Did you use a TA? Or guests booked themselves?

[niels408]

So i am wondering how many of you used a TA to help book your guests & who had you guests book themselves or you helped with the arrangements. I am currently working with a TA & I am feeling the as time goes by that its becoming more of a hassle than anything. She tells me one thing, my guests another, then when I ask again its something different. I also am not sure I feel like she is looking out for the best prices for my guests. Quite of few of my guests don't really use the computer ever, yes i know its insane but they just aren't up to date, & so they rely on the good old person to person to communicate & our TA just keeps telling all of them to go to our website to get info? Isn't that what she's for? And then we put deposits down on rooms to help guests & save teh spots, so they could also just get their airfare asap before prices go up & our TA is telling people if they are booking the airfare & rooms seperately that they need to find their airfare themselves?? WTF?

 

I am a bit discouraged, yet to be honest i haven't ever worked with a travel agent before this, so I could be stressing over nothing if this is how it usually goes? Alot of my guest are just doing it all themselves now since our TA wasn't very helpful initially, she came across as wanting them to book it all as soon as possible & get the whole chunk of $.

 

I'd love any opinions you guys may have or what you experience or recommendations.

 

Thanks,

 

Laura

[BandE2008]

I used a TA

I would 100% do it again

BEST DECISION ever!

[Celina]

Hey another Denver Bride!!

 

I am using Denver Travel. We used them for our trip last year and for our wedding this year. I think our guests get the best rates based on the combined airfare/room combo.

 

PM me and I'll give you our guys name and he can help you. He has booked all of our wedding party and has even been able to help people from out of town.

 

It shouldn't be that difficult! We have our guests booked an deposits were given. He has a cut off dates for payments. When we had an increase in fares due to fuel surcharges, he called all of our guests and explained it to them and notified them. We haven't had any problems at all.

 

I am so sorry. I am more of a customer service person. If I can't talk to my TA during regular business hours, and they aren't friendly or personable, I wouldn't use them. They should be there to help you not make things worse!

 

Good luck and PM me if you want someone local!

[SIMBASIM]

I had a disaster when getting started with my TA. I since have fired her and hired Jill one of the ladies on the forum and I have to say she is AWESOME! Right on top of it all. PM me for more info.

[rodent]

use a TA, but get a different one since this isn't working out.

[Kits55]

I'm currently using a TA but don't yet know how it'll all work out. I have to pick a destination positively first, though i should be doing that in the next few days! We also have the policy of if my guests don't book through them in the "group" then they won't be considered part of my wedding party and their names won't go to the resort as part my affair. that kind of pisses me off and I'm waiting to hear back about if they'll change that for me.

[Alyssa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by niels408 So i am wondering how many of you used a TA to help book your guests & who had you guests book themselves or you helped with the arrangements. I am currently working with a TA & I am feeling the as time goes by that its becoming more of a hassle than anything. She tells me one thing, my guests another, then when I ask again its something different. I also am not sure I feel like she is looking out for the best prices for my guests. Quite of few of my guests don't really use the computer ever, yes i know its insane but they just aren't up to date, & so they rely on the good old person to person to communicate & our TA just keeps telling all of them to go to our website to get info? Isn't that what she's for? And then we put deposits down on rooms to help guests & save teh spots, so they could also just get their airfare asap before prices go up & our TA is telling people if they are booking the airfare & rooms seperately that they need to find their airfare themselves?? WTF? I am a bit discouraged, yet to be honest i haven't ever worked with a travel agent before this, so I could be stressing over nothing if this is how it usually goes? Alot of my guest are just doing it all themselves now since our TA wasn't very helpful initially, she came across as wanting them to book it all as soon as possible & get the whole chunk of $. I'd love any opinions you guys may have or what you experience or recommendations. Thanks, Laura

Hi Laura,

Please take a minute to read this thread

http://bestdestinationwedding.com/forum/t24194

I will move this from RM/Cancun to the appropriate sub-forum.

Thanks,
Alyssa

[KLC77]

I agree that I would use a TA, but get a new one. Yours doesn't sound too helpful. With my new TA, my guests have gotten the best rates available and she calls them to update them whenever necessary.

[Kits55]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TA Maureen Usually guests have to book all together with the same agency to be considered part of a group booking. that's the whole point of booking as a group and just the way it works.

i like having our rooms booked together but we have some super finicky people in our wedding party that are going to throw a fit because they always fly the same airlines to get their miles. they have thousands of miles saved up since they travel often. we some others who are starting a small travel business that they can write off the expenses but not if their travel is booked through others. I don't think they should be forced to fly a certain airline especially because it could be a more expensive flight. we only have about 6 people flying from each city, so not even enough to get a group discount and make it less expensive for our guests. if that's not the way it works then i mis-read my "process of events" letter but that's how both I and my FI interpreted it. i sure do we're wrong.

[JenniferSS]

Do a group rate for the hotel and the airfare seperately- easy enough! That way if people want to book their own flights or use certain airlines it's not a big deal. Especially if you don't have enough traveling out of one gateway on the same dates to make a group.

 

We work with suppliers that specialize in DWs and structure the groups that way- sometimes they can be a little more expensive but they are agreeable to price match most other price quotes and also structure the group for the B&G convienance.

 

Keep in mind that the TA absorbs alot of questions and paperwork issues for you so if you do have guests that book seperately alot of that will come down on you- so the question should be really if you want all of that extra work because a few people are picky ?