Knowledgebase: Travel Agents
Travel Agent Commissions - Why Am I Billed for Reservations I Have Already Paid Commissions on to BookingCenter?
Posted by Jeff Tweddale on 22 Sep 2009 09:33 AM

Travel Agent Commissions - Why Am I Billed for Reservations I Have Already Paid Commissions on to BookingCenter?



When you sign up to be distributed via the Global Distribution Systems (GDS), which are used by travel agents, you also accept a commissionable liability (this is required to be active on the GDS). Therefore, when a Travel Agent (TA) or an Online Travel Agent (OTA) makes a booking via a GDS system using an IATA number, those travel agents or OTAs have the right to invoice you directly for an additional 10% commission.  Please note that this commission is not covered under the fees you pay directly to BookingCenter.

Just as the fees owed to BookingCenter cover only the ACTUAL stayed booking, travel agent commission can only be 10% of the ACTUAL stayed booking cost, not what was booked.  If you have adjustments to make, please contact the TA or OTA directly.  BookingCenter does not do that on your behalf.  

If a Travel Agent is sending you business, it is a good idea to make contact with them and have them book follow up bookings direct with you, avoiding any additional fees.   This can be managed in your system through corporate rates.  This is a great idea when cross-promoting businesses and making a new partner.

Once again, if a Travel Agent who booked via the GDS did send you an invoice, it is only payable for actual stayed revenue. If the Guest did not show, or cancelled, there is no commission owed.

For a more detailed discussion on the role of travel agents and commissions, refer to our Network FAQ available for download at: http://files.bookingcenter.com/Network_FAQ.pdf

 

(1 vote(s))
Helpful
Not helpful