overseas travel adventure reviews

Overseas Adventure Travel

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Overseas Adventure Travel - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• (0.08 km) Residence Inn Boston Downtown/Seaport
• (0.17 km) Stay Alfred on A Street
• (0.17 km) Global Luxury Suites at Seaport
• (0.29 km) YOTEL Boston
• (0.45 km) InterContinental Boston, an IHG Hotel
• (0.03 km) Lucky's Lounge
• (0.04 km) Pastoral
• (0.04 km) Buco Trattoria
• (0.11 km) Flour Bakery + Cafe
• (0.16 km) Row 34

Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T. Tours)

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Trip prices

$2,895 — 9,190

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Age Range:  Primarily 50+

Average Tour Price: $4,538

Average Tour Duration: 15 Days

Group Size:  Small groups - between 10 and 16 travelers, max of 24 on small ship cruises

Travel Style:  Culturally immersive and local experiences. Walking between 3-6 miles a day.

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Overseas adventure travel (o.a.t. tours) reviews & ratings.

Policy over practical customer service. zero customer service

don't expect humanity or common sense

This letter is effectively what was communicated no less than 8 times in writing and conversation to OAT representatives up the chain, beginning 19 days before the t...

Trip of a Lifetime

Our recent Tanzanian Safari was indeed the trip of a lifetime. Saw the big 5, met the wonderful locals and spent 5 days in the Serengeti. Saw many lions, zebras, gi...

Booked for July and gave them $12,000. They talked us into early arrival and then come back to us a two months later saying we can't offer. We have to keep our airli...

My favorite OAT adventure

I went to this adventure with my sister-in-law and we had the absolute best time! Our guide were all amazing and our trip leader Martin was exceptional! My sister-i-...

We visited Panama on this trip with OAT

We visited Panama on this trip with OAT including walking through El Chorrillo neighborhood and listening to the stories of the survivors of the US invasion. We woul...

See all Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T. Tours) reviews

Editoral Review of Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T. Tours)

Founded in 1978, Overseas Adventure Travel specializes in small group and small ship adventure tours . Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) is now part of the Boston-based Grand Circle Corporation, which also includes Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line.

Quick Facts

Founded in 1978

Very welcome to solo travelers - Free or low single supplement

Average Tour Price - $4,538

Average Tour Duration - 15 Days

Small Groups - between 10 and 16 travelers, max of 24 on small ship cruises

Travel Style - Culturally immersive and local experiences. Walking between 3-6 miles a day

Age Range - Primarily 50+

What Makes Overseas Adventure Travel Stand Out?

• Solo traveler friendly
• Cultural immersion
• Grand Circle Foundation

Overseas Adventure Travel is solo traveler friendly . They offer free or low single supplements. OAT understands that solo travelers desire to follow their own schedule, desires and needs. They help handle all the details to make sure your trip is affordable, easy and enjoyable.

A major focus of OAT is cultural immersion . Travelers can expect to visit local schools, churches, and homes (where you might be treated to a home-cooked meal). Experienced guides -- all fluent in English -- lead groups off the beaten path when possible.

OAT strives to give back to the world they send travelers around.  A portion of all proceeds goes to the Grand Circle Foundation, which supports cultural and educational programs in the countries visited.

Who Will Enjoy Traveling With Overseas Adventure Travel?

• Solo travelers
• Cultural enthusiasts

 OAT specializes in small group tours around the world serving Americans aged 50 and older. They appeal to the old fashioned - the fact that they still offer a physical catalogue is testament - and their travel style reflects an appreciation of the classics coupled with an adventurous spirit to explore each destination deeper and from a local perspective. 

Overall, prices fall into the moderate range, and are especially a bargain for solo travelers , who can save substantially by not having to pay for single supplements. Accommodations are designed to be both comfortable as well as unique and in keeping with the local spirit of the destination. If your hostelling days are over but you feel too adventurous for a standard hotel, OAT will be a great company to travel with. 

OAT travelers are those with a passion for culture . They don’t just want to see a destination, they want to experience it. For these travelers, spending a day in a Maasai village in Kenya, eating dinner with a local family in Chile's oasis town and interacting with local musicians at the bustling Libertad Plaza in San Salvador, Belize is a welcomed adventure.

Top Destinations

OAT operates tours all over the world, specializing in remote, off the beaten path destinations. African safaris are an especially popular offering, though you can also travel to Japan , India , Peru , Iceland , Vietnam , Albania , or Morocco , to name just a few of its far-flung destinations. OAT also runs small-ship cruises through the Galapagos , on the Amazon , and along the Turkish coast.

OAT Travel Style

With Overseas Adventure Travel you’ll find a combination of transportation and accommodation styles, but all with an element of comfort. Groups are small, with a max of 16 (24 on small ship cruises). 

Accommodations vary, but generally favor being local and non-traditional over a basic centrally located hotel. Their exact words are “emphasis on authenticity, rather than amenities”.

Their style is all about unique and meaningful cultural interaction . While you’ll learn the history and see the famous sights, their true focus is about people and connections. This means you’ll enjoy meals with local families, like you’re just a friend over for dinner; visit schools and see the amazing work being done in small communities. The visceral understanding and perspective that comes from learning to cook traditional meals and make traditional crafts is what you’ll find on an OAT tour.

Why Choose a Tour with OAT?

OAT offers a unique up close and personal experience, guaranteeing that its groups will never exceed more than 10-16 travelers. A spirit of spontaneity is part of what makes traveling with OAT special, as they strive to take advantage of every interesting opportunity during a trip. 

Traveling with Overseas Adventure Travel allows for an in depth cultural travel experience in comfort. Many opportunities exist for travelers to find deals, and it’s a great way to meet new friends in a similar age range.

If you traveled extensively in your youth and are not ready to slow down, but perhaps are looking for a few more logistical ducks to be taken care of for you, OAT could be the perfect fit. They offer a variety of options for more independent minded travelers, as well as ample free time to explore and plan your own adventure during cruise port stops and on their group tours.

Alternatively, if this is your first travel experience, OAT will be a great starting point. You’ll gain cultural insights, meet locals, as well as hit on all the best tourist sites that provide cultural and historical context to your destination.

Overseas Adventure Travel Covid Safety Precautions

Through December 31st 2020, Overseas Adventure Travel is offering Risk Free booking. You can transfer your departure with all change fees waived.  

Some countries are beginning to reopen to international visitors with entry restrictions while others have remained closed. Stay up to date and see a full list of which countries are open  »  

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More Details

Solo friendly.

• No single supplement
• Solo & Singles Travel

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About the company.

Overseas Adventure Travel offers unique small group adventures worldwide to Americans over 50. By land and sea, we explore on—and off—the beaten path with a resident OAT Trip Leader, immersing ourselves in local cultures, sampling unique modes of transportation, and staying in authentic lodgings that reflect the essence of your destination. Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises serves both our GCT and OAT brands with an award-winning fleet known for exceptional value and high-quality experiences in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. Custom-designed according to our travelers’ specifications, our fleet includes 50+ small river and ocean-going ships that we own or privately charter.

Grand Circle Corporation is a global enterprise—comprised of a family of travel companies—committed to changing people’s lives by offering high-impact experiences to our travelers and building local communities through philanthropy, social entrepreneurship, and volunteerism.

Simply by traveling with OAT, you support the work of the nonprofit Grand Circle Foundation, which was created with the mission of changing people’s lives through travel—both those of our travelers, and of the people who welcome us so warmly into their homelands.

Journey with the Leader in Adventure Travel and Watch Your Dreams Take Flight : It is the stuff of dreams: gazelles bowing to lap at a glassy pool in the Serengeti as the vast sky turns purple with night, the tiered splendor of the Himalayas, rising behind a Tibetan monastery. Dreams like these are everyday realities for OAT travelers, thanks to the principles which ground every OAT adventure: value, choice, discovery, and carefully paced itineraries.

Our Value puts your travel dreams within reach: OAT can help you realize your travel dreams for a lot less than you thought possible. Together with our regional offices located throughout the world, we’ve been able to establish long-term relationships with many local vendors and hotels. Buying direct brings down our costs—and allows us to pass the savings on to you. And negotiating directly for hotel space also allows us to secure as many single room allotments as possible for our solo travelers. That way, we can also extend our great value to solo travelers. In fact, we offer the best value for solo travelers, guaranteed.

The Choice is yours : You’ll always have plenty of choices with OAT. We offer you a breadth of awe-inspiring travel destinations—from the peaks of the Andes to the sweeping desert sands of the Sahara to the rugged natural beauty of Iceland. You'll also enjoy more trip extension choices than ever before—like hiking to ancient monasteries in Bhutan or discovering the Moai monolithic rock statues on Easter Island. You have plenty of choices within each adventure, too, including several interesting optional tours. And the free time we’ve woven into our itineraries allows you plenty of opportunities for independent exploration. You can shop, unwind, perhaps linger at a sidewalk café, visit an interesting gallery or museum, or explore a cobbled street that caught your eye earlier in the day. You can do as much or as little as you want on an OAT adventure—the choice is yours.

OAT Difference

Adventure Travel : Adventure travel with OAT is a journey beyond the familiar, one that takes you into the very heart of a destination—to meet people where they work and live.

OAT Advantages : Journey with the leader in adventure travel and watch your dreams take flight, thanks to the principles which ground every OAT adventure: value, choice, discovery, and carefully paced itineraries.

Small Groups, Big Discoveries : When you discover the world in an OAT small group, you’ll journey off the beaten path to the places the big tour groups miss—and enjoy an intimate, discovery-filled adventure filled with personal connections, shared experiences, and treasured memories.

Trip Leaders : No matter where in the world you venture with OAT, you'll have one of our resident, expert Trip Leaders by your side. All are fluent in English and possess the skills, certification, and experience necessary to ensure an enriching adventure.

Airport Transfers : We’ve listened to your feedback, and will now offer international airport transfers to and from your hotel to our travelers who choose to purchase their own airfare on OAT adventures as part of our Personalize Your Trip program, which allows you create the OAT adventure that's right for you.

Personalize your trip : OAT travelers have long expressed the desire to decide exactly where they’re going, how they get there, and when they wish to leave. That’s why we developed a variety of choices that enhance the value of every trip we offer, allowing you to create the adventure that works best for you.

Traveling solo? Enjoy your own room or cabin—at no extra cost : You’re in control of your travel dreams—and we’re making them more affordable than ever: Maybe you prefer the freedom of solo travel—or maybe you and your usual traveling companion can’t agree on a destination. Whatever the reason, you don’t have to put your travel dreams on hold. When it’s time to go it alone, you’ll never pay a Single Supplement to have your own room or cabin with OAT.

Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T. Tours) Trips & Specials

Real Affordable Peru

Japan's Cultural Treasures

Mongolia & the Gobi Desert

Untamed Iceland

Heart of India

Northern Greece, Albania & Macedonia: Ancient Lands of Alexander the Great

From Siam to Saigon: Thailand & Vietnam Revealed

Southern Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana

Want a tailor-made trip instead, your trip, your way, planned by an expert:.

• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Top Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T. Tours) Trip Categories

Overseas adventure travel (o.a.t. tours) company ranking by category, similar companies.

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United states tour operators association.

USTOA is a nonprofit professional association representing the tour operator industry.Its members are made up of companies who provide services worldwide but who conduct business in the U.S.

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Policy over humanity or common sense

This letter is effectively what was communicated no less than 8 times in writing and conversation to OAT representatives up the chain, beginning 19 days before the trip. OAT was IMMOVABLE on allowing us to find an alternative travel companion and it was 100% due to rigid policy, not real barriers. We never expected a refund and wouldn't have blamed them if we could not fill my spot. They refused to even give us the opportunity. Appalling and sadly representative of their customer service. Congratulations, you lost two customers and one long time referral source. I only think it is fair that folks know the nature of the company at this point. An absolute shame. As a dedicated Edmund Hillary member of OAT with a history of introducing countless friends to your service including 4 who booked trips, I am writing to express my deep concern over the handling of our Galapagos trip booking in light of a recent medical emergency. This situation not only highlights significant gaps in customer communication and care but also underscores the need for immediate, effective action. Timeline of Events and Communication Issues: Initial Contact on 11/22: We contacted OAT 19 days before the trip, scheduled for 12/11, as soon as it became clear that extended surgical complications would prevent my travel. Policy of No Refunds or Changes Under 30 Days: We were informed that the trip is non-refundable under 30 days, which is understood. However, OAT also refused to allow a replacement traveler, posing zero risk to the company. Both of us called, met with the same response. Response from Exceptions Department on 11/22: The no-change policy was reiterated by the Exceptions Department on the same day. Written Escalation on 11/22: Both parties sent written letters to escalate the matter. Delayed Response Until 11/29: We did not receive any response until 11/29, with OAT mentioning the inability to make changes 12 days before the trip. Policy vs. Practical Reasons: The response seemed more policy-based than practical. We offered to cover the cost for a replacement traveler for the internal Galapagos flight, which was declined. The rep always returned to the policy prohibiting it. She further added we do not sell trips within 30 days. Upon looking the next day, I found no less than 7 different itineraries with no less than 13 different trips that I could have booked within 30 days. Further Escalation Request and Conversation on 11/30: A further request for escalation resulted in a 23-minute conversation on 11/30 without any change. Given these circumstances, I propose the following practical solution: Future Travel Credit in Exchange for Re-Selling My Space: If finding a substitute traveler is unfeasible, I suggest OAT resell my space to another interested party, crediting me for a future trip. This solution aligns with my preference and ongoing loyalty to OAT. The lack of a constructive response and rigid adherence to policy without considering exceptional circumstances is alarming. It not only affects this immediate trip but also impacts my ability to continue advocating for OAT in good conscience. An amicable and prompt resolution to this issue would speak volumes about OAT's commitment to customer satisfaction and flexibility. Unless there is a prompt and constructive resolution to this matter, we will be forced to escalate our concerns further. This includes reaching out to higher management within OAT, engaging with consumer protection agencies, sharing our experience through travel forums, and social media for breach of service. Our preference is to resolve this amicably, yet the current trajectory leaves us little choice but to pursue these avenues. I implore you to seriously consider these options and respond in a manner that reflects OAT's values of empathy and customer support. Your immediate attention to this matter is not only appreciated but necessary for a resolution that respects both parties' interests. Thank you for your understanding and prompt attention to this critical issue.

Date of experience : November 21, 2023

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The Scoop: What to Know About Overseas Adventure Tours (OAT)

This small-group specialist runs tours to all continents..

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• Looking at an Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) tour, but want to know more about this small-group tour company?
• Here’s everything you need to know about the tour company, all updated for 2024.

Overseas Adventure Travel —more commonly referred to as OAT (saying the letters as opposed to naming the grain)—is a small-group tour specialist with tours on all continents. As its name suggests, tours with Overseas Adventure Travel tend to be fairly active, so participants should be comfortable with six to eight hours of activity each day, including walking distances ranging from three to six miles.

OAT has a great reputation for its solo guest focus (more on that below), and offers a generous number of no-additional-cost single spots on its tours. It also has women-exclusive departures on many itineraries.

BEST OF THE BEST: Best Tour Companies for Guided Tours

On OAT tours, accommodations tend to be less about amenities and more about authenticity. Another thing to note is that airfare is often bundled into the up-front price of the tour (unless you specify that you want to book your own travel). OAT is one of the family of Grand Circle Corp. companies, also including Grand Circle Travel and Grand Circle Cruise Line.

TourScoop Takeaways

• Countries: OAT has tours on every continent 
• Tour Size Average: OAT specializes in small-group trips of no more than 16 people. Its small-ship tours are aboard 50- to 98-passenger ships max out at 25 travelers. 
• Tour Type: Coach, van, small ship, rail, and air

Credibility Check

Overseas Adventure Travel is BBB accredited with a rating of A+. It’s an active member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA). The OAT website posts verified guest reviews on each tour page (sometimes with hundreds of reviews) so it’s easy to see what past travelers think of each tour. 

Tour Destinations

For 2024, OAT has 80 itineraries that include tours on every continent. Some of the most popular tours are to destinations in Italy, Egypt, and multi-country tours in Africa and around the Adriatic. 

Overseas Adventure Travel gives all its tours an Activity Level Rating that ranks tours from one (easy) to five (strenuous) to help travelers find the right fit. It has both women-only departures and many no-additional-cost single traveler spots on tours. 

There are multi-country and single country tours. On many tours, OAT creates spaces for discussion and learning with its Controversial Topics program that covers topics such as Scottish independence on its Scotland Revealed itinerary and female genital mutilation on its Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari tour. 

Tour Guides

OAT’s tour guides are called Trip Experience Leaders. All are fluent in English and have a range of skills, certifications, and experience specific to the tour destination and experience. Trip Experience Leaders focus on both the logistical and the experiential, and help connect travelers with destinations by sharing firsthand insight that brings a destination to life. 

Inclusions/Extras

Inclusions are tour-specific (there’s a “What’s Included” section on each tour’s page), but generally include round-trip flights, many (but not all) meals, transportation, accommodations, activities, and gratuities for local guides, porters, etc. As with most tour companies, gratuities for trip experience leaders is separate. 

Typical Travelers

OAT’s guests are mostly American travelers aged 50 and older. In the last few years, Overseas Adventure Travel has seen a major jump in the number of solo travelers—more than half of all OAT guests are now solo travelers, and 80% of these solo travelers are women.

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OAT does right by its strong solo traveler base —in 2024, the company is offering 25,620 single spaces—91% of which are free (the remaining 9% of single spots have what OAT says is the lowest single supplement in the industry). And a number of itineraries also have women-exclusive departures. 

Communication

After booking, travelers have access to all trip details through the “My Planner” section on the website. The section includes details like flight information, destination weather, and itinerary information.

Then, two weeks before departure, travelers receive all their final documents, and are also contacted by their Trip Experience Leader. Any additional questions can be directed to OAT’s customer service email or phone number.

Loyalty Program

OAT’s loyalty program is the Sir Edmund Hillary Club . Membership benefits kick in when travelers reserve their third trip, and increase after traveling with OAT five and ten times. Benefits include credits to use on future trips, travel credits, exclusive gifts, and priority luggage service. 

Private Options

OAT offers Personalized Private Adventures for groups of five to 10 people. These private departures are available using existing itineraries, and include a dedicated Trip Experience Leader. The private group premium amount depends on the number of travelers in a group. Some of the most popular private tours include Ultimate Africa , Sicily’s Ancient Landscapes , and Japan’s Cultural Treasures . 

Sustainability Efforts

OAT is part of Grand Circle, and participates in the Grand Circle Foundation , which supports projects around the world focused on water and sanitation, education, community development, renewable energy, the protection of indigenous cultures, conservation, historic preservation, and disaster relief.

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Health and Safety Practices

On OAT tours that include time onboard a ship, additional precautions include crew trained on best health and hygiene practices to prevent onboard spread of illnesses, nightly electrostatic disinfection of public areas, and disinfection of high-efficiency air filtration systems before each sailing. The OAT website is the place to go to read more about the current health and safety practices for land and ship tours.  

Family Companies

The Grand Circle family of companies includes Overseas Adventure Travel , Grand Circle Cruise Line , and Grand Circle Travel .

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Overseas Adventure Travel

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

• Courthouse • 4 min walk
• South Station • 7 min walk

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Overseas Adventure Travel - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (0.08 km) Residence Inn Boston Downtown/Seaport
• (0.17 km) Stay Alfred on A Street
• (0.17 km) Global Luxury Suites at Seaport
• (0.29 km) YOTEL Boston
• (0.45 km) InterContinental Boston, an IHG Hotel
• (0.03 km) Lucky's Lounge
• (0.04 km) Pastoral
• (0.04 km) Buco Trattoria
• (0.11 km) Flour Bakery + Cafe
• (0.16 km) Row 34

Review of Overseas Adventure Travel (O.A.T.)

Note: The following review was written soon after our first O.A.T. trip. As of December 2022 we have taken four more trips with O.A.T. and it’s parent company Grand Circle Travel , and all of them have exceeded our expectations.

In July 2018 Connie and I, along with four of our friends, took our first trip with Overseas Adventure Travel, on the Tanzania-Serengeti Tented Safari trip. We saw and photographed incredible wildlife as well as interacting with many of the indigenous people (see more in the hundreds of photos on 11 pages of our travel photo journals) . It was a wonderful trip that met or exceeded all of our expectations. This was our first trip with O.A.T. but others in our group had traveled several times with them, and all had the same high opinion of the company. There are many things to like about O.A.T.

Program Director and Guides

Our program director (Athumani “Lubé” Lubenga ) and his two associates were very knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. They could spot distant wildlife that we could see only with binoculars or a telephoto lens, and would tell us all we wanted to know about every animal.

Lubé was well organized, flexible and caring. When he spotted a Maasai warrior coming-of-age ceremony in a village we were passing Lubé stopped and asked the chief if we could observe. We then experienced a special event that wasn’t on our agenda, and few people get to see up close (see “Maasai Eunoto Ceremony” at Tanzania People & Places) . When one of our party received word of a serious family situation back home Lubé did all he could to help her get through the issue.

People & Culture

O.A.T. makes a point of involving travelers in the life and culture of the local communities. They made a point of showing us both the good and not-so-good aspects of life in Tanzania. We visited a small company that makes low-cost clay-pot water filters for the many villagers who share a muddy water supply with their farm animals (see “Maasai Village Visit” at Tanzania People & Places ). Some of us were able to purchase a filter pot to donate to one of the villages we visited . We visited a small sewing workshop for women whose families have been impacted by the serious cultural stigma associated with albinism.

We learned basket-weaving from a road-side group of weavers and woodcarving from a local group of carvers. We danced, sang and learned with the people of a small Maasai tribal village. We shared a meal of rice and beans and danced and sang with the assistant chief of an Iraqw village. Finally, we sang and conversed with seventh-graders in a school that is funded by the Grand Circle Foundation, established by O.A.T.’s parent company .

Flexibility

O.A.T. provides a complete all-inclusive travel service, but they also allow a lot of flexibility for travelers who want to do their own thing. We saved a little money by making our own flight bookings, and broke up the long trip to Tanzania with a four-day AirBnB stay in Amsterdam. Even with our own flight bookings O.A.T. was happy to arrange airport transfers for us in Tanzania.

Small Groups

Our Tanzania group had a total of 14 people plus the program director and two other guides, which apparently is about average. We traveled with a different mix people every day in our three Toyota Land Cruisers, so we got to know everyone pretty well.

Great for Singles

This isn’t a factor for us, but O.A.T. offers no-cost or low-cost single supplements for those traveling alone who don’t want to share a room. They also help people find roommates for those who do want to share.

Customer Loyalty and Referral Programs

O.A.T. has some of the best customer loyalty programs we’ve seen. With every trip you take you earn credits toward the next trip. Multiple trips in one year earns more credit. They also have a an excellent referral program whereby both the referrer and referee earn credits ( click here if you’d like to save some money on your first trip). For the record, we have no affiliation with O.A.T. or its parent company Grand Circle Travel, but we will benefit from any referrals we generate.

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Buyers Beware of OAT - Overseas Adventure Travel

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All the agent cared about was booking the flight. I put a deposit down. He said I have 10 days for... read more

After reading the bipolar reviews for the first 3 months of 2024, I feel responsible for sharing my... read more

Buyers Beware of OAT

OAT's actual tours are great but, in recent years, their administration and customer service have become difficult to work through. Now, like others, our May 2020 OAT trip was cancelled by OAT. OAT's Travel Passenger Agreement, which I had to electronically sign as having read and accepted in order to book our reservation in June, 2019, clearly states that, in the event that OAT cancels a trip, we are entitled to a refund if we so desire. OAT's first communication to us regarding the trip cancellation acknowledged this fact when it said " We (OAT) hope that you will hold your reservation to travel with us in the future." OAT created a contract between us in 2019 and it doesn't get to unilaterally change that contract now. Yet, that is exactly what they are trying to do. In 2021, OAT is not even offering the trip that we purchased for 2020. Their position is that you've purchased a trip. We no longer offer it. You may not have your money back. So, select something from among our other offerings. Really??? When you call you can only speak to a customer service rep who simply says that "We've changed our policy." When you ask to talk to a supervisor, the rep responds that "They don't accept inbound calls." That's a Catch-22, clearly designed to prevent the customer from gaining any relief.

O.A.T. takes its responsibilities to its customers very seriously. We ask for patience as we navigate the time-consuming process of dealing with traveler issues fairly and equitably in the midst of the current pandemic. Please contact us at [email protected] so that we may review your situation.

I have gone on several OAT and Grand Circle trips always satisfied. Last year i booked the Ultimate Australia w/a post trip to New Zealand and paid IN FULL for the trips. While in Australia, New Zealand closed it's borders so that portion of the trip was cancelled . We were assured we would receive a refund ($2,999.). I have called OAT twice only to hear that due to a policy change OAT is no longer providing refunds. I find this to be TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111 I would say CAVEAT EMPTOR for folks considering travel w/OAT. If anyone has suggestions on how to obtain a refund please email :[email protected].

We booked a trip to Ireland for this May 2020. In April they told us they were canceling the trip due to the covid 19 and we would get a full refund. [as per the terms of agreement which we signed]. Two weeks later they changed their mind and said no refunds and booked us on a trip for May 2021 without even asking us. They told us if we don't travel we will lose our 7000$. They don't return phone calls or emails. They won't honor the agreement and refuse to refund our money.

Thank you for your candid review. O.A.T. takes feedback from its customers very seriously. We know that the current pandemic is a trying situation, and we ask for patience while we work towards addressing each traveler's unique circumstances. Please contact us at [email protected] so that we may review your situation.

I had booked and paid in full for a trip to Morocco for this past April with OAT. My experience was exactly as expressed by others ~ trip was canceled by OAT and I received an email with three options, the last one being a full refund in May. When I phoned to say that I wanted the refund, I was told that the policy had changed and no refunds were being issued. I too had been directed to two different supervisors, was given Harriet's email and was told there would be no exceptions for refunds. They then booked me on the same trip for April 2021 without consulting with me. At this time I do not want to make travel plans to Morocco or anywhere else. I have traveled with this company before and was very pleased. However, I would highly recommend choosing a different company with more integrity and higher standards. My money, $8000 + and monies from several other folks will sit in the bank of OAT when it could go to better use in my hands. DO NOT PLAN A TRIP with this company. NOTE ~ I had contacted the credit card company that I used to pay for the trip after all else failed with OAT, and since beginning this review last week, I just received a full refund from them. This was a last resort to attempt getting a refund, and it worked! I'm not sure that all credit cards work the same way, but it's worth a try. I still stand by my review of recommending traveling with another company. OAT has lost my business along with other friends who have taken numerous trips with them.

Three of our family booked in 2019 for an OAT trip in Fall of 2020 to the "Crossroads of the Adriatic", and we paid in advance in full. At the time, the firm's Terms & Conditions plainly stated that we could cancel with only a $300 fee for a full refund. Along comes COVID19 and we decide that it is jut too dangerous to travel in September 2020 and we called their office to request our full refund minus the cancellation fee (this is in April of 2020 as whole European countries are closing their borders to international travelers, 5 months in advance of trip). The company representative offered us travel vouchers instead for any OAT booking in 2021 or 2022, without penalty, PLUS $500 credit for use of trip costs at that time. I thought this sounded kind of desperate on their part, so I said no, I wanted a full refund minus the $300/person cancellation fee. I was told I should call back as the Supervisor who could approve that was out. A few days later I was told that sorry, policy had changed and no refunds were available. Only a travel voucher for future travel. This is an arbitrary change by them AFTER taking our money under different/prior terms. Since a purchase policy at the time of purchase is a "contract", subsequent change is illegal. I wish to hire a lawyer or join a class action lawsuit against this company. Anyone who wishes to join forces can contact me at joecburke on the google email system.

I have traveled with OAT 9 times, but the trip in Jan. will be my last. I have always enjoyed the trip itself and the tour leaders, but the ethics and trustworthiness of the company are very questionable. They advertise free supplemental rooms. No, they actually put aside a few rooms and once those are booked, they consider the trip full, even if there are several rooms available. This happened on an African trip. I would not go given that I could not get a room, yet, they called me several months later asking me to reconsider and they would give me a single room, because now they had availability (due to not filling their trip with couples). My trip to Indonesia was cancelled 3 wks. before departure. Why? I was told it was because too many people had been booking their new trip and there were too many problems with the host country, so they were randomly canceling trips every couple of days and I just happened to be one of the unlucky ones. I was dissatisfied more and more with their trips, as time went on, in that they were adding more "optional tours", to places that are Unesco or other places needed to be seen if going to the country and which the company knew would be something the group would pay extra to see. More time was spent doing what they called "cultural experiences", hours wasted talking to someone instead of taking us somewhere that would have cost money for the company. Less meals were included and more free time implemented, another cost saving measure for OAT. The final straw was signing up for a Costa Rica trip for June 2020 and being offered a full refund to get me to sign up in case of cancellation. Around March 28, they changed their policy and will not give me a refund, only a voucher for a later date. I need the money now and I don't know what my circumstances will be in the future. OAT is great when everything goes well and there are no problems. However, I found out, that once there is a problem, it is almost impossible to contact the company by phone or email and for them to honor their promises. It is unfortunate that what started out as such a great company decades ago, has declined so much and become so untrustworthy. .