A Cautionary Tale: My Anex Tour Disaster
I'm sharing my story in the hopes that it'll help others avoid a similar fate. After my situation was finally resolved, I could write this review with a clear head.
I'd used Anex Tour services before, and I was happy with my trip to Thailand a few years ago. That's why I'm giving them two stars instead of one.
I booked my tour directly on their official website, without visiting their offices. I prefer not to deal with agents, and Anex Tour's website is user-friendly, making it easy to choose and book flights and hotels.
So, I successfully booked and paid for a tour for two people to Egypt on their website. When booking, you need to pay the full amount upfront or 50% upfront and the remaining 50% later - this info is highlighted in red everywhere. If you don't pay, the booking will be canceled. I paid the full amount and waited for my dream vacation.
You can access your personal account on the website using your passport details. Three days before departure, all the documents appeared in my account, which I could print directly from the website. And it was even earlier than expected - four days before departure.
But then disaster struck: two days before departure, Anex Tour canceled our tour unilaterally. I received an SMS and an email notification, but no phone call from their representatives. Everything was done through the website or their social media channels. We were sitting on our luggage, receiving the cancellation notification.
In my personal account, the paid tour amount was marked as "to be returned." But, Anex Tour has no intention of returning our money under any circumstances!
After the tour was canceled, I sent an email to their customer support, as I had booked directly on their website and didn't have an agent to help me. Their response was that they had left my money on hold. When I asked why I didn't need it, they said the return period was unknown and suggested using the hold for future bookings - when prices would be tripled, which directly violates the contract terms.
I was at a loss for what to do. I checked their social media and was shocked to see thousands of unhappy comments, with many people waiting for their money back for 2-3 years! When I saw all those comments, I realized it was pointless to try to resolve the issue with Anex Tour. I needed a different solution, and I found one.
I paid for the tour with my Tinkoff Bank card, and some banks have a "chargeback" feature, which allows you to dispute a transaction if you've been scammed. I filed a chargeback request through my bank's online platform, providing all the necessary documents, including screenshots from my personal account, emails, tickets, and the contract. Thankfully, I had all the information readily available in my personal account on the website. The bank requested more information from me, but I didn't need to contact Anex Tour. After a while, the bank filed a complaint with the bank that issued the Anex Tour card, stating that I had been scammed and my money wasn't returned. A month later, I received my money back in full! The payment was marked as a pre-trial settlement of the dispute. The whole process took three months. If you've also been affected by Anex Tour, you know that they don't return money even in court cases that drag on for years. So, try this method - check with your bank!
I'm giving Anex Tour two stars because I had a successful trip to Thailand with them in the past. However, illegally withholding money from a large number of tourists and sending them on wild goose chases for refunds is unacceptable.
My experience with Anex Tour was a wake-up call. While I was initially happy with their services, their actions ultimately led to a stressful and frustrating experience. I hope that by sharing my story, I can help others avoid a similar fate.
Be cautious when booking with Anex Tour. While their website may seem user-friendly, the company's actions are far from transparent. If you're considering booking with them, make sure to read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions. And, if you do encounter any issues, don't hesitate to seek help from your bank or a relevant authority.
Anex Tour's social media channels are filled with complaints from unhappy customers. While I didn't have to deal with the issue directly, I was shocked by the sheer number of people who have been affected by their actions. This should be a red flag for anyone considering booking with them.
The more I learned about Anex Tour's practices, the more I realized that I wasn't alone in my experience. There are thousands of people out there who've been scammed by this company, and it's heartbreaking to think about the stress and financial losses they've endured.
My advice to others is to be vigilant and do your research before booking with Anex Tour. Don't take their word for it - read reviews, check their social media, and look into their terms and conditions. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
I'll never book with Anex Tour again, and I wouldn't recommend them to anyone. Their actions are unacceptable, and I hope that by sharing my story, I can help prevent others from falling victim to their scams.