OBC... How much is too much?

[I Fly]

While this may sound like a silly question, but how much OBC is too much? I've been shopping around looking to transfer my cruise booking, which I made on a previous cruise to an travel agency before my final payment is due. I found an agent that will give me 10% of my cruise fare as an on board credit. Should I be concerned? How can an agent afford 10%? I would appreciate any help anyone can offer. Should I transfer my booking to this agent?

[Richiebaseball]

While this may sound like a silly question, but how much OBC is too much? I've been shopping around looking to transfer my cruise booking, which I made on a previous cruise to an travel agency before my final payment is due. I found an agent that will give me 10% of my cruise fare as an on board credit. Should I be concerned? How can an agent afford 10%? I would appreciate any help anyone can offer. Should I transfer my booking to this agent?

 

As long as you have it in writing and feel comfortable with the agency then go ahead and transfer it. As for can he afford it? If that's what his business model is built from then he either can or he can't and he'll go out of business. If he goes out of business chances are pretty good it won't happen before your cruise.

[eandj]

The agent could be using a huge discounter/broker to book your cruise. Not uncommon. They hold rooms in bulk and can offer much better OBC's than a small TA. Nothing to fear as long as you have the quote, including all fees, taxes, surcharges etc. in writing.

[CathyK2]

I've been crusing all these years and use to be happy with my bottle of win but recently started getting OBC. So I guess my question is, how much commission do these agents get on a cruise, percentage wise, to put this in perspective as to what we can hope to get?

 

Cathy

[rosesplus]

We received $750 OBC on a $9K booking, we had 6 agents competing and most of them ended up offering this amount.

[MoreCruisesNow]

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

 

I'd say enjoy the ill-gotten gains - flame on! - while you can. Cruise lines (despite the opinions on this board) are not complete idiots, and this sort of stuff will not continue long.

 

Just remember the 3% service charge for cash in the casino.

 

There really is no such thing as a free lunch.

[seaworthy1]

We have two cruises booked, RCCL 10/26/08 and Celebrity 04/27/09. Both booked directly with the cruise line(on line). Can we shop these to differrent travel agengts? Looking for better a better price, OBC, bottle of wine? How is the deposit handled?

[Jade13]

We received $750 OBC on a $9K booking, we had 6 agents competing and most of them ended up offering this amount.

 

Was this Celebrity? I had always thought they could not do this but have seen "pre-paid" gratuites offered.

[rosesplus]

Was this Celebrity? I had always thought they could not do this but have seen "pre-paid" gratuites offered.

 

This was on Celebrity. T/A's are not allowed to offer cash discounts but the competitive ones offer large OBC's.