United Airlines scraps more base commissions

FROM October 15, South African agents selling United Airline’s domestic flights will no longer receive base commissions for these sales. This is because the carrier, after having scrapped base commissions to US and Canadian agents, has extended this ‘zero-commission’ initiative to effect agents worldwide. According to Charlene de Beer, spokesperson for United Airlines South Africa, this new development by the carrier implies that agents selling any flights departing from the US or Canada will not be given commission. However, agents selling tickets aboard the carrier for flights departing from South Africa and other destinations (other than the US and Canada) will still be paid standard commission rates. In addition, base commissions will still be given to agents selling all Airpass products and VUSA fares. Press releases emphasise that the policy strictly applies to all tickets, Miscellaneous Orders (MCO’s), Prepaid Ticket Advices (PTA’s) and Internet bookings. Agents can obtain more information from their computer reservations system by clicking on the key word ‘commission’. (Heather Ruddock)