MSC cuts special promotions with Travel Agencies

[mafig]

10 hours ago, grandgeezer said:

 It’s cheaper to pay commissions to TAs than hire enough manpower to keep it in house. Wages, benefits, offices,  etc. 

 

Yes!^^

[Toofarfromthesea]

22 hours ago, thetaro said:

 

You CAP like you saved thousands. We are merely talking about 5%, or more like some OBC and perks.

I don't mind paying a little extra if that means they would improve the website and online customer service. 

Not to mention I find it a hassle having to deal with another human being.

You like it or not, some industries are obsolete and would be replaced by AI or Internet.

 

 

 

And I don't mind you paying extra so my vacation is cheaper. So we are in agreement.

And if you think that AI or the Internet are going to change the fundamental principles of marketing, good luck to you.

[Shippy]

We booked with a large internet TA and got free gratuities and $300. onboard credit.

[Robinsoncruiseso]

On 7/26/2019 at 12:23 PM, Toofarfromthesea said:

No we don't pay for it, ironically YOU end up paying for it.  We could take the exact same cruise as you, but pay several (sometimes many) hundred dollars less than you by using a 'middle man'.  

So, how did I 'one way or another' pay for using a 'middle man'? 

One of the reasons the cruiselines can pay the commission they do, from which all the perks - and a clue, perk is another word for money -come are people who book direct for whom no commission need be paid.  So, 'one way or another' you paying full fare to the cruiseline frees up commission money to pay my TA a better commission rate, and I get a share of that.

So, thank you for subsidizing my vacation.
 

 

****like****

[Robinsoncruiseso]

On 7/26/2019 at 12:32 PM, thetaro said:

 

I am sure money grows on tree and Cruiselines want to give them away so TA can give you a kickback.

I never said Middle man is evil. I am saying it's obsolete in 2019 where everyone has internet.

TA does not provide added value to most people but is there to cost Cruiselines money which would be reflected in your fare. 

TA is a dying industry, so enjoy it while you can. 

Not sure where you get your statistics, but TA traffic is actually increasing. Internet is being used for research, then TA’s clean up the confusion from misleading pricing.

[the mistral wind]

On 7/22/2019 at 9:02 PM, April42749 said:

Sad to see this.  I recently booked with a TA because of the perks.  It doesn't mean I won't book MSC again...but the more perks I get, the more my casino budget goes up.

lol Me too. I was disappointed i just booked with my travel agent and she told me the sme thing. too bad. This will be my first cruise with MSC so we will see how it goes . I have no idea what to expect. 

[the mistral wind]

On 7/27/2019 at 2:32 PM, Toofarfromthesea said:

 

And I don't mind you paying extra so my vacation is cheaper. So we are in agreement.

And if you think that AI or the Internet are going to change the fundamental principles of marketing, good luck to you.

Lol ditto