TA perks for all !!

[spangleduster]

does anyone know of any UK resident getting perks off of the TA like some of our US friends across the pond?

[dancinman66]

Depends what you mean by perks but yes regionally you get what the line offers that area

 

 

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[spangleduster]

What i mean is i have read somewhere on here that sometimes when a US booking is made with a TA that they have received a bottle of champagne or drinks package or on board credit. Would you normally only get these if it's an offer at the time or do you just be (cheeky) and try your luck? In my opinion it's like getting blood out of a stone with a TA over here!

[dancinman66]

No depends on the ta as that comes out if their commission

Mine does that

 

 

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[dancinman66]

It is the ta that cares about their guests that will do this and their business grows accordingly

 

 

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[onlyonetrevorfrancis]

It is the ta that cares about their guests that will do this and their business grows accordingly

 

 

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I'm curious how this can be the case.

 

If a US TA has to give away all or most of his commission to get you to book then how is this a long term business model for the TA?

[tomatosauce]

In certain markets RCI operates using an agent model which means that they are not allowed to offer any incentives (like extra OBC, champagne, etc.) or discounts on the price so you get exactly the same price, benefits, etc. no matter what. What you can get depends on if RCI operates in that way in that market.

[dancinman66]

Well your looking for one and as a ta you can buy these thing cheaper

 

Increases loyalty because if service

You don't earn as much but is worth it

 

Can't really say much more because of rules though

Sorry

Greg

 

 

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[mike30542]

TA I used for September 2015 sailing on Explorer gave me free parking at the port (Southampton).

[A&L_Ont]

I'm curious how this can be the case.

 

If a US TA has to give away all or most of his commission to get you to book then how is this a long term business model for the TA?

 

Just a guess, but through volume of sales through word of mouth referral.

 

They don't need to give up all of their commission, just a bit but also provide great service. That would bring me to their door.

Edited August 30, 2014 by A&L_Ont

[dancinman66]

In certain markets RCI operates using an agent model which means that they are not allowed to offer any incentives (like extra OBC, champagne, etc.) or discounts on the price so you get exactly the same price, benefits, etc. no matter what. What you can get depends on if RCI operates in that way in that market.

 

 

Yes but as a ta you don't offer it

It is a surprise gift offering which

Your clients get used to

Breaks no rules but like loyalty programmes controls a loyal base

 

 

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[Clarea]

does anyone know of any UK resident getting perks off of the TA like some of our US friends across the pond?

I have read that UK residents can book with US travel agents, so you get the US perks and the US price drop rules.

[heatherb1958]

A cruise we booked for next year through a US travel agent gave us $225 dollars on top of the $200 OBC RCI were already giving . We weren't expecting the TA OBC and I have it in writing! Nice perk.

No doubt if I start to chase price drops something will give but I was happy with the already cheaper than RCI UK price for the cruise .:)

[dorisis]

I have read that UK residents can book with US travel agents, so you get the US perks and the US price drop rules.

 

I think this is true in some cases. Shop around on the internet to see who offers discounts or other rewards.

[The Tuckmeister]

My perks were free drinks package, free gratuities and free parking at Southampton. The drinks and gratuities came from RCI. the parking from TA.

[heatherb1958]

TA I used for September 2015 sailing on Explorer gave me free parking at the port (Southampton).

 

Hi, more than likely that came from RCI , they often offer promotions with free parking on UK sailings.

We leave tomorrow for a cruise on Adventure booked directly with RCI and have free parking.

The current RCI UK promotion is free gratuities, drinks package and free parking on UK sailings. :)

[dacsmom]

I'm curious how this can be the case.

 

If a US TA has to give away all or most of his commission to get you to book then how is this a long term business model for the TA?

 

The TA's get blocks of rooms at great rates and can offer some perks as a result of this.

 

I have read recently that cruisers in the UK are getting drink packages included from RCI, that is something US cruisers do not have.

[krev]

The TA's get blocks of rooms at great rates and can offer some perks as a result of this.

 

 

 

I have read recently that cruisers in the UK are getting drink packages included from RCI, that is something US cruisers do not have.

 

 

I wonder what the UK passengers are paying compared to the North American passengers? Easy enough to give away drinks packages and gratuities when they are paying more than us. But then again maybe they aren't paying more??

 

 

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[AnDeNo.UK]

We book all our cruises thro' the US (except for one particular line). The last 4/5 have been thro' a US t/a we met a few years ago on board the JOS, and has become a friend. Our cruises have always been cheaper thro' her, sometimes by a lot of $'s. Her personal gift from her is usually 1/2 bottles of wine (which we both enjoy) or, differently on one of our upcoming bookings, cupcakes. We are more than happy using our friend to handle our bookings, so far she has been faultless. :)

[mike30542]

My perks were free drinks package, free gratuities and free parking at Southampton. The drinks and gratuities came from RCI. the parking from TA.

 

Same for me

[spangleduster]

Just done a dummy booking on US rc web site and one on Uk web site (same date, same ship, same cabin and same poeple ) and UK one £2200 more, plus US has $200 OBC !!!

[MCC retired]

Read awhile back that UK TA's comm. was capped @ 5% for all cruise lines .

That would eliminate most any TA givebacks .

[dancinman66]

If you find the right us ta you can book through them and get us payment conditions etc

Plus if they give perks those also

 

 

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[BekkaW]

We book using a US travel agent that was recommended to us by a lady on a past roll call. We book via email and receive OBC of varying amounts based on the cruise cost, plus we are able to obtain price drops (which you otherwise can't in Australia). We find this works out pretty well for us.

 

I think much of the perks are funded by the rebates the TA gets on group bookings. I know at least once we have been in a group booking where the agency blocked out large numbers of rooms.

[krev]

Just done a dummy booking on US rc web site and one on Uk web site (same date, same ship, same cabin and same poeple ) and UK one £2200 more, plus US has $200 OBC !!!

 

 

That's incredible, I'd be looking for a US TA, I can't help as I'm Canadian and don't use a regular agent. We receive a discount on cruises through the company my husband works for, even that isn't as good as it use to be but it's still something.

 

 

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