Sandals resort.. Travel agency, or no?

*supposedly* the agent can get you access to deals that are not available to the public, especially for honeymooners.

It will probably be the same price or less but sometimes they can help in other ways. Ours is the same exact price we see online, but we get $150 credit to use in the spa while we are there. She also contacted the manager and is trying to get us a really good room. We picked a certain level of room, but she said that some of the rooms in that level are in a better location than others and/or have a better view than others. She knows the people there so if it's available she can get us a specific room she knows is good.

It will help if you are going to have guest attend. Helping guest coordinate their rooms, answering all questions about additional costs about add ons (without the pressure to buy). You should not have to pay for the TA so make sure you don't do that. Sandals has the same rates regardless of you have a TA or not what you see on the website is what you get. But if you have a TA and the rates drop within 60 days before the wedding you are able to get the lower of the rates. Make sure your TA has done several weddings. My TA actually helps alots of brides via facebooks Weddingmooon and has been a Blessing. Hope thus helps.

Also at some international places you have to pay conversion fees since you are paying with a different currency. If you use a travel agent, you don't have to pay this.

FH and I thought it would be better to use a travel agent for our honeymoon and I regret it now. Unless you are computer illiterate I don't think they do much for you. She ended up costing us more than if we had booked online ourselves!

That is just my experience. If you travel very much they might not be of much benefit.

I have been to Sandals 10 times and used a T.A. once. There really is no difference. Sometimes when you go there you can get bumped up if there is availability.

My advice, if you have facebook, some of the resorts have their own pages. Then you may be able to meet some of the staff. I'm not saying the staff will 'Hook you up' but you can get some advice from them!!

Also, a T.A. get's points for booking your trip, helping them get deals on trips. Some T.A.'s are really good though.

I just booked my wedding and honeymoon at Sandals and didn't see a point in going with a travel agent. After researching it just seemed it would make things more confusing. Like someone above mentioned, the only pro I see is that they don't try and 'sell' you on stuff like the Sandals people do.

I think we're going to go ahead and use the agent. I know the price of what I want online, so if they quote me for more than that then I'll know its too high. I guess it can't hurt, and if I get a room upgrade out of it.. then so be it Oh and when I did St. Lucia for our dates, two room levels were sold out, maybe its one of those things where the T.A. could help us get the room we want.

Thanks everyone

I asked this too before booking. I went with an agent so if something happens, they can handle it and not me. We booked through an agent. Our agent also knew more about the reosrt (Sandals too!) and our room catagory options, etc.

After riding, travel in the Carribean is our passion. We have booked via a travel agent, via a resort's website, and online(Cheap Carribean, Orbitz). For something as special as my honeymoon, I would most def book via a "well connected" travel agent that has a good rapport with the resort. This good relationship gives one clout when traveling under their umbrella. The clout gives you free upgrades when you arrive, surprise turn down treats, and things of that sort. Also, the most important thing, as FMS said, if there is any problem, the travel agent is your advocate. This is especially true if you are booking during hurricane season. Last but not least, buy the "Cancel for any reason insurance." You never know what could happen. Consider it protection of our financial investment.

Finally....some agents match online prices.

Good luck booking!

I'm a travel agent and a bride, and I always say it's better to use a travel agent. It's not because I get "perks" or "points". You get personalized service and also if something goes wrong, a travel agent will go to bat for you. You already have so much to deal with in planning your wedding. A travel agent is there to take away the stress of planning a honeymoon. There maybe some agents who do it just for the perks, but I do it because I love making people happy.