How do you get guests to book thru your travel agent?

[blumenthale]

Need some advice. My guests may not want to use my travel agent. She feels we can get better perks, etc., if the bulk of my guests use her. Which, I believe. However, with all the travel web-sites--many people feel they can get a better deal on their own? I even found a better price then she quoted me, by $300 dollars. Times are tough, I want my guests to get good deals. How do I get them to use the TA without seeming pushy?

[Stamperamma]

Hi

 

Go back to your TA and tell her about the difference you found in pricing and that you want her to find that price for you. If she can't meet your price then the rest of your wedding party and group will look for another TA. Watch how fast she moves, remember always she is providing you YOU with a service and she is making a commission off your service she is a service and will do what she can

[josee]

All my guests booked through my travel agent because no one could find a better deal, even on line. Like Stamperamma said, remember that your TA is working for you and your guests. I know that sometimes TA have their hands tied and when she gave you those prices maybe it was the best price she could get, but if you did not yet signed a contract, you could ask her to find a better price or go to another TA. Good luck.

[TammyWright]

see if your TA can price match. i do it all the time to keep family members happy.

[blumenthale]

Thanks, I am going to ask for price matching.

[sportsdog2]

My guests starting booking in September 2008 for my December 2009 wedding. I've checked the prices on the resort and airline periodically since then. RIU Ocho Rios is/was currently promoting a special which is $300 less than my room rate. Air Jamaica just promoted a special which was significantly less than the airfare rate my guests were quoted - $198 round trip plus taxes vs. $497 RT. I contacted my TA to ask about getting the better rates for my guests. She said those who had paid the airfare were locked in because of the $150 fee to change reservations. She knew about the specials and stated she is working on the rooms, but did not want to say anything until she had something confirmed. Thanks for the tip about price matching. I'll inquire about this.

 

Most of my guests booked through my TA; however, those with vacation clubs waited until they checked availability through their clubs.

 

I am finding that dealing with the travel arrangements has been the most stressful part of planning my wedding. I've had to "push" my TA more than I would have liked. If I would do anything different it would be researching and selecting a different travel agent.

[Lady_Di]

That's why I am saying "please call/email our travel agent when you're ready to book" to every person who RSVPed yes. i don't really care if i sound pushy or anything...that way, they'll know there's a TA waiting to help them out!

 

I HOPE they will go to my TA...that is why I got a TA in first place so I won't have to worry about dealing with guests travel arrangements and she'll get the best deals for them.

[sportsdog2]

My TA was able to get a better price for our rooms. I am so happy she was able to work out a better deal for my guests!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All rooms will be upgraded to ocean front and the price per room is $200 less. Our room is being upgraded to the jacuzzi suite with oceanview at no additional cost and the airfare is currently $110 less per person. I have some guests that will actually get refunds from the TA. Sweet.....Very good news.

 

Keep checking the prices and don't be afraid to ask for a better deal. Thanks for the price matching tip.

[bosi]

Some guests are getting better rates elsewhere. Do you know if i can call Beaches and still add those guests to my total rm count to still perks?

I guess this is directed to the TAs out there?

[SusieQ]

I am in the same situation, I got the lower price so to speak and we did our invites and they went in the mail. Well todays information highway the computer and how quickly people can compare prices of 10 different sites in a matter of minutes, it took all of three days from Sue dropping the invites in the mailbox to the phone calls from friends and family saying we have found a lower price.

We called back the TA and she was on vacation somy FI spoke with the manager and she was very understanding and told us not to worry she would have an answer for us today as to how this would be dealt with. The price difference is around $240 per person. So yeah it is huge for people that are trying really hard to watch were their money is going.

We actually spoke with my FI uncle who is coming to the wedding and works for Air Canada and he said that Air Canada will want to be competive with their pricing so not to worry. I will keep you updated....

 

Sue