What travel agent did you use?

[Ivory]

Hello everyone:

We are considering going on one of the Fabulous ABD, and wondering what travel agent to use. We live in Mississauga, Ontario, and I would really like to deal with an agent that has experience with ABD. Especially with lining up the flights and extra days, sometimes (in the past) it has been a nightmare when the agent is not familiar.

Any suggestions would be great, thanks in advance

 

[zachsmomie]

I pm'ed you!

 

[konslerg]

Hello everyone:

We are considering going on one of the Fabulous ABD, and wondering what travel agent to use. We live in Mississauga, Ontario, and I would really like to deal with an agent that has experience with ABD. Especially with lining up the flights and extra days, sometimes (in the past) it has been a nightmare when the agent is not familiar.

Any suggestions would be great, thanks in advance

I've used Dotti Saroufin at Mouse Ear Vacations for both Disney Cruises and ABD. She's the best and will give you great service. You can reach her at
dottis@cruisingco.com From what I understand, she might be the top booking ABD agent in the country.

Gloria in Miami

 

[KyleRayner]

I've used Dotti Saroufin at Mouse Ear Vacations for both Disney Cruises and ABD. She's the best and will give you great service. You can reach her at
dottis@cruisingco.com From what I understand, she might be the top booking ABD agent in the country.

Gloria in Miami

Same here. Dotti is awesome! I used her for my first ABD trip coming up in September. Dotti is the BEST!!!

 

[dandelion]

Dotti has helped us with several non-Disney trips. She really takes a family's needs (my kids are 9 and 11) into consideration when suggesting accommodations and activities.

I've known her for years and would not consider using any other agent.

 

[Computer Magic]

I contacted ADB directly last time. I really wonder how much help you really need. Everything is set, all you have to do is show up to the airport. I will do Costco next time because of the $500 gift card.

 

[sayhello]

I contacted ADB directly last time. I really wonder how much help you really need. Everything is set, all you have to do is show up to the airport. I will do Costco next time because of the $500 gift card.

I contacted ABD myself, also. It was easy as anything, and I'm not really sure either what a travel agent would do for me. The concierge folks are really knowledgeable, friendly & helpful. I guess if your travel arrangements were really complex, or you planned to do other things besides the tour... but just to book? If I'm missing something here, please tell me!

Sayhello

 

[awatt]

I contacted ABD myself, also. It was easy as anything, and I'm not really sure either what a travel agent would do for me. The concierge folks are really knowledgeable, friendly & helpful. I guess if your travel arrangements were really complex, or you planned to do other things besides the tour... but just to book? If I'm missing something here, please tell me!

Sayhello

If there is aproblem with your reservation, a TA is your advocate. ABD is not.

For example, with the Costa Bella trip last year, we booked our air thru ABD. Several months before the trip, they changed our arrangements, They switched us to flying out of JFK and flying back into Newark, NJ. For those who are not familiar, they are about 1 and a half to 2 hours apart-without traffic- and it would have been a nightmare, and an awful way to end a magical trip. My TA placed many calls and was relentless, and 2 weeks later they changed it back to in and out of JFK. The best part was I didn't even know about it until after the fact when it was all handled. So no stress for me.

This year, for the Ireland trip, we had to cancel my MIL last minute due to illness. We are in the process of filing the trip insurance claim. I contacted ABD directly for the necessary info and it ws very frustrating, and not too productive. So my TA made some calls and voila the paperwork is falling into place.

 

[wdwsos]

I contacted ABD myself, also. It was easy as anything, and I'm not really sure either what a travel agent would do for me. The concierge folks are really knowledgeable, friendly & helpful. I guess if your travel arrangements were really complex, or you planned to do other things besides the tour... but just to book? If I'm missing something here, please tell me!

Sayhello

Well... obviously take what I say with a huge grain of salt, since I'm in the business. I agree that booking the trip yourself is usually really hassle-free. The people in the AbD office are all wonderful.

I think that most of the clients who book with me do it for a number of reasons. I'm sure that other TAs have somewhat similar experiences.

-- They've used me for trips in the past and trust me to always put their best interests first and foremost. Also, if you're in this business, you have to be extremely detail oriented (a nice way to say "anal") so you don't often miss anything that's incorrect.

-- Many are in high pressure jobs and don't have time to sit on the phone with questions. They want to shoot me an email and get an answer. One really good example is a client going to China with AbD. The confirmations were incorrect in the beginning (see "anal" above) so applying for the visa was troublesome. We had at least 10 emails back and forth, while I sorted through the problem and gave her all of the correct visa info. We were doing this at midnight some nights, which was the only time she could take a breather from her job. There are other smaller examples -- one client going to Germany is going to be out of the country when her document packet arrives. I'm having everything shipped here, holding it until she returns and then mailing it at my expense.

-- Some clients really like having someone to chat with about the trip, or to whom they can ask questions. And remember that you are all 'net savvy or wouldn't be here. I have many clients who wouldn't know how to research adapters vs. converters, or if your ATM card will work with a pin number longer than X digits. They may want to know the difference between Disney's travel protection or a private company. If they're looking for airfare, they may want Carrier A over Carrier B and don't want a layover in Heathrow. Although anyone in the AbD office can handle these questions, it's nice to also have someone who knows your individual needs. Some need more hand-holding (I have a couple in their 70s going on Southwest Splendors - lots of questions) while some just want another person to share the excitement with.

-- Some travel agents give really cool gifts or share any incentive offered. There was a bonus commission offered earlier this year on some trips and I'm sure that many agents shared that with their clients.

-- Lastly, it doesn't cost a cent more to book through a travel agent -- the commission comes directly from AbD. Why not help out the little guy?

From my side, why I like to book people -- we often become friends! And as sappy as it sounds, there can't be a better job than one where you can help make people this happy, even if you make almost nothing in salary. I told my husband that I work all year for the one AbD trip that we take. So far, he's buying it!

Dotti

 

[redzinner]

I contacted ADB directly last time. I really wonder how much help you really need. Everything is set, all you have to do is show up to the airport. I will do Costco next time because of the $500 gift card.

Just another perspective ...

It's all about the comfort level of the destination for me, in whether I use a TA or not.
English speaking countries I have no problem making my own arrangements, throw in a foreign language and I start to waiver in my ability to handle certain situations.

After Viva Italia we are traveling to Zurich then on to a Rhine Riverboat Cruise. Sure I could have handled it all myself but I would be second guessing all my blind decisions.

And as Dotti mentioned, you don't pay a fee to your TA. I think people are misled about that fact. They earn all their commissions from the Tour Groups or resorts or cruise lines, etc. Of course airlines dumped travel agents years ago so I'm surprised Travel Agencies even bother with airline tickets anymore.

An experienced Travel Agent is invaluable when traveling if you run into trouble. All you need to do is call them and hear that reassuring voice say, 'Don't worry. I'll take care of it.'

 

[sayhello]

It's all about the comfort level of the destination for me, in whether I use a TA or not. After Viva Italia we are traveling to Zurich then on to a Rhine Riverboat Cruise. Sure I could have handled it all myself but I would be second guessing all my blind decisions.

But you are talking about arrangements *outside* the scope of the ABD adventure. I totally understand the value of a travel agent for travel you're arranging "on your own". It's the booking of the actual ABD tour that I (and, I believe, Computer Magic) was questioning, since you don't have those kind of "blind" decisions to make. But thanks for this perspective!

Sayhello

 

[Joan1]

My TA offers some incentives when booking ABD tours which made it a better offer then going through ABD directly

 

[sayhello]

My TA offers some incentives when booking ABD tours which made it a better offer then going through ABD directly

That makes sense. However, the "Disney specialist" TA I contacted did not offer any incentives, so it was exactly the same thing I could book myself through ABD.

-- Many are in high pressure jobs and don't have time to sit on the phone with questions.

That totally makes sense to me. Fortunately, I'm not in that category!

-- And remember that you are all 'net savvy or wouldn't be here. I have many clients who wouldn't know how to research adapters vs. converters, or if your ATM card will work with a pin number longer than X digits. They may want to know the difference between Disney's travel protection or a private company. If they're looking for airfare, they may want Carrier A over Carrier B and don't want a layover in Heathrow.

This one *really* makes sense. I would never make the kinds of arrangements I do without the aid of the Internet!

-- Some travel agents give really cool gifts or share any incentive offered. There was a bonus commission offered earlier this year on some trips and I'm sure that many agents shared that with their clients.

Well that one's a crapshoot , but I can see that being a nice thing if you get it.

-- Lastly, it doesn't cost a cent more to book through a travel agent -- the commission comes directly from AbD. Why not help out the little guy?

I'm all in favor of this, but I find I like having a certain amount of control over things, and not have to go through a 3rd party that may or may not be available when I need her (I found out the hard way I had to go through my TA to switch to the perfect cabin that came available for my cruise, because she held the reservation. It was a nerve-wracking day and a half until she came into the office & could see if the cabin was still available.) But her help with chosing the cruise was invaluable. So I'm torn.

And just *HOW* busy are you going to be, Dotti, tomorrow?

Sayhello

 

[Computer Magic]

But you are talking about arrangements *outside* the scope of the ABD adventure. I totally understand the value of a travel agent for travel you're arranging "on your own". It's the booking of the actual ABD tour that I (and, I believe, Computer Magic) was questioning, since you don't have those kind of "blind" decisions to make. But thanks for this perspective!

Sayhello

exactly. The point of ABD is everything is arranged. If I had to plan the entire trip, I could see the added value.

That makes sense. However, the "Disney specialist" TA I contacted did not offer any incentives, so it was exactly the same thing I could book myself through ABD.

That totally makes sense to me. Fortunately, I'm not in that category!

This one *really* makes sense. I would never make the kinds of arrangements I do without the aid of the Internet!

Well that one's a crapshoot , but I can see that being a nice thing if you get it.

I'm all in favor of this, but I find I like having a certain amount of control over things, and not have to go through a 3rd party that may or may not be available when I need her (I found out the hard way I had to go through my TA to switch to the perfect cabin that came available for my cruise, because she held the reservation. It was a nerve-wracking day and a half until she came into the office & could see if the cabin was still available.) But her help with chosing the cruise was invaluable. So I'm torn.

And just *HOW* busy are you going to be, Dotti, tomorrow?

Sayhello

I think the key is I need the control over the situation. I know what I need and what I want. I guess I'm self sufficient. I could even book my own WDW trip. I only go through a TA to give commission to a friend. I do like to help the little guy. However, if Costco is offering me a nice gift card to book through them, I'm there.

 

[wdwsos]

I'm all in favor of this, but I find I like having a certain amount of control over things, and not have to go through a 3rd party that may or may not be available when I need her (I found out the hard way I had to go through my TA to switch to the perfect cabin that came available for my cruise, because she held the reservation. It was a nerve-wracking day and a half until she came into the office & could see if the cabin was still available.) But her help with chosing the cruise was invaluable. So I'm torn.

And just *HOW* busy are you going to be, Dotti, tomorrow?

Sayhello

LOL... that's why I have my Blackberry with me at all times, and I'm not afraid to use it. I was answering emails on the Provence trip, just so I could keep on top of it when I got home.

I understand the "control" issues -- that's why I got into this business. I figured if I was going to be advising friends and family anyway, I may as well book it for them so they wouldn't screw it up. (You don't know my family!)

I do have a few friends who had a very hard time giving up the control of their reservations. One books it all herself and then calls me and tells me to take it over. (We take the two families out for dinner with the commission!) She's slowly starting to relinquish control and says that I'm cheaper than therapy.

How busy will I be? Even today was nuts doing the preparation. I do have quite a few people ready to pay (one is getting air tomorrow as well, but we've known the dates on that one for a while) and quite a few waiting for quotes. It sure would have been easier if the pricing and itinerary information was out there before the booking date so that people could digest it and make an informed decision. I'd hate for it to end up that the ones who had to think about it get locked out of the early booking rates just because they're on a more limited budget, but I don't make the rules.

I think it'll be manageable tomorrow, though -- it's not like I have hundreds of people waiting to book. I'm just the little guy, remember.

Dotti

 

[yogibigdog]

LOL... that's why I have my Blackberry with me at all times, and I'm not afraid to use it. I was answering emails on the Provence trip, just so I could keep on top of it when I got home.

Dotti

I can verify that Dotti was working hard while on the Provence trip considering I was on the trip with Dotti!!!!

We had an amazing time!

I am one of her colleagues, some people truly see the value in having one of us as a travel agent especially one who has already been on and ABD.

Carol

Gord, France on our ABD - Three agents having a blast! Dotti, Jo and Carol

Paris - Carol, Dotti and Jo

 

[ga9497]

LOL... that's why I have my Blackberry with me at all times, and I'm not afraid to use it. I was answering emails on the Provence trip, just so I could keep on top of it when I got home.

Dotti

Agree

My Blackberry and laptop- are a life saver - it really helps me keep on top of the emails and staying caught up so I don't come back to hundreds of emails after I get back from vacation. My clients are pretty good at not emailing while I am on vacation but as a TA I do need to be available in case of any emergencies

 

[ga9497]

I am one of her colleagues, some people truly see the value in having one of us as a travel agent especially one who has already been on and ABD.

Carol

I agree - as a TA myself actually doing the ABD's, or any vacation destination, gives you the insight on what really goes on and can better guide our clients

 

[tksbaskets]

I have a great TA Holly that I've never met in person but she booked (and still does) trips for my sister in Dallas (I'm in Michigan). She's 'a little guy' and always seems to look out for my family. Now she knows our preferences

She'll even keep an eye out on flight prices for me and charges a small commission for that.

I didn't have time to sit on the phone today but Holly was on it! She will also book my pre-days when they become available. Didn't cost me a dime to have Holly book for me. It was fun to get the phone call that we were 'in'!