PoohBWV... a travel agent question

[Canadave]

PoohBWV, I hope you don't mind me asking you a general travel agent question, but I'm in a bit of a dilemma. You can tell me it's none of my business, and I'll understand. Here's my problem:
Two years ago, I used our local travel agent to plan our trip to WDW. To be honest, The DIS board helped me with most of our planning. The travel agency did save me BIG bucks on the flight, but if I hadn't found out about things like the Magic Kingdom Card etc on my own, the trip would have cost me more money. This trip we are driving down and I've already made reservation with my Disney Club card for ASMu (although I'm going to try to change using the codes I've recently heard about on Mousesavers.com) The last purchase we have is the park tickets. This is my question. I'd like to order them through the travel agent to get the Holiday House special rates (with character breakfast), but that's all I'll need. This is a small town and I'm feeling guilty about using the agency for just one small part of our trip. Would getting the tickets for us be worth their time? Will they actually make some money on this transaction? I feel very bad for all travel agents, with the fallout from 9-11, and I'll feel even worse if this is a waste of time for them. I hope you understand where I'm coming from. Thanks,

Canadave

 

[PoohBWV]

Hi Canadave: TA's do make a small commission on Holiday House tickets and it is a fairly easy transaction for them to make so I wouldn't feel bad in asking them to order the tickets for you, especially since you have had a previous vacation booked with them. I think at this time especially, agents would appreciate the business, and it will continue the client/agent relationship you formed when you booked your last vacation. If you are loyal to your TA, then they know that when you want to take a cruise etc., you will again visit them.

Some agencies however, may charge an administrative fee to handle this transaction, but they would let you know that up front. This has become necessary due to the reduction in commission levels paid by airlines and some other suppliers.

Hope this helps.

 

[Canadave]

Thanks PoohBWV, you've made some good points. I guess every little bit of income helps right now . We will definitely use them again on other vacations. Travelling to WDW seems to be a little different in planning than for other destinations IMHO.

Actually, I did read about the airlines cutting commissions to TA's. It sounds like a pretty stupid idea to me(especially Air Canada). You would think they would want to give the TA's more incentive to recommend using their airlines.

Canadave