Why do you use a Travel Agent?

[jimmalru80]

I plan everything and let the travel agent book everything. It's just easier for me that way.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

I had always planned and booked my WDW trips on my own, but last year we decided to have a big trip for my 50th birthday with several families involved (41 people in total). It would have taken many, many hours out of my workday to have made all the arrangements (and all the changes!). I worked with Laura at The Magic for Less and she was really outstanding. I knew what I wanted in terms of ADRs and special events, and she made them happen for us. I'd zip off an email to her before I started work in the morning, and by the end of the day (or sometimes the next day) I'd have an email back with all the confirmation info.

The trip was WONDERFUL and Laura made planning it so much less stressful.

Teresa

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

You might not think you're paying for the service, since you don't get a TA bill, but they don't sit in an office building and work for free. It's there, you just don't see it.

I pay my TA the same amount that I would pay Disney, to the penny - she just does all the work for me so I don't need to do it myself.

Disney pays the TA a commission from my trip - your money that would have been paid to a TA goes to pay the wonderfully consistent(!) CRO CM's.

Michael

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

You might not think you're paying for the service, since you don't get a TA bill, but they don't sit in an office building and work for free. It's there, you just don't see it.

Also, all of the internet-based Disney-specialist TA's (Dreams Unlimited, Small World, Mouse for Less, Dreams Come True, etc) don't sit in an office building - their agents are all home-based.

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

Adding a link to the opposing opinion:

Why don't you use a Travel Agent to book your Disney vacation?

 

[DisneyGeek2000]

bumping up for a little more input

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Travel agents handle problems. If the airlines mess up the frequent flyer miles, they get it fixed and save me the headaches. If a hotel loses a reservation or there is any problem, you call them and they handle it quickly and call you back to let you know it is fixed. My agent even gives me her home and cell numbers.

They work fast. They appreciate it when people call and say, "I want blah, blah, checking in this date, checking out this date. Call me, thanks." With Disney you have to be on the phone forever.

They get you cheap prices (if they're good), and are super-nice.

If you kick them back a little extra, they can usually get you a free upgrade.

They deliver. I love that. Once I called and said I had to leave in three hours, and they had all my documents delivered in 45 minutes.

Again, they are super-nice.

 

[simzac]

Shirley at Dreams Unlimited is simply the best. The only reason I may not use them again is because I am trying to buy into DVC.

 

[Grumpy'n'Goofy]

If you kick them back a little extra, they can usually get you a free upgrade.

OK, you've peaked my curiousity, what do you mean?
TIA

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I mean that I give my travel agent kickbacks, you can call them "tips" or "commissions" or whatever, and I get upgraded.

I very often find that extra money gets extra stuff, or faster stuff. Funny how that works.

 

[bubba73]

I voted all of the above. I used a TA for the first time last year and the extra service made it worthwhile. Not to mention, that I saved money from what it would have been by going with WDW directly. But I have to be honest, I got the rest of my knowledge from this website.