Transportation Frustration

xunshyne · #1 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 11:40 PM

So I'm having an issue here. It may not be a big deal to some, but it's annoying to me. I'm the type of girl who needs to know what's going on.
My Travel Agent said that she booked my airport transfers through American Express Travel. Sounds good to me. But I just emailed her and wanted to know what TYPE of transfer....bus, car, van? She doesn't know. She said she can't tell, and it just depends on the schedule the day I arrive. Now, shouldn't my TA know this stuff? And I called AET direct and they don't have anyting on me or my fiance.
My point is that I don't want to take a bus. If that's the case, I'll find another ride. It's my Honeymoon after all!
What would you do? Also, has anyone used AmEx Travel?
Thanks!

PlayaWithMe · #2 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xunshyne

So I'm having an issue here. It may not be a big deal to some, but it's annoying to me. I'm the type of girl who needs to know what's going on.
My Travel Agent said that she booked my transfers through American Express Travel. Sounds good to me. But I just emailed her and wanted to know what TYPE of transfer....bus, car, van? She doesn't know. She said she can't tell, and it just depends on the schedulethe day I arrive. Now, shouldn't my TA know this stuff? And I called AET direct and they don't have anyting on me or my fiance.
My point is that I don't want to take a bus. If that's the case, I'll find another ride. It's my Honeymoon after all!
What would you do? Also, has anyone used AmEx Travel?
Thanks!

We have never used Amex Travel but we did take the ADO bus and it was really comfy and had an interesting mix of people and TV's that you could watch.......And for $8 a person a great deal.......Sounds to me like it might be some type of shuttle using one of the many vans that are around the AP.....

xunshyne · #3 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayaWithMe

We have never used Amex Travel but we did take the ADO bus and it was really comfy and had an interesting mix of people and TV's that you could watch.......And for $8 a person a great deal.......Sounds to me like it might be some type of shuttle using one of the many vans that are around the AP.....

My only concern is that, from everything I've read on all the boards, it seems that those who have to take the bus end up having to sit on the bus while it drops of all the people at the hotels before theirs. I don't want a one hour ride to take 3.

redhairgirl1 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 11:51 PM

This shouldn't be a concern. You must be getting nervous!! ya know i love ya girl but c'mon, take the bus for god sakes

Save that private transfer money stuff for your honeymoon

xunshyne · #5 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhairgirl1

This shouldn't be a concern. You must be getting nervous!! ya know i love ya girl but c'mon, take the bus for god sakes

Save that private transfer money stuff for your honeymoon

I know, I know! But the sooner I get to that beach the better! And I REALLY want to test out those beds at the Royal

redhairgirl1 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 11:56 PM

Well then! I don't blame ya! You want things to be perfect, and there is nothing wrong with that!! After all, this is YOUR wedding

PlayaWithMe · #7 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xunshyne

My only concern is that, from everything I've read on all the boards, it seems that those who have to take the bus end up having to sit on the bus while it drops of all the people at the hotels before theirs. I don't want a one hour ride to take 3.

The ADO bus takes you straight to the bus station on 2nd and 5th.....No stops. Where are you guys staying? If you are not staying in Playa around that area a taxi would more then likely be the best......

redhairgirl1 · #8 (**permalink**) 08-17-2008, 11:58 PM

BTW, your travel agent is a dumbass

xunshyne · #9 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlayaWithMe

The ADO bus takes you straight to the bus station on 2nd and 5th.....No stops. Where are you guys staying? If you are not staying in Playa around that area a taxi would more then likely be the best......

Our transfers will take us from the airport to the Royal PDC

xunshyne · #10 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redhairgirl1

BTW, your travel agent is a dumbass

Ya know, I thought the same thing! I basically found my entire honeymoon package on expedia, and asked her to beat the price, otherwise she could forget it. She beat the price and threw in free transportation....mmmmhmmm. Also, we booked our flights in February and she didn't even pick seats out. I just asked her last month and she said that on one of our flights on the way there, we couldn't sit together and I'd just have to ask someone to move. Well F**K that! I'm a take charge kinda gal so I called the airlines and got a super to give me 2 club member seats. Damn Skippy!

PlayaWithMe · #11 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xunshyne

Ya know, I thought the same thing! I basically found my entire honeymoon package on expedia, and asked her to beat the price, otherwise she could forget it. She beat the price and threw in free transportation....mmmmhmmm. Also, we booked our flights in February and she didn't even pick seats out. I just asked her last month and she said that on one of our flights on the way there, we couldn't sit together and I'd just have to ask someone to move. Well F**K that! I'm a take charge kinda gal so I called the airlines and got a super to give me 2 club member seats. Damn Skippy!

Sounds like you would make a great travel agent......

SUNBABY · #12 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 02:17 AM

If you booked an AI with a travel company like Funjet, adventure tours, Apple, etc, they will have a rep meet you when you come out of the airport.

If it is a private transport..look for somebody holding a sign with your name on it. Cars, Vans and busses are not allowed to just drive up and pick you up unless they have an okay with the airport. They do have some vans parked in a spot that a travel rep will bring you too.

Did you book air and hotel as one package? or did your travel agent book air and then booked a hotel separately? Was the transfer booked by the travel agent and costing you extra or was it just included in the whole deal?
From your last post, it sounds like she just booked the whole package, including your transfer. Look at your paperwork/tickets to see if you are booked thru a travel company.

TAPPY · #13 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 08:56 AM

The transfers dont take that long to get to your resort - it wont take 3 hours to get to your resort (which one are you staying at ?)

Even when we stayed at the Bahia - it did not take long - and it does not take long for people to get off the bus - it goes by fast.

I have been going down for years and I have never gotten a bus - just a van to go to the AI.

Libby · #14 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 11:49 AM

xunshyne, Your travel agent doesn't know what type of transfer you'll have because it will depend on how many customers the transfer company (whatever local company Amex contracts out) has coming in at the same time as you. It's luck of the draw. If you're the only ones going south of Cancun, you could have the car/van all to yourselves. Then again, you could be the last stop, and end up spending an extra hour traveling to your resort.

Most likely, you will not be on a bus. The ADO bus that others mentioned is a great reliable way of getting to Playa del Carmen (and the other towns in the Riviera Maya), but your travel agent would not have booked you on that.

I understand your concerns. It's your honeymoon, and you want everything to be perfect. I would ask your travel agent to upgrade you to private transportation. Good luck!

PlayaWithMe2 · #15 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAPPY

The transfers dont take that long to get to your resort - it wont take 3 hours to get to your resort (which one are you staying at ?)

Even when we stayed at the Bahia - it did not take long - and it does not take long for people to get off the bus - it goes by fast.

I have been going down for years and I have never gotten a bus - just a van to go to the AI.

I got the bus (transfer included package deal) once. I stayed at a resort in Xpu Ha and it took FOREVER to get there with many stops along the way. The other two times I stayed at an AI......I had a van......and it didn't take long with only one or two stops before me. Now, it looks like Sarah will be staying at a resort in Playa so she would most likely have a short ride.

PlayaWithMe2 · #16 (**permalink**) 08-18-2008, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Libby

xunshyne, Your travel agent doesn't know what type of transfer you'll have because it will depend on how many customers the transfer company (whatever local company Amex contracts out) has coming in at the same time as you. It's luck of the draw. If you're the only ones going south of Cancun, you could have the car/van all to yourselves. Then again, you could be the last stop, and end up spending an extra hour traveling to your resort.

Most likely, you will not be on a bus. The ADO bus that others mentioned is a great reliable way of getting to Playa del Carmen (and the other towns in the Riviera Maya), but your travel agent would not have booked you on that.

I understand your concerns. It's your honeymoon, and you want everything to be perfect. I would ask your travel agent to upgrade you to private transportation. Good luck!

No doubt.....if I arrived and was escorted to a bus provided transfer.....I'd bypass and head straight to the ADO bus or ask for the upgrade.