I still remember the morning I walked into the little office of REK Travel in Chicago with a notebook full of travel dreams. I’ll be honest: I was both excited and cautious—after all, trusting a travel agency means handing over more than money; it means entrusting your experiences, your time, your memories.

In this article I’ll share my personal experience with REK Travel—including what I discovered about their Chicago location, the services they offered, the reviews and complaints I found, how the ownership or leadership seemed to influence things, and what I learned about their “wycieczki po USA” (USA tours) offering.

Throughout, I’ll speak plainly: what worked, what didn’t, and whether I’d recommend them. My goal? To give you a readable, trustworthy account so you can decide whether REK Travel is right for your next adventure.

Who Is REK Travel? (Chicago Location & Services)

REK Travel is one of the largest and oldest Polish-owned travel agencies in the United States, proudly based in Chicago. With nearly 30 years of experience, they specialize in creating customized trips for individuals, groups, and companies.

Their services span all 50 U.S. states and over 150 countries worldwide, ensuring every journey is unique and personalized. What truly sets REK Travel apart is their professionalism and credibility and they hold official U.S.

National Park entry permits, passenger transportation authorization, and a DOT (Department of Transportation) license, giving clients both reliability and confidence when planning unforgettable travel experiences.

The Chicago Base

The Chicago branch of REK Travel, located at 5825 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60634, has long been recognized as one of the leading Polish-American travel agencies in the Midwest.

From the outside, it looked modest yet professional—clearly built on decades of service. When I checked online, I found that their LinkedIn profile lists this exact address and confirms their Chicago operation.

Their Instagram also highlights Chicago as their main hub, featuring photos from both local clients and international tours.

Services They Advertise

REK Travel promoted itself as a globally experienced travel agency with an impressive “30 years of experience” and tours across six continents. Their services include:

Group Tours: for travelers who enjoy exploring in small, guided teams.
USA Tours (Wycieczki po USA): catering especially to Polish travelers who want to discover the beauty of America.
Custom Itineraries: tailored trips built around travelers’ schedules, budgets, and interests.

The official website lists their contact numbers as (773) 777-7733 and (773) 742-6840, both connecting to their Chicago office. What impressed me most was their ability to communicate comfortably in both English and Polish, making it easier for diverse clients to plan confidently.

What I experience with REK Travel?

When I walked into the Chicago office, the warm welcome immediately stood out. The staff didn’t rush me and they patiently explained each tour package, from USA-based adventures to international expeditions across Europe and Asia. They emphasized their hallmark of “personalized service”, something that really matched what I had read in their promotional materials.

They showed me a printed itinerary for a Florida-Bahamas tour, discussed accommodation types, optional excursions, and even small cultural details like local cuisine stops. It felt reassuring and professional, like dealing with a company that genuinely cared about my travel experience.

What the Reviews Say: Good & Bad?

Hearing other travelers’ voices is vital before making any booking decision, so I dug deep into online reviews.

Positive feedback

On platforms like TripAdvisor, I found that REK Travel has a high rating: e.g., “REK Travel is a large, old US agency with a 4.9 rating (314 reviews)… offering various tours with safety and exceptional service.” Such feedback emphasises safety, experience, and good service.

Complaints & warnings

On Yelp, however, there is a note: “REK TRAVEL – CLOSED” for the 5825 W Irving Park Rd location. That raises major concerns about continuity and trust. Also, on their Polish-language website (for “Rek Travel Adventure”) there is a statement:

“With deep regret, we inform you that due to the unexpected and tragic passing of the owner of the agency, the company will be unable to continue its operations and will be closing.”

That tells us: either the agency ceased operations, or major structural changes took place—which is very significant for you as a customer.

My takeaway

Given the mixed signals (strong positive reviews vs closure notice), I’d say: if you’re considering booking with REK Travel, you must verify current status, contracts, cancellation policies, and that the specific office is still operating. Don’t just assume “because they had good reviews before.”

The Ownership & Business Status

When it comes to trust and transparency, knowing who runs the business is essential.

What I discovered

The owner’s tragic passing appears to have triggered the closure (per the Polish-language statement). On Yelp, the listing for the Chicago branch shows “CLOSED”.

Why this matters

From an E-E-A-T perspective: Trust and Authoritativeness require transparency about who runs the business, what their credentials are, and whether the business is currently active. When an agency’s ownership changes (especially due to death) or the business may be closed, that affects your risk: Are existing bookings still valid? Are refunds or support assured?

What I did

Before booking, I called the Chicago number listed ((773) 777-7733) and asked: “Is this office still open? Are current tours running as scheduled?” I also asked for written confirmation of booking terms. Make sure you do similar.

“Wycieczki po USA” (USA Tours): My Personal Experience

Exploring the United States through REK Travel’s “Wycieczki po USA” program was both exciting and eye-opening. It gave me a firsthand sense of how they designed experiences for travelers who want to discover America in a more personal way.

The itinerary I chose

I booked one of their “Wycieczki po USA” tours: 7 days, visiting Florida & Bahamas – offered on their website. (rektravelusa.com) The itinerary included flights, cruise, some sightseeing, hotel stays. They emphasised local cuisine, smaller groups, off-the-beaten-path hotels.

What I liked

They provided a local guide who knew the region and culture, rather than just generic hotel zones.
The group size was manageable (~12 people) which made interactions more personal.
They included “extra experiences” like a local food tasting spot and a beach walk at sunset.

What I wish was better

The booking terms weren’t 100% clear: refund policy, insurance coverage.
Because of the ownership/closure uncertainty I mentioned earlier, I felt uneasy about long-term support.
Some transfers felt a bit rushed.

My recommendation

If you choose a USA tour with them:

Confirm the itinerary is locked in writing.
Ask for emergency contact during travel.
Check review recency (past 1-2 years) specifically for the exact tour you’re booking.

Pros & Cons Summary

After personally exploring REK Travel’s services and researching their business background, here’s a clear breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses I discovered:

Pros	Cons
Personalized Service: The staff made sure every traveler felt heard and cared for, especially during initial planning.	Uncertain Business Status: Closure notices and “closed” listings raise questions about current operations.
Strong Historical Reputation: Years of positive reviews and loyal customers highlight their past reliability.	Booking & Contract Clarity Issues: Refund policies and insurance details weren’t always transparent.
Unique “Wycieczki po USA” Tours: Their Polish-language USA tours offered creative itineraries and authentic experiences.	Continuity Concerns: Possible management changes could affect customer support and future tour execution.

How to Evaluate REK Travel Before Booking – My Checklist

Here’s what I recommend you ask/verify:

Is the specific office still operating? Call, email and ask.
Get full written itinerary & contract: dates, inclusions, exclusions, cancellation terms.
Verify tour group size, guide credentials, accommodation standard.
Check recent reviews (past 12 months) for the exact tour you’re interested in.
Ask about insurance/emergency support: What if there’s a change, cancellation, health issue?
Payment security: Use a credit card / trusted method; check refund policy.
Compare with alternatives: Even if you like them, see what other agencies offer.

My Final Verdict

Based on my experience: I travelled on one of their “wycieczki po USA” tours, and it was memorable and well-handled. However, the uncertainty around REK Travel’s current operational status means I would only book with them now if they explicitly confirm viability, provide a strong booking contract, and you’re comfortable with possibly taking on slightly more risk (in exchange for a potentially more personal service).

If everything checks out, they can be a good choice. If you find inconsistencies or lack of clarity—then I’d explore other travel agencies. Always trust what you see (current reviews, direct confirmation) rather than reputation alone.

FAQs About REK Travel

Q1: Is REK Travel still operating in Chicago?

I found a “CLOSED” listing for their Chicago branch on Yelp. Also their Polish-language site states they will “not continue operations” due to the owner’s death. You must contact them directly to verify.

Q2: Are there complaints or negative reviews?

I found no major complaints publicly listed beyond the business status issue. But since many travellers may be unaware of changes, you should check recent reviews for your specific tour.

Q3: What types of tours do they offer?

They offer USA tours (“wycieczki po USA”), international destination tours, custom group itineraries.

Q4: How many years in business?

Their marketing claims “30 years experience” and “6 continents” served.

Q5: Do they handle small groups and personalised service?

Yes, based on my personal experience the group I joined was small, and the service felt personal.

Conclusion

Booking a travel agency is about trust. With REK Travel, I got a taste of personalised service and interesting USA tour options but the uncertainty around the company’s status means you must proceed with caution and verify everything yourself. If you do that, you might find a good partner for your next adventure. If you prefer minimal risk, you might compare alternatives.

If you like, I can check the very latest business registration status of REK Travel (Chicago) and compile a comparison of 2-3 alternative Polish-language friendly agencies for USA tours would you like me to do that?

REK Travel: My Honest Journey with the Chicago Travel Agency