canadian vs american ta?

[lesleyd75]

Hi All!
Does anyone know if it is better to book through a canadian ta? I can get $70 OBC for our Disney cruise through CAA or I can get $125 OBC through Dreams. The CAA rep was making it seem like it was risky to book through an american ta as they are not accredited in Canada so we have no recourse if they go bust or misrepresent themselves. I am assuming because Dreams is attached to this board that they are very reputable and safe? Any opinions on who I should book through to get the most onboard credits? Every little bit helps for us as we have no money for extras onboard!

 

[Ted in Halifax]

I would take the $125 through Dreams, I see no risk at all ...

 

[mkmommy]

If you book through a Canadian TA you are helping to give a Canadian Travel Agent a a job,using a US Travel agent you are supporting a US Company. I am sure there are Canadian Travel Agents that will give the same OBC as Dreams but you may need to look and ask if they can match what Dreams offers.

In the unlikely event DCL was to go under you would be better protected by booking through a Canadian Travel Agent, but that is not likely to happen,. Most travel agents you pay directly to the cruise line so the Travel Agency does not have your money. I would not book with a travel agency that has you pay directly to them and the agency in turn pays the cruise line.

 

[Gigi22]

Agreed with the OP, it is a quandary. From what has been said during the various podcasts, it sounds as though DU's business model relies on that agency providing a 'concierge service' in terms of their agents being on the lookout for price reductions for their clients, and also they seem to offer services that some TAs don't, such as booking restaurant ressies, etc.

 

[Applemomma]

I used Dreams Unlimited with no regrets my last trip and I'll use them again. In the case of a trip like Disney I want a Disney expert and that's definitely Dreams, especially compared to someone sitting behind a desk down at the travel agency in my local mall who have never been there. I've heard to many horror stories of misinformation (and sometimes expensive misinformation!) being given by ta's. If I were going to Hawaii I'd want someone who specialized in Hawaii, not Mediterranean cruises and if I was going to Newfoundland I'd want someone that new Newfoundland, not Orlando.

As far as supporting Canadian businesses it's easy to say but not always realistic. For example, though it's comparing apples to oranges (excuse the pun), if I had to rely on Canadians buying my Canadian grown apples my orchard would have been cut down years ago. 75% of my crop crosses a border.

I say it's all in who you have trust in, more then where they are located.

 

[ccudmore]

Canadian travel agents are protected by government insurance in case the airline or travel agent goes under. If you pay the travel agent, they hold the money in escrow until just before the flight and then they pay the airline/hotel/etc. If the travel agent goes under (or the airline goes bankrupt between the time they're paid and the time of the flight), if you booked with a US TA, you're out of luck. Your money is gone. If you've booked with a Canadian TA (at least in most provinces), you're money is protected by government-backed insurance.

Now having said that, I've tried a couple of the US-based Disney-themed TAs and they could book the hotels, etc for me but they didn't do bookings for flights out of Canada.

 

[OntFamily]

I've booked through Dreams for three cruises. In all instances, while I gave my credit card info to Dreams, all charges to my credit card were direct by DCL. Dreams did not charge by cc any amount.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Most of the US Ta's that are "earmarked" which means they are specially credited and trained to work with Disney, act as more of an intermediary between you and Disney. They will do things like call Disney for you to make reservations for restaurants and book tours, so you don't have to make the long distance phone calls. As far as I know there doesn't seam to be any Canadian TA's or agency out there that offer that kind of service.

 

[minnie56]

What 'earmarks' a TA? Is it the 'Disney College of Knowledge'?You can zip through that in about 2 hours! That does not make an expert!

The weekend fam trips? Be it land or cruise? Taking notes, a whirlwind hike around the various resorts? Is that enough? No. A ship inspection for 2-3 hours on a Disney ship? Also, not enough to get much more than the bare bones idea of it all!

The seminars offered sporadically at various venues by the Disney reps or online as 'webinars'?
No...

And that folks is Disney's "training"!

None of that makes an expert so don't be fooled!

It is first hand living all things Disney, having been there done that MANY MANY times over! Only years and times under ones belt even comes close to being remotely adequate.

So, when you look for your TA to buy your Disney package..don't ask what 'courses' they have taken, ask how many times they themselves have done the Disney thing! Therein lies your expertise!

 

[Applemomma]

So, when you look for your TA to buy your Disney package..don't ask what 'courses' they have taken, ask how many times they themselves have done the Disney thing! Therein lies your expertise!

 

[fraservalleymom]

If you've found that CAA and Dreams will give you a particular OBC, check out Fairytale Dreams and Destinations. They are a Canadian Disney Company in Ontario. We used them for our upcoming trip and are so happy with the service. In fact, the whole office was invited and recently returned from the christening voyage of the new Dream. Check them out and see if you get a better deal or one equivilent to the American company with the protection and support of a Canadian co.

 

[minnie56]

If you've found that CAA and Dreams will give you a particular OBC, check out Fairytale Dreams and Destinations. They are a Canadian Disney Company in Ontario. We used them for our upcoming trip and are so happy with the service. In fact, the whole office was invited and recently returned from the christening voyage of the new Dream. Check them out and see if you get a better deal or one equivilent to the American company with the protection and support of a Canadian co.

Please, don't think they were the only ones invited. Most agencies with good Disney sales are invited to pre inaugarals.

That is not to say they aren't good...just not unusual enough to be a selling point.

 

[lesleyd75]

I think I will try Dreams, my deposit is due tommorrow to hold our ressie through them, and the agent Beth has been very prompt in addressing any needs (ie she has already moved our room once for us to a better location) so I feel good using them now that I know the money goes through DCL not Dreams. I will use CAA to buy Canadian insurance and I think that should keep us safe. I looked into Fairytale Dreams and Destinations and liked them but they haven't got back to me (I guess because its the weekend? or they are away on a cruise?)and I just want to go ahead and book so I get my price and stateroom! Thanks for all the input and opinions everyone!

 

[DaniB]

Most of the US Ta's that are "earmarked" which means they are specially credited and trained to work with Disney, act as more of an intermediary between you and Disney. They will do things like call Disney for you to make reservations for restaurants and book tours, so you don't have to make the long distance phone calls. As far as I know there doesn't seam to be any Canadian TA's or agency out there that offer that kind of service.

True enough about the "earmarked" program ONLY because it's solely for travel agencies in the US.

However, there is a Canadian Travel Agency that specalizes ONLY IN DISNEY vacations! Fairytale Dreams & Destinations in Bolton, Ontario. They are a TICO authorized travel agency as well.

We used them for our first Disney vacation and are using them for our second. Our TA has *always* gotten back to me the same day, whether I e-mail or phone her. She never rushes me and has even spent over an hour on the phone with me from time-to-time.

And last September, when I wanted to add 2 more days to our trip and Disney's site kept insisting there was no more room - our TA was able to add the days no problem!

looked into Fairytale Dreams and Destinations and liked them but they haven't got back to me (I guess because its the weekend? or they are away on a cruise?)

Most likely because it is the weekend. It sounds like you must have contacted them this weekend (phone/quote on website) and of course no one is there on the weekend. Once you have a TA through them however, they will get back to you even on weekends. At least, that has been my experience!

 

[tone.def]

Most of the US Ta's that are "earmarked" which means they are specially credited and trained to work with Disney, act as more of an intermediary between you and Disney. They will do things like call Disney for you to make reservations for restaurants and book tours, so you don't have to make the long distance phone calls. As far as I know there doesn't seam to be any Canadian TA's or agency out there that offer that kind of service.

The Earmarked program is ONLY for US TA's. No Canadian agency can be Earmarked.
Earmarked just means "sold large volume" last year - doesn't mean they are great.

 

[minnie56]

The Earmarked program is ONLY for US TA's. No Canadian agency can be Earmarked.
Earmarked just means "sold large volume" last year - doesn't mean they are great.

Exactly

 

[springsteenmickey]

If you've found that CAA and Dreams will give you a particular OBC, check out Fairytale Dreams and Destinations. They are a Canadian Disney Company in Ontario. We used them for our upcoming trip and are so happy with the service. In fact, the whole office was invited and recently returned from the christening voyage of the new Dream. Check them out and see if you get a better deal or one equivilent to the American company with the protection and support of a Canadian co.

HEY! I KNOW THEM! Am I allowed to say that on here?

Aren't they great?!? I was at the office of Fairytale this week to pick up my vouchers for my upcoming cruise on the Disney Dream, can't wait!

Anyhow, I was speaking with the owner about the christening cruise (picking her brain seeing as we'll be there soon....lol). She said that CAA and Expedia were also invited, but thats it. All other agencies were US based.

I just like the fact that they have a storefront and I can go in and see them or pick up the phone and call them and someone is always there to answer my 101 questions. The fact that their sales are high enough to be invited by Disney is only a test to their service in my eyes.

I looked into Fairytale Dreams and Destinations and liked them but they haven't got back to me (I guess because its the weekend? or they are away on a cruise?)and I just want to go ahead and book so I get my price and stateroom! Thanks for all the input and opinions everyone!

Like DaniB said, they respond on weekends. They probably didn't get your inquiry. Either way, doesn't matter as Dreams Unlimited is a great, reputable agency too. So you're in FANTASTIC hands with whom you've booked with OP.

Have a fantastic cruise!!! I know I will.