The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) opened its Hotel Watch List to the public for two weeks starting Sept. 8, exposing hotels that failed to pay earned commissions. The list, normally restricted to ASTA members, tracks properties that have unpaid commissions 45 days or more after a client’s stay.
“For travel advisors, commissions are not just compensation, they are the foundation of their business,” said Beth Butzlaff, General Manager, USA Virtuoso and Chair of ASTA’s Consortium Council, in a press statement. “When payments are delayed or never arrive, advisors are forced to spend valuable time chasing down earnings instead of serving clients. By providing a clear way to report and address commission issues, ASTA is helping drive greater accountability and support stronger industry partnerships.”
ASTA Watchdog
ASTA has recovered nearly $60,000 in unpaid commissions through its Report a Hotel Commission Issue tool. Toni Temple of Cruise Planners received more than $16,000, 113 days after the final guest in a group completed a stay. “I feel that until I reached out for help by ASTA, the property was ignoring me,” Temple said in a press statement. “Thank you for the advice and direction you provided me during this.”
Joyce Davis, President of Joy! Cruises and Tours Inc., recovered $3,000 after ASTA pursued her case for months; the hotel was removed from the list once payment was confirmed. “I finally received my commission check,” Davis said in a press statement. “Thank you so very much for your invaluable assistance. I am sure that I would not have received this payment without you advocating on my behalf.”
Kelli Benitez pursued an international commission she had written off after seeing the published list. “Had ASTA not sent out the recent Hotel Watch List, I don’t think I would have pursued this, especially since it was not a domestic hotel,” Benitez said in a press statement. “I thought it was a lost cause. So, thank you ASTA for inspiring me to advocate for myself, trust the process and helping me recover the commission that was due to me.”
ASTA notifies hotels in writing and allows 30 days to resolve a case before listing it. Unreachable non-member hotels may also be added. The window closes Sept. 22, after which the tool reverts to a member-only benefit.
For more information, visit asta.org.
