E-Commerce Times Talkback

Re: Airlines Withdraw Internet Commissions
Posted by: Elizabeth Blakey and Nora Macaluso 2001-08-17 00:15:29

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Northwest Airlines Corp. and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines said Wednesday that effective March 1st, they
will no longer pay commissions on Internet ticket sales in the
United States and Canada. In response, the online travel company Travelocity
said that it would begin charging $10 service fees on tickets
for Northwest Airlines and KLM.

"We are surprised that Northwest and KLM would put themselves at a
competitive disadvantage by forcing us to charge a service fee that we must
now pass on to consumers," said Travelocity president and chief
executive officer Terrell B. Jones.

Re: Airlines Withdraw Internet Commissions
Posted by: Tina Neira 2001-08-17 00:31:32 In reply to: Elizabeth Blakey and Nora Macaluso

It seems that eventually the airlines will cut commissions to travel agents as well. Thatis why they are concentrating on strengthening their own reservation systems, The travel agency business is predominately run by women and they feel that women will never take a strong stand against the major airlines corporations. Why Because we are the weaker sex. If this business was predominately run by men men would resist until their voice was heard and negotiation would begin. But we as women dont stick together as a whole therefore anything that is handed to us is eventually accepted. Service fees donot make up the loss. Why? The customer does not have to pay them.They merely call the airline and if the airline agent makes a mistake it can be reparable. But if a travel agent makes a mistake,
the whole neighborhood knows about it. If the airlines do go down to no commissions to the travel agents I will get a job that is predominately run by males.