Agency Rebate Question

[blue whale]

When we booked the Mariner 72 night South Am cruise for 2012, our agent said that he could not discount a Regent fare. The way he handled discounts was to send a check after passengers returned from the cruise. Since our cruise was long, the part of his commission that he would rebate to us after our return was $3000.

 

We have been home now since March, and our agent is playing games with us, saying that he doesn't have the cash right now to return what he promised.

 

Has this happened to anyone else? Other folks who went on the same cruise and were due rebates tell us that they got theirs almost as soon as they returned home.

 

I will not name the agency, for I know that this is against CC policy. But is a discussion of rebates (after cruise) permissible?

[WesW]

Hi Dorothy, sent u an email..sorry for your TA challenge..r/wes

[rallydave]

Sorry to hear this Dorothy. Have been on or will be on 3 cruises where I was promised rebates. The first two were on Regent and I had a check in hand prior to leaving on the cruise. The third is on a different cruise line and I have made final payment and because of the TA's relationship with this other cruise line, my final payment was made taking into account the rebate promised and I have a paid in full invoice from the cruise line.

 

From what I know about the cost of the round SA cruise, even though the $3000 you were promised is a big chunk of change, your TA was not very generous based on what I know is the Regent commission percentage.

 

If I were you, would write to Mark Conroy and Frank del Rio with copies of the in writing promise for the $3,000 and let them know which agency is failing to meet their obligation. Hope you have it in writing and for everyone else, make sure you get anything like this in writing before you send in any money or give your credit card number to this TA.

 

This TA should be put out of business or at least from selling Regent and Oceania cruises. Should also send copies to your consumer protection people in the state where you TA is. And, you can sue them in small claims court.

 

Good luck and hope you see the money soon.

[JMARINER]

...... your TA was not very generous based on what I know is the Regent commission percentage...

 

 

I agree with Dave, or was that per person? Even then, that seems low.

 

 

J

[nana541]

Rebating is a very hot topic and as I understand I believe Regent is trying to put a stop to the practice all together!

[rallydave]

Rebating is a very hot topic and as I understand I believe Regent is trying to put a stop to the practice all together!

 

While it would appear that way and the new policy applies to Regent as well as Oceania, it isn't quite that simple. What PCH is putting an end to is advertising rebates. There is a link to the actual policy somewhere on CC, can't identify the location at this point and a detailed read of the document will show the exact details of the new policy and how it won't affect any TA's who provide a rebate as long as they don't advertise it. Just looked at the TA that a lot of people on this board book with and the rebate is still shown on the web site.

 

I recently talked to the owner of an extremely large agency that books all types of cruise lines and is a big seller of Regent and Oceania and is on the Regent TA board. He confirmed that the rebates he provides have not changed and that they are in full compliance with the new PCH rules.

 

Yes, there are changes and moving from one TA to another has some new issues but rebates aren't changing as long as they are not being advertised to get people to change who they book with and if you change after 30 days, your new TA will get zero commission.

[RachelG]

Hi Dorothy, hope you and George are well. Sorry about the problems with your TA. $3000 does seem too low unless it is per person. I ink you need a different TA for future trips. Email me if you need a referral as mine is great and you get the rebate before you leave on the trip.

 

 

We really enjoyed traveling with you and George. You are a true lady. I tell everyone I want to be like you when I grow up!

[rallydave]

Hi Dorothy, hope you and George are well. Sorry about the problems with your TA. $3000 does seem too low unless it is per person. I ink you need a different TA for future trips. Email me if you need a referral as mine is great and you get the rebate before you leave on the trip.

 

 

We really enjoyed traveling with you and George. You are a true lady. I tell everyone I want to be like you when I grow up!

 

Rachel G, know you are on board the Explorer without free internet so no need to respond but, for those cruising Regent and other cruise lines, did look at the fares for the same cruise this year and fares start at approx. $38K pp for the lowest category. Know there are several TA's out there who still rebate 10% or more so even reducing the 2013 lowest fare by 10% means Dorothy was supposed to be getting less than 10% if the rebate is per person. I have it on good authority that the Regent commission is 17% so 10% or a little more is not an exorbitant rebate and if for a couple, $3K is a pathetic rebate.

 

Just keep looking out there as there are excellent TA's familiar with Regent and other luxury cruise llines who do provide excellent non-advertised rebates and don't claim lack of cash to pay. Also, waiting to pay after a 72 day cruise is a recipe for disaster allowing the TA spend the money before your cruise ends. Commissions are paid approx 2 weeks prior to departure so no reason for your TA to not send you the check after they get the commission and avoid this issue. Really sounds like this TA is in a really bad cash flow position and would find another immediately.

[WesW]

Dave/Rallydave, continue to see that math is your very strong point +1 (strongly agree).

[fla742]

Rebating is a very hot topic and as I understand I believe Regent is trying to put a stop to the practice all together!

 

This is a very interesting thread. I am having a different situation.

 

I made my original booking directly with Regent. I subsequently found out that the cruise I had chosen was a "special" cruise with all sort of perks if you were part of the group. I inquired about how one became part of this group and was told by my Regent rep she would take care of it. It seems there is a TA handling the group and so my reservation was transferred to them.

 

When I called the agency subsequently.about handling something, I was told "call Regent", which I did and in fact, I have done all the work involved - including pre-cruise tour, air diversion, etc.

 

When I received (in error) an "agent invoice", I realized they were receiving a sizable commission for all the work the I had done with Regent. So, I called the agency asking for some "revenue sharing", which was summarily denied.

 

So, I do all the work and the agency gets the money. It is now too late to try and change agencies, but I know I will not use this agency in the future and I have some more booking that need to be done for this trip and I will do them myself, denying the TA additional revenue that would have made up for their sharing originally.

[blue whale]

Thanks, everyone,

 

This was 3000 for the cabin, not per person. We were in the lowest category stateroom for the full SA.

 

We have another cruise fully paid with the agency. On that they owe us over 2000 for a cruise with a different line..

 

I appreciate all your comments.

 

I have had enough of them. We did business with this agency for many years. I do have documentation of the agreed rebate. I did not realize that the promised rebate was so below average for the industry.

 

Dorothy

[tnr]

Rachel G, know you are on board the Explorer without free internet so no need to respond but, for those cruising Regent and other cruise lines, did look at the fares for the same cruise this year and fares start at approx. $38K pp for the lowest category. Know there are several TA's out there who still rebate 10% or more so even reducing the 2013 lowest fare by 10% means Dorothy was supposed to be getting less than 10% if the rebate is per person. I have it on good authority that the Regent commission is 17% so 10% or a little more is not an exorbitant rebate and if for a couple, $3K is a pathetic rebate.

 

Just keep looking out there as there are excellent TA's familiar with Regent and other luxury cruise llines who do provide excellent non-advertised rebates and don't claim lack of cash to pay. Also, waiting to pay after a 72 day cruise is a recipe for disaster allowing the TA spend the money before your cruise ends. Commissions are paid approx 2 weeks prior to departure so no reason for your TA to not send you the check after they get the commission and avoid this issue. Really sounds like this TA is in a really bad cash flow position and would find another immediately.

 

RallyDave, Is the 17% usually paid on the whole amount of booking? Or does Regent subtract hotel, air, and an amount for included excursions?

[rallydave]

RallyDave, Is the 17% usually paid on the whole amount of booking? Or does Regent subtract hotel, air, and an amount for included excursions?

 

While I don't have the Regent commission payment policy to view, based on the percentages I was promised and what I was actually rebated, I'm pretty sure those costs you described do earn the commission. I do know that taxes do not earn commission so if taxes are separately broken out, they don't earn commission or rebates.

 

Do know if one opts out of hotel or air the rebate goes down. Since excursions can't be opted out and aren't separately defined for price, they are no different than the rest of the cruise and do earn commissions. These items you list are the big money earners for the cruiselines so commissions should and are paid on those items.

 

Hope this helps and no, I'm not a TA or have any special relationship with any TA other than a business relationship to book vacations. And, remember, there are TA's out there who do a lot of business with Luxury Cruise Lines who are not strictly Luxury TA's and can do a good job for you.

[Caroldoll]

board, but it would be helpful for CC'rs to know the names of people who are unethical, just as it would be helpful to know the names of TA's who are ethical. I am sorry this happened to you!

[kvisf]

There's some interesting and useful information in this thread. Here are some additional data points from our experience, using the same TA for our past three Regent cruises. This is an individual in a high-volume agency who does a substantial amount of business with Regent and other luxury and premium lines.

 

For our upcoming cruise (which we booked cruise only in order to use a bunch of miles for the flights and do some independent pre- and post-cruise traveling), we negotiated a combination of rebate (post-cruise, but payment has never been a problem) and OBC that amounted to just over 13% of the full retail cruise fare (by which I mean the price in the Regent brochure/website after all of Regent's advertised 2 for 1 etc etc discounts).

 

If the agency commission is 17%, that suggests they are keeping roughly 4% net, although I imagine there may be a little flexibility in how much the agency pays Regent for OBCs, depending on volume, and we did buy insurance through the agency, which provides them a bit more income (and it was a good product and a fair price).

 

When the credit card bill arrived, I though it was noteworthy that the cruise fare showed a charge directly by Regent, not the agency. Ditto the insurance. This suggests to me that they have to pay Regent for the full fare and receive their commission check later on. It also provides some additional security in that our payment wouldn't get caught up in any agency insolvency (although the post-cruise rebate might). Not a concern in dealing with this particular agency, but it can happen as the OP suggests.

[Cuizer2]

When we booked the Mariner 72 night South Am cruise for 2012, our agent said that he could not discount a Regent fare. The way he handled discounts was to send a check after passengers returned from the cruise. Since our cruise was long, the part of his commission that he would rebate to us after our return was $3000.

 

We have been home now since March, and our agent is playing games with us, saying that he doesn't have the cash right now to return what he promised.

 

Has this happened to anyone else? Other folks who went on the same cruise and were due rebates tell us that they got theirs almost as soon as they returned home.

 

I will not name the agency, for I know that this is against CC policy. But is a discussion of rebates (after cruise) permissible?

 

Perhaps it is time to change agents.

[Travelcat2]

How do I find one of these TAs? If I email you could you let me know who you use?

 

There are corsortiums who specialize in luxury cruising such as Virtuoso and Signatures (we are permitted to name consortiums). Suggest using Google as a search engine to find a TA who specializes in luxury cruising.:)

[blue whale]

Yes, we will handle future bookings differently!!!!

I cannot understand how an agency would treat old and loyal customers to poorly, since old and loyal customers are the life-blood of a company involved in the travel agency.

 

D

[cwn]

There are corsortiums who specialize in luxury cruising such as Virtuoso and Signatures (we are permitted to name consortiums). Suggest using Google as a search engine to find a TA who specializes in luxury cruising.:)

 

OK, TC ...Rallydave, We are looking at another Regent cruise (BtoB) and have talked to three TAs....direct Regent-no OBC, Virtuoso agent same price as Regent plus $1200OBC and Signature (our current agent) $1800pp off (Regent and other TA) cruise price and $1200 OBC direct from TA. We like some OBC to pay for extra cost tours and laundry, so some OBC is OK with us. This sounds like a good deal and is about an 10% savings on what Regent direct is offering.

 

I like our agent and we used them for the full SA cruise and had $3000 OBC plus about $4-5000+ off the cruise price. We took advantage all all the extras offerred for the full cruise so there were no price discounts for not using the hotel/air etc. We did get $1200 in unused OBC back in cash at the enr of the cruise.

 

My question is there a TA(s) out there doing much better for the client? Should I look some more?

[rallydave]

OK, TC ...Rallydave, We are looking at another Regent cruise (BtoB) and have talked to three TAs....direct Regent-no OBC, Virtuoso agent same price as Regent plus $1200OBC and Signature (our current agent) $1800pp off (Regent and other TA) cruise price and $1200 OBC direct from TA. We like some OBC to pay for extra cost tours and laundry, so some OBC is OK with us. This sounds like a good deal and is about a 10% savings on what Regent direct is offering.

 

I like our agent and we used them for the full SA cruise and had $3000 OBC plus about $4-5000+ off the cruise price. We took advantage all all the extras offerred for the full cruise so there were no price discounts for not using the hotel/air etc. We did get $1200 in unused OBC back in cash at the enr of the cruise.

 

My question is there a TA(s) out there doing much better for the client? Should I look some more?

 

Can't be totally sure whether or not mine is better however I can tell you that I prefer total cash back in lieu of any OBC. First choice is a cash discount on the final payment which can't be done with Regent. Next is cash back prior to sailing and lastly cash back prior to sailing plus OBC. Wouldn't take cash back after returning, too risky as previously described.

 

Know the TA I am dealing with provides cash back of a minimum of 10% prior to cruise and for certain cruise lines discount on final payment. This TA is part of Ensemble and you also get any Ensemble benefits if it is an Ensemble cruise which could be OBC's and other things.

 

I am familiar with tc's TA and know that they give 5% cash prior to cruises and used to be 7 1/2% for escorted cruises. The website still says 5% but, for escorted, says call for escorted cruise rebates. Don't believe they are part of any consortium. They do sometimes have better rates and rebates for special cruises in conjunction with Regent.

 

Both TA's are extremely familiar with Regent and other Luxury Cruises. Hope this helps.

[Travelcat2]

OK, TC ...Rallydave, We are looking at another Regent cruise (BtoB) and have talked to three TAs....direct Regent-no OBC, Virtuoso agent same price as Regent plus $1200OBC and Signature (our current agent) $1800pp off (Regent and other TA) cruise price and $1200 OBC direct from TA. We like some OBC to pay for extra cost tours and laundry, so some OBC is OK with us. This sounds like a good deal and is about an 10% savings on what Regent direct is offering.

 

I like our agent and we used them for the full SA cruise and had $3000 OBC plus about $4-5000+ off the cruise price. We took advantage all all the extras offerred for the full cruise so there were no price discounts for not using the hotel/air etc. We did get $1200 in unused OBC back in cash at the enr of the cruise.

 

My question is there a TA(s) out there doing much better for the client? Should I look some more?

 

Great to hear that you're thinking about another cruise. Perhaps we'll be on a cruise together again. Would be nice. In order to get an idea of what you would receive from a TA, please post which cruise you are thinking about since the date and cost of the cruise affects the benefits.

[Linda_and_Bob]

Hi Dorothy,

 

We, too, received a significantly larger rebate for our G cabin and had cashed the check before we boarded in Miami. I wouldn't book with that agent again!

 

Linda

[cwn]

Great to hear that you're thinking about another cruise. Perhaps we'll be on a cruise together again. Would be nice. In order to get an idea of what you would receive from a TA, please post which cruise you are thinking about since the date and cost of the cruise affects the benefits.

 

Hi TC,

 

We are looking at the April - May Voyager, Mumbai to Rome. Taking the BC class up grade and the Taj pre cruise in a G suite...the H isn't open now. We are planning on combining it into another round the world trip. Regent has agreed to an air deviation going westward to India with one stop and flying home from anEuropean city other than Rome...another of their major hubs.

 

The sun and the moon have to align on this as we weren't planning on another big trip for a couple of years.....but the ports were almost perfect for where we wanted to go and the current ATW air with Star All is ~$11,000pp.