When To Book All Inclusive Group Travel Packages From Canada

[keezy]

I'm using a local travel agent that is based somewhat near me. My guests however are coming from Vancouver, Edmonton and deal directly with her through email.

[shelikespink]

Thanks for all the info ladies! I'm having similar issues - wedding is Aug 2015 and I'm getting ridiculous rates from my TA! For example, Moon Palace is $1411 incl tax for the same departure in 2014, but my TA is quoting us $1800! I'm going to wait a little bit and get her to keep checking rates, but if all else fails I'll have to check out some of the TA's you guys have suggested.

[FutureMrsSam]

Thanks for all the info ladies! I'm having similar issues - wedding is Aug 2015 and I'm getting ridiculous rates from my TA! For example, Moon Palace is $1411 incl tax for the same departure in 2014, but my TA is quoting us $1800! I'm going to wait a little bit and get her to keep checking rates, but if all else fails I'll have to check out some of the TA's you guys have suggested.

That's crazy!

[shelikespink]

Yup. It's brutal because if my guests want to get the best rate, they'll just book it themselves online and I won't get my group benefits!

[kmk2016]

Yup. It's brutal because if my guests want to get the best rate, they'll just book it themselves online and I won't get my group benefits!

GET A NEW TA!!

 

Seriously, tell your TA what you want, and the pricing you have seen out there in your research- and ask her if he can deliver a contract for that pricing. There are things like increase in fuel costs etc. that Tour Operators and airlines factor into their pricing, and could be having them influence the price for next year- but it shouldnt be that different.

 

It could also be that there are already a limited number of rooms remaining at the resort for the week you want to travel and thus, the pricing has increased (I have seen  brides here have their resort sell out and not be able to accomodate their guests, over a year in advance).

 

In any event, I would keep looking for a TA until you find one that has a great relationship with the TOs and the resort- and can lock in your wedding date/contract how you want. Not all TA's are created equal.

[nikkicraig10]

I agree with @@kmk2016 - Your TA should have good relationships with the travel carriers, and should be able to negotiate and price match. If they are finding better deals online, your TA should be getting those rates!!

[shelikespink]

Thanks! I really want to give her a chance, because the wedding is still over a year away I think that's why the rates are still so high. I'll give it until July and if no luck I'll look into another TA!

[FutureMrsSam]

GET A NEW TA!!

 

Seriously, tell your TA what you want, and the pricing you have seen out there in your research- and ask her if he can deliver a contract for that pricing. There are things like increase in fuel costs etc. that Tour Operators and airlines factor into their pricing, and could be having them influence the price for next year- but it shouldnt be that different.

 

It could also be that there are already a limited number of rooms remaining at the resort for the week you want to travel and thus, the pricing has increased (I have seen  brides here have their resort sell out and not be able to accomodate their guests, over a year in advance).

 

In any event, I would keep looking for a TA until you find one that has a great relationship with the TOs and the resort- and can lock in your wedding date/contract how you want. Not all TA's are created equal.

Can you do that? Don't you sign a contract with a TA?

[kmk2016]

Can you do that? Don't you sign a contract with a TA?

It sounds like she hasn't signed a contract with the resort/tour operator... And your TA In most instances doesn't charge and thus doesn't have a contract that binds you to using them. (At least I have ever known do!)

 

They provide a service and get paid through the travel companies themselves- not the bride... If they can't provide the service you need- you can move on.

 

If you book a package with her and then don't like the contract you signed with the resort because the price is too higher etc... I think you'd be out of luck- so make sure you are happy before booking!

 

 

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[acw271011]

Not sure who the operators are that you're looking at but we're in canada and never had to sign a contract. we go t aquote in march for october and had x number of days to either book the seats, or they let them go. the rate was quoted between the TA and the airline. travel agents don't get paid by the airlines. the agency they represent gets commission, usually based on volumes. the thing is ladies, airlines don't know absolutely what they're going to have 18 months in advance. depending on where you fly from, it will depend on when they bid for the gates at that airport. charters like sunwing, transat and westjet book blocks of rooms with resorts based on what they thing they can sell. if one resort was really popular for one reason, they will tend to book a larger block on the next go round. if one doesn't, then they won't book as many rooms. it works differently in the US, and believe it or not, sometimes the charter blocks at resorts by canadian companies can affect how quickly some of the US brides have their resorts sell out. You also have the tour companies out of the UK that do things in a similar way to the canadian charter companies. There are a couple in the US that will do packages, i.e. Apple Vacations but they definitely aren't as popular in the US as they are here. We were getting married in Jamaica in October. Our agent got a price for us in March for a certain day, departing on Sunday was what I wanted. Well the airline changed their departure day in october and went to Saturday instead. If they wait too long to book their gates, they don't get the time slot selections that they want. if the airports says oops sorry, we only have a departure time at 10 am or an arrival time at 6 pm, it can cause a chain reaction right down the line. The airlines only have so many planes and they have to coordinate where they go and the times they arrive and depart accordingly. And of course winters where there are storms can totally mess up not just your departure, but the people at the other end returning home that are waiting for your plane to arrive to take them back home. it's a much more detailed process than people realize so I will emphasize something: don't think you're getting the best deal for your guests if you push to book 18 months in advance because the odds are good that you aren't. If you push for a rate, make sure you get price drop protection built in, for at least one price change, and watch when you window closes for the price change too. Some will but if off 3 months prior to departure. Others will allow down to 6 weeks before departure, depending on when final payments are due.

 

Hope that helps!!