Booking through ABD or Travel Agent

[bryopsis]

What are the advantages/disadvantages of booking through ABD directly as opposed to a travel agent?

 

[Happy99]

Personally I like going through a travel agent

If you are a control freak you may not like going through a travel agent as you can't call ABD directly you will have to filter the questions through your travel agent.
The travel agent I use gives Visa gift cards as a perk for booking with them.

Booking through a travel agent also helps someone keep their job in this tough economy
It doesn't cost you anything extra to book through a TA they get paid a commission by ABD

 

[jenbadeaux]

I booked my first ABD myself and it was very easy. On that adventure, we became friends with a family. The wife is a travel agent, and when we booked Quest for the West together for this summer, I let her book it. I still called ABD directly to book my airfare, and I have called them with questions. ABD took my calls and answered all my questions and helped me book my airfare even though we are booked through a TA. As the pp stated, it didn't cost more, and it helps someone keep their income up in this economy.

 

[Tozzie]

I like to book all of my vacations my self and it has nothing to do with beign a control freak it has to do with not wanting ot ahve to go through a third party to do things or change things and know exactly where I stand. I can do alot of planning and booking at night, late at night and then I don't have to worry about someplace being open or having a convient time to talk. I think it is easier and simpler to book it yourself, IMO.

 

[Joan1]

I like to book all of my vacations my self and it has nothing to do with beign a control freak it has to do with not wanting ot ahve to go through a third party to do things or change things and know exactly where I stand. I can do alot of planning and booking at night, late at night and then I don't have to worry about someplace being open or having a convient time to talk. I think it is easier and simpler to book it yourself, IMO.

For those that have the time and don't mind the hours it takes to put it all together then yes you can do it yourself. Personally I travel a lot for work and really do not have the time to dedicate to it as it needs. The time I am at home is quality time with my husband and children. I love that I can be outside playing with my children while my TA handles all the details. My time is precious and have very little of it that isn't work related. The more of it I can spend with my family the better

Also since ABD is only by phone I don't have the time to sit there and be on hold.

I can't even begin to count the amount of money my TA has saved me by applying discounts when they became available. There is no way that I would have been able to keep up with it especially since a lot of times I was in a conference or on a plane and not able to be on the phone holding to take care of it myself. Since she has been so valuable to me even the few times that I do have the time I still let her take care of the details. I don't want to take the work away from her on the very few occassions I can do it myself. I have built up a great relationship with her and that started right at the first vacation she handled for me

To the original poster - it really comes down to what you prefer. Do you like the planning and having the time to take care of all the little details? If not then a good TA is invaluable, at least to me.

As the others have said, in this economy it is nice to be able to give someone work which doesn't actually cost you a cent out of your pocket

 

[Phil1019]

Hi, ABD just called me to say that Continental Airline had changed some of the flight times for my trip to Costa Rica 7/18/09. ABD flight specialist did rebook the flights that are good for me and since the airlines changed the times , I do not have to pay a rebooking fee of $150.00. The airfare that I originally paid has come down in price however, ABD stated my money would not be refunded since it was booked by ABD. Well, I called Continental Airlines and they are indeed are going to issue me a voucher for a future flight since they do not refund cash. I can use the voucher up until 3/10/10. I have to book someting by that date in order to use it. I am getting two vouchers for $260.00 each. My daughter and I are going on the trip. So, the moral of this story is, it never hurts to ask, the most they can say is no.

 

[Tozzie]

For those that have the time and don't mind the hours it takes to put it all together then yes you can do it yourself. Personally I travel a lot for work and really do not have the time to dedicate to it as it needs. The time I am at home is quality time with my husband and children. I love that I can be outside playing with my children while my TA handles all the details. My time is precious and have very little of it that isn't work related. The more of it I can spend with my family the better

Also since ABD is only by phone I don't have the time to sit there and be on hold.

I can't even begin to count the amount of money my TA has saved me by applying discounts when they became available. There is no way that I would have been able to keep up with it especially since a lot of times I was in a conference or on a plane and not able to be on the phone holding to take care of it myself. Since she has been so valuable to me even the few times that I do have the time I still let her take care of the details. I don't want to take the work away from her on the very few occassions I can do it myself. I have built up a great relationship with her and that started right at the first vacation she handled for me

To the original poster - it really comes down to what you prefer. Do you like the planning and having the time to take care of all the little details? If not then a good TA is invaluable, at least to me.

As the others have said, in this economy it is nice to be able to give someone work which doesn't actually cost you a cent out of your pocket

I don't spend hours planning a vacation, it really doesn't take "hours" and I always have a great vacation.

 

[sayhello]

Personally, I enjoy making the arrangements (in as much as you "make arrangements" on an ABD. Much of my liking of ABD is that they make most of the arrangements for me!) For what arrangements are left, I like doing that part. It helps build the anticipation for the trip. I'm busy, too, but planning my vacation is a nice way to take a break.

I have used a TA in the past (like to book my Alaska cruise) because I wanted someone with some expertise in the area. There were just *SO* many choices, and I was looking for a specific experience, and the TA helped me narrow things down based on her extensive knowledge. I think TA's are definitely useful in some cases, but sometimes, I just like to do it myself!

Sayhello

 

[bryopsis]

Thanks all for your input.

 

[SLK1]

I'm a little confused because I booked the trip through Costco Travel - got the Early Booking Discount AND a gift card through them - but when my husband paid a few weeks ago, he called ABD. They obviously took the payment, but I'm not sure if that was the correct thing to do...

 

[Turtlemom]

I think you're fine, SLK-1.
I booked through Costco too. Costco has a special line to ABD, and the reservations were handled directly by ABD, even though the Costco card should be issued by Costco--after the trip.
I have contacted ABD several times since then and I plan to pay ABD, not Costco, . . . .

Turtlemom.

 

[GirlfromTN]

I think you're fine, SLK-1.
I booked through Costco too. Costco has a special line to ABD, and the reservations were handled directly by ABD, even though the Costco card should be issued by Costco--after the trip.
I have contacted ABD several times since then and I plan to pay ABD, not Costco, . . . .

Turtlemom.

That's right-I booked with Costco too. If you call the Costco number to try to make a payment or ask a question, it just transfers you to ABD anyway. You don't actually book through Costco; you are just transferred to ABD and Costco gets a booking credit because you call through their phone number.

 

[Haley]

The prices for ABD are going to be the same no matter who you book them with. So TA's just give little perks that might make it worth it.

AAA gives a leather ABD album and will give you 2% off if you pay with a AAA credit card. That's what I did.

Haley

 

[2GirlsMama]

We have a FANTASTIC AAA travel agent who booked our trip. She has booked several of our Disney World trips, and we have a great relationship with her. On Friday when I came home from work there was a huge box that was full of little presents for our daughters. She even made a calendar with the dates of our trip marked. It was a personal gift from her just to share our excitement for the trip. It was a really special surprise. It is nice to know we have someone looking out for us.