Noob question -- TA OBC Promised

[eisens]

Actually it is pre-paid gratuities not OBC. Sorry for the misleading title.

 

I'm shopping TA's to decide if I want to book my cruise directly with RCI or a TA. Two well known online travel agencies state that they will pay the gratuities for the trip if I book with them.

 

Yet, when I go through the process and see my total the cost of gratuities is shown ($36 per person -- it is a short cruise).

 

If I'm paying it then it isn't FREE.

 

Should I call and speak to a live person or just give up and book through RCI?

 

Thanks!

Edited July 2, 2014 by eisens

[Clarea]

Call the travel agent.

[mizLORInj]

Ditto--the TA offers perks!

[John&LaLa]

Actually it is pre-paid gratuities not OBC. Sorry for the misleading title.

 

I'm shopping TA's to decide if I want to book my cruise directly with RCI or a TA. Two well known online travel agencies state that they will pay the gratuities for the trip if I book with them.

 

Yet, when I go through the process and see my total the cost of gratuities is shown ($36 per person -- it is a short cruise).

 

If I'm paying it then it isn't FREE.

 

Should I call and speak to a live person or just give up and book through RCI?

 

Thanks!

 

could be that the category you are looking at is beneath the threshold to offer free gratuities. Inside usually don't cover the cost

[eisens]

could be that the category you are looking at is beneath the threshold to offer free gratuities. Inside usually don't cover the cost

 

That is interesting. So it might be worth my while to check out a better cabin (say $40-60 difference pp) since the $36 would pay a good chunk of the difference. I'll try that and see what happens. Thanks for the info!