Refunding a rebate check

[dj_crusin]

Our April 4 sailing out of Buenos Aires on the Oceania Marina has been cancelled.  We have never had this happen before.  I originally booked the cruise with Oceania and transferred it to an on-line agency to get a rebate which I have already received.

 

I E-Mailed the agency with a number of questions including

We are assuming XXXXX has been compensated by Oceania for our cash rebate.  Let us know if that is not the case.

 

I received the following reply:

Oceania does not compensate us for the cash rebate. We kindly ask that you return the rebate check, since you are no longer going on the trip. Or we can void the rebate sent to you. Please advise our Guest Relations Team how you would like us to proceed.

 

I understand TA commissions and I know this is not true.

 

My question is does anyone know if Oceania is protecting the TA commissions?  If so I don't think I should have to return the rebate check.   

 

DJ

Dan and Judy

 

 

 

[schmerl]

So you received a rebate check for a cruise you are not even taking? I'm with the TA on this. They will be out that money with nothing to show for it. 

[njhorseman]

1 hour ago, dj_crusin said:

Our April 4 sailing out of Buenos Aires on the Oceania Marina has been cancelled.  We have never had this happen before.  I originally booked the cruise with Oceania and transferred it to an on-line agency to get a rebate which I have already received.

 

I E-Mailed the agency with a number of questions including

We are assuming XXXXX has been compensated by Oceania for our cash rebate.  Let us know if that is not the case.

 

I received the following reply:

Oceania does not compensate us for the cash rebate. We kindly ask that you return the rebate check, since you are no longer going on the trip. Or we can void the rebate sent to you. Please advise our Guest Relations Team how you would like us to proceed.

 

I understand TA commissions and I know this is not true.

 

My question is does anyone know if Oceania is protecting the TA commissions?  If so I don't think I should have to return the rebate check.   

 

DJ

Dan and Judy

 

 

 

As a former travel agency owner I can tell you there is virtually no chance of Oceania or any other cruise line is "protecting" travel agency commissions. It would be financial suicide. 

 

I would respectfully disagree with your statement "I understand TA commissions and I know this is not true."

 

You're not entitled to a rebate for a cruise you aren't taking and for which you've paid nothing since you'll be getting a full refund of your cruise fare.

Edited March 17, 2020 by njhorseman

[dj_crusin]

58 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

 

I would respectfully disagree with your statement "I understand TA commissions and I know this is not true."

 

You're not entitled to a rebate for a cruise you aren't taking and for which you've paid nothing since you'll be getting a full refund of your cruise fare.

Edited 31 minutes ago by njhorseman

I guess I need to clarify.  TA's receive a commission from Oceania for booking a cruise.  Part of that commission may be used by the agency to send the customer a Bon Voyage gift, an onboard credit or even a rebate.

The travel agency stated "Oceania does not compensate us for the cash rebate."  That is not true.

Whether the agency has to return the commission is my question.

Dan

Edited March 17, 2020 by dj_crusin

[MightyQuinn]

35 minutes ago, dj_crusin said:

Whether the agency has to return the commission is my question.

 

I don't know about Oceania, but here is an excerpt of a letter forwarded by our TA for a Crystal cruise that was cancelled.  It shows that agency commissions were protected on the cancelled sailings:

 

Dear Valued Travel Partner,

 

Please find below a copy of the letter that will be sent today to your clients concerning Crystal Symphony’s voyages in March and early April.

 

Please note, your commission will be protected on these cancelled sailings.

 

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding as well as your attention to this matter.

[YoHoHo]

45 minutes ago, dj_crusin said:

I guess I need to clarify.  TA's receive a commission from Oceania for booking a cruise.  Part of that commission may be used by the agency to send the customer a Bon Voyage gift, an onboard credit or even a rebate.

The travel agency stated "Oceania does not compensate us for the cash rebate."  That is not true.

Whether the agency has to return the commission is my question.

Dan

Do I understated correctly that you received 100% of your money back but also want to keep the rebate? So you actually come out money ahead?

 

Sounds like your TA is sharing their commission earned. Remember that is their money for making managing the booking.

 

"Part of that commission may be used by the agency to send the customer a Bon Voyage gift, an onboard credit or even a rebate."

 

Yes, that is true, and also part of that commission can be also used to pay the rent, keep their office lights on or feed their family or blow at the casino.

Sorry I have drifted. As to you actual question I cant say whether or not the commission will still be paid by O to the agent but if you have all your money back you paid for the cruise why would you keep the rebate on a sale that was refunded ?

 

Edited March 17, 2020 by YoHoHo
clarification of keeping what

[osandomir]

1 hour ago, dj_crusin said:

I guess I need to clarify.  TA's receive a commission from Oceania for booking a cruise.  Part of that commission may be used by the agency to send the customer a Bon Voyage gift, an onboard credit or even a rebate.

The travel agency stated "Oceania does not compensate us for the cash rebate."  That is not true.

Whether the agency has to return the commission is my question.

Dan

And won’t you agree that TA’s today deserve a little of extra commissions and aren’t obligated to share for working so hard under the pressure addressing all our really uncommon requests?

[njhorseman]

2 hours ago, dj_crusin said:

I guess I need to clarify.  TA's receive a commission from Oceania for booking a cruise.  Part of that commission may be used by the agency to send the customer a Bon Voyage gift, an onboard credit or even a rebate.

The travel agency stated "Oceania does not compensate us for the cash rebate."  That is not true.

Whether the agency has to return the commission is my question.

Dan

 

Even if the cruise line was going to protect the TA's commission why do you think you're entitled to a penny of it. You're getting a full refund of your fare. That's all you're owed. The TA's commission agreements with the cruise line is not something you're entitled to know or meddle in. Are you paying the TA's bills out of your pocket? If the TA is losing money are you going to write a check to help them stay in business?

 

 

Edited March 17, 2020 by njhorseman

[Paulchili]

I am surprised that OP received any money from the TA without cruising.

We receive a "loyalty" check but only after the cruise is completed.

[LHT28]

I thought Oceania  also sent a letter  that said commissions were protected 

I believe it was posted here on CC

It may have  changed  recently  with all the cancellations of ports etc..

 

But I do agree with the others  if you did not sail   you should not get the rebate ...sounds pretty greedy to me

JMO

[dj_crusin]

Thanks for your replies.
 

Even though TA’s are protected they are going through tough times and probably deserve the refund. 

[orchestrapal]

2 hours ago, LHT28 said:

I thought Oceania  also sent a letter  that said commissions were protected 

I believe it was posted here on CC

It may have  changed  recently  with all the cancellations of ports etc..

 

But I do agree with the others  if you did not sail   you should not get the rebate ...sounds pretty greedy to me

JMO

Greedy and theft...

[Jancruz]

2 minutes ago, orchestrapal said:

Greedy and theft...

Plus 1

Jancruz1

[Hawaiidan]

1 hour ago, dj_crusin said:

Thanks for your replies.
 

Even though TA’s are protected they are going through tough times and probably deserve the refund. 

No kidding............you  just figured that out..?     Amazing

 

Edited March 17, 2020 by Hawaiidan

[LAexNY]

17 hours ago, Paulchili said:

I am surprised that OP received any money from the TA without cruising.

We receive a "loyalty" check but only after the cruise is completed.

 

Paul,

 

Some agencies send the “loyalty” check after final payment but before the cruise date.

[LHT28]

1 hour ago, LAexNY said:

 

Paul,

 

Some agencies send the “loyalty” check after final payment but before the cruise date.

I bet that practice will change  in the future 😉

 

[Paulchili]

1 hour ago, LAexNY said:

 

Paul,

 

Some agencies send the “loyalty” check after final payment but before the cruise date.

Hence their predicament.

I think those agencies that wait until the passenger returns home are smart in more ways than one.

[tgg]

11 hours ago, Paulchili said:

Hence their predicament.

I think those agencies that wait until the passenger returns home are smart in more ways than one.

 

My TA's substantial "loyalty" bonus is delivered as fully refundable OBC.  I  get it as cash the night before I disembark.  And, no,  I rarely spend it.😇

[Rob the Cruiser]

16 hours ago, LAexNY said:

 

Paul,

 

Some agencies send the “loyalty” check after final payment but before the cruise date.

 

Our TA sends the rebate prior to the cruise. If the cruise were to be cancelled, we would repay it.

Edited March 18, 2020 by Rob the Cruiser