Travel Advisor Commissions

Hello TRAVELSAVERS Advisors and welcome to 2023!

As we all know, travel advisor commissions are a big part of success in your business. We know that the travel advisor makes the booking and is credited with the booking via their accreditation number. Per Host Agency Reviews, ‘The commission is paid to the travel agent. For most trips, the vendor pays a commission to the travel advisor after the client has traveled. Generally with cruises the travel advisor is paid their commission after final payment (typically about 60-90 days before the sailing).’

If you book the hotel directly either on the telephone or online using the hotel's booking engine, then it is possible that the commission would typically be paid out by one of the following 3rd Party providers: Onyx Payments or TACS ("Travel Agent Commission Settlement"). These companies are 3rd Party "clearing houses" that on behalf of the hotels, reconcile and pay out commissions to the travel agency. While Onyx and TACS handle the majority of commission payouts, there are other options to receive commissions as well including direct payment from vendors.

If the commission is taking a long time to be paid, please try to call either Onyx or TACs depending on the hotel brand to see if you have been paid the commissions. At the time of writing this article, I have found two links that show what partners Onyx and TACs work with. 

Onyx: https://www.onyxcentersource.com/who-we-work-with/; telephone:  718-873-9070 x4

TACS: https://us.nttdata.com/en/industries/travel-and-hospitality/tacs; telephone:  (703) 480-6916 option 3

Note that sometimes the booking is either a non-commissionable rate or was cancelled and therefore no commission would be paid out. It is also a good thing before checking on commission payment not received that these two situations are ruled out beforehand.

For TSA Hotel Program rates and bookings, I can also assist you. Please contact me and include how the hotel booking was made, and send all pertinent details to speed up further processing if necessary:

Provide IATA #: XXXXXXXX (or TRUE, CLIA, ARC, etc.)
First & Last Name of Guest
Arrival Date
Room Rate
Confirmation #
Complete Name & Address of Hotel 

As a last tidbit, please find this infographic regarding ‘Travel Advisor Commissions, Explained’, courtesy of Host Agency Reviews: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-commissions

Quick Reminder: You can access our TRAVELSAVERS Preferred Hotel Program rates by using the TSA preferred rate code or TS8 deals rate code in your preferred GDS. The TSA rate ensures the least restricted, preferred rates in the GDS, as well as last room availability, guaranteed commission, added amenities and other great benefits. The TS8 deals rate offers restricted rates such as pre-paid rates, minimum room nights required, and unique TRAVELSAVERS promotions while still guaranteeing commission. Find more information on the TRAVELSAVERS Preferred Hotel Program, including booking formats, on the Agent Extranet (US, Canada or NEST), under Hotel Programs – TRAVELSAVERS Preferred Hotel Program.

Sincerely,
Jeff

Jeff Kerzman, Manager – Agency Network
Telephone: +1.303.876.4142
Email: jkerzman@travelsavers.com