To use a travel agent or not to use a travel agent. That is the question!

[shanandcal]

How many people out there are using a travel agent? What are the pros and the cons of using one? Did you guys book your cruise as a group or as individuals then link the reservations?

 

Thanks in Advance

Shan

[Ploman]

I would say definitely use a travel agent. Mine got way better rates than I did when I requested a group quote from the same tour companies! Also helped me pick a good resort, and deals with lots of my guests who are coming from all different cities or who want to do special deviations. 

 

While mine does piss me off at times, I would be much further behind without him. Plus, they are free! 

 

We didn't do a cruise, but for resorts we got much better prices booking as a group than individually and then linking. 

[pinkchucks]

I'd definitely use an agent. We have an agent helping us with our May 2013 wedding cruise and like the poster above me stated, it can be hair pulling sometimes - but I imagine I'd be way further behind, and that I'd be mad at quite a few more family and friends than just a travel agent who I won't be related to when it's all said and done.lLol.

[safety75]

I'm using one and so far she's been helpful. My wedding isn't til June 2013 so I'm in the very early stages of planning. But so far she's answered all my questions and been great with her response and coordinating with the resort. 

[GingerMisty]

Hi I'm doing a cruise wedding in June 2013. I'm considering getting a travel agent since we will be considered a group. Any recommendation? Has anyone used Cruise Planners American Express?

[Branya2012]

We are not doing a cruise, but we are using a travel agent (destination wedding designer, actually, but she is not designing our wedding so her services as a travel agent are free!) and I would highly recommend doign the! Yes, there will be certain things that are aggravating about using a TA and bookign with a group (deposits, deadlines, hidden fees), but if you ask me, it's all worth it when your friends and family have a bazillion questions and you can just say "talk to the travel agent" and they take care of everything!

 

Plus, I believe that travel agents can get better deals and have the professional know-how when it comes to shopping around and organizing flights from different places, etc. I'm definitely happy we have a TA!

[GingerMisty]

Thanks for your advice! What kind of hidden fees have you come accross?

[TammyWright]

You might want to try one of the BDW Travel Agents.  We Specialize in Destination weddings.  You can contact us HERE!

 

If you do not know what TA you want to work with, just fill out the form Contact a Destination Wedding Specialist HERE and I will direct you to the best agent that fits your needs.

 

You can contact us:  Contact a Destination Wedding Specialist HERE and I will direct you to the best agent that fits your needs.

[Branya2012]

I am assuming that was a question to me? We have two different departure gateways for our wedding group - when we put our deposit, we had to deposit for 10 rooms, but we had to pick which gateway people would come from (next to impossible when you're 12 months away from the wedding and haven't even sent out invitations!!). Then, if people come from a different place, we have to pay per person to have that gateway switched because seats are being held on each plane for our group. There's a chance we won't have to pay if our TA can work her magic, but the closer it gets to the wedding, the less likely that is to happen and we have not been bugging our guests to book at all. Also, the deposits were not necessarily a hidden fee, but we did shell that money out about 15 months before the wedding, which was very early. We were okay with that because we know we will have enough people, it was just very early to get such a good group rate.

 

Hmmm...I think that's all we've come across so far, but it could add up quickly if all 6 seats are changed over to another departure gate. Oh well, we knew that risk going in!

Originally Posted by GingerMisty 

Thanks for your advice! What kind of hidden fees have you come accross?

[Ploman]

Originally Posted by Branya2012 

 

I am assuming that was a question to me? We have two different departure gateways for our wedding group - when we put our deposit, we had to deposit for 10 rooms, but we had to pick which gateway people would come from (next to impossible when you're 12 months away from the wedding and haven't even sent out invitations!!). Then, if people come from a different place, we have to pay per person to have that gateway switched because seats are being held on each plane for our group. There's a chance we won't have to pay if our TA can work her magic, but the closer it gets to the wedding, the less likely that is to happen and we have not been bugging our guests to book at all. Also, the deposits were not necessarily a hidden fee, but we did shell that money out about 15 months before the wedding, which was very early. We were okay with that because we know we will have enough people, it was just very early to get such a good group rate.

 

Hmmm...I think that's all we've come across so far, but it could add up quickly if all 6 seats are changed over to another departure gate. Oh well, we knew that risk going in!

Any chance you're going with WestJet Vacations? That sounds like the bullshit policies that they use!! I've switched tour companies, and have found that nearly all of them are more flexible than WestJet Vacations.