Travel Agent Fees

[Christine4]

"I think these threads are very useful as well. We will be asking others on board. But I will say that the article that was posted was very helpful as well. I like the thought that while we are interviewing them that they should want to interview us as well so they learn who we are. Thank-you all."

 

What article??

[Pcardad]

9 minutes ago, Christine4 said:

"I think these threads are very useful as well. We will be asking others on board. But I will say that the article that was posted was very helpful as well. I like the thought that while we are interviewing them that they should want to interview us as well so they learn who we are. Thank-you all."

 

What article??

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2666

 

[LvnCruisin]

Thank you Pcardad - that article along with thoughts that Pcardad posted. Everyone talks about the rebate portion, I think the service is a larger part of this discussion. 

 

I've really learned from this that you need someone who travels to places you want to go. They understand what you will see based off of what side of the ship you are on etc. They take the time to understand what you want out of your vacation. Our travel agent clearly doesn't. This is why discussion is always good. 

 

Thank-you to those that do this as a profession.

[mrstanley]

We just found out that the company we have been using to book our Regent cruises will no longer issue  rebate checks under $1500.

They have partnered with Regent to put your rebate if under $1500 into shipboard credits. If u want u can redeem them for cash on the last day of your cruise, have Regent mail you a check within 30 days or use the credits while onboard.

 

Has anyone else received this information?

[GOARMY]

mrstanley:

 

Slight variation.  Our TA has changed the process.  Formerly, rebate checks ( termed "Reward") were mailed to us about 10 days prior to a particular cruise.  No more mailings.  

 

Now--amount of a Reward is listed on the TA's email containing a Regent Guest Statement confirming receipt of initial Deposit.  We most-recently confirmed this process three days ago while booking a Navigator BTB.  That Reward can be redeemed for cash onboard as early as the FIRST day of our cruise; or, retained as an additional OBC for the cruise's duration.  Those are the options. 

 

GOARMY!

   

[mrlevin]

13 hours ago, GOARMY said:

mrstanley:

 

Slight variation.  Our TA has changed the process.  Formerly, rebate checks ( termed "Reward") were mailed to us about 10 days prior to a particular cruise.  No more mailings.  

 

Now--amount of a Reward is listed on the TA's email containing a Regent Guest Statement confirming receipt of initial Deposit.  We most-recently confirmed this process three days ago while booking a Navigator BTB.  That Reward can be redeemed for cash onboard as early as the FIRST day of our cruise; or, retained as an additional OBC for the cruise's duration.  Those are the options. 

 

GOARMY!

   

GO ARMY!, we share the same TA and I was very disappointed to read your post.  I cannot imagine having to carry $8,000 cash home with me.  If that is the case, it might be time to find a new TA.  I am hoping that there is an option for Regent to write a check onboard during the cruise and I can deposit that check whilst onboard.  

 

Marc

 

PS I have a hard time with change.

Edited May 5, 2022 by mrlevin

[mrstanley]

Marc,

Read my post. 

[mrstanley]

I don’t like having this rebate or rewards put into shipboard credits. I want the cash upfront. According to my TA I can’t get the cash until the  last day of the cruise.

 

Also… I don’t want to be forced to use shipboard credits. Everything onboard is overpriced. Items in the boutique, spa services and services in the Hair salon.

 

 

 

 

[Pcardad]

I wonder if Regent is clamping down on the kickbacks? I haven't heard anything but it seems a lot of TA's are making changes...

[briar14]

2 hours ago, mrlevin said:

GO ARMY!, we share the same TA and I was very disappointed to read your post.  I cannot imagine having to carry $8,000 cash home with me.  If that is the case, it might be time to find a new TA.  I am hoping that there is an option for Regent to write a check onboard during the cruise and I can deposit that check whilst onboard.  

 

Marc

 

PS I have a hard time with change.

We have the same TA and have heard nothing about this. Five reserved cruises. Next one July 23.

[mrstanley]

Our TA said that due to rebate checks getting lost in the mail was the reason for this. REALLY???? 

[wishIweretravelling]

3 hours ago, mrlevin said:

GO ARMY!, we share the same TA and I was very disappointed to read your post.  I cannot imagine having to carry $8,000 cash home with me.  If that is the case, it might be time to find a new TA.  I am hoping that there is an option for Regent to write a check onboard during the cruise and I can deposit that check whilst onboard.  

 

Marc

 

PS I have a hard time with change.

Note the “up to $1500” part

[mrlevin]

I did not see "up to $1500" in GO ARMY's post so I want off the deep end; TA has since confirmed that I will get check upon disembarkation so I am relieved.  Yes, it was better when it was before cruise but I understand the reasons that they changed to post cruise so I am fine.  I just don't want OBC or cash onboard.

 

Marc

[rallydave]

Sounds like a lot of smoke and mirrors  First of all this is not simply the TA doing this.  It is in conjunctions with Regent .  And as far as the last explanation regarding rebate checks being lost in the mail; a true red herring as the change includes either getting cash on the ship or Regent mailing a check.  So the lost in the mail is not what is the cause of the change if part of the solution is to mail the checks..  

 

Can't be sure what the actual reasons are however in most cases when a TA or Cruise line change a procedure it is generally a cost savings for the companies and probably not a benefit to the customer.

[Pcardad]

1 minute ago, rallydave said:

Sounds like a lot of smoke and mirrors  First of all this is not simply the TA doing this.  It is in conjunctions with Regent .  And as far as the last explanation regarding rebate checks being lost in the mail; a true red herring as the change includes either getting cash on the ship or Regent mailing a check.  So the lost in the mail is not what is the cause of the change if part of the solution is to mail the checks..  

 

Can't be sure what the actual reasons are however in most cases when a TA or Cruise line change a procedure it is generally a cost savings for the companies and probably not a benefit to the customer.

What proof do you have that Regent had anything to do with this change? As a TA, I have not been sent anything. There is no commission change and Regent has nothing to do with a kickback so how are they responsible?

[rallydave]

3 minutes ago, Pcardad said:

What proof do you have that Regent had anything to do with this change? As a TA, I have not been sent anything. There is no commission change and Regent has nothing to do with a kickback so how are they responsible?

Two reasons.  In Post 55 MrsStanley stated They have partnered with Regent"  and for this to occur Regent would need to be involved as this is a change to their policies along with a change to the TA's policies.  Never said Regent is responsible   I said this is being done in conjunction with Regent.

 

Appears all of the people mentioning this change have the same TA and being familiar with this TA am not surprised they are looking to improve profits. "Could be simply the TA making an agreement with Regent or possibly a fundamental change but won't know until we have more data points.

[Pcardad]

7 minutes ago, rallydave said:

Two reasons.  In Post 55 MrsStanley stated They have partnered with Regent"  and for this to occur Regent would need to be involved as this is a change to their policies along with a change to the TA's policies.  Never said Regent is responsible   I said this is being done in conjunction with Regent.

 

Appears all of the people mentioning this change have the same TA and being familiar with this TA am not surprised they are looking to improve profits. "Could be simply the TA making an agreement with Regent or possibly a fundamental change but won't know until we have more data points.

That is 3rd hand knowledge...I am not sure how solid it is. I can confirm that neither myself not any other TA I know of have heard of any changes whatsoever on the part of Regent. If Regent made any change whatsoever, it would be in writing. Sounds like this may just be the single agent...at least until we get more info.

[Eno-Bob]

Same TA and we received the email on the change about a week ago — boarding Mariner today.  I doubt that it has anything to do with Regent - we have received refundable SBCs from them before when we upgraded a suite after receiving the reward check (Pre-COVID).  My guess would be that they are streamlining some procedures and making some of the reward money available for the cruise rather than waiting until a check is cut after the cruise.  Having worked with them a number of years, I would bet they will make other arrangements if you ask.

[rallydave]

4 minutes ago, Pcardad said:

That is 3rd hand knowledge...I am not sure how solid it is. I can confirm that neither myself not any other TA I know of have heard of any changes whatsoever on the part of Regent. If Regent made any change whatsoever, it would be in writing. Sounds like this may just be the single agent...at least until we get more info.

Agree it may be a single agent who as I said I am familiar with and if not the highest booking Regent very close to the top and I did state we need more data points to be sure so we are in agreement there.

 

As to third hand, disagree strongly as mrsstanley and goarmy have the same TA and both reported the same thing from that TA so that is first hand, not third hand.  Don't need Regent to confirm first hand information, the single TA who is invoking this change is first hand knowledge.

 

No reason for you or other TA's be informed so that proves nothing especially if this is an agreement between the unnamed TA and Regent. 

[Pcardad]

Just now, rallydave said:

Agree it may be a single agent who as I said I am familiar with and if not the highest booking Regent very close to the top and I did state we need more data points to be sure so we are in agreement there.

 

As to third hand, disagree strongly as mrsstanley and goarmy have the same TA and both reported the same thing from that TA so that is first hand, not third hand.  Don't need Regent to confirm first hand information, the single TA who is invoking this change is first hand knowledge.

 

No reason for you or other TA's be informed so that proves nothing especially if this is an agreement between the unnamed TA and Regent. 

It is not - Regent doesn't get involved with kickbacks. I just checked with my contact at Regent. This is a change at the TA level.

 

[rallydave]

1 minute ago, Pcardad said:

It is not - Regent doesn't get involved with kickbacks. I just checked with my contact at Regent. This is a change at the TA level.

 

Well, the money is a rebate which the TA can provide by providing Regent OBC which is what was described by all parties.  Regent does not get involved with rebates in these cases, it is simply refundable OBC provided by the TA which is common with many TA's.

 

Just because a single contact you talked to does not mean it is true or not true.  This TA has relationships with the top management including FDR  so perhaps not everyone is aware of this change and since it is simply OBC which occurs daily.  In fact this may simply the TA for rebates under $1500 they have changed to providing  the worker bees at Regent OBC for the passengers account.

 

Believe I would take the work of what 5 customers of this TA vs an unnamed contact of your.

[Pcardad]

Just now, rallydave said:

Well, the money is a rebate which the TA can provide by providing Regent OBC which is what was described by all parties.  Regent does not get involved with rebates in these cases, it is simply refundable OBC provided by the TA which is common with many TA's.

 

Just because a single contact you talked to does not mean it is true or not true.  This TA has relationships with the top management including FDR  so perhaps not everyone is aware of this change and since it is simply OBC which occurs daily.  In fact this may simply the TA for rebates under $1500 they have changed to providing  the worker bees at Regent OBC for the passengers account.

 

Believe I would take the work of what 5 customers of this TA vs an unnamed contact of your.

Lol, I am sure you would...and that's OK. I am not trying to educate you, just share facts with others.

 

Any TA can buy OBC for their clients...it is certainly not something that has changed recently or that senior people at Regent would get involved in.

[mrstanley]

This was the email  from a  travel agency to our friends 5 days prior to  boarding a Regent cruise. 

 

Hi ------ & -----,

Because of recent issues with "lost in the mail" rewards checks, we are now paying the rewards in fully

refundable shipboard credits. Your --- amount can be used while onboard...or if you prefer, go to the front desk on the last day of the cruise and they will "cash you out" and pay you cash for the balance you didn't use...or send you a check for that amount within 30 days of disembarkation. If you forget to cash out at reception...no worries....Regent will automatically send you a check.

 

Great news!

------- and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have partnered to provide your----- reward dollars beginning first day

of embarkation. Moving forward any-----reward of $1,500 or less will be applied as a fully refundable onboard credit. These credits can be used for Serene Spa & Wellness, Regent Choice Excursions, private car & drivers, top shelf wines and spirits, the boutique, salon, and even the casino ( 5% fee on cash 

advances)! Any unused reward credit can be pulled out as cash on the last day of sailing. For guests that wish to receive their reward back in check form Regent will automatically send out any unused  reward to your home within 30 days of disembarkation.

 

Should you have any questions regarding this change please reach out to your travel advisor.

 

Thank you!

 Have a wonder cruise!

 

[Pcardad]

31 minutes ago, mrstanley said:

This was the email  from a  travel agency to our friends 5 days prior to  boarding a Regent cruise. 

 

Hi ------ & -----,

Because of recent issues with "lost in the mail" rewards checks, we are now paying the rewards in fully

refundable shipboard credits. Your --- amount can be used while onboard...or if you prefer, go to the front desk on the last day of the cruise and they will "cash you out" and pay you cash for the balance you didn't use...or send you a check for that amount within 30 days of disembarkation. If you forget to cash out at reception...no worries....Regent will automatically send you a check.

 

Great news!

------- and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have partnered to provide your----- reward dollars beginning first day

of embarkation. Moving forward any-----reward of $1,500 or less will be applied as a fully refundable onboard credit. These credits can be used for Serene Spa & Wellness, Regent Choice Excursions, private car & drivers, top shelf wines and spirits, the boutique, salon, and even the casino ( 5% fee on cash 

advances)! Any unused reward credit can be pulled out as cash on the last day of sailing. For guests that wish to receive their reward back in check form Regent will automatically send out any unused  reward to your home within 30 days of disembarkation.

 

Should you have any questions regarding this change please reach out to your travel advisor.

 

Thank you!

 Have a wonder cruise!

 

Makes perfect sense - if a TA buys OBC for a client, Regent makes sure it is on their account for the sailing. If it is unused, Regent refunds it to the client (or the client may draw it as cash during the cruise). It has been this way for years.

[mrstanley]

The rewards mentioned in the email by the TA is money given back to the client in a check mailed after the client has returned home from their cruise. The amount is based on a percentage of the cost of the cruise. This has nothing to do with OBC that may be given by TA.

 

Needless to say my friends are annoyed with this change.