Can a TA "transfer" the reservation back to us?

[ErinsMommy]

We paid off our upcoming November trip so its really just annoying at this point not being able to talk direct to Disney if I have a question or request on our reservation. So can the TA transfer the reservation back to us? Or would she lose the commission if she does so? <Which we dont want to happen as she's been wonderful>

 

[TinkLoverSam]

She would loose the commission. If you had experienced a problem with the TA there is a way to request the reservation back but the TA has to agree. As that is not the case you will just have to keep contacting the TA

 

[Searc]

We paid off our upcoming November trip so its really just annoying at this point not being able to talk direct to Disney if I have a question or request on our reservation. So can the TA transfer the reservation back to us? Or would she lose the commission if she does so? <Which we dont want to happen as she's been wonderful>

Yes, you can have a reservation transferred back to you. I agree TA's are not worth the hassle they cause the customer. Call the TA and request the reservation be transferred back to you. If they refuse, go over her head ~ immediately. It is your vacation and your money and you have the right to spend it as you choose.

 

[ErinsMommy]

I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the commission - and wouldn’t go over her head either. She’s been fabulous and very helpful - just would rather be back in control now that it’s all paid up.

 

[Allison]

Yes, you can have a reservation transferred back to you. I agree TA's are not worth the hassle they cause the customer. Call the TA and request the reservation be transferred back to you. If they refuse, go over her head ~ immediately. It is your vacation and your money and you have the right to spend it as you choose.

That would be a terrible thing to do since the TA has done their job and earned their commission.

Not using a TA at all-agreed.
Dropping a TA who hasn't done their job-agreed.
Getting rid of them after they have done the work for you- not okay.

 

[buzznina]

I totally agree with Allison.
What's the annoying part? You tell the TA what your request is and they will add it, just like you would with Disney. Or do online check-in and use the room request there, don't need a TA for that. And what questions? If it is about the resort, the odds are the CM will not know or worse give you wrong information. I sometimes use a TA that specializes in Disney and she has given me some great tips and advice when I asked her questions. And I never found it to be a hassle using a TA, and have gotten better rates then I could with WDW deals.

 

[ErinsMommy]

That would be a terrible thing to do since the TA has done their job and earned their commission.

Not using a TA at all-agreed.
Dropping a TA who hasn't done their job-agreed.
Getting rid of them after they have done the work for you- not okay.

I think the term “getting rid of them” is a bit harsh and over reacted. If their commission wasn’t at stake no harm no foul, nothing left to do but wait so why shouldn’t I get back “control”? . Now that Ive learned commission it’s in fact at stake, then of course that changes things and as I’ve said above I have no intention of doing that to her.

 

[ErinsMommy]

I totally agree with Allison.
What's the annoying part? You tell the TA what your request is and they will add it, just like you would with Disney. Or do online check-in and use the room request there, don't need a TA for that. And what questions? If it is about the resort, the odds are the CM will not know or worse give you wrong information. I sometimes use a TA that specializes in Disney and she has given me some great tips and advice when I asked her questions. And I never found it to be a hassle using a TA, and have gotten better rates then I could with WDW deals.

Adding changes to DME for one. Another making sure our room request has been noted. I don’t have a list of everything I would want to ask a CM directly vs. bothering our TA for but that’s just 2 items that are off the top. As for room requests if you look at many resorts the “requests” are very vague and sometimes don’t even apply to the resort at all, so again I ask “what’s the harm/foul” in the request if commission wasn’t at stake?

 

[Keels]

Adding changes to DME for one. Another making sure our room request has been noted. I don’t have a list of everything I would want to ask a CM directly vs. bothering our TA for but that’s just 2 items that are off the top. As for room requests if you look at many resorts the “requests” are very vague and sometimes don’t even apply to the resort at all, so again I ask “what’s the harm/foul” in the request if commission wasn’t at stake?

You can do DME changes on your own via the website, so unless you have a real compulsion to speak with someone on the phone - you can take ownership back of that small piece of your trip. You'll get an email automatically about your DME reservation - it's really just a convenience that TAs offer to do on your behalf.

As far as Room Requests go, you can use a service like Touring Plans to fax in an additional request - but that's a total crapshoot in general.

I've had better luck (as a VERY part-part-part-time TA) calling in the TA line with my room requests for my reservations than doing them as a general guest. Every single time I've done a room request as a TA/via the TA line, I either receive the exact room I want or a comparable one. Not so much as a direct consumer. I've even had a client that has been so concerned, we've done a three-way call with the TA line and the booking agent was able to read off all their requests that I previously had noted on the reservation (low floor, bathtub, far from an elevator, near transportation - and a room number that I researched and suggested that met all the criteria).

If you're worried about making extra work for your TA, it's actually very easy on their part - one phone call (and there's never a wait on the existing reservations line) and they can handle both the room request and DME changes. If she's done a great job for you so far that you don't want to take away her commission, then let her continue to work FOR you to earn that commission which would otherwise just go back to Disney while you do the work.

Is she really hands-on with other things like your MDE - ie. altering FastPasses and ADRs? THAT would be something I'd request to have back immediately or to be completely in control of. But the little things? Let her handle those.

 

[Dave006]

Adding changes to DME for one.

No need for a Travel Agent or even a CM via a phone call. You can make your initial DME request or any updates / changes via an online web form. Here is the link, check it out as it is very handy for guests and even travel agents.

Link: https://secure.reservations.disney.go.com/ibcwdw/en_US/dme/dmeform
Dave

 

[Hopefully]

I think the term “getting rid of them” is a bit harsh and over reacted. If their commission wasn’t at stake no harm no foul, nothing left to do but wait so why shouldn’t I get back “control”? . Now that Ive learned commission it’s in fact at stake, then of course that changes things and as I’ve said above I have no intention of doing that to her.

I think it is completely accurate for what you were asking, not over reacted at all

 

[ErinsMommy]

I think it is completely accurate for what you were asking, not over reacted at all

Now Im generally curious, how so?? If I clearly stated, numerous times in fact, that if the commission was at stake in no way would I jeopoardize that for her, what harm is it in taking back the reservation?? We enjoy working with her, in fact worked with her the year prior, and we hope to work with her in the future as well, but if I wanted to take it back to cause HER less work in what seems like our never ending flight changes and asking that she call DME to change it over and over again because we can't, and also since our DD has special needs we want to speak to someone personally ourselves with regard to our "room request", what's so wrong with that??

 

[ErinsMommy]

No need for a Travel Agent or even a CM via a phone call. You can make your initial DME request or any updates / changes via an online web form. Here is the link, check it out as it is very handy for guests and even travel agents.

Link: https://secure.reservations.disney.go.com/ibcwdw/en_US/dme/dmeform
Dave

Yes but we already have the reservation in with DME thanks to our TA, but the flight has changed a couple of times already and with 90+ days left, I'm not so sure I've seen the last of the flight changes, and rather than keep bothering her time and time again to update DME, we figured it would be easier if we just took control of our reservation back. Plus we want to personally speak to someone re: the "room request"

 

[ErinsMommy]

You can do DME changes on your own via the website, so unless you have a real compulsion to speak with someone on the phone - you can take ownership back of that small piece of your trip. You'll get an email automatically about your DME reservation - it's really just a convenience that TAs offer to do on your behalf.

As far as Room Requests go, you can use a service like Touring Plans to fax in an additional request - but that's a total crapshoot in general.

I've had better luck (as a VERY part-part-part-time TA) calling in the TA line with my room requests for my reservations than doing them as a general guest. Every single time I've done a room request as a TA/via the TA line, I either receive the exact room I want or a comparable one. Not so much as a direct consumer. I've even had a client that has been so concerned, we've done a three-way call with the TA line and the booking agent was able to read off all their requests that I previously had noted on the reservation (low floor, bathtub, far from an elevator, near transportation - and a room number that I researched and suggested that met all the criteria).

If you're worried about making extra work for your TA, it's actually very easy on their part - one phone call (and there's never a wait on the existing reservations line) and they can handle both the room request and DME changes. If she's done a great job for you so far that you don't want to take away her commission, then let her continue to work FOR you to earn that commission which would otherwise just go back to Disney while you do the work.

Is she really hands-on with other things like your MDE - ie. altering FastPasses and ADRs? THAT would be something I'd request to have back immediately or to be completely in control of. But the little things? Let her handle those.

You can do DME changes on your own via the website, so unless you have a real compulsion to speak with someone on the phone - you can take ownership back of that small piece of your trip. You'll get an email automatically about your DME reservation - it's really just a convenience that TAs offer to do on your behalf.

As far as Room Requests go, you can use a service like Touring Plans to fax in an additional request - but that's a total crapshoot in general.

I've had better luck (as a VERY part-part-part-time TA) calling in the TA line with my room requests for my reservations than doing them as a general guest. Every single time I've done a room request as a TA/via the TA line, I either receive the exact room I want or a comparable one. Not so much as a direct consumer. I've even had a client that has been so concerned, we've done a three-way call with the TA line and the booking agent was able to read off all their requests that I previously had noted on the reservation (low floor, bathtub, far from an elevator, near transportation - and a room number that I researched and suggested that met all the criteria).

If you're worried about making extra work for your TA, it's actually very easy on their part - one phone call (and there's never a wait on the existing reservations line) and they can handle both the room request and DME changes. If she's done a great job for you so far that you don't want to take away her commission, then let her continue to work FOR you to earn that commission which would otherwise just go back to Disney while you do the work.

Is she really hands-on with other things like your MDE - ie. altering FastPasses and ADRs? THAT would be something I'd request to have back immediately or to be completely in control of. But the little things? Let her handle those.

Rather than keep repeating, i posted above my response. As for hands on, we've done our own ADRs and will be doing our own FPs as I may want to make changes at the last minute depending on times I'm able to get/not get. And I don't mind doing the work, so long as she gets the commission. She was very sweet to us -- her agency even has AE's which are the packages we started with, but over the months changed our reservations to resorts were there were no AEs and are happy with what we have booked now

 

[Madame]

Yes but we already have the reservation in with DME thanks to our TA, but the flight has changed a couple of times already and with 90+ days left, I'm not so sure I've seen the last of the flight changes, and rather than keep bothering her time and time again to update DME, we figured it would be easier if we just took control of our reservation back. Plus we want to personally speak to someone re: the "room request"

You can submit flight changes through that booking page. DVC members use it all the time. There is a box that asks if you’ve already submitted a ME request for that reservation. Just check it off & submit the new info. I’ve done it several times. Low stress and you immediately get an email confirmation.

 

[ErinsMommy]

You can submit flight changes through that booking page. DVC members use it all the time. There is a box that asks if you’ve already submitted a ME request for that reservation. Just check it off & submit the new info. I’ve done it several times. Low stress and you immediately get an email confirmation.

Oh awesome, I didn't know that and that's super helpful. Thanks!

 

[sponica]

I guess I'm confused, isn't handling all the little details the "perks" of using a TA? I mean it's her job...as far as speaking to someone in person, it seems like she should be able to facilitate a 3 way call to make sure stuff doesn't get lost in translation.

 

[ErinsMommy]

I guess I'm confused, isn't handling all the little details the "perks" of using a TA? I mean it's her job...as far as speaking to someone in person, it seems like she should be able to facilitate a 3 way call to make sure stuff doesn't get lost in translation.

She had some agency exclusives and our previous trip last year we were able to book using the AEs. This year we started off the same way but decided after that we weren't going to be as happy with the resort/room type so rather than cancel with her all together and book direct through Disney, we still wanted to make sure she got a commission for the work she had already done for us with the AE, so we just had her book through Disney for us. If that makes sense.

We've gone to Disney so many times over the years that I'm just used to doing it all myself, and enjoy doing it too. For me its fun. lol

 

[sponica]

@ErinsMommy I totally understand that sentiment.

 

[SG131]

Now Im generally curious, how so?? If I clearly stated, numerous times in fact, that if the commission was at stake in no way would I jeopoardize that for her, what harm is it in taking back the reservation?? We enjoy working with her, in fact worked with her the year prior, and we hope to work with her in the future as well, but if I wanted to take it back to cause HER less work in what seems like our never ending flight changes and asking that she call DME to change it over and over again because we can't, and also since our DD has special needs we want to speak to someone personally ourselves with regard to our "room request", what's so wrong with that??

I'm going to reiterate what the TA said previously and if you want to speak with someone about your room request see if your TA will do a 3-way call. When I booked with a travel agent, I got a room even better than requested. All the times since that I have booked myself (I change plans constantly so hate going through a travel agent for that reason), I NEVER get what I request. There was one medical related request and that too was ignored.