TA question?

ret2010 · 09-05-2008, 01:00 PM

What is the difference between choosing a TA that specializes in DW and just your regular TA? What more can a DW/TA do that my usual agent won't? My aunt is actually a TA and if there is more, than at least I know what to tell her what to ask for. Any help would be great! Thanks!

ToBeMitchell · 09-09-2008, 02:58 PM

GREAT question! I'm by no means an expert but from what I've experienced so far, I would only use a TA that specializes in DW's. There is a lot more to a DW than just picking the resort. (which is mainly all a TA will do) DW TA's will be familiar with all the wedding staff at your resort. They know how the process works and can recommend things you would have never thought of. They should also create a wedding website for you so your guests can easily book their trip as well. It's just nice to have someone that knows what's going on. It's essentially having a wedding planner for free- or a lot less!

Hope this helps-
I'd love to hear what other brides think. (and if they have a great DW TA)

Congrats!!!

twotees1218 · 09-09-2008, 03:21 PM

My TA does specialize in weddings/honeymoons and hasn't been very helpful so far. The only thing she has done is tell me my wedding coordinator at Azul is Fabio - who has never gotten back to me. I would use a regular TA if they can get you a better deal or group discount. Using a Wedding TA we have been charged full price for everything, no discounts, no deals, and have had very little help. We just found out that booking online through the vendor is about $300/person cheaper. I did my research and she had come very highly recommended - so I don't know what has happened. We even had to ask her to send our guests reminders that full payment was due less than a week prior. Didn't think this should be our job. I guess it comes down to hiring a competent TA - wedding specialty or not. Good Luck!!!

Tammy Host · 09-09-2008, 06:58 PM

this is a post from TA Jennifer that really explains the pros and cons of a DW specialist:

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Jennifer

When looking for a TA there are a few things that you should keep in mind-

Have they booked DW's before and how much experience they have with DW's ? Dw's are so much different than booking a vacation or a honeymoon- most TA's do not realize the amount of time & effort that goes into booking DW's- this is definately one time that it pays to go with a specialist!

What are their hours? If you have guests coming from all over the country you will need a TA that they can get ahold of when it is convienant for them. A local TA may be great but if the office hours are 8-5 M-F and your guests are in another time zone it may not work out!

What exactly will the TA do ? There are post on hear where a TA will not collect payment nor provide a list of whom has booked.

A little trivia-

Apple Vacations is a TO not a TA. A tour operator generally contracts with airlines,hotels and transfer companies to sell packages. The turn over rate can be higher with a TO as they are in call centers. You may work with one agent or whomever you get when you call in. You can run into some issues because of not having one person always or with turn over.

A TA is a travel agent whose obligation is to the consumer and they work with many different TO's (a TA has different reservation agents to work that are usually dedicated to assisting just travel agents ) A Travel agent also has access to our district Sales managers who will assist with any issues on the consumers behalf.

Erica053009 · 09-09-2008, 07:22 PM

I was working with a TA (non DW) and was getting better rates not going through her so I decided to go on my own. Right now I wish I had someone here on my side since I am having a problem with my resort but I don't know if a TA or DW/TA would make a difference.

Erica053009 · 09-09-2008, 07:23 PM

Oh I also got my room for the week plus a room for my DF the noght before the wedding free if booked directly through the resort

Tammy Host · 09-09-2008, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erica053009

I was working with a TA (non DW) and was getting better rates not going through her so I decided to go on my own. Right now I wish I had someone here on my side since I am having a problem with my resort but I don't know if a TA or DW/TA would make a difference.

this is usually not the case. your TA will work as your advocate if a problem occurs. i have had incidents happen such as the hotel over-billing a client thousands of dollars for her reception. when the bride tried to resolve the issue on her own she had little success until she got me involved.

another bride was served the wrong entree at her wedding. i was able to get them a large monetary amount to make up for the mistake

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erica053009

Oh I also got my room for the week plus a room for my DF the noght before the wedding free if booked directly through the resort

alot of resorts will say you only get perks if booked directly through the resort but i just finalized 2 group contracts that have the same perks.

ret2010 · 09-10-2008, 05:14 AM

Thanks for the help, especially for re-posting the pro's and con's from TA Jennifer. Since my TA is my aunt, she will be dealing mostly with family and working outside of business hours including different time zones should not be a problem. And now I know if she will be able to help out if anything should occur during the wedding!

But of course, crossing my fingers that that doesn't happen!