road scholar travel protection plan

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Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan with Cancel for Any Reason - Senior Travel Forum

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Road Scholar Trip Protection Plan with Cancel for Any Reason

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We have a trip to Canadian Rockies scheduled with Road Scholar this August. It is our first trip with Road Scholar. We live in PA and are 66 and 72 years old. Has anyone used the Trip Protection Plan with Cancel for Any Reason that Road Scholar offers? Or do you buy a Trip Insurance policy through a separate insurance company? Or do you skip it? We never bought Trip Insurance but at our ages we are now considering it.

I haven't traveled with Road Scholars but I have priced out travel insurance offered through other tour companies vs. buying thru an online broker (SquareMouth). Buying thru the broker wins every time.

Why buy "cancel for any reason"?? Is one of you still working and liable to be too busy to travel? Do you think you may get cold feet and decide to bail out? Do you have pre-existing conditions that may result in coverage being denied on less expensive policies? Other policies cover most of the usual risks such as illness, death of a family member, etc. but, unless you purchase the policies w/in 14 days of booking the trip, they do NOT cover pre-existing conditions.

The last Road Scholar tour I took in May I did get the optional RS Trip Insurance. They do offer a small policy that is included but I don't remember what it covers.

I usually go with TravelGuard because I take a longer trip and often travel with 2 different tour companies so I want coverage for everything. This time was just a short trip and one tour so I just went with the Road Scholar coverage.

I have never had to make a claim on any of the trips I have taken so have no way of knowing if they would have actually paid out. Carefully read the *cancel for any reason* verbiage as you want to make sure it covers what you think it does.

I just feel more comfortable with insurance! I particularly want it for med evac insurance in case something happens and I need to be flown home. (You do have to understand what med evac covers and know that it may not be what you think it covers, lol!!)

Enjoy your trip! I am sure it will be wonderful!

Thank-you so much for all the information. It is great to have a forum like this to get input from others. I really appreciate your taking the time to share your input.

I haven't done Road Scholar but I have gone with some tour companies and I always now take out my own insurance.

Insurance attached to a specific trip/company may only insure you for taking their tours, if you want to go off exploring on your own, take a local bus or train or local tour bus you may find your insurance doesn't cover you. I have had info from a company guide on this and read of people who found the hard way with other companies. They made the assumption they were covered as local trips were sold under the same name but were actually run by 3rd parties and this was not made clear.

It means that I can confidently know what I'm covered for, I do not have to tow the line and only do what the company offers and I can wander off, take a ferry whatever on my own.

I ring around the established companies so that I can ensure I am covered for what I am doing. It also means that I only have to check the T&C's and not try to absorb them thoughly.

Have a great trip

Good points about the fine print in insurance coverage and be scrupulous when answering application questions or it will cost you. Make sure you have complete coverage from a reliable source. CAA in Canada and assume AAA in US have plans that will cover trips for a year. Pre-existing conditions usually affect the cost and some specific tour companies e.g. Senior Discovery Tours in Canada offer low rate for a trip as long as the pre-existing condition is not active. Several people on my recent trip to Spain required hospitalization because of a severe flu outbreak which was very expensive and insurance worked well.

"Several people on my recent trip to Spain required hospitalization because of a severe flu outbreak which was very expensive and insurance worked well."

Oh my word Avoca! I hope you did not get sick but feel bad for those who did.

"Insurance attached to a specific trip/company may only insure you for taking their tours, if you want to go off exploring on your own, take a local bus or train or local tour bus you may find your insurance doesn't cover you."

Toopaz, I have to tell you this never entered my mind! I prefer tours that have some free time and thus will go off on my own for an afternoon or a full day. I will have to check next time I purchase insurance to see if the coverage is good during free time or not. Really, never even thought of this.... Thanks!

Fortunately I was not affected by flu outbreak although 9 of our group of 18 were - lung infections with double pneumonia for some. To get registered at hospital for tests you had to produce credit card for 4000 euros and if you needed to be admitted you had to add 4000 euros to your credit card. If hospital deems you not fit to fly you have to wait it out. Most had insurance through SD Tours and tour director stickhandled things with their insurance company resulting in reimbursement minus any deductible within a couple of days.

In other words don't skimp on coverage and do read the details as well ensure you have a credit card which will cover costs until insurance comes through. May sound a little scary but good news is most of us won't ever need it.

D0bby I would never have know but for a rep who cancelled the very trip I took the holiday for and when I said ok I'd book locally he said 'but your Saga insurance won't cover you......I had my own annual insurance in those days so was able to reply with a smile 'but I have my own insurance'.

I have asked the holiday booking people directly since but get told I will be ok. Mixed messages. I'm not taking chances.

Ditto on here Thompsons reps organise trips on holidays. But the trips are booked locally by them. You are not automatically covered by the Thompsons insurance as these local trips aren't part of the holiday, they are independent.

I also didn't expect to find that journeys in Jeeps weren't covered for my safari holiday!

I wanted repeat insurance from a company who'd insured me for the same trip 18mts before but because I said 'dive boat' they refused to insure me. I looked at the boats website and saw it described as a 'boutique cruiser' (which is a bit of a laugh as it's very old and small) - rang up again, talked to the manager and said that this is how it was described and sure enough, that was insurable. Same boat, same holiday, just the terminology.

I spent a wet afternoon reading the interminable details of a few company policies and noting in one list what was covered that was essential and the cover. Than I just have to refer to it when I check other policies as a check list. So much quicker and easier. Ringing up can ensure that all bases are coverd and sometimes with a discount if they know you are looking at more than one.

They sometimes can check that you have looked at a comparison site and there are lower prices there. They don't know that you wouldn't take them come he££ or high water. They just work on price. I think this is probably universal.

It is the most important thing to take with you as Avoca has shown. Glad your ok Avoca and didn't have to go through that.

Avoca, I am shocked at the amount needed on the CC for the hospital. Wow. I do have that much available but 8,000E seems huge to me. I guess they have been stung before thus the charge.

This also seems to be the case that the more you know, the more you realize you need to know.

Thanks to both of you for the extra information.

What I learned on Spain trip there was an International Hospital for visitors funded privately by fees from patients. I understand this is common in many countries. I live an hour from US border and wouldn't set foot without extra insurance which I'm fortunate to keep via work when I retired. A friend and her husband who both have pre-existing health conditions paid $5000 for a family gathering month in Florida. Peanuts if in fact they needed to be hospitalized, flown back etc.

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Customer service needs to improve!

I had purchased a Greek Island trip with Roads Scholar for the end of October 2022. I did not purchase travel insurance until after I fell playing pickleball and broke my pelvis, wrist, and sacrum. I purchased the insurance past the deadline and they still accepted it! I felt I could still do the trip as it was over 2 months away. I felt I might need some health protection while I was there. Then it started to become obvious that I could not do this trip…it would become too risky for me! So I cancelled the trip. The company had at least 1 1/2 to 2 months to fill that slot of mine with someone else. I asked for credit for another trip and they refused as it was past the deadline. They have not given me credit for another trip. I feel that under the circumstances that it would be good customer service to at least give me some credit for another trip. They have $6400 of my money that I never got to use.

Date of experience : May 20, 2024

Group travel with Road Scholar has been…

Group travel with Road Scholar has been close to perfect in all ways. I have been on five programs and was more than satisfied with the hotels, food and length of times are our stops.Road Scholar is the only group travel company that I know of that will take you to places of interest and pay for admission. The majority of companies just let you go on your own.

Date of experience : May 06, 2024

Reply from Road Scholar

Dear David, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar Thank you for your review! We're so glad to hear you enjoyed your time with us so much! We hope to see you on another adventure one day soon! Happy Travels, Road Scholar

Road Scholars' website posts only the "good" reviews.

I went on a RS tour to Costa Rica and although I enjoyed the experience overall, our guide was often moody, keeping to himself, and a bit mean at times. My review (left nearly a year ago) has not posted so it appears they don't post critical reviews! Trust Pilot reports that 20% reviewers leave a 4-5 star review, with 80% giving 1-2 stars. The Road Scholar website, however, has reviewers for all programs averaging 4.5-5 stars, and claim they post all reviews. Hmm.

Date of experience : July 12, 2023

Dear Anne, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We post all program reviews that are submitted by program participants on our website. Everyone is welcome to leave a program review through their online account by going to their Past Trips. The star rating displayed on the Program Review page is an average of all evaluations submitted for that program. We read all program evaluations and those who submit an evaluation that does not meet our expectations will receive a follow-up call or message from Road Scholar, so we can better understand the situation and see where improvements can be made. We appreciate the impact a group leader can have on an adventure and would be glad to have a conversation with you. If you haven’t already, we encourage you to contact us directly to provide us with further details. Please email us at [email protected] or call us at 1-800-454-5768. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Roads Scholar charges more than anyone, non-profit? I don't think so.

I have taken 12 safaris in many African countries over the years. I wanted to do Roads Scholars Botswana trip but the single cost without airfare is over $12,000. This pretty much does single for profit not matter what they say. Last year's safari to 4 countries included international and in country air fare and everything else. I'll go with another company.

Date of experience : February 26, 2024

Dear Pat, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry to hear you will not be taking advantage of a Road Scholar adventure. We are not profiting off of solo travelers. We are a not-for-profit organization. We do not charge anything more than what is charged to us by the hotels. The cost of the single supplement covers only the cost of accommodations. In a double occupancy, the cost of the room is split between two people; in a single, the room cost is the same but only one person is paying. You will also find that on average, you save 20% per night compared with comparable trips offered by commercial tour companies. That’s because every Road Scholar learning adventure includes most meals and all lodging, tips and taxes, behind-the-scenes experiences, expert lectures, group expeditions, and listening device, as well as, 24/7 emergency assistance. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Better to watch the travel channel.

When you call the number, you get ads for services. Have you tried calling your own number? There are certainly up sell ads. Especially one for an alert alarm. Frustrating to get through. No people. And no refunds if you have to cancel. You would be better off staying home, looking at You Tube and visiting your local restaurants. Maybe non profit, but someone is making money.

Date of experience : December 17, 2023

Dear Daniel, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. It sounds like there may have been a misdial, as we do not offer any ads while calling our Contact Center. We are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 6:30 pm ET with advisors ready to assist you. If you are unable to wait on the line we have an option to request a callback as soon as someone is available. Our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers. We try to be as transparent as possible and explain our cancellation and transfer policy on every enrollment call, describe it on our website and include it in our program materials. We highly encourage participants to purchase the optional trip protection plan to help protect their investment, so if they do need to cancel they can file a claim to receive cash reimbursement, for a covered reason, or depending on when the plan was purchased, a credit towards a future program, for a non-covered reason. We see that you were successful in reaching us and someone will be following up with you soon. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Roadscholar travel department nightmare…

In dealing with Roadscholar travel department, it has been a nightmare. Hours on hold, and twice the dates were wrong. They had us arriving two days early, when we clearly stated we wanted only one day early. Itineraries were not given to us until just before the final payment was due, and so there was much tension until we could get it straightened out. Hours on hold with the travel department was nerve racking as their times are limited in that department. Next time we will do our own travel plans, if we use them again.

Date of experience : August 29, 2023

Dear Cherilyn, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We appreciate that it can be frustrating to wait on hold and offer a callback option to help. We call on every callback request the same day it was received. We are also continuing to hire and train our staff to improve our level of service and help reduce wait times. We do apologize for any confusion regarding your departure days and see that we were able to get this straightened out for you. Sincerely, Road Scholar

no response to refund question

We enjoyed out trip to Portugal, but air travel was a nightmare! Road Scholar arranged flights. Of the planned flights, one was cancelled and two were downgraded from business class to economy class. I asked Road Scholar for help in getting a refund and have not received any response, despite multiple emails over multiple weeks. I realize Road Scholar is not responsible for airline schedules. But, I do believe they have a responsibility to respond to customer queries.

Date of experience : May 06, 2023

Dear Mike, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are happy to hear you enjoyed your recent Portugal adventure. We understand how frustrating flight disruptions can be and apologize for the time it has taken to respond to your inquires. We are actively working on this and will be reaching out to you directly to discuss this in more detail. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Deposit is not refunded or transferred. Be careful

I booked a trip with road scholar and had to put a $500 deposit down. I thought I was told that if I had to cancel, that deposit could be used for another future trip as as I canceled within a certain timeframe .I need knee replacement surgery and I had to cancel the trip .turns out that the $500 was nonrefundable. I’ve never worked with the company that did not allow you to either refund or transfer the deposit as long as you met their cancellation guidelines be careful

Date of experience : January 10, 2023

Dear Mary, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry you needed to cancel your program. As a not-for-profit organization, our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. Transferring at no cost is a possibility for some programs, but not all, depending on the adventure and the time of the requested transfer. Our transfer and cancel policy is reviewed during enrollment before the deposit is requested, and is included in the enrollment confirmation notice/email. We also offer an optional trip protection plan for one to purchase to help protect themselves if they find they have to cancel. We wish you the best with your surgery. Warmly, Road Scholar

Stay away from this company

Stay away from this company. We had booked a trip with Road Scholar but after reviewing the trip with my Doctor, the Doctor said it would be much too strenuous with our physical limitations. We informed the company more than 3 months prior to the start of the trip but they refused to return our refund.

Date of experience : July 14, 2022

My mother in law purchased a trip with insurance. She cancelled the trip 8 months before because of medical issues and has since passed away. We called road scholars to see if we could go on her trip , get a credit or receive the money back from the scheduled trip that she had insurance on. Road Scholars was totally useless. The trip could not be transferred and we received no money back! Do not get insurance on a trip that you are using vouchers for… total waste of money! We weren’t even able to use her several thousand dollars that she had in credits. Shame on them for lack of customer service.

Date of experience : July 27, 2022

Excellent experience

We are very experienced travelers, and this was our first time with Road Scholar. We recently completed a trip to Israel, Jordan and Egypt in March 2023 and it was wonderful. The hotels were first class and much better than I anticipated. The guides were excellent in each country. The group was 23 people. The buses they used were all exceptionally clean, very spacious comfortable and safe. A couple of days prior to the end of the trip many of us learned that our flights home had been cancelled by the airlines, due to a labor strike in Germany on Lufthansa. Road Scholar immediately rebooked everyone who had arranged their flights through RS. We are looking forward to our next trip on RS.

Date of experience : March 27, 2023

Don't book if you might get sick!!! No pity

I booked a trip for self and partner, and as we are older, I booked the insurance offered. We were not able to take the trip, as my partner found that his neuropathy deteriorated to the point that he could not keep up with the activity level that Road Scholar required. Unfortunately, Road Scholar was only willing to refund half the fees, and the rest was only available as a credit to future trips. Since we cannot take a future trip I asked to be able to transfer the fees to someone else. They refused. The insurance company, AON, for reasons best known to them refused any compensation. Shame on both companies. BYW, they also do not have any links on their site to this trip or the previous one we took, so I cannot leave a review there.

Date of experience : June 19, 2022

I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry to hear you were unable to attend your adventure. As a not-for-profit organization, our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. There are costs associated with every enrollment, no matter how early someone enrolls. These include administrative costs and reservations we have begun making in your name for the different components of your program. Because of these costs, our fees apply from the moment you enroll in the program, and are charged regardless of the reason for cancellation. Having had the optional trip protection plan you were able to file a claim and received a credit towards a future program. Unfortunately, this credit is not transferable to someone else, but we do have options. If you are not able to travel in person at this time we do have some wonderful online adventures. Please feel free to contact us at 877-426-8056 for further details. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Road Scholar is GREAT for seniors!

I went to France for 6 weeks with Road Scholar and everything about this trip was perfect! Lovely, caring tour leaders, incredible support, and so many amazing educational adventures! Of course, this was PARIS, so beauty was everywhere, but be aware that Paris is a big city, with all the problems and quirks of urban life. Nevertheless, the HISTORY and ART of Paris are mind-bending-ly wonderful. I plan to travel again in 3 months with Road Scholar. My only warning is that if you are over 70 and have mobility issues, some trips are not for you. Road Scholar rates every trip for mobility so PAY ATTENTION if you can't walk far, or need a walker!!

Date of experience : November 30, 2021

Road Scholar flight bookings

I booked a trip and arranged my air travel through Road Scholar. I just discovered that Road Scholar travel never paid for my flight although I paid in full already. I am in danger of having my flight reservation canceled. Trying to speak to anyone at Road Scholar is a nightmare. Their travel agency is only open 3 days a week and you have to go through Road Scholar to get through to them on those other days. I have been on hold for 1 hour. I will never use them again.

Date of experience : September 05, 2023

Dear Kathleen, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. The day after a holiday can be very busy for our Contact Center, which can contribute to increased wait times. To try and help, we do provide a callback option so you don’t have to hang on the line. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused and see that we were able to connect with you to help get your airfare finalized. We hope that you enjoy your upcoming adventure. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Spent over $1100 on deposit and trip…

Spent over $1100 on deposit and trip insurance. We had to cancel because the trip was too strenuous for us. We got nothing back. Probably our fault for not doing due diligence but beware.

Date of experience : December 08, 2022

Dear Kevin, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. We are sorry your selected adventure was not a good fit. Our cancellation and transfer fees are not meant to be punitive. They cover the commitments we have made on your behalf with our providers and the administrative costs associated with your enrollment. Transferring at no cost is a possibility for some programs, but not all, depending on the adventure and the time of the requested transfer. Our transfer and cancel policy is reviewed during enrollment before the deposit is requested, and is included in the enrollment confirmation notice/email. Since you purchased the optional trip protection plan you can file a claim to seek reimbursement for your cancellation fees. Depending on when you purchased the optional trip protection plan you may be eligible for the cancel for any reason benefit, which provides a credit towards a future program if your claim is not approved for cash reimbursement by Aon Affinity. Please feel free to contact us with any questions at 877-426-8056. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Road Scholar is 100 tops in every way

Road Scholar is 100 tops in every way! My PRAGUE experience was so gr8, I immediately booked another trip and eyeing another 4 next year! Their offer & promises surpassed all expectations! It was an overall fantastic trip! My first booking had 2 B canceled due 2 lack of enrollment. The organization did exactly what was promised: Keeping in touch in a timely manner & prompt refund! Margrit

Date of experience : May 10, 2018

Our trip to Egypt

Our trip to Egypt was cut short by a week because of the Covid-19 situation. I had purchased trip insurance through Road Scholar for that trip. Obviously, it had to be cut short, but Road Scholar assured us that we would be reimbursed for the part of the trip we missed. That did not happen. They have sent me many requests for donations, and nothing about reimbursement. After almost 2 months are requesting some remuneration, they finally offered a small credit toward another trip....but it had to be by June 5th. Um...we are still in the middle of a pandemic, so that's not going to happen. They have not offered one penny of my money back even though I bought my insurance from them. Yes, they're an educational travel group...and boy! did I get an education.

Date of experience : May 20, 2020

Road Scholar.org -Lots of travel options

Shopping and scheduling my May 2017 trip was easy, however there are so many options I had to choose my top 3 then go with only one. The trip was as advertised, well planned, good quality guide, lodging and food. We had some free time daily, at least one hour. The trip are rated by activity level, phone staff know the answers to questions and they have a repeat travelers.

Date of experience : May 29, 2017

We were scheduled for a hiking trip in…

We were scheduled for a hiking trip in August which was cancelled less than two months before the start of the trip citing they did not have the staff. Now I am out flights, shuttle fees and extra nights I booked for hotels. BEWARE

Date of experience : July 01, 2022

The key word above is “recent”

The key word above is “recent”. I have been on 4 RS trips and enjoyed each one. I would rate then 4.8 to 5 stars! My most recent experience with RS is less than 1 star, however. Reason: Covid vaccine mandate. 🤯

Date of experience : February 10, 2023

Dear Sandy, I am responding on behalf of Road Scholar. The health and welfare of our participants and staff are the most important considerations. We do have a team dedicated to safety around our adventures, who also consult medical professionals to ensure we are up to date on all information. Creating this policy was not an easy decision for us and we hate to disappoint anyone who wants to join a Road Scholar learning adventure. We do hope to relax this requirement at some point, but we do not know when that will be at this time. If there are any changes to this requirement we will be sure to inform all of our participants and update our materials accordingly. If you are interested, you can stay up to date on all requirements by going to our website to Travel Updates and COVID Information. We hope to see you on a Road Scholar adventure in the future. Sincerely, Road Scholar

Royalty, Revolution and Rebirth in Moscow and St. Petersburg

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• Experience the refined culture of St
• Petersburg at the Hermitage, the czars’ Winter Palace, Catherine’s Palace, the Fabergé Museum and at a ballet performance
• Immerse yourself in the intellectual and political history of Moscow at some of the nation’s most important institutions, museums and monuments
• Learn about Russia’s pivotal events through the people who lived them: a former Russian cosmonaut, a survivor of the 900-day siege of Leningrad and others

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Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Road Scholar .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Tour operator, road scholar.

Road Scholar, the not-for-profit leader in educational travel since 1975, offers 5,500 educational tours in all 50 states and 150 countries. Alongside local and renowned experts, experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural tours and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Programs For Whatever You Love to Do:

Much more than a tour, a Road Scholar program is a true learning adventure. Whether you join us in Seattle or Santiago, Beijing or Berlin, Road Scholar programs all share four unique attributes:

--Exceptional opportunities for learning and exploration through special behind-the-scenes access to the world's most fascinating treasures, led by our passionate and knowledgeable instructors.

--The shared fellowship of learning and warm camaraderie, whether a solo traveler or with a companion.

--Comfortable accommodations and appetizing meals.

--Excellent value.

Explore Your Mind and the World:

There are no grades or tests on Road Scholar programs. All that's needed is an inquiring mind, an adventurous spirit, and the belief that learning and discovery are lifelong pursuits.

Established in 1975, Road Scholar offers participants once-in-a-lifetime experiences delivered by local and world-renowned experts. Experience in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning opportunities, from cultural excursions and study cruises to walking, biking and more.

Our Most Popular Tours:

Adventures Afloat Cruises: On these educational cruises, you’ll traverse some of the world's most spectacular waterways, offering you a convenient and rewarding way to learn and explore aboard ocean liners, riverboats and small ships.

Independent City Discoveries: Combine structured learning with independent discovery — each program includes hotel accommodations and some meals, lectures, expert-led field trips and detailed outlines for four self-guided excursions.

Grandparent Travel: Discover and explore together with your grandchild through interactive learning experiences and field trips. Both you and your grandchild will share the joy of learning with other grandparents and their grandchildren, bridging generations and opening doors to discovery and friendship.

National Parks: From Denali to the Everglades and countless beautiful, historic places in between, field trips to America’s National Parks reveal what tourists can’t see on their own, with specialized experts showing you how to track wildlife or lead you to the spot with the most awe-inspiring view.

Outdoor Adventures: From hiking in the Grand Canyon to exploring France by barge and bicycle, to sharpening your golf or tennis skills, these active programs exercise the body and the mind.

Service Learning: From tutoring school children or helping restore a crucial forest habitat for wildlife, to assisting with artifact restoration and museum curatorial work, Service Learning adventures are an opportunity to make a difference in the world.

Small Groups: Love to learn in a small-group setting? Check out this collection of programs that have 10-24 participants.

Why Road Scholar?

You Can't Beat Road Scholar's Remarkable Value : Our all-inclusive prices have no hidden costs. Compare the price of one of our programs to what it would cost to duplicate the experience on your own (if that's even possible) and you'll see what we mean by "remarkable value."

Lifelong Learning and Lifelong Friends : When you participate in a Road Scholar program, you will not only expand your mind, you will be in the company of other people who believe that learning is one of the best parts of life.

Instructors Who Inspire: Road Scholar instructors are both experts in their field and lifelong learners themselves who are excited to answer your questions, hear your opinions and share in your experience.

Solo Participants Love Our Programs : Road Scholar programs are renowned for being inclusive, warm and welcoming for solo participants. We can either match you with a roommate or, on most programs, you can choose to room on your own.

Think Outside the Tour : The educational focus of Road Scholar programs makes us completely different from a commercial travel tour. Road Scholar programs offer educational experiences that answer the what's, the why's and the how-to's.

You Go Where Others Can't : We've been offering educational experiences since 1975 and we've made connections with educators and other local "insiders" all around the world, creating learning opportunities that show you the world in a way that just can't be done on your own or on a "tour."

We've Covered All the Bases : From expert-led lectures and field trips to comfortable lodgings and meals, we handle all the details, including the ones you might not anticipate. We've taken the worry out of the planning, so you can focus on your learning experience.

Peace of Mind Through the Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan : The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, which is purchased on behalf of every participant, provides 24-hour emergency assistance in the unlikely case of a medical emergency.

Scholarships for Those in Financial Need : Each year, Road Scholar awards $250,000 in scholarships toward programs in North America for those who do not have the financial means to participate.

Our Donors : Each year, thousands of donors contribute to our Annual Fund, helping to cover the gap between the tuition we charge and the actual cost of our programs.

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Travel | Travel Troubleshooter: Road Scholar downgrades…

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Travel | travel troubleshooter: road scholar downgrades traveler from business to economy.

I spent $3,000 on business-class airfare. I’d like to get a refund for the fare difference. But so far, both Road Scholar and British Airways have refused. Can you help?

— Maureen Kelleher, Simsbury, Connecticut

ANSWER: Flight cancellations happen. But when they do, you should receive a refund for your downgrade from business class to economy.

British Airways’ general conditions of carriage — the legal agreement between you and the airline — addresses a change of schedule like the one you experienced. It explicitly says that you will get a refund when there is a fare difference and you use the ticket. Road Scholar’s terms and conditions don’t address an involuntary downgrade like the one you suffered.

There are also Department of Transportation rules that have to be followed. It says that you’re entitled to a refund if you’re involuntarily moved to a lower class of service. For example, if you buy a first-class ticket and get downgraded to economy class because of an aircraft change, the airline must refund the fare difference. If your flight had originated in the United States, DOT rules would have applied.

I think you have a strong case for a refund. So, what’s going on here? I reviewed the paper trail between you and Road Scholar. Since the tour operator had booked your flights, it was responsible for getting you your refund, so you went to the right place. But after four months, you weren’t getting anywhere. It was time to call my advocacy team.

I could see no reason for the delay in your refund. In fact, two other members of your party had already filed successful credit card disputes to recover their money. By the way, I don’t recommend doing that as a first step to recovering your money. It’s always better to ask the company for a refund first. You can find the executive contacts for Road Scholar on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org .

I contacted Road Scholar on your behalf. A representative responded to me shortly after that.”I’m happy to report that we have resolved the situation with Maureen and are issuing her a refund,” she said. “Her previous complaints had gotten caught up in the wrong department. Thanks for the nudge to escalate so we could get her talking to the right people to resolve her issue.”

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at [email protected] or get help by contacting him at elliottadvocacy.org/help/ . (c) 2024 Christopher Elliott Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

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