Dream Unlimited question

[javamoma]

I booked a DL trip a few years ago through Dreams and had a great experience. If I remember correctly they don't charge you a fee for booking through them. Their pay comes from Disney. Is this correct? Isn't that the industry standard?
A friend of mine is starting a Disney centered travel agency and they are charging 10%. I'd love to book with my friend and help her out but not if it increases my cost significantly.
What has your experience with travel agencies?

 

[rteetz]

Dreams does not charge more for their services. They get their commission from Disney.

 

[javamoma]

That's how I remember it too. Is this industry standard? I was shocked when my friend said they charge 10%.

 

[wilkeliza]

Industry standard is not to charge a fee. I would not use a travel agent that charged me 10% extra.

 

[catycatcat4]

Industry standard is not to charge a fee. I would not use a travel agent that charged me 10% extra.

This, weather it's Disney, Universal, or a random hotel in japan. The travel agents income comes from the supplier.

 

[Allison]

Disney travel agents get paid by Disney. I would not use an agent if it cost me extra money to do so.

 

[KathyTX]

I have heard of some very niche-market boutique travel consultants charging their clients fees, but it's pretty unusual. I'd say your friend won't be in business long with this model. Seems most Disney travelers are VERY price conscious, looking for room discounts and free dining. A 10% premium to a travel agent, who would be willing to pay that?

 

[AdamEfimoff]

Travel agents that charge fees drive me bonkers. Even though I have on occassion

 

[AdamEfimoff]

I booked a DL trip a few years ago through Dreams and had a great experience. If I remember correctly they don't charge you a fee for booking through them. Their pay comes from Disney. Is this correct? Isn't that the industry standard?
A friend of mine is starting a Disney centered travel agency and they are charging 10%. I'd love to book with my friend and help her out but not if it increases my cost significantly.
What has your experience with travel agencies?

Even luxury travelers HATE HATE fees

 

[jcb]

It's more than just not charging a separate fee. Dreams has agents look for ways to reduce the booked cost, and (I think) for DCL and ABD, give credits and/or early booking discounts over and above what Disney provides.

 

[Accident]

I've never used them but if dreams booked it or I needed to refer someone I would tell them to start with them... This is solely going by everything else they do and what they've talked about. they recently started a youtube podcast that gets very specific in vacations they book and the first episode will let you know all about this...

This is the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCop7GKdenwTE2ImQ7XXuptw
this is the first episode:

Even if you don't use them, excellent information in their postcasts.

 

[Lesverts]

I am surprised, Disney hates when travel agencies charge fees. And actively discourage it. I, nor anyone, should be paying a couple hundred dollars for someone to do what you can easily just do online.

That being said, the agency I work at charges a fee if it is curated travel. If someone wants one of the agents to build a group trip for them (think school trip to DC etc) there is going to be an agent fee worked into the price. But it certainly would never reach 10%. That is just ludicrous.

 

[javamoma]

Well, I love using Dreams but I was trying to be a supportive friend and help out her new business. I asked her about the 10% last night and she let me know that they are not licensed travel agents yet and so they are charging to make dining reservations, help with planning, and that sort of thing. That's the part I love so she total understood when I told her I wouldn't need her service after all. Put in for a quote with Dreams this morning! My friend totally understood.