Help, please...? on bill, charged for TA commission?? This makes NO sense to me

[PrincessCyann]

Please help me get my mind around this, because I am puzzled, and irritated.

I never booked a trip through AAA until this one. We leave in about 8 days. I paid for my trip in FULL when I booked, but noticed the other day that on my online credit card statement there is another charge for a little over $200. I called the TA and she said that Disney told her that we were somehow $200+ short on the bill so since she had our cc info on file, she approved it. She said she had NO CLUE what it was for. I called Disney, and CRO said they couldn't help since AAA owned the ressie, but forwarded me to another office. The man there was nice, and said it was the TA commission. I told him I thought it was Disney who paid a commission to the TA, not that the client was billed directly for it. He said he couldn't elaborate since it was AAA who booked the reservation, but he would call the TA and have the TA call and explain it to me.

Well, she HASN'T called.

Calling Disney is fruitless, since they say that AAA owns the ressie and sai they'd have the TA call (which like I said she hasn't). Calling AAA is a waste since the TA won't tell us anything (I tried again to see if Disney called her and if she could now explain things, and she won't return my call). I tried calling the main AAA office to speak to the TA's supervisor, but that woman said to call the TA again, since she has the utmost confidence in her agents I am frustrated

I didn't know that after a trip was paid in full that charges for a TA commission were tacked on! I never had this happen when booking through Disney myself. The $200 commission (if that is what it really is) is more than I saved with AAA via the AAA discount. Heck, I'll pay rack and forgo the AAA discount and I'll be ahead

Do you think this is really a commission or just a flook? Who should I call to get it cleared up. If I owe it, fine, I just want to know what it is, and WHY it was tacked on after the bill was paid in full.

I am confused

 

[sanibelover]

Call the credit card company and dispute the charge until you get this taken care of.Sometimes the credit card co has a phone number associated with the charge that they can give you.

I'm sorry you have to deal with this frustration! Good Luck!!

 

[calie_j]

Without having the #'s for what you paid and what it's for it would be hard for any of us to see if this was an honest mistake and she misquoted/charged you the rate before commission then had to add it on or your original payment was correct and she double charged you commission. Alot of people here know what the rates are with AAA and can help with those #'s. I'd be ticked about being charged without an explanation or authorization and would dispute it until it's cleared up.

Calie

 

[Lorix2]

I wouldn't have alot of faith in you're TA if she approved a charge on you're account without you're consent and also to tell you that she "had no idea" what it was for? Unacceptable.

I hope you get this settled quickly and I would dispute the charge too until you knew what was going on.

 

[Gillian]

How long has it been since you talked to Disney? You probably need to give everyone a little time. I know you are leaving soon, and are very frustrated, but it will get worked out!

I tried calling the main AAA office to speak to the TA's supervisor, but that woman said to call the TA again, since she has the utmost confidence in her agents I am frustrated

I wouldn't accept this answer. Call again and be nice, but firm. You'd like answers. You're very unhappy that your agent authorized a new charge without your permission.

In defense of the supervisor, though, taking the time to talk to the employee first and see what is going on is often the fastest way to resolve issues. But she could have said, "I will look into it and make sure you get a call back very soon."

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Get your paperwork out and make sure you've got it in writing, the total your package was and that it was paid in full at time of booking (that's important), leaving a $0 balance due. Then call your agent again, if she doesn't answer leave a message that that she must find out what that charge was for and if she doesn't call you back today you're going to call her manager (again) or that club's manager. Go to the office in person and ask to speak to them. She should not be able to charge your card for something you did not authorize, whether you have a card on file or not, and you should dispute that with your credit card company. She should have found out what the charge was for, called you first, and then you could have decided how to handle it from there.

The commssion comes out of the package price, you are not billed that way and you should never know about it. What happens is that you pay the same (so it doesn't cost you more), Disney gets less actually, and the AAA gets a commission from them. Giving the numbers here might help, people on the boards could probably help you figure out if there's just been some kind of misunderstanding. Commissions are usually remitted to the travel agency after the client travels (because you could always cancel).

However, the TA's own paperwork from Disney probably did have the numbers broken out as package price, her commission, and the total. The TA might have picked up the wrong number and billed you incorrectly in the first place (or the Disney agent could've quoted her incorrectly) - but her/their mistake, AAA should eat it if that's the case. You purchased the package based on the price you were given and if that's what happened the agent is trying to cover herself. I doubt she wants her boss to know if that's the case but AAA is going to have to waive their commission and if that's what happened, don't let her do this to you, it will have to go up to management (tell her you will have the credit card deny the charge). She can't handle this at her level. I used to be a AAA travel agent.

Good luck. Let us know what happens. Doesn't matter when your trip is (except unfortunately you can't cancel and rebook yourself at this point without being in a penalty situation), AAA can still credit your card, or you can still get the credit card company to dispute it for you.

 

[plutolovr]

It could be that TA quoted you the net rate, (without commission) instead of the gross, which is what everyone pays. So Disney would not have received full payment. You are not paying commission, Disney is, but if TA shorted Disney they have a right to collect. Just make sure you know exactly what happened. Ask to see the payment history and invoices.

 

[Joan1]

When are you going, where are you staying, how many people, what are you paying, what type of tickets, how many nights?

Maybe with this info we can help you figure this out

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

but if TA shorted Disney they have a right to collect.

I'm sorry but I totally disagree with this, if you mean the additional money should be collected from the OP. The OP booked and paid in full given the price she was quoted at that time. Had she been quoted $200 more, as she said, she may have made a different decision and not purchased from AAA at all.

It could still be a misunderstanding but it doesn't sound like it. If the TA made a mistake AAA should accept that and they won't get commission on this package, Disney gets the same, the shorted amount comes from AAA. Believe me, stuff like that happens and I've seen AAA management accomodate for it. And yes, the agent will be the one who's got a problem, not the client.

 

[SueEllen]

It sounds like the payment was for the 'net' amount due not the gross.

Was the payment you made originally the total package price quoted? It's possible that the reservation was not indeed paid in full. However, if the TA quoted you the net price and not the gross then you definitely should get with her on this.

You are not charged the commission--Disney pays the TA the commission based on the cost of the package. You just pay the package gross cost (same as anyone not using a TA)

The only way to be certain is to have your confirmation of the total cost of the package, and the total amount you paid. It could have been an honest mistake (but the TA should NOT have charged your credit card without informing you first, mistake or no mistake.)

Sue Ellen

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

The real mistake was in the way the TA handled this, if indeed she quoted you the net, not total, price. She should have been up front with you that a mistake in the total was made and gotten together with you about it so it could be worked out. Now that she's charged you $200 more it's become a bigger thing.

 

[mom_rules]

There is no way I have ever paid separately for commission when I've booked through AAA agent. The price I'm quoted is the price I pay.

There is absolutely no way she should have authorized an additional credit card charge without consulting the client after you were paid in full.

I agree with OP and the reply-Call your credit card company and tell them that you did not authorize that charge and that it's in dispute.

 

[RachelTori]

Definitely put that charge in dispute with your CC company. I would call them immediately, and follow-up in writing. I'm surprised the TA would charge that amount without calling you first. Worse yet, she did it, then didn't even bother to call you and let you know about it. That's inexcusable and I hope you'll send AAA a letter about your experience.

Please let us know what happens.

 

[PrincessCyann]

Thanks. I did call back, I had to leave a message with the agent, and spoke with the supervisor again asking for her to look into it (she said she or the agent would get back to me).

When I booked, here is what I was told was the total package price, and what I paid in full at the time of booking: $2,177.90
for:
*2 adults, 1 child, 5 nights at Pop Century (standard room/regular season, we leave next week)
*2 adult 6 day MYW base tickets
*1 child 6 day MYW base ticket
*dining plan for 2 adults
*dining plan for 1 child
*Magical Express (free)
*3 airline tickets at $238.30 each = $714.90

Does the $2,177.90 seem like a price that didn't include her fee? The total price was only $84-94 less than booking through Disney, so I can't see how I would still owe anything. I am hoping it's just an oversight. Still, it is irritating.

Thanks again.

 

[petchie]

From the website

VACATION PACKAGE

Disney's Pop Century Resort

Arriving on 08/01/05 for 5 nights
2 Adults, 1 Child

Room Type: Standard View Room
Park Ticket: 6-Day Magic Your Way Base Ticket
Package Type: Magic Your Way Package with Dining

$1,557.00†

so add $1557 and the air of $714.90 = $2271.9

Commission on the package should be in the $150 range (package price minus tax)


so it sounds like she charged you the price before comission?

Who charged the credit card AAA or Disney?

Our AAA charges a booking fee for air tickets as well.

 

[planning06]

Thanks. I did call back, I had to leave a message with the agent, and spoke with the supervisor again asking for her to look into it (she said she or the agent would get back to me).

When I booked, here is what I was told was the total package price, and what I paid in full at the time of booking: $2,177.90
for:
*2 adults, 1 child, 5 nights at Pop Century (standard room/regular season, we leave next week)
*2 adult 6 day MYW base tickets
*1 child 6 day MYW base ticket
*dining plan for 2 adults
*dining plan for 1 child
*Magical Express (free)
*3 airline tickets at $238.30 each = $714.90

Does the $2,177.90 seem like a price that didn't include her fee? The total price was only $84-94 less than booking through Disney, so I can't see how I would still owe anything. I am hoping it's just an oversight. Still, it is irritating.

Thanks again.

This is what I get

5 nights POP (Regular Season) = 99 x 5 x 0.85 x 1.115 = 469.14
6 day tx 2 adult, 1 child = 2*208.74+167.21 = 584.69
dinning 2 adult, 1 child = (2*34.99+9.99)*5*1.065=425.84
air=714.90
total = 2194.57

Very close to your quote. The difference is that the AAA MYW base tickets were probably slightly discounted. Your room savings would have been a little over $82.

It looks like you were quoted the correct amount. I have no idea why you got charged another $200 unless the full amount was not paid originally.

 

[Brian Noble]

I can't see paying this $200, because it looks like your original quote was the correct price for this package.

I would call AAA back, and tell them you expect this resolved by the close of business tomorrow (Friday), after which you will put the $200 in dispute with your credit card company. A *specific* deadline often gets the ball rolling.

 

[tone.def]

What were you quoted and what did you pay? Is there a difference? Is the $200 the difference? Do you have the original quote or was what you posted the original quote? If so, it's the same at the AAA website and $200 is an unacceptable charge for your reservation. Is it possible to go the office instead of call? Maybe face to face interaction might result in a more satisfactory result for you.

I agree with above posters that you should set a deadline to when this needs to be resolved or you will dispute the charges with your CC company. Put a little pressure on.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

If the TA did indeed quote net rather than gross, paying net is still "paid in full" as far as Disney is concerned (see invoice below). As long as net is paid they will send the documents (for packages, obviously this won't work for room only where you pay at check in). If you pay net + $20, then Disney sends a $20 commission. If you pay gross then Disney sends the full commission. If it were me, or someone who worked for me, and it was our mistake because we quoted you net rather than gross then we'd have to forego the commission on your trip. No matter what happened, she was wrong to authorize additional charges w/o your consent.

This is a portion of the invoice we received from a pacakage earlier this year (with all info identifying client, resort, dates etc. blacked out). You can see it gives total, minus deposit, minus commission, equals net amount due. The CONFIRMATION for this client showed the gross or full amount due. If the TA looked at the invoice rather than the confirmation and just looked at the bottom line that said "due by XX/XX/XX" then she quoted you net. Disney wouldn't have come looking for that extra though, they'd have assumed that either the TA elected to discount her commission (like, maybe the client was her sister so she booked and didn't take a commission etc.) or that you paid with a check made out to the agency, they kept the comission and paid Disney w/ an agency card.

I hope you are able to get it worked out!

 

[Juligan]

The thing that would make me the most angry would be her authorizing the charge on YOUR card. I do believe that is illegal. I'd sure be talking to a supervisor. I also think I would set my hiney at her desk and watch her make the call. It's not as easy to pull the wool over someone's eyes when they are sitting right in front of you.