Find the Commission Payment Schedules of 13 River Cruise Lines Here
by Kerry Tice /The demand for river cruising is on a rapid incline, as travel agents report booking these types of vacations more than ever before. While this is great news all-around, it also makes for another set of commission policies to track.
In our continued effort to assist travel agents in compiling their supplier policy research, we have put together the commission payment schedules of 13 major river cruise lines. This list comes from Travel Market Report’s River Cruise Report Card for Travel Agents, which is one report in a series of supplier policy resources that we have developed to make travel agents’ jobs easier. TMR readers tell us that tracking down commissions is one of their least favorite things to do, so we hope this reference guide is one step to help take the hassle out of this part of the travel business.
When asked what their schedule was for paying travel agent commissions, this is what the river cruise lines said:
AmaWaterways – Commission payment is issued every week on Monday for all departures that commenced the previous week.
American Queen Steamboat Company – Ranges from the week of departure to up to three weeks after the cruise disembarks.
Avalon Waterways – Approximately two weeks after travel commences.
Belmond – Commission can be deducted from the final payment if paid by agency check; commission is paid as soon as possible after travel if paid by passenger’s credit card.
CroisiEurope – At time of sailing.
Crystal River Cruises – Paid at sailing.
Emerald Waterways – Commission earnings are processed based on the guest’s sail departure date.
Riviera River Cruises – Once the cruise departs.
Scenic – Commission earnings are processed based on the guest’s sail departure date.
Tauck – Commission is paid three days after the guest departs.
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises – Time of sailing.
Victoria Cruises – After travel is completed.
Viking River Cruises – 29 days prior to departure date.