Do Small Travel Agencies Typically Offer Onboard Credit?

[poohs_hunny]

I know, I should just call the one I'm considering and ask. But here's the situation: a friend of my family is an agent at a small local agency. Last year, I asked her to look up some prices for my WDW trip. I ended up just booking it myself because there were a lot of unknowns (I wasn't sure if the trip was going to happen at all or who was going). I don't want to ask her for prices for the cruise, only to not book with her again.

So before I bug her, do small agencies typically offer any onboard credits for booking with them or is it only bigger/online ones? Thank you!

 

[heatherlynn444]

it's very case by case, some do some don't, I would just ask, just say you are thinking about it, that way if they don't you won't have to get them to spend the time doing quotes for you etc.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Agree that it varies by TA.

Regardless, I wouldn't use a TA that's not a DCL specialist. There are "smaller" TA's that still specialize in DCL.

 

[szubieta]

I booked with Small World Travel and got the same OBC the DU offers. I straight out asked. This is for YOU and they will understand you asking any question. I really am glad I booked with them, my TA responds quickly and I can call and talk with her if I feel I need to.

 

[discorsner]

Small agencies will offer whatever they can to compete. Most of the time they will match whatever you are getting somewhere else as long as you tell them what else you can get.

If someone said this is what I can get somewhere else I know I would bend over backwards to get them the same thing.

It is harder for the smaller agency to give as much OBC since what they are really giving you is part of their commission. Since the commission that TAs get is based on the revenue the agency does with DCL then it makes sense that it is easier for the bigger ones to pay more OBC and still make a decent commission for their work from DCL.

However just because smaller agencies won't make as much in the end doesn't mean they won't do it. Most will match it if they can in order to earn your business. The ones that don't, won't survive if you think about it.

 

[HallsofVA]

There are small agencies out there that offer OBC. Sometimes even more than the larger agencies do!

 

[VeroBeach]

The ones that don't, won't survive if you think about it.

Many of the smaller agencies don't and won't compete on price (and we have been surviving for years!). Competing on price attracts clients that will call or email multiple agencies and go with the ones that give the best OBC; and then for their next cruise they will do the same thing, possibly switching agencies for the best OBC again.

Smaller agencies would rather develop good relationships with their clients, clients who understand the value that a knowledgeable agent brings. Believe it or not, not every client wants the absolute lowest price.

 

[dursin]

I know, I should just call the one I'm considering and ask. But here's the situation: a friend of my family is an agent at a small local agency. Last year, I asked her to look up some prices for my WDW trip. I ended up just booking it myself because there were a lot of unknowns (I wasn't sure if the trip was going to happen at all or who was going). I don't want to ask her for prices for the cruise, only to not book with her again.

So before I bug her, do small agencies typically offer any onboard credits for booking with them or is it only bigger/online ones? Thank you!

Depending on how good of a friend this is, I'd probably give them the business regardless of the credit they could offer. More than likely you can get them to split/share part of the commission the earn with you.

 

[discorsner]

Smaller agencies would rather develop good relationships with their clients, clients who understand the value that a knowledgeable agent brings. Believe it or not, not every client wants the absolute lowest price.

I agree totally! I didn't mean to imply that the small agencies should care just about price I am just pointing out that consumers shouldn't count the small agencies out when it comes to price either!

Many will offer you what they can and be glad to get your business. I agree that the benefit of being a small agency is that you can build a loyal relationship with clients and provide them knowledge that is much more valuable than any OBC.

For most that seek a travel agent I would hope they are doing it for the value that having the agent adds but we know there are some who are extremely price sensitive, especially in this economy. I know for me, if I get a customer because I am able to match an OBC credit of a larger agency then I have just opened a door to be able to start a relationship with a new client. Then I can show them what value I bring to their vacation and they may call me again.

I agree that many will just look for the biggest OBC every time but hopefully others won't. Sorry if my other post sounded wrong, I never would put down a small agency or the value that a good TA can bring to a client.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Many of the smaller agencies don't and won't compete on price (and we have been surviving for years!). Competing on price attracts clients that will call or email multiple agencies and go with the ones that give the best OBC; and then for their next cruise they will do the same thing, possibly switching agencies for the best OBC again.

Smaller agencies would rather develop good relationships with their clients, clients who understand the value that a knowledgeable agent brings. Believe it or not, not every client wants the absolute lowest price.

I agree with this. We use a small TA but know that we can get a better price elsewhere. I'd rather have a "small" DCL specialist who cares about us and our family than a larger less personal place.

 

[Mommb]

If all you want for now is an idea of prices, you can check for yourself on the Disney Cruise Line website. As far as I know, DCL does not allow travel agencies to discount the fares (which is why some agencies offer onboard credits instead). So, the only way a travel ageny's price would be different than the price on the DCL website is if the agency reserved a block of rooms and the price later went up, which is unlikely for a small agency. When you are ready to book, you can use a travel agent at no additional cost.

 

[vakamalua]

My agent offers a fairly small OBC but rebates 10% of the cruise fare.