Travel Agent

[Fuzzylogik]

Has anyone out there ever become their own travel agent for the purposes of planning your own vacations??? It seems like it might be a way to save a ton of money, but I'm curious if it's worth the time/expense of becoming one. I just ran across Global Travel, which gives you access to Amadeus, a travel agency-only database to get your own discounts. You don't have to sell to anyone else.

It sounds great - - almost too great. So I wanted to see if anyone has tried this yet and, specifically , if it was beneficial in planning your own onsite WDW experience (planning on spending almost a week at the Grand Floridian plus a few days at *GASP* the mouse's competitior).

Fuzzylogik

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by Fuzzylogik
Has anyone out there ever become their own travel agent for the purposes of planning your own vacations??? It seems like it might be a way to save a ton of money, but I'm curious if it's worth the time/expense of becoming one. I just ran across Global Travel, which gives you access to Amadeus, a travel agency-only database to get your own discounts. You don't have to sell to anyone else.

It sounds great - - almost too great. So I wanted to see if anyone has tried this yet and, specifically , if it was beneficial in planning your own onsite WDW experience (planning on spending almost a week at the Grand Floridian plus a few days at *GASP* the mouse's competitior).

Fuzzylogik

Becoming a travel agent isn't that easy. You have to go through other companies before you can get the discount. It isn't sign up and go on vacation for half price. Most times you have to show proof of agency (meaning you need to have a business or be affiliated with one). You also need to be affiliated with IATAN with requires having to again be part of an agency. Unless you really plan on using travel agency as a job don't do this...the expense and time will not be worth it.

 

[dalton30720]

I have found that, with a little effort and persistence, I can usually get the same discounts as most Travel Agencies. The bargains are out there, you just have to take the time to find them.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by dalton30720
I have found that, with a little effort and persistence, I can usually get the same discounts as most Travel Agencies. The bargains are out there, you just have to take the time to find them.

You get 50% off rooms?

 

[dalton30720]

Originally posted by DisneyInsider


You get 50% off rooms?

Actually, I have. This past January we stayed at BWI for half the Value rate. Of course, the first part of the trip we stayed at WL and had to pay full Holiday rate. So, I'm sure they got their money anyway.

 

[DisneyWorldGuru]

For the best rates take my advice...

1.) Call 1-407-W-DISNEY and ask the CM if there are any deals comming up

2.) visit http://www.disneyworld.com and click on the red box in the left side bar that says "Vacation Specials"

3.) join the Disney Club ( www.disneyclub.com ) you can get 20% off hotel rooms and even get discount packages

4.) Become an AP holder and save on your hotel room. If you stay for 10 days it pays for itself. I recomend it for those staying for a longer lengeth of time and those who plan to return later that year.

5.) check the travel section of your news paper. Disney has a half page ad for a special discount

...see there are many ways to save money on a WDW vacation and trust me there are many more.

 

[savannahsmiles]

Advise from an official travel agent --- DO NOT BECOME ONE!

Travel agents are becoming extinct due to the Internet and 9/11.

The only reason I am still one is because I am holding out for severence.

There is definitely no money to be found there.

 

[Goofette]

I have gotten really good rates just searching and picking up tips here and there. I'm sure it's probably not as good as a travel agent would get (I dont' know what kind of prices they get) but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than going to a travel agent. mousesavers.com has great codes you can use from time to time to get a lot off of a room. Another thing I found is I saved money by actually splitting up things. First, I went into it as a package deal....room, tickets, special whatever it may be and it was very expensive. But when I searched for specials on room rates, then got my tickets through AAA (if your already a member it saves) and then booking the rental vehicle seperately, it all came out Way over 50% off of what I originally would have spent.

Goodluck

 

[Goofette]

Originally posted by savannahsmiles
Advise from an official travel agent --- DO NOT BECOME ONE!

Travel agents are becoming extinct due to the Internet and 9/11.

The only reason I am still one is because I am holding out for severence.

There is definitely no money to be found there.

I always thought being a travel agent would be a great job. Do you like being one, if the pay was there?

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Originally posted by Goofette


I always thought being a travel agent would be a great job. Do you like being one, if the pay was there?

I think it is a fun job...but it is slowly but surely becoming less of a full time job. The regular travel agency business is not nearly as profitable now since airlines give you nothing and hotels are cutting comissions a ton. Even Disney has cut commisions plenty over the years. With the internet now, people need Travel Agents less and less.

 

[Debbie]

Check out Mousesavers.com. Mary Waring updates her site as soon as any codes come in for specials. Her site is very thourough (spelling?) and she also recommends other places if staying on Disney property is not an option.

 

[dalton30720]

Also, call WDW and ask specifically for special deals at a certain resort. They have unadvertised deals that are available to those that ask. You may be surprised at the rates they will quote you. Disney is a business and they would rather sell a room at half price than to let it go idle. Of course, this only works when business is off.

 

[2much2do]

I have a friend who is a travel agent, and I asked him to get me the best rate for my trip. Then I went and after doing much research, using a code at www.mousesavers.com and asking the CMs at CRO, I was able to get THE EXACT SAME RATE as my travel agent friend. Only difference he told me, was that if I booked through him, he would get a tiny commision from it. Something like $100. Go figure.

PS I ended up just sticking to doing it myself, only because my friend was a bit of a slacker and I am neurotic about being in charge. It was easier for me to do it myself. No middle man to go through for changes, etc.

 

[Talsonic]

You have to do your own work but...

So what's the deal on DiSavers? On another forum (Dis) they say that if you join their club (I think it costs $80.00) and then pay a $15.00 fee per trip booking, they will refund you the normal 10% travel agents fee. So, if you spend $95.00 up front and your trip costs $1,500.00 you get a refund of $150.00 (i.e. $55.00 after the cost of membership). Has anyone tried this? Does it work? I've been thinking about doing this but it sounds fishy to me.

 

[Erika]

Originally posted by Goofette


I always thought being a travel agent would be a great job. Do you like being one, if the pay was there?

I was thinking the same ting recently! I asked my aunt, who used to have an agency up until 2-3 years ago. She told me, "RUN! RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN!" LOL I guess she got burned out.

 

[Fuzzylogik]

Re: You have to do your own work but...

Originally posted by Talsonic
So what's the deal on DiSavers? On another forum (Dis) they say that if you join their club (I think it costs $80.00) and then pay a $15.00 fee per trip booking, they will refund you the normal 10% travel agents fee. So, if you spend $95.00 up front and your trip costs $1,500.00 you get a refund of $150.00 (i.e. $55.00 after the cost of membership). Has anyone tried this? Does it work? I've been thinking about doing this but it sounds fishy to me.

Uh, what's DiSavers? Am I missing something? I looked at Disavers.com and disneysavers.com and came up with nothing.

 

[Talsonic]

The Dis Boards

Hi Fuzzylogik! Look at http://www.disboards.com/ . It's another UK Disney board.