Are Travel Agents of Any Value?
Mar 26, 2014, 11:29 am
#16
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 501
Cruise
Consider what I would term a reverse bidding site such as cruisecompete.com. You put in the info of the cruise you want along with the cabin type and within about 24 hours you should have offers from about 10 travel agents with the price they are "bidding" for your business. Since travel agents earn between 10% and 20% commission on the cruise they will commonly offer significant on board credits or some other monetary "award" if you book with them.
Mar 26, 2014, 11:56 am
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, US
Posts: 2,229
Except, of course, in this case the travel agent WAS able to find the lower fare, and it was available for sale by the travel agent.
The problem here was a different one, namely that the travel agent showed no interest in trying to figure out what the customer was talking about, and the customer had to beat the travel agent over the head to get the matter straightened out.
The problem here was a different one, namely that the travel agent showed no interest in trying to figure out what the customer was talking about, and the customer had to beat the travel agent over the head to get the matter straightened out.
Mar 26, 2014, 1:00 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Finally back in Boston after escaping from New York
Posts: 13,644
Correct.
Based on all your posts, I think you really need to find a new TA. You did all the work and your TA made a commission off of your effort.
There are several good TAs on FT.
Mike
I did not provide the actual promo description, but I did provide the agent with precise details of how I found the lower fare, and what it was before and after, and that we have Ruby and Platinum status with Princess.
I would expect the agent, as an expert in the field, to either know about this, or to offer to find out. Instead, we get this attitude of "well, if you want to call Princess, feel free". That doesn't really sound like an expert at work, but rather like someone whose interest is adverse to mine.
For the record, I typically book virtually all my own travel and am quite good at putting together an individualized trip....my specialty. Cruises are something I have accepted, but never did before meeting my wife, so I have tended to defer to her lead on these. But even now, my wife is thinking we are getting a less than optimal deal, and loyalty to the agent's office is waning rapidly.
Does anyone think upgrades are more likely when working an agent? We received an upgrade to a minisuite on one cruise, but it's not clear whether the agent had anything to do with it.
Thanks for the feedback so far.
I would expect the agent, as an expert in the field, to either know about this, or to offer to find out. Instead, we get this attitude of "well, if you want to call Princess, feel free". That doesn't really sound like an expert at work, but rather like someone whose interest is adverse to mine.
For the record, I typically book virtually all my own travel and am quite good at putting together an individualized trip....my specialty. Cruises are something I have accepted, but never did before meeting my wife, so I have tended to defer to her lead on these. But even now, my wife is thinking we are getting a less than optimal deal, and loyalty to the agent's office is waning rapidly.
Does anyone think upgrades are more likely when working an agent? We received an upgrade to a minisuite on one cruise, but it's not clear whether the agent had anything to do with it.
Thanks for the feedback so far.
There are several good TAs on FT.
Mike
Apr 7, 2014, 1:52 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: yyz
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 424
An anecdotal example of the value of a good TA:
Booked a cruise well in advance for this past March. Paid in full in early January. Thanks to TA (who I've used a number of times) I received prepaid gratuities ($340) and a $100 on board credit in addition to the discounts offered by the cruise line. Late January/early February my brother and his wife decided they'd like to join us (this would be their first cruise). Used my TA.
1. A week or so after my brother booked and paid, cruise line came out with a referral bonus - refer a friend or family and receive an oboard credit. My TA, completely on her own (I never heard about the promo and would not have if not for my TA), phoned the cruise line and managed to snag the credit for me even though they didn't start offering it until after my brother had booked - a total of $500! Also got a credit for my brother (don't ask me how, but he ended up with $250 or $300 himself on the same promotion).
2. When checking my onboard account near the end of the cruise I noticed that my credit for the gratuities and the $100 on board credit were missing. Checked with the ship's front desk but they couldn't really do anything without some kind of confirmation. Sent a quick email to my TA and she got on the phone to the cruise line and had it straightened out immediately. Nice to have someone take the hassle out of dealing with these types of situations.
Booked a cruise well in advance for this past March. Paid in full in early January. Thanks to TA (who I've used a number of times) I received prepaid gratuities ($340) and a $100 on board credit in addition to the discounts offered by the cruise line. Late January/early February my brother and his wife decided they'd like to join us (this would be their first cruise). Used my TA.
1. A week or so after my brother booked and paid, cruise line came out with a referral bonus - refer a friend or family and receive an oboard credit. My TA, completely on her own (I never heard about the promo and would not have if not for my TA), phoned the cruise line and managed to snag the credit for me even though they didn't start offering it until after my brother had booked - a total of $500! Also got a credit for my brother (don't ask me how, but he ended up with $250 or $300 himself on the same promotion).
2. When checking my onboard account near the end of the cruise I noticed that my credit for the gratuities and the $100 on board credit were missing. Checked with the ship's front desk but they couldn't really do anything without some kind of confirmation. Sent a quick email to my TA and she got on the phone to the cruise line and had it straightened out immediately. Nice to have someone take the hassle out of dealing with these types of situations.
Apr 22, 2014, 11:15 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: BOS/PVD/BDL
Programs: PC Plat, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold,HHonors Diamond, Avis PC, Hertz PC, National Exec Elite
Posts: 726
I have a home based travel business that I have been running for close to eight years and wanted to chime in on the value of travel agents. This is no way an advertisement, just a little information.
1)Travel agents can provide expertise and information that you may not get online from a website or from a call center rep on the phone. Many travel agents, especially if you get an expert for that area, have visited the places you want to go and give you real recommendations and advice
When I have spoken to call center reps at the cruise lines at the travel agent desk, some have truthfully said they have never seen or been on a cruise ship.
2) The travel agent can be your best advocate if there is an issue. We have contacts at the companies that we can reach out to who are assigned to our accounts. The good travel companies also have established relationships with senior executives as well that they can reach out to.
3) With cruises, the good agencies have group spacing blocked on most sailings. This allows us to lock in pricing and obtain amenities to give our clients when they are booked with the agent. The rules for this differ by cruise lines.
4) There are pretty much no rates that can only booked direct. The travel agent community have access to the same booking software that the call center rep does. The only ones that I know of our ones offered through the cruise line casino department for high rollers and special charter cruises.
5) We are compensated by the supplier that we book with. With some itineraries agent will charge a planning fee that will usually go into the booking if you do book it as I see a lot travel agent do all the work to plan it and the client goes and does it themselves.
Some large online agencies out there will rebate most of the commission back to earn the business as they are trying to reach lucrative sales bonuses. A lot of these agencies are playing with fire as most cruise lines have rules against it. These agencies sometimes will offer minimal help with your reservation or charge a fee for assistance outside of the initial booking.
I hope this answers some questions about travel agents, if anyone has any other questions do not hesitate to ask.
1)Travel agents can provide expertise and information that you may not get online from a website or from a call center rep on the phone. Many travel agents, especially if you get an expert for that area, have visited the places you want to go and give you real recommendations and advice
When I have spoken to call center reps at the cruise lines at the travel agent desk, some have truthfully said they have never seen or been on a cruise ship.
2) The travel agent can be your best advocate if there is an issue. We have contacts at the companies that we can reach out to who are assigned to our accounts. The good travel companies also have established relationships with senior executives as well that they can reach out to.
3) With cruises, the good agencies have group spacing blocked on most sailings. This allows us to lock in pricing and obtain amenities to give our clients when they are booked with the agent. The rules for this differ by cruise lines.
4) There are pretty much no rates that can only booked direct. The travel agent community have access to the same booking software that the call center rep does. The only ones that I know of our ones offered through the cruise line casino department for high rollers and special charter cruises.
5) We are compensated by the supplier that we book with. With some itineraries agent will charge a planning fee that will usually go into the booking if you do book it as I see a lot travel agent do all the work to plan it and the client goes and does it themselves.
Some large online agencies out there will rebate most of the commission back to earn the business as they are trying to reach lucrative sales bonuses. A lot of these agencies are playing with fire as most cruise lines have rules against it. These agencies sometimes will offer minimal help with your reservation or charge a fee for assistance outside of the initial booking.
I hope this answers some questions about travel agents, if anyone has any other questions do not hesitate to ask.
Apr 23, 2014, 5:10 am
#23
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 526
I trained to be a cruise travel agent a few years ago. Didn't work out but I sure learned alot. I do all my own research but then go to the TA (also specializes in cruises). It can be unwieldy to deal directly with the cruise line.
That said - I am a member of cruisedeckplans.com (free to me as I was a charter member) and I have found them to be of GREAT value. They will tell you which cabins have an obstructed view, etc. We did a TA on HAL booked by my friend/TA. I paid $200 more for my cabin with him protesting all the way. I had looked on cruisedeckplans.com and saw that my cabin had more sq. footage than what he booked. On the trip I mentioned I really liked that we had a jacuzzi tub. His wife asked to see our cabin. She was NOT happy with him lol!! For $200 total for 16 days.....
That said - I am a member of cruisedeckplans.com (free to me as I was a charter member) and I have found them to be of GREAT value. They will tell you which cabins have an obstructed view, etc. We did a TA on HAL booked by my friend/TA. I paid $200 more for my cabin with him protesting all the way. I had looked on cruisedeckplans.com and saw that my cabin had more sq. footage than what he booked. On the trip I mentioned I really liked that we had a jacuzzi tub. His wife asked to see our cabin. She was NOT happy with him lol!! For $200 total for 16 days.....
May 6, 2014, 7:24 am
#24
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 4
Travel Agents can book you with the exact same promo that the cruise lines offer.
I would recommend that you book through your travel agent. Your travel agent can help you if a situation happens.
As for added fees, even though the cruise lines will not charge you a fee, some agencies will charge a "change" or cancellation fees and other agencies will not.
Another reason to use a travel agent. Sometimes the agent can offer you other amenities that the cruise lines do not offer.
I would recommend that you book through your travel agent. Your travel agent can help you if a situation happens.
As for added fees, even though the cruise lines will not charge you a fee, some agencies will charge a "change" or cancellation fees and other agencies will not.
Another reason to use a travel agent. Sometimes the agent can offer you other amenities that the cruise lines do not offer.
Jun 2, 2014, 3:03 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 65
My cruise TA (Mel at cruisevacationoutlet) got us a great deal. We were looking to book a 7 night Celebrity Mediterranean - orbitz had inside guarantee for $800pp with $100 hotel credit.
The TA got us all gratuities included, $100 credit, and ended up with an upgrade to Concierge Class with a bottle of champagne for the same $800/pp.
The TA got us all gratuities included, $100 credit, and ended up with an upgrade to Concierge Class with a bottle of champagne for the same $800/pp.
Jul 5, 2014, 12:19 pm
#27
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 622
Consider what I would term a reverse bidding site such as cruisecompete.com. You put in the info of the cruise you want along with the cabin type and within about 24 hours you should have offers from about 10 travel agents with the price they are "bidding" for your business. Since travel agents earn between 10% and 20% commission on the cruise they will commonly offer significant on board credits or some other monetary "award" if you book with them.
Jul 5, 2014, 2:52 pm
#28
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 190
CruiseDeals.com
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We do online research 1st. Usually www.cruisedeals.com is most competitive on rates. For cruise groups and packages, we have booked with Jennifer All Aboard Travel (www.allaboardtravel.com).
You want a travel agent who specializes in cruises and does a good volume on cruises in order to make special offers, pricing, etc.
We do online research 1st. Usually www.cruisedeals.com is most competitive on rates. For cruise groups and packages, we have booked with Jennifer All Aboard Travel (www.allaboardtravel.com).
You want a travel agent who specializes in cruises and does a good volume on cruises in order to make special offers, pricing, etc.
Jul 6, 2014, 4:59 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MSP
Posts: 398
. That's great to hear.My parents loves cruises. They usually do 1 alaskan cruise each year and often bring my grandma who's turning 80 soon (she can't fly for long distances easily so international trips are really out of the question). I'd love to be able to recommend an agent to them who can add value to their trip.