Overseas Adventure TravelReviews of oattravel.com

I purchased a trip to Costa Rica during the Labor Day sale. The sales person told me I needed to pay the next day to keep the reservation. Fair. I explained I was waiting for a new credit card on which I wanted to put the cost of the trip. I explained I would not purchase the trip if I could not change credit cards the next week. The sales person PROMISED me I could change credit cards when my new card arrived. I provided my emergency credit card to the sales agent. More than 1 month and 3 calls later, the company has not billed the correct credit card and has not credited the first credit card account. Three people have lied to me and told me this very simple change could be done. This would have been my third trip using OAT. I cannot with a clear conscience recommend this company. Beware that nothing stated is confirmed and nothing will be put in writing. The previous trip I took with them involved being swindled by one of their preferred stores. I hope you learn from my mistakes. And if you go to Morocco, make sure the tour guide teaches you how to haggle correctly. Going to a carpet store is not an educational excursion, it is a money grab. Whatever price you are told, reduce by 80% and then you might not get ripped off. I could have bought a similar rug for less than half the price if I had simply purchased it in the USA.

I've been an enthusiastic OAT traveler for 15 years. No more. Just this week I've reached out to OAT 4 times regarding an upcoming trip, including 3 calls and an email. OAT's customer service leaves quite a bit to be desired: long hold times, poor connections with agents, dropped calls, and no call backs. Just today an agent tried to charge me $200 for something my travel companion had for no charge. Air routing is abysmal and support when flights are cancelled is non-existent. Although the groups are small and the guides generally are outstanding, I would not recommend OAT. 15 years ago, absolutely; now, no way. Update - OAT owes me several thousand dollars in refunds. It has been a month since I cancelled my trips and more than two weeks since I spoke with one of their representatives and I have yet to see the credit on my account. I emailed the company and was told that they make refunds within 30 working days. This is ridiculous since they process payments immediately. OAT's business practices are unfair, to say the least.

I would rate NEGATIVE ZERO STARS if I could. SCAM ARTISTS! RUN Away from this company and Stay Far Away! This ranks as one of the top 3 most miserable experiences of my life and I have had cancer 2x, a leaky lymphatic system and lost my father, grandma, and my aunt whom I loved with all of my heart. I bought the “cancel for any reason” trip insurance from OAT.Despite being diagnosed with Breast Cancer and scheduled for a Mastectomy, I got no refund from OAT despite the fact that I bought the “cancel for any reason” trip insurance which cost me $2,938.I called the TripMate travel insurance company (which I believe is part of the OAT company) and you cannot get anyone on the phone.OAT has many strategies to “nickel & dime” you.I was CONSTANTLY given “Bait & Switch” information from my OAT customer service calls.The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing.Each time you call OAT, no one knows anything that was said or promised on your last call to the company.I spent MANY HOURS on hold as the customer service would constantly put me on hold to “check with a supervisor.”These multiple hold times would last 30 to 40 minutes at a time.10,000 Hours later & after submitting my medical information to TripMate, I received a refund for my trip but not a refund of the $2,938 I spent for the “cancel for any reason” travel insurance.In my investigations I saw that OAT has taken out a large loan with Fortuna Bank. Maybe the ownership/management of this company has changed for the worst since it was recommended to me by friends in Costa Rica.Overall I will call the OAT Company Unscrupulous, Deceitful, Dishonest, and Masterful at the “Bait & Switch!” STAY FAR AWAY from this company!!!

Overseas Adventure Tours you response to my review is useless. Trip Mate is of no use. This is your responsibility.

In January of 2026 I booked a trip to Northern Spain and Portugal. The activity level at that time was a 3. I thought that I could get through it with some concern, but not impossible. I paid the deposit of $2059. In June I received an email letter that updated the level to a 4. They listed the strenuous parts. I felt that I could not walk up steep steps and walk over 5 miles a day, so I called to cancel. there is a cancel for any reason. I was told that there is a $5oo cancelation fee. I agreed to let the deposit go toward a future trip in 2027, but had until July 1 to change my mind. I changed my mind. I signed a contract with them for an activity level of 3. When they changed the conditions , they voided the contract. I asked for my entire deposit back because I do no know what my health will be in a year. I was told that a change in activity level is not grounds for a full refund. I asked for a supervisor but was told that the manager would do nothing to change the policy. I had a very nice trip with them to Africa and I am so sorry that they are not responsive. It seems they would rather send me home from spain.

I would rate less than one star if I could. They took 900 for trip insurance and refused to pay when my nephew died of an overdose, on the grounds it might be suicide, although that does not appear in the death report. They are victimizing a family in grief. they owe me 5000 dollars. Please warn consumers not to give them payment up front!

We stopped using OAT after 11 trips because their hotels were terrible. We heard they changed so we put down a deposit on one of the small ships. We were told it was fully refundable if we canceled before the balance was due. We cancelled in 3 days. It has now been 6 weeks and our credit card has not been credited. When I called I was told that "We have a lot of cancellations and since we do them by hand it takes a long time. You should see it in the next month." I told them that they had earned a months interest on my money and it should be returned immediately. I was told "We don't earn any interest on anybody's money". So I guess they put it in their sock drawer! They have permanently lost a customer!

In the past I was always pleased with the service from OAT but when we were not allowed into India due to the OAT brochure OAT paid for flights home for those who booked flights outside OAT but gave nothing to those of us who used OAT air service. I felt this was not right they did not offer any compensation for using OAT air travel. I was not pleased