Travel agent question

[Westy239]

Because this board, Dis, is run by a travel agency, we can not post other agency names. Sorry.

Not asking for a specific name but is this specialized Disney agents?

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

Your travel agent booking your Disney trip is gift enough. I'm not sure why you're expecting her to do anything else for you. If someone's travel agent does, then that's a nice surprise. But if they don't, it's not an obligation, either.

 

[Sue M]

Not asking for a specific name but is this specialized Disney agents?

Yes they are.

 

[intricatejewel]

I normally don't use a TA, and you're spiked my curiosity. What kind of gifts?

I've received personalized totes, fruit baskets and small tokens such as free postcards, wipe and write boards and she's decorated my stateroom door as a little extra sprinkle of pixie dust. It's up to the individual TA and from what I understand, these small gifts usually come out of their pocket. I assure my TA each time it's not necessary but she insists on doing them because she likes to show her appreciation. Honestly, she's great all around and I'd never stop using her if she discontinued giving gifts to her clients. I book through her because she's super knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. I just adore her

 

[yaya74]

My upcoming trip is my second time using travel agents from DreamsUnlimited. I didn't get a gift from the agent at the first time and I don't expect my current agent to send me anything this time around. If she does, it's great. If not, it's okay with me. Our last trip to WDW was 14 years ago... So Having someone like my agent who knows about WDW and my family's need to plan my trip is a great plus already. My agent happens to be a very calm person so she helps easing my anxiety about the upcoming trip.

 

[Allison]

I would never expect a gift from a travel agent and certainly wouldn't base using someone on getting a gift or not. They make their money on the commission from my booking, I don't expect them to turn around and spend a portion of that on me.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I wonder if the agents who book these magical Labor Day deals make the same amount of commission they would from a "normal" booking? Not that it matters.

 

[BabyFu18]

I don't think a TA needs to give a gift to their clients, if they want to that's very nice of them, but then it starts people expecting it which maybe isn't great for the TA if there comes a time where they can't or don't want to continue giving out small gifts. Why change TAs if you don't recieve a small gift, that I don't understand at all.

I use a TA because she can get deals that I can't and because of her knowledge about Disney, the savings and help she offers are beyond generous so that's a great gift in itself!

 

[michelepa]

I have to agree with most of the other posters.

That Labor Day Exclusive is so great and so popular you're not really doing that agency any favors by booking with them.

Indeed, the gift to me is the substantial discount realized with no other agency.

Here's my experience...

Last year I booked my trip for me and DD through a family friend who was an authorized Disney travel agent. I didn't really need help in planning because I love planning my vacations and never use a TA but she knew I was going to Disney and I would see all summer leading up to the trip so I figured why not it would be fun and help her out a bit with a booking. All I wanted was a standard WL room and non hopper tickets. We booked at the rack rate and waited for the discounts. However, she was unable to get the standard room at the discount and had to book me a courtyard view which was more than I wanted to spend. (I made my DD every day of that trip come stand on the balcony to admire the view since we'd really paid for it!)

After the trip was booked and I started my research on DIS I came across those discussing the Labor Day Exclusive deal and I looked into it. The difference was substantial and had exactly what I wanted and more. The deal had my standard room at WL available and non park hopper tickets plus a water park ticket for $800 less than my friend's deal. With the substantial price difference, and both being authorized agencies, I contacted my friend to find out if the other agency was legit and if so could she do any better on the price. She said they indeed are legit and she did take a couple hundred off with her manager's ok but could do no better.

There are differences between these two agencies. For example, my friend's agency is more hands on than that of the Labor Day Exclusive TA. In fact, I did have her book my ADR's and Fast Passes since the MDE is so temperamental and it was new since my last trip to Disney and I figured she'd know how to deal with all its glitches. But, I still did all the planning and just gave her the lists of days and times for each reservation. Also, my friend was available to me throughout the trip in case I had problems but I did not need to contact her just handled whatever I needed myself at that point. Moreover, the night before the trip my friend came by the house with a printed itinerary and gifts for my DD including a Mickey pen and autograph book along with a string bag with Mickey Mouse & TA logo. (I always print out a color coded vacay itinerary that I've created based on my needs so although hers nice it was not something I referenced.)

This year I am taking DD one last time and we are using the Labor Day Deal at the GF so I know first hand that the Labor day TA will book your trip and book your Magical Express Transportation but the rest of the trip is up to you and they have not sent me a gift with 46 days left. But, I am not disappointed at all. I view this agency more like a clearing house for unused convention rooms and tickets and I'll take that deal over using any other TA for a Disney trip.

 

[RedOne3781]

Not asking for a specific name but is this specialized Disney agents?

I asked the same question last year after seeing so many people discuss it. I had to do some creative Googling, and read between the lines of some posts. Ended up figuring it out, and had an absolutely magical vacation just before Labor Day.

I have heard about some people getting welcome gifts, but figured that doesn't really apply when such awesome discounts are factored in.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I wonder if the agents who book these magical Labor Day deals make the same amount of commission they would from a "normal" booking? Not that it matters.

They don't. Any agency doing WDW agency exclusives is working through WDW group sales and, while commission percentage is the same for rooms and dining, there is no commission on the discounted tickets. In addition, the room is heavily discounted, so the commission is much, much less than if the room and/or package had been booked at rack rate or even a general public discount.

I guess I would ask myself, would I rather have a trinket worth $10 - $20 or a substantial discount on a vacation? I know there are some agencies that mandate client gifts and OBB for cruises, but, for many agents, it's discretionary and those gift costs do come out of commissions earned.

 

[pamkat1820]

We used "the" agency 2xs before and sent her multiple family members that booked with her. We have never received any welcome gifts . Our first trip bookEd 3 rooms total of 10 ppl. Second trip we booked 2 rooms 6 ppl, family member booked 4 rooms. I can careless about the welcome gifts, I prefer the huge discount

 

[hodad]

I'd be interested in a PM with the info of "the" TA everyone knows, if you have a free second.

 

[MickeyEars]

I know the agency in question but I don't know when they release their discounts. Do they release the entire year all at once or so many months at a time, etc.?
I'm interested in May 2017 so I would love to know when to beginning looking.

Thank you for any help!!

Carla

 

[OnceUponATime15]

I know the agency in question but I don't know when they release their discounts. Do they release the entire year all at once or so many months at a time, etc.?
I'm interested in May 2017 so I would love to know when to beginning looking.

Thank you for any help!!

Carla

I just recently got their Jan/Feb 2017 offers. As I recall in the past, by the beginning of the new year I had received the info for the first six months of that year.

 

[MickeyEars]

I just recently got their Jan/Feb 2017 offers. As I recall in the past, by the beginning of the new year I had received the info for the first six months of that year.

Thank you for the info!! I just signed up for their newsletter. Is that where you received the Jan/Feb 2017 offers?

Carla

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Thank you for the info!! I just signed up for their newsletter. Is that where you received the Jan/Feb 2017 offers?

Carla

Yes. And they also have a FB page that they post on when new offers are released.

 

[MickeyEars]

Yes. And they also have a FB page that they post on when new offers are released.

Thank you!!

Carla

 

[-Joy]

Yes. And they also have a FB page that they post on when new offers are released.

Would you mind messaging me back the name of the TA that has been referenced in this thread? Thanks so much!

 

[Westy239]

Would you mind messaging me back the name of the TA that has been referenced in this thread? Thanks so much!

Could you also message me. I'd appreciate it