Best gift from travel agent?

[Cruise-Crazzy]

My TA usually gives a cheaper rate instead of gifts. Last year we paid for the cruise with Future Cruise Credits and received $800 Onboard Credit from my TA. TA commission is paid by Princess.

[jtdlmc]

Finally found one that returned my email and booked my cruise (yaaayyyy!!!) with what I think is a good incentive - $100 OBC, speciality dining for 2, priority boarding and no booking or cancellation/change fees. The cruise fare is the same as I could book myself but I'm good with the extras :)

[voljeep]

So, a TA can award priority boarding?, huh - never heard that before...:evilsmile:

[Flatbush Flyer]

So, a TA can award priority boarding?, huh - never heard that before...:evilsmile:

 

 

 

If "priority boarding" is a purchasable amenity on a particular cruise line (vs a loyalty perk with no dollar value) a TA certainly could "award" you "priority boarding" (or gratuities or OBC or the value of those items as OBC) whether it comes from incentive funds provided by a cruise line (or travel consortium) or from TA commission sharing.

 

 

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[dtb55]

Exactly. You're paying for those "gifts." My TA gives me really great prices which I'd rather have than a bottle of wine which I would give away anyway.

 

 

 

So you get it back in gifts or you get in back in reduced fare. What’s the difference in the end.

 

 

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[Coral]

So you get it back in gifts or you get in back in reduced fare. What’s the difference in the end.

 

 

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IMO there is a difference. Getting $200 off of a cruise is worth more to me then $200 OBC or $200 in speciality dinner/wine/breakfast on the balcony. When I have OBC, I am buying things at inflated prices on the ship. I would rather have the money off up front. That is more money power for me.

[dtb55]

Hi! I see quite a few people saying that essentially, YOU are paying for the gifts... That's NOT true. The price you pay booking your cruise with a travel agent is the same as you would pay booking directly. Travel agents dont mark up the cruise price on you just because they are servicing the booking. Yes, they receive a commission from the cruise line, but this does NOT affect your cruise fare. A travel agent can keep all of the commission for themselves and it would be okay, but instead, many travel agents (including me), take a part of the paycheck to buy a gift as a "thank you" to clients. Its the same way everyone else takes money out of their paycheck to buy a birthday or christmas gift for friends and family. If you find a travel agent who really treats you like friends or family and is willing to take less pay just to make sure you feel welcome or special or appreciated, then I would stick to that travel agent because I know he/she will always have my best interest in mind, not just their pocket.

 

 

 

Thank you!

 

 

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[dtb55]

If a travel agent "gifts" me a specialty dinner or a spa treatment, does it show up as just a miscellaneous on-board credit that I can use as I choose, or is it tied to the specialty restaurant, spa or whatever and can't be reallocated?

 

 

 

For me I usually get a card saying what it’s for, spa treatment, etc., but it shows up as a credit on my account. The bottle of wine is usually a dollar amount and I can buy any priced wine I want. Coffee cards, of course, are coffee cards.

 

 

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[Coral]

For me I usually get a card saying what it’s for, spa treatment, etc., but it shows up as a credit on my account. The bottle of wine is usually a dollar amount and I can buy any priced wine I want. Coffee cards, of course, are coffee cards.

 

 

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I am not one that spends a lot onboard. Don't drink coffee or wine. Just give me the money off the cruise up front. Let me choose how to spend it how I want.

[moki'smommy]

On my upcoming cruise, I got an OBC from my TA's umbrella group. They are an independent family owned agency with both an office and large on line presence, but also belong to this group. I booked 2 more cruises and it seems that Princess told her that the OBC is not available on those; she said she's going to check "one more place," but no word. I have no idea what is happening, but don't object to the OBC on the first cruise. Any ideas? Why only on some cruises?

[jtdlmc]

So, a TA can award priority boarding?, huh - never heard that before...:evilsmile:

 

 

 

Apparently so since I do have it in writing[emoji848]. This is a huge international company whose original purpose was road side assistance so I assume they maybe have some "perks" themselves. Similar to M-Life casino members having priority boarding on RCI - yes we got in the same line as the diamond and platinum cruisers [emoji33]

 

 

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[dtb55]

I am not one that spends a lot onboard. Don't drink coffee or wine. Just give me the money off the cruise up front. Let me choose how to spend it how I want.

 

 

 

That’s fine, it’s your preference. I’d rather have spending money on the ship. That’s why my TA works well for me.

 

 

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[Coral]

That’s fine, it’s your preference. I’d rather have spending money on the ship. That’s why my TA works well for me.

 

 

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That is the bright side - I can choose to spend the money on the ship if I want (cash is already in pocket) but don't feel compelled to spend the inflated prices on the ship.

 

I get enough OBC through other sources (share holder, loyalty, group OBC from agent, promos through Princess). There is only so much money onboard one can use. I already have $700 OBC on my next cruise, I don't need more through the TA. Then my agent discounted my cruise by hundreds. Glad I didn't get that in extra OBC.

[Coral]

On my upcoming cruise' date=' I got an OBC from my TA's umbrella group. They are an independent family owned agency with both an office and large on line presence, but also belong to this group. I booked 2 more cruises and it seems that Princess told her that the OBC is not available on those; she said she's going to check "one more place," but no word. I have no idea what is happening, but don't object to the OBC on the first cruise. Any ideas? Why only on some cruises?[/quote']

 

Princess allows travel agents to get group space on so many cruises but they can't get it on every cruise.

 

Also, Princess is running quite a few specials lately with OBC but they only cover certain cruise dates or certain destinations (for example summer in Europe and Alaska, etc...). So it depends on the cruises you booked.

[Coral]

Apparently so since I do have it in writing[emoji848]. This is a huge international company whose original purpose was road side assistance so I assume they maybe have some "perks" themselves. Similar to M-Life casino members having priority boarding on RCI - yes we got in the same line as the diamond and platinum cruisers [emoji33]

 

 

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Did you book a suite?

[jtdlmc]

Did you book a suite?

 

 

 

No regular balcony cabin. I'm sure it is just a perk this large travel agency gets or else they are providing the Bon Voyage Experience although there is no mention of the tour, photo or lunch that comes with that.

 

 

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[Lucky TGO]

The best thing I receive from my TA is good service and a great price. :)

Tony

[dolfansam]

FYI, the gifts that some agents give comes out of the commission they receive from Princess...so in essence YOU are paying for your own gift! I prefer an agent doesn't give me a gift but the best rate possible and rebate back most or all of the commission!

 

Tony

 

They cannot reduce your rate by their commission. All they can do is give OBC or gift(s).

[dickinson]

Sorry but that is incorrect.

[TheRabbit]

Ours provides a 2% coupon we can us on a future cruise. As we end up taking a big cruise every few years and you can save the coupons up (up to 5 per cruise), we have gotten hundreds off a cruise here and there.

 

Edit, this is not a discount on the cruise, but a check after we return. Thought I better make that clear after reading cflutist post.

Edited March 20, 2018 by TheRabbit

[cflutist]

Ours discounts the cruise by about 10% and also gives small obc. Princess does know about it because she gets confirmation from them that she forwards onto me. Also final payment shows as Princess Cruises on my credit card.

There are other cruiselines that don't allow discounting where she will cut me a check from her commission, in this case $2000 and $3000, I will take it.

[kathy45c]

Wow, you would not be one of my clients! I will only assist potential clients that understand the value of a travel agent. I'm wondering if that is the way you feel about all service providers.

 

 

True but that doesn't happen everyday

 

If that is the case pretty simple then, you ask them a few quick questions. Motion sickness, use the spa or not, like to be close to food or pool elevators...... Mobility issues.......what port they want to leave from, that narrows down the choices.

After a few quick answers you recommend a cabin in the category they are booking.

 

Takes about 5 minutes to know where to a reserve a cabin at. If they have never cruised before they will be happy with your selection because you have the experince.

 

Jimbo:)

[kathy45c]

Wow, I won't assist potential clients that don't know the value of a travel agent.

 

 

True but that doesn't happen everyday.

 

 

If that is the case pretty simple then, you ask them a few quick questions. Motion sickness, use the spa or not, like to be close to food or pool elevators...... Mobility issues.......what port they want to leave from, that narrows down the choices.

After a few quick answers you recommend a cabin in the category they are booking.

 

Takes about 5 minutes to know where to a reserve a cabin at. If they have never cruised before they will be happy with your selection because you have the experince.

 

Jimbo:)

[monakayk]

We always have received great service,the best prices & a bottle of Wine.

[lenquixote66]

We always have received great service,the best prices & a bottle of Wine.

Our former TA gave us a tote bag after booking our first cruise with her;a pair of binoculas after our 2nd. cruise.