Crystal Amends Commission Policy to Protect Agency of Record

Crystal Cruises has installed a new policy to safeguard the agency of record for clients under deposit. Beginning January 1, if a Crystal guest under deposit elects to change travel agents, the guest's new agent will earn a maximum of 10 percent commission. The policy is being put in place to protect agents' client base and cut down on onboard solicitation. "We believe this is another step toward curbing rebating activity and we want to protect the original agent who has worked hard to service a client," says Bill Smith, Crystal's senior vice president of sales and marketing.

Crystal offers an onboard booking incentive whereby guests can book future cruises with savings. Commissions for these bookings are applied to the agency of record unless the guest advises that he or she is switching agencies before depositing. Under the new system, once guests makes a deposit, they can elect to change agencies, but the new agent will receive a limited commission that does not include overrides or extra incentives. (DE)