How to choose a TA?

We are looking at getting married at the Barcelo Palace, - Mayan Riviera, we know generally what type of package we want and how many people might be coming. What we don't know is how to choose a TA. We live in VT and we went to one TA and she gave us a price that I could have found myself online or possibly even cheaper. I thought a TA would get me an even better deal than that. So, my question is, are people going with TA's from their home state, are they going with one with a lot of experience with the area/resort they want to get married at, and are they going with TA's from formus like this one, even though they have never met them? I guess I am jsut confused about figuring this piece out! We want to get the best deal possible for us and our friends and family, without getting scammed! thanks in advance for the help!

IMO I think you should contact Tammy (screen name "host") she is a TA, runs the forum AND is great.

no the answer to your question, but did you see this:

 

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t15097

 

Dates are probably not soon enough for your wedding, but it might make a cheap site visit if you are doing one.

in addition to Tammy, there are also 2 other TAs that are a part of this forum, and they've been great. We used Tammy too, and she was awesome to work with.

What was important to us was someone that was 1) familiar with teh area, and 2) specialized in destiation weddings. DWs are such a different beast from your regular family vacation. If your TA can help you with all of the DW details - that is HUGE, in my opinion. Like setting up the room blocks (and getting you perks!), helping with the welcome or rehearsal dinner, etc.

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t10706

Hope that helps!

I tried looking for a local TA so I can meet them in person and establish a relatioship. But, after looking and asking around I found Tammy who is soo not in Texas to be the best.

Yeah, I will probably never meet her in person but she knows her stuff. And that was important to me. I wanted to book a flight but she said to wait for a cheaper fare. I wanted to book a nicer room but she said to wait, I 'd get a free upgrade. And sure enough she came through.

So, my suggestion is to go with someone who has experience with destination weddings.

I've had a ton of problems with my travel agent (I picked her based on a recommendation), including several guests complaining about her for the entire time I've been working with her, so I really really encourage you to interview the person first and see how they work and if what they do will match your expectations. Of course mine talked a good game, but I think she is a bit old-fashioned and just can't really keep up with a large group, even though she supposedly works for destinationweddings.com (or one of those).

Forgive my TA ignorance, I have always booked my own trips, but I was wondering how it worked. Do you pay a flat TA fee? If they find you better deals than you can find on your own, how is it that they are making their money? Once on a group trip, a TA (relative of one of my friends) booked us a room to save us money, but it ended up being the same price that we had been quoted by the hotel. Can anyone explain the perks to hiring a TA and how it all works, or just direct me to the appropriate post? (Sorry, not trying to take over this thread, but I thought it was a good place to ask.)

 

THANKS!

This is just my experience. Other TAs often do things the same way, but some might opporate differently. I might be wrong about this, but this is what it seems like to me.

I think they get paid through the hotel, airline, etc. My TA is booking through funjet. If I went to funjet.com & booked $50 of that is a booking fee that fun jet gets (I made up that dollar amount, I have no idea how much is). If my TA books it for me through funjet, she gets that $50. So I paid the same amount, but my TA made $50 instead of funjet getting that extra.

The $50 is just the max she can take. She could take $30 instead & save me $20.

She can also pass on price drops, which you can't do if you book through expedia or funjet on your own. Our hotel price went down $10 & everyone owes $10 less now. TAs also know ways to search for better deals & keep up with promos. Guests only have to pay a deposit to secure there trip. Another great perk.

I really don't know any reasons not to use a TA. As long as they are a good one. I'm sure there are some out there that would overcharge.

It also saves you tons of hassles. Before this wedding I had never used a TA. I'm now spreading the word to all my friends that TAs are great!

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this thread.. I had no idea about TA's I mean I knew they existed. I just have never used one. I will have to look into it. How do I get ahold of Tammy? Sorry, I just am really new to this site and don't really know my way around yet. Thanks!

Kat

you can just pm me