Tour Operators
Viator, Inc.Headquarters
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Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Viator, Inc.'s headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 671 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 221 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:05/24/2024
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I am revising a previous complaint that cut off some information:On 9/12/23, a friend and I were planning a trip to ***** for June 2024. We went on Viator's website and added tours for the dates we might be in *****. Their website advertises that reservations are subject to free cancelations up to 24 hrs before the tours. I selected a tour that charged my credit card. I immediately called Viator to cancel and was told to wait until the charge went through. After a couple of days I called again and Viator stated that I could not be refunded because the tour provider does not allow refunds. I didn't know what to do so I called my credit card company, ***********. They suggested a chargeback and proceeded with the process and refunded the $258.90. Then in October 2023, *********** reinstated the charge and advised that I had lost the dispute. I had no choice but to take the loss.On 5/21/24 I was contacted by the tour agency ******* to inform me that they will not be able to provide the tour I paid for and they approved a full refund. I contacted Viator and they refuse to process a refund, stating that I have started a charge back and they cannot talk to me. They say to contact ***********. There is nothing for *********** to do, Viator won the dispute and received the $258.90. I feel Viator is punishing me for the chargeback attempt and are refusing to honor TOURIKS full refund approval. I am not going to ***** and have been stuck paying for 2 tour tickets that not only will I not be there to experience, the tour agency cannot even provide. I wish *********** would not have suggested a chargeback as an option because now Viator is being vengeful, even though they won the dispute and the charge. Viator has numerous complaints for their unwillingness to refund and their practice of deceitful advertising. I have endured 8 months of stress over this. I am asking for Viator to honor TOURIKS full refund that I am entitled to. Booking info: BR-**********Business Response
Date: 09/12/2024
Thank you for reaching out to customer service. The customer was issued a full refund on June 3, 2024. This dispute was closed by Viator before the refund was issued and Viator has not requested to recover funds from the customer. The customer will need to check with their banking institution if they have been recharged for the lost dispute.
Regards,
Viator Customer ServiceInitial Complaint
Date:05/06/2024
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
On March 23, 2024, I received an email from VIATOR informing me that the tour operator had canceled my booking and mentioned processing a refund of USD $397.04 to my credit card. At that moment, I was deeply upset and disappointed because I had already made all the arrangements for our trip, including hotels, taxis, train connections, and flights, for our group of four (4) people. This trip to ******** Andaluca in *******, *****, was a dream come true for me, especially as I was celebrating my father's 75th birthday.Upon researching Viator's platform reviews online , I discovered a concerning pattern. It appears that Viator has a tendency to cancel certain tours at the last minute, particularly those that are highly sought-after and essential attractions for tourists visiting various cities and countries. Despite attributing these cancellations to local tour operators, Viator ultimately bears responsibility for these disruptions.On March 14, 2024, I made the original purchase for 4 ppl, paying a price of $397.04 (Confirmed: Viator Booking#: ********** Reference#: **********). Viator's voucher clearly stated that "The local tour operator does not allow changes to this booking ,all sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.On March 23, I conducted further research to reschedule the Alhambra and Generalife Guided Tour. To my surprise, Viator was advertising the same tour again but had increased the prices fourfold. The new price for4people was approximately$1,317.52, whereas I had originally paid$397.04 for4people. The drastic price increase was unreasonable and unexpected.Once our tour began, I spoke to others in our tour group . One girl from ***** mentioned that she had only paid 59 euros, and others from ****** had paid significantly less than I did. I would like Viator/********* to honor the original price I paid of $397.04 for 4 ppl and refund me$1,317.52 (TripAdvisor#: 1119326805Conf#:1504888989). I believe I was scammed and taken advantage of.Customer Answer
Date: 09/06/2024
I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.Business Response
Date: 09/09/2024
The customer originally booked **** The Line Alhambra and Generalife Guided Tour on, 3/23/2024 for a travel date of, 3/25/2024. The supplier cancelled this initial booking. The customer rebooked **** The Line Alhambra and Generalife Guided Tour and the price increased. Viator checked the *** and the price does vary by date. The customer booked tour for a different travel date of 4/1/2024. Viator did ask the supplier for a partial refund on the customers behalf on 9/2/2024 after this complaint was brought to the attention of Viator Customer Service. The supplier denied the refund as this bookings are under the All Sales Final Cancellation Policy which the customer agreed to at the time of booking. Viator is a third party broker that provides a platform for suppliers around the world and customer searching for destination experiences and activities. When the customer uses the ********************** platform the customer is agreeing to the terms and conditions stated in the link on the ************************** website. Although Viator understands the customers dissatisfaction, we are not able to issue a refund.
Warm *******************************************************Initial Complaint
Date:08/27/2023
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
According to trip advisors website anything that is none refundable should not be able to be canceled via their website. Yet this was offered to us. Do to the Maui fires we were working on rearranging out trip when we went to call and check on our reservation since non refundable things cannot be canceled so our reservations should still have been valid to find out they did indeed cancel our tickets. Tickets they claimed could not be changed or canceled.The tour we scheduled does indeed offer cancelations up to 48 hours prior to the trip according to them, so trip advisor pocketed the refund money and is telling us sorry you are SOL.We ask for either a refund for our tickets, ticket returned to us, or even a credit to the website.Customer Answer
Date: 09/06/2024
I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.Business Response
Date: 09/08/2024
Thank you for contacting customer service. Unfortunately, there is not enough information for the customer service team to review the complaint. There is no booking under ***************************** and the reservation cannot be located with the name or phone number. The customer will need to provide the ********************** booking reference number or the email address used when making the reservation for Viator to assist.
Regards,
Viator Customer Service
Initial Complaint
Date:03/28/2023
Type:Product IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
We purchased a Hot Air Balloon ride from Viator 11/2022Confirmation# ********** Booking #*********. We purchased it for $425.26. The day before the trip on 3/24/2023 at 4:44pm my husband spoke directly with the tour operator Aerotours and confirmed our dietary restrictions & the scheduled pick up time from the hotel at 6:30am. They confirmed at that time that we were to be picked up at 6:30am. The next morning I received text messages at 6:10am that the driver was at the hotel and waiting for us. I texted that we were coming down. When we arrived downstairs at 6:23 there was no one there and the front desk manager said that no one had come in to ask for us. He walked me outside to verify that no one was there waiting for us. He then called **************** said that the driver waited for us for 15 mins & then left and that we could take a cab to an address if we wanted. **** from front desk said that he was unsure of any of this & didn't recommend us taking a cab because the tour drivers always come in to ask for the guests and this one didn't. He said the location was far and didn't recommend us taking a cab there. We were confused because the pick up time was for 6:30 so I called the Aerotours.When I spoke to him he said he sent me an email changing the pick-up time to 6:10 and had the drivers name in there. I asked when this email was sent and he said he would have to see when he got to the office. I never received any email changing the departure time of the tour to 6:00. My husband then spoke to ********* again and they stated that we would need to be there by 7:15 if we wanted to go on the tour. At 6:50 that was no longer a possibility. My husband contacted Viators the representative confirmed that he had NOT received a change to the original pickup time of 6:30am. We spoke to ********************************** several times to get refunded for our *********** are both refusing to refund because they are saying that it was our fault that we missed the tour even though we were never informed of the changed time.Business Response
Date: 09/12/2024
Thank you for reaching out to Viator. The customer has initiated a chargeback with their financial institution, which was ruled in favor of the customer. Since the the dispute has been closed, Viator also considers this matter to be closed.
Thank you,
Viator Customer Care
Initial Complaint
Date:03/27/2023
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I booked tickets to an event and within minutes I realized I booked the wrong date. I immediately called the company to tell them of my mistake and was told they couldnt change my dates or cancel without incurring the full payment of $930. In other words, they wouldnt allow changes and I would be out the money. This is bad business and I only needed help to change dates, I didnt want to cancel. They refused to help me, now Im out of almost $1000. I will never advise anyone to use this company.Business Response
Date: 09/12/2024
Hello, Viator has reviewed this case. The customer has initiated a chargeback which was won by Viator. The customer purchased a Final Sale product and it is stated on the website that no changes or cancellations are allowed after the booking has been submitted. As the customer has agreed to these terms, no refund can be provided.
Thank you,
Viator Customer Care
Initial Complaint
Date:01/18/2023
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I have purchased a tour from Viator, "Swiss Extravaganza With Jungfraujoch, Grindelwald First & Mount Titlis", Booking Reference BR-********* for the total fee of $2631.42 USD. The provided, ******** Holidays, turned out to be an illegitemate provider, as I discovered because I attemped to contact the provider with several questions and their contact email bounced back and the phone was disconnected. I had to have approx 8 calls to Viator to get the refund. Viator issues the refund to me after they made 3 attempts to contact the provider themselves. However, I am now seeking compensation of minimum of $500 USD for a) the time I had to spend negotiating with VIator (they rejected my refund request on 3 occations until I stated that Viator was purpotrated a fraud by engaging with non-legit providors) and b) because I had to incur much higher hotel and tour expenses due to re-booking the tours on my own at the last moment. Further, VIator never removed the tour (See screenshot attached) from their offerings. I am concerned that Viator is knowingly participating in a fradulent activities by continuing to advertize tours by providers which are not in business and collecting payments from customers like myself, effectively committing fraud. I have asked the custmer service *** why the tour continues to be offered and have not received satisfactory answer. I plan to raise a complaint with the ************************ if my concerns are not addressed.Business Response
Date: 09/11/2024
Viator has reviewed the case. The customer purchased a 6 Days Swiss Extravaganza With Jungfraujoch, First & Mt Titlis, through Viator with a travel date of 1/4/2023. Viator did attempt to contact the tour operator Giovani Holidays several times but the tour operator failed to reply to our emails and calls and the booking was canceled and refunded in full. Since a full refund was provided to the guest, Viator is unable to provide any additional refunds or compensations.
Kind Regards,
Viator Customer Care
Viator, Inc. is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.
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