Costco and OBB

[LAX]

For those of you that have used Costco as your TA, are you all DCL veterans? I am a complete newbie and wonder if I should use Costco vs. more traditional TAs where I can get some guidance/advice. I am not just new to DCL as I have never cruised anywhere before. Thus, I have no clue as to what room to book, ins & outs of cruising, etc. Based on what I have read so far, Costco does seem to offer the best "rebate" on DCL itineraries, but the question is whether I should forgo that to get some hand-holding through the process. TIA.

LAX

 

[pillow]

For those of you that have used Costco as your TA, are you all DCL veterans? I am a complete newbie and wonder if I should use Costco vs. more traditional TAs where I can get some guidance/advice. I am not just new to DCL as I have never cruised anywhere before. Thus, I have no clue as to what room to book, ins & outs of cruising, etc. Based on what I have read so far, Costco does seem to offer the best "rebate" on DCL itineraries, but the question is whether I should forgo that to get some hand-holding through the process. TIA.

LAX

I don't think someone really needs an agent when booking a cruise. We booked our first cruise back in 2005 with no agent at all and had a great time. The reason to book with a TA would be for the stateroom credit or rebate. If you don't mind reading here and doing a bit of planning (asking questions, etc), then I would say to book via Costco. I have a hard time turning down that rebate (+ I have a do it yourself mindset). You might also want to pick up a book on cruising. I believe Touring Plans has a DCL book that is pretty good. We used a non Costco TA once after that first cruise, and it did not go well (think I just had a bad agent). For our 3rd+ cruises, we've booked via Costco for the rebate. You never know who you'll end up with on the phone when calling Costco. Occasionally, I'll get a clueless agent, and in that case, I'll just politely end the call and call back. People are generally very helpful on these boards, and you'll get all the help you need here just by asking (probably more info than you really want - ha). Good luck!

 

[Dug720]

I don't think someone really needs an agent when booking a cruise. We booked our first cruise back in 2005 with no agent at all and had a great time. The reason to book with a TA would be for the stateroom credit or rebate. If you don't mind reading here and doing a bit of planning (asking questions, etc), then I would say to book via Costco. I have a hard time turning down that rebate (+ I have a do it yourself mindset). You might also want to pick up a book on cruising. I believe Touring Plans has a DCL book that is pretty good. We used a non Costco TA once after that first cruise, and it did not go well (think I just had a bad agent). For our 3rd+ cruises, we've booked via Costco for the rebate. You never know who you'll end up with on the phone when calling Costco. Occasionally, I'll get a clueless agent, and in that case, I'll just politely end the call and call back. People are generally very helpful on these boards, and you'll get all the help you need here just by asking (probably more info than you really want - ha). Good luck!

BUT if you feel like you need your hand held, there are agencies such as the one that runs this board that will do that and give you onboard credit. You work with ONE person and have their contact information.

(I'm one who generally does my own thing too!)

 

[LAX]

I don't think someone really needs an agent when booking a cruise. We booked our first cruise back in 2005 with no agent at all and had a great time. The reason to book with a TA would be for the stateroom credit or rebate. If you don't mind reading here and doing a bit of planning (asking questions, etc), then I would say to book via Costco. I have a hard time turning down that rebate (+ I have a do it yourself mindset). You might also want to pick up a book on cruising. I believe Touring Plans has a DCL book that is pretty good. We used a non Costco TA once after that first cruise, and it did not go well (think I just had a bad agent). For our 3rd+ cruises, we've booked via Costco for the rebate. You never know who you'll end up with on the phone when calling Costco. Occasionally, I'll get a clueless agent, and in that case, I'll just politely end the call and call back. People are generally very helpful on these boards, and you'll get all the help you need here just by asking (probably more info than you really want - ha). Good luck!

I am definitely the DIY type person (that's partly why I spend so much time on Disboard!). I am more than willing to do the research/reading to get the best deal out there and most of the cruise, but I have also heard that some TAs are so connected and experienced that it's worth paying for their services. Are there any cons that you can think of by going through Costco vs. other reputable TAs?

LAX

 

[pillow]

I am definitely the DIY type person (that's partly why I spend so much time on Disboard!). I am more than willing to do the research/reading to get the best deal out there and most of the cruise, but I have also heard that some TAs are so connected and experienced that it's worth paying for their services. Are there any cons that you can think of by going through Costco vs. other reputable TAs?

LAX

I've been going through Costco for so long, I'm a little biased. A con would be that you can't choose the person with whom you talk to each time. You must call the 800 #, and its the luck of the draw. I've had some really great interactions, but I've had a few that were not so great. There are times when I feel that I'm having to direct them as opposed to the other way around. When you choose a non-Costco TA, you can choose a specific person (from recommendations, etc), so at least you'd be dealing with the same person all the time.

Another "con" would be if your local Costco won't cash in your cash card. You'd be forced to spend the funds in store.

You can only pay with Visa or MC on the Costco site (many people open a Disney Vacation Account and pay with that - you get a bonus on spending from the account + you can load Disney gift cards purchased at a discount to your DVA).

Also, I believe if you downgrade your room, they are supposed to charge a small fee (I've never done this, so I can't say how much and whether it is enforced).

One thing to note . . . if you see a room thats available on the DCL site, and you call Costco to book, sometimes that room is in some kind of cyber limbo since you just accessed it. I've had Costco agents insist that the room isn't available to book. I've had to ask them to call DCL to verify. DCL can then work their magic so that Costco can grab the room. Or just be patient and wait for the room to come out of cyber limbo.

 

[LAX]

I've been going through Costco for so long, I'm a little biased. A con would be that you can't choose the person with whom you talk to each time. You must call the 800 #, and its the luck of the draw. I've had some really great interactions, but I've had a few that were not so great. There are times when I feel that I'm having to direct them as opposed to the other way around. When you choose a non-Costco TA, you can choose a specific person (from recommendations, etc), so at least you'd be dealing with the same person all the time.

Another "con" would be if your local Costco won't cash in your cash card. You'd be forced to spend the funds in store.

You can only pay with Visa or MC on the Costco site (many people open a Disney Vacation Account and pay with that - you get a bonus on spending from the account + you can load Disney gift cards purchased at a discount to your DVA).

Also, I believe if you downgrade your room, they are supposed to charge a small fee (I've never done this, so I can't say how much and whether it is enforced).

One thing to note . . . if you see a room thats available on the DCL site, and you call Costco to book, sometimes that room is in some kind of cyber limbo since you just accessed it. I've had Costco agents insist that the room isn't available to book. I've had to ask them to call DCL to verify. DCL can then work their magic so that Costco can grab the room. Or just be patient and wait for the room to come out of cyber limbo.

Thanks for the info. Oh, once I designate Costco as the "TA", would that prevent me from dealing directly with DCL if I have issues/questions?? In other words, would everything have to go through Costco?? You mentioned only using a credit card through Costco, would it not be possible to make payments (at least the balance if not the initial deposit) directly to DCL with Disney GCs once Costco takes over the reservation?

LAX

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks for the info. Oh, once I designate Costco as the "TA", would that prevent me from dealing directly with DCL if I have issues/questions?? In other words, would everything have to go through Costco?? You mentioned only using a credit card through Costco, would it not be possible to make payments (at least the balance if not the initial deposit) directly to DCL with Disney GCs once Costco takes over the reservation?

LAX

Anything having to do with the actual reservation - payments, questions about adding/changing people, changing rooms, will have to go through the TA. You can't make payments direct to DCL, if you've used a TA to make the reservation.

 

[LAX]

Anything having to do with the actual reservation - payments, questions about adding/changing people, changing rooms, will have to go through the TA. You can't make payments direct to DCL, if you've used a TA to make the reservation.

Is it correct to assume that Costco won't take Disney GCs as payment for a DCL cruise reservation even over the phone?

LAX

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Is it correct to assume that Costco won't take Disney GCs as payment for a DCL cruise reservation even over the phone?

LAX

No. You can use Disney gift cards. You just give the information to the TA and they in turn give it to DCL.

 

[pillow]

Is it correct to assume that Costco won't take Disney GCs as payment for a DCL cruise reservation even over the phone?

LAX

You must give the gift card numbers to Costco, and they pass them to DCL. For ease of payment (and also for the 2% bonus), I consolidate my gift cards into a Disney Vacation Account. Once all my gift cards have been loaded, I call the DCL travel agent line, and make final payment there. Its easier than calling in a bunch of gift cards I think.

 

[wombat_5606]

You must give the gift card numbers to Costco, and they pass them to DCL. For ease of payment (and also for the 2% bonus), I consolidate my gift cards into a Disney Vacation Account. Once all my gift cards have been loaded, I call the DCL travel agent line, and make final payment there. Its easier than calling in a bunch of gift cards I think.

You can also consolidate your gift cards at the Disney gift card site. I think it's up to $1,000. That way you are keeping the bunch to a minimum and shortening the time it takes to give the cards to Costco.

 

[CM Dad]

You can also consolidate your gift cards at the Disney gift card site. I think it's up to $1,000. That way you are keeping the bunch to a minimum and shortening the time it takes to give the cards to Costco.

If you do this, you don't get the $20/$1000 bonus you would get for using the Disney Vacation Account. To get the bonus, you do need to have the account open for at least 120 days before spending the money.

 

[LAX]

You must give the gift card numbers to Costco, and they pass them to DCL. For ease of payment (and also for the 2% bonus), I consolidate my gift cards into a Disney Vacation Account. Once all my gift cards have been loaded, I call the DCL travel agent line, and make final payment there. Its easier than calling in a bunch of gift cards I think.

Do you call Costco or DCL when using DVA?? It sounds like a no brainer if one were planning to use Disney GCs (especially obtained at a slight discount).

LAX

 

[pillow]

Do you call Costco or DCL when using DVA?? It sounds like a no brainer if one were planning to use Disney GCs (especially obtained at a slight discount).

LAX

When paying with the DVA, you must call the DCL travel agent line - 800-511-9333. Couple things to note on the DVA . . . there have been various issues with these accounts over the past couple years. The system frequently does weird things, and there was a period of time about a year ago where people were locked out. I have not had issues, and I do recommend it. BUT, I would not wait until the last minute to load and/or pay. Also, once you open the account, I believe you must request the account #. Make sure you do that and file it away. I seem to recall folks who wanted to book via their DVA but couldn't because the system was broken for days and they didn't know their account #.

 

[wombat_5606]

If you do this, you don't get the $20/$1000 bonus you would get for using the Disney Vacation Account. To get the bonus, you do need to have the account open for at least 120 days before spending the money.

My post was meant to give some guidance to a newbie. They might not want to set up a DVA before they have ever cruised with Disney for the first time.

 

[bumbershoot]

I just checked Costco when I booked mine last month. Even after the cash back card, Costco was more expensive that Disney.com, or especially a TA since the TA gave $100 back. I was stunned since everybody always talks about how great a deal Costco is, but I checked several times, and categories. Maybe I was doing something wrong? I DID use my Costco card for 3%, though.

What you are seeing isn't real. Once you log in to your Costco account you will see the true price. Which won't be more than what DCL shows. And since the Costco cash card is generally in the range of 8% back that'll be more than $100 obc.

They probably can but I will probably end up spending the money at Costco anyway. Plus I've wanted to a replace a 12 year old 720p LCD tv.

If that were in my future id use the cash card for that and earmark the funds I would have used on the tv for the future cruise.

For those of you that have used Costco as your TA, are you all DCL veterans? I am a complete newbie and wonder if I should use Costco vs. more traditional TAs where I can get some guidance/advice. I am not just new to DCL as I have never cruised anywhere before. Thus, I have no clue as to what room to book, ins & outs of cruising, etc. Based on what I have read so far, Costco does seem to offer the best "rebate" on DCL itineraries, but the question is whether I should forgo that to get some hand-holding through the process. TIA.

LAX

I haven't had a TA hold my hand yet. Couldn't even get a response from DU. Had to push my first cruise TA to call DCL to get the concierge room I saw but was being problematic (it might have been the problem mentioned above where I had somehow toes up the room by looking at it). I see no need to have a TA hold my hand. I'd rather have the money and do my own research.

Thanks for the info. Oh, once I designate Costco as the "TA", would that prevent me from dealing directly with DCL if I have issues/questions?? In other words, would everything have to go through Costco?? You mentioned only using a credit card through Costco, would it not be possible to make payments (at least the balance if not the initial deposit) directly to DCL with Disney GCs once Costco takes over the reservation?

LAX

You pay right through the Costco site from what I recall. (I have become a Royal person and haven't booked DCL through Costco since 2014)

Anything involving stateroom and money you go through the TA. But you book your excursions, fancy dining, cabana on castaway if you can get one (not terribly likely as a first timer unless you're booking concierge) all through the DCL site.

 

[bumbershoot]

Oh, and Passporter has a guidebook for DCL.