Commission on Trips

[tvguy]

Many TAs not longer book air travel unless it is part of the package. Airlines do not pay commission to TAs anymore.

Oh I know, airlines haven't paid a commission for over 20 years. However, I would consider this part of the package and if I just booked a $12,000 cruise, I would expect the Travel Agent to do the air fare too. I think my TA did charge a flat $25 for booking flights which is also reasonable IMHO.
And it apparently DOES cause problems. This vlogger has done videos, speaking specifically about Princess Cruises. He has warned that he can only "see" the portions of the trip he booked. So even if the passenger books flights through Princess, he won't see that if he didn't book it. And if the passenger doesn't pay for the flights, or under pays, their entire cruise will be canceled. Not only does that seem to be a bad business practice for the TA, but they did all the work on the cruise and won't get a penny since it was canceled. I would think the 10 minutes spent booking flights would be a wise choice to protect their commission.

 

[declansdad]

Oh I know, airlines haven't paid a commission for over 20 years. However, I would consider this part of the package and if I just booked a $12,000 cruise, I would expect the Travel Agent to do the air fare too. I think my TA did charge a flat $25 for booking flights which is also reasonable IMHO.
And it apparently DOES cause problems. This vlogger has done videos, speaking specifically about Princess Cruises. He has warned that he can only "see" the portions of the trip he booked. So even if the passenger books flights through Princess, he won't see that if he didn't book it. And if the passenger doesn't pay for the flights, or under pays, their entire cruise will be canceled. Not only does that seem to be a bad business practice for the TA, but they did all the work on the cruise and won't get a penny since it was canceled. I would think the 10 minutes spent booking flights would be a wise choice to protect their commission.

Flights are a PITA and if you were only charged $25 you got a very good deal.

 

[Deb]

Many TAs not longer book air travel unless it is part of the package. Airlines do not pay commission to TAs anymore.

I had no idea.

I can confirm travel commissions are paid after the travel takes place. Too much chance for cancelations and changes to pay prior.

I was in the hotel business for 30 years and it always bothered us (as employees) that airline employees were entitled to deep hotel discounts but it did not go both ways. We had no airline discounts.

 

[RedAngie]

Game show winnings generally work similarly.

You generally don't get paid your winnings until the show airs on television or plays on whatever streaming service.

If for some reason the show never airs, you don't get paid.

A friend of my mother was on a short lived game show in the 1970s. She won about $200 in a preliminary round, but the show was canceled before her episode aired and she received no money.

She DID get to keep the sponsor’s parting gifts, either Turtle Wax or Rice-a-Roni or something.