Slightly OT but I hate my travel agent! (RANT)

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

.....use my AAA discount when other discounts aren't available and I have saved 10-15% on my rooms, however, I NEVER use the AAA agents.


I simply call CRO and ask for the room only discount. This way I get my confirmation from Disney and don't have to deal with an outside source. I have also used the AAA Website and booked room only. I then call CRO to confirm my reservation #. I have never had a problem with this method either.

Good Luck!

 

[robinb]

robinb - Concierge service is important to us. I am thrilled that I have someone to help me book all of my PS, tours, spa treatments and other junk. We are also curious about the whole lounge thing and since we aren't really breakfast eaters, we think the morning continental spread in the CL will be perfect for us. Thanks for all the info about DVC points. I've been curious how that works. It would be a good deal that we will definitely have to think about for next time!

I guess I was confused when you said:

The issue is that we are booked at a BWI Garden Suite for full price b/c the AAA rate was all full. She asked if I wanted her to check a different room category so I asked her to check Concierge Deluxe. She emailed me back and said that Concierge Deluxe was X amount but it was just a normal room with Concierge service. I then emailed her back that I didn't want Concierge level but Concierge Deluxe with the larger room size.

I thought you meant that size was more important than concierge. Check out this thread for all your concierge questions: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=680943&highlight=lounge . They are a friendly bunch who love to help people make the best out of their concierge expreience.

 

[mmluvr]

Sorry for all the difficulties you experienced and hope you will receive better service.

I am a member of AAA but refuse to use their agents for Disney trips. I've used AAA agents two times at different agencies and both times the agents did not know enough about Disney. I wasted two afternoons dealing with them and was very angry because I felt I had to fill in the blanks for them. To be fair with AAA every agent is different and their area of expertise is different. However, I think I should have been referred to an agent who is familiar with Disney.

Enough of my ranting!!!!! (Sorry-I feel VERY strongly about good customer service and I see red when I feel people don't try to give it. BTW, I am a librarian and do my absolute best to serve my patrons-even when I don't know an answer I try to find someone who can help.)

 

[Alicnwondrln]

I also have to say are a few extras worth all this aggravation
peace of mind is priceless

i also have have good experiences with dreams unlimted and small world travel
they handle everything\

you should email then asap

 

[LAS]

I highly recommend Dreams Unlimited. I did my first two trips myself and then ran across Dreams Unlimited. It was wonderful. I was real nervous because I had never use a travel agent and let anyone else take care of my reservations. I emailed her to death with all kind of questions and I apoligized for all the emails. She was very responsive and said I could email her anytime. They even let you know when they will be out and who to contact it you need someone when they are gone. She recommended several things I was not aware of and it was a wonderful experience. I'm using them again for our next trip in '06.

 

[LukenDC]

My opinion is that the "crap" of the AAA benefits is worth alot of money. If you plan on eating and shopping at Downtown Disney alot, you save 10% with the AAA Diamond card. If you play mini golf or regular golf, you get a discount. Some of the bigger more expensive restaruants (Swan and Dolphin) they give you a discount there too. My last trip I saved over $45 dollars by using this card at the World of Disney and eating at the Earl of Sandwich and using it for tee times. could!

What is the difference between the regular AAA card and the AAA Diamond card?

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I said in an other post-The best price is not always the best value!

I avoid AAA for any of my travel plans, I have found they really don't care.

I had never thought about it, but when I booked a kauai trip several years ago I had a lot of trouble getting a hold of my AAA agent. The hotel I wanted was booked, so I kept trying back and got through myself, but then the agent didn't call back for several days while I kept trying to keep the room on hold with the hotel for her to book for us. Not exactly the usual way to be working with an agent ! I got the room far in advance in of our stay, and I rarely got returned calls for questions about activities. She recommended a few side trips and then when we got there, we found out that one of the outfits was completely out of business and had been for a while (though this happens, not a big deal) but also the other activities did not allow children and I was with my two year old (the agent knew this...she booked our flights and everything). Basically we lost the money for the activities. After that, I've always booked everything myself, with the help on some occasions of an agent recommended through friends who has been very good

 

[Ladyhawke10]

I had never thought about it, but when I booked a kauai trip several years ago I had a lot of trouble getting a hold of my AAA agent. The hotel I wanted was booked, so I kept trying back and got through myself, but then the agent didn't call back for several days while I kept trying to keep the room on hold with the hotel for her to book for us. Not exactly the usual way to be working with an agent ! I got the room far in advance in of our stay, and I rarely got returned calls for questions about activities. She recommended a few side trips and then when we got there, we found out that one of the outfits was completely out of business and had been for a while (though this happens, not a big deal) but also the other activities did not allow children and I was with my two year old (the agent knew this...she booked our flights and everything). Basically we lost the money for the activities. After that, I've always booked everything myself, with the help on some occasions of an agent recommended through friends who has been very good

I wanted to add that it was through AAA with Pleasant Hawaiian holidays...the trip included three pre-paid excursions--that's why we lost the money for the activities the agent booked that didn't accept children because it was something part of a package. If you don't do the excursions, you are not refunded. There was no leeway for not being *able* to do them because of age restrictions. It was a bummer.

I also recommend Dreams Unlimited. I'm planning on going with them on a future Disney cruise and have heard good things on the cruise boards.


:thewave:

 

[Joann]

Just thought I would tell what the agents get in commission incase ppl wonder, in canada say your trip for one person is 999.00 the angency gets 99 dollars of that the rest is spread out to hotel flight ect on a package deal. The 99 dollars is split with the agent getting about 60 to 65 dollars of that and the angency gets about 35 to 40 dollars. not overlly high amount but on some trips it could be with more ppl ect. and busy times ya alot when I booked mine it was for 4 of us took about 10 mins to do it and she made about 260 $ in 10 mins sigh

 

[yellowfish78]

Luke - Your AAA membership card has nothing to do with the AAA Diamond Card. Two seperate things. Your membership card gives you the ablitity to get your discounts. The Diamond Card is something you get when you book a AAA Vacations Disney Vacation with AAA. It's one of the benefits of booking with AAA.

Joann - AAA is not for profit. All the commission we receive from booking vacations DO NOT go into pocket, not one cent. Because we are not for profit all the money goes back into the company to help build a better AAA for you, to pay for saleries, etc. The only part of commission we get is when our annual review comes around. We just get "credit" for it.

Ladyhawke - When you hold room only reservations, 99% of the time we cannot rebook those for you. When we go through companies to book hotels, they only have so many rooms to book, because there could be 100 other companies selling the same room. When those rooms are gone, we can't get them for you. (It's the same with Disney. For example, say Disney gives AAA 100 rooms out of 1000 to discount. Once those discounted rooms are gone, we can't give you another room at the discounted price.)
As for the excursions part, I'd put half the fault on Pleasant, and half on the agent. Pleasant is a reputible (sp?) company and normally when you book excursions through them everything is fine. (They've been around forever!) But it's also the agents responsibility to make sure kids can go to.

And I do agree with MMLVR. Once again, I'll just say that finding a good agent is half the problem. Yes AAA agents book a variety of things, not just Disney, and every agent could have a different specialty. Mine is Disney. Another agent could be Alaska. Another could be Hawaii. Sometimes people just know what they want and do it themselves.

 

[OKSTATE99]

I've used a number of the Disney Specialist travel agencies and Small World Vacations has been the very best by far!!!

I am currently using Small World Travel, Teresa. They have done everything and more, all the PSs she has done for us is amazing, even got us CRT.

 

[d4est]

Just by calling CRO. Had a very nice CM find it for me - 5 nights in early Dec. for $450. The rooms are nearly half again as large as the regular concierge. We're hoping for an AP rate, but will take the BWI at least for the weekend, if not the whole time (if we can't score a BCV thru renting DVC point.)

I did learn that all deluxes at the BWI are in fact concierge. Nice added benefit.

I wasn't thrilled with my first DU experience, but it was probably just that our plans are too complicated. Might try another agent, as we'll be on the road when the AP rates come out.

Just wondering if the $450 is for one night or 5 nights. Probably a stupid question as the rack rate is Deluxe Guest Rooms Standard View from $505.

 

[OKW Lover]

If your travel agent isn't responding to you, its time to fire them and get a new one.

 

[TPCShauna]

I emailed our agent to let her know that we had decided to stick with the BWI Garden Suite since DH and I think it's our best chance at getting quiet.

I also asked her to add a note on the ressie requesting one with a patio instead of the balcony. She emailed back (2 days later ) and said they all have patios and balconies!!

So now, in addition to her general lack of responsiveness, she is giving out incorrect information. I'm even starting to doubt that she has made the notes I asked for.

So, I'm calling Monday to get a new agent. I'm totally fed up. I can't call someone else to ask questions because they refer me back to her since she booked the thing. The only recourse I have left is to go over her head.

Thanks for your support. You have all helped me to see the light. I'll let you know what happens!