Les-Lee is headed out for a tour of the new NCL Epic, so she’s likely to be in a good mood for a while! In the meantime, however, she wants to point out that a few suppliers are offering some great referral programs and agent benefits while a few others, well, not so much. If you want to report something well done by a supplier, a res agent, or rep, we are happy to give them some coverage in TRO’s Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down. If you have a problem with airlines, tour companies, etc. or getting commissions, maybe we can assist. Contact Les-Lee at packagedeals@comcast.net.
 |
THUMBS UP for Viking River Cruises. Port fees will be incorporated into the total fare and will be commissionable. That’s good. Then, they come out with a referral policy paying $100 to new clients if referred by a past passenger. Plus the original passenger will get their own bonus. Still sounding good! One picky note – travel agents are not eligible to make referrals or be referred.
|
|
THUMBS UP for a similar referral program offered by Gate 1. Great way to make new customers, and agents get the commission.
|
 |
THUMBS DOWN for Globus. If your client decides to cancel one day before travel, and has no insurance, your commission is not protected. On a booking over $4000, your commission will be reduced to car fare, $30 or more. But if the client doesn’t cancel, and your client is a no-show, your commission is almost intact.If you sell their insurance, your commission is protected. If the client declines any insurance, all that work for naught!
|
|
This one still under investigation, but THUMBS DOWN for a certain large consolidator, or maybe just for a couple of their employees that don’t give good customer service. Agent booked international tickets for parents with twin babies in lap, plus a third child. Chicken pox did the family in, and Mom, the twins, and the child cancelled. Dad went all by himself. Agent called to cancel the tickets and get a refund on the taxes for the twins who don’t have seats. She was told that it was too complicated for a refund to be processed and she should just tell her client to forget about it… and then the phone agent hung up. Client was left on his own to work it out with the airline!
|
|
THUMBS UP for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and a policy that you won’t find on most ships. Yes, you have your own key card. But it is used to enter your cabin. If you order a drink, go shopping onboard, or whatever, all you are asked is your cabin number. So civil, those British.
|
|
THUMBS DOWN for Pueblo Bonito Hotels. Reported by agent, Lascas Hoey from Doyle Travel Center in Chicopee, MA. She recommended their properties in Cabo Del Sol, and the clients checked out their website. “ Well the hotel offered an upgrade if they booked directly. An upgrade that no wholesaler could match. I lost my commission. Pueblo Bonita just said they would look into it. I gave them my clients info and never heard from them again.”
|
|
THUMBS UP for a mailing, I just received. Something called, cruise documents, complete with luggage tags. Wow! Déjà vu. Thank you NCL EPIC, I’ll board you tomorrow and can’t wait to experience everything listed in the packet. Okay, maybe not all 20 restaurants. More to come next column! |
4 thoughts on “Thumbs Up for Viking and Gate 1!”
Thumbs Down for the Paradisus Punta Cana. I had clients check-in late because the charter arrives late, they went to their room, put down their luggage, put most things in the safe and went to dinner. Upon their return, there was a person in their room, in a property uniform, going through their things. They called security, who arrived but spoke no English, they called the front desk and received little to no help. They provided a description of the person
The person who broke into their room took a watch and the hotel did nothing, not even an apology when they were there.
I e-mailed the manager and got a reply that was absolutely useless.
This client has been to many of the Paradisus resorts and was very disappointed with this one.
How does Fred Olsen ensure that someone isn’t charging their bar bill to your room/name?
Having experienced Fred. Olsen, I found that the staff recognized everyone, called them by name, and service was incredible. I don’t think anyone, intentionally, would give the wrong info.
And if it was done by accident, it would be corrected.
Thumbs down to Viking on their handling of a group of 57 clients unable to get to Europe for their 14 day cruise in April. Other suppliers quickly responded to the situation by rebooking clients. Viking left the clients in limbo for a week and a half, told them to go to their insurance company and only offered a voucher for 50% of what they paid Viking and it was only good for 2010.