When going into a travel agents, can you ask for discounts?

Question

Going to be booking a holiday this weeked probably to the caribean, just wondering if I could be a little cheeky whilst in the travel agents by asking for a discount.

I will be paying in full there and then.

Answer 1

Most travel agencies do offer it, but don't volunteer to say it. Such offers can be for military personnel, state or federal employees or if you have a AAA card. Asking for discounts is to save money for more important things, like souvenirs and entrance to theme parks, etc. So, don't be afraid to ask. If they give you a hard time, then look for another agency. There are plenty out there that want your business.



You may want to consider looking at online booking. Sometimes, they tend be less than the travel agents. JetBlue is also a recommendation.

Answer 2

Of course! in fact the cheekier you are the higher the discount. Shop around and trade one travel agent off against the other if you have the time. An expensive and dare I say (jealously!) fantastic trip like this would be well worth spending an extra half an hour upon. I did this last year on a simple holiday, walking between 3 well-known high street travel agents and managed to get an extra £50 a relatively cheap holiday. You should expect to get discounts these days, it seems that the prices in the brochures are for the dummys of the World to pay. If they do price-match, 'bend' the truth a little (oooohhhh!) about the last price you got and GET IT IN WRITING even if it is hand written (a name of the person is essential) - have fun with it and enjoy the savings. Max

Answer 3

Travel agents always take a cut of your money so if I were you I would look at the holidays on teletext and you will save a fortune. Look on channel 3 and key 210 on your teletext button. All the holidays will come up. You wouldn't believe the prices. I have booked through teletext for the last 6 years. In 2001 I went on a 2 week full board cruise with a friend up the River Amazon and to some caribbean islands. It cost £550 each for two weeks. I don't think we will find a bargain like that again.

Answer 4

I'm not really sure if you can wheel and deal with a travel agent or not. Good question.

You can book your vacation through the Internet and do a lot of wheeling and dealing. Go through sites like expedia, orbitz, priceline, and quite a few other sites. Sometimes they have last minute deals and you could save quite a bit if your dates or destination is flexible. I suggest looking around on the Internet first...then perhaps give your travel agent an opportunity to beat the deal you found. Could be a great way to get a better discount.

Competition is always a motivate for any person in Sales.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Ask for a discount EVERYWHERE!



The worst that can happen is that they will laugh and say no!



The best? A reasonable discount.

Try watching 'Don't Get Done, Get Dom!'



Its a show that shows people being coached on how to get a discount and then actually getting one!

I've used the tips from the show quite a few times and have scored a good saving!

Answer 6

Absolutely - in fact tell them if they don't offer a discount then you will shop around more - actually you should shop around loads before you book anything. Remember travel agents make their money in commissions, so they definitely have scope to offer discounts by reducing their commission. However you need to give them a reason why they should give you a discount - repeat business, introduce others etc.

Answer 7

You can ask for the best price they can find on a Caribbean deal and they'll do just that, but don't expect them to fork over any money they'll be making on the deal. That's their job. That's their money. That's what they work hard for you.



I'd suggest buying it online yourself like I do, then you won't have to pay for a travel agent's fee. Plus, you get to see all the deals out there and you can search for yourself since you know what you really want anyway. I can usually find something with iBtraveling.com. Try that site and may be you'll find something too, or atleast you'll know what prices will be for something so you can print out the ad and bring it to your agent.



Wish you luck!

Answer 8

When I actually used travel agents before doing all my vacation booking online, I searched the papers for the best deals out there to decide on an agent. Then I found one I really liked and she always made sure to find the best deal possible for me.

Answer 9

Do yourself a favor and save some money. I use to use Travel Agents to avoid the headache of having to do it myself. My Fiancee and I enjoy Taking Cruises. Go to Ecruises.com and hit the 90 day ticker, you can get some great deals on last minutes Cruises. You can shop around for great deals on Air Flights also. Its really not that hard anymore, with a Computer at our fingertips.

Answer 10

holiday packages and airline tickets are mandatory for a normal discount to the agents as 10 percentage for holidays and 7 percentage IATA commission for tickets.usually travel agents used to split their commission with customers retaining 2 or 3 percentage as their profits.they may get extra incentives for the volume of sales and you can demand for a minimum discount of 5 percentage atleast with the tickets and 7 percentage for packages. some travel agents are shrewd enough to keep mum with their customers offering nothing unless they ask for it.you have to ask for a discount for any type of purchase and it is your right to demand a better price.they used to fix the prices including the profit share of the whole salers and retailers and don't feel hesitate to ask your genuine share of discount.

Answer 11

I always try and get a discount, however, with places like travel agents, the person on the desk is unlikely to have any authority to arrange such.

Answer 12

You can ask for a discount anywhere... I don't remember the name, but there was a TV programme I saw once where they asked for discounts in all sorts of high street stores where people would never usually think of asking for that kind of thing. The salespeople usually had to contact a manager, but in many cases they managed to get decent discounts.



It may not work for you but it can't hurt to ask, so go for it.

Answer 13

maximum brokers artwork on commision whether some artwork on gross sales. precise volume of commision an agent gets relies upon on many components alongside with: form of return and forth: For air return and forth many brokers get no longer something, for equipment deals or cruises brokers could recieve greater. organization sales quantity: An organization that does an substantial volume of business enterprise with a corporation gets a greater physically powerful commision than one which does not do quite some business enterprise with a corporation. The corporation return and forth is offered From: some providers by skill of greater advantageous commissions than others. corporation coverage: some return and forth providers enable brokers to low-priced return and forth by skill of taking a decrease or "rebating" a element of their commision to clientele - different providers expressly restrict this and violators could be prohibited from advertising a providers product together as clientele could be billed for the version. gazing the holiday and the organization you're handling there is a few wiggle room - yet odds are there should not be lots. the terrific you will frequently get is cost matching between sites/companies.

Answer 14

most definately do some research on the internet on prices of the area you are going to then when in the travel agents let them know you have had better quotes elsewhere they will probably ask for proof , show them your results and they will definately match if not better them but stand firm if they don't walk away they will have stopped you by the time you get to the door good luck

Answer 15

if you dont ask you dont get - you have nothing to lose, and if there are deals the agent is the very person to ask.

AND when you get to the airport and check in ask if the next level/ grade up is fully booked, any chance of an upgrade. I have never done it (aint got the cheek!) but a friend of mine does it all the time and almost always gets upgraded if there is space on the plane

Answer 16

yes why not if you dont ask you dont get the best deals are never normally on offer out front anyway coz they want the commission from the higher sellers



Bargain hunt



we have 3 travel agents in our town and i always go between the 3 haggling over the best deal

Answer 17

I always ask for discount! If you book Online, you can't ask, as there is no one to talk to! Online isn't ALWAYS cheapest! My ADVISE is to always SHOP AROUND, AND ASK FOR DISCOUNTS! most times you get them! Just booked a holiday in a Travel agents, saved £150, not bad eigh!

Answer 18

Most travel agents will guarantee to beat any like for like quote. I use travel agents as well as the net for just a little bit of added security (or maybe its just a feelgood factor)

Answer 19

certainly you can ask if any discounts are available. Perhaps your agent will know of discounts you can take advantage of, but if the agent says no, the answer is no.

For you to force the discount issue would be inappropriate.

Answer 20

sure, maybe you can get a discount for paying in full, in cash. But you may need to be flexible with your travel arrangements to be eligible for discounts from the airlines, hotels, etc.... and certain peak times (spring break, Easter holiday) may be a blackout period.

Answer 21

You can ask for a discount anywhere, that is not to say you will get it. Tell a few lies saying you were given a quote cheaper somewhere else - might do the trick.

Answer 22

well, i'm a travel agent, you can ask for discounts concerning the hotel rooms bookings, excursions....but u can not ask for it concerning the airline, because we have a system of booking that gives us a fixed rate.

i'm talking abt the travel agency i work for, it can be otrher way in another country(i'm not living in the USA)

bon voyage!

Answer 23

ALWAYS ask what you get for cash...and NEVER EVER pay for anything if they refuse. Go and shop around.



I have to say..I haven't used a travel agent for years. I book everything on line...much cheaper and you can choose your flight times/hotels etc.

Answer 24

You can ask for a discount at any shop any time. You may not get it of course but sometimes you will

Answer 25

You can ask for a discount or haggle in any place at any time. Give it a try, you might be surprised.

Answer 26

Yes they usually have a special pkg that is a huge amount of savings with tips and your agenda all planned and paid for.

Answer 27

In this era of high competition you can ask discount any and every where. You will definitely get it.

Answer 28

Yes, you can.



Check out discounts at http://zirana.com/index.php?mode=discountcoupons

Answer 29

If you got a nice rack you can get a discount for sure

Answer 30

you can always try but why don't you book online? i'm sure you'll get a better deal there

Answer 31

If you do not ask you do not get.So its worth trying & Good Luck

Answer 32

YES! YES!

Answer 33

You can try.

Answer 34

you can ask

Answer 35

give him some *****