14 replies to this topic

[tob1kanobe]

Did anyone cancel their reservation through their TA -- and was there a fee? We just found out that Riu in Cabo is way cheap right now for our dates and I am wondering if you have to pay a fee to cancel your TA reservation. Canceling and rebooking would save us almost 900 dollars (we have three rooms booked for my mom dad brother and me and FI) so it would be a fortune for our wedding money...any body know I have a call in to the TA but can't stand waiting...lol

[*JillD*]

The invoice I got from my TA says there is a charge to cancel. Why is it cheaper to go through the resort than your TA, ususally the TA gets the better rate. Are you sure that price includes the same things as it did with your TA, you know taxes, transfers, etc...

[MikkiStreak]

Do you have any trip insurance? I think there are some kinds that allow for cancellations for any reason.

Is this the same resort you had already planned on staying at? If so, your TA may be able to get the same rate. If it's a different hotel from where you originally booked, maybe she would be willing to work with you if you kept the new booking through her also.... I don't know, might be worth approaching her about....

[MagsieMexico]

Yeah, usually the TA gets the best rates, so I would guess that when you talk to her, she'll be able to talk with the resort and improve her rates, I'd try that first!

[tob1kanobe]

I know one of my guests called her to book and found out online is cheaper...I guess I have to keep my fingers crossed that I can do something to save that money.

[Jolene]

i found the same thing. Orbitz is 1500 for the week airfare included and riu was 2400. my ta was 1700. so i will be going with orbitz

[MikkiStreak]

Take this with a grain of salt, because I'm a real advocate of using a TA for a destination wedding, but....

I've read some real horror stories of people who have booked with online resellers like Orbitz, Travelocity, Priceline, etc.... things like spending hours on the phone trying to get some random agent to help them with their travel issues while they are standing at the airport.

I guess I like the fact that most, if not all, of our group is going through our TA simply because I asked them to. Which means that if we have travel issues of any kind, my TA has a vested interest in getting it remedied quickly because it's a group, not just 1-2 people travelling. Plus, I like the idea that we can make payments between now and our wedding, instead of having to pay everything up front.

But, that's just me....

[tob1kanobe]

I completely agree -- and if it ends up that we only save a couple hundred dollars and but lose our peace of mind I am all for staying with the TA. The room rates that are lower are directly through Riu Cabo not through Orbitz, Expedia etc. The TA talked to one of my guests and said she couldnt beat the price. My thing is I booked only two weeks ago and now it is cheaper --- I hate to lose wedding money over two weeks. I am totally comfortable with the chance that come August there will be some last minute deal where the rooms are like $5.00 and I will have spent a gazillion times as much --- there will always be a better price -- but over a matter of two weeks...I would really like to get the better price...Have to wait and see -- havent heard back from the TA yet.

[MikkiStreak]

Wow, I'm actually surprised the resort rate is so much lower and that the TA can't get close to that rate... Almost sounds like the resort put a stipulation on the special that it's non-commissionable to TA's...

Maybe our resident TA Goddess can give some insight to cancellation fees? Yoo-hoo... Tammy?

[tob1kanobe]

I talked to my TA - she rocks - and she is trying to get them to allow the lower rate without any penalties...yay!!! waiting to see what happens with the hotel --- should find out tomorrow ----if it works === more wedding money for fun things!!!!!