Itinerary too expensive now
Jan 2nd, 2006, 08:42 AM
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Itinerary too expensive now
We leave Feb.1 so I need help fast. Using a great travel agent, Oz specialist, but I think she usually works with richer clients. We'll have 13 days in Oz, then on to NZ for 12. I want to tell her where to cut costs before everything is locked in (plane tickets already purchased). When we decided to omit Ayres Rock, she changed us from Port Douglas and Daintree to Heron Island and OReillys in Lamington. Too too expensive for us! Itinerary now:
Sydney,Harbor Rocks Hotel 3 days
Lamington/OReillys 3 days
Heron Island 3 days
Melbourne St Kilda ?Novotel 3 days
On to NZ.
I want to be able to tell her what I prefer INSTEAD. Where should I cut costs or which places are really worth it? I'm willing to spend $ if it's worth it because I really want this to be a great trip. Opinions, please. You can reply here or email me direct.
Thanks so much.
Jeepy
Sydney,Harbor Rocks Hotel 3 days
Lamington/OReillys 3 days
Heron Island 3 days
Melbourne St Kilda ?Novotel 3 days
On to NZ.
I want to be able to tell her what I prefer INSTEAD. Where should I cut costs or which places are really worth it? I'm willing to spend $ if it's worth it because I really want this to be a great trip. Opinions, please. You can reply here or email me direct.
Thanks so much.
Jeepy
Jan 2nd, 2006, 09:57 AM
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Heron and Lamington are wonderful places, among my favorite in Australia. How about nixing the Melbourne trip and, while you're in SE Queensland, adding on 3 nights to stay on Fraser Island?...it's so different to Heron with huge beaches, clear freshwater lakes, rainforests, etc. Guess that may not be possible, since you have already purchased your tickets, but you could conceivably save significant transportation costs that way. Fraser is located in-between Heron and Lamington NP.
Jan 2nd, 2006, 04:12 PM
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Ralph,
We haven't bought any plane tickets for interior flights, such to and from OZ and NZ, so I can still look at Fraser Island. Thanks so much for your help--and so fast! I really appreciate it.
Jeepy
We haven't bought any plane tickets for interior flights, such to and from OZ and NZ, so I can still look at Fraser Island. Thanks so much for your help--and so fast! I really appreciate it.
Jeepy
Jan 2nd, 2006, 05:49 PM
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Do you mind saying what you're paying for the Harbour Rocks Hotel? You may be able to secure a similar standard at a better price through a discount booking service like wotif.com.
I well remember being told by my travel agent (Thomas Cook, no less) that on 3 weeks' notice nothing - repeat nothing - could be had in NYC because "it's a busy period" (as though the rest of the year was dead quiet). Within 15 minutes I'd located a discount hotel service, phoned them and got what I wanted. To be fair, I've had more positive experiences than that, but sometimes it pays to do a bit of your own legwork.
I well remember being told by my travel agent (Thomas Cook, no less) that on 3 weeks' notice nothing - repeat nothing - could be had in NYC because "it's a busy period" (as though the rest of the year was dead quiet). Within 15 minutes I'd located a discount hotel service, phoned them and got what I wanted. To be fair, I've had more positive experiences than that, but sometimes it pays to do a bit of your own legwork.
Jan 2nd, 2006, 05:58 PM
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Neil,
I've never used a travel agent before. Always did all my own on trips to Europe but didn't have time to do the research for this one, last minute. So what she (travel agent) did was ask for a budget range and put together a couple of itineraries with a total price. I have prices on all airfares but not on hotels, tours, etc. I just looked at wotif.com; they list Harbor Rocks Hotel as $350 full rate and then every day at $185. I'm happy to book my own hotels but can I do that with her now? I don't know the protocol for dealing with a TA. Thanks for your excellent question.
Jeepy
I've never used a travel agent before. Always did all my own on trips to Europe but didn't have time to do the research for this one, last minute. So what she (travel agent) did was ask for a budget range and put together a couple of itineraries with a total price. I have prices on all airfares but not on hotels, tours, etc. I just looked at wotif.com; they list Harbor Rocks Hotel as $350 full rate and then every day at $185. I'm happy to book my own hotels but can I do that with her now? I don't know the protocol for dealing with a TA. Thanks for your excellent question.
Jeepy
Jan 4th, 2006, 04:47 PM
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I love Heron, too, but to be frank, getting to and from Gladstone to catch the launch is a colossal pain in the butt. And expensive, because Qantas is the only carrier. Adding in the cost of the launch, this three day piece was close to $4000. I don't regret going, but you may want to consider other's suggestions (Fraser, etc.) to save some money. Until I took over all our travel online, I would tell the TA to do the flights, cars or whatever, and do the hotels myself.
Jan 4th, 2006, 06:50 PM
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Jeepy, did the TA nix Port Douglas and Daintree because you cancelled Ayers Rock? That's a pity because there's some good accommodation bargains around area in February with easy access to reef. Good airfares too, I just got Sydney-Cairns (airport for Port Douglas) with Virgin Blue for AU$109 - that's a three hour flight.
Jan 4th, 2006, 07:59 PM
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Hi Jeepy,
Hope I can help you here, as I'm a travel agent and Oz Specialist myself.
Remember, your travel agent is working for YOU, and wants you to have the best experience there is. You need to be honest and upfront with her about your budget. I work with every type of client; the only client I've ever told that I couldn't help them were ones that came to me and told me their budget was $2,000 per person for a 3 week trip to Oz and NZ. (that said, I did do their airfare and one hotel and I have no idea what they did for the rest, but good luck).
Trust me, you're not alone in this!
I find many clients are loathe to tell me what sort of budget they have in mind....I'm not sure if that's because they don't know, or am afraid I'll just spend all their money!
I usually try to get an idea by asking them about their previous vacations, and/or asking what they want to spend on a hotel room - that gives me an idea how to proceed and what areas / hotels / resorts to eliminate.
I can't advise you what to cut out on your itinerary, as I don't know your interests, etc, or even if you've told her. I can see dropping Ayers (this happens with many of my clients when I say something like.."just to let you know, it will cost approx. $500 more per person to add that leg on"
. sort of a "sticker shock" factor there.
Have you said you need to go to an island? If so, maybe something less expensive than Heron? O'Reilly's? Are you into birds? Harbour Rocks - not worth the price you've been quoted (IMO).
I feel sure that if you are upfront about the costs involved, what are your "must dos/see" she will be able to work something out for you.
As far as the protocol involved using an agent, that's a great question and bless you for thinking of it! Asking a professional for their time and effort at the last minute and then turning around and booking things yourself after she's spent her time trying to help you,..well...as I said, I think if you have a very frank conversation you should be able to whip this into shape in a few days!
Please let us know how things turned out!
Regards,
Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist
Hope I can help you here, as I'm a travel agent and Oz Specialist myself.
Remember, your travel agent is working for YOU, and wants you to have the best experience there is. You need to be honest and upfront with her about your budget. I work with every type of client; the only client I've ever told that I couldn't help them were ones that came to me and told me their budget was $2,000 per person for a 3 week trip to Oz and NZ. (that said, I did do their airfare and one hotel and I have no idea what they did for the rest, but good luck).
Trust me, you're not alone in this!
I find many clients are loathe to tell me what sort of budget they have in mind....I'm not sure if that's because they don't know, or am afraid I'll just spend all their money! I usually try to get an idea by asking them about their previous vacations, and/or asking what they want to spend on a hotel room - that gives me an idea how to proceed and what areas / hotels / resorts to eliminate.
I can't advise you what to cut out on your itinerary, as I don't know your interests, etc, or even if you've told her. I can see dropping Ayers (this happens with many of my clients when I say something like.."just to let you know, it will cost approx. $500 more per person to add that leg on"
. sort of a "sticker shock" factor there. Have you said you need to go to an island? If so, maybe something less expensive than Heron? O'Reilly's? Are you into birds? Harbour Rocks - not worth the price you've been quoted (IMO).
I feel sure that if you are upfront about the costs involved, what are your "must dos/see" she will be able to work something out for you.
As far as the protocol involved using an agent, that's a great question and bless you for thinking of it! Asking a professional for their time and effort at the last minute and then turning around and booking things yourself after she's spent her time trying to help you,..well...as I said, I think if you have a very frank conversation you should be able to whip this into shape in a few days!
Please let us know how things turned out!
Regards,
Melodie
Certified Aussie Specialist
Jan 5th, 2006, 04:50 PM
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OliverandHarry, Pat, and Melodie,
Thanks so much for taking so much time to help me on this. We're now flying to Cairns, staying in Port Douglas (don't know where yet) one day GBR snorkeling on small boat (don't know which), one day rainforest. Sounds much, much better to me. Without your help, I couldn't have it put together like this. Now I'm going to work on hotels in Sydney & Melbourne.
Thanks again.
Jeepy
Thanks so much for taking so much time to help me on this. We're now flying to Cairns, staying in Port Douglas (don't know where yet) one day GBR snorkeling on small boat (don't know which), one day rainforest. Sounds much, much better to me. Without your help, I couldn't have it put together like this. Now I'm going to work on hotels in Sydney & Melbourne.
Thanks again.
Jeepy
Jan 5th, 2006, 06:04 PM
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Hi Jeepy. We've used following websites for accom in Oz. lastminute.com.au, ratestogo.com. octopustravel.com.au and of course wotif.com.au. They all have, at one time or another, come up with cheaper prices than travel agents prices. The Sydney Airport accommodation service is fabulous too, for cheap accom.
Travel agents' are in business to make money and I've never expected them to recommend any place where they didn't get a hefty commission.
Hope you have a wonderful time in Oz & NZ, both remarkable travel destinations, which can be done at bargain prices if you have the time to research. Best of luck.
Travel agents' are in business to make money and I've never expected them to recommend any place where they didn't get a hefty commission.
Hope you have a wonderful time in Oz & NZ, both remarkable travel destinations, which can be done at bargain prices if you have the time to research. Best of luck.
Jan 5th, 2006, 06:47 PM
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Lyndie,
Just a bit of clarification about travel agents; yes, you're correct, we're in business to make money...like everyone else, we have bills to pay too!
As far as a "hefty" commission, the industry isn't exactly a high paying one. Typically, agents make 10% commission on most bookings; more if they work with certain suppliers, wholesalers, or are high volume producers. What most online sites do is subtract that 10% that they'd pay the travel agent because you're booking direct. (but not in all cases).
Online sites are really funny as I've seen cases where you could go to a hotel site and find a rate and then go to another site and find it cheaper on another site. From a business standpoint, that's pretty stupid for the hotel to undercut it's own site!
On the flip side, agents work with suppliers who do a huge volume of business which lowers the cost of accommodations, airfare, etc. Obviously, a wholesaler who does over a million dollars in revenue will have group pricing better than anything an individual will find on the net, and in many instances, I will get special amenities and upgrades for clients because of that association.
And, I can't speak for all agents,but I give clients alot of information and recommendations that I don't receive any compensation for. For example, in Australia I'll recommend restaurants, shopping, give driving tips, and while I will book certain tours or attractions for them, I also recomend some that I believe will enhance the client's trip...I don't receive any compensation for that, it's just part of the service.
Regards,
Melodie
Just a bit of clarification about travel agents; yes, you're correct, we're in business to make money...like everyone else, we have bills to pay too!
As far as a "hefty" commission, the industry isn't exactly a high paying one. Typically, agents make 10% commission on most bookings; more if they work with certain suppliers, wholesalers, or are high volume producers. What most online sites do is subtract that 10% that they'd pay the travel agent because you're booking direct. (but not in all cases).
Online sites are really funny as I've seen cases where you could go to a hotel site and find a rate and then go to another site and find it cheaper on another site. From a business standpoint, that's pretty stupid for the hotel to undercut it's own site!
On the flip side, agents work with suppliers who do a huge volume of business which lowers the cost of accommodations, airfare, etc. Obviously, a wholesaler who does over a million dollars in revenue will have group pricing better than anything an individual will find on the net, and in many instances, I will get special amenities and upgrades for clients because of that association.
And, I can't speak for all agents,but I give clients alot of information and recommendations that I don't receive any compensation for. For example, in Australia I'll recommend restaurants, shopping, give driving tips, and while I will book certain tours or attractions for them, I also recomend some that I believe will enhance the client's trip...I don't receive any compensation for that, it's just part of the service.
Regards,
Melodie
Jan 5th, 2006, 08:16 PM
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Melodie-just a bit of clarification about travel agents. I don't use them and I don't like them. You may be a gem but in my experience an agent is unnecessary, except in Customs import and export.
Jan 6th, 2006, 08:32 AM
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Lyndie,
Yeah, the fact that you don't like agents sort of came through on your post.
Sounds as if you had a bad experience, or perhaps no experience with an agent.
Since you don't use an agent you wouldn't know that it's possible to actually SAVE money; but to each their own and you sound happy doing your own research and planning, so best wishes on your future travels.
Melodie
Yeah, the fact that you don't like agents sort of came through on your post.
Sounds as if you had a bad experience, or perhaps no experience with an agent.
Since you don't use an agent you wouldn't know that it's possible to actually SAVE money; but to each their own and you sound happy doing your own research and planning, so best wishes on your future travels.
Melodie
Jan 6th, 2006, 12:53 PM
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Last time we travelled, to China, we used a local agent for some of our hotel and internal air bookings and got good service. A lot seems to depend on what hotels are on the agent's list - this guy did well for us mostly but didn't have what we wanted in Beijing, so I made that booking directly. He was a little out of the ordinary, though, having once managed an agency in Hong Kong, is married to a Chinese lady and speaks some Mandarin. It's a good idea, we've found, to establish how well the agent personally knows the country you're travelling to.
Jan 7th, 2006, 05:12 PM
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Melodie-I have used travel agents, in the past, and have NEVER saved more than I could, by organising accom, air tickets, local travel etc. independently.
I'll give you an example. I purchased several air tickets for internal air travel in Africa, from Amex travel in my home country. When I arrived in Africa I dropped in to the airline office and priced the tickets if I'd purchased direct from them. The difference in price was astonishing.
By cancelling Nairobi/Harare, Harare/Vic Falls, Vic Falls/Joburg, I saved AUD400 per person. A not insgnificant amount. I could give you lots of other examples but I have my own opinion and you have yours so what's the point.
This board is for Travel Talk not for travel agents to do a round of self-promoting.
I'll give you an example. I purchased several air tickets for internal air travel in Africa, from Amex travel in my home country. When I arrived in Africa I dropped in to the airline office and priced the tickets if I'd purchased direct from them. The difference in price was astonishing.
By cancelling Nairobi/Harare, Harare/Vic Falls, Vic Falls/Joburg, I saved AUD400 per person. A not insgnificant amount. I could give you lots of other examples but I have my own opinion and you have yours so what's the point.
This board is for Travel Talk not for travel agents to do a round of self-promoting.
Jan 7th, 2006, 05:32 PM
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A bit harsh, Lyndie. I don't think it's unreasonable for Melodie to put the other side of the argument and she's contributed a lot of valuable advice to posters here that couldn't possibly benefit her own business.
Jan 9th, 2006, 04:19 AM
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The important thing about Melodie's contributions (apart from the fact that she always has very good advice to offer!) is that she is totally "up-front" about her status.... she always mentions right away that she is an agent. This, I think, gives her some "cred" on a forum like this, and I, for one, always look forward to reading what she says, even though I can't imagine why I would ever need to use an agent myself.
The thing that makes me mad are the agents who try to masquerade as amateurs and promote their services while signing themselves as a satisfied customer... they are the ones we should be venting our spleen on, I think (confession time: I thought I had found one recently on Tripadvisor, and gently told him off, only to find out that he was "bona fide".... most embarrassing, and the crow didn't taste good at all!)
The thing that makes me mad are the agents who try to masquerade as amateurs and promote their services while signing themselves as a satisfied customer... they are the ones we should be venting our spleen on, I think (confession time: I thought I had found one recently on Tripadvisor, and gently told him off, only to find out that he was "bona fide".... most embarrassing, and the crow didn't taste good at all!)
Jan 9th, 2006, 08:03 AM
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Although I've never used a Travel Agent before (and travelled all over Europe) I chose one this time because time to plan the trip was short (started in December to leave Feb.1), I had tons of Christmas stuff to do and couldn't put in the time I usually do to figure out, (a)where in those 2 huge countries I wanted to go in a 3-week-trip, (b)which places I should fly to, which ones were rent-a-car and drive to, and then (c)where to stay. My TA has been great, handling all of this for me so I've been glad to pay for her time and expertise on this trip. I just want to change a couple of her hotel choices. My husband wanted me to cave in and just book a packaged tour due to lack of planning time, but I just couldn't see us on a bus with 50 people for 3 weeks. What Carol has put together sounds great to me. I'll let you all know when I get back. Thanks so much for all your help and advice.
Jeepy
Jeepy
