I don't understand Travel Agent Prices

[Kreid001]

I need help from some experts.

For cruise prices, I thought they were all the same. I just booked a 12/28 cruise through my travel agent. The price was the same as the DCL website. Isn't that the same price other TAs would have? I thought the point of using a TA was for information and service? How can they reduce the price? By how much?

Also, what kind of service to you get from a TA when setting up a cruise?

 

[Melrosgirl]

Depends on the travel agent...some will give you a discount on the Disney cruise based on the fact they are eating into their commission. My TA has to eat into her commission because she beat the Disney website and other TA's prices by over $500.

DCL is the hardest cruiseline to try to get a good deal on. It's really something else! Supply and demand, I guess!

 

[my3kids]

Yep, they give up part of their commission. They likely sell MORE cruises, but make LESS on each one. I have saved many many hundreds of dollars on both of mine. Once with Costco(they take, or took, 10% off the best Disney price) and secondly with cruise.com, which didn't deduct a percentage, but instead a dollar figure off each person.

 

[DreaminDisney]

I'm no expert but we booked our cruise with magical Journeys too. They do eat some of their commission to beat Competitors.

 

[Kreid001]

I know I have had great experiences with Karen at Magical Journeys. Also very helpful and provides great information. She has booked two trips for us and we plan to go with her again.

I recommend them! It was a very positive and helpful experience.

 

[nuke]

I'm a TA but we do NOT kick back our commisions.
We work for so little these days and feel that our expertise and knowledge is worth every little bit that we get.

Just a little vent here. We get people that will call us or come in the office and ask questions after question. We answer all and then will call back with a quote. Then the customer will tell us that they can get it for $25 cheaper on the internet. So they have had all their questions answered by us but will book it online to save the $25 and wasted our time.

 

[my3kids]

For some people, service is more important....for others a vacation is driven by price. Nuke, I'm sorry you feel people have taken advantage of you. For me, I do all the leg work...I book it directly with Disney. I know up front exactly what I want, have credit card in hand, have my list of seating times, room numbers, and all information necessary. Will I then ask a couple of agencies for the best price on my transferred reservation....You betcha! All I'm asking for is a quote on an existing reservation. It shouldn't take much of their time, and if they are the lowest, then they have a sale. (And they know up front exactly what I am doing. I tell them I have an existing reservation and ask if they can discount the price I got from Disney. Maybe I'm leaving Disney out of the loop unfairly, but they will get their money in the end.) If not, well then, yes, I guess I wasted a couple minutes of their time. I would have LOVED to use Dreams Unlimited Travel, and had very much hoped to do so, but the difference in the price they offered vs. my "online" agency....well I couldn't justify that financial decision. I'm not mad at other agencies for not giving up part of their commission...it is their decision. I know the agents work very hard for their clients and give 100%....they earn their salary. But, if an agent goes to work at an agency knowing that she might make less on an individual sale in favor of getting more sales....then you can't fault that either. It is a business decision that some agencies and agents make. Don't fault those of us who look for the best price. For the most part people aren't leaving their neighborhood travel agency for $25.....but I sure would for $500.

 

[DreaminDisney]

We answer all and then will call back with a quote. Then the customer will tell us that they can get it for $25 cheaper on the internet. So they have had all their questions answered by us but will book it online to save the $25 and wasted our time.

That's bad. Some people just lack common courtesy. It's not like it's a 100.00 or 200.00 dollar difference.

 

[TnRobin]

You want to be more confused about TA pricing. Check the DCL website for a cruise quote and then call the DCL 1-800 number for Disney - they will have two different prices.

 

[luv2tvl]

AMEN NUKE!!!! I couldn't agree more...

I was a TA with AAA for the last 3 years, where we didn't rebate commissions either, and it was so frustrating to do huge amounts of leg work for a client and then lose them to the internet for a $25.00 difference.

Disney is a very hard cruise line to find great deals on, so if there are any incentives with a TA like on board credit, or a TA that does "kick back" their commission. Take the good deal!!

 

[mac_tlc]

I concur with "nuke" ...

One more factor to keep in mind, though. Some TA's (me included) will procure group space on popular sailings well in advance. Particularly with DCL, the cheapest prices are offerred if booked early. As the sailing date approaches, the "retail" price will go up. If a TA had group space reserved, there price can be several hundred dollars less than another TA (or DCL directly) can get. No "kick-back" of commissions involved here.


We have space for 2004 reserved now... As the time approaches, that price will be significantly lower thatn the generaly available price..

Most cruise lines are similiar, especially if you are talking about a popular time of year, such as school vacations and holidays..

Group space may also entail other "amenities" that the TA can offer the client.


mac_tlc

 

[nuke]

Yes some agencies will do a group booking and then get lower prices because of it.
I'm not saying that people shouldn't shop around and what my3kids does is fine. That is a 30 second phone call.

I am just saying that it isn't fair to the TA when someone comes in and spends hours in my office picking my brain and then books somewhere else for a few $ less. Travel Agents are one of the only service type businesses that do not charge up front for our knowledge. Try to get info out of a lawyer for free.

 

[nuke]

Sorry dupe post.

 

[alexandrew]

Nuke,

I understand your pain exactly. I think some people are truly morally bankrupt. I have been in telecommunications sales for 12 years. Every once in a while, I will have a prospect that will use me as their unpaid consultant - having me do an analysis and proposal-only to shop my recommendations and proposal to another vendor for a lower price....