Christine4 Posted April 21, 2022 #1 Share Posted April 21, 2022 My travel agent recently raised her fee from $300 to $500 to book a cruise for us. We chose the cruise line, the ship, the itinerary and the date and provided her with this information. Would like to know what is the average travel agent fee? Would we be better going directly through the cruise line? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rcandkc Posted April 21, 2022 #2 Share Posted April 21, 2022 I thought travel agents made their money from commission from the cruise line. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeb_bud Posted April 21, 2022 #3 Share Posted April 21, 2022 (edited) My travel agent pays me in the form of a rebate check with my cruise documents. A TA charging the customer seems backwards to me. Edited April 21, 2022 by jeb_bud Fixed typo 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LvnCruisin Posted April 21, 2022 #4 Share Posted April 21, 2022 There shouldn't be a fee. I'd move the booking. Google for a new TA. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Lew- Posted April 21, 2022 #5 Share Posted April 21, 2022 If your TA is charging you fees it's time to look for a new TA! There are plenty of excellent TAs who charge no fees at all. Ask cruising buddies or shipmates on your next cruise for recommendations. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ2002 Posted April 21, 2022 #6 Share Posted April 21, 2022 Agree with the others... you need a new travel agent. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alidor Posted April 21, 2022 #7 Share Posted April 21, 2022 I AM a travel agent! Although many have started to charge fees, $500 is way too much. Agree you should find another agent,,,, 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallydave Posted April 21, 2022 #8 Share Posted April 21, 2022 35 minutes ago, Christine4 said: Would like to know what is the average travel agent fee? The average travel agent fee to book a cruise is and should be ZERO Don't know of any cruise lines who don't pay TA's commissions and some in double figures. A better question might be what is the average percentage rebate for booking a cruise Many many TA's rebate part of their commissions for booking cruises. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pcardad Posted April 21, 2022 #9 Share Posted April 21, 2022 I would have absolutely no issue paying a fee on top of commission if the service was 24/7 and exceptional. I've tried the the kickback companies and have found them lacking (in many ways) for my needs and the needs of my clients...your mileage may differ. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiseluv Posted April 21, 2022 #10 Share Posted April 21, 2022 1 hour ago, Christine4 said: My travel agent recently raised her fee from $300 to $500 to book a cruise for us. We chose the cruise line, the ship, the itinerary and the date and provided her with this information. Would like to know what is the average travel agent fee? Would we be better going directly through the cruise line? Thank you. I have never heard of anyone paying a fee to have a travel agent book a cruise, so I''ll say the average fee is ZERO. Yes, you would do better to book direct, and even better if you use a travel agent that rebates you part of their commission. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macnoir Posted April 21, 2022 #11 Share Posted April 21, 2022 I understand asking for travel agent recommendations is not allowed on this board. So, how would I go about finding a great agent that specializes in Regent? We don’t have many cruisers among our friends and googling is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Without violating any cruisecritic rules, does anyone have any methods that could help? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pcardad Posted April 21, 2022 #12 Share Posted April 21, 2022 30 minutes ago, macnoir said: I understand asking for travel agent recommendations is not allowed on this board. So, how would I go about finding a great agent that specializes in Regent? We don’t have many cruisers among our friends and googling is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Without violating any cruisecritic rules, does anyone have any methods that could help? Thanks! I would ask friends anyway...just because they don't cruise doesn't mean they don't know a TA who sells them. I would never trust an unknown source...probably part of the reason why they don't allow solicitation here. Find a TA who has BOUGHT THEIR OWN CRUISES and not just gone on TA vacations. For Regent, I would suggest a TA with at least 200 nights (Platinum) SSS level....if they have the experience AND they spend their own money, they will probably have a good idea what they are talking about. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunprince Posted April 22, 2022 #13 Share Posted April 22, 2022 Late last year, when in the process of discussing a cruise booking, our long time agent who provides stellar service….informed us that they were now charging a nominal booking fee. Because they had spent so much time, and made nothing, dealing with cancellations, refunds, new bookings, then new cancellations etc during Covid. I understood the problem and sympathized, But then, when we were ready to book (and pay the nominal fee), they informed us that they would not book the cruise for us. At first I thought they (and I using “they” instead of he or she) was trying to protect us from a Covid cruise….but as I listened I realized “they” were tired of bookings that were cancelled and then they had to deal with fcc, refunds etc and then make no commission. Too much work for them for nothing. Long story shot…we changed agents. Lovely person, great service….but when you are more concerned about yourself then me….I will more on to a new TA. Sounds like other TAs are feeling the same. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pcardad Posted April 22, 2022 #14 Share Posted April 22, 2022 39 minutes ago, Sunprince said: Late last year, when in the process of discussing a cruise booking, our long time agent who provides stellar service….informed us that they were now charging a nominal booking fee. Because they had spent so much time, and made nothing, dealing with cancellations, refunds, new bookings, then new cancellations etc during Covid. I understood the problem and sympathized, But then, when we were ready to book (and pay the nominal fee), they informed us that they would not book the cruise for us. At first I thought they (and I using “they” instead of he or she) was trying to protect us from a Covid cruise….but as I listened I realized “they” were tired of bookings that were cancelled and then they had to deal with fcc, refunds etc and then make no commission. Too much work for them for nothing. Long story shot…we changed agents. Lovely person, great service….but when you are more concerned about yourself then me….I will more on to a new TA. Sounds like other TAs are feeling the same. I had a client I rebooked 17 cruises for....it wasn't fun. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kwaj girl Posted April 22, 2022 #15 Share Posted April 22, 2022 11 hours ago, rallydave said: The average travel agent fee to book a cruise is and should be ZERO Don't know of any cruise lines who don't pay TA's commissions and some in double figures. A better question might be what is the average percentage rebate for booking a cruise Many many TA's rebate part of their commissions for booking cruises. Why SHOULD they rebate? 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lincslady Posted April 22, 2022 #16 Share Posted April 22, 2022 In the UK we have, many of us, been used to a TA who did knock about 10% off the cruise price. Not having booked anything for ages, this may well have changed. I can imagine their frustration (as well as their customers) with the recent problems. Hopefully things will go back to normal in time. Our TAs here have had to compete for business, hence the various incentives for booking with them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fdnycruiser Posted April 22, 2022 #17 Share Posted April 22, 2022 I never paid my TA, and never heard of that. Instead, I get perks like a rebate, free insurance, OBC. Try finding a high volume TA. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Lew- Posted April 22, 2022 #18 Share Posted April 22, 2022 8 hours ago, Kwaj girl said: Why SHOULD they rebate? You'll need to ask the first TA who offered a discount or rebate. Other TAs had to follow to be competitive. Now, with big box stores selling travel and the advent of discount travel agencies, the cat is out of the bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallydave Posted April 22, 2022 #19 Share Posted April 22, 2022 8 hours ago, Kwaj girl said: Why SHOULD they rebate? 🤔 To increase number of customers increase sales and ultimately increase profits 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LewiLewi Posted April 22, 2022 #20 Share Posted April 22, 2022 Our TA recently started to charge a nominal fee, $50. to book a cruise. After the cruising fiasco of the past two years, with cancellations, etc. I can understand this. She is excellent, and well worth it. Also, she does rebate part of her commission after each cruise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare wishIweretravelling Posted April 22, 2022 #21 Share Posted April 22, 2022 20 hours ago, macnoir said: I understand asking for travel agent recommendations is not allowed on this board. So, how would I go about finding a great agent that specializes in Regent? We don’t have many cruisers among our friends and googling is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Without violating any cruisecritic rules, does anyone have any methods that could help? Thanks! This CC article offers some hints in that regard: https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2666 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChucktownSteve Posted April 22, 2022 #22 Share Posted April 22, 2022 Our TA gives us a 10% rebate. If you're prospecting for a new TA, make sure you ask if they charge a cancellation fee. If they do, move on to one who doesn't. You can make a new TA compete for your business by seeing which one will either give you the most OBC or rebate. Also make sure the OBC is totally refundable and not an undisclosed promotion from the cruise line which is non refundable. If refundable, you can go to guest services on the final day and they'll peel the cash out to you. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pcardad Posted April 22, 2022 #23 Share Posted April 22, 2022 Also keep in mind that not everyone is motivated by money. Some clients want the best possible service. In others areas of business, you see this with the MDVIP program where your doctor only accepts a limited number of patients and is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. The same situation exists in travel and some people are willing to pay more for more service or better access or a wider range of services provided. If you shop solely based on price you may not always find what you want. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gpilon Posted April 22, 2022 #24 Share Posted April 22, 2022 47 minutes ago, Pcardad said: Also keep in mind that not everyone is motivated by money. Some clients want the best possible service. In others areas of business, you see this with the MDVIP program where your doctor only accepts a limited number of patients and is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. The same situation exists in travel and some people are willing to pay more for more service or better access or a wider range of services provided. If you shop solely based on price you may not always find what you want. Agreed. From an MDVIP patient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edgee Posted April 22, 2022 #25 Share Posted April 22, 2022 9 minutes ago, Gpilon said: Agreed. From an MDVIP patient. I am an MDVIP patient. I am happy to pay for my doctor's incredible personalized service. In my case, no need to pay extra for a great TA, however. For cruising, I have a TA who gives great service, rebates between 9 and 11 percent of the fare and often offers other benefits. If I can get great service PLUS additional value, there is no need to use a TA who charges fees or does not offer additional benefits. YMMV 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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