Travel Agent Fees

Many travel agents now charge for what they once did for free-- prompted, they say, by airlines reducing their commissions.

Results from a survey of 506 agencies by the American Society of Travel Agents.

Do you charge fees?

No: 36%

Yes: 64%

*

When did you begin fees? Before 1995: 2.6%

1995*: 6.8%

1996: 6.5%

1997**: 52.0%

1998: 32.1%

* Airlines cap domestic commissions at $50 per round trip.

** Airlines reduce commissions from 10% to 8%

*

What do you charge for?

Airline tickets (median fee: $10): 85.5%

Cancellations (median fee: $20): 80.8%

Trip planning (median fee: $50): 76.8%

Hotel reservations: 65.6%

Document delivery: 56.3%

Car reservations: 53.6%