Venting: Worst AAA Travel Agent

[Club Cooloholic]

I am so PO'd right now. I booked a trip through a AAA agent on Sunday. The one I used last time retired, and she was great. The new one, not so much.
To start with I knew exactly what I wanted, and what it would cost, I could not be easier. So she sent the package info(a few hours I might add after our conversation) over.
The next day, I though I might want to change one thing emailed. Heard nothing. Called, she picked up and in an annoyed way said, "my shift doesnt start till 12".
We talked she answered the questions about the changes I might want to make and then I decided that it was not worth and I said I would send the reply to charge the card number I sent.
An hour later I wanted to make sure the card processed ok, sent an email. Heard nothing.
2 hours later I sent another email, heard nothing.
So I called. I said my name and she responed "yeah". I said I was looking for the confirmation that everything processed ok, she grumbled that she saw the email and that I needed to give her time ect. And basically made me feel awful. I am spending 2 grand for this? I told her that she was being very rude and that she made me feel like I was a bad guy. I can be a bit nerotic about payments but let me say that today is the last day for the free dining and I wanted to be assured I was getting it!
She said she had not heard anything from Disney, yet in terms of the link with all my info, but that it had processed.
I said once I get that email, you probably never have to hear from me again, to which she responded, oh but I am here to help if you need it. Yeah Right! I told her I had other travel agents and never had I delt with such poor customer service. I feel terrible, what a way to start.
Vent over.

 

[Mouse Man]

Hi Master Yoda:

I have always booked my Disney Vacations myself on line year after year. The DWF and I decided if we should shop around and try and save a dollar or two. So we went three routes. One I planned it out via the web site and two I went via AAA. AAA's price was really nice and I just could not understand how a nice discount was obtained. So before placing money on this trip I went the third route and Called and spoke with a CM. The CM could not even get me close to that price. I spent about 45 minutes on the phone with reservations trying to work this out. So finally AAA won out and we enjoyed our wonderful trip this past September. I am not a travel agent person nor do I have connections. I decided to shop around and because I did, the prices I placed on this thread is what I truly payed. Had a wonderful room in the oaks with refrigerator at PORS. This was one of our most relaxing and pleasurable trip that we had in a long time. Then throw in the Diamond parking and preferred parade seating at MK and a wonderful time was had.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hi All, First of all, a huge thank you to all of the wonderful KK Clients who are chiming in on our service. We truly appreciate your recommendations and are pleased and proud to serve you and your family and friends.
Second, As the previous poster said, PLEASE feel free to comparitively shop. Of course make sure you are comparing apples to apples in that your package components are the same, but then of course go with the agency that offers you the service and value for your dollar. Any reputable person should not mind being ccomparitively shopped at all.
Third, A well versed travel agent can be a great asset on booking and information. Kingdom Konsultant Travel is proud to be able to say we are an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. This does apply to a few other agencies I know, including AAA. The difference is that our Konsultants are specifically selected by the owner for their knowledge and experience within the Disney Vacation Destinations. I have heard varying stories on some AAA agents, which I am sure depends on who you get. Also our agents dont work in a vacuum. Our agency does work as a team so if one agent has a question on a specific point they have a broad knowledge base to refer to!!!
Any questions, please feel free to ask, we'd love to help!!! Marie

 

[Club Cooloholic]

I am trying to be more zen in my approach now, maybe the agent was just having a bad day. I don't plan to call a supervisor ect, because it's hard for me to do that to someone, and maybe I did catch her in a tough time and she is coming through for me in the end, and even seems a lot nicer in her emails today.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Amazing Update

Wow. A AAA supervisor called me tonight, out of the blue, said she was reviewing calls for quality control and had heard the conversation I had with my agent yesterday. She apolgized for the way the agent had spoken to me, and said that she would talk to her, and said I could have another agent if I wanted. I said I might want someone with more Disney experience, but I think it was implied that she wanted me to give this agent another chance(and maybe help her keep her job) so I said that was fine. I told her what I thought, maybe this agent was just having a really bad day. So I hope it works out for everyone, but I was really impressed with AAA on this one.

 

[Computer Magic]

There has to be something missing. AAA does have room discounts that are unique to them but they are no way near high enough to drop nearly 30% off of your package price. If I had to guess I would say that AAA was able to apply a promotion like the old 4/3 deal to your reservation.... something that any TA could have done. A CM however can not apply a promotion unless you ask specifically for it.

Sounds like this person was on the Disney website. My best guest is he was in the wrong area for booking. I know the Disney website can be confusing and you have to be in the "special" discount area to get the correct discount pricing.

 

[Master Yoda]

Sounds like this person was on the Disney website. My best guest is he was in the wrong area for booking. I know the Disney website can be confusing and you have to be in the "special" discount area to get the correct discount pricing.

That is quite possible. The Disney site is notorious for changing options seemingly at will. I nearly got burned by it several times when I first started out as a TA.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Wow. A AAA supervisor called me tonight, out of the blue, said she was reviewing calls for quality control and had heard the conversation I had with my agent yesterday. She apolgized for the way the agent had spoken to me, and said that she would talk to her, and said I could have another agent if I wanted. I said I might want someone with more Disney experience, but I think it was implied that she wanted me to give this agent another chance(and maybe help her keep her job) so I said that was fine. I told her what I thought, maybe this agent was just having a really bad day. So I hope it works out for everyone, but I was really impressed with AAA on this one.

Good job AAA!!!! It sounds to me like your agent is perhaps new to the job and that might be why her calls are being monitored. I am so glad this worked out well for you. Keep us updated. Marie

 

[mamamouse]

Is kk only in usa?

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hi Mama, We can book vacation packages for people outside of the United States, however we cant handle international flights. I hope this information is helpful!!! Marie

 

[Atomicmickey]

I booked with AAA once, and since have used a Disney specialist TA (not KK, but I imagine that they are every bit as great!).

When I booked with AAA, I noticed several weeks after I booked that free dining was released for Disney Visa card holders. I had to call that agent and tell them about it--give them the code from MouseSavers, and she said "wow, I didn't know about that".

When I went to the AAA office, I specifically asked for a "Disney Specialist", and as it turns out, my agent had only been to WDW once. DOH. :lookaroun

Anyway--it worked out, but I have had much better luck with my current TA.

For one thing--neither is "expensive"--there is no additional charge to you for using a travel agent. The people here are right--they watch the deals so you don't have to. Most fun of all is having someone who is passionate about Disney, who "gets it" to talk about your plans with. If you're like me, a fan, the family doesn't always want to talk about ADR's and shifting park hours and such, but the TA's who love Disney love to talk about it! Just look at the KK people here, that's what I mean.

So--yeah, even if you're really experienced, a great Travel Agent is a friend indeed. They work HARD, hats off, it's a tough but rewarding profession.