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Do NOT book any travel with UTO - It's a SCAM!

We booked a trip to China with UTO in 2020, scheduled for 2021, but it was canceled due to travel restrictions. UTO assured us they would offer a replacement trip once the restrictions were lifted, and they issued a credit for the cost of the original trip. It’s now been three years, and we still haven’t received any offer for a replacement trip. Meanwhile, all similar trips are priced above $6,000, far exceeding the cost of our original booking. Despite multiple requests for a refund, UTO has consistently refused, stating that the credit can only be used toward future trips. However, none of the trips they've offered in the past 3 years come close to being fully covered by our credit. Be aware that UTO engages in bait-and-switch tactics. They offer special deals, cancel the trips, and then claim their policies don’t allow refunds, forcing customers to either book more expensive trips or forfeit their credit. Based on various forums, we are not alone in this situation—many others have fallen victim to this scam.

Date of experience : September 09, 2024

I would give zero star if I could DITTO

I would give zero star if I could. I booked a tour back in 2022 and was cancelled by UTOI citing Covid restriction. Wouldn't provide a full refund and only provide travel credit with an due date. But I was told I could request extension if I can't book a tour I want before the credit expired. Fast forward to 2024, I contacted them for extension a day before my credit expire and they told me travel credit cannot be extended. So I guess they now can change the terms as they wish. They refused to talk to me only asked me to chat or email which doesn't help. Scammed me $3600. Don't book with them!

Date of experience : September 03, 2024

They kept my $897, scammers stay as far as you can

They kept my $897. I purchased a trip to China in 3/2023. Due to travel restrictions they cancelled my trip and gave me a credit with only 18 months to use it. Super frustrated that I didn't just get my money back, since they were the ones who cancelled it. I wasn't able to rebook within the 18 months, because the price difference between the tour I had booked and their other tours was significant and I just didn't have the available funds to increase my budget during those 18 months. So they just kept my money and I got nothing out of it. The tour was highly discounted, so it definitely seems like this is unethical business to lure buyers in with a good deal, cancel on them with only a credit given, which would then require them to use that credit on a higher priced deal in the future. Not happy with the way they do business at all.

Date of experience : August 31, 2024

I would give zero star if I could

I would give zero star if I could. I booked a tour back in 2022 and was cancelled by UTOI citing Covid restriction. Wouldn't provide a full refund and only provide travel credit with an due date. But I was told I could request extension if I can't book a tour I want before the credit expired. Fast forward to 2024, I contacted them for extension a day before my credit expire and they told me travel credit cannot be extended. So I guess they now can change the terms as they wish. They refused to talk to me only asked me to chat or email which doesn't help. Scammed me $1400. Don't book with them!

Date of experience : August 28, 2024

Total scam. Don’t use them. Booked a trip for 16 to China in 2020 which we didn’t go on obviously. They refused to refund us and only offered travel credit. We’ve extended our credits twice bc they never offer any trips anywhere even remotely close to the price we booked for. I’ve tried many times to contact them to extend our credits again and can’t reach them via phone, email, chat, or online submission. I can’t believe they’re still in business! There are so many complaints against them here, BBB, Trip Advisor…everywhere!

Date of experience : August 16, 2024

Date of experience : August 19, 2024

Great customer service!

From the first contact, UTO has been responsive, professional and friendly. My recent contacts with Julie have been especially helpful. She even reached out by phone after we were having some problems getting things resolved via email. We are all good now, thanks to her kind and very professional way of dealing with my questions. We are looking forward to our trip with UTO in October!

Date of experience : August 11, 2023

Multiple cancellations and risk to lose my money.…

This company has canceled three of my trips. I am using a credit to travel to Peru. Has somebody traveled to Peru or any location with this company? I am afraid UTOVacation will steal close to 4,000 dollars when this trip to Peru is canceled. The regular trip now cost $11,000. Please let me know if somebody has ever traveled with this company.

Date of experience : August 15, 2024

I booked a tour package that was…Thailand & China 12 days

I booked a tour package that was canceled due to Covid. Instead of issuing refunds we got travel credits. The credit is now expiring, with no warning from the company! They refuse to extend or give a refund. It is impossible to talk to anyone over the phone, you can only chat with them through the website. PLEASE DON'T LOSE YOUR MONEY TOO! I have traveled to many countries and have used tour groups and this is the first one, that feels like a total scam.

The offer of $299 US was real in 2018…

The offer of $299 US was real in 2018 prior to Covid. We were able to visit China with 1st class accommodations, plenty of good food and a couch bus included. However, when we purchased the second deal it did not push through due to covid and now they no longer offer the same deal so we just got issued vouchers which we couldn't use at this moment because all the tours are now highly expensive. the downside, we get too many calls from China and we believe our personal info has been shared with businesses. The hotels also collected our passports when staying overnight.

Date of experience : February 25, 2023

I purchased a trip to China in 2022

I purchased a trip to China in 2022. Due to travel restrictions they cancelled my trip and gave me a credit with only 18 months to use it. Super frustrated that I didn't just get my money back, since they were the ones who cancelled it. I wasn't able to rebook within the 18 months, because the price difference between the tour I had booked and their other tours was significant and I just didn't have the available funds to increase my budget during those 18 months. So they just kept my money and I got nothing out of it. The tour was highly discounted, so it definitely seems like this is unethical business to lure buyers in with a good deal, cancel on them with only a credit given, which would then require them to use that credit on a higher priced deal in the future. Not happy with the way they do business at all.

Date of experience : August 16, 2023

"Fraudulent Scam Alert: Avoid UTO Vacations!"

UTO Vacations charged me $1,480 for a Thailand-China package for two, including extended excursions. They canceled the trip citing COVID-19, then refused a refund, offering only travel credits. When I tried to rebook, prices had skyrocketed—identical trips were now over $11,000 per person, totaling almost $20,000! To make matters worse, all comparable trips are apparently permanently sold out. This feels like a blatant scam to squeeze more money out of customers. I strongly urge the authorities in Ontario, including TICO, to investigate these fraudulent practices. Avoid this company at all costs. Legal action should be taken to shut down this deceptive operation.

Date of experience : August 09, 2024

my story is the same as everyone else…

my story is the same as everyone else that posted here. paid $2100 they canceled the trip citing visa issues with China. Their were no visa issues on our part, because we were not going to be in China for the amount of days that the problem would be cause for cancelation. They told me I could only get a UTO credit not a refund, even though they canceled the trip not me. Well for the last 18 months I have been looking on their web site and the only trip that comes close to what I paid would cost me 20x the price. contacting them is impossible the dont reply to emails and dont pick up the phone. THIS COMPANY IS A SCAM!!!!!!!

Date of experience : August 20, 2024

Inca Empire Express 7days with…

We took Inca Empire Express 7days with UTO. All went well! Hotels were in prime locations in Lima, Cusco and Sacred valley. Local tourist guides were professional and helpful. Communication could be better since local hotels receptionists do not speak English well.

Date of experience : February 03, 2024

We had a fabulous time in Japan

We had a fabulous time in Japan. Our guide, Carlos, was knowledgeable and patient with us every step of the way. The only downside were the hotels in Osaka and Tokyo. They were relatively far away from the city centers. Our bus driver in Osaka and Kyoto was excellent and we appreciated his service and abilities. All around, the trip was great and Carlos really helped take it to another level. Michael and Jean

Date of experience : November 30, 2023

China and Thailand Trip

We had a trip to China and Thailand booked. The US gov issued a travel advisory about visiting mainland China. I contacted UTO via chat and they were able to issue me a full travel credit toward another trip. I appreciated the direct, easy, solution to what was a stressfull situation for my travel plans. They have been great and I would recommend booking with them.

Date of experience : August 09, 2023

Isabella was GREAT!!!

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.

Date of experience : September 15, 2023

Worst travel company ever

Worst travel company ever. Do yourself a favor and avoid them at all cost!!! They cancelled my trip and gave me credit, which is worthless because the same trip costs now 10x more. Everyone who works for that company should be ashamed!!!

I used the online chat feature, very long conversation for a few short answers

I used the online chat feature, which took an exceptionally long time. 1 hour and 25 minutes to answer a few very short questions. Also I asked about acquiring a visa for an upcoming trip and UTO told me they could not assist me, although I am sure I saw the option when I first booked my trip in 2022. I do not leave until 2024. That was very disappointing. Also it appears that there could possibly be some understanding or translation issues when speaking with customer service.

This "company" is a scam and will steal…

This "company" is a scam and will steal your money.

Date of experience : September 12, 2024

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UTO Vacations – What To Expect – An Honest Review

If you travel and subscribe to any travel newsletter, you’ve likely heard of or seen UTO Vacations. They are the tour company behind the famous $299 China vacation package. UTO is often featured under Travelzoo’s UTO Vacations. But what’s it like to travel with UTO Vacations? Let’s find out!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our  disclosure and privacy policy  for more information.

About Tour Companies

This is the first time in my life that I’ve not been my own travel agent or tour guide. It’s the first time I have entrusted a company to plan all the logistics. Or should I say the first time I have put the control in someone else’s hands.

While this was not a terrible experience, it was anything but perfect, and there’s room for improvement.

About UTO Vacations

UTO Vacations is a travel company that provides guided tours and vacation packages to various destinations worldwide.

UTO Vacations operates out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada , and is a newer player. They have been in business for over ten years.

Travel companies like UTO Vacations usually design and organize comprehensive travel itineraries for individuals, families, and groups. They aim to make the travel experience convenient, enjoyable, and hassle-free for their customers. These companies often have a team of travel experts who research destinations, plan itineraries, and coordinate accommodation, transportation, meals, and sightseeing activities.

Travel companies typically provide customers detailed information about the destinations, including the highlights, local customs, and essential travel tips . They may also offer additional services such as visa assistance, travel insurance , and airport transfers.

UTO Vacations China Package

Like most of us, this tour operator will first catch your attention when you see the advertisements for ten days in China for $299. This package is how I wound up in Peru with UTO Vacations. However, my original intent was to travel to China, and that all went south when COVID -19 hit in 2020.

The Background

We were scheduled to travel to China in May of 2020. COVID-19 hit in March 2020, and we made a grave mistake . We rebooked our dates for October of 2020. Naturally, none of us knew then that COVID would be a prolonged issue. Given that we re-scheduled a date, we waived our opportunity to get a full refund.

Fast forward to the end of 2022. We still had $2,000 per couple sitting in the UTO Vacations account and needed to burn the credit before May 2023. There was little available that I had not already done, so we chose Peru to the tune of an additional $2,000 per couple. You’ll wonder how we went from $299 per person to $1,000, but I will cover that below in the base fares.

Realistically, the trip we took to Peru was worth $2,000 max! Ironically, I’ve seen packages for Peru for the same for less than $1,000 per person.

The bottom line here, folks, is there’s no way in the world that I would spend $4,000 for two to go to Peru. It’s ridiculous. This was a case of paying the additional money or losing it all.

Learn from me here! If your travel plans are ever canceled, get a refund and move on.

UTO Vacations Base Fare & Add Ons

While the base fares lure most in, you will incur additional costs. These fees quickly hike a $299 per person vacation into a $1,000 plus trip.

• Visa – For China, the visa is $400 per person, so even if you get the $299 China package, you will be in it for $799 per person.
• Mandatory Service Charge and tipping for driver and guide – They start at $180 per person for all trips.
• Airport connections if not flying out of the advertised location.
• I checked Bags – a new one for me on long-haul international flights . You also must pay for suspended flights on domestic routes as you fly to different locations in the country you are visiting. This is disclosed in the fine print. However, UTO Vacations book you on the cheapest possible ticket – basic. In other words, be prepared to pay for bags on ALL flights.
• Tips while local. While UTO Vacations will hike you for $180 per person upfront, we learned quickly that these tips are not passed on to the local tour guides. I don’t know if this is a fact or a ploy. Regardless, you feel complete with tipping and will end up tipping at least another $180 throughout your trip.
• Taxes, but this is standard for any travel.

The UTO Vacation to Peru

I will not cover the sites of Peru in this article; those will follow. This article is specifically about the experience with UTO Vacations.

Logistically, things were great, and we had very few issues. Our flights were on Delta; the flight routes were as planned.

Upon arrival in Peru, a representative awaited us, and we were promptly taken to our first hotel in Lima.

The same goes for the trip to Machu Pichu. Everything from the bus ride to the train to the guided tour inside ran flawlessly.

Lima To Cusco

We had to fly from Lima to Cusco to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Our tickets were not given to us in advance, and we didn’t know which flight we were on.

We get dropped off outside the airport and expect to see a UTO Vacations representative. Fortunately, we recognized the representative who picked us up on day one. She helped the entire group because no one was there to assist us. I found this odd.

This would not have been an issue if we had boarding passes or directions on which flight.

We stayed in Lima, The Sacred Valley, and Cusco. Of the three hotels, only one was evenly remotely acceptable. And good means a notch up above a hostel or a motel.

Lima – Arawi Express Hotel

This place is bare bones. It’s clean and has air conditioning, but that’s all I can say that is good. There are no facilities, not even a pool or a bar. And skip the breakfast. It is undercooked scrambled eggs daily.

We arrived at our first hotel and were told that we could check in at the hotel. I guess what they meant by check-in was for us to give them our information and sit around and wait until 3 p.m. That’s ridiculous! UTO Vacations changed our flights for us to attend an optional tour, and they knew that we would be there early.

After arguing about the ability to check in, this was deferred due to a UTO Vacation problem; I finally asked if rooms were available. Of course, they were, but we needed to pay an early check-in fee . I didn’t pay for this. I carried on and got the front desk to contact the manager.

Regardless of “who’s” fault, you cannot expect a customer who had booked an all-in package to arrive at 9 a.m. and sit around and wait till 3 p.m. to check-in.

The fault issue is a “theme” that continued throughout the trip.

Average Cost to Stay at Arawi Express Hotel in 2023 = $41 a night. Approximate Value Three Nights = $123 – $150.

Sacred Valley – Amak Valle Hotel

This hotel is more of a resort and sits on the bank of an adorable river. Extremely rustic, almost safari-like, with giant soaking tubs and great food.

This is what I expected most of our hotels to be like. Sadly, we only had two nights here.

Average Cost to Stay at Amak Valle Hotel in 2023 = $65 a night. Approximate Value Two Nights = $130 – $150.

Cusco – Muru Homely Hotel

Another bare-bones hotel with limited facilities.

This hotel is located at the top of a hill outside the tourist district—a good mile to walk each up and down.

Not necessarily a hotel issue. However, Cusco sits nearly 8,000 feet higher than Machu Picchu. In layman’s terms, walking up and down at 11,200 feet altitude.

You don’t have extra days to adjust to this new altitude. So placing us in a hotel outside the central area on a hill was silly and unthoughtful. You must take taxis to go from one location to another.

Hiking it around will damn near kill you – even if you have the altitude medicine.

And almost everyone in our group experienced nose bleeds in Cusco, which is expected.

Average Cost to Stay at Muru Homely Hotel in 2023 – $80 a night. Approximate Value Two Nights = $160 – $200.

Who Travels With UTO Vacations?

I looked at many of the photos from the China packages, which looked like a very diverse group. Once we switched to Peru, I thought this would be a much older crowd. I experience this: The more exclusive, expensive, or elaborate a destination is, the more senior the group is. This was not the case for Peru.

We had a broad age range from 26 to 73. And those 73-year-olds were badasses capable of outclimbing any forty-year-old.

There were ten of us in our group. What a lovely, funny, lighthearted group of people. Early into our time together, we all bonded over some Viagra humor. One guest asked where you could get it (which you can all over in Peru without a script), and the jokes flew from there.

We had several group lunches. Everyone shared sunscreen, local foods, and experiences. Everyone helped each other climb the top of Machu Pichu. We all shared medications like altitude meds with those who did not have them. It was like being with lifelong friends or family.

Our group all shared a traditional Peruvian dish called “cuy” (guinea pig):

We didn’t have one complainer or stick in the mud. And everyone had a glass-half-full attitude.

One of the highlights of this trip is the people we met and had the privilege of traveling with. We’ve all kept in touch. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for this. One of my main concerns was the vibe of the people I would travel with.

The vibe on our trip was light and extraordinarily comical, and everyone was kind. This alone has changed my mind about using a tour company again.

Optional Tours Booked Via UTO Vacations

Some tours are included when you book with a tour company, but you can add plenty of sightseeing tours. We booked the following, and this was our experience.

Water Circuit by Night Light Show – Lima – UTO Cost $89 Per Person

You can see from the description that this tour includes the water show and dinner.

We get to the water show; you can attend for $1 and are advised there is no dinner.

I complained and went slightly psycho because we did not have a plan B – this was the plan for the night! Our guide explains that it’s not the guide or local company but UTO Vacations. UTO Vacations claims dinner is not included. Bollocks ! Not only does our documentation say it, but this is how the tour is advertised.

We were able to get this resolved and were taken to the dinner show the following evening.

The Water Show – Magic Water Circuit in Lima

Upon arrival, we discover that the entry fee is a dollar a person. Essentially, we could’ve taken an Uber ride there and done it ourselves for a dollar a person.

We did have a tour guide which helped. The park was interesting to a degree. However, even if it was free, this is not memorable.

Street vendors were selling local dishes and drinks, which was enjoyable. But when all is said and done, it’s a park with fountains that light up at best.

Dpaso Hacienda – Dinner Show in Lima

Recall our dinner was rescheduled due to the original mistake. I still don’t know if the Dpaso Hacienda – Dinner Show was a part of our original itinerary. Regardless, this was fantastic! The show alone is worth attending.

This is a whole night out with an indoor cultural dancing show and an outdoor horse show. Both were fascinating!

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The show includes the shows and dinner but not drinks.

Locally booked, this dinner show costs about $20. If you book via Viator, it costs $89.

Cocktails Tour – Cusco – Cost $89 – Per Person

As you can see from the description, this is a cocktail tour, and dinner is included.

Our guide arrives, and the first issue is they want us to walk the mile down the hill and back up. It is not happening.

Then we are told dinner is not included. I didn’t even debate this. I said we are not going. Call UTO Vacations and refund us.

Our tour guide called UTO, and they advised that it was a printing error. I told the rep that it was irrelevant. Let’s move forward with the refund.

Our fantastic guide suggests that rather than waste the whole night; we eat at a great restaurant downtown – off we go by cab.

We got downtown no sooner than UTO Vacations, called him, and advised that they were paying for dinner (you know because it’s included), and we headed to the restaurant.

The Restaurant – Calle Del Medio Cocina Peruana

The bartender met us at Calle Del Medio Cocina Peruana. We had the entire bar area to ourselves. Not only did we learn and make local drinks – varieties of Pisco Sour, but we also enjoyed fabulous food.

We ended up having a fantastic night here. This was well worth the money and was one of our favorite nights.

UTO Vacations Customer Service

Sadly, I had many interactions with UTO’s Customer Service over the two years they had our money.

Remember I told you we rebooked our China tour and waived our right to cancellation and refund?

When we went to rebook for October 2020, the cost for the dates we picked was less than our original package. It took a good ten phone calls to get the difference credited.

I had to play “catch” you with the manager. She knew my phone number and would let it go to voice mail. I called from a different number, got through directly, and advised her that I was acutely aware she was directing me to voice mail.

She did take all my calls following this “got you,” but it’s not very professional.

I also got the credits for the price difference for both me and all the others in our group.

Lastly, as you read above, we had issues with the Optional Tours. There were lots of back and forth here. UTO Vacations did step up to the plate and make things right, but only after my insistence that they do.

Pro Tip for Customer Service : Suppose you’ve booked with UTO Vacations and are experiencing a challenge. Message me, and I’ll give you the direct numbers for the managers.

This will save you hours being bumped around the phone system and getting nowhere.

Who Does UTO Vacations Use For Flights?

This will shock a lot of you, but they will use whoever gets you there the cheapest. For us, it was Delta; for everyone else on the tour, it was Spirit. This alone should tell you the quality of providers.

What I Liked About UTO Vacations

• I liked having someone else do the logistics. I will admit I was skeptical and a little uneasy at first, but I did like it. It made it foolproof to get from point A to point B. It also saved me a lot of time researching routes. Show up on time, and the rest is taken care of.
• The plan of what to visit and in what order was on point.
• Some general city tours were included as a part of the package.
• The people we traveled with were fantastic. I expected a group of stuffy senior citizens. That is not the case! Our age range was diverse, but everyone on our trip was an avid traveler with a wonderful sense of humor.

What I Did Not Like About UTO Vacations

• The hotels were garbage except for the Amak Valle Hotel in the Sacred Valley. This, folks, is where UTO is stacking up some cash. The total cost of our hotels would have been $500, and I suspect UTO got these hotels for even less than the listing price.
• I do not appreciate bait and switch. Don’t tell me something is included, like dinner, then turn around and say it’s not. Especially don’t do this when it’s in black and white.
• Booking basic fares and expecting the customer to pay for luggage is tacky.
• Collecting tips in advance – I’ll never know who, if what, got anything from the $180 per person. But I know this. We tipped more than this on the ground.
• Customer service is not excellent. You must be a stickler to get UTO Vacations to budge or honor commitments.

Closing Thoughts

UTO Vacations claims this:

“our state-of-the-art technology allows us to remove many of the overhead expenses our competitors would typically pass on to you, the consumer.”

I’m afraid I have to disagree. The technology I use – “the Internet” would have eliminated tons of excess charges passed on to the customer.

Further, their website will tell you that they have helped 500,000 people explore the world. Then, brag that they have over “900 positive online reviews”. I’m not a mathematician, but this is less than 1% of all clients.

If you choose UTO Vacations because you think you are getting a deal, move on.

The only value I see is the $299 China trip. Purely and simply because you cannot and will not find a round-trip flight to China anywhere for $299. In short, they have access to bulk-buy cheap flights to China.

Would I Use UTO Vacations Again?

I might consider taking advantage of the $299 China deal; it is unbeatable. However, if I do, I will upgrade all hotels.

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25 Comments

Brit On the Move, Could you update your site warning persons not too book with UTOVacation, maybe with a BOLDED flag and links (see below) to the many post by persons scammed by UTO Vacation and a reference to the class action for victims. UTO Vacation also seem to be going by another name: New Pioneer Travel located at the same business address. Thank you,

Reviews on Tripadvisor https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g155019-d16718576-r922514582-UTOvacation-Toronto_Ontario.html

UTO Victims Page on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/5668266339936526

UTO Victims on Reddit https://old.reddit.com/r/travel/comments/120wway/uto_vacation_is_unethical_we_lost_1400/

Class Action post on Reddit https://old.reddit.com/r/UTOvacationvictims/comments/1bi1mog/stupid_credit_vouchers_are_going_to_expire_and/

Hi there, I am a bit leary about saying “don’t book” because while tons of people are having issues (as did we) – we did eventually get to travel with them. And, a crtical mistake that I made along with others is not immediately going for a cancellation and refund. I will definitely leave the comment up (most people read them). And I really appreciate you sharing this info with all. I just can’t say point blank. Don’t use it because I did – I have to be honest. I am so sorry that so many people are having these issues. I also think that pre-covid, these guys were on a roll….. Almost all reviews were decent, even on the cheap deals. It’s no excuse for what has become, but let’s see how this plays out. Nikki

Hello! I have a trip to China/Thailand booked with UTO. I have been hearing many many MANY horror stories and hopped online to see for myself…the reviews of UTO are less than encouraging. I am wondering if you would be willing to send me the phone numbers as a proactive measure that I can have tucked in my pocket and ready to fight if needed? Your insight and transparency about your experience is very much appreciated!

Hi Kelsey, Done and good luck – would love to hear how it goes for you:) I am keeping my fingers crossed that you have NO issues. Nikki

I’m supposed to be going to China in November, waiting on pins and needles for our itinerary next month, fingers crossed. Hopefully all goes well and UTO doesn’t pull any last minute shadiness!

Hi Ellie, Fingers crossed for you. I will say (as I said in the article)…. logistically they do have it set up right. It’s the “side crap” they pull that wrecks it. Just be firm an make sure that they deliver to whatever you paid for. And, if you have any issues let me know – there are ways to make it right. Good luck and let me know how China goes. I am still flirting with this purely due to the cheap flight xxxx Nikki

Hi there, would you be able to send me the phone numbers for management? We have a trip to Peru scheduled with them in November, and we still don’t have our flight info. The wait time for a chat response is currently 5 hours. They’ve been dodging our calls and emails. Thanks for all the info! I hope this trip actually happens, considering we’ve been bumped several times since 2020.

Hi Jillian, I just sent you the info…. Good luck and let me know how it goes :) Nikki

Great article. I love how you insisted they honor their commitments. Could you please provide the customer service contact info.

Done, sent it to you via email :) Nikki

So..UTO cancelled our fully paid trip to China for a third time! Has anyone considered a class action suit against them. We keep being told they are continuing to work with their partners and the trip will still take place in the future. It’s been 2 1/2 years since we booked. I’m open to suggestions.

Hi Patty, I don’t know if anyone has but I can tell you this for sure. If they cancelled you are entitled to a 100% refund – no questions asked. Nikki

PS – would love to hear someone’s real life unbiased account of the China trip so if you get chance let me know :) Nikki

Would you mind following up with your personal experience here? Did they pull through and how was it or……? I have a China trip planned with my family (little kids including) and I really don’t want a train wreck for their first big trip!!

Hi there, Everything in the article is from my actual exeprience:) But, yes they did follow through. It just ended up costing 2x what it should for a trip to Peru because we had to se the credits that we had for the China trip that was cancelled. And, when it comes to additional excursions (if you book any) read the fine print and take photos of what’s included. The biggest issue we had on the actual trip was getting them to provide what we actually paid for. Let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks Nikki

could you please send me the phone numbers as well

Hi Paola, Done, check your email :) Nikki

I too lost $599.00 on reservation for 2 to China. during Covid. UTO told me I’d have a credit to use later. They would not refund my money tho I made no future travel date. Calling this com play is useless, they never anwser in the hope that you’ll give up. I’d like to request from you numbers of management or anyone else that can help me fight this unscrupulous company. It’s amazing they’re still in business. Thank you. Dorothy Lindsay

Hi Dororthy, If you paid by credit card dispute the charge. They can’t legally keep your money if you did not re-schedule. I am emaling you the direct number too… Nikki

I’d appreciate the UTO management contact information please.

Hi Patty, I sent you the info via email :) Good luck… Nikki

Hello! Can you share those numbers with me which might allow me to get through to someone? I am desperate to recoup my $1700 and cannot get through. Thank you! Monique

Sent in email :) Good luck xxxxx

Thank you so much for this thorough review! I’m writing to advise against ever taking the $299 China trip or any other trip with UTO. I and dozens of other UTO Vacation victims have been scammed out of our money for our too good to be true trips to China and other East Asian countries. Check out the trip advisor reviews and the Better Business Bureau complaints (the BBB revoked UTO’s accreditation).

Hi Melissa, Thanks for the info:) I will say it was a challenge to get to use our money with them….. :) Nikki

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UTOvacation

Headquarters in Richmondhill, Canada

UTOvacation Reviews (35)

Essence of Japan 8 Days 7 Nights

Marvelous Phuket 6 Days 5 Nights

UTOvacation Tours

Ritzy Türkiye 12 Days 11 Nights

• Explore the ancient Sultanahmet District Dine at Salt Bae's famous Nusr-Et Steakhouse Visit the underground city of Derinkuyu Ride a hot air balloon over Cappadocia Tour the historic ruins of Ephesus

• Explore Osaka Castle Garden and Shinsaibashi Visit Nara Deer Park and Fushimi Inari Shrine Discover Kyoto's historical sites and Gion district Tour Mount Fuji and cruise on Lake Yamanakako See Tokyo's Imperial Palace and Asakusa Kannon Temple

Egypt Escape 8 Days 7 Nights

• Explore the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx Discover treasures at the Egyptian Museum Cruise the Nile and visit ancient temples Experience Luxor's Karnak and Valley of Kings Stroll through Cairo's historic El Moez Street

• Ride along Phuket's scenic beach roads Explore Wat Chalong and its serene gardens Watch the Siam Niramit show in Phuket Cruise to Phi Phi & Bamboo Islands Visit James Bond Island by speedboat

Off To Dubai 8 Days 7 Nights

• Explore Dubai's iconic Burj Al Arab Ascend the towering Burj Khalifa Shop at the expansive Dubai Mall Experience Ski Dubai at Emirates Mall Watch the Dubai Fountain Show

About UTOvacation

UTO Vacation, based in GTA Canada, is a rapid growing company with a double-digit increasing rate in the last 10 years. The exotic packages we offer and phenomenal services we deliver are all designed for the experienced tourists who have an interest in geography, culture and history in many destinations around the world. Since 2014, we have provided unparallel tour deals to about 100,000 happy travelers and many of them have highly recommended us to their families, friends and colleagues. We have recently introduced a new name-UTO Vacation for our company in the hope of evoking our inspiration in creating a more upscale portfolio of enriching journeys worldwide for our guests filled with unforgettable life-changing memories. With a dedicated team and a network of professional partners throughout the regions, our management team of over 20 years of experiences has committed to stay at the travel industry forefront of crafting high quality trips at the lowest possible price affordable for our clients! We invite You To Vacation™ with us in the near future and we are by your side to ensure a holiday of an unmatched order!

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