Using a TA when you do the "if this discount, then this resort, if not, then..."

[branv]

I have used a TA for all of our trips (not just one, used various agencies). The problem is, from time to time I've been a little disappointed when discounts come out. Even though I've said, "We're booking XYZ resort, but if a discount comes out for room rates on this more expensive resort, we'd like to stay there," every single time they've applied new discounts for my original room and completely forgotten about my intention to change. I've always had to email them to ask about it, and one time that resulted in us missing out on changing resorts as it was quickly booked up.

Another time, discounts were released and I waited on pins and needles for "the email." Nothing. Turns out b/c our TA didn't see any discounts for our room level at the resort, it was shunted aside. But there was a discount for the room level above ours that would have given us an upgrade for slightly less than the cost of our original room. It wasn't even offered to us, I had to find out about it on my own on a bulletin board and ask for it.

Doesn't this kind of eliminate the benefit of using a TA to jump on those discounts immediately?

So since on this vacation we are again willing to float to where any future discounts suit us best, I am reluctant to use a TA this time around.

Is there something I should be doing differently? Is this just the way it is...as in TA's are great about getting you that discount immediately on your currently booked room, but for "if this, then this" instructions, then you're better off not using a TA? Or is it just a matter of who you use?

Thoughts?

 

[Rachaelt]

Sounds like you need to find a new TA. There are some really crappy ones out n there, AND SOME REALLY FANTASTIC ONES out there. Find one that specializes in Disney.

 

[AimeeMichele]

FYI: Just because they specialize in Disney doesn't mean they are going to be fantastic. I've had not so stellar experiences with Disney specialist TAs before. I suggest asking people to recommend a TA they think is the best (always on top of things, remember or notes their clients' requests/likes/dislikes, etc and pleasant to deal with) and give that TA a try. Good luck! I've given up on TAs as I'm a total control freak and as soon as a discount is unveiled I'll be calling Disney ASAP instead of playing the waiting game with a TA.

 

[AmongMadPeople]

Have a little empathy, and understand that it is time consuming to see if/how new discounts apply to all of an agent's bookings. While yes, an agent should apply any discount that applies, it would never hurt to send them an email.

(And just to be clear, I'm not excusing slow responses to discounts, but imagine if you woke up Monday morning and had three new discounts, for travel over a year from now, that you had to match to a year's worth of reservations.)

 

[sophie832]

I'm using a Disney Specialist and I've always had to specify if I wanted a discount on a different resort. When I was waiting for the AP discounts, I gave her a list of my room preference order...with 3 different resorts on it. However, when the discounts finally came out, she only looked for the #1 choice (which makes sense), so even though there were bigger discounts with some of the other choices, I had to tell her to look for those.

I've been told there are TAs out there who will go above-and-beyond and search for any discount that will help you pay less, even at another resort or to an upgraded room, but I haven't had that experience.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

Getting a TA that will really work for you can be tough to find. Many book with a TA once and that is it. I booked a room only, changed to a package and told my TA that if new discounts came out, I am trying to get CL.

My TA was on the phone with Disney aal day the other day for 7 hours working for me and some others. She got through to ask 6 times. She also was on the phone for two hours two weeks before to make sure I got tickets before the price jump.

I know my TA is great. It is the third time I have used her. She came highly recommended byt people her on the DIS.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Every agent works differently. When the discounts came out the other day, I went straight to work seeing if my clients could benefit from any of them (I work for an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner agency). But, that's how I work. I want to get the best deals for my clients.

 

[stargazertechie]

I never use travel agents. I'm too control-freaky over my vacations to trust a-n-y-o-n-e else with the details. If I see discounts come out at 6AM, I can be on the phone directly with *whoever* to apply that discount, be it Disney, a cruise, or just a vacation.