Booking online vs. telephone???

[Cruz Family]

My last trip I booked on line (I am very visual) but I am hearing about all the discounts people get by calling. Do you get the same discounts online? What are the differences? What are the advantages of using a TA? Is it just to let them do the work (I like doing everything myself) or is that a way to save extra $$? Sorry for so many questions I just want to get the best deal for my next trip. Thanks in advance for any help, Melissa

 

[tkldisney]

If you book online you will not get any discounts unless you have code (i think theres a place for code.) If your AAA then you need to call CRO and book through them (room only) and you will get appropriate discount. You can also ask CM booking your reservation if you have a discount code. I usually book directly with CRO using AAA, then I do everything else ADR's, etc. myself. I too like the process of planning and making my own ressies.
If you want a package with dining and are using AAA you must book through AAA, but you still can do the rest of the planning yourself.
Some of the people here use Small World Vacations & Dreams Unlimited so not sure how they work, but if there is discount available they will pass it on to you. They will however make all your other ressies only if you want them too!
If you book through TA, your trip has to be paid in full 45 days before arrival. If you book room only through CRO and use AAA or pin code then you only pay deposit and rest upon arrival. (this is what I do) You also have up until 5 days to cancel, where with TA, you must cancel within 45 days or pay penalty. $100.00 up to 44-6 days or 200.00. if within 5 days of arrival.

 

[goofie4goofy]

When I booked our upcoming trip a few weeks ago, I happened to get a very knowledgable CM at WDTC. I was asking her about booking on line vs. over the phone. She had told me that there are so many mistakes made by booking on line. There's nothing better than speaking to a real live person. I llike having my reservation e mailed or faxed to me so I can see it. Also you get so much more info by speaking to someone, you can book your room, ask for codes (or at least the CM I spoke to said so) ask about plans and any money saved and you can book your PS (if within time frame) all in 1 phone call. I think it is very important to get a name of the person you spoke to. I have found some CM's to be great and some just terrible, but a TA has to call the same people so you are not doing anything diferent than a TA.

Now about using a TA. There are pros and cons. I personaly do not use one, because I think it's crazy to call a TA who will in turn call the WDTC (the same people you would speak to) to make your arrangements. When I speak to them I have so many different questions once I start the booking process. By booking thru a TA, you give up control fo your booking. If you have a question or a change, you must call the TA. I also like having the documents mailed directly to me instead of going to the TA's office then to me.

Some people swear by a TA because of the codes, but I have asked the CM's directly over the phone for codes and they ahve applied them. You can also find out about codes here on the DIS.

This is just my opinion and what works best for me. Once you get opinions from both sides you can figure what's best for you.