Travel Agent??

[KGraham27]

I'm planning my wedding in Jamaica and trying to decide if I should use a travel agent. Which is best, travel agent or booking directly thru the hotel?

[CHAKLIT]

Travel agent...check out the travel forum and read some of the horror stories!

[butterflyweddinggal84]

I think it is important to get a travel agent. They have affiliations with the resorts and get a lot of upgrades as opposed if you just book alone. It makes sense though to find a travel agent that specifically deals with destination weddings because there are a lot of travel agents that do stuff like seniors travel or corporate booking stuff, totally unrelated to wedding planning. They will know the ins and outs of dealing with the resorts and airport stuff.

[KGraham27]

Thank you! I think I will definitely get a travel agent.

[barbiegirl_27]

we're going with a travel agent! I was finding it too stressful to do all the research myself, when the agents have more knowledge about these resorts! Makes this whole time a lot less stressful!

[KGraham27]

Quote:

Originally Posted by barbiegirl_27 we're going with a travel agent! I was finding it too stressful to do all the research myself, when the agents have more knowledge about these resorts! Makes this whole time a lot less stressful!

I can imagine it being stressful doing all of the research. I think I'll go with someone who does this all the time. Thank you!

[Notlongnow]

I have booked through First Choice and i wouldnt do it again. In my opinion they know buggar all about weddings. In fact i cant see the point in them being the middle man cos they dont do anything. I once sent an email to them about my worries towards the WC not replying to my emails etc and all they did was forward it onto her!! Good job i didnt write anything too horrible!

[karlyeny]

If you are to get one,, make sure its the right one , like others said.

I know i chose one that knows NOTHING, and had many many issues so far , luckily i have contacted his manager and they are willing to transfer my file to another agent.

[Shannonsmiles]

I booked my wedding through a TA and the agency I used was useless and VERY rude. Thank God I only booked for me and my fiance. I am in the process of finding a new one.

TA's (if you have a good one) can get you the best deals on flights and hotel and they will be the ones to deal with all your guests' bookings. They will also be there for you with every concern and question. Right now i'm shopping around so i don't have the names of any good ones but when I find one I'll let you know. Just stay away from Elite travel. They are only in it for the money. They are not interested in finding any deals and when I had family contact them with questions they were extreemly rude.

I'll keep you posted if I find a good one. But I would recommend getting one despite the minor headache I recieved.

[1234567890]

I didn't know people even used TA's anymore, with the ability to book flights through Internet sites at the same or lower prices...TA's don't get the discounts or access that they used to enjoy years ago from the airlines...

 

My wife and I are in the early stages of planning our renewal of vows in Jamaica in 2012, tentatively in July to save money off-season.  I assumed that I would simply arrange something with a resort, or private villa... book my wife and my tickets rooms etc., online and have our guests make their own arrangements. My wife and I plan to stay at least 10-12 nights, some guests may only fly out for 3 days or so, so I was confused as to how I would ascertain everyone's plans then book through one source with so many different itineraries...

 

been to many carib islands, but must admit have never planned a destination wedding or group travel...

 

We plan to have 25-40 guests, although i anticipate to be at the low end.

 

Anyway I just joined this forum, a little difficult to navigate if you ask me, but trying to figure out the best way to plan...TA with a resort, or rent a private villa for family and wedding party while guests stay nearby...although that would require more on the ground planning and things brought into a private villa, as opposed to a resort that is geared up to hold these events...we have a budget of 12K high end but who knows especially if certain things can be paid for ahead of time...it's just that many of these resorts seem to have cookie cutter packages and it seems hard to have control over aesthetic and other things from home...I realize this is a simple destination wedding not an episode of platinum weddings, so does my wife, but I'd like some control over the elements, aesthetics, etc...

 

I welcome any thoughts/past experience/etc.,

 

thanks