Basic ABD info?

[Birdie dog]

I consider myself a DCL pro. But, I've never done ABD. We just returned from Norway and it was amazing. I'm looking for an equally fantastic trip in 2017.

I'm considering the Germany, Austria, Czech trip, the River Cruise or possibly Italy.

Questions are:
1- When will 2017 options be announced?

2- as with DCL, is booking sooner going to get you a better rate?

3- Since airfare isn't included, I'm assuming you make a deposit and have a pay by date? What percentage of the trip is the deposit?

Any other newbie info would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[TXTransplant]

I consider myself a DCL pro. But, I've never done ABD. We just returned from Norway and it was amazing. I'm looking for an equally fantastic trip in 2017.

I'm considering the Germany, Austria, Czech trip, the River Cruise or possibly Italy.

Questions are:
1- When will 2017 options be announced?

2- as with DCL, is booking sooner going to get you a better rate?

3- Since airfare isn't included, I'm assuming you make a deposit and have a pay by date? What percentage of the trip is the deposit?

Any other newbie info would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

2016 rates and dates just came out the first week of June. From what I understand, ABD is pretty consistent with this.

Opening day rates will be the lowest price. As more people book a specific trip on a specific set of dates, the price of that trip will go up.

The deposit is $300 per person, refundable if you cancel within 14 days.

 

[rebeccam31]

I consider myself a DCL pro. But, I've never done ABD. We just returned from Norway and it was amazing. I'm looking for an equally fantastic trip in 2017.

I'm considering the Germany, Austria, Czech trip, the River Cruise or possibly Italy.

Questions are:
1- When will 2017 options be announced?

2- as with DCL, is booking sooner going to get you a better rate?

3- Since airfare isn't included, I'm assuming you make a deposit and have a pay by date? What percentage of the trip is the deposit?

Any other newbie info would also be appreciated.

Thanks.

The above answers are correct with the addition of the fact that if you are a DVC member you get the opening day rate even if you book later (this helped me this year when I had to change my departure date).

 

[tgeorge]

For final payment, mine is due in June for and October departure. Just keep in mind that unlike cruising your $300 per person deposit is only refundable for 14 days after booking (like TXtransplant pointed out).

For airfare, you can have ABD add it on,but the cost of the air is due when you book the air. The one thing I like is that by having ABD book it you get protection if they do cancel the trip (from what others have said this makes it a bit easier) and you can also book the flights you want. So, for us, when I find the flight times I want I'll let my TA know and he'll contact ABD. They will book my flight and I'll be charged at that time.

I hope that helps! I too enjoy cruising, but I'm very excited about trying ABD. I think it is going to be fantastic!

 

[lucky1]

Birdie Dog - We just did the Copenhagen ABD pre Cruise before Norway Cruise and it was amazing. We are also now looking at what other ABD we will do.

 

[Birdie dog]

That's awesome! Is there an uncharge for them booking the air? If not it seems like a great way to have your flight covered.

 

[tgeorge]

That's awesome! Is there an uncharge for them booking the air? If not it seems like a great way to have your flight covered.

No, no up charge. You just find your flights, give them the info, they book it and charge you.

I agree, it seemed like a no brainer, especially since I could pick my flight

 

[aggiedog]

We booked the river cruise on opening day. It has gone up approx $600/person since then. Most of that was the first few weeks after they released the dates.

 

[tgeorge]

ABD will also work with you on air if you book it on your own and it gets cancelled, however, I've been told that having ABD book the air really does help to simplify everything.

 

[Birdie dog]

No, no up charge. You just find your flights, give them the info, they book it and charge you.

I agree, it seemed like a no brainer, especially since I could pick my flight

Thanks so much for that! I didn't realize it was an option but I will definitely use it.

 

[TXTransplant]

Thanks so much for that! I didn't realize it was an option but I will definitely use it.

This is exactly what I did for our ABD trip to Germany last month. I checked prices for the better part of six months, waiting to get the best price. When I was ready to book, I used United.com for the flight numbers and seat info, and then sent that info to my ABD TA to book. I was charged exactly what the United website said it would cost. I didn't book flights until right before my final payment was due, so don't feel rushed to get ABD to do it for you when you book the trip. They can book your flights at any time.

Something that's interesting, though, is the flights show up on your credit card statement as a charge from "Disney Resort Hotels." I've wondered if this makes it easier to get a refund, if your trip is cancelled by ABD, since you are never charged by the airline (ie, ABD owes you the money, not the airline).

 

[laceltris3]

Nevermind. I see my question was answered. I think I will still book on my own to get the free checked bags, priority boarding, and additional miles that you only receive if you book the flights directly.

 

[TXTransplant]

Nevermind. I see my question was answered. I think I will still book on my own to get the free checked bags, priority boarding, and additional miles that you only receive if you book the flights directly.

I would have gotten free checked bags (had we checked any), and I got miles credited to my account even though my TA booked the tickets. I just linked the reservation to my rewards account using the confirmation number I received from the TA. I think most major airlines offer free checked backs on international flights.

 

[tgeorge]

Nevermind. I see my question was answered. I think I will still book on my own to get the free checked bags, priority boarding, and additional miles that you only receive if you book the flights directly.

Yup...exactly what TXtransplant said will work. If you have a specific CC that gives you the perk (for me it is the United Explorer Card) if you use that card to pay it should still give you all the benefits... Priority boarding, etc. Maybe call the airline to ask??

 

[carpenta]

If you book your own flights and ABD cancels your trip then you are "screwed".......ABD will not reimburse your exchange fees for those tickets.....believe me I have first hand experience......

 

[Birdie dog]

This is a very new thing for me. The cancellations. It makes me slightly nervous that they'd cancel and we'd lose the trip. I understand (I think) that the tours are cancelled if they are only lightly booked or if there are political issues making the country unsafe? It's something to take into consideration when I pull the trigger.

 

[tgeorge]

I think that is why most people recommend booking air through ABD. Yes, they can cancel for the reasons you stated, but if everything is booked through them getting the to help rebook or refund you is a lot easier (from reading others experiences). Carpenta obviously was one of the unlucky ones. It does seem very infrequent, but it does happen. I think you shouldn't let it stop you from booking. You'll have a great time. Just book your air through ABD and everything else will work itself out

 

[DisneyKevin]

If you book your own flights and ABD cancels your trip then you are "screwed".......ABD will not reimburse your exchange fees for those tickets.....believe me I have first hand experience......

I understand that this is your experience, but I have never had this problem with any of my guests.

Kevin@DreamsUnlimitedTravel.com

 

[TXTransplant]

This is a very new thing for me. The cancellations. It makes me slightly nervous that they'd cancel and we'd lose the trip. I understand (I think) that the tours are cancelled if they are only lightly booked or if there are political issues making the country unsafe? It's something to take into consideration when I pull the trigger.

Made me nervous, too. I've been told by several people that cancellations are rare. Booking my air through ABD is what put my mind (kind of) at ease...at least I knew I would get a FULL refund if ABD were to cancel. Eventually, ABD will identify specific dates as being guaranteed departures, but they won't do that until the trip is partially filled, which means you are likely to pay more for a guaranteed trip.

Another interesting thing to note...ABD never officially guaranteed our Germany trip. When my final payment was due, I think only 14 people were booked. We wound up with 24 total on the trip, which was a great number, but the situation had me holding my breath. The 2016 trip on essentially the same dates (off by one day) is already so full that the price has jumped by $670 for kids and $710 for adults. Go figure...(maybe my ~stellar~ trip report had something to do with it...LOL!)

 

[tgeorge]

I did enjoy your trip report, so it could be possible