Weird thing happened with travel agent.

[lookingforward]

We are sailing on the Wonder in September. I forgot to pay my deposit on the due date (i booked directly with disney) so I figured I would throw some business to an online company that I heard gives some nice discounts (not dreams). It was for a Cat 3 room. I put in my request and was emailed back the next day saying that all the Cat 3's were sold out and only a "very few" cat 4's were still available. (we are traveling with 5). I was given a fair quote for the Cat 4.

On my lunch hour I phoned Disney directly to see if I could get on a wait list for the Cat 3. They told me that they had "several" cat 3's available and booked me one of the bigger ones.

When I told my co-workers about this one women explained to me that the travel agent most likely had some pre-booked rooms that they wanted to move and so was trying to get me into the Cat 4. She explained that they often buy a block of rooms at industry discounts and then upcharge them to the customer. Could this be true??? Wouldn't it be more profitable for her to sell me the Cat 3? I am so confused.

Any comments?

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

I have heard (not sure if it's true or not though) that some TA's do this...buy up rooms in advance to get them cheaper and then make more profit OR to be able to reserve them in vacations for their clients cheaper.... so that might be true.

As for how could that be more profitable.. perhaps the additional commission they'd make on booking a Cat 3 would not make up for the loss if they weren't able to book a Cat 4 they'd already paid for themselves?

 

[belleandthebeast]

There may have not been "several" available at the times your TA was calling for prices. That happens quite often. I usually check back later to see if the space became available.