After numerous disappointing encounters with Oat Travel Tours, it’s with considerable regret that I must revise my previously held opinions. My recent experiences lead me to believe that OAT has not only lost a once-loyal customer but has unfortunately descended into practices that can only be described as deceitful. My intention is to share a detailed account of these issues, primarily concerning a trip initially planned for Jordan, Egypt, and Cyprus, later modified and then ultimately canceled, to serve as a cautionary tale for anyone considering OAT Travel Tours.
Our initial booking was for a journey through Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. This itinerary was already a revised version of our original Israel/Egypt/Jordan plan. To enhance this experience, we also opted for the Athens post-trip extension, specifically designed to complement this main tour. However, when OAT canceled the primary trip, we were presented with two options: an immediate full refund or the opportunity to reschedule the same trip, with price protection, for December 2024. The rescheduled trip would revert to the original Israel/Egypt/Jordan itinerary. Given the significant discount we had initially secured, even with the itinerary change, it still represented excellent value, and we decided to proceed with the December 2024 departure. Nevertheless, with the ongoing conflict in Israel, the likelihood of this trip proceeding seems increasingly slim. We are now in a state of uncertainty, awaiting OAT’s decision and hoping for a fair resolution should they choose to cancel closer to the departure date.
The core of our current issue lies in the handling of the Athens post-trip extension. We had specifically booked and paid over $2,000 for this add-on to our original main trip. Upon cancellation of both the main trip and the Athens extension, we were assured of a full refund for the post-trip portion, alongside the option to reschedule the main tour. We were informed that the refund for the Athens segment, as it was no longer applicable, would be processed within 30 to 45 days. To ensure this process was underway, I contacted OAT twice more and received repeated assurances from their representatives that the refund for the unavailable post-trip was indeed being processed. Day 45 arrived on February 2nd, yet no refund was received.
This prompted a further call to OAT, which resulted in an exasperating hour-long conversation, involving two different customer service representatives and a significant amount of time spent listening to hold music. The first representative, after numerous holds, initially stated that the refund had somehow failed to be processed but would be rectified that day and we could expect the funds within another 30 to 45 days – a timeline that seemed unreasonable and further delayed. Seeking clarification and a more immediate resolution, I requested to speak with a supervisor. After more waiting, hold music, and discussion, the supervisor delivered a completely contradictory statement: we were not entitled to any refund. The rationale provided was that since we declined the West Bank post-trip (offered as part of a different replacement trip), we were not eligible for reimbursement for the Athens post-trip associated with our original, now-canceled, itinerary. Essentially, having already paid over $2,000 for a post-trip that was no longer available, we were also denied the option of the West Bank post-trip because we had previously declined it when our initial trip was canceled.
According to the supervisor, our $2,000+ payment for the Athens post-trip was essentially forfeited to OAT. This feels like nothing short of bait and switch tactics. Despite the initial promises of a refund, the supervisor’s resolution was merely to “retrain” employees to avoid assuring customers of refunds that OAT has no intention of honoring.
Based on this experience, I strongly advise against booking with OAT Travel Tours. Their advertised prices may appear to be incredible bargains, perhaps even too good to be true – and in my experience, they are. If you manage to avoid being misled initially, it seems inevitable that you will encounter issues that leave you financially disadvantaged and deeply dissatisfied.
As the saying goes, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” But there will not be a second time. In my view, OAT Travel Tours has demonstrated practices that are akin to theft and misrepresentation, and I urge potential travelers to consider this account carefully before entrusting them with their travel plans and hard-earned money.
No images were provided in the original text, therefore I cannot insert images into the rewritten article. I have skipped the image insertion step.
