Tipping TA's

[mattmommy]

Has anybody ever tipped/sent a gift to their TA's?

Ours is great. She did a lot for us during the last few years.

DH said send her money. I think a gift card to a restaurant. Any ideas from the TA's out there? Of course we do refer friends to her, but want to do something special for her.

 

[wdwguide]

Always tip your teaching assistants with a nice cold beer after the last day of class. They appreciate it!

Oh... you mean travel agent? Never thought about tipping them since they usually get a commission when I book a trip through them.

 

[GottaGetToDisney!]

As a TA myself, I would like to say: I wish more people thought like you!

In the 6 years that I've been in this business I've only twice received gifts from my clients. Both were gift cards and both were greatly appreciated!

I think a lot of people have the same misconception as the previous poster: since we're paid commission then we really don't deserve or need tips. Well, I know that every agency is different, but in mine we certainly don't receive full commission on everything we sell. The majority of commission goes towards the office overhead. I'm required to sell 3 times my salary each month just to break even, then I'm allowed to keep a percentage of any commission that's left above and beyond that (called a bonus here). I'm hardly rolling in money. In fact, I barely make more than somebody who flips burgers at McDonald's (and that is a sad fact). Bonuses usually only happen during the busy months for travel (Jan, Feb, March) and the rest of the year....it's a struggle sometimes.

Sorry about the vent! Just wanted to let you know that YES, your travel agent would be ecstatic about ANY sort of gift/tip!!

Gotta Get To Disney!

 

[mattmommy]

What do you think? $25 gift card to Outback sound good? We've been using her for about 3-4 years and haven't given anything, but I wanted to know we appreciate her. Although she only lives 2 towns away, we've never met her. Just on-line.

I just wish TA's did airfare now (without packages). I would love to get a call saying "there's a great sale on FL fares, can you go this weekend?"

 

[TheTexasKid]

Always. Someone does something for me. I feel obligated to do something for them. But, I don't do it with cash, instead . . .

I send them picture postcards from all the places I visited. Of course, sometimes I beat the picture postcards home

I bring them food items they can share with the rest of the office. The usual: candies, cookies, crackers, etc.

But, what they really like is the tourist brochures from places I visit. It may be just my TAs, but they have hard time getting these.

And menus. I also try to get these from the places I visit. They can never get enough of these.

 

[GottaGetToDisney!]

I personally would love a giftcard from Outback (mmmm, cheesy fries!), but I'm sure she would love any type of giftcard!

By the way...what TA's do you know that don't book separate airfare?! We still do, although we do charge service fees in order to partially compensate for the commissions the airlines took away. I always have clients who call me about the great air deals they've found online.

Gotta Get To Disney!

 

[Jrabbit910]

I wouldnt tip to show appreciation but I have given a gift before. I think its more personal then giving her/him cash... (dont get me wrong, cold hard cash is wonderful) I think bringing her home a gift from whereever you go or giving her a wonderful thank you note w/ a giftcard is great.

 

[mel&me]

I normally tip just about everyone, but must say
I never thought about the TA, Had same line of thinking as previous poster. That they they work on commission.

 

[fun4disney]

Thank you for thinking of your travel agent! That is so kind of you. I'm sure she works hard to get you the best rates that are out there AND it didn't cost you anything extra. I'm sure your TA would appreciate anything you did for her, but certainly isn't expecting it! I'm sure she will be very suprised to get something. Do you always book Disney trips with her? If you do then get her something Disney. I have a Disney stapler, tape dispenser and business card holder that I love (I bought them myself, but would have loved them from a clinet!)

Just as a side note, I do book airfare without charging a fee if it's a past clinet. I doesn't "cost" me anything to do it for them (I just don't make anything either) and I'll make that up somewhere along the way when they book their next trip that isn't just air. Or on the referals from them.

 

[mattmommy]

I've just booked trips to DL/WDW with her. GREAT at getting the "hard to get ressies". She was able to get us the Fantasmic Buffet at DL and other great adr.

I think she does air, but only as part of the package.

Even if she does get a commission, I want her to know I appreciate her.

 

[kathie859]

If someone truly exceeded my expectations, I would send a "Thank You" note and a gift card (probably in the $25 range) or a flower arrangement.

 

[Love2Tvl1]

I've been a travel agent since the late 1970s, and can't tell you how very much any thoughtful gift from a client meant to me. I don't care if it was monetary or something purchased on their trip, or a simple postcard. Just to know that my service was appreciated was so gratifying. It made it all worthwhile. When the airlines decided to cut commissions, I had had my own agency for 19 years. After 9/11, it became clear that mom and pop agencies had no future. I now work in corporate travel for a large company, and while I'm well paid, I really miss the interaction with my customers when I was selling leisure.

I'm sure I speak for all agents when I say thank you for the kind thoughts! The majority of agents really do care about their clients, and want them to have the best experience they can possibly have on their vacations!

When I was doing leisure travel, my specialty was Disney and luxury travel.

 

[TheTexasKid]

Thank you for thinking of your travel agent! That is so kind of you. I'm sure she works hard to get you the best rates that are out there AND it didn't cost you anything extra. I'm sure your TA would appreciate anything you did for her, but certainly isn't expecting it! I'm sure she will be very suprised to get something. Do you always book Disney trips with her? If you do then get her something Disney. I have a Disney stapler, tape dispenser and business card holder that I love (I bought them myself, but would have loved them from a clinet!)

Just as a side note, I do book airfare without charging a fee if it's a past clinet. I doesn't "cost" me anything to do it for them (I just don't make anything either) and I'll make that up somewhere along the way when they book their next trip that isn't just air. Or on the referals from them.

I don't know whether this is post is for anybody specific or for anybody in general, but . . .

I don't know how long I've known my TAs, but it has been many years that I've been doing business with the same people. Up to two years ago, I did all my travel business with one lady, then she retired because of a medical disability. Then I did my entire business with another lady who replaced her, but last year, she had a baby and decided to retire and stay home as a full-time mother. Now, I'm splitting my business with the other two ladies in the agency.

Disney. Non-Disney. I book everything through them. Therefore, I pick up what ever is available in the area in which I am at that time. If it is DCL or DL or DLP or WDW, then I pick up something Disney. If it is someplace else, then I pick up something non-Disney.