Question about Group Rates...

[*Heather*]

I'm just wondering what kind of arrangements people have had with their TA's in regards to holding group rates.

Some of the TA's I've contacted said the rate can ONLY be held for the people who put the deposits down by a certain date (usually within a week). After that, anyone in our group who books will be subject to the rate at the time.

A couple of other TA's I've spoken to said they can hold the rate for the group (or, say, 60 people) once I put 10 deposits down. This seems to make more sense to me - after all, what is the point in getting a group rate if you can't hold it for members of your group?

What have you guys experienced? Am I being too picky in wanting the rate held for everyone?

[saraece]

We booked with Sunquest, through a TA and after they (SQ) changed the they upped the price. My TA fought and got them to honour the group price originally quoted, since we had gone in and put 10 deposits down. SQ then gave us a dead line...same price for three weeks then the price goes up by $150/pp for the next month then it goes up $400/pp. Not hte best situation but the ones who wanted to go booked with no problems but he ones on the fence probably won't go now because of the huge cost increase.

[Davematthews16]

Here's how it worked with us: In order to get the "group" rate we had to book atleast 10 rooms by a certain date (Put $100.00 deposit per room) And the rooms are heild until Nov 1st, when the remainder of the room cost is due. We are "locked in" with our group rate from here on out. So say we have extra people who decide to go, they will still be able to get the group discount, since we booked 10 rooms already.

[*Heather*]

Originally Posted by Davematthews16

Here's how it worked with us: In order to get the "group" rate we had to book atleast 10 rooms by a certain date (Put $100.00 deposit per room) And the rooms are heild until Nov 1st, when the remainder of the room cost is due. We are "locked in" with our group rate from here on out. So say we have extra people who decide to go, they will still be able to get the group discount, since we booked 10 rooms already.

OK good, this is what I'm asking for too, and I just think it's strange that some of them will do it and some of them won't! I never thought it would be so difficult.

The scary thing is the clause on the bottom of the contract:

Prices and availability quoted are subject to change (at the sole discretion of our suppliers and are due to space sellout/demand) at any time until full payment has been received and tickets have been issued.

Does that not mean that they can increase the rate whenever they want anyway?! Scary.

[seaprincess]

Our TA was able to hold our group rate with just a deposit from my FI and I. The TA and I planned a reasonable timeline to get out invites with the travel info and TA contact name and a deadline for our guest to put down a deposit. We also established a deadline to pay to balance.

We booked mid-March (with our deposit) holding 43 seats on the plane.
Invites went out the beginning of May.
The deposit for our guests were due June 30; she will release any tickets that aren't booked with a deposit
The balance is due Nov 5
Wedding is Jan 28/09

It depends on the tour operator. This was how it worked b/c we booked through air transat vacations. If we had booked through another operator, it would have been the 10 deposit rule.

[Allaballa]

We booked through signature. We put down 10 deposits. Guess what happened? THE RATE DROPPED! By like $400/pp. Signature would only drop the 10 people who booked by $250. Everyone else booked at the lower rate.

Some of my friends were soooo upset that my TA was quoting them higher rates that they booked through selloffvacations.com. Everyone was on the same plane and we had no issues with the people who did not book through my TA.

[shellb]

Our experience was totally different with Air Transat than what seaprincess had. We had to book 10 vacation packages within a week. Our TA managed to get them to extend the quote for the second week to see if we could get a few of the people on the fence. Our prices for those who have booked are locked in (only change would be if the departure tax from DR went up). After we booked our minimum of 10 the tour group agreed to temporarily hold 4 more spots from Halifax and 6 from Toronto with the understanding that they can take them away from us at any point.

Our group is less than 20 so most people have booked. I had to do a lot of verbal communicating to get the word out. It sucked that there wasn't enough time to send out the formal invites. I do plan on sending out invites soon though using the early booking prices that will give those on the fence another chance to book.

The rate you get I think it totally depends on your TA, their negotiating skills, the purchasing power they have (small vs. large groups and even the agencies or business they bring to the tour operator), the group contact they have and of course the tour group itself that you are dealing with.

Best of luck with getting your rates.

[Amarillis]

we had to deposit for half of the number of people that we foresaw going on our trip and the other half of the seats were held by the tour operator.

we deposited for 40 and the tour operator (air canada) held 40 - thus we have 80 seats at the best price I've ever seen. It cost us up front, but at the end of the day our guests are getting a killer deal!

[hanna]

How have you guys handled payment? Have the guests been able to call in and give their credit card #, or did you have to collect checks from the people? I am haveing a hard time with the rooms coordiantor at the Palladium Mayan with this.

[*Heather*]

We put down a deposit for 10 people, and then anyone else calls in on their own and gives their own credit card info. I would hate to have to go and collect money from people...that would be a pain!