Book Direct with Disney or use TA?

[DCLMacro415]

I also charge my cruise to my Costco credit card and receive an additional 3% returned to me in cash at the end of the year. I've never asked Costco to apply any Target gift cards to my cruise reservation, but I'm thinking it would not be a problem. I just prefer to charge the full amount to my credit card to maximize the 3% return.

In the last 4 years, I've rented 24 cars with Costco. They've beaten the price over any direct car rental site every time! That's even when I've tried a multitude of discount codes, corporate or leisure, on their sites. Send me your dates....I can find you a deal! (I don't work for Costco.)

I also charge my cruise to my Costco credit card and receive an additional 3% returned to me in cash at the end of the year. I've never asked Costco to apply any Target gift cards to my cruise reservation, but I'm thinking it would not be a problem. I just prefer to charge the full amount to my credit card to maximize the 3% return.

In the last 4 years, I've rented 24 cars with Costco. They've beaten the price over any direct car rental site every time! That's even when I've tried a multitude of discount codes, corporate or leisure, on their sites. Send me your dates....I can find you a deal! (I don't work for Costco.)

Thanks. Right now its a one day rental so the discount hasn't been great. Trip is still five months away so I'll still shop around and check Costco frequently. Right now, I was able to use SWA for the car, it was cheaper than Costco and I'll get points for rental.

 

[ludari]

I have used a TA for my past 9 cruises (8 are Disney). When I book a placeholder when I'm on a Disney Cruise I immediately put it under my TA. I do receive some shipboard credit from my TA but I like the service I received from my TA. When trying to decide on what cruise I want to move my placeholder to I contact my TA, provide my parameters (dates, destination, ships, budget) and let them do the research and report back to me with their findings. It's at that point I make my final decision and once I do I can access my cruise via the DCL site and manage my cruise just like everyone else. But sometimes my TA has gone a bit farther than necessary as a TA. A few times I happen to be on board the ship with the owners of the TA I use (it's a small company) and I enjoy the fact they seek me out to converse about anything including the service I receive from them. They have also on those few occasions when I happen to be on the ship with them a pirate tour at one of our ports for just their customers on board the ship. It was the same cost that DCL was charging for the tour but we had it much better (small group, private shuttle, private tour, lunch included, and bottle of wine for everyone to take back on the ship). Last year my TA even went far beyond their responsibilities which I don't want to mention but they said it was because I was a repeat customer. I have friends that have used Costco and received some really good perks/prices when booking cruises with them and I have been tempted but I didn't.

 

[wombat_5606]

Thanks. Right now its a one day rental so the discount hasn't been great. Trip is still five months away so I'll still shop around and check Costco frequently. Right now, I was able to use SWA for the car, it was cheaper than Costco and I'll get points for rental.

I definitely think you should keep your eye on Costco. I went to SWA for my rental beginning Jan. 25 and returning on Feb. 8. The least expensive car there is $400 with Payless and my Costco is $343 with Budget. Budget with SWA is $423. The air miles earned won't beat my 3% cash.

Obviously our rental locations could make the difference, but I just don't want anyone to discourage people from checking Costco.

These posts also illustrate to me why I don't use a TA for everything I do. No one is going to do better than I can to get me the best deal.

Of course, DCL is not a big deal because the cruise fare is the cruise fare. One agent may give a client different perks, so go with what you like, especially if you are new to cruising, and new to DCL and have a lot of questions.

A few times I happen to be on board the ship with the owners of the TA I use (it's a small company) and I enjoy the fact they seek me out to converse about anything including the service I receive from them

You definitely have a very unique situation. I don't have a small TA in my area that is going to be cruising on Disney and I would think that doesn't happen very often.

When trying to decide on what cruise I want to move my placeholder to I contact my TA, provide my parameters (dates, destination, ships, budget) and let them do the research and report back to me with their findings

I will point out, that DCL pricing more easily facilitates your situation. They don't allow any discounts on their cruise fares. If you were doing other types of travel, or even other cruise lines, you may be happy with what your agent finds for you, but it might not be the best deal, and that may be fine with you. I actually enjoy researching my travel and I have been able to save thousands over what I've been quoted by TAs.

 

[Wanna be Ariel]

Thank you to all. This really has been a great read. I love having control over my bookings, but if booking with costco is going to give me something like $260 back in a gift card and the price for the cruise is the same as me booking with Disney I think I should totally go the Costco way. Just more I need to look into. Thank you all again.

 

[Aluvendale]

I know it's all personal preference, but here's mine!

We went with Costco. The cost of the room was identical, but we are getting a $310 Costco cash card once we return. We paid with our Costco Visa card, so we'll get the travel cash back too (3%, so eventually another $120 in our pockets). I do most of my grocery shopping at Costco, so we have no issues using a cash card later. I usually prefer doing it myself, but this made $$ sense for us. Had no issues with booking or with the small change we needed.

 

[ludari]

I definitely think you should keep your eye on Costco. I went to SWA for my rental beginning Jan. 25 and returning on Feb. 8. The least expensive car there is $400 with Payless and my Costco is $343 with Budget. Budget with SWA is $423. The air miles earned won't beat my 3% cash.

Obviously our rental locations could make the difference, but I just don't want anyone to discourage people from checking Costco.

These posts also illustrate to me why I don't use a TA for everything I do. No one is going to do better than I can to get me the best deal.

Of course, DCL is not a big deal because the cruise fare is the cruise fare. One agent may give a client different perks, so go with what you like, especially if you are new to cruising, and new to DCL and have a lot of questions.







You definitely have a very unique situation. I don't have a small TA in my area that is going to be cruising on Disney and I would think that doesn't happen very often.



I will point out, that DCL pricing more easily facilitates your situation. They don't allow any discounts on their cruise fares. If you were doing other types of travel, or even other cruise lines, you may be happy with what your agent finds for you, but it might not be the best deal, and that may be fine with you. I actually enjoy researching my travel and I have been able to save thousands over what I've been quoted by TAs.

Wombat, the TA I use is in Florida and I live in California so they not in my area, however they always seems to pick up the phone whenever I call even with the time difference or quick to return my call if they are not in.

I have done many other types of travel but I only use my TA for Disney Cruises. Last year I did a RCL cruise for the first time and I used my TA to book that cruise as well. My TA was extremely helpful in regards to explaining to me the difference between DCL and RCL since I consider myself an veteran Disney Cruiser. I still do a ton of research (which I enjoy) before I book a cruise so I'm not rushing into anything. It's after I do my research when I contact my TA and give them my cruise parameters (dates, ships, destinations, budget, etc.) and they have been several times where my TA has found a better price that I did online for a Disney cruise (one of them is my upcoming EBPC cruise). I may not save thousands (I'm a solo cruiser) but I feel I'm getting a good deal. Nevertheless it's all about having options which we all have and can choose whatever methods suits us the best.

 

[wombat_5606]

TA has found a better price that I did online for a Disney cruise (one of them is my upcoming EBPC cruise

Disney doesn't allow any changes in their pricing, so I'm a little confused on where you had been looking.

I'm glad you have found a TA that works for you!

In my experience, I have been unable to find anyone that has been as comprehensive for my travel needs, as myself. I do use a TA to book things, if it's to my advantage, but I don't require or need any other assistance.