Do DCL's "vacations services specialists" earn commission?

[Tinkmom]

When you call Disney Cruise directly and book a cruise do those individuals make commission on the cruise? If so, and I transfer to a TA I assume they lose that commission or it is a different sort of system?

The DCL agent I spoke with was fast, efficent and just wonderful to deal with.

 

[JoiseyMom]

When you call Disney Cruise directly and book a cruise do those individuals make commission on the cruise? If so, and I transfer to a TA I assume they lose that commission or it is a different sort of system?

The DCL agent I spoke with was fast, efficent and just wonderful to deal with.

When you call Disney direct for reservations, you are speaking to hourly non-commissioned employees. When you transfer a ressie, or make one with a TA, Disney technically loses money for the commission they pay to the TA.

 

[kcashner]

If you book directly with a TA, the TA will get a "full" commission. If you book with DCL and then transfer the ressie to a TA, the TA will get a reduced commission (makes sense since DCL did part of the work!). Why this might matter to you--some TAs reduce the OBC or other gift they may provide to reflect the reduced commission.

 

[canadiancruisers]

Does any one know, generally, the amount of the commission we're talking about? For example, on a cruise for $5000. The reason I'm wondering is that I've read somewhere that it is 10% (which makes sense for DCL), but it seems like a small amount for my travel agent who has addressed my questions all along (especially when I've booked many many months before we go rather than a last minute booking).

Really, just curious.

 

[tvguy]

Does any one know, generally, the amount of the commission we're talking about? For example, on a cruise for $5000. The reason I'm wondering is that I've read somewhere that it is 10% (which makes sense for DCL), but it seems like a small amount for my travel agent who has addressed my questions all along (especially when I've booked many many months before we go rather than a last minute booking).

Really, just curious.

$500 is a small amount?

I think 8% is the commission paid.

 

[SplashMountainManiac]

$500 is a small amount?

I think 8% is the commission paid.

Sorry, I can't disclose the commission rate paid, but both of the above figures are incorrect.

 

[VeroBeach]

$500 is a small amount?

I think 8% is the commission paid.

Commission is calculated on pre-tax amount and there are quite a few non-commissionable fare components too.

 

[K8T]

Commission can also vary on how many cruises the TA books and what the TA turnover is.

The larger the TA and the more cruises they book, the larger the commission and therefore the larger the discounts they can offer, as they take this out of their commisison.

Kate

 

[VeroBeach]

Commission can also vary on how many cruises the TA books and what the TA turnover is.

The larger the TA and the more cruises they book, the larger the commission and therefore the larger the discounts they can offer, as they take this out of their commission.

Just to clarify, this is at the agency level, not a specific agent, and its based on the total agency yearly revenue.

 

[Anal Annie]

I think that the TA's OBC also comes out of the TA's portion too. So just say for an example that someone books a $10,000 PC cruise in a verandah stateroom. Let's pretend the commission is 10% (just using round numbers here) and the OBC offered by the TA for this cabin is $500. So the total commission started out at $1,000 but then they give the customer $500 of that for their OBC. That leaves a $500 commission for the agency which is then shared or split with the individual TA. Maybe the TA gets 50% of that amount?! (Just guessing.) Not all that lucrative IMO. I know they don't actually GET their commission until the travel is completed. So if you cancel or move / postpone your date then their commission is postponed until you actually GO. So if you book a $10,000 cruise with a TA 18 months ahead then they're waiting 18 months for their $250 commission and they spend the first 15 months of that hoping you don't postpone it!!

 

[K8T]

Just to clarify, this is at the agency level, not a specific agent, and its based on the total agency yearly revenue.

You are right, I should have made that more clear!!!

Kate

 

[tvguy]

Sorry, I can't disclose the commission rate paid, but both of the above figures are incorrect.

Has to be close because some folks who post here have spent less than $2000 on cruises and gotten a $100 OBC. The Travel Agent surely isn't returning their entire commission to the customer as an OBC.

 

[VeroBeach]

Has to be close because some folks who post here have spent less than $2000 on cruises and gotten a $100 OBC. The Travel Agent surely isn't returning their entire commission to the customer as an OBC.

You would be surprised what some agents will do to get a client.

Also, don't forget, if the agency does a high volume in sales revenue per year, the commission percentage will increase, giving more money to give back to a client.

 

[natale1980]

Has to be close because some folks who post here have spent less than $2000 on cruises and gotten a $100 OBC. The Travel Agent surely isn't returning their entire commission to the customer as an OBC.

Makes me feel bad about using a TA. They don't make much money off my family at all. All of our cruises have been less then $1,500