Written by the company
UTOvacation is a leading travel brand and we offer high quality yet affordable travel packages featuring land,cruise vacations, customized group tours to Asia, Europe, South America and many other global destinations.
Mo Pen
Bunch of thieves if you ask me
Bunch of thieves if you ask me. They stole over $957 from me by cancelling my trip and never credited me. They can go to hell as far as I am concerned.🤬🤬
Philip Ciulla Jr
We had our trip cancelled to Beijing…
We had our trip cancelled to Beijing die to Covid. I had insurance. They asked me to work with them. I should have just put the claim in and got all my money refunded. They gave me half back and I had them extend the credit. Which they did. It will expire next month $2,000 and I wanted to use it to book just air. They will not accommodate me.
Eric Lajara
Place is an absolute scam
Place is an absolute scam. We had our China/Thailand trip cancelled and they said we would have a credit applied towards an India trip. They have ignored every call or email to them and then tell you your credit is expired when you finally are able to get in touch with them. Not even sure how this company is legally still operating. The operators should be locked up.
Yadira Castro
I lost 1900 dollars during covid they…
I lost 1988 dollars during covid they cancelled my trip, never gave me the money back, then provided me a credit with expiration, when does your own money expired. I asked for a refund I am still waiting. They don’t respond. They are scam.
Shawn
This company is a scam
This company is a scam. We booked a trip that was supposed to go to China and Japan during the month of November, 2024. UTO reached out to us a couple weeks before the trip they said they had to cancel due their partners availability. They offered a refund or a discount on “future travel” through them. We went with a refund, the vendor said it would be 4-8 weeks. Have yet to see anything.
They no longer reply to emails and they do not answer their phones.
Devinder Singh
Beware of UTO Vacation
Beware of UTO Vacation – Misleading Practices!
I strongly advise against booking any trips with UTO Vacation. They attract customers with $1 to $299 trip promotions, but in reality, they upsell additional services and schedule trips 1–2 years in the future while holding onto your money for their personal use instead of keeping it in a trust account.
They can change agreement for extra cost $390 per person for tipping and other services, whenever they want, leaving you with no control. Your only option is to hire an expensive lawyer and take them to court.
Customer service is nonexistent—they ignore inquiries until the last minute, unless you physically visit their office to demand answers. As the trip date approaches, they often cite viruses or other excuses to force customers to reschedule or accept travel credits instead of refunds.
If you agree to a date change or accept credits, consider your money gone. Their credits expire in one year, and any rescheduled trip will cost significantly more—often $15,000 to $25,000 per person!
They advertise on Travelzoo and Travelzoo is not taking any responsibility for these scammer.
If UTO Vacation attempts to change your trip date or offer credits, demand a refund immediately. Don’t fall into their trap!
Phyllis Merkerson Dougherty
This travel company was a complete rip…
This travel company was a complete rip off and I fell for it !
Patricia
TOTAL SCAM
TOTAL SCAM, THEY TOOK MY $ IN 2020 AND CANCELED IT EVERY YEAR ON THE WEEK OF DEPARTURE. Finally they offered a refund in Nov 2024, said it would arrive by Jan 2025. They have completely IGNORED me. NO REFUND EVER ISSUED.
GARY RENELT
UTO Vacations – SCAM
like many others who have posted, this company scammed us out of $1700. Booked a China trip that looked to good to be true, turns out it was. UTO cancelled the trip due to COVID, would not provide a refund, just a future travel credit. The similar trip is now 5 times the cost of the original. As suggested on another site, I contacted TICO and the Canadian government allowed a travel credit rather than a refund. STAY AWAY from this agency – much more legit and affordable agencies out there.
Barbara K. B
China tour originally booked in April 2019
I originally booked in April 2019 for Oct 2020 trip to China. Covid has changed so many travel plans. Unfortunately, four booked tours have never been made. We had planned trips to China, Paris & China, all canceled due to covid. Japan with air required substantial charges for air and hotel, so I took another credit, which was partially used for a Japan tour without air included. This UTO tour was fantastic! Our final tour to China/Thailand in Oct 2024 was canceled. UTO supported me throughout all these changes. On Feb. 15, 2025 I received a refund of $1,954 for the the China/ Thailand trip. My main issue was not being able to talk to anyone at Uto on the phone. I did get immediate responses chatting on line, especially with Mary, Emily and Cindy. I saved every chat for documentation. I also want to thank those in the office of UTO, who worked with me since 2019, and especially to Debby and Becky these past 4 months. I’m just saddened not to have traveled to China.
Sue
How to get refund from UTO vacations
I am writing this to help people get their refund from UTO vacations because I was successful getting my money back. It will just take time but be patient and you will eventually be refunded. File a complaint at TICO’s website against UTO vacations and when TICO gets involved, they will agree to give you a refund immediately via email but they will tell you it will take 8 weeks to process the refund. Make sure you keep correspondences with UTO as proof because TICO will ask for them. You will need to email them again and cc:TICO to follow it up when the check has not arrived after 8 weeks. They will eventually send the check immediately. This is how I did it and I was redunded (US$9,282) successfully. Good Luck!
Denese Menard
DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE YOUR HARD…
DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY!!!We booked a trip to China, only to have it cancelled due to Covid. They refuse to give us our $1860 deposit back, and now all their trips are over $10k (the initial trip was less than $1k per person). You will never get anywhere with their customer service reps, if you can reach them at all. Total scam! The credit “expires” in April of 2025 – they have held it all this time
Dr. Carlos Richardson
DO NOT BOOK WITH UTOvacation! THIS IS A FRAUDULENT COMPANY!
Update, UTOvacation rescheduled my trip after I wrote my first review (below) but unfortunately they are up to the same tricks as before. I was scheduled with my spouse to go on the Thailand/China trip leaving on March 25, 2025 and I was told that my trip was canceled because I did not pay another added on fee. I NEVER received any emails, notifications or any indication as to a due date for this final added on fee. I contacted UTO more than a month prior to this trip in the hopes of paying this fee as I only learned that it was due when I realized that I locked out of my account. I was told that my trip was canceled and I tried for hours to get UTO to work with me to pay this added on fee so that we can take this trip and I was consistently given the runaround and told that I my trip was canceled and I lost ALL OF THE MONEY that I have already paid. I asked for a manager to call me, it has been over a week and as expected I have never received a call. At this point I just want a refund but they do not offer refunds. I’d love to take the trip but unfortunately UTO has a habit of finding sneaky ways to cancel trips and keep your money. This has been the absolute worst experience and I would really like to attend my trip but at this point I am not even sure that this is a legit company. Below is my previous review of UTO.
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Do NOT book with UTO. I booked a China/Thailand trip with UTO Vacations. UTO sent me some extra paperwork related to COVID at the very last minute about the trip and they did not leave me any realistic amount of time to submit the paperwork before they canceled my trip. I attempted to reschedule my trip. I spoke with two agents who both assured me that I would be able to rebook my trip or receive credits, I was told that I had time to make this decision, I even have transcripts of these conversations and when I attempted to get it rescheduled I was told that I could not reschedule the trip, that they would not offer me trip credits and that they would not refund my money without offering me any alternative. I spent hours on the chat line trying to reason with this company and explaining that it is essentially fraud when you do this and they kept giving me an answer saying that there is nothing that they could offer me. I am out $598 and I can’t believe that a company can just fraud customers out of their hard-earned money. I DO NOT want this to happen to anyone else so I am writing this review so that other travelers and customers will not have to experience what I have experienced with this company. I am going to report this company to the Better Business Bureau as well as my credit card company for fraud. This is unacceptable. I tried everything to get UTO Vacations to work with me but they refused. I utilize travel companies and have traveled all over the world and this is by far the worst and most unprofessional experience I have ever had with a travel company. This company really should not be in business and I will do my part to expose the truth.
Signed, Dr. Carlos Richardson
soria_mireyahotmail.com
This company is a fraud
This company is a fraud. We bought a trip to Japan for 6 people. It was paid full and a week before we were canceled and They did not refund the money, they are thieves
Colleen
UTO vacations is a terrible company
UTO vacations is a terrible company. UTO is just a “middle man”, contracting out all excursions, flights, hotels…. and if you have a problem with any one of them, they will not stand behind their company and offer a solution. Over a year ago I signed up for an Icelandic adventure and paid 8,270.00 for my husband and myself. We were not informed that airport transfers or luggage on our flights were not included. That added 760.00 to the trip. Now I’ve been waiting on a cancelled excursion refund from October 2024. All I get from them is “be patient”. After reading these other reviews, I don’t hold out much hope.
SP
Avoid this business at all cost!!
Buyer beware!!!
My brother, nephews and I scheduled a Japan trip with this business and were told that our trip was cancelled due to Covid, even though this was after the pandemic. They told us the only option was to get a credit towards another trip. We went ahead and booked another Japan trip, of course costing more money, and ended up being told just weeks before departure that our trip was cancelled because we hadn’t paid all the expenses up front. Yet the only thing we hadn’t paid was gratuity which their terms stated didn’t need to be up front. Therefore, they took our $2500 and offered us no refund.
We tried repeatedly to talk through this with them on the phone, but they would not acknowledge the terms, and would not refund our money, and they were so rude and condescending in all their communication. This business is a Joke!!
So, unless you have thousands of dollars to lose, please do yourself a favor and avoid this business.
Dave Fast
Buyer Beware!
Scheduled a vacation to Peru for Jan.’24. We did not send them copies of our passports when they requested them (oversite on my part) The only follow-up UTO made was ten days prior to the payment deadline they sent an email stating the payment was due in 10 days, if payment was made disregard the email. I didn’t finish the note as full payment had been made. The passport requirement was later in the email.
Three weeks prior to the trip I contacted UTO and they stated my trip was cancelled because they never received our passports. I requested a refund of money not tied up in non-refundable reservations. Their phone number from that point forward was answered by a machine suggesting I use their online help person. That person stated I had to speak to someone on phone. No one would answer the phone or return my calls. I did not receive any refund at all!
Joe Holly
UTO is a Rip Off Organization they…
UTO is a Rip Off Organization they cancelled our trip right before COVID and then said the trip was not available after COVID cleared here in the US. They said they would contact us when it became available. Our contact with them has been sporadic because if you can speak to someone, they promise to follow up then they do not respond to emails or messages. Just try calling their customer support and hold until the line goes dead. Tired of trying, $4,000 gone
Tien Chu
Thailand
Trip was great
kevin
UTO vacations are crooks!
I’ve had two trips cancelled by UTO, one to China last year, which I had to threaten litigation to get a refund and now a trip to Thailand. They cancelled my Thailand trip because I didn’t enter my passport within the 180 day timeline, today is 179….. no email reminder. They did have my passport for the China trip which they could have used, it’s still posted on my profile. This trip was already paid in full. They offered no refund or credit, which I would never travel with them now anyway. I wasn’t even wanting a refund initially, I just wanted to go on the trip. I am out $837 for a trip that I paid in full for on 12-9-2022, the trip was scheduled for 06-14-2025. I strongly recommend that nobody gives this company any money, I’ve already contacted TICO in Canada as well. Be warned!
Below are the analyze and conclusion of us about above reviews
The first review is a statement from the company itself, UTOvacation, describing their business model and target audience. It’s a self-promotional piece, so while not inherently untruthful, it needs to be considered with a grain of salt. It highlights their focus on affordable travel packages to various global destinations, positioning them as a leading brand in the industry. The language used is typical of marketing materials, aiming to attract potential customers.
Mo Pen’s review is extremely negative, characterized by strong emotional language and a direct accusation of theft. The reviewer claims to have lost $957 due to a cancelled trip and alleges that UTOvacation never issued a credit. The use of profanity and emojis emphasizes the reviewer’s anger and frustration. The lack of specific details surrounding the trip and cancellation makes it difficult to verify the claim, but the intensity of the negative sentiment is a significant red flag.
Philip Ciulla Jr’s review details a negative experience stemming from a COVID-related trip cancellation to Beijing. While the reviewer acknowledges receiving half of their money back initially and extending the credit, they express dissatisfaction with UTOvacation’s refusal to allow them to use the credit for airfare only. The expiring credit adds to the frustration. The review highlights issues with flexibility and customer accommodation, suggesting a rigid and potentially unfavorable credit policy.
Eric Lajara’s review echoes the sentiment of a scam, citing a cancelled China/Thailand trip and a promised credit towards an India trip that was never honored. The reviewer claims that UTOvacation ignored their attempts to contact them and subsequently declared the credit expired. The review is highly critical, going so far as to suggest that the company’s operators should face legal consequences. The accusations of ignored communication and expired credits are consistent with other negative reviews.
Yadira Castro’s review also claims to have lost money due to a cancelled trip during COVID. The reviewer states they received a credit with an expiration date instead of a refund and that their requests for a refund have been ignored. The assertion that “your own money expired” suggests a perceived unfairness in the credit policy. The lack of response from UTOvacation further fuels the reviewer’s negative perception, leading to a direct accusation of scamming.
Shawn’s review describes a cancelled trip to China and Japan. They were offered a refund or a discount on future travel and chose the refund option, but have yet to receive it. The reviewer states that UTOvacation has stopped responding to emails and phone calls. This lack of communication, combined with the unfulfilled refund promise, paints a picture of unreliable customer service and potential dishonesty.
Devinder Singh’s review offers a detailed warning against UTOvacation, describing their practices as misleading. The reviewer alleges that the company uses low-priced trip promotions to lure customers but then upsells additional services and schedules trips far into the future, holding onto customer funds. They also claim that UTOvacation can change agreement and add cost at any time. The review asserts poor customer service and a tendency to force rescheduling or credits instead of refunds, with these credits often expiring quickly and rescheduled trips costing significantly more. The reviewer even implicates Travelzoo, where UTOvacation advertises, suggesting they are not taking responsibility for these alleged scams. This is one of the most comprehensive and damning reviews in the set.
Phyllis Merkerson Dougherty’s review is short but direct, simply stating that the travel company was a “complete rip off.” While lacking specific details, the succinctness and negativity add to the growing concerns about UTOvacation’s business practices.
Patricia’s review is another strong condemnation, labeling UTOvacation a “TOTAL SCAM.” The reviewer claims their trip was cancelled repeatedly over several years, and a promised refund was never issued. The statement “They have completely IGNORED me” reinforces the theme of poor or nonexistent customer service found in other negative reviews.
Gary Renelt’s review details a similar experience, with a cancelled China trip and the offer of a travel credit instead of a refund. The reviewer notes that a similar trip is now significantly more expensive. The review also mentions contacting TICO (Travel Industry Council of Ontario) and discovering that Canadian regulations allowed for travel credits instead of refunds, suggesting that UTOvacation might be taking advantage of these regulations. The reviewer strongly advises staying away from the agency.
Barbara K. B’s review stands out as a positive one amidst a sea of negativity. While acknowledging multiple cancellations due to COVID, the reviewer praises UTOvacation for their support throughout the changes. They highlight receiving a refund for a cancelled China/Thailand trip and commend specific customer service representatives for their responsiveness via online chat. However, the reviewer also notes the difficulty in reaching UTOvacation by phone. This review provides a counterpoint to the negative experiences, but it’s important to consider that it also acknowledges issues with communication and past cancellations. The resolution also took several years.
Sue’s review provides a practical guide on how to obtain a refund from UTOvacation. The reviewer describes filing a complaint with TICO and using their involvement to pressure UTOvacation into issuing a refund. The review suggests that UTOvacation may be more responsive to regulatory bodies than to individual customers. While the reviewer ultimately received their money back, the process appears to have been lengthy and required persistent effort.
Denese Menard’s review strongly warns against giving UTOvacation money. They describe a cancelled trip to China due to COVID and the refusal to refund their deposit. They also mention the significant increase in the cost of UTOvacation’s trips and difficulties reaching customer service. The expiring credit further exacerbates the negative experience. The review reflects frustration and a sense of being cheated.
Dr. Carlos Richardson’s review is highly critical, labeling UTOvacation a “FRAUDULENT COMPANY!” The reviewer details a rescheduled trip that was ultimately cancelled due to an allegedly unpaid fee, despite their attempts to pay it. They claim to have received no prior notification of the fee’s due date. The review accuses UTOvacation of employing “sneaky ways to cancel trips and keep your money” and expresses doubt about the company’s legitimacy. The reviewer also references a previous negative experience and mentions reporting the company to the Better Business Bureau and their credit card company for fraud. The detailed account and repeated accusations of fraudulent behavior raise serious concerns.
soria_mireyahotmail.com’s review is concise and accusatory, stating that UTOvacation is a fraud and that they cancelled a fully paid trip to Japan for six people without issuing a refund. The directness and the use of the word “thieves” reinforce the negative perception of the company.
Colleen’s review criticizes UTOvacation’s role as a middleman and their lack of support when issues arise with contracted services. The reviewer describes problems with airport transfers, luggage, and a cancelled excursion refund that has been delayed for months. The phrase “be patient” from UTOvacation is perceived as dismissive and unhelpful. The review suggests that UTOvacation does not take responsibility for the quality of the services they contract out.
SP’s review recounts a cancelled Japan trip attributed to COVID (even after the pandemic), followed by the offer of a credit towards another trip. A second Japan trip was then cancelled weeks before departure for alleged non-payment of expenses, even though the reviewer disputes this claim. The review describes the company’s customer service as rude and condescending. The reviewer strongly advises avoiding the business and highlights the financial loss incurred.
Dave Fast’s review describes a cancelled vacation to Peru due to missing passport information. The reviewer claims that the only follow-up from UTO was a payment reminder that did not highlight the passport requirement. After contacting UTO three weeks before the trip, the trip was cancelled with no refund issued. The reviewer was unable to reach anyone by phone and received no refund at all.
Joe Holly’s review details a cancelled trip just before COVID and the inability to reschedule afterward. Communication with UTOvacation has been sporadic, with promises of follow-up that are not kept. The reviewer describes the difficulty in reaching customer support and expresses frustration over the loss of $4,000.
Tien Chu’s review is a brief positive statement, simply stating that the “Trip was great” for Thailand. This is a rare positive comment amidst a majority of negative ones.
Kevin’s review details two cancelled trips, one to China and one to Thailand. They had to threaten litigation to get a refund for the China trip. The Thailand trip was cancelled due to allegedly not entering their passport within the 180-day timeline, despite being at 179 days and having had their passport on file for the previous China trip. The reviewer states that no refund or credit was offered and expresses strong condemnation of the company. They are contacting TICO in Canada and recommends that nobody gives UTO vacation any money.
utovacation.com likely a scam.
Note: The above statement is just my personal opinion, you should check carefully at the sources and make the right decision for yourself.