Can Travel Agents Get Better Deals?

[mrsclark]

In the past, I have always booked our trips through Disney directly (we drive so I am not talking about airfare just the resort and tickets). Can travel agents get better deals than those offered to the public through Disney? I am not asking for specific TA names because I know that can violate the Dis Board rules, but just in general.

If they sometimes can get better rates, is it acceptable to get quotes from multiple TA's?

I know there is another thread on here about whether or not to book through a TA that discusses having control or not having control of your reservation, but I am concerned with price only. If I could get a better price through a TA, I would consider booking through them. If the prices are the same for them and me I would just keep doing it myself.

 

[minnie mum]

TAs cannot get you a better deal than you can get for yourself. However there is a travel agency that was able to offer better deals last year at certain resorts. Can't mention its name here, but you could try googling magical deals at WDW and see what comes up. Also, if you book thru Orbitz, they sometimes offer a discount that you can stack on top of Disney special offers.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

From my experience with a TA, we got a small discount, but not enough to really be that significant. We booked it ourselves this time.

 

[peg110]

My DW was going to book a trip through a TA to take advantage of the Free DDP (In November 2015). Got everything nailed down, but then the "Contract" came for her to sign and send back. She did not like the language of the contract, was uncomfortable sending here credit card info (via a Fax) back to them and a few other things. She ended up calling Disney directly. Got exactly the same thing, less hassle and no lengthy contract.

I think for the most part it's probably preference and it seems like cost may be the same either way.

 

[OKW Lover]

I think the point to consider is that TA's (at least a good TA) will know about all the available discounts and can recommend the one that best suits you. An individual might be able to find a good deal but then again, they might miss an even better one. That's the value of a good TA.

 

[elaine amj]

I tend to go with a TA because it doesn't cost me any extra to do so and I might as well support a small business. One TA I used before would offer me a small Disney gift card as thanks. My current TA pays for an itinerary planning service. I tend to use them for booking my dining reservations (although I will tweak later on my own). I do my best to make sure I have a good TA though...because there is a risk since you are giving up control of a reservation. I frequent several Disney boards and chose my TA because she had been super helpful on the forum and sounded very knowledgeable. I can trust that she stays up to date on the latest news.

 

[srpresto]

I've used a TA because I like to support the small business and because they keep track of the promotions as they come out. When free dining came out if it had been for my week (my trip starts the day it ends), he would have rebooked it for me, and saved me the hassle. That is worth a lot. He has also been great about recommending places or how long to spend at another park.

 

[Lisaloo]

We used a TA two years ago because hubby won a trip at work and it required a TA. She did not get us a better deal and when we had to make a change at our resort (during magic band testing) we could not make any changes without her on the phone. It was extremely inconvenient and time consuming, but Disney did some awesome things to make up for it without us even asking. I would not use a TA again.

 

[CheshireSteve]

I don't think that TA's get better deals per se, but rather, they can use the commission that they receive to offer something additional to the customer (DDP, onboard credit for cruises, etc) that you wouldn't get by booking directly through Disney.

 

[peg110]

When free dining came out if it had been for my week (my trip starts the day it ends), he would have rebooked it for me, and saved me the hassle.

Not sure if you mean you trip starts the day AFTER it ends or not. Our trip starts on the last day of the Free Dining Plan in November (November 19th) and is for 9 days. We DID get the Free dining plan. So if your situation is the same, then I'd say your TA failed to do their job.

My DW did start to use a TA but since the deal was no better then she could get by herself and then add the additional paperwork and such (didn't even know that you lose control over your reservation), I guess she felt better doing it herself. I suppose for some, to just leave it with a TA is a nice feature. It's kind of like the Ronco Showtime Rotisserie. "Set it and Forget it." With a TA you can just say "This is what we want and when we want it, make it happen and send me the bill!" If however you want control or you are like my DW and Planning is half the fun, then a TA does not make that much sense. (I really do think my DW gets almost as much enjoyment out of planning as she does when we are in the park.)

 

[CheshireSteve]

(I really do think my DW gets almost as much enjoyment out of planning as she does when we are in the park.)

I totally agree with this. I think this scenario applies to us as well. Although I enjoy going to the resorts and the attractions, I feel as if a ton of my satisfaction stems from planning, pondering, and looking forward to, the trip.

 

[srpresto]

Yes, free dining ends on the day before i arrive so i am not able to take advantage.

 

[peg110]

Yes, free dining ends on the day before i arrive so i am not able to take advantage.

That sucks.

Despite that, I am sure you will still have an awesome time.

 

[ChimCher-ee]

I know we're talking about WDW here, but I have read that TAs can get you better deals on Disney cruises, especially if you're trying to book late in the game.

 

[tobikaye]

I know we're talking about WDW here, but I have read that TAs can get you better deals on Disney cruises, especially if you're trying to book late in the game.

TAs cannot get you better rates on Disney cruises, but they can offer on board credits that make it a better deal to go through them. Costco offers a gift card that you receive after you get back from your cruise that you can use at Costco. When I cruised this past December, we ended up with $200 in on board credits from our travel agency. I know when I originally booked, I checked around and that was the best the travel agencies were offering. The Costco gift card might have been a bit bigger, but we do not shop enough at Costco for that to really be a big help.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

I have always used a TA and never got any discounts. Special deal packages for our trip? Yes.

 

[anonymousegirl]

I don't think that TA's get better deals per se, but rather, they can use the commission that they receive to offer something additional to the customer (DDP, onboard credit for cruises, etc) that you wouldn't get by booking directly through Disney.

So you are saying that the TA should give back their paycheck to the client? That's like asking a mechanic that just fixed your transmission, to give back part of what you paid him in the hope of future business.

 

[peg110]

So you are saying that the TA should give back their paycheck to the client? That's like asking a mechanic that just fixed your transmission, to give back part of what you paid him in the hope of future business.

While this may seem odd, it may be correct. I cannot say for certain if TA's can do this, but I can tell you that in a previous life as a sales man (UGH! Hated it) I was commission only. My commission was (for argument sake) $500.00 per unit. If I sold 8 units in a month, my commission would go up to $600.00 per unit. Next step was 10 units a month and I jump to $750.00.

So would I be willing to give someone $300.00 of my commission for the sale if it helped me get to the next level? Yup! Of course it was a tough business and I only stayed for 6 months, but that's another story. My point is, is that being a TA could be similar (although I really don't know, and of course each TA is different from the next). It may be beneficial to give a little up front to get more in return later on.

 

[nicolej92]

We booked ours through AAA, and were so glad we did. Our travel agent went above and beyond to help. We gave her a list of restaurants and FP, and she had them all booked for us. When our trip in March got cancelled due to a snow storm, we gave her a call, and she had everything rebooked the same day. No special rates, but loved the added perks!

 

[OnceUponATime15]

In the past, I have always booked our trips through Disney directly (we drive so I am not talking about airfare just the resort and tickets). Can travel agents get better deals than those offered to the public through Disney? I am not asking for specific TA names because I know that can violate the Dis Board rules, but just in general.

If they sometimes can get better rates, is it acceptable to get quotes from multiple TA's?

I know there is another thread on here about whether or not to book through a TA that discusses having control or not having control of your reservation, but I am concerned with price only. If I could get a better price through a TA, I would consider booking through them. If the prices are the same for them and me I would just keep doing it myself.

In a word, yes. I have always booked my WDW trips myself online. But used a travel agent for the first time last summer.
I stayed at the YC & Poly last August (split stay) YC was $190 a night - Poly was $212 both prices all taxes in.
(This year the split will be Beach Club $202/Poly $223 a night)

This was thru Disney group travel & only accessible through a particular travel agent (agency). Park tickets were also discounted and a day at either TL, BB, DQ or a round of golf was included.

Needless to say... I now use the agency even though I could book myself.