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Travel Agent's Most-Read Content: July 9

  • July 09, 2009

Editor Note
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» Familiarize Yourself with Rome, the Amalfi Coast
» Improve E-mail Marketing, Or Else
» Retire at Sea
» Irish Airline to Make Passengers Stand?
» Report: Pimentel Taking Over Azamara Cruises
» U.S. Cruise Industry Rethinks Proposed Federal Safety Legislation
» Carnival Dream Passes Test in Adriatic Sea
» Why Sell Travel Insurance: Advice for Agents
» Wet and Wild
» On Travel Agent Central


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This Week's News

Improve E-mail Marketing, Or Else
Vacation.com shows agents how to improve e-mail marketing and increase client lists. ...
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Retire at Sea
Oceanic Retirement Communities of America offers seniors the opportunity to cruise into retirement by buying a condo aboard their ship. ...
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See More Top Ten News and Stories »
Retire at Sea
Irish Airline to Make Passengers Stand?
Ryanair, Ireland’s low-cost airline, is considering offering “standing room” seats. ...
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See More Top Ten News and Stories »
Irish Airline to Make Passengers Stand?
Report: Pimentel Taking Over Azamara Cruises
Former SeaDream Yacht Club CEO, Larry Pimentel, who is well known in luxury cruise circles, has reportedly been tapped to take over as the head of Azamara Cruises. ...
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See More Top Ten News and Stories »
Report: Pimentel Taking Over Azamara Cruises
U.S. Cruise Industry Rethinks Proposed Federal Safety Legislation
The cruise ship industry in the U.S. supported proposed federal safety legislation Monday, providing cruise ships with heightened security. ...
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See More Top Ten News and Stories »
U.S. Cruise Industry Rethinks Proposed Federal Safety Legislation
Carnival Dream Passes Test in Adriatic Sea
Carnival Dream has successfully conducted sea trials in the Adriatic Sea, preparing for its September 21 debut from Europe. ...
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See More Top Ten News and Stories »
Carnival Dream Passes Test in Adriatic Sea
Why Sell Travel Insurance: Advice for Agents
The UStiA offers sound reasons for travel agents to offer their clients insurance. ...
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See More Top Ten News and Stories »
Why Sell Travel Insurance: Advice for Agents
Wet and Wild
When nightlife impresarios began tinkering with the daytime Las Vegas pool experience, they stumbled on a success formula that got guests going gaga. ...
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Wet and Wild

This Week's Deals

Familiarize Yourself with Rome, the Amalfi Coast
Spend one night in Rome at a centrally located hotel then transfer to the Sorrentine Coast and a villa for the next six nights. ...
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Familiarize Yourself with Rome, the Amalfi Coast


On TAC

Agents React to United's Credit Card Policy

United Airlines' controversial plan to selectively prohibit U.S. travel agencies from continuing to report and remit credit card sales via the Airlines Reporting Corporation may go into effect July 20, but Travel Agent's readers have already been talking about it for quite some time.

Needless to say, many are none-too-happy. Some or affected and some are not (yet). Several are already boycotting the carrier as others encourage solidarity to save the industry. Here are just a few comments shared by readers:

"As the co-owner of a small travel agency, we are already at a competitive disadvantage because we have to charge service fees to issue airline tickets whereas people can often book online for free. Now we are expected to either absorb or pass on credit card charges to our clients. This is absurd."- David S.

"Clearly if UA gets away with this it is death to travel agents across the board.  Unfortunately our track record in dealing with collective threats is not good. Just about every bad thing that's happened to us could have been met head on defeated, if only we would stand together."- Rick Garett

"Keep applying the pressure. Let's hope this gains momentum or this will be one more way the airlines harm agents. UA seems to encourage despise unilaterally among agents, wholesalers and passengers. They can do no right...so it would seem. Deny UA business whenever possible. Find another carrier and explain to clients that UA actions will harm everyone if they get their way now."- Rosie


"United does not fly anywhere that another airline does not fly. If they go thru with this I can move my clients to another airline. RIP United."-Nina

"Dear United: Thinking of going bankrupt? This is a sure and fast way of doing so...better rethink your position. Travel Agents do not get a worthwhile commission from booking flights anyway, so see ya"- Kathryn.

"Make up some of your losses by booking back to back UA F and full fare tickets on 2 different sites not your own GDS. Customer saves a fortune if willing to fly coach and service fees could be raised much higher. Try to use 2 different airlines."- M

"Our agency has our own credit card processing agreement with our bank because we also sell retail items. However, our merchant agreement specifically prohibits us from processing airline ticket charges in-house. Fortunately we weren't one of the agencies targeted by United, but I wonder how long that will last."- carolena

What's your opinion on the policy? Post your comments online or join the discussion at AgentNation, the only online community for all types of travel agents. Join in now...

Related Stories

ASTA Vows to Combat United's Anti-Agent Policy

United’s New Merchant Policy Could Derail Agents' Profitability

Travel Agents' Opposition to UA Policy Gains Media Traction

United's Merchant Fee Cost-Transfer Faces Tough Fight

ARTA Canada Blasts United's Plan to Terminate Agents' Merchant Agreements

Worldwide Agents Groups Condemn United

Opinion: Travel Agents Need Unified Front Against United Threat


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