Tell me why I should use a travel agent

[Praise2Him]

I've never used a travel agent for our WDW resort vacations. I enjoy doing everything myself. But it seems like lots of people use TA, especially for cruises, and since I've never done a cruise, I thought maybe I should try it.
I checked the price for the cruise we want on DCL website and it's $863.70 for a cat. 12 for me and DD. Then I emailed 3 TA for a quote. I only heard back from 1 and the price was exactly the same.
So, what are the advantages of using the TA? Are the chances of getting an upgrade better with a TA? (not that I'm expecting one, but I wouldn't turn it down!) I don't need airfare, probably will get insurance (not included in quote), and probably will rent a car.
So here's your chance...convince me! Travel Agent or On My Own?

 

[alexandrew]

Perhaps you have to find a really good TA

check out www.allseastravel.com

they routinely beat DCL's pricing and offer unsurpassed service....

 

[Praise2Him]

Thanks, I sent them an email.
But I'm still wondering...exactly what do they do that I can't do for myself???

 

[tvguy]

A good travel agent is worth their weight in gold.
They have the tools to find you better deals, and they have access to information on hotels, transfers. This board is a great resource for common folks like us, but the travel agent is a big help.

 

[RickW]

As far as I am concerned, the only reason to use a TA is if you are able to save a significant amount of money (like the $500 we are saving on our upcoming cruise). Otherwise, I find them to be an extra hassle that doesn't add any value.

 

[alexandrew]

better pricing and more personalized service....if you establish a relationship with a TA, there is no request too big or small that they wouldnt honor...

Again, it's the relationship that you develop with a TA that you use again and again that makes a world of difference vs working directly with DCL.....

 

[my3kids]

I don't know of any reason to use the travel agent vs. booking directly, other than for a savings in price. DCL would always have someone to answer your question, pull up the reservation right away rather than having to call DCL to pull it up then get back to you. If you enjoy doing it yourself and the price is the same, stick with it. But, if you find the right agency, you can save a lot of money.

 

[babybunrab]

My TA, Coleen, has saved my hide more than once for my current trip.

It's not that I'm disorganized, she just knows the "ins and outs" better than I do and it's her job to be sure that my vacation goes the way it should. So, when I gave her the wrong check-in date, she went back through my emails and found a mistake--if she hadn't, I would have had no room the first night! She's also very sweet and patient with all my changes and "brilliant ideas." I can't imagine the time she's saved me!

Now, if you're terribly organized, Disney-savvy and are o.k. (or even enjoy, like my mother) spending time on the phone to get P.S., then you don't need a TA. I won't do Disney again without Coleen!

 

[mickeyfan1]

Many TAs don't "do" anything you can't, but some will give you a rebate on the cruise fare (DU), some will give you a soda mug with free refills for the trip (AAA), some will give you a lower fare as they don't take the entire commision (Price Club), it really depends on the agent. For booking cruises other than Disney, I have an agent I have used on 10 prior cruises. I always get at least 100 dollars off as a repeat passenger with them. FOr Disney, I choose to use DU as they are really DCL Specialist, the res center knows them by name, it can help to have someone being your eyes and ears up till sailing time. A good travel agent will also be savy in the ways of what documentation you will need to have with you at sailing ie Certified Birth Certificates, Passports, Visas, notorized documents for minor children, etc. A good travel agent will make sure your vacation is as successful as they can make it within their control. When you book through an agent, your documents will go to them first. A good agent should review them for accuracy and completeness, if there is something wrong or missing, they will be the ones to contact your cruise line to get it fixed. Some agencies book group space and offer their custome greatly reduced rates, they are also informed of specials being offered by the cruise lines that are not always made public, such as free air for travelers from specific states.

If you enjoy doing all your own arrangements, then by all means, do it. I make all my own air arrangements as the airlines don't pay commision to travel agents and I am web savvy. But for a cruise or a specific trip to WDW, I trust the pros.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Keep in mind that everyone starts with the same price. A DCL cruise for a given category at a given point in time has a certain price. All things being equal, everyone should be charging the same, because everyone is sellling the same DCL inventory. But, all things are not equal. DCL pays a commission to travel agencies.

Your neighborhood travel agency probably keeps the entire commission; they have low volume, pay high rent, and provide very personalized service. They may or may not know much about DCL.

On the other hand, most high-volume and online tragel agencies share part of their commission with you, in the form of rebates, room credits, price reductions, gifts, or some combination of these. By subtracting these, you can calculate the net price. Booking directly with DCL will always result in the highest price, if you compare to a discount online agency.

A good travel agency that specializes in Disney vacations and Disney cruises knows exactly what to ask for, what requests to make, and can answer all your questions.

Of all online agencies, my favorite is Dreams Unlimited (DU) -- not just because I got an excellent rebate and room credit from them, but also because they sponsor this board. (In fact, the DIS boards and DU have the same ownership.)

 

[Az Pirates]

I booked with DCL directly and made sure all my requests were noted on my ressie - then switched it over to a discount TA to get the discount and shipboard credit they were offering.
I am doing the flight/hotel/rental car myself because I like knowing everything is set up just how I want it without depending on someone else.

 

[papacruise]

Many believe that you should only use a TA if you are getting a better price or an added perk. That is so, so wrong. Call Disney and ask for a Category 5. Will they tell you that it's a waste of money and that you should really be sailing in a Category 6? Call Disney and tell them you want a 7-night in the middle of the summer. Will they ask you to tell them when your children go back to school and, when you respond that they don't begin until after Labor Day, steer you toward the last week of August, saving you thousands of dollars? When you have an infant and a three year old, will Disney do ANYTHING other than waitlist you for early dining once it has closed? Say, three months before sailing you need to add a fourth person to your stateroom. Your stateroom accommodates four, but due to capacity problems, Disney has capped all staterooms at three? Will Disney do ANYTHING more than waitlist the fourth person for you. Will Disney tell you that you can save up to $200 by purchasing insurance from a third party insurer other than the one they use?

The advantage of using the right agency goes well beyond a small rebate, a gift in the room or free soda mugs. Travel is like any other business. Everyone goes through hoops for their best clients. When the going gets rough, you want a strong Disney agency on your side. Many of the reasons for using an agency will not be apparent when you first book. They will only be apparent when, due to unexpected events, you need some special help with your booking. If you have booked directly, by then, it is too late.

Those who want "control" over their bookings have never had an unexpected problem with a booking, one where they needed help from a strong Disney agency. Either that, or they have been burned before by using the wrong agency.

 

[alexandrew]

excellent post papacruise....

 

[Alexander]

Our April '05 Cruise Quotes:

Disney: $5,100
AAA: $5,100
Three Other Travel Agents: $5,000 to $5,400
Dreams Unlimited TA: $3,600 plus $100 rebate

That is why I went with DU! I don't know how they did it, and I don't need to know, all I know is they got me a rate between $1,500 and $1,900 less than I could do on my own! I will always check with them first in the future!

 

[videoman]

WOW! Nice savings Alexander!!! Have a great trip!

 

[Mjasp]

Originally posted by alexandrew
excellent post papacruise....

I AGREE, GREAT POST...I had a problem last time I cruised and until I met TNRobin on board, I never even thought of contacting my TA. Now I am booked directly through DCL, but I booked on board and have that $200 stateroom credit. So I just left it with DCL.

But your post may have enlightened someone else in case they have a problem to contact their TA.

GOOD POST

Joanna

 

[Praise2Him]

Thanks for all the great posts...okay, you've convinced me! LOL
I've decided to go with a TA!
Now, what should I expect her to take care of?(other than booking the cruise, of course) Rental car? Hotel for the night before? Trip insurance? Anything else? Or do I do all that myself? Sorry, as you can tell I don't know anything about this stuff! LOL