Changing or removing a travel agent?

[squirk]

Suppose you booked a cruise with a travel agent and later on, you're not getting the level of service you expected from said travel agent.

What are the rules about either changing to a different travel agent, or just removing travel agent on the reservation altogether?

 

[Marlea98]

Suppose you booked a cruise with a travel agent and later on, you're not getting the level of service you expected from said travel agent.

What are the rules about either changing to a different travel agent, or just removing travel agent on the reservation altogether?

I tried this with a disgustingly rude TA who berated me via email for not going ahead with an over-inflated airfare quote (I saved $4000 finding my own airfares and a better itinerary and got attitude for it). I was then informed that I would be charged a $250 p/p fee for taking the cruise booking out the TA's hands into Disney's/mine! Needless to say I will never use that TA again and once the cruise is done I don't care what happens to her. Heaven help her if she stuffs me around between now and when we disembark! I have told everyone I know about my experience and to avoid this particular agent/agency.

To remove the TA from your cruise, in my example, I had to have a letter or form signed by the TA agreeing to hand over the booking to Disney/myself. I refused to pay the extra $1000 it would have cost us to do that though so I'm stuck with this person.

Good luck with whatever you decide on.

 

[squirk]

Thanks. This is more of an idle question. I have no TA issues at the moment. Just wondering.

 

[jdb in AZ]

I tried this with a disgustingly rude TA who berated me via email for not going ahead with an over-inflated airfare quote (I saved $4000 finding my own airfares and a better itinerary and got attitude for it). I was then informed that I would be charged a $250 p/p fee for taking the cruise booking out the TA's hands into Disney's/mine! Needless to say I will never use that TA again and once the cruise is done I don't care what happens to her. Heaven help her if she stuffs me around between now and when we disembark! I have told everyone I know about my experience and to avoid this particular agent/agency.

To remove the TA from your cruise, in my example, I had to have a letter or form signed by the TA agreeing to hand over the booking to Disney/myself. I refused to pay the extra $1000 it would have cost us to do that though so I'm stuck with this person.

Good luck with whatever you decide on.

How does the TA get away with charging the $1000 change fee? Can they legally do that? Could you cancel and rebook?

 

[squirk]

Until you sign a contract with them and/or their agency, I have a hard time seeing how that fee could hold up.

 

[Marlea98]

How does the TA get away with charging the $1000 change fee? Can they legally do that? Could you cancel and rebook?

Until you sign a contract with them and/or their agency, I have a hard time seeing how that fee could hold up.

I have already paid in full. The cruise is now higher than when I booked. She claims it is a 'booking' fee that I was not charged at the start. She referred me to a section in their terms and conditions which talks about changes etc, but I cannot see how it relates to my case. She quoted me later on airfares that were too expensive and not suitable and I did my own research and came up with something better; that's when the issues began. I did not sign anything with her for the airfares, only the cruise. But that's okay, I'm just biding my time and have copies of her emails

 

[squirk]

Yes, but you did sign a contract with her re: the cruise. Did the contract mention a "deferred" booking fee?

I liken this to the auto mechanic who will charge you a $75 "diagnostic fee" for their time and effort if you decide not to go through with the repairs.

 

[Marlea98]

Yes, but you did sign a contract with her re: the cruise. Did the contract mention a "deferred" booking fee?

I liken this to the auto mechanic who will charge you a $75 "diagnostic fee" for their time and effort if you decide not to go through with the repairs.

Nope. It didn't. It was done over the phone. I only have the receipt and no mention of booking fee, charged or deferred

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[squirk]

Well, then I can't see how she can enforce that fee if you two never discussed it. I would call DCL and explain the situation. If they call her boss, I suspect things would change for the better real quick.

Of course, there are other considerations you alluded to. Good luck!

 

[su_A_ve]

Unless the agent is the owner of the agency, have you tried talking to supervisor? Otherwise, raise hell thru Disney to force them into passing over the reservation.

I used to use AAA and had my troubles with TAs after originally having a superb one. My next cruise in fact is without a TA - booked on board but removed the AAA agent cause I wasn't sure - I would transfer it but is too late due to the change in rules. My following one was booked on board (opening day) and named DU.

Initially it seemed I was having trouble with the assigned TA. I posted my concerns here and the owner got in touch with me and we cleared the situation. It's a matter of talking. I am the type that likes to do the job myself, but would use the TA for the OBC. So I will do my job and hand it over to the TA. "I want this cruise, this cabin, these flights which cost this amount. The total is XXX" And I will make sure the total is the same to the cent.

My .02...

 

[squirk]

You had trouble with the DU TA?