using a code when booking with a travel company?

[blessedmommyX4]

I have a 40% off pin. I was wondering if we booked our stay with a travel company if they could use our pin to try and get us a better deal. We have never used a travel agent, so I am not quite sure how it all works.

TIA

 

[IUHoosiers]

For our February trip, I didn't have a code - but our TA was able to "find" a great deal at SSR (about 40% off). I couldn't find this rate online or when I called. For our September and November trips, I have a 30% off code. She wasn't able to find anything better than that....so she booked it for us with the code. I hope this answers your question.

 

[blessedmommyX4]

thank you for your response, it did help!

here is another question I have... what is the advantage to booking with a travel agent?

i am a bargain shopper..*big time* and have always looked around for the best deal. do they get about the same deal- just now I am not spending the time doing all the looking?

thanks again from a newbie!!

 

[Aliceacc]

My AAA travel agent was more than happy to let us apply our 40% PIN.

In theory, a travel agent is supposed to be knowlegeable and can get you info you might not otherwise have access to. As with any field, though, a lot of that depends on the agent you actually end up with.

I like the fact that, should anything somehow go wrong, I still have AAA in my corner.

 

[IUHoosiers]

We have a friend that is a TA (not with AAA). I ALWAYS do my own research...besides being a bargain shopper, I am a control freak! When we are planning a vacation, I let my TA see what she can find. It seems with internet specials, etc. sometimes I can find a better deal (on any vacation). However, with our Disney trips that has not been the case. As I mentioned she found a 2BR villa at SSR for about $320 a night (reg. $530). For the fall trips, she didn't have anything "extra" to offer, but I do prefer the travel agency's travel insurance to that of Disney (kids are free). Also, she is more than willing to help with ADRs (control freak, here, does it myself! ). Every "little" question I have, she gets on the phone with Disney for the answer. As a the other poster said, it is nice to know that there is someone to go to if you have any problems or concerns.

Despite my husband's pleading, my personality would never allow me to just "put it in the hands" of my TA...but by comparing my reserach to her rates, I always feel like I got the best deal possible.

 

[MomWDW]

I always use a TA- she finds the best deals, I just tell her what we want and when. Then should a code be released or a pin assigned to us- she applies it without me having to contact her first. If you have a pin I would ask the TA to apply it, then if a code is released they can compare the 2 without you having to worry about it at all.

 

[blessedmommyX4]

I just realized that I am going to be gone on a mission trip to Africa when it is time to make our ADR's. This is NOT something I would leave for my husband to do.

If we book through a TA, can they make our ADR's for us?

 

[IUHoosiers]

Our TA helped us with our February ADRs, but I ended up going to her office to "assist". For our September trip, I made our ADRs on my own. While our TA was willing to call, I doubt she was willing to get up and be on the phone at 7:00 AM.

If you end up using at TA, you can always ask what they are willing to do. If you are hoping for some hard to get ADRs (i.e., CRT) you might need to get a friend to help.

We booked our February trip about 6 weeks out. Because we were very flexible, we were able to get Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace and CRT (and even at BBB appointment). However, this is a slower time of year, and we took some of the ONLY available reservations left. We basically planned our trip around our ADRs.

 

[Rhonda]

I just realized that I am going to be gone on a mission trip to Africa when it is time to make our ADR's. This is NOT something I would leave for my husband to do.

If we book through a TA, can they make our ADR's for us?

I'm not sure about other TA's, but if you use Dreams Unlimited, they will make all your ADRs for you! Just give your agent your list before leave for Africa, and it will be taken care of when you're gone!

 

[SnackyStacky]

I'm not sure about other TA's, but if you use Dreams Unlimited, they will make all your ADRs for you! Just give your agent your list before leave for Africa, and it will be taken care of when you're gone!

Some agencies will do it, but you have to ask for it. Some other agents will NOT do it.

Your best bet, as was mentioned is to use a travel agent specializing in Disney, like Dreams Unlimited. I used them for my honeymoon and they were WONDERFUL!!!! We got reservations at Cinderella's Royal Table and an Illuminations Cruise. Couldn't have been happier with the service.

 

[blessedmommyX4]

Thank you all for your responses! I love how this board is always willing to help others out!!

We went ahead and booked with Dreams yesterday. The girl I have been working with is super nice, and full of info. We are very happy!

thanks again!