Brightspark Travel - Chicago, Illinois

Michael T.

My daughters DC trip was cancelled on April. Still waiting on a refund. Calling is like riding a merry-go-round of incompetence. Cutting a check for $1,300 should be this difficult. Have got one email sent to me with no info. What a joke! Obviously, this company is a scam. Just check the BBB page.

Jeana L.

My daughter was suppose to go on a trip during st Patrick's day weekend. Her trip was rescheduled for a later date due to Covid. I purchased the refund guarantee when booking her trip. I canceled and requested a refund on March 30th was told it would take 6-8 weeks to get a paper check in the mail.... Ok no problem.... WRONG. Its July 8th and we still have not received a refund. I just spoke with a representative and was told it will be at least another 2 weeks!!!!! I'm sure BrightSpark wouldn't wait 3+ months for a payment from a parents or a school!! Poor quality.

Nikki M.

Most unprofessional company ever! Do not use this company!!!!!!
My daughter's school booked a trip with this company. The school decided to cancel the trip. Myself and my family has contributed a total of $500 and we simply want to know when we can expect a refund. That's all I need to know.
Even though I have emailed this company FOUR TIMES within the last couple weeks, Brightspark Travel cannot even be professional enough to reply to one of my many emails. It is impossible to get a human being on the phone.
I don't know why our school is used this company because this is the worst customer service! I wouldn't use this company to book my dog a visit to the veterinarian!

Chris E.

Our class trip to DC was cancelled in April of 2020. It is now September of 2020 and still no refund. I even paid $80 for the stupid (non refundable!) trip insurance in case something happened. I received 1 response in June that they were issuing refunds in the order the trips were cancelled. It shouldn't take over 5 months to issue a refund. I know the pandemic was out of their control. However, they are in total control of how they respond to it and they have failed miserably. They should be embarrassed.

Patty S.

Horrible, Complaint filed with the Attorney Generals Office. This company is rapping families not honoring full refunds on trips that have been canceled due to COVID-19. My child can not attend the "rescheduled" 2021 trip as she will not only no longer be a student at her high school she will be away at college. All senior parents are now being told they will refund the money minus the $149.00 for trip insurance and then we will receive all payments over 4 monthly installments but not starting until JULY 2020. 100% unacceptable we did not cancel our children are not permitted to go now and we as parents are being punished because a greedy company feels they need to steal from us. Schools and Organizations please save yourself some headaches and book your trips with another company. NOT BRIGHTSPARK...… Also when Alicia advised me she would call me back in 2 days I fully expected a call back, she is not even professional enough to return yet alone take my calls to her direct number. I have left several messages and no return call. Thieves!!

Robert P.

Once trip was cancelled I received an email that refunds will be issued in 6-8 weeks. No other communication from this company regarding refund. I waited till the 10 week mark and emailed them regarding the missing refund. The response they gave was hopefully the refund will be processed 2 months after departure date. For a total of 19 to 20 weeks after the trip was cancelled. Now they did not even respond to last email.

I understand with the pandemic things take longer so 6-8 weeks was ok but 19 to 20 weeks is unacceptable. Especially with no communication.

Julie P.

I contacted this company in mid April and was told that refunds will be issued in 6-8 weeks. No other communication from this company regarding refund. I waited till the 10 week mark and emailed them regarding the missing refund. The response they gave was hopefully the refund will be processed 2 months after departure date. For a total of 19 to 20 weeks after the trip was cancelled. Now they did not even respond to last email. I have called several times as well.

I understand with the pandemic things take longer so 6-8 weeks was ok but 19 to 20 weeks is unacceptable. Especially with no communication.

This company is very unprofessional. I Canceled this trip due to Covid, we bought the highway robbery "insurance", was told more than 10 weeks ago refund would be issued in 6-8 weeks. Once they have your money they do not like to give it back. I am owed $2100 from this company. I tempted to take legal action against this company.

Allison R.

I have been waiting for a refund for months. I purchased the refund guarantee like so many others that have left reviews and have not gotten a penny back. Every time I try to contact them to get a refund, I get the same copied message back. I understand the volume.

They told me it would be two months from departure date that I would receive my refund. My daughter was set to leave on May 1 and it is now July 1 with zero contact from BrightSpark.

Schools & Organizations - please beware before booking!