Education First Tours. This means that you'll most likely be getting a similar refund, cancellation, and customer service policies between the two tours.

EF Go Ahead Tours identifies itself as the 'older sibling' of EF Ultimate Break. Ultimate Break Tours is geared towards college students and folks aged 18-29, while Go Ahead Tours admits anyone 6 and above. So, the tours offered also tend to be different from each other. 

EF Go Ahead Tours has a wide variety of tours catering to all age ranges. It also provides both private and group tours. EF Ultimate Break only offers group tours and are tailored to suit youth's preferences. 

Read our  review of EF Ultimate Break  to learn more!

Is EF Go Ahead Tours worth it?

Yes! We came across great GoAheadTours reviews online about the unique and immersive experience EF Go Ahead Tours offers. Go Ahead tours are a great way to travel if you prefer to join a guided tour.

Like  Flash Pack , it's an excellent choice for older travelers looking for trips that involve activities beyond partying and drinking. Overall, the tours are ideal for anyone, really. 

Our Rating: 4.5/5

• Variety of tours
• Smaller groups 
• A limited number of tours 
• Refund and cancellation issues

Plan your own adventure!

Guided tours are great, but being able to plan your trip is even better! You get to choose your own stay, tailor your travel itinerary, and maximize your time so that none gets wasted.

Traditionally, planning a trip requires lots of coordination and effort, especially when traveling with friends. Let Pilot solve that problem and help you easily plan your next adventure!

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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• Complete important pre-travel tasks on your checklist

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If you’re scheduled to travel in the next 60 days and need to talk, message us. If you’ve already reached out, we haven’t forgotten about you. We’re working hard to respond as soon as possible.

If you’re looking for a quicker response to general questions, chat with one of our travel experts.

Get on-tour support

If you’re on tour now and need assistance, contact our On-tour Support Team.

To book a tour

Our team of expert Tour Consultants will help you find and plan your dream trip.

1-800-590-1161 Monday-Thursday 9am - 10pm ET Friday 9am-7:30pm ET Saturday 9am–5:30pm ET Sunday 10am–6pm ET

For help with your booking

If you’re booked on tour and have a question, our Traveler Support Team is here for you.

1-800-597-0350 Weekdays 9am–7:00pm ET Saturday 9am–5:00pm ET Sunday Closed

To organize a group of 6+

Interested in bringing friends and family with you? Get in touch with our Group Travel Team.

1-800-438-7672 Weekdays 9am–7:30pm ET Saturday 9am–5:30pm ET Sunday Closed

Our locations

Ef center boston.

2 Education Circle Cambridge, MA 02141

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2373 15th Street Suite 400 Denver, CO 80202

EF Center Toronto

80 Bloor Street West, 16th Floor ON, M5S 2V1

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