Travel agent

[krispykreme97]

Well I asked a travel agent from an agency that I've used for a few trips to help me with flights and accommodations in Europe since its all so new to me and her reply was since she has quoted me prices in the past and have booked on my own she would charge me $40 and if I booked with them the price would be deducted from my total. Had anyone experienced this. I mean I understand their service aren't free and they do work off commission but if I'm not satisfied with the price and I find better than they quoted am I wrong for booking on my own?

 

[Piper]

It appears that she believes you are utilizing her expertise for free--she wants to make it worthwhile to do your legwork.

 

[krispykreme97]

It appears that she believes you are utilizing her expertise for free--she wants to make it worthwhile to do your legwork.

That's the impression I'm getting as well! But out of the many times I've used her I wouldn't think me not booking one trip with her would warrant this. I guess it's not good to be friends with everyone on fb!

 

[kcashner]

Not sure what you booked that offended her...but all DCL fares are the same. The only way the price can vary is with whatever perks an agent gives.

My understanding is that TAs don't get commission from the airlines any more, so the time and effort they put into booking or researching your air is coming out of their profits. In my experience, agents will include booking air as part of booking a trip (cruise, resort, or otherwise), but many do charge for just researching and booking air alone. They may waive the fee for established, regular customers.

FWIW, many years ago I saw a "special" advertised in an AAA magazine. I took the ad to the local agent I was using at that time, and not only were they able to match the special, but they were able to book it that day rather than waiting for the booking window given in the ad. This was before I knew that DCL had only one price and any agent could book at that price.

 

[abdgeek]

Well I asked a travel agent from an agency that I've used for a few trips to help me with flights and accommodations in Europe since its all so new to me and her reply was since she has quoted me prices in the past and have booked on my own she would charge me $40 and if I booked with them the price would be deducted from my total. Had anyone experienced this. I mean I understand their service aren't free and they do work off commission but if I'm not satisfied with the price and I find better than they quoted am I wrong for booking on my own?

I always book my own airfare and do my own legwork. Just make sure you get trip insurance.

I once had a TA give me quotes for a cruise. I decided to book the cruise on my own. When I went back to see if she would book my transfers and some other things, she refused and asked me who booked the rest of my trip. When I told her I did, she said I could book the rest to. How rude! Needless to say I have not gone back!

 

[TinksMomma]

I always book my own airfare and do my own legwork. Just make sure you get trip insurance.

I once had a TA give me quotes for a cruise. I decided to book the cruise on my own. When I went back to see if she would book my transfers and some other things, she refused and asked me who booked the rest of my trip. When I told her I did, she said I could book the rest to. How rude! Needless to say I have not gone back!

That's probably because she would be essentially working for free. Most TA's wont' make a commission of the transfers and "other" stuff but on the cruise itself which you booked yourself.

99% of TA's only make money once you book so if they do the legwork and then you book on your own, they don't make any money at all.

 

[krispykreme97]

I wouldn't have wasted my time posting if I intended to be dishonest. I request a quote for a Hawaiian honeymoon trip and when the engagement got cancelled of course I didn't go to Hawaii I took the money I saved on not having a wedding and went to Alaska which I booked by transferring a dummy reservation no need to use a TA. I often ask her to price several locations for me before deciding which one to take. She insinuated that I book a trip on my own which she gave me a quote on which wasn't the case. So I guess when she saw my pictures from my trip on fb she felt jilted.

 

[NancyIL]

I always book my own airfare and do my own legwork. Just make sure you get trip insurance.

I once had a TA give me quotes for a cruise. I decided to book the cruise on my own. When I went back to see if she would book my transfers and some other things, she refused and asked me who booked the rest of my trip. When I told her I did, she said I could book the rest to. How rude! Needless to say I have not gone back!

I am not a travel agent, but that would've been my response, too. It would be comparable to getting quotes for a WDW resort package from a travel agency, deciding to book the package directly with Disney (which is certainly your right) - then asking the travel agency you didn't use to book your dining reservations.

 

[LynneyPooh]

JMO- you're better off booking on your own for airline tickets. If for any reason you need to change your tickets after booking, the TA "owns" the tickets, and they have to be the one to make changes.

It happened to us- We let Disney book our airfare, had to cut our trip short unexpectantly due to weather headed to our home. The airlines could have had this taken care of in 15 minutes time, but would do NOTHING to change those tickets once they realized Disney booked them for us. The travel company did not understand the urgency to getting home ASAP- (an ill father and my DD10 was home with the g'parents- we couldn't chance being stranded in FL). They took SEVERAL hours to take care of this - blaming the airlines , until I told them I had already talked to the airline. We got the last 2 tickets on the last flight allowed in before the airport was shut down. NOT a good position to be in. BTW if we had not got that flight, we would have been stranded in FL for almost a week past our scheduled departure. I said never again would I allow someone else to be in charge of my airline tickets. In that case it was too much stress waiting on someone else to take care of me.
Once again JMO.

 

[lbgraves]

99% of TA's only make money once you book so if they do the legwork and then you book on your own, they don't make any money at all.

They actually do not get paid until after your cruise has been completed.

I am not a travel agent, but that would've been my response, too. It would be comparable to getting quotes for a WDW resort package from a travel agency, deciding to book the package directly with Disney (which is certainly your right) - then asking the travel agency you didn't use to book your dining reservations.

That is exactly what I thought. Besides, if this was a DCL cruise a TA wouldn't be able to touch anything to do with the reservation such as transfers unless you transferred them the entire reservation.

 

[mammacaryn]

There must be SOME travel agents out there that charge for airline bookings. I know with our AAA membership, one of the "perks" listed for our account is FREE airline bookings.(I personally always book my own flights for non DCL stuff anyway) The fact that they word it that way makes me think that others DO charge for it.

I would ask if you find a better rate, and have HER book it for you would you still get the $40 back. I mean, you would still be booking through her afterall.

 

[TinksMomma]

They actually do not get paid until after your cruise has been completed.

Actually TA's get paid on cruises after the final payment is made.