Jim

I was reading the posts on the travel agent forum and read one about travel agent fees.<BR><BR>It reminded me of an incident that really aggrevated me. I booked a cruise with a travel agent but cancelled it within the time specified to get my deposit back from the cruise line. The agent demanded that I pay her $200 for her troubles. She stated that she had done the work, and that she was entitled to be paid. Well, maybe, if she had told me about the cancellation fee in advance. I told her that on principle, I would take her to small claims court and complain to the cruise line. After much discussion I got all my money back.<BR><BR>Make sure exactly what hidden fees the agent plans to sock you with before you book. The web brokers are much better. They lay out all their fees in advance in writting.

Theresa

WOW - I have heard cancellation charges of $25 but not $200.<BR><BR>Good for you. I would have been upset also.

Penny

We also charge cancellation fees on packages and cruises. It is determined by the length of time prior to departure. If you booked the cruise and paid deposit, then you basically said in good faith for the amount of work put into booking your vacation that you intended to go. I would have to determine what the circumstances were for your cancelling. <BR><BR>Vendors as well as travel agents are finding that too many "frivolous" booking are being made, that too much space is being held that otherwise could and would more than likely have been sold, had the frivolous booker" not acted in "bad faith". <BR><BR>Ok, I'm ready for the flaming that is surely to follow.

Jim

I understand what you are saying. You did the work, you should be paid. I don't disagree. However, I think you should tell the client, in writing, exactly what you will charge as a cancellation fee before the client books. Otherwise, I don't think the client is obligated in any way to pay you. This is especially true if you look at the wording of cruise lines. They say that you get a 100% refund if you cancel within a certain time period. They don't say that you get a 100% refund less a travel agent's cancellation fee.<BR><BR>We booked a cruise for this summer with Crystal and we can back out without any penalty within 75 days of booking. Obviously, I'm not going to the trouble of booking this trip and putting down a sizable deposit unless I'm reasonably sure that I'm going to go. But it's a comfort to know that I can cancel without any penalty within this time frame. I also made sure that the agent, in my case a web broker, would not charge a cancellation fee.<BR><BR>I'm really not sure what your point is. Charge your fee, but there are plenty of people out there that don't charge.<BR>

Paul Therault

<BR>Gee Penny, I hope you notify the client in writing in advance of booking or else you have a serious liability problem. It is called non-disclosure.<BR><BR>I know quite a few travel agents are charging a fee for services of about $25 but I never heard of one charging $200. This TA will not be in business for much longer. She belongs in a cuckoo's nest.<BR><BR>Paul

Vic

I don't know about $25 or $200, but it's an idiot that charges chump change like $25. When the customer is about to sign on the dotted line, he is filled with trepedation. What if I have to cancel, can I get my money back? Theatening someone with a cancellation fee, especially one with little economic consequence to the agent, is not going to help ease his fears.

Vic

You guys must put a very low value on your time if you're willing to settle for a cancellation fee of 25 bucks. I bet it takes an average of at least a half a day or more to sell a cruise. By that recogning, you make a maximum of 5 bucks an hour. No wonder you have to work in your garage.

Joyce

Vic,<BR>It is usually $25 per person. If cancelled within Cruiselines Cancellation Period you also get 10% of their fee.<BR>If you know what you are doing, you can sell a cruise of tour package as quickly and sometimes more quickly than an Airline Ticket.<BR>Yes, that is why many of us now work at home. Except for Brochure racks and Chairs for Clients, I have the same equipment I had in my Storefront.<BR>High Speed Internet Computer, Fax, Phonelines, Copier, Laser Printer. I also have a small back up computer.<BR>Being able to assist clients 9a-11p is also a plus.

Vic

I guess my question is: "Why not find a source that doesn't charge a cancellation fee. There are plenty.<BR><BR>And why use a travel agent like you that doesn't rebate part of their commission?

Joyce

I forgot a Point. If I have a Relationship with the Client and he has had an emergancy and I feel certain he will be calling for Future Trips, I often waive the Fee. If they cancel constantly, then a Fee is charged.<BR>Thanks for the tip, I will put cancellation information on every email or invoice in the future.<BR>

vic

But why not rebate your commission? I do... er, I mean... some places do.

Theresa

I have used 3 different travel agents to book cruises and in each case, I ask about a cancellation fee. None of the 3 would charge one.<BR><BR>I have cancelled 3 cruises and have never been charged a few.<BR><BR>I am glad that non of my TAs have charged this.<BR><BR>

Penny

OK let me clarify here. I can not speak for all agents, just myself. And I do tell my clients that if they cancel our agency will retain any lost commission, and that is in writing. <BR><BR>And whether or not we retain the full commission is dependent upon each and every individual circumstance. I do have to sleep at night, but, I am not willing to work for nothing. <BR><BR>Only one time did I ever charge a full commission to a cancelled booking. This man had booked an elaborate trip to Northn California with me for him and his live=in girlfriend. 4 times a week, for 5 months, he would call and we would change something. I never once charged him a service fee. I felt like I shouldn't since the commission was very good on that package. 2 days prior to departure, he calls me to cancel. <BR><BR>Did someone die I aaked, no was his reply, well is someone gravely ill, once again no. The reason he cancelled???? He got mad at his girlfriend because she bought $200.00 worth of clothes on his credit card he had given her, and wore one of the outfits to dinner with someone else....please.....that is not a valid reason....that was just childish, and I had many, many, many hours invested in that booking. What would you have done???<BR><BR>Most the time cancellations are for illness, death in the family, or a major unexpected crisis. That I understand, and will usually only ask for 1/4 of the commission. Which I feel is still fair, in that all the work has been done. <BR><BR>You don't tell someone who comes and repairs your house that you will pay them, and after the work is done, say, oh well I changed my mind, put it back?? Lame comparision I am sure, but it's the best I can come up with right at the moment.<BR><BR>

Melissa

I think we should start being like lawyers and dentists, we should charge a fee as soon as you walk in the door to ask questions. The fee should be nonrefundable under any circumstance, but can be used on the balance of the trip once booked, but if they cancel they will not get this fee back. Why not? We work hard like anyone else. And why, Vic, should I give any of my commisions to you? I have a friend who works retail in a electronics store, and he said they mark up thier prices by 25 to 50% but people think this is all right, when travel comission is paid to the agent by the tour operator and is only 10 to 15%. There is no mark up at all to the consumer. I think you are very cheap Vic. The next time you go to work, I want you to give someone you don't know 5% of your pay. Sound fair? I didn't think so...(and tax to the gov't doesn't count)

Vic

Hey Penny you say<BR><BR>"And I do tell my clients that if they cancel our agency will retain any lost commission, and that is in writing."<BR><BR>You mean that you tell a customer who buys a $10,000 cruise that if he cancels the next day, he owns you say $2,000. I'd run out of your office as fast as I could. <BR>

Vic

I sell travel on the side. I mean really on the side. I make arrangements for friends and a few referrals.<BR><BR>I work on an hourly basis and rebate whatever commissions I earn. So there is no question about various and sundry fees. I also encourage people to buy their own airline tickets. I really don't want to and can't justify charging a fee to sell published air. I'm often conflicted about add on air. The cruise line will meet their passengers who use add on air but it is often more expensive than published air or consolidator tickets.<BR>

Vic

Many posts ask why I pick on travel agents. Well I never thought of posting here until I retired but there's other reasons. I've been an amateur travel agent for a number of years and some of the misinformation posted by travel agents is monumental.<BR><BR>Travel agents don't like the airlnes because of a trend started in the mid ninties reducing commissions. Airlines now pay a mere 20 bucks to the agents regardless of the number of segments and other problems the agent may encounter. British Airways is paying zero commissions in the UK, and that's the way it looks like it's going here.<BR><BR>The airlines have really declared war on travel agents. The best fares are not commissionable, so they can't even earn their measly 20 bucks. The airlines have pushed agencies into charging fees while the airlines don't are feeless if you book with them.<BR><BR>But this really doesn't excuse the fictional bad behavior of the airlines posted by agents on this forum.<BR><BR>I don't know how it all started, but travel agencies largely based in Southern Florida, by various means based on cleverness and size, offer incredible deals -- first over 800 numbers and now over the net. As I say, I'm an amateur travel agent and sell mostly cruises to friends and referrals. I compare my cost for a cruse and what these guys are offering and sometimes even if I rebate my entire commission the discounters are cheaper. I don't want to exaggerate. Often the discounters sell at list. This is especially true of the prestige lines like Crystal. But Carnival for example must have some special relationship with these discounters because the discounters often offer deals that seem impossible.<BR><BR>Here again, travel agents on this forum bad mouth the discounters. Well, they don't provide kiss my toe service, but they're not hit and run artists either.<BR><BR>When agents were making 10% with no cap on airline tickets, it was the foundation of their business. Now that the airline ticket business has disappeared, they're charging nickle and dime fees for all manner of things. I guess it's the only answer for them, but don't be surprised if the customer figures way around these fees.<BR><BR>Fodor is a great place for information. This is my contribution.<BR>

Greg

Vic:<BR> Your the only one replying to this thread now. Stop talking to yourself!

Barbara

Hi Vic,<BR><BR>I didn't know you were a travel agent. What about Outside Sales Support Network, OSSN. It looks cheaper and with the same benefits of CLIA. Have you looked at it?

Penny

Vic,<BR><BR>Please re-read my post. I said, it depends on when and the circumstance and the amount of time invested in a "good faith" sell of the package. I did not say, unequivocably that I charged the entire commission. ONLY ONCE....but of course you have jumped right on that little tidbit, as per your usual. <BR><BR>Unlike yourself Vic, I do this as a full time job. And while you are probably fair at seeking out good deals, you by your confession avoid the a/l ticket ent of it, I do not. I issue a/l tickets everyday of the week, published fares from my CRS, and as an affiliate of ARC, I am approved by every airline that participates with ARC to be an issuee of said tickets. And I know the rules inside and out, and if I don't I am very skilled at securing that info in a matter of minutes. And the policy's of these airlines with regards to cancellations and penalties. <BR><BR>I'm still not sure why you insist that we are telling half-truths here. It is not us, but, yourself, perhaps innocently via your own limited knowledge on these issues. I and many other agents here have not said anything untruthful that I have read much less written. <BR><BR>But unfortunately for us it is the very thing your doing, "playing at being a TA" that is helping to undermine our image, and all the others out there wanting to "play" at our industry. And I feel sorry for those folks that get a hold of you "travel agents in a box", because they are really selling their own self's very short. I can only hope that they would shop around for a true professional agent.<BR><BR>