Resort Discounts for Travel Agents?

[milmore104]

Hello there I was hoping someone out there that is a travel agent could help me with this. I am about to finish my schooling and become a travel agent. I am currently planning a trip to WDW in May04' but would love to go in Oct. but don't know if we'll have saved enough money by then. I was hoping someone could PM me and give me an idea of the deals travel agents get on there WDW vacations.
Thank You
Nicki

 

[mbaker1277]

First of all you have to work for a travel agency tht is CLIA or IATA certified, and you have to be on the list. To qualify for that you have to have worked for the agency at least six months, work at least 30 hours a week, and produce a minimum amount of volume. After you have met this criteria, you will be allowed to apply for a CLIA or IATA card, which identifies you as an official travel agent. Disney and most other travel companies recognize them as the only forms of travel agent identification.
Once you go to work for a travel agency, there is a protected web site just for Disney Agents, which lists the discount that they offer. Some are year round, and some are time limited. You may book selected hotels on the Disney property at discounted rates, and may purchase one mutlti-day pass per calender year, but you must submit you i.d. when applying for these rates, or they go up to standard rack rates at check in times. I hope this helps!

 

[lynetteSC]

mbaker1277 said it right! Sometimes you can find a discount here on the DIS better than the TA rates ... depending on when you are travelling. For example, I found a much lower rate for our next trip at Thanksgiving than what I could get at this point with TA rate. Usually, I hold room at regular rate way before TA rates come out. Then, switch it over to a TA rate, should one become available. Good Luck to you!!!

 

[hookedup]

Also now TA rates are available only through WDT Co not through CRO so the same rules and restrictions (deposits due, change fees, stricter cancel penalties) apply to any TA room rates. Many times there are no agent rates available during peak periods or holiday season when inventory is tight.
Once you are a legitimate travel agent and meet the criteria for certification/ID you can get some good deals though - as you should since it is in Disney's best interest in educating agents about their products. And since one becomes a travel agent for the love of travel and the travel industry (not to make the big bucks) it is nice to be able to get agent discounts!
Good luck to you!

 

[milmore104]

Thank you to everyone for the wishes and responses.

 

[Eeyore1928]

I was a TA until 9/11 then our office was orced to lay off a few people. Oh well. I just went and decided to have a baby anyway!
The discounts were the reason I became a TA. My husband and I took 3 Disney cruises with the discount and I believe it was only 1400 for both of us in a cat 6 including grat. for the 7 night!!! At the resorts we always got 50% off with made conceirge available to us every stay! Not to mention the rental car discounts! Also you get 50% off SeaWorld and free Universal admission. Which I never used because I would feel like a traitor!

Good luck ..it is a wonderful business to be in.