Travel Agent Response Time?

[JennyZ]

I had a HORRIBLE experience with DestinationWeddings.com.... Was taking weeks just to get pricing for resorts I was interested in, and when they finally came back, all were well over the respectful budget I had asked my agent to stay within...

 

After over 2 months of frustration (no alternatives being offered, doing all my own research after paying the company to do this for me and lastly, being told that I should wait for it to be closer to the "one year away mark") I decided to start shopping around with another travel agency.

 

Good thing I did!!! Firstly, not only did they find my 1st choice resort IN the budget range I had asked for (strangely, the first company had quoted the same dates/same airlines, but was over $400 per person higher???) BUT I also received an "early booking bonus" of $200 off per person, which would have expired, had I listened to the first agent and waited any longer!

 

In my experience now, it takes agents approx. 2-3 business days maximum to receive their group rate quotes back from the Airlines.

 

P.S. When I contacted destinationweddings head office to report how my agent had left me hanging and missed the early booking discounts... I was refunded the money I had paid for their "services" Don't be afraid to shop around Ladies! I highly recommend "Flight Centre" for my fellow Canadian Brides!!!

[calgarybride2015]

I had a HORRIBLE experience with DestinationWeddings.com.... Was taking weeks just to get pricing for resorts I was interested in, and when they finally came back, all were well over the respectful budget I had asked my agent to stay within...

 

After over 2 months of frustration (no alternatives being offered, doing all my own research after paying the company to do this for me and lastly, being told that I should wait for it to be closer to the "one year away mark") I decided to start shopping around with another travel agency.

 

Good thing I did!!! Firstly, not only did they find my 1st choice resort IN the budget range I had asked for (strangely, the first company had quoted the same dates/same airlines, but was over $400 per person higher???) BUT I also received an "early booking bonus" of $200 off per person, which would have expired, had I listened to the first agent and waited any longer!

 

In my experience now, it takes agents approx. 2-3 business days maximum to receive their group rate quotes back from the Airlines.

 

P.S. When I contacted destinationweddings head office to report how my agent had left me hanging and missed the early booking discounts... I was refunded the money I had paid for their "services" Don't be afraid to shop around Ladies! I highly recommend "Flight Centre" for my fellow Canadian Brides!!!

 

 

Everyone's experiences are different.   I couldn't get someone at Flight Centre to return my calls even AFTER they said they would call and email me, so I wouldn't recommend them. This was from 2 different offices in Calgary.  I don't think it's absurd either to wait up to a week to get quotes back from airlines,  But I am glad you got everything sorted out!!!!

[JennyZ]

Everyone's experiences are different.   I couldn't get someone at Flight Centre to return my calls even AFTER they said they would call and email me, so I wouldn't recommend them. This was from 2 different offices in Calgary.  I don't think it's absurd either to wait up to a week to get quotes back from airlines,  But I am glad you got everything sorted out!!!!

 

@@calgarybride2015 - Ekkk! Sorry to hear that! Yes, for sure everyone has different experiences. I guess that company's service must vary per Province! I'm in Ontario and all I can say is they jumped through hoops for me. Every email was returned immediately and I even ended up adding my travel agent to my Facebook, she was just that amazing! haha! Very happy it all got sorted out for sure! Nice to be moving forward at least. There's better wedding things to be worrying & stressing about

[chelseapaige37]

Typically Air canada, sunwing and transat will all get quotes out within 48-72 hours, west jet is longer. Therefor you should get your quote within a week!

 

 

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[Maggietron]

Woohoo! I have my quotes back! LaurieLee came through in the end!

 

Air Canada was around $1500 with connecting flights.

Westjet is around $1275-1350 with direct flights.

 

It will be a little bit more hassle with Westjet because I will have to get deposits collected by Nov 19, but even if the rates weren't so much better, the convenience of direct flights makes it the obvious choice. 

 

Once the airlines started responding to quote requests and I managed to get a hold of LaurieLee from a different email address, everything has suddenly gone much smoother!

[TinkerSofi]

Woohoo! I have my quotes back! LaurieLee came through in the end!

 

Air Canada was around $1500 with connecting flights.

Westjet is around $1275-1350 with direct flights.

 

It will be a little bit more hassle with Westjet because I will have to get deposits collected by Nov 19, but even if the rates weren't so much better, the convenience of direct flights makes it the obvious choice. 

 

Once the airlines started responding to quote requests and I managed to get a hold of LaurieLee from a different email address, everything has suddenly gone much smoother!

I'm glad it all worked out. The other day she literally answered within 5 minutes of me sending her a message haha. I think that's record time so I thought it was weird that she hadn't replied to you.

 

Those are really good rates btw! Westjet is a bit more of a pain with group bookings but direct flights are always wort it

[kimmyd2]

has anyone used or is using "Bloom" travel agency? I have been getting contacted by them apparently its a canadian destination wedding travel agency, but i've never heard of them or seen anything on the forum about it..

thanks

[kmk2016]

has anyone used or is using "Bloom" travel agency? I have been getting contacted by them apparently its a canadian destination wedding travel agency, but i've never heard of them or seen anything on the forum about it..

thanks

How did they get your info??? I would be very leery of any company that approaches you without your asking them to!

[TinkerSofi]

has anyone used or is using "Bloom" travel agency? I have been getting contacted by them apparently its a canadian destination wedding travel agency, but i've never heard of them or seen anything on the forum about it..

thanks

I agree with kmk! They might be totally legit. There's tons of Canadian agencies that aren't on here and they're great, but usually they contact you if you've provided them their info at a bridal fair, or sent them an e-mail, etc.

I did get a bunch of e-mails after going to the bridal show from venues that I hadn't even talked to. They were all local and my fiance and I already knew we were having a DW so there was no need for us to talk to them. It turns out I entered myself for a contest at the entrance and I guess some companies got my e-mail that way. They can be sneaky sometimes but it's a fair question to ask. 

[kimmyd2]

Thanks kmk and tinkersofi for the replies,

Ya I thought it was weird as I haven't given out my email and definitely not my phone #, but they have sent me an email and one phone call with voice mail left as I didn't answer, so not sure how they got my number?!

The only company I've contacted was wright travel agency so I wondered if maybe they passed my email along to the other company.