Benefits of using a TA

[Tara1988]

What are the benefits of using a travel agent? I have looked at a couple, and neither one charged the customer for their services. But what do I get for using them? I basically have everything planned, just waiting on 180 to book adrs. And I check for discounts regularly. Is there any reason to use a travel agent?

 

[etail]

In my case as a frequent visitor the best advantage has been agency specials. The advantages in other situations vary but have been especially helpful with package pricing where I did not want complete control (flight times, rental car agency, etc...) or travel to countries where I don't speak the official language. Two years ago was the first time I had used one for Disney and she had great hotel prices.

 

[tvguy]

Very simple. The advantages are a Professional plans your trip, and all at no cost to you.

 

[rigs32]

As a planner by nature, I prefer to do all the planning myself as it's part of the enjoyment. The internet makes it easy to find what I want along with deals.

If you hate to plan, they can take care of those details for you. BUT. Not all TAs are the same. Some know less than folks who post on these boards.

 

[Capang]

It all depends. I love to plan and usually we want very specific times for ADRs and such. I send all of our choices to our TA in a spreadsheet with times, etc. and she calls when the windows open since we are at work. For us it is a convenience factor. Also, if we get stuck at a park or resort with a problem she is usually able to handle it on her end very quickly.

 

[Capang]

It also depends on your TA. Ours is a lady that is local and was recommended by friends. I think it all depends on the TA you get. We love ours and even though I do most of the planning I love having her do the actual booking and I love having someone else to discuss all the plans with. When I start talking to my fam about menus and meal times 7 months before the trip they just get a blank look on their faces. The fam doesn't seem to understand those are booked six months out, not the week before the trip....so I love using our TA. I would highly recommend one for first time visitors or folks that haven't been in ten years as so much has changed.

 

[MillauFr]

55% off at the poly is why I used one

 

[McKelly]

I use one, because you never know......
Last year, my mom got sick four days before we were supposed to leave for vacation, dying the day before. One call to the TA, and she handled everything, canceled and rebooked to a later date.
Also, now I have a job where I can't sit on the phone to get discounts in the AM. I rely on her to do that for me. It's nice.
I still make all my own ADR reservations, tours, and any extras I want to do.

 

[Albort]

In terms of flights, TA are also able to grab airline seats when they arent available to the public. Also, they sometimes are able to change travel dates without paying those hefty fees.

 

[Eighty8Keys]

We've made five trips to WDW in the last 10 years and used the same TA for the last four trips. I love planning our trips so we only have her book our rooms and Magical Express. She does a great job of keeping an eye out for discounts that we qualify for and then automatically rebooking our rooms. It saves me the hassle of calling Disney. Her agency also puts together their own Mousefan deals that any of their clients can take advantage of if their dates line up with the dates of the deals. We were able to get in on one of the deals in 2013 that worked out to a 20% room discount at POFQ plus a private client appreciation event at DHS after hours during the Osbourne lights. It was amazing.

 

[monorailsilver]

I used one for the first time a few years ago. Besides a cheaper rate at the poly we also got a free waterpark with our park tickets and we were planning on going to a water park that trip.

 

[smiths02]

Some agencies offer group specials.

My agent does not do that, but she is a Disney specialist and very knowledgeable (and works under a company that has all the certification from Disney stuff). My particular agent has also been to DLR, DLP, WDW, and DCL (and Universal). I have only been DLR and WDW, I will hope to go on a Disney Cruise and Universal someday, so I am glad I have someone to talk to about my plans. Someone who knows a little of my family dynamic versus just asking people on the internet. Also, she has an obligation to find answers for me, whereas DIS people do not.

I do most of my plans, but it is nice to have someone doing part of it for me, especially the calling Disney part. When we were at Disney in Feb, she worked hard getting our Bounceback for June while I enjoyed my vacation. For our other vacations, she kept on top of when discounts were released and updated our booking, and I didn't have to call Disney...and calling Disney isn't always fun.
While I make my ADRs, she helped with two Recreation bookings (fishing and a tour) because I would not have phone service and be able to call at my 180 days.

I'm also helping a friend and a small business.

 

[Shmily1]

Some agencies offer group specials.

My agent does not do that, but she is a Disney specialist and very knowledgeable (and works under a company that has all the certification from Disney stuff). My particular agent has also been to DLR, DLP, WDW, and DCL (and Universal). I have only been DLR and WDW, I will hope to go on a Disney Cruise and Universal someday, so I am glad I have someone to talk to about my plans. Someone who knows a little of my family dynamic versus just asking people on the internet. Also, she has an obligation to find answers for me, whereas DIS people do not.

I do most of my plans, but it is nice to have someone doing part of it for me, especially the calling Disney part. When we were at Disney in Feb, she worked hard getting our Bounceback for June while I enjoyed my vacation. For our other vacations, she kept on top of when discounts were released and updated our booking, and I didn't have to call Disney...and calling Disney isn't always fun.
While I make my ADRs, she helped with two Recreation bookings (fishing and a tour) because I would not have phone service and be able to call at my 180 days.

I'm also helping a friend and a small business.

I love your last sentence. I'm sure she appreciates you for that too.

 

[redsonja76]

my TA does all the work for me. I tell her what I want and she makes it happen. Then when she send our documents, if we are cruising, she will also send ship guides, ship secrets, and other interesting ship facts/activities. If we are at the parks, she will send touring plans to maximize our time in the parks from the days that are least busy, to the order we should do things in to waste the least amount of time. Then if there is a problem, I call her and she fixes it. I love my TA

 

[MinMou]

I use a TA when I cruise, because most cruise lines are a horror to deal with. She will get me what I want, and I don't have to sit on the phone waiting or getting agitated at the poor person on the other end who has no information other than what's on the same screen I'm looking at. She charges me nothing, and she keeps track of when payments are due in case I lose track. I have never cruised on Disney (no casino), but I am guessing that working with them is much different than with the other cruise lines. Disney has PHENOMENAL customer service, even when you aren't in the parks.

A TA can help you if you lose your passport, or need help getting a hotel if you miss your flight, or getting a rental car and all sorts of other things that could come up while you are away.

My TA is great at helping me come up with excursions while we are away, but the most important thing she brings to the table is her experience, and the experiences of her other clients, so I can make better decisions about what and when to book.

 

[mindeola]

IMine is my sister in law. I do not need her to do any of it for me because I am very knowledgeable on all things Disney and I love to plan trips!. I just use her to help her out. However, I know she is a lifesaver to many people that do not enjoy planning or are completely overwhelmed.

 

[wendow]

55% off at the poly is why I used one

This! We are using a TA for the first time this Sept.

 

[jenr812]

This! We are using a TA for the first time this Sept.

55%??? How?

 

[Shmily1]

55%??? How?

Some TA's have group rates available to offer to families. In those cases, you could get a great discount on rooms and on tickets.

 

[BabyFu18]

We use a TA for the agency specials/discounts (also she is great about keeping a check on hotel openings and helping us in getting the resort/room we want when it looks to be soldout), she is really great and books our room(s) for us and then I do everything else (dining reservations, fast passes, etc.). Of course your TA can help you in booking your dining and such but I want to do those things myself because I enjoy it, if you aren't a big planner though TAs can be a great help! I think TAs do as much for you in planning of your trip as you'd like them to do, they can be really involved or not very involved depending on what their client wants.

I don't use a TA for every trip, because sometimes we are traveling with multiple families and we all plan together, but when I do use a TA it has been very easy and our agent is super sweet and very accomadating!