Apple Vacations- Anyone seeing pricing discrepancies ?

[Jingles202]

Hi all! I am trying to plan my wedding in Riviera Maya, Paraiso Del Mar. I did some preliminary research on-line used the same month this year as a reference for approximate pricing for next year. I understand there will be a pricing increase by 2010 but I am trying to prepare my family. Well I found a local travel agent this afternoon and spoke with her and she mentioned that Apple Vacations would be a great group to book with because they have direct flight etc. Well I got home, jumped on there website and checked the pricing...why does it appear as if Apple Vacations is coming out about $250 HIGHER then the other websites I came across before! WTF? Does anyone have any suggestions? The TA I spoke with is not able to run numbers for me cause my date is so far out. (November 2010)

[soon2bePowers]

Most of my group booked with Apple Vacations in February. Recently I was checking around for prices, just to see and found that Funjet was several hundred dollars cheaper. I contacted my TA (who I have not been that happy with) and he said that Apple does not have to honor Funjet prices and that we were basically stuck. We could trade companies but everyone would lose their original deposits of $200 so then the price difference would not be that much.

 

He did end up contacting Apple and they agreed to come down in prices but I was really nervous at first. I know that some travel agents, perhaps with companies always price match. My TA does it on his own so he is not a powerhouse.

 

I also feel, and I am not a TA, that by booking a head of time it could have cost more money. That might only be because of the economy being bad and companies really needed business. I would def. checkout funjet to, they had direct flights for my destination just like Apple did.

 

Hope this helps.

[TammyWright]

apple is one of a few suppliers out there...i rarely use them because 90% of the time i can find the same package for less with another supplier.

 

there are a bunch of good suppliers out there and a good TA will know who usually has the best rates.

 

also, one thing that can be a little deceiving about apple prices is they used to advertise the rates before taxes so they looked like they were $100 less than other places but once you went to the end to pay, they added a few hundred in taxes and the rate was higher.

[Jingles202]

I KNEW IT! PHEW! I am so glad I am not going to have to scrap my plans for Iberostar: Paraiso del Mar. P.S. Are you to TA they advertise on this website? I haven't checked my email..(I will went I get to work tomorrow) I registered on this site yesterday, hopefully you can help....do you work with people far away? I'm not sure where you are...My airport of choice is BWI. Thanks!

[Jingles202]

Thanks, I spoke with the TA for just a few mins, cause she said I am to far out to work on any details....but I am convinced that Apple Vacations is not the way to go....Thanks for following up....adorable baby!

[niujess]

I think the TA we have been working with goes strictly through Apple Vacations. I wanted to do everything on our own but the FI thinks we need to be safe and go through a travel agent. I think we're going to end up paying way more for our stay, but we're paying for the travel insurance so if rates do go down we get the difference.

[TammyWright]

jingles,

 

we have a few TAs on this site...i would recommend pming TA muareen if you want any help.