OBC from your TA

[Queen of Oakville]

The agency that I use does not take commission so that commission is rebated back to the client.

 

so, if they don't take commission, how do they get paid?

 

:confused:

 

I assume the goal of any travel agency is to make a profit. The must get some payment for making the booking. It appears that for some agencies, there is enough profit in the booking for them to give a significant OBC to the consumer.

 

I'm wondering if those of you who get hundreds of dollars in OBC are paying more for your trip, and we all even out?

[grandgeezer]

Unless the agency has a "group booking" everybody should be paying the rate listed on Celebrity's website. That's what I pay most of the time. I make out better by getting high obcs, free gatuities, dinners in the specialty restaraunts, etc.

[PSU]

They are salaried employees (big wholesaler store).

The price for the cabin is the same whether I book direct with the cruise line or book with the travel agency.

so, if they don't take commission, how do they get paid?

 

:confused:

 

I assume the goal of any travel agency is to make a profit. The must get some payment for making the booking. It appears that for some agencies, there is enough profit in the booking for them to give a significant OBC to the consumer.

 

I'm wondering if those of you who get hundreds of dollars in OBC are paying more for your trip, and we all even out?

[dnmc]

We booked our first (upcoming) cruise with an agent at Expedia Cruise Ship Centers and received a $50 OBC. I believe that's for the stateroom and not per person.

[Queen of Oakville]

They are salaried employees (big wholesaler store).

The price for the cabin is the same whether I book direct with the cruise line or book with the travel agency.

 

 

Perhaps, I'm not phrasing my question properly, I'm just really confused by how some agencies/agents can offer such large OBC.

 

So let's say a cruise costs $5,000.00 That is what I pay directly to the cruise line, via the travel agent/agency. The cruise line then remunerates the agency/agent for placing the booking with them. I assume (perhaps I'm wrong) that the OBC which some TAs offer is being funded out of this remuneration.

 

My question really is about the remunerating that the agent/agency gets from the cruise line. I'm shocked that it's high enough for some agents/agencies to turn and offer perks like paying for your gratuities or OBC, and still be left with enough profit to have made their participation worth while.

 

If someone is getting $300 in OBC and I'm not, then presumably, either I'm over-paying for my cruise OR my TA is better compensated by $300.

[grandgeezer]

Perhaps, I'm not phrasing my question properly, I'm just really confused by how some agencies/agents can offer such large OBC.

 

So let's say a cruise costs $5,000.00 That is what I pay directly to the cruise line, via the travel agent/agency. The cruise line then remunerates the agency/agent for placing the booking with them. I assume (perhaps I'm wrong) that the OBC which some TAs offer is being funded out of this remuneration.

 

My question really is about the remunerating that the agent/agency gets from the cruise line. I'm shocked that it's high enough for some agents/agencies to turn and offer perks like paying for your gratuities or OBC, and still be left with enough profit to have made their participation worth while.

 

If someone is getting $300 in OBC and I'm not, then presumably, either I'm over-paying for my cruise OR my TA is better compensated by $300.

 

I think it is volume driven like anything else. If the agency does "X" amount of business with a cruiseline they get a certain percentage commission. If a different agency does ten times the volume of the first agency, their percentage is higher. That's how Walmart and other big chains do it, volume discounts.. You don't think they pay the same as the mom and pop place down the street does, do you? Find a high volume agency who has a "group booking" and the kickback to the consumer can sky rocket.

I've found a couple of thoses. We were on the transatlantic, on the Connie, two years ago, and 20% of the passengers booked through our online travel agent. How do I kow this? They had two agents onboard and they sponsored such things as a slot tournament and wine tasting.

Both agents said they were "very well" compesated for their work, not even counting the two to three free cruises they got to go on a year.

[ghstudio]

The agency that I use does not take commission so that commission is rebated back to the client.

 

They are violating their contract with Celebrity.....if Celebrity finds out, they will no longer be selling RCL/Celebrity cruises.

[Lastdance]

My DH and I have a 14 day cruise that we booked onboard. We received $300 OBC onboard and three upgrades to our cabin. Our TA gave us $375, for a grand total of $675. We love our cabin placement on the hump!;) After final payment and if the price that we paid goes down, we either receive an upgrade or $$$$; however, our cruise was so cheap that there is no way our price will go below what we paid.

[grandgeezer]

My DH and I have a 14 day cruise that we booked onboard. We received $300 OBC onboard and three upgrades to our cabin. Our TA gave us $375, for a grand total of $675. We love our cabin placement on the hump!;) After final payment and if the price that we paid goes down, we either receive an upgrade or $$$$; however, our cruise was so cheap that there is no way our price will go below what we paid.

 

You will not get $$$$ after final payment, if your price goes down. You can get an upgrade IF the price you paid is more than what Celebrity shows for a higher cabin. It is not, if you can find a lower price anywhere, it's what Celebrity shows for a price.

[ghstudio]

You will not get $$$$ after final payment, if your price goes down. You can get an upgrade IF the price you paid is more than what Celebrity shows for a higher cabin. It is not, if you can find a lower price anywhere, it's what Celebrity shows for a price.

 

Unless there has been a recent change in policy, after final payment you can only move to a higher level cabin if the price of that cabin is at least $1 more than you have already paid for your current cabin.

 

Occasionally, Someone at Celebrity doesn't follow their own policy and does allow you to change to a different cabin as long as it is no more than what you have already paid...but that is an agent error.

[Lastdance]

You will not get $$$$ after final payment, if your price goes down. You can get an upgrade IF the price you paid is more than what Celebrity shows for a higher cabin. It is not, if you can find a lower price anywhere, it's what Celebrity shows for a price.

 

There is NO WAY, as I said above that the price can go lower! We are just happy where we are and hope not to get an upgrade. We know that Celebrity does not like to give more OBC than usual. But it is an either or according to my TA, and usually an upgrade...that won't happen in our case. the cabin won't be better!

Edited April 8, 2014 by Lastdance

[sassy12]

OK. Now I'm curious.

 

On RCL we had $150 OBC from our travel agency as well as $250 OBC from our BoA credit card. When we went to Guest Relations late on the last night of our cruise and asked to be reimbursed for the $88.93 we had not used we were told to wait just a second. They checked to see which OBC we had used first. Since the $150 was used first we were reimbursed for the money left over from the $250 OBC. They told us they had to check because they did not refund money for OBC given by TAs - only from the credit card, OBC given by the cruise line themselves, or any credits we had purchased ourselves.

 

I knew this was the policy at that time (two years ago) and have read somewhere on these boards that it is the current policy - at least with RCL.

 

Is Celebrity different? For our upcoming cruise (B2B) we have $1,000 OBC for the second cruise we received as we chose that option from the 123GO promotion. We booked the cruise through a popular TA. So, would we be getting unused money back or not?

[lucinjo]

Sassy12,

If you receive the OBC as part of a Celebrity promotion is is non-refundable. However, if your TA gives you additional OBC it is the equivalent of a gift and should be refundable. You can check with guest relations after the second day of the cruise to find out the type and amount (call OBN and OBR). The good news is that they draw down the OBN, non-refundable) first. If this policy has changed, you can always draw cash (less 5%) at the casino, to zero out your account. To get a refund you probably need to give them a credit card guarantee. I don't think they will refund OBC in cash except through casino.

[grandgeezer]

We almost always, have refundable obc left. It is automatically returned to the credit card you have on file to handle room charges. It's pretty quick too, usually less than a week after you get home.

[Queen of Oakville]

I think it is volume driven like anything else. If the agency does "X" amount of business with a cruiseline they get a certain percentage commission. If a different agency does ten times the volume of the first agency, their percentage is higher. That's how Walmart and other big chains do it, volume discounts.. You don't think they pay the same as the mom and pop place down the street does, do you? Find a high volume agency who has a "group booking" and the kickback to the consumer can sky rocket.

I've found a couple of thoses. We were on the transatlantic, on the Connie, two years ago, and 20% of the passengers booked through our online travel agent. How do I kow this? They had two agents onboard and they sponsored such things as a slot tournament and wine tasting.

Both agents said they were "very well" compesated for their work, not even counting the two to three free cruises they got to go on a year.

 

 

thank you. this makes sense and helps me wrap my head around it.

[Lastdance]

We almost always, have refundable obc left. It is automatically returned to the credit card you have on file to handle room charges. It's pretty quick too, usually less than a week after you get home.

 

I know and isn't it nice to have a credit?;)

[sassy12]

Thank you. That's what I thought would happen although on RCL they gave me $89 cash.

 

We have purposely not booked outside tours for two of our ports so we can use the OBC. I'm quite sure there won't be anything left!!

[Cruise Junky]

I got a quote today for a med cruise. Total cost was around $5,500. It came with $460 OBC from the TA

[teecee60]

Personally, I've never had more than $25 to $50 from the TA. I thin the most I've ever had is $100 or $200 but it was part of the promotion from the cruiseline.

 

 

 

If someone is getting $300 in OBC and I'm not, then presumably, either I'm over-paying for my cruise OR my TA is better compensated by $300.

 

If you are happy with the product and service you have been getting, that's fine.

 

However, if you want a better deal, and better deals ARE indeed out there, then you need to shop around a little. The site mentioned by grandgeezer, that quite often has representatives on Celebrity cruises, is just one of many. That ONE site was responsible for OVER 25% of ALL the bookings on Reflection's transatlantic this past November. THAT is where volume discounting and added perks come from.

 

Regardless of what others post here, there are many online sites that offer prices below those on the Celebrity website, AND throw in OBC, paid gratuities, specialty dinning, etc. I have used these sites for five out of my six Celebrity cruises, ALWAYS paid a lower price, AND got OBC from the site as well, which can be combined with the RCCL shareholder OBC.

 

The ONLY time I ever booked directly with X, I overpaid for the cruise AND lost out on another $100 OBC. Never again.

 

I have never paid more than $799pp for a 14 night cruise with Celebrity, and have never had less than $250 OBC on that low fare.

Edited April 9, 2014 by teecee60

[Queen of Oakville]

Your reply is helpful. Obviously, i want OBC :D

 

Someone above alluded to a BIG BOX travel agent. Saddly, said BIG BOX travel agent does NOT offer travel services in Canada.

 

BUT, I called said BIG BOX travel agent, to inquire if I could purchase travel through them. As long as I have a Canadian membership and a US address, they could sell travel to me.

 

Now, I would not be afforded any of the insurance protection I have through TICO, for whatever that is worth, but for other Canadians who are interested .... as long as you have a US address (rental PO Box is fine) ... they will sell you travel!

 

Good to know for my next cruise.

 

 

If you are happy with the product and service you have been getting, that's fine.

 

However, if you want a better deal, and better deals ARE indeed out there, then you need to shop around a little. The site mentioned by grandgeezer, that quite often has representatives on Celebrity cruises, is just one of many. That ONE site was responsible for OVER 25% of ALL the bookings on Reflection's transatlantic this past November. THAT is where volume discounting and added perks come from.

 

Regardless of what others post here, there are many online sites that offer prices below those on the Celebrity website, AND throw in OBC, paid gratuities, specialty dinning, etc. I have used these sites for five out of my six Celebrity cruises, ALWAYS paid a lower price, AND got OBC from the site as well, which can be combined with the RCCL shareholder OBC.

 

The ONLY time I ever booked directly with X, I overpaid for the cruise AND lost out on another $100 OBC. Never again.

 

I have never paid more than $799pp for a 14 night cruise with Celebrity, and have never had less than $250 OBC on that low fare.

[cruisegirl1]

We get 8-10% of the cruise only fare. This is on top of any celebrity incentive OR stock ownership benefit. We received a good amount for a holy land cruise ( more expensive the cruise , the more the OBC) and also were able to get celebrity's pre paid gratuities and drink package.

 

M

[yayvacation!]

Most recent cruise booking is for 3 cabins on a 7-night Bermuda cruise.

 

RS - $525 OBC; premium bev package (TA upgraded from the 1-2-3 classic)

 

CC- $275 OBC

 

2B - $175 OBC

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[grandgeezer]

Just to flag up, the first set of prices you see don't show if there is a discounted group rate on offer. You need to click all the way through a quote on screen until you get the prices shown for each grade of cabin type and the lowest prices will be shown there .

 

We booked two cruises for this year on a group rate which combined with the agents other offers made it unbeatable.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

I always call them and inquire about group rates. Since I'm retired, and have flixable saved dates, I call them if they have any group rates to ?? and say I can go anytime within say a one or two month date range.

On their home page, there is a icon, just to the right of center, called Weekly Hot Picks. Click on that and it will show you some of the specials and what's offered above and beyond what you would get from the cruiseline.

I have three "go to" online travel agents, and I've booked my last nine cruises through them.

[mcdkaty]

Thanks to everyone who replied-always nice to see what others experiences are. Normally we do not use a travel agent but since we had a group (which got quite a bit smaller when deposits were due) I thought it might be easier to have one person coordinate.

Turns out I did most of the research because hers was neither timely or useful-it was when she sent the invoice and I saw the commission was around $750 a stateroom that I thought maybe we would get something as a thank you. No such luck.

We are happy with the pricing because we reserved early and the fares only went up from there-got the rooms we wanted and the free drink package and free paid gratuities- not all bad-so I guess it is live and learn.

Thanks again for all the replies!

[jagoffee]

Thanks to everyone who replied-always nice to see what others experiences are. Normally we do not use a travel agent but since we had a group (which got quite a bit smaller when deposits were due) I thought it might be easier to have one person coordinate.

Turns out I did most of the research because hers was neither timely or useful-it was when she sent the invoice and I saw the commission was around $750 a stateroom that I thought maybe we would get something as a thank you. No such luck.

We are happy with the pricing because we reserved early and the fares only went up from there-got the rooms we wanted and the free drink package and free paid gratuities- not all bad-so I guess it is live and learn.

Thanks again for all the replies!

Perhaps the free gratuities are from your TA.

Edited April 11, 2014 by jagoffee