What benefits of using a travel agent?

[Just(donald)Ducky]

I'm looking to book am new vacation, and thinking of using a travel agent....

But what benefits do you get? Is it just for making the reservations for you and stuff?

Any help is appreciated!

Jdd

 

[MillauFr]

I prefer to book everything myself. However I used Costco when booking cruises because their price is 8-9% less than booking direct through Disney. I also used a travel agent to book Disneyworld. The travel agent was selling rooms at the Poly at a 55% discount. Disney was going to charge me full price.

 

[AquamarineSteph]

I have had mixed results using travel agents. I used one once - NOT Dreams Unlimited - to book a Disney holiday. Talk about a disaster. I would never use that particular firm again. Just last month I received someone else's trip confirmation from that firm. I emailed them and the response was - oh, sorry! Your email is similar to current client's. -rolls eyes-

I did use Dreams Unlimited for my most recent ABD trips. They were amazing in that respect.

Long story short - if a travel agent offers a discount AND is someone you can trust, then you're better off using them. If you do not have a travel agent who can be recommended by others, then I feel you are better off booking everything yourself.

 

[Shanti]

I'm looking to book am new vacation, and thinking of using a travel agent....

But what benefits do you get? Is it just for making the reservations for you and stuff?

Any help is appreciated!

Jdd

I plan everything myself, but sometimes book the resort via a Disney specialist travel agent who is able to give convention rates on WDW resort rooms at certain times of year. I book cruises independently.

 

[Lynne G]

The benefits of a TA are that sometimes they can offer discounts or gifts for booking with them. Since they "own" your reservation, they can make ADRs and room requests for you, as well as taking the payment for your reservation. A good TA will help you with your reservation as much or as little as you want. And, all of what they do for you should be in your MDE quickly.

I've used a TA for both Disney hotels and a Disney cruise. I use one for Disney hotels and packages, and another for cruises. One gives me discounts I usually cannot beat, and the other, gives me a credit I can use on the ship, and a small gift.

 

[tvguy]

You get a professional to do everything for free. I booked my WDW vacation myself, so I was the one waiting on hold trying to get an issue resolved with my Disney account. If I had used a travel agent, she would have done that, for free.
I know from past posts,some folks feel they lose control of their trip. I must have a good travel agents, because I have never felt I lost control. I just don't have time to deal with all the details if it is anything more than a simple trip. My WDW trip I did myself because their website is very well laid out. Pick date, pick hotel, pick tickets, pick transportation, I think it took a minute to book. Took me longer to call them to find out why my account would not link with my wife's than to book the trip.
On other trips, like my Disney Cruise, there were more moving parts, the travel agent had information at her finger tips that would have taken me hours to compile on hotels, etc.
And on a trip to Canada, I was all set to book it myself, but hesitated and checked with the travel agent, and discovered that while online travel sites would let me book a certain route, it would have been an illegal booking that left me stranded in Salt Lake City.

 

[Hikergirl]

Discounts

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

I have done it one time, and I did not like that I had to contact the TA every time I wanted to know about something on my account: Dining/Magical Express/Luggage Tags etc as it all went through her. It was a positive experience, but one I did not like. As far as costs and discounts go, I paid the TA the same amount as if I would have booked it directly with Disney online. TA's out there may offer discounts, and that is fine, but I am guessing that is not the norm. I have booked several trips myself and did not find it to be a hassle at all. I did my meal 180 days out and FP's 60 out and got what I wanted (even the coveted BOG lunch and dinner reservations). If it were my first trip, I may consider a TA, but as a Disney Veteran, no thanks.

 

[Shanti]

I have done it one time, and I did not like that I had to contact the TA every time I wanted to know about something on my account: Dining/Magical Express/Luggage Tags etc as it all went through her. It was a positive experience, but one I did not like. As far as costs and discounts go, I paid the TA the same amount as if I would have booked it directly with Disney online. TA's out there may offer discounts, and that is fine, but I am guessing that is not the norm. I have booked several trips myself and did not find it to be a hassle at all. I did my meal 180 days out and FP's 60 out and got what I wanted (even the coveted BOG lunch and dinner reservations). If it were my first trip, I may consider a TA, but as a Disney Veteran, no thanks.

Yes, it really is about finding an agent that offers the deep discounts- they are substantial & worth it. I'm a vacation control freak and would go crazy not booking my own ADRs & FPs. I still do all of that myself. When I booked the room-only ressie with the agent, she gave me my confirmation code which I typed into My Disney Experience, then the resort appeared in MDE. Everything else was the same as if I'd booked the hotel myself. I was even able to do online check-in myself & customize my own Magic Bands. I could also have booked a package, but I tend to prefer room-only.

 

[MichelleB]

Some of you refer to a TA giving a discount. I know for cruises, some offer onboard credit but what discount are you receiving for a WDW trip? Is it above the normal discount rates that disney has out or are they just good at knowing what discounts disney is offering?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Discounts is the only reason I do it. I still book my own ADR's and FP+ when I book with a TA.

 

[MichelleB]

Discounts is the only reason I do it. I still book my own ADR's and FP+ when I book with a TA.

What discount....this disney discounts or something above disney?

 

[robinb]

I think Travel Agents are helpful if you don't have the time and energy to do everything. If you're interested in going with one, make sure you know what kind of services are offered. Some TAs will make all your ADRs and your FP+ reservations too.

I usually do things myself but I have worked with a specific TA that got me a completely kick-butt discount at CSR (basically, the same as an AP discount at a Value) two years ago. I did all my ADRs and FP+s and I would not hesitate to use them again. I also used a TA for my last two cruises. I booked with Expedia last time and got a good rebate (like 15%) for booking through eBates plus I got onboard credit. On the previous cruise we got onboard credit and $80 toward an excursion. My DD and DH went scuba diving and I spent the excursion money on a snorkeling trip.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Some of you refer to a TA giving a discount. I know for cruises, some offer onboard credit but what discount are you receiving for a WDW trip? Is it above the normal discount rates that disney has out or are they just good at knowing what discounts disney is offering?

Yes, some agencies buy blocks of rooms at convention rates and pass those savings on to their clients.

 

[wendow]

We use a TA for the discount but I handle all my own ADR's and FP's. However, I do let my TA make my room request. In the past, my room requests were never met. Not a single time but my TA always has gotten us what we wanted so I'm sticking with that method.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

We use a TA for the discount but I handle all my own ADR's and FP's. However, I do let my TA make my room request. In the past, my room requests were never met. Not a single time but my TA always has gotten us what we wanted so I'm sticking with that method.

My TA also does my room request and DME.

 

[wendow]

My TA also does my room request and DME.

Oh yes, she does DME for me too. Forgot about that one

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I haven't used a TA for ages. But I have spoken, in real life, to a couple of groups that have used them recently.

Not one was happy. In fact, one was convinced that she was receiving character magic bands (she wasn't) and didn't need a DAS because she could book fast passes. The TA also claimed that it was fine to book fast passes in the morning, after you decided which park to go to. I spent two lunches going over which parks to visit, booking fast passes, explaining the DAS and booking some dining. So, yes, the TA was free. But sometimes you get what you pay for.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

DAS?

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

DAS?

Disability Access Service.

Her son has numerous conditions that preclude him from standing in long lines.