travel agent discount?

[terribm]

I was hoping someone on this board would be able to help me with this. I am a travel agent and use a travel industry discount when I go (which is as often as possible.) I am in danger of losing this privelage. My question is, does anyone know how the travel agent discount compares to the AP discount? I am trying to decide if it is worth my working in the office just to keep my IATAN ID card or just buy APs. Also, how often do you have to go to get your money's worth from the AP's. Any advice would be great!!!

Terri

 

[heathrow42]

Have no idea what the travel agent rates are like (care to share?) But you can check mousesavers.com for historical AP info.. actually not sure if they have historical AP room rates, but they will have the current AP rates and that should give you an idea. The rates are pretty good. I believe a regular AP pays for itself in 7.5 days-- that is outside of any room discounts, and merchandise discounts. So if you can make it to the parks 7.5 days in 1 year... even 2 - 4 day trips, it's paid for.

If travel agents get discounts on airfare.. that would probably be harder to beat. It's probably not worth it if it presents a hardship, isn't enjoyable, or if you could be making money somewhere else to make up the difference.

HTH,
--heather

 

[Amberle3]

I haven't had a TA discount at a Disney hotel yet, but judging from the ones I've had at other hotels I can't imagine that the AP rate would be worse.

Just mentioned this on the CB the other day:
Most of the hotels I've had a TA discount at, the rate has been pretty much the same as the AAA rate. I've seen several places where the TA rates were higher than other (commissionable) rates.

And most of the airlines that offer a TA discount, it's offered on the full (highest) fare, so the 99% of the time the rate is actually higher than their cheapie rates.

 

[PatriciaH]

I checked the TA rate for the POLY Garden View in October (regular season). It was $191.78 a night with tax. Rack rate is $344 + tax. AP rates give 35-40% off from what I have seen/got. The AP rate for September (POLY GV) is $209 + tax but this is value season not regular so rack rate is $299. The TA rate is better but not by a huge amount.

 

[terribm]

Thanks all. You have been very helpful. The TA discount is 50% off rack rate for whatever season. Pretty darn good. But, I have realized now that eventhough the AP rate isn't as good as that, I can book a room with AP rate through my agency (as an outside agent) and get 10% comm. So it is really close. HMMMM very interesting.

Thanks a bunch,
Terri