Travel Agent Perks??

[DisneyFamilyWI]

I'm using a travel agent for our Disney dream cruise. I was told to use a travel agent because you can get perks, but she had yet to offer any perks! What's the point? She gets commission and she isn't doing anything more for me that disneycruise.com could do for me. Anyone get any perks? I also asked for hotel tips or deals before and after with little to no help and no "deals"... Smh

 

[Ptwolfman]

Some offer an OBC

 

[sissy_ib]

Not all TAs will offer you anything. It is one of those things you need to shop around for.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Our travel agent has managed to get us booked on sold-out cruises, given us discounts (tho not on DCL since that's not allowed) notified us of special pricing (again, not on DCL) given us generous onboard credits. On one extended-family cruise she accompanied us, came bearing gifts, and insisted on babysitting some of the younger kids so their parents could enjoy a day on shore.

She's also fought battles for us when a cruise line wouldn't book us as they had promised (long story.) She took it up the food chain all the way to a vice pres and managed to get us the right rooms, as well as a complimentary meal for the whole family (at least 30 people that cruise) at their upscale restaurant as an apology.

We could book our own cruises, but we'd rather have our TA in our corner -- it's a pleasure doing business with her.

 

[Deluzy]

Like any type of travel, whether to use a TA or which one to use depends on your needs. Some offer OBCs and give little to no servicing. Some do not offer OBCs, but offer a lot of services (advising on the cruise, pre- and post-cruise transportation and accommodations, cruise tips, etc.). There are some in the middle (may send gifts, offer other services, etc.)

I compare it to getting a hair cut: you can go to the barber shop for $7 or go to a fancy salon for $40. Both ways you end up with a hair cut, but salon will often times provide more services (wash, style, water/coffee, etc.).

 

[kcashner]

Some agencies offer an onboard credit, a shopping card, a gift upon boarding, a coupon pack good for stuff on the ship (photos, specialty coffee, floats on Castaway, etc.) IMHO, the best deal is either an onboard credit (so I can spend the money as I wish while on board) or a shopping card to a store I actually use. I never did understand the concept of sending a fruit basket to my cabin when there is food all over the ship and I can't take it home....and I'd rather determine what to spend the money on rather than having a coupon for a coffee that I might not buy.

However, these perks are generally known up front (at least the credit/gift cards). Many come from national or on line agencies...local agencies don't seem to offer as many.

When you choose an agent/agency, you are shopping for both their experience and any perk.

 

[zstyles]

YEs but a travel agent will be there (well most of them) by a facebook message, text or call..where as a website will give you a toll free number and a hourly paid person to "assist you" if possible.

 

[mammacaryn]

You have to ask BEFORE you book if they offer any special on board credits or rebates or special gifts.

 

[kcashner]

YEs but a travel agent will be there (well most of them) by a facebook message, text or call..where as a website will give you a toll free number and a hourly paid person to "assist you" if possible.

Some agencies who are primarily nationwide or have a big on line presence also have a team of trained, hard working agents ready to speak with you on the phone and happy for your business. Some of these are actually small, family run operations who have learned to make use of the internet.

Others (and I wouldn't think of using these) are nothing more than a phone line. Sure, I might click on their web site to look up flight possibilities, but I wouldn't book with them.

I always used to use a local agent until my agent retired and the person I was "supposed to" use in her old office didn't know as much as I knew. Sorry, I like a real person who has "been there, done that." In travel, the "been there" is especially helpful. And, frankly, I LOVE to hear "I haven't done that, but let me transfer your call to Joe Blow because he has."

A good agency/agent is a true blessing. A bad one.....no comment.

 

[ludari]

I get $50 shipboard credit from my TA. At least once a week my TA send me a newsletter about lower price cruises, discount resort prices, perks at the parks for meals, etc. They are also very good at finding me the best price when I book cruises.

 

[hurleysweety]

This is our 5th Disney vacation and the first time using a TA and I'm so glad we decided to use one.

She has handled everything so well and is very good at replying to my emails - especially when I was figuring out cabins, categories, etc. I would look up stuff on the Disney site, and then email her with my questions, needs, wants, etc. She has been looking out ever since we booked - we also booked our before stay with her too. When a new room discount came out, she automatically priced out the difference and emailed me before I even knew about it! We already ended up having a better deal.

I recommend shopping around and using the TA you feel most comfortable with and see the value that works best for you. Some prefer a TA they can call, some want to see their TA in person. Some want a Disney specific TA, some want a cruise specialist TA.

For me, it was the reviews from others that sold me on the travel agency that I ended up using - that and a pretty nice OBC too!

 

[su_A_ve]

YEs but a travel agent will be there (well most of them) by a facebook message, text or call..where as a website will give you a toll free number and a hourly paid person to "assist you" if possible.

Yeah right...

It depends on the TA...

 

[VictoriaAndMatt]

I'm using a travel agent for our Disney dream cruise. I was told to use a travel agent because you can get perks, but she had yet to offer any perks! What's the point? She gets commission and she isn't doing anything more for me that disneycruise.com could do for me. Anyone get any perks? I also asked for hotel tips or deals before and after with little to no help and no "deals"... Smh

I'm using Dreams Unlimited and am getting an OBC. It depends on what cat you book to determine how much you get for 2012 cruises or how much your cruise costs for 2013 cruises. In addition our TA has answered all the questions we have and changed our reservation for us twice now (decides to do a 7 day instead of 4 and then changed categories) and she always responds really quickly. Though I'll admit if it wasn't for the OBC I'd probably just do it myself, but it is nice having someone knowledgable on your side.

 

[Bonniec]

I'm using Dreams Unlimited and am getting an OBC. It depends on what cat you book to determine how much you get for 2012 cruises or how much your cruise costs for 2013 cruises. In addition our TA has answered all the questions we have and changed our reservation for us twice now (decides to do a 7 day instead of 4 and then changed categories) and she always responds really quickly. Though I'll admit if it wasn't for the OBC I'd probably just do it myself, but it is nice having someone knowledgable on your side.

That's why I went through them as well. Beth is great! But honestly, I had done all my research and knew what I want. But I used them because of the OBC. I like that they aren't an official TA or whatever that means on their web site. I.e. everything is still booked through Disney with your credit card. I know I need to go through them if I need to change anything but I can still schedule all my own activities and excursions. It was a nice alternative for me because I like to do all my own planning and didn't need a TA to do everything. They get the commision and I get an OBC.

 

[BAT]

I think you would still be able to do those things if you went through a TA. TA will give you your Disney reservation number and then you could log in to DCL and book those.

 

[momto2girlsLA]

I booked through Small World Vacations and we got OBC plus some other stuff for our WDW portion of our trip. The rpice dropped for part of our trip and she got us the new rate and emailed us when it was done - I didn't have to do a thing. That alone makes it worth it. I was able to book m,y own excursions and meals at WDW which I wanted to do (the control freak part of me needed some control on the planning of the trip) and we asked a trillion questions which she was easily able to answer. Since we started talking to her 9 months ago, she has gone to Disney twice so I trust her experiences.

I have used TA's for other big trips and it has always been worth it - on a trip to the Galapogas Islands years ago we had flight issues and one call to the travel agent and everything was taken care of and rebooked and we just sat back and waited for them to do everything - it was way less stressful than being stuck in an airport and having to make a lot of calls (and some international) - we made one call and everything was handled for us.

 

[zacaronius]

I booked through Small World Vacations and we got OBC plus some other stuff for our WDW portion of our trip..

I have used a local travel agent once, and while he was awesome on coordinating our trip and giving us some suggestions about taking the late dining, there were no perks I can remember, but it was nice for our first cruise. For our last cruise and our upcoming one we booked with Small World Vacations and work with a wonderful TA, we got and OBC for our first one as well as the future one we booked while on board. Its nice when you have a TA that loves Disney, they do have tips, tricks suggestions and ours is really easy to get ahold of via email or phone.

 

[klr6773]

We've booked both the Wonder ( 4 ys ago) and the Fantasy (10/13) through Costco Travel. As a former TA myself, I know how to do the legwork. However, Costco gave us a cash card around $150 last time and we will be getting a $340 cash card after the Fantasy trip! Prices quoted are the same as booking Disney directly,but the cash card is simply too awesome to pass up on. Much rather have that than a shipboard credit,especially so close to Christmas shopping time!

 

[MillauFr]

We used Costco Travel. They gave us a $595 Costco Gift Card on our $7500 Wonder cruise this Summer. Just like at the stores they are professional and efficient, but they really don't do any hand holding. I didn't need any help so it worked for me.

 

[FOXFIELDZOO]

First I have to say the main "Perk" for me is not having to do all the work myself.When you have so many other things to do in life ,also when you are a first timer they have alot of great tips that you may not have known .you have to think about the value of your time ,P.S. most commisions are paid out by the co.they book a trip for, not the consumer.And most will work hard for you to give you the best value for your money