Calgary Brides!

[aquamaniac]

Hey Calgary Brides!

 

I'm just getting started, can anyone recommend a good travel agent in Calgary?

 

Thanks!

 

~M.

 

 

[proti007]

You'll probably want to look at direct bookings rather than a TA (contact WestJet & Air Canada for group bookings). I opted to go without GB or a TA, and all of my guests booked via Expedia for approx. $500 less than the GB rates!

 

Natalie
 

Originally Posted by aquamaniac 

Hey Calgary Brides!

 

I'm just getting started, can anyone recommend a good travel agent in Calgary?

 

Thanks!

 

~M.

 

 

 

[JBean]

Yep, us too. A lot of women on here swear by their TA's, and we had one initially, but ended up booking without her. We were able to find cheaper rates faster than she could. We really didn't see the benefit. 
 

Originally Posted by proti007 

You'll probably want to look at direct bookings rather than a TA (contact WestJet & Air Canada for group bookings). I opted to go without GB or a TA, and all of my guests booked via Expedia for approx. $500 less than the GB rates!

 

Natalie
 

 

 

[aquamaniac]

How did you communicate with the hotel, and did you have any issues? I thought about going directly to the airlines, but I like the idea of a TA dealing with all the details.

 

Originally Posted by proti007 

You'll probably want to look at direct bookings rather than a TA (contact WestJet & Air Canada for group bookings). I opted to go without GB or a TA, and all of my guests booked via Expedia for approx. $500 less than the GB rates!

 

Natalie
 

 

 

Originally Posted by JBean 

Yep, us too. A lot of women on here swear by their TA's, and we had one initially, but ended up booking without her. We were able to find cheaper rates faster than she could. We really didn't see the benefit. 
 

 

 

[Sunshine2680]

 I went with Romantic Planet - and she found us a pretty awesome deal for booking soooooo far in advance. (20months!) - Its still possible to find something cheaper online - but there's not always a guarantee. And my TA was also able to get everyone a FREE upgrade to Diamond Club which is $150 value pp.
And now i have the peace of mind that if something happens or goes wrong...my TA will be dealing with it...rather than it being on my shoulders. I'll have enough to worry about with the wedding itself.

I would just compare online prices and TA prices. I think each situation can be different - depending on the resort..what time of year you go etc.

 

Originally Posted by aquamaniac 

How did you communicate with the hotel, and did you have any issues? I thought about going directly to the airlines, but I like the idea of a TA dealing with all the details.

 

 

 

 

[aquamaniac]

Who did you work with at Romantic Planet? I've actually been considering them!

 

Originally Posted by Sunshine2680 

 I went with Romantic Planet - and she found us a pretty awesome deal for booking soooooo far in advance. (20months!) - Its still possible to find something cheaper online - but there's not always a guarantee. And my TA was also able to get everyone a FREE upgrade to Diamond Club which is $150 value pp.
And now i have the peace of mind that if something happens or goes wrong...my TA will be dealing with it...rather than it being on my shoulders. I'll have enough to worry about with the wedding itself.

I would just compare online prices and TA prices. I think each situation can be different - depending on the resort..what time of year you go etc.

 

 

 

[proti007]

I've been handling all of the details with my WC at the resort. I am also a control-freak  
 

Originally Posted by aquamaniac 

How did you communicate with the hotel, and did you have any issues? I thought about going directly to the airlines, but I like the idea of a TA dealing with all the details.

 

 

 

 

[aquamaniac]

Maybe we should start a control-freak support group on here? My FI already knows I will have every detail ironed out before he can even make one decision!

 

Originally Posted by proti007 

I've been handling all of the details with my WC at the resort. I am also a control-freak  
 

 

 

[Sunshine2680]

Amy Wood - she's pretty awesome - its still the beginning stages but she was able to pull off a decent price for me and my guests.
Most group booking quotes I was getting were up and around $1700+ tax pp - which is absolutely ridiculous.
Ive been to Mexico 6 times now and i've never paid that much. But she worked her magic somehow and got us $1200 pp - plus the free upgrade
We were able to get 30 people booked - 20 months in advance! Never expected that. We of course made it clear to our guests that there was no pressure to book with the group. But its nice having the peace of mind that we'll all be together on the same flight...and our rooms should be roughly in the same vicinity too!
Plus - if anything nasty were to happen..like hurricane..or explosion..and we need to change resorts..we're all included in that..whereas those who aren't in the group booking aren't.
Its a gamble for sure. I'm almost positive there will be prices cheaper than $1200 - but some aren't willing to wait last minute to book. At least this way - its secured..and the best part is - we still get 1 price drop from now until we leave. So if the price does drop - we can get some money back for people!

Originally Posted by aquamaniac 

Who did you work with at Romantic Planet? I've actually been considering them!

 

 

 

[aquamaniac]

Where in Mexico did you book, we're thinking about looking in the Tulum area as we've stayed in Playa del Carmen a few times and want to be futher from the town.

 

Originally Posted by Sunshine2680 

Amy Wood - she's pretty awesome - its still the beginning stages but she was able to pull off a decent price for me and my guests.
Most group booking quotes I was getting were up and around $1700+ tax pp - which is absolutely ridiculous.
Ive been to Mexico 6 times now and i've never paid that much. But she worked her magic somehow and got us $1200 pp - plus the free upgrade
We were able to get 30 people booked - 20 months in advance! Never expected that. We of course made it clear to our guests that there was no pressure to book with the group. But its nice having the peace of mind that we'll all be together on the same flight...and our rooms should be roughly in the same vicinity too!
Plus - if anything nasty were to happen..like hurricane..or explosion..and we need to change resorts..we're all included in that..whereas those who aren't in the group booking aren't.
Its a gamble for sure. I'm almost positive there will be prices cheaper than $1200 - but some aren't willing to wait last minute to book. At least this way - its secured..and the best part is - we still get 1 price drop from now until we leave. So if the price does drop - we can get some money back for people!