REALLY dumb questions...but it's my first time!

[krsmith]

So I have never really traveled before, and we have decided to do a DW in Cancun. So here is the ridiculously dumb questions...

 

• TA's: What do they do?
• Do they charge a fee?
• If you use a TA can your guest still book their rooms under your wedding (for example, getting ___ # rooms booked and you get ___.)?
• By using a TA will you miss out on certain perks?
• Does a TA really make it easier for guests as opposed to just booking a room in a block?
• What are the Pros and Cons to having a TA or not having a TA?

 

 

Thanks ladies! Again, I'm sorry for the dumb questions...hopefully after this experience I will be a pro!

[TLGnhci]

Travel Agents pretty much will help you with getting information from different resorts when deciding upon where to marry.  Then, they will set up all the initial arrangements with the resort, and once all is in place, help your guests to get booked.  Some offer discounts/incentives. 

I don't believe any travel agents charge fees.  I am using Destinationweddings.com and I paid a refundable $50 fee. 

If guests book outside of an incentive plan through your travel agent, it will not count toward your room numbers, but they are allowed to book on their own. 

I feel as though a TA should be more beneficial than not. 

I think once you get down to the actual travel, they may be helpful.  I've heard of issues happening where a TA has been able to quickly fix things for the traveler, something they would have had to deal with on their own otherwise. 

 

Pros and Cons: not too sure, but I think they are good to use. 

 

Good luck with your decisions to be made!!
 

Originally Posted by krsmith 

So I have never really traveled before, and we have decided to do a DW in Cancun. So here is the ridiculously dumb questions...

 

• TA's: What do they do?
• Do they charge a fee?
• If you use a TA can your guest still book their rooms under your wedding (for example, getting ___ # rooms booked and you get ___.)?
• By using a TA will you miss out on certain perks?
• Does a TA really make it easier for guests as opposed to just booking a room in a block?
• What are the Pros and Cons to having a TA or not having a TA?

 

 

Thanks ladies! Again, I'm sorry for the dumb questions...hopefully after this experience I will be a pro!

[jystar13]

i used a travel agent to get a room block for our wedding, it is helpful to have her because she keeps everything very organized.  we did have a few people book on their own through the website or through other travel agents though.  my travel agent was able to get us a great room upgrade at no charge so there are perks to having them.  good luck! 

[BeachBridein11]

I'm also going through destinationweddings.com and so far, I'm so happy that I did!  My TA Camille has been amazing!  I like knowing that if anything were to go wrong, she's right there to help!  Hopefully nothing does!!!  Though I have learned that Travel Insurance is a must!  Good luck on whatever you choose to do! 

[82turtles]

Travel agents serve as a middle person more or less between you and the hotel/airline. They help negotiate group rates and contracts and will try to get you the best deal possible. Just think -- they do this for a living, so they are experienced in how the industry works. I would highly recommend using a TA who is familiar with destination wedding planning, not just any TA in the phone book. (FYI, this forum is run by a travel agency that specializes in destination weddings. That's who I am using for my travel. Just click this link, fill out the form, and someone will get back to you. http://www.wrighttravelagency.com/leads/inquiry/ )

 

Most TA's do not charge fees -- they are paid by the tour operators and resorts directly, not by you.

 

I think with your third question, if you are using a group block for rooms, your guests likely have to go through your TA to be a part of your room block. They can book on their own or with their own TA, but it wouldn't count towards your group contract if you have one set up. So kind of defeats the purpose. But I'm not entirely sure how that all works out..

 

Usually by using a TA you GET perks, not miss out on them, as they are often more likely to be able to ask for upgrades and special group incentives since they have established working relationships with resorts.

 

To be honest, I had never used a travel agent before, so it was a little new to me, too. But the main reason I decided to use one was so that we had one point of contact for travel information, and that it wasn't me!!! It's easier on me to just send everyone her info, so people can contact her directly, and she can answer their travel related questions. I have PLENTY of other things to think of and worry about than arranging travel for my guests. I'd rather let someone who does that professionally take care of that side of things. That's the biggest pro for me, less stress! 

 

Originally Posted by krsmith 

So I have never really traveled before, and we have decided to do a DW in Cancun. So here is the ridiculously dumb questions...

 

• TA's: What do they do?
• Do they charge a fee?
• If you use a TA can your guest still book their rooms under your wedding (for example, getting ___ # rooms booked and you get ___.)?
• By using a TA will you miss out on certain perks?
• Does a TA really make it easier for guests as opposed to just booking a room in a block?
• What are the Pros and Cons to having a TA or not having a TA?

 

 

Thanks ladies! Again, I'm sorry for the dumb questions...hopefully after this experience I will be a pro!

[krsmith]

This is great info! Thank you so much! I will check out wright travel agency! I'm hoping to book as many people booked with resort as i can to get the unlimited events! That would be a nice savings, plus we could the extra $ towards making some things nicer and other things like fire dancers!!!

[NurseM]

Wright travel agency has been great! Within a week we had the contract for our room block and now it takes away all the stress of me having to field the questions of our guests about the resort and booking. They can just talk to the travel agent instead. I am getting so so excited and having the travel agent is such a sigh of relief.

[JPenny]

I'm using Wright travel agency too and they have been amazing! I get such quick responses to all emails. And any time I have a question about the resort I ask my TA and she takes care of contacting the resort and asks for me. I think using a TA is so much less stress.

[krsmith]

AWESOME!!! I will contact them ASAP! Thank you ladies!