Travel Agents?!

[Mangosong]

What are the pros and cons of having a travel agent vs. no travel agent?

[LauraM]

The biggest pros for me:

 

- eliminating the language barrier (including poorly translated & misleading contracts)

- working with someone who knows the resort and their rules/regulations/practices - She can predict what the resort will say/do before it happens (helps me plan things easier)

- prices roughly $30-55 less per person/per night than any other source (including Expedia and the resort itself)

- having someone to advocate and fight for my needs & wants
- knowing that if all does not go as planned when I check in (as it never does - from my experience in Cancun at least), I have someone to call who can help me and take the stress away

-  keeping things organized

- the resort is much quicker to respond to my TA than they are to my emails/calls

 

I have yet to find a con.

[beckys98]

Just this week I had guests start booking with my travel agent - she has saved them about $150 per person on their travel. My guest have raved about how easy she is to work with and answers all their questions. Which mean - I don't have to answer all their question. Now THAT is the biggest benefit

 

But I like the peace of mind that guests don't have to be searching for 8 months for the best rate - she'll get it for them even if prices drop between now and the wedding. Plus, we get some perks based on the number of people in our group.

 

I talked to a couple travel agents before deciding, and a couple definitely tried to pressure me into one brand over another - clearly because they have a better relationship with that brand even though it was not the best fit for our group or was WAY out of budget. Just be sure to find someone who is really listening to what you need and want and doesn't have another agenda.

[kmk2016]

-Coordinating your guests travel plans and not having them phone you for details and questions

 

-negotiating great pricing

 

-experts with your specific resort and their property advantages/disadvantages

 

-assist with resort WC when needing back up in discussions

 

-perks, bonus deals and incentives that would not otherwise be offered

 

 

 

 

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[TammyWright]

we are destination wedding specialists and some of the things we offer:

 

1. we negotiate group rates and amenities if applicable.

2. we book your guests and answer their questions.

3. we intervene if you are having issues with the resort. Being a top agency for most of the resorts we have much more pull and connections that a standard agency.

4. in an emergency situation like what just happened in Cabo, we help make alternate plans for your group travel.

[Mangosong]

@@beckys98 @@kmk2016 @@LauraM

Thanks ladies! What is the adverage cost of a travel agent? I've never used one, and obviously never for a wedding. I just usually do my own thing.

 

I talked to a couple travel agents before deciding, and a couple definitely tried to pressure me into one brand over another - clearly because they have a better relationship with that brand even though it was not the best fit for our group or was WAY out of budget. Just be sure to find someone who is really listening to what you need and want and doesn't have another agenda.

That definitely has already happened. My BFF is helping me and she contacted one. I had specifically vetoed a brand (for a bunch of reasons, but most being cost) and the travel agent kept trying to pushing the brand even though my BFF said we were not interested. Not to mention, they don't even have a resort where we were going! It's pretty much why I came here and wanted to know why I needed one.

[beckys98]

@@Mangosong - no cost!! They get a commission from the resort, but no cost to us! I did do most of the research by myself because I'm a little obsessive on big decisions, but my agent helped get information from the resorts especially on date availability and wedding costs for both my guests and for us. 

[Mangosong]

@@beckys98 Hah hah! I'm also like that. I need to research EVERYTHING.

 

This is a weird question and a little backwards. I think I found the resort I would like to use. How do I go about finding a travel agent associated with it?

[kmk2016]

@@beckys98 Hah hah! I'm also like that. I need to research EVERYTHING.

 

This is a weird question and a little backwards. I think I found the resort I would like to use. How do I go about finding a travel agent associated with it?

I would recommend you reach out to wright travel (the owners of this site) and let them know the resort you are interested in, and ask them how familiar they are with the hotel. I'm sure they will be able to assist!

 

 

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[beckys98]

@@Mangosong I found this site after I picked my agent, but @@kmk2016's suggestion of Wright Travel is a good one! I think most agents list on their website the main brands they work with.