Spectacular South Africa (Small Groups, NoTrain, Victoria Falls)
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Vic Falls to Kruger
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South Africa Tour & Trip Reviews
1,584 Reviews
4.7 out of 5
96% Recommend
Value
Editor’s Take
What to Look For in South Africa Tour Reviews
Most trip reviews tend to focus on some or all of these 5 key areas, not all of which may be relevant to you: the tour guide, travel company, service level, country or countries traveled in, and the trip itinerary.
Remember, just because you see a 1 star review doesn’t necessarily mean that person disliked the country.
First, for a majority of travelers, the flight to South Africa is long. From many spots in the United States, you’ll spend near 21 hours each direction in the air. Australia and Asia experience similarly long flights. For travelers who find themselves having a layover, consider an overnight layover, where you can spend a night sleeping in a bed. This helps ease exhaustion, especially for those who can’t sleep on planes. You’ll arrive ready for your South African adventure.
There are some security issues when it comes to South Africa, which can be a shock for some travelers. Especially if you go to Johannesburg, you’ll feel the more “dangerous” sides just by being outside and driving through the city. This should not discourage you from traveling to South Africa!
Being prepared and knowing your surroundings, it can help immensely. Many homes have bars on the windows, and security guards, even in the higher end areas. Violence was a huge concern, and can still be, but don’t let this break your trip. There will be a shock but shortly after, travelers see this is just the way of life in South Africa.
Many travelers have mentioned South Africa as one of the best experiences of their life, which is no surprise. Between the ocean, the mountains, the wineries in the capelands, and the wildlife, it’s pretty hard to not enjoy yourself. There is surely something that everyone will enjoy. South Africa is filled with history, art, and great food. There are endless adventures, and the pace of life is very relaxed.
Many reviewers mentioned the safari. Some may say a day or two is enough for a safari. You can see these animals at the zoo. This is far from the truth. There are very few things that beat seeing a family of elephants strolling during sunrise, or watching the hippo crossings between dusk.
Looking in the brush for the lions trying to hide from the hot sun, and zebras running through the grass. All of it is amazing and every game drive is different. Every animal encounter is magical.
Another South Africa “hot spot” among reviewers is Cape Town with a side trip to the wine area, either Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. Stroll through the cute towns filled with restaurants, shops, and markets. Hop on the wine tram, that transports you between wineries in the region.
Consider a stay in a bed and breakfast. Transportation between wine country and Cape Town is about an hour, and there are numerous buses that leave each day between the two. While this is an easy day trip, you may want to consider staying overnight. The region makes for a great weekend trip!
If you want a professional take on traveling in South Africa, see the Travelstride South Africa Guide »
Tour Reviews
VJ
Victoria Jenkins
Does Not Recommend
Response to COVID-19 is unacceptable. June 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
I have been trying to reach a live person for months. No luck. I guess the phones in that state don't work! I have emailed to supervisors and done the chatbox. While 2 classmates booked on the same trip with the same insurance got refunds less $350. I was told I would get my money less $1300 plus a $350 travel voucher. My child has now graduated from high school. I can't use that!!!!! With all that the high school seniors and their families have lost with COVID-19, why would you do this to us? It is bad enough the trip had to be canceled. I had to change my plans to meet the group as well. At this point, we need our money! This is just cruel! It is like only more disappointment and punishment for the Class of 2020 who worked so hard.
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Tour ACIS Company reviews
MH
Matt Hans
Does Not Recommend
I have triplets that are seniors from… June 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
I have triplets that are seniors from Bethpage that we’re suppose to go to Australia in July . The trip was canceled but the company and our group leader keeps saying postponed-to the summer of 2021! However it is not postponed but changed completely from Australia to Japan , my children have no interest in Japan and to be quite frank what college student knows what his or her summer will be like in 2021? I reached out to ACIS and Jon told me I should be happy I’m only loosing 380$ per child ! I did not cancel the trip, I understand if I did it would be my problem but to take the insurance money and the 50$ seems a bit much especially since it’s times 3 for me . I understand our leader has been using ACIS for 10 years maybe it’s time for a change to a more understanding company
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Tour ACIS Company reviews
NP
Nashville Parent
Does Not Recommend
Did Not Honor Original Cancellation Policy May 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
My daughter and I, like many others, had our trips cancelled due to the travel restrictions imposed in March. ACIS policy states that "if a trip is cancelled by ACIS, a full refund will be made within 45 days," however, new language written by ACIS implies that the decision to cancel was made by participants.
Like many others, my daughter will not be attending her current school next year and has no use for a voucher which is the only way for us to avoid a $2,000 loss (which is approximately 25% of what we paid ACIS). I understand that our trip was months in the planning and that some of those costs may be difficult to recoup, however, it seems that handling the bulk of them (flights, hotels, buses, dining, museum tickets) should be relatively straight forward.
While we would love not to lose so much money, my first request would simply be for more transparency regarding those irrecoverable costs. They have surely been documented so we only ask that they share the information. I know that this is a difficult time for ACIS and its employees but it is also a difficult time for many of these families.
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Like many others, my daughter will not be attending her current school next year and has no use for a voucher which is the only way for us to avoid a $2,000 loss (which is approximately 25% of what we paid ACIS). I understand that our trip was months in the planning and that some of those costs may be difficult to recoup, however, it seems that handling the bulk of them (flights, hotels, buses, dining, museum tickets) should be relatively straight forward.
While we would love not to lose so much money, my first request would simply be for more transparency regarding those irrecoverable costs. They have surely been documented so we only ask that they share the information. I know that this is a difficult time for ACIS and its employees but it is also a difficult time for many of these families.
Tour ACIS Company reviews
TA
Teresa Agabob
Does Not Recommend
Do not go on ACIS trip.... May 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
My HS daughter was planning to go with a school trip to Spain in April. At a meeting with the ACIS representative on 2/25, some parents voiced concerns about COVID. The ACIS rep said that ACIS has never cancelled a trip in the past and he wasn't concerned. A week later, we received an email from ACIS about an "enhanced" cancellation policy that would be given if we decided to cancel the trip. However, the details of the "enhanced" cancellation policy were not detailed. We were asked to make a decision immediately about the trip without knowing about our refund. ACIS didn't notify us of our refund until the end of March. We were losing $1,000 of almost $4,000. (They claim that we only lost $650 b/c they were giving us a $350 credit but I would never use ACIS so the credit is useless). I immediately tried to contact ACIS starting 3/24. I repeatedly asked to speak to a ACIS representative over the phone but each time I was denied. I exchanged texts/emails with many people at ACIS. James Glavin stated that he would pass my name and phone number on and ask for someone to speak to me. However, Jennifer Venti just emailed me and refused to speak to me over the phone. My daughter has been abroad with 2 other travel companies so I'm aware of the level of customer service that should be provided when a teen is travelling abroad without family. The customer service at ACIS is horrible, I would give 0 stars if I could. DO NOT GO ON A ACIS TRIP.
Now looking back to the ACIS rep who told us on 2/25 that ACIS never has cancelled a trip makes sense. ACIS forced us to cancel the trip b/c if they canceled the trip then they would have had to given us a full refund. So I guess the ACIS streak still remains - they have never cancelled a trip.
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Now looking back to the ACIS rep who told us on 2/25 that ACIS never has cancelled a trip makes sense. ACIS forced us to cancel the trip b/c if they canceled the trip then they would have had to given us a full refund. So I guess the ACIS streak still remains - they have never cancelled a trip.
Tour ACIS Company reviews
J
James
Does Not Recommend
ACIS and Peter Jones should be ashamed. May 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
ACIS withheld 25% of funds due to cancelled trips from COVID. Peter Jones is President and should be ashamed. Money saved from hard working teenagers to travel should have been refunded in full.
EF Tours just gave back another $500 to travelers making ACIS look even worse. If you have a choice travel with EF.
Shame on you ACIS and Mr. Jones.
PLEASE use another agency. I wish I could give them a 0.
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EF Tours just gave back another $500 to travelers making ACIS look even worse. If you have a choice travel with EF.
Shame on you ACIS and Mr. Jones.
PLEASE use another agency. I wish I could give them a 0.
Tour ACIS Company reviews
JK
June Kinigstein
Does Not Recommend
Terrible Mishandling of Covid19 and Travel May 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
In 2019, I planned a trip for April, 2020 to Peru. However, when Covid19 became a looming problem, ACIS refused to cancel the trip. Instead, based on my concern for the health and safety of my students, I cancelled it myself under ACIS "expanded" refund policy. I was very, disappointed that some of the students ended up losing $1000 from a trip that cost just under $4000. The refund policy was written in the most confusing language--parents (and I) thought that the most the participants would lose was $650. ACIS attempted to sweeten the loss of $1000 by offering a "voucher of $350" for another trip--most of my students were seniors and the voucher was worthless to them. I would NEVER book another trip with this company. In addition, while I was anguishing over whether or not I should cancel the trip, my ACIS tour representative decided to take an unplanned family trip, because "this was the worst week" of his life. This left our group high and dry without a specific person to contact.
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Tour ACIS Company reviews
EA
Elif Ak
Does Not Recommend
I was a member of Modern European… May 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
I was a member of Modern European Cultures that took off March 11, 2020.
Unfortunately, this company has provided me with the worst customer service experience and endangered my group members' health by not cancelling our trip after I literally begged them to.
ACIS, disregarding a worldwide pandemic, flew my group, the last group from United States out to Europe and has put us through great struggles in four days.
The tour was supposed to take us to London, Paris and Barcelona and the duration of the tour was supposed to be from March 11- March 19.
On March 10th, with most of the governments worldwide making major changes about traveling and the rapid increase of the COVID 19 cases, I contacted ACIS customer service to inform my concerns about this tour and in some sort of compensation, I asked for the cancellation of this trip.
However, my concerns were completely ignored and I was told that there will be no refund. Having to go through incredible hard time paying off this trip, I did not want to throw my money out so I had to go to the trip.
ACIS, not only cancelled two destinations on this trip, they have also shortened it to four days which included the traveling as well.
However, most importantly, ACIS, RISKING my health, ignoring the WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC, has put me through incredibly challenging, psychologically damaging, and very stressful four days.
I now am seeking psychological assistance after this trip and still have incredible concerns and stress.
ACIS is responsible for a huge damage both financially, physically and psychologically in my life.
After putting our group through hell, they gave us $450 back from a $4000 trip.
This company is not trustworthy, not caring and most importantly not honest, they valued the financial factors over health and they gave us the most troubled experience of our lives.
I will never travel with this agency nor do I recommend it to anyone.
Read more
Unfortunately, this company has provided me with the worst customer service experience and endangered my group members' health by not cancelling our trip after I literally begged them to.
ACIS, disregarding a worldwide pandemic, flew my group, the last group from United States out to Europe and has put us through great struggles in four days.
The tour was supposed to take us to London, Paris and Barcelona and the duration of the tour was supposed to be from March 11- March 19.
On March 10th, with most of the governments worldwide making major changes about traveling and the rapid increase of the COVID 19 cases, I contacted ACIS customer service to inform my concerns about this tour and in some sort of compensation, I asked for the cancellation of this trip.
However, my concerns were completely ignored and I was told that there will be no refund. Having to go through incredible hard time paying off this trip, I did not want to throw my money out so I had to go to the trip.
ACIS, not only cancelled two destinations on this trip, they have also shortened it to four days which included the traveling as well.
However, most importantly, ACIS, RISKING my health, ignoring the WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC, has put me through incredibly challenging, psychologically damaging, and very stressful four days.
I now am seeking psychological assistance after this trip and still have incredible concerns and stress.
ACIS is responsible for a huge damage both financially, physically and psychologically in my life.
After putting our group through hell, they gave us $450 back from a $4000 trip.
This company is not trustworthy, not caring and most importantly not honest, they valued the financial factors over health and they gave us the most troubled experience of our lives.
I will never travel with this agency nor do I recommend it to anyone.
Tour ACIS Company reviews
CP
Claudia Peano
Does Not Recommend
Waiting forever for my refund. Tired of excuses. May 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
Purchased the highest level of insurance, debated back and forth With them about how much we would be refunded. I have an email from them stating that cancellation policy would be based on the rollover trip dates but they changed the policy so that I would be refunded the total minus $500 rather than the total minus $100 per their policy. I gave up on fighting that because it was stressing me out so much. I resigned to lose $400 more than I should. At this point 58 days have passed since we cancelled and we have not seen a penny. Other parents from our group in the same boat are just assuming they won’t honor the insurance at all. I don’t know what to think. They sent an email saying there were delays because their business isn’t considered essential, but my husband pointed out that it doesn’t take a massive work force to write a check. I feel completely at their mercy. All they do is spit our their policy revisions. How about spitting out a refund?
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Tour ACIS Company reviews
P
P
Does Not Recommend
If I can give it 0 I would May 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
Horrible. Had a trip cancelled which is understandable, but paid 4500 and was told everyone would only get back half. Where did the other half of the money go to? Barely explained. Everyone fought to lower it and then it went to 1500 being taken out, then finally 1000 taken out with proof. Finally got the refund back and came back with only half. What happened? Who knows. No one has found any answers so far.
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Tour ACIS Company reviews
TG
Tim Golobic
Does Not Recommend
Terrible refund handling May 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
ACIS is completing dropping the ball on proper handling of trip cancelations. I run a vacation rental business. I know this situation is awful and have made minimal income the last 3 months. However, I know that by treating my guests properly now, means they will be my guests again in the future. ACIS is banking on your kids being a limited-time customer, and a new batch of unsuspecting parents and trip leaders will replace them in the years to come.
Ms. Smart's comments below about airlines not giving refunds and only offering future vouchers is completely wrong. All airlines are offering full refunds, for any reason. This is an email from United Airlines on April 30:
"That's why we've waived the fees to change or cancel any trip with us through the end of 2020, including travel that was already planned as well as trips that you're hoping to take in the future. Every customer now has until May 31 to make changes to current reservations or book new flights that can be changed or canceled without a fee, and you'll be able to reschedule your trip for anytime in the next 12 months. So take the next few weeks and do what's best for you, your family and your work."
But just like the airlines, ACIS would "prefer" to issue you a voucher and hold your cash in the meantime. Good luck getting that back if they go bankrupt. And if your travel suppliers are not offering refunds, call them out publicly for the benefit of your customers instead of allowing them to continue this in the dark.
Also, your insurance partner (CISI) is an affiliated business of ACIS, not some separate third-party. So ACIS is keeping the $100 fee for the deductible, and your other insurance business CISI is keeping the insurance premiums. You have the ability to refund more, and you should. It is shameful the way you point fingers at your suppliers, whereas I would bet that your own companies are keeping a greater portion of any "non-refundable" amounts. It’s one thing to claim you are losing funds to supplier contracts, it’s another when the insurance fees are shifting from one pocket to the other.
ACIS, as a fellow travel professional, I understand your pain, but you can and should do better. Just my small group to France will lose over $20,000 in "non-refundable" fees that you are keeping. That is wrong. You can make it right.
Read more
Ms. Smart's comments below about airlines not giving refunds and only offering future vouchers is completely wrong. All airlines are offering full refunds, for any reason. This is an email from United Airlines on April 30:
"That's why we've waived the fees to change or cancel any trip with us through the end of 2020, including travel that was already planned as well as trips that you're hoping to take in the future. Every customer now has until May 31 to make changes to current reservations or book new flights that can be changed or canceled without a fee, and you'll be able to reschedule your trip for anytime in the next 12 months. So take the next few weeks and do what's best for you, your family and your work."
But just like the airlines, ACIS would "prefer" to issue you a voucher and hold your cash in the meantime. Good luck getting that back if they go bankrupt. And if your travel suppliers are not offering refunds, call them out publicly for the benefit of your customers instead of allowing them to continue this in the dark.
Also, your insurance partner (CISI) is an affiliated business of ACIS, not some separate third-party. So ACIS is keeping the $100 fee for the deductible, and your other insurance business CISI is keeping the insurance premiums. You have the ability to refund more, and you should. It is shameful the way you point fingers at your suppliers, whereas I would bet that your own companies are keeping a greater portion of any "non-refundable" amounts. It’s one thing to claim you are losing funds to supplier contracts, it’s another when the insurance fees are shifting from one pocket to the other.
ACIS, as a fellow travel professional, I understand your pain, but you can and should do better. Just my small group to France will lose over $20,000 in "non-refundable" fees that you are keeping. That is wrong. You can make it right.
Tour ACIS Company reviews
N
Nick
Does Not Recommend
Terrible Response to Coronavirus Pandemic April 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
Responding to Ms. Smart's comment below, after going over the figures, I think you need a calculator. The money you claim to have refunded me, which we still have yet to receive, and the voucher towards another trip still do not add up to what we paid. Where did the rest of our money go???
As a student who was supposed to go on a trip over this past Spring Break, I was not only heartbroken for my trip to be cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, but now more stressed over the money the company is robbing from my family! The trip was to France, Italy, and Spain. With a travel ban at first to Italy, and then everywhere abroad, how were we supposed to travel? Why is a partial refund even remotely acceptable? Under other circumstances, I understand it is the insurance package you buy, but a global pandemic is nothing any of us have experienced and with over a months notice, a full refund should be in order. I do not recommend this company due to the poor customer service I as well as many other students and parents have experienced and the way they handled this trying situation.
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As a student who was supposed to go on a trip over this past Spring Break, I was not only heartbroken for my trip to be cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic, but now more stressed over the money the company is robbing from my family! The trip was to France, Italy, and Spain. With a travel ban at first to Italy, and then everywhere abroad, how were we supposed to travel? Why is a partial refund even remotely acceptable? Under other circumstances, I understand it is the insurance package you buy, but a global pandemic is nothing any of us have experienced and with over a months notice, a full refund should be in order. I do not recommend this company due to the poor customer service I as well as many other students and parents have experienced and the way they handled this trying situation.
Tour ACIS Company reviews
KM
Kaneez Madraswalla
Does Not Recommend
Shared negative experience re refund policy April 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
My experience is reflective of the others shared here. Our daughter, senior in high school, was to travel to England in April. Trip was cancelled by ACIS and the revised policy includes $650 non refundable cancellation fee; $350 voucher for future travel; remaining cash refund (which we have yet to see, and it has been 45 days). We had 8 people traveling from our school. I called United, and they informed me that this was not a group booking (you need to be at least 10 for a group) and the ENTIRE AMOUNT OF AIRFARE WAS REFUNDED to the travel agent. No credit, but cash refund from United. No charges from the four hotels that they were going to stay at (I verified this, too). ACIS is not transparent about the reason $1,000 penalty assessed (we have no use for future travel voucher). I am very disappointed at this bad faith handling exemplified by ACIS. Their counterparts in the travel industry are issuing full refunds. ACIS - please do the right thing for the seniors, at least.
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Tour ACIS Company reviews
C
Consumer
Does Not Recommend
Honor the full refund provision in your contract. April 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
I'm in the same situation, a cancelled trip to Germany, $9518 paid and told I will only get back $8222. High School senior (w/parent) who doesn't want to go next year and I have no use for vouchers. They talk like they are doing us some favor by giving partial refunds. Their contracts says if they cancel a full refund will be made within 45 days. They can whin about their costs. I doubt they have to prepay trip expenses and if they aren't getting airlines refunds then that is poor negotiating on their part. I doubt seriously they paid the entrance fees for attractions or for food in advance,and I know they haven't registered us with or paid CISI for the insurance which was $270 per person.
The Today show this morning had its Money segment on Convit-19 scams. The most complaints received by the FTC are on spring break/vacation tours. They said they want to hear from us.
ACIS- you cannot make up another refund policy that suits you now. You need to abide by the terms of your existing policy and give everybody a full refund. You are not conducting your business in the spirit of this country as it copes with this virus situation. Your expenses are your cost of doing business. American companies and people are showing their true colors. Some insurance companies are refunding premiums, medical and essential employees are risking their lives going to work everyday. You are not conducting your business in the spirit of this country if you are profiting off of students and their families by pocketing their money.
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The Today show this morning had its Money segment on Convit-19 scams. The most complaints received by the FTC are on spring break/vacation tours. They said they want to hear from us.
ACIS- you cannot make up another refund policy that suits you now. You need to abide by the terms of your existing policy and give everybody a full refund. You are not conducting your business in the spirit of this country as it copes with this virus situation. Your expenses are your cost of doing business. American companies and people are showing their true colors. Some insurance companies are refunding premiums, medical and essential employees are risking their lives going to work everyday. You are not conducting your business in the spirit of this country if you are profiting off of students and their families by pocketing their money.
Tour ACIS Company reviews
JW
J Walk
Does Not Recommend
Same story here April 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
Same story here. We have 8 seniors..most will be out $1,000, if this is allowed. They complain about harsh conditions, this is the worst..but everyone is under hardship.
We are in DuPage county, Illinois.
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We are in DuPage county, Illinois.
Tour ACIS Company reviews
MP
Michael Phillips
Does Not Recommend
To Laura Smart Erica is student, I have had Email-contact with Jennifer Venti April 2020
1.0
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- Value 1.0
- Guide 1.0
- Activities 1.0
- Lodging 1.0
- Transportation 1.0
- Meals 1.0
ACIS has the Ultimate Refund policy that we purchased and it has been over a month and I have received no refund from them, nor any further communications. They speak about not getting refunds from airlines and hotels as an excuse for there problems. Well thats not our problem its yours. ACIS has a legal obligation to refund all contracted moneys. Has anyone received cash or a voucher from them? Seems like Bankruptcy is in the process.
Michael K. Phillips
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Michael K. Phillips
Tour ACIS Company reviews
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