‘Kick in the guts’: Travel agents upset at Qantas over slashed commissions

Australian travel agents have hit out at Qantas for slashing commissions on international flights, a move they claim is forcing them to charge passengers hundreds of dollars in service fees and could worsen the airline’s customer service issues. Qantas reduced commissions for travel agents on international flights from 5 to 1% on July 1, and since then, several airlines have followed suit. The move comes amid travel chaos at airports as staff shortages, wild weather and surging COVID-19 case numbers lead to flight delays, cancellations and lost baggage. Sydney-based tour operator Encounter Travel director Justine Waddington said travel agents were in disbelief over Qantas’ move to slash commissions and were still struggling to recover from a difficult 2.5 years. “As much as we act as service agents for our clients, we are agents for the airlines, and they’re not recognising our value and compensating us. It’s hard to reconcile,” Waddington told the Herald and The Age. “Qantas are sending a message to travel agents: ‘you’re not relevant’.” Travel agents generally receive commission on international flights but not domestic trips. Commission of 1% on a $2000 ticket would come to just $20, which Waddington said does not adequately cover an agency’s wages and business overheads. What agent works for free in any other industry?” <br/>