How do I fire my travel agent?

[snorkelyn]

I am very displeased with my Disney travel agent, and I need to get her out of the equation. If I call Disney, can they take over my reservation?

I am currently booked with a package using a pin. My dining window opens March 15th, and I plan to book ADR's on my own on that day. If free dining comes out before my ADR window- than I will just re-book my own package and cancel the package my agent has.
IF FD doesn't come out- I will need to keep my existing reservation (the pin has since expired) to keep my discount, but would prefer to take control of it.

Anybody know how this works? I'd love to hear from anyone who has had experience with this. Thanks!

 

[quietgirll]

Hmm...pretty sure your agent "owns" your ressie, and you can't remove her without canceling...sorry!

 

[Missytara]

Hmm...pretty sure your agent "owns" your ressie, and you can't remove her without canceling...sorry!

That is correct. A TA owns a reservation and you cannot just transfer it back to Disney. You basically have a contract with your TA and you are basically breaking the contract by cancelling.

You have to cancel and start all over again.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hmm...pretty sure your agent "owns" your ressie, and you can't remove her without canceling...sorry!

That is correct. A TA owns a reservation and you cannot just transfer it back to Disney. You basically have a contract with your TA and you are basically breaking the contract by cancelling.

You have to cancel and start all over again.

All of this is correct. Other than cancelling with the TA and rebooking with Disney, I think you may be able to get out of it by having the TA agree to sign some kind of release that gives the reservation back to you, but I'm guessing that would not be easy. As the above posters have said, the TA owns your reservation until you check in and Disney will not discuss anything with you. Since your pin is expired, if you cancel with the TA, you wouldn't be able to rebook with Disney under the pin. However, if free dining comes out and you want to change to that, you would just cancel your current reservation with the TA and book free dining with Disney. Keep in mind that some TAs have penalties for cancelling, so I would see what (if any) penalties would be involved in cancelling. Good luck.

 

[Aliceacc]

Would it be possible to transfer the reservation to a different agent in the same office?

 

[piglet33]

So is booking a WDW vacation with a TA different than booking a DCL vacation with a TA? I'm only asking, because I had a DCL reservation with a TA that I transferred back to Disney so I'd have control over. I didn't get penalized or lose any discounts that I had. I just had to email the TA to tell her to transfer the ressie back to DCL, and that was it.

 

[jw50]

Would it be possible to transfer the reservation to a different agent in the same office?

Yes, and a reservation can be transferred to any other authorized travel agency.

Transferring the reservation to another agency still would not give control back to the OP but might solve whatever issues she has with her current agent.

 

[PictureJumpr]

So is booking a WDW vacation with a TA different than booking a DCL vacation with a TA? I'm only asking, because I had a DCL reservation with a TA that I transferred back to Disney so I'd have control over. I didn't get penalized or lose any discounts that I had. I just had to email the TA to tell her to transfer the ressie back to DCL, and that was it.

The trick is, your agent willingly transferred it for you.
If the TA is willing to transfer it back (or to someone else) then there is no problem regarding pins or discounts or cancellations.

If the situation is less amicable and the client is trying to terminate his/her relationship with the TA but the TA would presumably not be willing to help with this (i.e., getting "fired") then there is little the client can do other than cancel and start over.

 

[nkereina]

Just have the reservation released to Disney. Advise your travel agent that you want the reservation released to Disney, and she will have to fill out a form and fax it to Disney. It takes about 5 business days for it to show up in Disney's system. Be sure your TA gives you Disney's confirmation number (not the travel agency's!) so it is easier for you to follow up with Disney for it.

For anyone looking to transfer their reservation from Disney to a TA, you can do the same in reverse. Your TA would fax a form to Disney and Disney would authorize the release to the TA, and your TA would have it in about a week. I did this when I booked it on my own, and then when I knew I wouldn't change anything else, I had it transferred to a AAA TA so I could receive all of the AAA perks that go with an AAA package. Worked out fine.

 

[taylor3297]

Yes, and a reservation can be transferred to any other authorized travel agency.

Transferring the reservation to another agency still would not give control back to the OP but might solve whatever issues she has with her current agent.

Many TAs wont accept a transfer from another agency. Just a courtesy expressed between agencies. I know for a fact the agency I use will not accept a transfer from anyone other than Disney.

OP could ask for a different agent within the agency or transfer it back to Disney. In order to get the transfer back to Disney, the current TA would need to give the form.

Sorry to hear OP has not had a good experience with the TA. There are many great TAs out there who do an excellent job.

 

[DebbieB]

Who gets commission on a transfer? The original agent or the new one? Split?

 

[katrina1122]

Your TA can switch you from your pin code to FD, so why do you need to 'fire' her?

 

[mickeynut1]

Your TA can switch you from your pin code to FD, so why do you need to 'fire' her?

The OP isn't concerned with modifying the current reservation for a better deal, but is unhappy with the agent so wants to take control of the reservation.

 

[taylor3297]

Who gets commission on a transfer? The original agent or the new one? Split?

If I remember correctly, the new agent does, but it isn't the full commission amount.

 

[snorkelyn]

Your TA can switch you from your pin code to FD, so why do you need to 'fire' her?

I am the OP. Here is the backstory: I used the TA the last time I went, and things worked out fine. I didn't know as much then (found the DIS after the booking). So fast forward to now, and I have another trip booked with her. I also referred her to my cousin, who booked with her too. The TA completely disregarded my cousins ADR requests, and took up the attitude that she is the all-knowing, and booked what SHE "thought" would be best for my cousin. Well...my cousin was pretty set in her requests (only 5 of them)- and ended up not getting them. Ex: she wanted Crystal Palace 1st am ressies so she could get in the park early- and the TA booked dinner there. She wanted Pirate Adventure- and the TA booked Bippity Boppity). She wanted Raglan Road since her daughters are Irish dancers, and the TA didn't book it and told her "Well, they can see Irish dancers in Michigan"! REALLY? It took my cousin 90 minutes on the phone with Disney to fix everything- and she ended up not getting BOG (possibly could have happened anyway- but still)

Even if I keep my reservations with her for the resort, there is NO WAY I will let her book my dining!!! I don't dislike the TA, I just don't feel I can trust her to listen to my requests...I KNOW what I want!

 

[ibrokeitmommy]

That is quite bold to book BBB instead of PL! I would be really upset. I did the same thing and used a TA before I found disboards. While my TA didn't do anything wrong she's not really helping either. In fact I have had to correct 2 mistakes so far. It's ok but I would book direct next time. I've done all of my own adrs anyways. Hopefully you can get everything resolved.

 

[jw50]

Tell your cousin to keep trying for BOG, either calling or checking online, there are always cancellations or hold backs that get released.

And there is no problem with you doing your own ADRs, the travel agent doesn't get a commission on ADRs so she would probably be happy to have you do them yourself.

 

[bumbershoot]

Sounds like it's your cousin who should fire her. Wow.

Just tell her you will not need her ADR services. Make sure you have the true reservation number so you can book the ADRs.

If a good deal comes out, just book that through Disney or another TA if you wish, then cancel the old one which is firing her. Disney won't cancel the ADRs made.

 

[sachilles]

I used a TA and I've booked all my ADR's(my agent was perfectly willing to book them for me). I just did it because I couldn't see the point of the phone/email tag process of asking for what I want, then the TA letting me know what was actually available....and in the process having the available slots change. Didn't seem to be a good use of time for either of us. I just booked online and let my TA know what my reservations were.

 

[snorkelyn]

Sounds like it's your cousin who should fire her. Wow.

Just tell her you will not need her ADR services. Make sure you have the true reservation number so you can book the ADRs.

If a good deal comes out, just book that through Disney or another TA if you wish, then cancel the old one which is firing her. Disney won't cancel the ADRs made.

I agree, I wish my cousin COULD fire her. Unfortunately, she is booked deluxe with a really good pin.

I do have the reservation number so I can book my own ADR's. And it is likely that FD will come out. I just need to decide if I will let her keep the hotel reservation. With everything I have learned on the DIS, she isn't really offering me any value. I have 2 rooms booked, and am requesting they are connecting. I'm hoping she will help me get that. She seems to have some tricks up her sleeve when making special requests.

Thanks for all the responses everybody!