Rant - tried to use a TA, what a waste of time!

[ekmom]

Got an estimate online for a trip next March and then I realized that I might be able to get a AAA discount. So I decided to use a TA to find out about that. I won't say which company, but it is one of those that is frequently mentioned here. It took over a week to get a quote and then she didn't give me the AAA price but just told me what the discount generally is if rooms are available. So the price was exactly what I found myself. Guess I'll call myself to see about AAA and I'll keep watching for other discounts.

 

[rcraw45425]

Got an estimate online for a trip next March and then I realized that I might be able to get a AAA discount. So I decided to use a TA to find out about that. I won't say which company, but it is one of those that is frequently mentioned here. It took over a week to get a quote and then she didn't give me the AAA price but just told me what the discount generally is if rooms are available. So the price was exactly what I found myself. Guess I'll call myself to see about AAA and I'll keep watching for other discounts.

In all fairness did you give her your specific wishes like resort or resort category, dates, ticket types, dining plan wishes, etc? If you only gave general info I can see them coming back with what you received. Now if this is what they ave ou after ou gave them your exact wishes, wow!

ETA I use a TA but always book everything myself and then turn the reservation over to her,but we've worked together for years and she knows how I think. feel free to message me and I'll Ty o help ou weed though AAA and stuff.

 

[vicki_c]

If you were looking for a AAA package, you would have to work with a AAA TA, and it doesn't sound like you were. Maybe that's why. For room only, you can get the rate yourself and it's not the same rate for all places all the time so if you weren't very specific, maybe that's why.

 

[ekmom]

In all fairness did you give her your specific wishes like resort or resort category, dates, ticket types, dining plan wishes, etc? If you only gave general info I can see them coming back with what you received. Now if this is what they ave ou after ou gave them your exact wishes, wow!

ETA I use a TA but always book everything myself and then turn the reservation over to her,but we've worked together for years and she knows how I think. feel free to message me and I'll Ty o help ou weed though AAA and stuff.

I told her exactly what I wanted. Dates, resort, view, the whole thing. It was a room only, so no tickets or dining plan. So disappointing!

How easy is it to get the AAA discount? This would be for YC the first week of March. I plan to call tonight.

 

[ekmom]

If you were looking for a AAA package, you would have to work with a AAA TA, and it doesn't sound like you were. Maybe that's why. For room only, you can get the rate yourself and it's not the same rate for all places all the time so if you weren't very specific, maybe that's why.

What is a AAA TA? This TA asked if I had AAA and I had to put my AAA number in on my request so I assumed that she could get me the AAA discount. I suspect she didn't even bother to call to find out.

 

[BearFamily]

If you are a AAA member, have you thought about booking through AAA? I booked our entire December trip (minus flights) using AAA of Western NY and have been thrilled with our service. The agent priced out tons of different options for me, and has been easy to get in touch with and quick to respond. She made sure I knew when my 180 days started so that we could book restaurants. I got a PIN code in the mail and she applied it for me when it turned out to be better than the AAA discount. She was able to answer tons of questions for me about using my Disney Visa and/or reward points. She even called me right away when my dates were added to free dining for December, just to make sure I knew what the offer was and exactly what I'd be looking at as far as a price increase.

We do a fair amount of traveling, but I've never used a travel agent in my life. So far, this experience has been great. If you already pay to be a AAA member, you might think about using them rather than someone else...


Edited to add: I see above you didn't realize you could call AAA directly and use one of their TAs. Go to the AAA website and you should be able to get connected to your regional AAA office, which offers you TA services as part of your membership. That's how you get the discount.

 

[rcraw45425]

What is a AAA TA? This TA asked if I had AAA and I had to put my AAA number in on my request so I assumed that she could get me the AAA discount. I suspect she didn't even bother to call to find out.

Call Disney directly and ask what's available with your AAA discount. You may have to change resorts or room categories so it helps to be flexible. I know there were no AAA discounts available for my one night room only at AKL but I was able to book all categories at the CR., so I did that especially since that's where our package is. One advantage to booking yourself is you can tweak your reservation, you retain control. What I do is get everything exactly the way I want it and then turn it over to my TA so she can get the commission.

 

[ekmom]

Call Disney directly and ask what's available with your AAA discount. You may have to change resorts or room categories so it helps to be flexible. I know there were no AAA discounts available for my one night room only at AKL but I was able to book all categories at the CR., so I did that especially since that's where our package is. One advantage to booking yourself is you can tweak your reservation, you retain control. What I do is get everything exactly the way I want it and then turn it over to my TA so she can get the commission.

Thanks, that helps! I'll call tonight.

 

[rcraw45425]

Thanks, that helps! I'll call tonight.

If you're at work now and able to get online, check your AAA website. You can plug in your dates and search Walt Disney resorts, they are actually listed as a branded hotel in the advanced search category. They will come up via availability and you can see the rate. .

 

[ekmom]

If you're at work now and able to get online, check your AAA website. You can plug in your dates and search Walt Disney resorts, they are actually listed as a branded hotel in the advanced search category. They will come up via availability and you can see the rate. .

I didn't know that you could do that! I just tried it and most of the resorts that I'm interested in show sold out for my dates.

I think I'll call tonight anyway. Maybe I have a PIN. I'll probably make a reservation anyway and hope for discounts. I don't know that I can bring myself to pay full price for deluxe. We've always done moderate before.

Thanks for your help!

 

[rcraw45425]

I didn't know that you could do that! I just tried it and most of the resorts that I'm interested in show sold out for my dates.

I think I'll call tonight anyway. Maybe I have a PIN. I'll probably make a reservation anyway and hope for discounts. I don't know that I can bring myself to pay full price for deluxe. We've always done moderate before.

Thanks for your help!

Are your dates set in stone? Sometimes flexible travel dates are the key. What time in March are you looking at? That is when a lot of Spring Breaks for colleges start, plus, Easter is early this time too, March 31

 

[ekmom]

We're looking at March 1 - 9. We might have some flexibility on that, one of our party has to work around a college spring break but that person may not come on the trip in which case we could move it back into February.

 

[rcraw45425]

We're looking at March 1 - 9. We might have some flexibility on that, one of our party has to work around a college spring break but that person may not come on the trip in which case we could move it back into February.

Feb. might be better, March may be peak now.

 

[peeputt]

I emailed one last year (again, it's one that is ALWAYS mentioned on these boards) and I had a very similar experience. I also gave every little last detail of what we were looking for. I was just curious what the TA hype was about. Well........by the time this person got back to me, it was like 5 days later, and she didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. I mean no offense to anyone, because to each their own, but I just can't understand why anyone would need to use a TA considering we can do it all online ourselves???
To me, planning the trip is half the fun!

 

[ekmom]

I emailed one last year (again, it's one that is ALWAYS mentioned on these boards) and I had a very similar experience. I also gave every little last detail of what we were looking for. I was just curious what the TA hype was about. Well........by the time this person got back to me, it was like 5 days later, and she didn't tell me anything I didn't already know. I mean no offense to anyone, because to each their own, but I just can't understand why anyone would need to use a TA considering we can do it all online ourselves???
To me, planning the trip is half the fun!

Well at least I know it's not just me.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What is a AAA TA? This TA asked if I had AAA and I had to put my AAA number in on my request so I assumed that she could get me the AAA discount. I suspect she didn't even bother to call to find out.

An AAA TA is a Travel Agent employed by the American Automobile Association:
American Automobile Association Travel Agent .

 

[ekmom]

OP here following up with some good news. I called Disney yesterday and was able to get the AAA discount for the exact room and resort that I wanted. Saved $707!! It's a start but $500+ per night still might be more than I'm willing to spend. Hoping for more discounts later.

 

[rcraw45425]

OP here following up with some good news. I called Disney yesterday and was able to get the AAA discount for the exact room and resort that I wanted. Saved $707!! It's a start but $500+ per night still might be more than I'm willing to spend. Hoping for more discounts later.

That's great! I always say any discount is better than none!

 

[Nomad70]

I have always booked our vacations. I find TA to be a waste of time really, and sometimes money. I requested information from one recently, just to see what she was able to find (one that many use as well) and she was completely out in left field, didn't give me any information AT ALL that I couldn't get myself within 2 minutes, added an extra child to my request, and didn't know about the most recent updated information pertaining to my requests. I just stopped communicating with her after the second email. How do these people/business stay in business if they can't get it strait? I have been planning our vacations now for so long it really doesn't take me long to find great deals. But, I also plan out our vacations well in advance.

To be fair to TA's, I probably would use one for international travel, excluding Canada and Mexico, those I am familiar with.

 

[NancyIL]

OP here following up with some good news. I called Disney yesterday and was able to get the AAA discount for the exact room and resort that I wanted. Saved $707!! It's a start but $500+ per night still might be more than I'm willing to spend. Hoping for more discounts later.

Congratulations on getting the AAA discount. I hope you plan to spend A LOT of time in your hotel room at $500+/night!