Weirdness with TA

[LaBre]

Hi there! I'm getting married at the Riu Jalisco at the end of November. The travel agent we were using is a good friend and she just told us she isn't going to handle our booking anymore. I think things were getting a bit too complicated for her for the amount of time she has available to commit to this (she has another full-time day job), and some of the guests have specific needs.

 

She had told us initially that we had until the end of April to reserve and pay our deposit, as she was working with a wholesaler and arranging the flights on charters in a group.

 

I'm not sure which way we are going to go now. Is it better to have one TA do all the arrangements? Is there a benefit to us and our guests? How would we do it otherwise?

 

We're in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

 

I'd really appreciate some opinions and feedback on this.

 

THANK YOU!!!

 

LaBre

 

ps-a couple of months ago, I was on here and saw a thread for Riu Jalisco brides. I can't find it anymore. Does anyone know where it may be?

[big3n09]

Not sure where that thread is but there are others that give advice on booking with/without TA. Good Luck!

[YoursTruly]

I would recommend getting a TA that can dedicate full time to servicing you and your guests. It will save you a lot of heartache in the end

[Helen_S81]

I would definately use a travel agent just because it is so much easier to have someone else to make all the arrangements and to answer all the questions your guests may have. I would contact one of the travel agents from this forum (see the banner at the top, contact TALinsay as she is the Canadian Travel Agent).

 

Here is a link to the thread started by Raeka http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t10845 Also here are a number of threads on the Riu Vallarta and if you go to the search feature near the top of the screen you can search the forum for relevant information.

[smith3576]

I also agree that a TA is the way to go! Why not when it doesn't cost you anything? If your guests decide to go on their own for their arrangements, they still can. It would be important to find out if you have been locked into anything with the charter/wholesaler, etc at this point, as that would make a difference in what you do. Search this forum for threads on finding a TA, there are a lot. I think there was a bunch in one of the Dreams threads.

[jk1101]

I also agree that using a TA is the way to go - they can usually get better rates and save you so much stress. Good Luck!

[JenniferSS]

Unfortunately I hear of this alot- a family friend/uncle/co worker does travel on the side/as a hobby/part time ect so the bride just has to use them.....then when it's in the thick of things the TA decides she's done playing travel agent and just up & quits!

 

I can not stress enough to use a TA who is familiar with DW's- they are a tremedous amount of work on the TA side (and totally different than booking an occasional vacation) and the hobbiest is just not prepared for everything and the time commitment involved!

 

If she has taken deposit on the pkgs she will need to turn those over to another agent at the agency she uses so that they will be serviced all the way through- ou may have no say in who this other agent is and if this person will provide what you & your guests will need ( if it is YTB then you may be in a world of hurt as they typically are all hobbiests).

 

I would NOT put any additional money under deposit-if she is not going to service the bookings then you could be in for a lot of stress.

 

I would definately use TA Lindsey!

[LaBre]

Thanks so much for your responses! I really appreciate it!! We're just waiting to hear back from Lindsay now.

 

LaBre

[LaBre]

We're now in communication with Lindsay. Thanks again!! (I didn't really need to tell you all this, but I also wanted to try out my new signature LOL)