WeLuv2Cruz13 Posted March 12, 2017 #1 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Being fairly new I didn't realize different travel agents offer their own OBC. Mine obviously did not or I wouldn't be asking this question. Is this something offered up front or do I need to ask about it? Since they didn't say anything I'm assuming mine doesn't give that perk. Should I ask before final payment or is that tacky? How do you find these TAs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandycruzr Posted March 12, 2017 #2 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Hi Leslie I would worry about it bing tacky. Since it is before final payment I would call the ta and say that you would like to receive some once for your upcoming cruise since online ta is offering $100 obc on top of the other perks celebrity provides. If you don't ask you will never get it☺️ Of course you can always cancel the booking and rebook to receive the additional obc. Just as an example, my next 7 day celebrity we are getting the drink package, paid gratuities and $450 obc. (300 from celebrity and 100 from Crucon) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandycruzr Posted March 12, 2017 #3 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Ugh autocorrect ☺️I meant to say I wouldn't worry about being tacky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wine-O Posted March 12, 2017 #4 Share Posted March 12, 2017 (edited) Being fairly new I didn't realize different travel agents offer their own OBC. Mine obviously did not or I wouldn't be asking this question. Is this something offered up front or do I need to ask about it? Since they didn't say anything I'm assuming mine doesn't give that perk. Should I ask before final payment or is that tacky? How do you find these TAs? You really need to look for another TA. Most on-line agents and mass market agents offer around 10% OBC for booking with them -- that's after taxes & port charges. Perks that Celebrity gives you should have nothing to do with the OBC a TA gives you. For example, if you book a cruise with the total costs being $3,000, free gratuities, $200 OBC, and the classic drink package, and about $500 comes out to be port charges & taxes, you should get around $250 OBC from your TA. Again, if you are not, you need to look for another one. They "compete" with each other. Edited March 12, 2017 by Wine-O Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GottaKnowWhen Posted March 12, 2017 #5 Share Posted March 12, 2017 You really need to look for another TA. Most on-line agents and mass market agents offer around 10% OBC for booking with them -- that's after taxes & port charges. Search, seek, ask questions, etc. until you find one you are comfortable with. There are also other forms of agent offered perks, some I have experienced, others I have just heard of. E.g., airline freq flyer miles, a bottle of champagne, a free upgrade in cabin category, ... But most common seems to be where the TA transfers some amount of OBC to your shipboard account. I personally place more value on good service than on such side deals. Find a TA that asks you the right questions, that works for you in dealing aggressively with the cruise line, that is available evenings and weekends, via a good website if not in person... Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SusieV Posted March 12, 2017 #6 Share Posted March 12, 2017 I'm with Wine-O. I don't need to have anything more than an order taker for my TA, honestly. Mine is available more or less every day by email, books what I ask her to, and gives me at least 8%. She also gets price drops and cabin changes if I request them. Even the best service would not be worth that amount of money to me. I am here on Cruise Critic- I can figure out what I want for myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flafun888 Posted March 12, 2017 #7 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Just be prepared that a few TAs will take most of the perk away if there's a price drop you want to take advantage of - even if price drop isn't a big one. Mine offered free grats when I transferred my onboard booking. Then when cruiseline dropped cabin price by $100 several months before final payment, TA downgraded free grats to $50 obc instead. ($25/each) which is the same token amount they offer to much cheaper priced cabins well below what I was still paying. I understood that they were earning less commission when price dropped and can't reasonably offer the same perk as they did originally, but it wasn't like the cabin price dropped by 1/4, 1/3 or 1/2. Other TAs were advertising the same price drop, but with better perks. On the good side, they've been polite/service-oriented when I call, didn't make any mistakes in the booking/paperwork and handled price drop for me with Celebrity smoothly, so not a big deal in scheme of things. Just mentioning for those who book onboard way, then shop the booking to a TA - you have to transfer so early on, that it can work against you for future promos/price drops. Risk you take, I guess for that additional obc. I love how Princess does it: you can transfer till right before final payment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxsales Posted March 12, 2017 #8 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Being fairly new I didn't realize different travel agents offer their own OBC. Mine obviously did not or I wouldn't be asking this question. Is this something offered up front or do I need to ask about it? Since they didn't say anything I'm assuming mine doesn't give that perk. Should I ask before final payment or is that tacky? How do you find these TAs? That should be negotiated prior to booking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanger727 Posted March 12, 2017 #9 Share Posted March 12, 2017 I think you are likely out of luck on this sailing unless you want to cancel and rebook with a new TA. When you book with celebrity you can transfer to a TA as long as it's within the allowed time period. If you book with a TA I don't think you can transfer your booking away from them without their consent so you don't have any leverage to request perks now. I don't bother booking with a TA unless they are offering a better deal than the cruise line, sometimes this is via OBC; but the TA I use for celebrity sailings consistently offers better prices than celebrity does. No OBC, but we are currently saving $200 pp over celebrity's best rate for our room class; which is $1,400 pp less than the current rate [emoji13]... Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrivesLikeMario Posted March 12, 2017 #10 Share Posted March 12, 2017 There are two types of OBC an agent may give you: 1. OBC from a Group the agency has - this will stay the same and is usually $25 to $75 per cabin 2. OBC from the agent's commission - this can/usually will be reduced if the price of the cruise is reduced You need to find a TA that will give part of their commission back, won't charge you cancellation fees and most importantly, will answer your emails, texts and/or phone calls 24/7/365 in a timely manner. Best way is word of mouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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