Thinking of not using a travel agent anymore

There are some people who are completely computer illiterate and want someone else to give them information that is readily available. Most of us on this board are pretty independant and don't need this basic help. Good for this agent who can find such dependant people or folks who are used to having an assistant at work do all this for them.

Actually, there are many, many TA's out there who will assist travelers without charging them a fee! The agent is paid by the cruiseline. Any TA who charges a client a fee on top of their commission is not really helping them - they're ripping them off.

Most TA's can offer a better price than directly with the cruiseline, give perks such as OBC and other gifts, and take the hassle out of working with the cruiseline.

But if someone really wants to pay the highest price and get no perks, then I guess they should book directly with the cruiseline. :p

These discussions are sometimes worthless when the question is posed about using a TA without clarifying whether it is an inexpensive line for a short cruise vs a significantly longer cruise on an expensive line. Just the difference in added TA perks between the two can be thousands of dollars vs $50 and a bottle of bad wine.

There are some people who are completely computer illiterate and want someone else to give them information that is readily available. Most of us on this board are pretty independant and don't need this basic help. .

I think you would be totally shocked at how many computer literate members of CC use a travel agent on a regular basis.

If you visit CC enough you will read of many problems that were solved by having a TA , and many problems where poster was on their own to resolve .

Of course submitting problems to be solved here on CC is a big help , a Good TA who is a Cruise Specialist (qualifications very important) ,has cruise line contacts that a direct booker doesn't have .

And yes , many TA's charge no fee's . Always "interview" your TA before booking.

Really? Other than a few people getting some OBC I have never read of a TA doing anything for a passenger that they could not do themselves more quickly and easier.

Really? Other than a few people getting some OBC I have never read of a TA doing anything for a passenger that they could not do themselves more quickly and easier.

As aforementioned, "some OBC" can be "chump change" while another perk could easily top $2000 in value (e.g. gratuities plus OBC or refund). What a passenger cannot do on their own is to get a share of a TA commission the passenger cannot earn or a piece of incentive funds provided by your preferred line to partner TAs for dedicated or discretionary distribution to clients.

Equally important, another major difference is the ability (perhaps not always) of a top producing TA to get their regional rep to approve post final payment price drop credits or additional discounts that become available for "new bookings only."

and there you have a reason not to use a TA!

 

Shame on your agency.

Sorry for bother all of you. I forgot to post that the 50.00 dls are OPTIONAL. Some clients are very LAZY or not so handy with the computers, I know... is so unbelieveble...but happens.....!!!!

I think you would be totally shocked at how many computer literate members of CC use a travel agent on a regular basis.

I am agree !!! As TA we make arrangements of the most minimun thing...

My TA who was really great gave us gifts after each cruise we booked .We received a quality pair of binoculars ,a travel bag and other usable items . All but the binoculars had the TA's logo on them.

Actually, there are many, many TA's out there who will assist travelers without charging them a fee! The agent is paid by the cruiseline. Any TA who charges a client a fee on top of their commission is not really helping them - they're ripping them off.

 

Most TA's can offer a better price than directly with the cruiseline, give perks such as OBC and other gifts, and take the hassle out of working with the cruiseline.

 

But if someone really wants to pay the highest price and get no perks, then I guess they should book directly with the cruiseline. :p

THIS. #nailedit

a TA owes you part or all of their commission back in the form of rebates or perks or OBC, get a life.

How would you like if I came to your place of work on payday, and asked you to give me some of your hard earned money. Hard to swallow, isn't it?

So why expect the TA to subsidize your travel? You think they actually need to pay you to entice you to do business with them?

If the price is too high, take it up with the cruise line.

Many agents will rebate some of their commission back in order to retain a sale. But they are guided against doing that by the cruiselines. iN FACT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO ADVERTISE ANY DISCOUNTED PRICES. Consumers feel entitled to getting all they can squeeze out of a TA. Most feel that they are getting something for their troubles, and something is better than nothing, should they do business elsewhere.

Someone up above was insisting on at least 10% in OBC plus any other perks. Pretty ignorant of them to expect it, when many agencies only get 10% and the TA will get a portion of that. Not unusual to see inside cabins only generate $25-$30 at the agent level. And you may want a $100 obc, SHEESH. Agencies will seldom discount their portion, but will allow the agent to give all of theirs away, should they choose.

Sorry, pet peeve of mine...end of rant.