UTOvacation Bewertungen 1.323

5 star hotels were very far away from any sights that we visited which meant that we spent a lot of time on the bus!

So far I've been to China, Turkey and Morocco with UTO. They are quick to remedy any issues that arrive and are the best value out of the services I've used to the past.

Dishonest. If I had one word to sum up UTO Vacation Company it would be dishonest. My biggest complaint is the mandatory/compulsory tip charge. The company has a mandatory fee, that as listed on their site reads, "Mandatory Service Charge & Tipping for driver and guide". This is absolute nonsense as the guides and drivers DO NOT receive any of this money. The charge was an additional $180 per person for the trip...pretty stiff for a tip charge. If you were to consider how much additional revenue this was from the tour group of approximately 50 people on my trip, this amounted to an additional revenue of $9,000.00. The guides and drivers on my trip did an exemplary job, noteworthy of receiving a tip. Most of my fellow travelers did not tip, as they were under the impression, they had prepaid the tips to the driver and guide. I spoke with the guides on my trip as well as the drivers and learned they do not receive the “Prepaid” tip money. UTO needs to be transparent in their fees as I can only assume the mandatory tip charge is lining someone else’s pocket or supplementing their retirement. I chose to tip the guides and drivers in addition to my “prepaid” tip charge, as I know they rely on tips for their income.

Do not prepurchase activities thru UTO. I have found it is much less expensive to book the activities on your own, rather than UTO who will charge an exuberant rate over the advertised rate.

My trip to Peru required domestic flights within the Country to get to other cities. What UTO did not mention was that they purchased the cheapest tickets for the domestic flights. What does this mean? I travel exclusively with carry on travel luggage and have done so all over the world without issue. When I flew on the domestic flight in Peru, I had to pay an additional fee for carryon luggage, even though it fit within the baggage requirements for carryon luggage. Also, be prepared to fly on at least on redeye flight during your trip.

If you want an honest travel company that is looking to provide a positive and memorable trip experience, go elsewhere. If you want to experience constant frustration, stress, anxiety, uneasiness, and enjoy the surprise of additional and unexpected charges and fees, go with UTO…they will not disappoint.

I have done 3 excursions with them. Two to China and one more to Japan. If I am completely honest, they are worth every single penny you pay.

The two trips to China were with my wife and another couple friend of ours from Monterrey, Mexico. The Hotels were FANTASTIC, the Bus is a lot better than you expect. The Tour guides did their best to help you in any way they can.

On the First one we visit Xian, Beijing and Shanghai with a very few small cities around Shanghai. We flew to Beijing, then Xian and lately to Shanghai and those buses were always ready for us or a Tour Guide to help us navigate the complexity of a completely different language (Mandarin/Chinese)

We visited every sited promoted on the Tour, Terracota Warriors, Forbidden City, The Great Wall and all those great weird/rare.exotic markets that China is famous for.

Yes, we visited a few mandatory stores, but you do not have to buy anything, but sometimes the deals are really good. Silk Market, Herbs, Teas, and other stores that you might find good stuff.

The second tour was similar, but this time we visited several tiny town close to Shanghai, like Wuxi and the Venezia of China. All those small towns are a must to visit, because everything that you want to see on a Big City, Shanghai has everything that you can imagine and then even more.

BIG IMPORTANT SUGGESTION: Do a little research on those days you have time available to see and visit places/stores/museums that they are not taking you. Take your time on research and GO FOR IT. Do not be afraid, you will not get lost, and if you do, just show the HOTEL CARD to any taxi and they will take you back. EASY PEASY. DO NOT BE AFRAID, China is safer than any US or European City. Yes, you can walk around, looking for great Chinese food with your Rolex at 2 AM in the middle of a small market and nothing will happen. SUPER SAFE.

JAPAN: It is a little bit more expensive, and the Hotels will be a lot more smaller than the magnificent hotel suites China will give you. But the Real Estate in Japan is crazy. Hence the small size of every single hotel room.

Again, great places, take your time to choose your additional tours, we never use them all, because you get EXAUSTED if you take them all. We always buy the METRO Cards, (TRIP.COM) is super easy to use and to buy your train tickets in China. In Japan, using the Metro is super easy, they have FREE INTERNET in almost every single Train Station, Airport, Mall or important place you will visit.

We did the Shinkasen Bullet Train tour, even though we have been in High Speed trains in China and used the Maglev as well, but the time you will waste in the Bus (7-8 Hours) is not worth saving that money, plus once you arrive at Osaka, they will show you a part of the city that you will appreciate.

One big suggestion is that you prepare yourself to WALK A LOT ... the last trip we did in Japan with UTO we walked almost 90 miles during our trip. But if you do not walk, you wont be able to see as many things as you want. ONE KEY IMPORTANT TIP: Do not over exhaust on the first 3-4 days, because then you will be drained for the rest of your excursion and then you will regret that.

On our China Trip a guy decided to walk up the stairs on the Great Wall, showing off his abilities and then he lost his chance to see many of the wonders China offered because he had Leg Pain the rest of the Trip. So, be smart.

UTO VACATION gave us a great deal several years ago, then we took another China tour before Covid and now we just came back from Japan. I'm pretty sure they will be here for another 10 years.

DO NOT BE FOOLED by the Super Cheap deals at some of her excursions, we have talked to other people in our tours that have been with UTO to Malasya, India, Philippines and many places, all of them have good things to say about the company.

DO NOT TO TAKE all their OPTIONAL TOURS because you want and you WILL NEED TO PACE YOURSELF to enjoy your tours and if you are too tired, you wont. If you are use to walk 6 to 10 miles every day, then you are good to go.

There were 14 people on our tour in Turkey. The fellow tourists were so great to be with. The tour guide was great. However, UTO is so so horrible. Our feelow travelers had such terrible stories of their dealings with UTO. Our own experience with UTO will make you gringe. Two days prior to leaving Turkey, UTO tried to cancel our flight. If it was not for some great people at United, we might still be in Turkey. As per our conversation on the phone earlier today, we received a notification from the airline that there was a flight schedule change. This is the last email from UTO.

And as per your request, your booking will be under the airline's control, and we no longer have the ability to make amendments to your flight tickets. For any future adjustments or inquiries related to your reservation, kindly manage your booking directly with the airline. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

UTo tried to cancel our flight and United confirmed this and called UTO liars about any flight change. UTO tried to cancel our flights back and resell our business class tickets. They deserve to be investigated by both American and Canadian Justice!!!

Wasn’t terrible wasn’t amazing. Originally got a killer deal for a China/Thailand trip that had to be rescheduled due to covid and then political reasons. They LOVE to upsell. You have no real control on your lodging or flights. We ended up having a good trip, to Spain. All things considered I would not travel with the company again, or recommend it. Too much upselling and too little control on flights or hotel.

UTOvacation is HORRIBLE. We purchased a 10-day vacation package to China in February 2022, for travel on November 2, 2023. I made 3 payments in early February 2022, totaling $2,334. I provided all requested documentation, and waited for UTOvacation's email requesting final payment. I waited patiently for their email request, and I finally contacted UTOvacation advising that I still had not received a request, after the time I thought they would be sending it. They said, because we did not make a timely final payment, our trip was canceled. Like many other people who purchased from UTO experienced, the option they offered was a credit on another trip. Any new trip (to any of their locations) would cost a lot more. I conducted an ongoing chat with UTO for over a week and got nowhere. Because of this, I tried to get a credit card refund, but Visa couldn't help because the billing statement for the purchase was in the spring of 2022, and we didn't know there was a problem until the summer of 2023 (which is well beyond the credit card's 60-day within billing complaint time frame). During my lengthy chat with UTO, the company stated they sent a request for final payment to us. I kept EVERY email correspondence with UTO, and did not receive such a request. UTOvacation could not provide proof that they emailed the final payment request email to either me or my husband. In other words, that email didn't exist. They are definitely a crooked company and I hope people will see all these negative reviews and will not do business with them. They have already cheated too many people. Because of our early purchase, there were, at that time, no complaints against UTO. Now there are hundreds!!!! BUYERS BEWARE!!!

Friends of four travelling together to Brazil/ Argentina and our flight in Bostan got cancelled due to tec default. we called UTO emergency phone number multiple times, left messages but no call back. Hotels were horrible outdated and basically no English-speaking employees. I even emailed my concerns still no reply or phone calls. I would never travel with UTO again and nor do I recommend anyone to travel with them. There communication is very poor, and they don't care once they get paid.

Donna

DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH UTO Vacations!!!!!
We had the same experience as below. We booked and paid for our trip in February of 2022, for October 2023. We got the threat level notice in July of 2023 about China and the U.S., and opted to continue with the trip. They offered alternatives for hundreds more dollars, but we refused and opted to keep the China trip. After multiple calls, they assured that we would get a refund if the trip cancelled since it was not our fault. I have the email they sent. Once the departure day came, and the trip did not happen, they assured a refund by check in 3-4 weeks. The check did not come. I reached out to Travelzoo for help and sent them all the information. I then emailed UTO since they will not answer my calls. I received an email back stating they needed 2 more weeks to process m refund. Today is 2 weeks. I called Travelzoo for assistance and follow up on my original call. Travelzoo confirmed many complaints about UTO, but would not commit to helping get my money back. They apparently did reach out to UTO and UTO told them it would be 6-8 more weeks for my refund. Travelzoo seems ok with this, but I am not. UTO are thieves and have no intention of giving my money back. Travelzoo is not much better and is likely getting a kickback from UTO since they are aware of the complaints but continue to do business with UTO. We booked an alternate trip from a different company and have gone and returned in the time that it has taken to fight for my money back. I intend to push this matter as far as I can, but since they operate out of Canada, it will be a challenge. I WANT MY REFUND!!!

These people are SCAMMERS! They canceled ON US! WE WANTED A REFUND NOT A CREDIT. WE COMPLIED TO EVERYTHING THEY ADKED!!!!! AND THEY WON’T respond!!!

We booked and paid in full for a trip with UTO back in September 2022 for a trip that takes place in March 2024, they are now claiming they did not receive our documents in time and will not honor our booking or refund our money.

My story is the same as so many other complainants. I purchased a trip to China and Japan for my family, and UTO removed us from the trip, while changing their story as to why they did so.
I did everything I was required to do under their Terms and Conditions, and they still removed us from the trip.

Long story short, I am out USD$2500.
I have asked for a refund numerous times. I keep being told that they are making an exception for me by offering me a travel voucher. The travel voucher is of no use to me, as no similar trips are available.

And as is now very clear, this is their regular approach to business -- sell cheap trips, cancel the trip, tell the customer they did something wrong, and then tell them they are making a special exception for them by offering a travel voucher. The travel voucher will be useless unless the customer purchases a more expensive trip.

Please look up BBB and Yelp before booking with UTO.

We booked a trip to Thailand for April 2024. We were required to upload our passport and pay the final amount due 180 days before departure. Their website would not allow us to upload our passports before the 180 day deadline. We paid our final payment on the deadline, but when we tried again to upload our passports, we were told it was too late and to call the number listed. We have only gotten through once on this line and were told that their system is working fine, the time had passed and that they would look into it and get back to us in three days (two weeks ago, still no response). We were denied access to a supervisor. Every other time we call, we are directed to their chat room, then disconnected after three minutes. In the chat room, we get the same person every time and get the same response, their system is working fine, the time has passed, and now we face possible trip cancellation or price increases with no refund possible, someone will get back to us, still no response. We are told that our documents are necessary to book an international flight, but they already have our passport info and we have mailed them a copy of our passports, so there shouldn’t be a problem. This company has been unaccredited by the BBB and has a 1.1 rating on Yelp, the only thing keeping them from a perfect 1.0 being one probably fake five star review. Here is what we believe: their website works exactly as planned, so that you can’t upload your documents. This allows them to require more money or face the cancellation of your trip, with the forfeit of your money, in our case, $5,584. They have enough from us to book our flights, but do not want to so they can keep our money if we don’t comply with their demands. This is extortion and embezzlement and we will not give them one penny more. But we will fight back. There are many dissatisfied customers of UTO. We need to find a way to unite. I would like to start a website to organize, but in the meantime, here are some things we can do. File a complaint with TICO, the governmental organization with oversight of the travel industry in Ontario. They have no enforcement capabilities, but I’ll bet they know someone who does. Contact the Toronto Globe and other media outlets. If they hear from enough of us, they will know they have a story. Contact law firms that specialize in class action lawsuits. If they hear from enough of us, they will know they have a class they can represent. And try not to stress. Devote a little time each day writing a review or contacting someone, then get on with your day. If we work together I know we will get results!

P.S. Just noticed that most of the bad reviews on TravelZoo are about UTO. Don’t see them advertised on TravelZoo anymore. Aw, that’s too bad…
I have submitted a lead with investigative reporter Robyn Doolittle at the Toronto Globe and Mail and also with YS Law Firm. I also just emailed Breaking News at cp24 and the Richmond Hill Police Department and I encourage all of you One Stars to do the same! Let’s all shine a light on what this company is doing.

My recent tour to India was outstanding. Smooth booking, excellent guide, well-planned itinerary, comfortable travel and accommodations, and great value for money. Highly recommended!

This company is a total scam outfit. They must be sitting on millions of dollars that they obtained by bait and switch tactics. They will take your money, cancel the trip, and offer you an alternative trip for 3x the price that you already paid.
Do not be their next victim!

THIS COMPANY IS A SCAM! BAIT N SWITCH!! See the same repeat unethical business practices in lot of reviews below. I purchased a package nearly two years ago. After they canceled the trip 2x and numerous messages without response, I elevated to TravelZoo (marketing company where I bought package) and got a response. They offered two packages in exchange for my inconvenience. That was over a year ago and still UTO Vacations are unable to fulfill my package. They will not issue a refund. DO NOT BUY ANYTHING FROM THESE UNRELIABLE, UNETHICAL, NON-COMMUNICATIVE CHEATS!!!

The choice of accommodations was outstanding!
We stayed in a mix of traditional ryokans and modern hotels. The ryokans, in particular, offered a glimpse with tatami mats and onsen baths.

SCAM SCAM SCAM PLEASE BE AWARE. NO COMMUNICATION
My husband and I also victim of this travel company. They took your initial deposit back in Sep 2022 require 2nd deposit in two weeks. States THE ONLY COMMUNICATION IS EMAIL??? also states would send out email for reminder ... after we failed to pay our second deposit. They canceled our trip and force us to take credit money. We supposed to leave to Japan and China this Oct 2023. When I confronted them back in April ( spoke with Suki) they said they sent out email back in Feb 2022 ( KEEP ASKING ME IF I CHECK JUNK/TRASH BOX) I said the only email we have from you guys was when we first book ( inital deposit). Again, recently they continue contact us for another booking ( AMY LIU MANAGER) she called/email ask if we are interest for another trip... I contact them again on their website chat talk to Winnie. She gave me bunch excused about why they couldn't send out email before (also sent me screen shot of mailbox full couldn't delivery, and she can't find it or forward email they said they sent back in OCT 2022, FEB 2023, will need some IT work to help recover maybe it get lost somewhere) FAKE. Couple hours after chatting with her I brought AMY name, she called me shortly after. "She did magic work after couple hours and found my previous email and sent it over" The email and the screenshot Winnie sent over DOES NOT MATCH their story. When I looked at all 5 stars review it really got me wonder "did ANYONE actually get to go on their trip as company promise after their trip be rescheduled multiple times, EVEN CUSTOMER PAY IN FULL? " I read a lot of reviews from different website no one mention that the trip actually happened. FALSE PROMISE??? WORST COMPANY. I REALLY HOPE THEY WILL GET JUSTICE ONE DAY

I had the pleasure of chatting with the wonderful Isabella this afternoon. She made my travel credit refund request seamless. I can't wait to use my credit and take a much needed vacation! I was a little apprehensive because of all of the negative reviews that I'd read, but it was so easy and my rep was so kind. Thank you Isabella and UTO vacations.

Witnessing a traditional geisha performance in the Gion district and walking through the enchanting Arashiyama Bamboo Grove were unforgettable highlights! I look forward to exploring more with them in the future.