topic Re: Travel concierge-question in Community Chat

Travel concierge-question

pegsue — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:19:30 GMT

I am thinking about planning a trip w/4 adults to Disney and have been online just looking at the different packages, pricing, etc. My question is this-what benefit is there, if any, of using a travel concierge person instead of me just doing my own arrangements? Do they get better pricing? Do they have access to other things?

The reason I ask is I have been approached several times by a neighbor who is a travel planner for Disney and some of its other companies and she says that her services are of no cost to me once I book and make a downpayment....which doesn't make sense to me. I am a bit leery because her and her hubby are both into MLM's (Rodan & Fields, Trades of Hope, etc.)-which they have approached me with before and promote all of the time so I have learned to stay away, not make eye contact, etc..LOL. I would ask her directly but if it is another MLM thing I won't have the patience or the grace to listen to it.

TIA

Re: Travel concierge-question

software — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:30:14 GMT

@pegsue wrote:
I am thinking about planning a trip w/4 adults to Disney and have been online just looking at the different packages, pricing, etc. My question is this-what benefit is there, if any, of using a travel concierge person instead of me just doing my own arrangements? Do they get better pricing? Do they have access to other things?

The reason I ask is I have been approached several times by a neighbor who is a travel planner for Disney and some of its other companies and she says that her services are of no cost to me once I book and make a downpayment....which doesn't make sense to me. I am a bit leery because her and her hubby are both into MLM's (Rodan & Fields, Trades of Hope, etc.)-which they have approached me with before and promote all of the time so I have learned to stay away, not make eye contact, etc..LOL. I would ask her directly but if it is another MLM thing I won't have the patience or the grace to listen to it.

TIA

Maybe I'm crazy but I don't know why you don't understand that it's no cost to you, she is paid by the resort-- ie Disney. Get her to explain to you why you should book with her. Obviously she's a salesman, make her sell you.

Most people I know into MLMs are respectful of me if I tell them I'm not interested. Different strokes for different folks.

But if you find her annoying, it might be best not to do business with her, no matter what perks she can offer.

Re: Travel concierge-question

NicksmomESQ — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:38:20 GMT

You can always price your own package online & then compare it to her package.Personally,I always find a better deal on line.

Interestingly,I do have a travel agent that I used to use all the time.The last few years I've come up with better deals on my own.

Re: Travel concierge-question

Lipstickdiva — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:39:29 GMT

I always book everything myself. But I think one reason to use a travel concierge or travel agent is because if a problem arises, you contact them and they handle everything for your rather than you doing the work.

For instance, if your flight would get canceled, they get you another flight. If you get to the resort and there is no room for you, you contact them.

Re: Travel concierge-question

lulu2 — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:39:59 GMT

I have a friend who specializes in Disney (and surrounding area) bookings. Another friend wanted to take her Grands to DW. She found deals better than what the agent was offering. The agent works on commission from Disney. She asked the other friend if she'd let her book the vacation, based on what the (other) friend found on her own.

Re: Travel concierge-question

I am still oxox — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:44:28 GMT

You can usually shop around and find great deals, the airlines have travel professionals who can also offer packages

Re: Travel concierge-question

drizzellla — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:44:56 GMT

Is the Concierge associated with Disney?

I belong to the Disney Vacation Club and there is a Concierge Collection of different resorts all over the US and around the world. But you said you wanted to go to Disney. Also, the Disney Hotels have a Concierge in the lobby to help you out or answer questions.

But I am not sure what your neighbor would be able to do for you as Concierge. Maybe someone knows more than I do.

Re: Travel concierge-question

pegsue — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:54:15 GMT

Software-I did not understand that she is paid by Disney-I thought that since I was hiring her for her services that I would pay a fee, in some way, shape or form. So thank you for that info!

Glad the MLM people around you are respectful of your wishes however I cannot say the same and quite literally DH and I counted yesterday and there are 12 people that are either neighbors, friends or frequent acquaintances that w/in the last year are now doing MLMs and really out of that number ONLY 2 have been respectful when I say no thanks....sadly her and her DH have not been one of those.

Thanks again for the info.

Re: Travel concierge-question

pegsue — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 14:59:24 GMT

Not concerned about airline tickets as we would be driving. So I wouldn't have to worry about that as far as cancellations, etc. and I guess I could call myself to the room and confirm before we get there.

Edited to add-what I am interested in is the Harry Potter thing. DH, son and his wife love Harry Potter and I was looking at packages that included room, tickets, shuttle, fast passes and a breakfast at one of the Harry Potter restaurants.

Re: Travel concierge-question

itsmagic — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 17:07:18 GMT

@pegsue. Isn't the Harry Potter thing at Universal Studios rather than Disney?

Re: Travel concierge-question

Mistreatedbycs — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 17:39:40 GMT

@pegsue Are those people the ONLY travel agents in the area?

Of course not, like anything you "shop for", you need to do all your homework and then go to an agency and talk to them, don't book anything, just gather informatiion.

Are you a member of AAA? They offer packages too.

You need to put in some work unless you just want people to do everything for you and then, just pay for it.

There was a comment made that if you had a problem you just needed to call the agent who arranged your trip, that's fine if 1) they are not on vacation themselves 2) not taken a day off 3) problem happens when they are actually in the office. So you would think that somebody else is "covering" for them, yes, it looks good that they are but they do not seriously put any time in to help you, it just doesn't benefit them. Sad but true and I have first hand knowledge of that happening.

Oh, and if you do your homework ahead of time before approaching an agent, don't tell them you did anything, that's the fun of it, see what they can offer vs what can you get on your own.

Re: Travel concierge-question

BabyYoda — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 19:03:27 GMT

I would book it yourself. If you are an AAA member you get a discount! She will sell you a package for more than you want to spend most likely and she will throw in free things that you won't have time to do or care to do. Plan what you know you want and will do when you are there. Have fun!!

Re: Travel concierge-question

Big Joanie — Thu, 14 Sep 2017 22:55:01 GMT

Harry Potter is at Universal .. Disney World has the new Avatar exhibit ....

Re: Travel concierge-question

sandraskates — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 03:50:34 GMT

We used an agent at Disney Destinations. I don't know how we would have done it on our own, especially since we are in another state. She created an outstanding package for us that included hotel, food, parking, etc.

I'm sure it saved us a bundle because restuarants at Disney World are pricey. They also had to be reserved in advance. There was more planning for our Disney World trip than for our Europe trip. So you may want to give your neighbor a chance to quote a package for you.

You can also subscribe to the Mousesavers newsletter and see if there are any deals you can use.

Re: Travel concierge-question

CelticCrafter — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 11:30:20 GMT

I'm not sure I'd get involved with her planning a vacation. It's giving her the opportunity to start about the other things she's involved with.

Re: Travel concierge-question

ScrapHappy — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 13:46:24 GMT

Harry Potter is Universal, not Disney. Are you wanting to go to Universal, Disney or both? You can do both. I highly recommend going to a website called Disboards.com, it's all things Disney. SO much information. There are also threads about Universal. All to help you plan and figure things out. I'm not sure when you say "concierge." They are certainly concierge level accomodations at both Disney and Universal. But are you thinking more of a travel agent? I usually do all my planning and booking myself, but I have heard that sometimes a travel agent, especially those designated as a travel agent specific to Disney can get some extra perks. The website for Universal in Orlando always seem to have some type of promotion going on. I had booked something in 2016 but ended up canceling because we were moving. I'd start just by doing some research on line, so what you find. Definitely use that website and others like the WDW website. If you think it's just too much for you, you can always go to a travel agent (make sure you find a good one). I've never been to Universal but I'm a big Disney fan. I'm a Disney Vacation Club Member and got married at WDW too. I can certainly help you with any questions if you should have them.

Re: Travel concierge-question

Lipstickdiva — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 13:49:18 GMT

I belong to AAA but I have always been able to find a better deal on my own then going through them as well. Most recently, DH and I needed to rent a car in Florida to drive from Tampa to Ft. Myers to catch our flight.

AAA only works with Hertz. Hertz was more expensive then any other car rental agency. But even if we wanted to go through Hertz, there were better deals to be found on-line then the price AAA gave me.

Re: Travel concierge-question

IlliniGirl88 — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 15:05:27 GMT

@pegsue - We go to Disney World quite frequently and I've always booked my own trips through the Disney website. Look on their homepage, as they will post the current discounts.

Re: Travel concierge-question

pegsue — Fri, 15 Sep 2017 16:54:34 GMT

Thank you all for the information-I found it very helpful and informative. DH and I are definitely going to do more research as we have some time before we would/could go and then after we price things out for ourselves then we will decide if we think it is worth asking this "concierge" (that's what she calls herself) or seek help from a travel agent.