Cutting Commissions

Thanks for your article on the reduction in travel agency commissions by airlines (“Agents Find Not-So-Friendly Skies,” Travel Insider, Oct. 5). It certainly does appear the airlines are doing everything in their power to circumvent the agency community, especially at a time when their profits are tremendous.

I always try to emphasize to my clients: Call one airline and you get only that airline’s schedule and fares, but call your travel agent and receive an unbiased approach on all the airlines serving the route you’re requesting.

When Delta first cut commissions in 1995, my agency did begin charging additionally for items when our costs were not covered. Now, with another cut, even my agents who were a little timid are seeing that the only way to cover their time and effort is to add at least $10 to the sale.

JERRY GREENBERG

Baldwin Travel

Los Angeles

Two years ago, American Airlines announced it was imposing a $50 commission cap on all domestic tickets. This policy was soon adopted by other carriers. For travel agents, the announcement was devastating. It meant that agents selling a $5,000 ticket, for example, would receive $50 rather than $500. As a result, small agencies all over America “were forced to shut their doors.”

Now the corporate raiders have struck again. United announced it would offer only 8% commission on international ticket sales.

Without travel agencies readily available, travelers will be forced to call the airlines directly, often spending hours on hold. They can expect to lose thousands of dollars in air fares as they are given the first, and often the highest, rate by overworked sales representatives who have neither the time nor the desire to pass savings on to the consumer. Additionally, planning a European vacation will be a virtual nightmare for travelers.

If travel agencies are to survive . . . consumers must patronize their local travel agents.

PATRICIA BLANCHE, partner

Archer Travel Service

La Canada Flintridge