ASTA Names & Shames Hotels with Unpaid Commissions

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) has made its Hotel Watch List publicly available, expanding visibility of hotels that have been reported by ASTA members for not paying travel advisor commissions.

Previously accessible only to ASTA members, the Watch List is now available for public viewing – but only through March 13 – with the goal to promote transparency, strengthen accountability and encourage broader industry participation in ASTA’s Report a Hotel tool.

Since launching the reporting tool late last year, ASTA has helped recover nearly $15,000 in unpaid commissions for advisors. The organization has set a goal of recovering $100,000 in hotel commissions in 2026 and views public visibility as a key step toward accelerating results.

“Commissions earned are commissions owed, period,” said Zane Kerby, ASTA President and CEO. 

“Our members should not have to chase money they are contractually due. By making the Watch List public, we are increasing pressure where pressure is warranted and reinforcing a simple standard across the industry: pay advisors on time. If a hotel does not want to be publicly identified for poor commission practices, the solution is straightforward: resolve the issue and pay what is owed.”

The Watch List identifies properties reported by ASTA members that have not paid a commission 45 days or more following completion of the client’s hotel stay. 

Hotels are notified, in writing, of the complaint and then given an opportunity to resolve the outstanding issue through ASTA’s dispute resolution process. Properties that tender payment to the advisor or otherwise satisfactorily resolve the matter within 30 days are not added to the Watch List.

“Transparency drives better behaviour,” said Peter Lobasso, ASTA’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “When commission issues go unreported, patterns of behavior among some hoteliers are allowed to persist. Publishing the Watch List sends a clear message that timely commission payment is not optional. It is fundamental to healthy advisor–supplier relationships.”

ASTA is urging all travel advisor members to use the Report a Hotel tool to report noncompliant suppliers and recover funds owed to advisors.

The Hotel Watch List is now available through March 13, 2026. It’s a surprisingly short list, but may be worth a look.

The Report a Hotel tool remains available exclusively to ASTA travel advisor members.