Already paid $300 placeholder deposit - must book directly through Disney now?

[3littlecuties]

I'm reading that a lot of people are using Costco to book their cruises. Can I do that if I already put down a $300 deposit to get 10% off our next cruise? Or does it need to be booked directly through Disney or an authorized TA?

 

[NS8VN]

When did you book the placeholder? I believe you have a time limit to attach a TA to it.

 

[3littlecuties]

We booked the placeholder onboard our Jan 2016 cruise.

 

[wombat_5606]

I'm reading that a lot of people are using Costco to book their cruises. Can I do that if I already put down a $300 deposit to get 10% off our next cruise? Or does it need to be booked directly through Disney or an authorized TA?

Who did you use to pay your deposit?

If it was Disney and it was less than 30 days ago, you can transfer your cruise to Costco.

If it was another TA, you would have to get a release of the cruise.

FYI, Costco is an authorized travel agent for Disney. Any travel agent would be. Some people who say Authorized TA for Disney are usually referring to Disney specialists. Those travel agents may not sell any other types of travel, except Disney cruises and Disney park packages.

Costco is a travel agency that doesn't just specialize in Disney. They sell many different cruises lines. They sell discounted vacation packages all over the world. They sell discounted car rentals.

What you aren't going to get with Costco is an agent that's going to tell you all the little nuances about which room is better for you. They aren't going to tell you which dining rotation is better. They aren't going to tell you which shore excursion for you to do.

 

[3littlecuties]

OK. We booked the placeholder directly through Disney with no associated TA. Sounds like I need to go through Disney now. Thanks!

 

[Amarillis]

OK. We booked the placeholder directly through Disney with no associated TA. Sounds like I need to go through Disney now. Thanks!

As I understand --- from another thread called "Costco Travel" you can move your booking to Costco so that you can get the cash back card.
That sounds like a good deal to me!

 

[wombat_5606]

As I understand --- from another thread called "Costco Travel" you can move your booking to Costco so that you can get the cash back card.
That sounds like a good deal to me!

It is a good deal. But, it must be done before 30 days have passed.

 

[Amarillis]

It is a good deal. But, it must be done before 30 days have passed.

So you missed the window of opportunity
You'll still qualify for the $20 Disney Vacation Account (DVA) credit for every $1000 spent?

Is that the case?

 

[lanejudy]

So you missed the window of opportunity
You'll still qualify for the $20 Disney Vacation Account (DVA) credit for every $1000 spent?

Is that the case?

Probably... it depends when the DVA is opened is when the cruise will be. I believe a DVA must be open for 120 days before you can earn the $20. Not everybody uses a DVA. Some people really like it, just be aware that there have been some major (and minor) tenchological "glitches" which can be very frustrating if it happens to you and your money.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[wombat_5606]

just be aware that there have been some major (and minor) tenchological "glitches" which can be very frustrating

@lanejudy, what are those? I haven't opened an account, but was thinking about suggesting it for my daughter. What should we be aware of?

 

[lanejudy]

@wombat_5606 I don't have a DVA, but have read reports of various issues -- amounts disappearing from the account, the entire account disappearing, unable to access the funds when you want, etc. Periodically there are reports over on the Budget Board, you can find them if you search. Or start a thread asking about pros and cons. I don't mean to turn anyone off, DVA may be a good savings vessel for you, but just make an informed decision.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[alli817]

US Costco may be different, but whenb I checked out Costco Canada Travel, they would not accept an OBB. In other words we couldn't combine the 10% off and costco giftcards. You have to book directly with costco to get the gift cards.

To transfer to your TA it must be done within 30 days.

 

[dtrain]

Wish I had known you could transfer an OBB to Costco, always thought it was not possible.

 

[wombat_5606]

Wish I had known, I thought OBB excluded you from combining it with any other offers. Missed my 30 day window to transfer to Costco.

Sorry, you missed the 30 day window.

Costco isn't a discount offer. It's just a transfer to a travel agent.

Disney pays travel agents a commission. Disney lowered the amount of commission they pay to travel agents when they receive a transferred OBB, but Costco isn't bothered by that.

Costco pays you most of their commission in the form of a Costco cash card.

Next time, when you do a OBB, just tell them that Costco is your travel agent.

 

[SonyaShay]

Next time, when you do a OBB, just tell them that Costco is your travel agent.

You can't do this. AN OBB can keep the existing TA or remove them. You can not add a new TA at the time of OBB. You can just transfer to them after making the booking.

 

[wombat_5606]

You can't do this. AN OBB can keep the existing TA or remove them. You can not add a new TA at the time of OBB. You can just transfer to them after making the booking.

Only if you used a travel agent for that cruise. If you booked directly throught Disney, you may tell them Costco is now your TA.