American Airlines Vacations Stops Taking New Travel Agent Registrations
By David Cogswell
July 01, 2012 9:39 PM
Travel agents who recently tried to register to do business with American Airlines Vacations, the in-house vacation packaging operation of the airline, found that their business was not welcome. The page on American Airlines Vacations’ website devoted to travel agent registration currently says, “Thank you for your interest in American Airlines Vacations. We are not accepting new Travel Agent applications at this time.”
TravelPulse called American Airlines Vacations’ customer service phone number to try to get an explanation to the posting that turns travel agents’ business away. The operator restated what the site says: “If not enrolled with us or registered as a travel agent, we aren’t taking any new business,” she said. When asked how long the policy has been in effect, she said the policy was set “a couple of months ago. I don’t remember exactly when.” When asked if she knew the reason for the policy or if there was any word on how long it would be in effect, she said: “Nothing is ever definite, everything is always changing. I don’t know the reason behind it.”
American Airlines Vacations is apparently still working with travel agents who are already registered but not with a very favorable commission policy. Under the packaging operator’s policy an agent needs to sell $15,000 worth of business to begin receiving any commission at all, and that commission is only paid on the land component of the package. The commission is 10 percent for online bookings and 7.5 percent on bookings made over the phone.
7/5/12
Another thing with AA vacations: You cannot hold itineraries. You must pay in full that instant. No deposits either..PAYMENT IN FULL UPON BOOKING.
7/2/12
AA (both 'airline' & 'vacations') has alienated travel agents for years and because of that, I refused to do business with them years ago. They continue to alienate agents and if this is they way they chose to treat agents now (they don't want our business and haven't for years), then FINE!!! There are MANY other quality tour operators out there. It's a shame that agents still want to work with them (AA), and can't see AA for what it really is...a big corporation that has mismanaged it's money, taken benefits from employees and treated them horribly, and thought that they didn't need travel agents and treated us badly as well. AA is a troubled company with a poor customer service product which charges fees for every ancillary service they can possibly come up with, and in their arrogance and greed in wanting to control reservations, they're slitting their own business throats, so to speak. Even if I was allowed to book with AA, I wouldn't. I don't trust them and don't see them staying in business in the next several years. Bye Bye AA - good riddance!!!
7/2/12
I cannot help but comment....Lets see AA has been ignoring our value for years...Does Chapter 11 ring a bell?...embrace us! Push us away and you will continue to slide down hill..The economy has taken its toll on everyone, but Thinking only inhouse and that the internet sells all is foolish and has been proven untrue...Think outside the BOX AA ! You need all the Help selling you can get!
Holly
7/2/12
There is alot other companies that you can book with by sides AA Vacation
Who needs this!!!!
Nick
who