What would you tell this travel agent?

[ILoveWDW2003]

(sorry if this is in the wrong forum - I wasn't sure where to post it)

A friend of mine is looking to book a trip late December 2005 (Holiday season) at a Value resort, and I am unofficially assisting him with the planning, but he is still getting input from a local TA.

The TA is giving a per-person rate (that seems to be decent, air-inclusive, etc.) but the TA won't give a detailed breakdown of costs until my friend confirms that he will be using that agency.

The costs that I am coming up with are about $50 less than the TA, but I am estimating the cost of the airfare, since air can't be booked until next year.

I told my friend to be very cautious. I also warned him that he may be locked into that rate and not be able to adjust it if better rates come out.

Thoughts?

Joe

 

[disneyatl]

If the agency I was wanting to use wouldn't give me a breakdown, I'd go somewhere else.

 

[Kimberle]

I'd run like the wind................

 

[WDW LifeLong Fan]

I agree with the other posts....If a TA was evasive about costs, etc....I would tell them thanks but no thanks!

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

Run Forrest, Run!

There is a reason they won't itemize. Padding hidden costs somewhere. I wouldn't trust it, but I like to plan things out individually and not get packages.

 

[LoveMickey]

I have used travel agencies in the past, but booking direct is much less expensive. And you can usually get better flights.

 

[KittyKitty]

HI

I am an ex travel agent and I agree with everyone. Do not use this agent.

There are many agencies that specalized in Disney. Use one of them. And since it's so far away, chances are the hotel rate will go down.

I'm using a travel agent for my Dec trip, but it is with the agency that Allearsnet uses. And very happy with my service. Price is the same as if I did it myself. But I am handling the air myself.

Susan

 

[totalia]

Just say "Goodbye".

If the TA isn't willing to give you the info, then they are hiding something.

 

[Bracho]

I have to agree with the rest of the posters on this one.... sounds like bad news down the road if you do business with a company that likes to "HIDE" things til you sign on the bottom line. I have seen so many people get nailed bigtime by companies that do business like this. No matter what anyone says, if a company isn't up front or will not give a breakdown before you say yes is a company that isn't doing business on the up and up!!!

BEWARE!!!

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Everyone, thank you for your input - now I just have to get this across to my friend.

 

[Ted and Holly]

If he must use a travel agency, direct him to Dreams Unlimited.

If he is conforatble with the telephone and internet, help him do it himself.

It depends on the level of service he needs. If he wants the busy work done for him, go with DU.

If a travel agency is not making him feel comfortable, drop them.

Ted

 

[erikthewise]

These days there are quite a few Disney specialist travel agencies that are excellent and depend for business on their reputations among the online Disney community. Here are some of the best known ones together with some affiliations to popular web sites. I would never consider using a nonspecialist TA for a WDW vacation.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/ (www.wdwinfo.com -- this site)
http://mouseearvacations.com/ (allearsnet.com)
http://www.wdwvacations.com/ (Small World Vacations -- mousesavers.com)
http://www.mouseketrips.com/ (www.jimhillmedia.com)
http://olptravel.com/ (Our Laughing Place Travel)
http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/

 

[ga9497]

I also find it strange that the agent is given them airfare quotes since you can't book air in the united stated more then 330 days in advance.

If the person lives out of the country they can sometimes can get airfare more then 330 days in advance

 

[mudnuri]

its not odd- the agent is guessing based on last this years rates what the airlines will be charging, then they've padded the fee's INCASE they are higher. of course- if they're lower- they wont get any money back.

My AAA agent, "quoted" me a price with airfare of $200.00 per person, pending flight release for a Nov 05 trip. HOWEVER this being a good agent, state flight price was not set, could go up, could go down, given when flights are released and when we book.

unless- this agent has charter flights available...then it's possible to have a contracted rate with the airline.

I worked in International Travel for quite a few years and we had contract rates, they were valid for travel further out than the normal 330 days.

Brandy

 

[ILoveWDW2003]

Originally posted by erikthewise
These days there are quite a few Disney specialist travel agencies that are excellent and depend for business on their reputations among the online Disney community. Here are some of the best known ones together with some affiliations to popular web sites. I would never consider using a nonspecialist TA for a WDW vacation.

http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/ (www.wdwinfo.com -- this site)
http://mouseearvacations.com/ (allearsnet.com)
http://www.wdwvacations.com/ (Small World Vacations -- mousesavers.com)
http://www.mouseketrips.com/ (www.jimhillmedia.com)
http://olptravel.com/ (Our Laughing Place Travel)
http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com/

I am trying to get him to use my friend Joe at Dream Come True Vacations - they are a Disney specialist agency - hopefully he will give Joe a call soon.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

Print this page and show him he needs to be careful. They won't show the breakdown for a reason. Also my TA said its usually cheaper to book air yourself.