Why You Need a Good TA

[Flatbush Flyer]

19 minutes ago, pris993 said:

Ref your comment on a good reason to book oneself vs us a TA.  I have an example, when I book air direct, if I get to the airport and find a gate agent offering an up grade for a small fee, I can take advantage of it, if interested. If my air ticket has been booked by a TA or thru a cruise line travel agent, no deal, deeply discounted ticket, is not eligible for special offer.   I have had this happen both ways.   Today, gate agents do not have special offers often because flights are more full.  But can happen on international flights which make it worth being able to take advantage of the rare opportunity. 

FWIW: We use TAs only for the cruise. For Oceania, we take the air credit and DIY (particularly since we want bizclass on intercontinental flights).  

[capriccio]

28 minutes ago, pris993 said:

If my air ticket has been booked by a TA or thru a cruise line travel agent, no deal, deeply discounted ticket, is not eligible for special offer.  

 Not necessarily true.  On our last European cruise (June 2019) we were flying back to Washington, DC from Heathrow on tickets purchased through the cruise line at a substantial savings (IIRC at least $400 less per person than dealing directly with the airline).  When we made our reservations we were able to immediately upgrade to Economy Plus due to my husband's airline status for free.  On the return flight we were upgraded at the gate to Business class with no extra charge.  That may never happen again but it did happen.

[jtwind]

1 hour ago, d9704011 said:

Whatever you like; somebody acting on your behalf to make travel arrangements.... your cousin in his mom’s basement could fill the bill if you want.  Just give him some instructions and your credit card info and away you go.  Now, whether he’s a good travel agent will remain to be seen.

 

So, all forms of travel agents and agencies have equal ability to offer equal discounts and perks?

[d9704011]

17 minutes ago, jtwind said:

 

So, all forms of travel agents and agencies have equal ability to offer equal discounts and perks?

Well, of course!

[pris993]

1 hour ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

FWIW: We use TAs only for the cruise. For Oceania, we take the air credit and DIY (particularly since we want bizclass on intercontinental flights).  

We use to do that years ago, when most cruise lines had fares with and without fares.   Agree with your approach. 

[pris993]

59 minutes ago, capriccio said:

 Not necessarily true.  On our last European cruise (June 2019) we were flying back to Washington, DC from Heathrow on tickets purchased through the cruise line at a substantial savings (IIRC at least $400 less per person than dealing directly with the airline).  When we made our reservations we were able to immediately upgrade to Economy Plus due to my husband's airline status for free.  On the return flight we were upgraded at the gate to Business class with no extra charge.  That may never happen again but it did happen.

Good for you, glad it worked out for you.  

[2wheelin]

2 hours ago, jtwind said:

 

So, all forms of travel agents and agencies have equal ability to offer equal discounts and perks?

Probably in the same way that you and I have equal ability to give a handout to a homeless person on the street. But will they get the same amount from both of us?

I’m one of those who spends less than $1800 once a year or less on a balcony in a good location for a 10 night cruise. Booked a group rate once with a TA chosen by the primary of the group and had to pay almost 10% more than I could have gotten it as past passenger (that fare did not qualify for a group booking and I was told I had to book with her to get on board as part of the group for the wedding. Her perk for the booking of 16 cabins was a cocktail hour (yes 60 minutes) with a choice of a glass of wine or a beer. This was in spite of the wedding couple explicitly requesting that no alcohol be given as perks.

I would not be against using a good TA if, as it seems from many of the stories here, it did not take years of investigation calling different agents and querying other passengers (which I have done and found the agents to be no better than myself looking for sales.)  If I ever have the means to pay over $2000 for a cabin, maybe I will devote time to it. As someone else stated, it is not one size fits all.

[donaldsc]

4 hours ago, jtwind said:

 

So, all forms of travel agents and agencies have equal ability to offer equal discounts and perks?

 

No!  Actually sort of yes.  Equal ability but not necessarily equal willingness.

 

DON

[drsel]

A Good travel agent can save you a lot of money by way of a discount or OBC, even if they don't help you in any other way

[drsel]

On 11/29/2020 at 4:43 AM, getting older slowly said:

Why do you need a TA ??

Example of where a good TA  could of saved the day,  friends of ours away book direct with the cruise line..... saw a pretty ad for a cheap cruise... on a line they hadn't been on.. book online   ( not knowing much about the line )   to cut to the chase it was a the cruise from hell.... a TA looking at the past cruises would have warned them.....

Yes I know they could have done more research... but they didn't...

 

I didn't find out about their cruise until after final payment... so I didn't say anything and kept my fingers crossed ( it didn't work )

So TA or not.... it is up to you         Don

Pray tell us which Cruise ship & sailing was a cruise from hell?

[drsel]

9 hours ago, jtwind said:

So, all forms of travel agents and agencies have equal ability to offer equal discounts and perks?

No, because the commission ranges from 10 % to 16% depending on their sales volumes.

So while the giant online US travel agents are in the 16% bracket, small agents get closer to 10%

 

Usually the giant US online agents give you 8- 10% as a discount or OBC, and still retain a 6 - 8% margin

Small agents may give you much less or nothing at all.

 

Also the cruise fare has a significant impact on the discount or OBC offered.

For example, on a $1,000 basic Cruise fare (excluding port fees and taxes, which are non commissionable), they may offer only $50 as a discount or OBC (and earn $110) while on a $10,000 basic cruise fare, they may offer $1000 as a discount or OBC (and earn $600) .

 

Edited November 30, 2020 by drsel

[KirkNC]

30 minutes ago, drsel said:

No, because the commission ranges from 10 % to 16% depending on their sales volumes.

So while the giant online US travel agents are in the 16% bracket, small agents get closer to 10%

 

Usually the giant US online agents give you 8- 10% as a discount or OBC, and still retain a 6 - 8% margin

Small agents may give you much less or nothing at all.

 

Also the cruise fare has a significant impact on the discount or OBC offered.

For example, on a $1,000 basic Cruise fare (excluding port fees and taxes, which are non commissionable), they may offer only $50 as a discount or OBC (and earn $110) while on a $10,000 basic cruise fare, they may offer $1000 as a discount or OBC (and earn $600) .

 

And yet so many continue to book direct with the cruise line leaving that money on the table, baffling.

[iancal]

We always book our own air, our own hotels. Have done for years.  The exception is cruise air.  But in 20 plus cruises we have only found cruise air to be worthwhile in terms of price, routing or airline twice.

 

 

[rkacruiser]

23 hours ago, jtwind said:

When y'all talk about a "travel agent", is that a "company" with a payroll of 1 working out of their house, a brick and mortar business, an individual at a brick and mortar business, a "cruises 'r' us" type of website, or an individual at a "cruises 'r' us" type of website?

 

You ask a good question, I think.  The answers will vary from all of our experiences.

 

I began with an agent employed by a travel agency that was part of two others connected with the stores of the Federated Store Company.  I then moved to a local private agency who employed 3 primary agents, all of whom were experienced.  The agency grew, but then was sold to AAA.  My agent there went with them and I worked with her for some time.  During this time, I was learning from other cruisers of an agency with cruise specialists that sounded worth investigating.  When it became time to book a world cruise, my AAA agent was unable to meet the price  and amenities of the new agency with her agent (which was one of several).  I switched.  I remained with that agency until something internally happened within the Company, agents left (including mine), and a new agency was formed.  I moved again because I trusted and liked my agent.  I have booked my most recent cruises with Mary working for the new Company.  The service, the pricing, the amenities offered, etc. have not changed.  If I am able to make another cruise booking, I will book with her again--after doing some shopping, of course.  

[jtwind]

Don't frequent cruisers achieve status levels with certain cruise lines that makes booking directly through those cruise lines a no brainer?

[capriccio]

2 hours ago, jtwind said:

Don't frequent cruisers achieve status levels with certain cruise lines that makes booking directly through those cruise lines a no brainer?

 

We have elite status on Princess and MSC and my TA has always given me a 5 - 10% (and once 12% IIRC) fare discount.  All the onboard perks are applicable whether you book directly or through a TA.

[drsel]

9 hours ago, jtwind said:

Don't frequent cruisers achieve status levels with certain cruise lines that makes booking directly through those cruise lines a no brainer?

No.

the highest status Cruisers on all Cruise lines can still get 8 to 10% discount or OBC by booking with the agent who gives you the best deal. 

There is a website where many large and small agencies actually bid to give you better and better prices or maximum onboard credit for your selected Cruise.

You should book the best offer of all.

Edited December 1, 2020 by drsel

[drsel]

It is like an auction where the best offer (either lowest price or maximum onboard credit) should win your business.

You are the judge who selects the winner among all those agencies who bid for your business.

 

Onboard credit is purchased  in bulk by the large agencies, out of the commission received from the cruise line.

 

I guess the agencies also get a discount for buying a huge amount of onboard credit in advance from the cruise line.

 

It's a Win-Win situation for all three, the cruise line, the agency and the cruiser.

1) Cruise lines by selling onboard credit,  have to pay that much less commission to the agency.

the cruise lines are also guaranteed onboard sales to the extent of onboard credit sold in advance.

2) the agencies get onboard credit at a discount.

3) the cruiser gets 8--10% onboard credit, (which is as good as a discount) to spend and enjoy on his/her Cruise.

Edited December 1, 2020 by drsel

[jtwind]

Thanks!  So, what exactly does the frequent cruiser status on a given cruise line get you (if it doesn't give you discounts on cruises)?  Just OBC?  No fare discount?  No cabin upgrade?

Edited December 1, 2020 by jtwind

[sparks1093]

2 hours ago, drsel said:

It is like an auction where the best offer (either lowest price or maximum onboard credit) should win your business.

You are the judge who selects the winner among all those agencies who bid for your business.

 

Onboard credit is purchased  in bulk by the large agencies, out of the commission received from the cruise line.

 

I guess the agencies also get a discount for buying a huge amount of onboard credit in advance from the cruise line.

 

It's a Win-Win situation for all three, the cruise line, the agency and the cruiser.

1) Cruise lines by selling onboard credit,  have to pay that much less commission to the agency.

the cruise lines are also guaranteed onboard sales to the extent of onboard credit sold in advance.

2) the agencies get onboard credit at a discount.

3) the cruiser gets 8--10% onboard credit, (which is as good as a discount) to spend and enjoy on his/her Cruise.

That's all well and good if you are booking cruises (or other travel ) that cost big bucks or are traveling so frequently that it warrants doing the research necessary to find a reputable TA that can offer all of that stuff. The cruises that I book don't have a high enough margin for a TA to offer all that much for it and the it's not worth my time to do the leg work necessary to find just the right TA (because evidently you have to call to get the best price, you can't just visit the website). 

[drsel]

14 minutes ago, jtwind said:

Thanks!  So, what exactly does the frequent cruiser status on a given cruise line get you (if it doesn't give you discounts on cruises)?  Just OBC?  No fare discount?  No cabin upgrade?

Plenty of perks, depending on the cruiseline.

MSC offers 10% discount on cruise fare to Gold & above

[jtwind]

4 minutes ago, drsel said:

Plenty of perks, depending on the cruiseline.

MSC offers 10% discount on cruise fare to Gold & above

 

To get those, do you have to book direct?

[clo]

While reading this thread I keep having the same question. What $# do you use when calculating a discount? For example here are a few numbers:

 

Cruise Fare $14,798.00 USD

Savings Early Booking (7,399.00)

Bonus Discount (1,500.00) 

 

So I'm guessing you'd start with subtracting the two smaller #s from the "cruise fare" and that would be the base from which you'd want discounts. Yes?

[Sea42]

1 hour ago, jtwind said:

 

To get those, do you have to book direct?

No, the loyalty perks you have earned are not tied in to how you book.

Edited December 1, 2020 by Sea42

[Flatbush Flyer]

4 hours ago, drsel said:

No.

the highest status Cruisers on all Cruise lines can still get 8 to 10% discount or OBC by booking with the agent who gives you the best deal. 

There is a website where many large and small agencies actually bid to give you better and better prices or maximum onboard credit for your selected Cruise.

You should book the best offer of all.

I disagree. Best "discount" isn't always the best "deal." And that goes for all sorts of services, sales, etc. beyond the travel industry.

And that competition website has its fair share of "get you in the store" misrepresentations and TAs of questionable expertise. Perhaps its best utility is giving a frame of reference for ball park figures to discuss with your carefully researched TA short list.