TA and On-Board Credit Question

[Andie272]

I was originally inquiring about pricing from TA's I don't know, they were offering the same price as listed on the Disney website and there was OBC also.

I then asked a TA who I know and she quoted me a price and it didn't include OBC, she said she called DCL and there is no OBC offer now.

How does one TA give it and another not?

 

[hudson3709]

The travel agent gives the OBC not Disney. It is a perk some, but not all agencies, give when you book with them/

 

[Saamh]

When a TA gives and an OBC they are basically giving you back a portion of the commission Disney pays them for your booking. So if a TA does not offer this, they (or the agency they work for) are keeping all of the commission.

 

[lanejudy]

Some TA's may offer other "incentives" or "thank you" gifts -- a stateroom gift (maybe food or wine or flowers), I think AAA used to offer a photo package, etc. As PP mentions, OBC from a TA comes directly out of their commission. TAs who don't do a lot of business with DCL may receive lower commission, and therefore not be able to offer the same perks.

Cruise fare will always be the same, whether you book directly through DCL or a TA. DCL does not allow TA's to discount the cruises.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Andie272]

Thanks. So now the tricky part, the TA not offering OBC is my friends mother and my friend is also going on the trip....but I can get $200 in OBC if I book with the other agent....

 

[hudson3709]

I used to be a travel agent and I booked with Dream Unlimited because their OBC was greater than my commission would be. My agency took over 60% of the commission before it made it to the agent. Why not explain the situation to them and see if they can do anything. Or they may even tell you to book elsewhere to get the better OBC. Also do you need help beyond just the cruise (flights, hotels and transport to the port)? There may be more value in having an agent besides $.

 

[hubbard53]

just tell them you have a TA friend too and would like to give her/him some business

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Thanks. So now the tricky part, the TA not offering OBC is my friends mother and my friend is also going on the trip....but I can get $200 in OBC if I book with the other agent....

That is a sticky situation. I think you could approach it as "I'd love to book with you but I can get $200 OBC from this other agency. Is there anything you can do?"

 

[turtle27]

My thoughts, and seconding the sticky situation, is that it depends on whether you need the money, or would like it. Is having the extra $200 worth upsetting your friend for? If money is tight and it would make your trip that much more special, then use the TA that is offering the credit AFTER giving your friend who is a TA a chance to do something, knowing it may not get up to $200.

And also how sensitive is your friend? I am surprised they could not offer even a token on-board credit. Not that on-board credit is the only reason to book with an experienced TA, but it is nice.

 

[shburks]

I would ask the TA friend if they can offer any OBC. In my experience, if their choice is to give you some of their commission or lose the whole sale, they'll give something.

 

[RebelHawk]

Also on a side note if you make a reservation directly with DCL and then transfer the ownership of the reservation to a TA (we use Dreams Unlimited Travel) we only received a pro rated OBC. In this case I would have loved to book with DU from the start but we noticed it was the last room on the ship at the category we wanted. So rather than risk missing it we booked directly with DCL and then emailed our TA and got the transfer paperwork squared away. We got a smaller OBC but something is better than nothing.

 

[ahain]

Thanks. So now the tricky part, the TA not offering OBC is my friends mother and my friend is also going on the trip....but I can get $200 in OBC if I book with the other agent....

I would book though the TA that offered the OBC. In my opinion, it is a better idea to book through a non-related party so if you're not happy with something (service, response time, etc) you won't be caught in a quandary as to whether or not to bring it up for fear of damaging the "friend" relationship.

 

[JW9DVC]

Dreams and Costco seem to be the best, not the only. Don't guilt yourself into not getting any OBC. It's your money. If a friend were to become upset over $200 that you are saving. Maybe they are not friends at all. That money is going somewhere, better your pocket than theirs.

JW

 

[disfam3mi]

$200 is a lot of money. Explain to your friend's mom that you can't justify spending an extra $200. I'm sure she'd understand. I know I would.

 

[RHSTigerMom]

I agree booking with the TA that offers the OBC is the best course of action. If your friend's mom had to call DCL to inquire about an OBC, then she must not be well-versed in booking cruises. I would go with the TA that knows more about DCL & OBC. Let us know what you decide to do. Heck, your friend may decide to go with the other TA to get the $200!