Orbitz introduces travel agent programme

Orbitz has launched a site for travel agents, which pays commission on hotels and travel packages. According to a report by Jeri Clausing on travelweekly.com the site, OrbitzForAgents.com, gives agents access to all of Orbitz's listings while enabling them to create customised travel packages. Orbitz pays ten per cent on hotel reservations and four per cent on travel packages. Commission percentages are based on gross booking amounts, and thus don't include taxes and fees. All travel package bookings must include a hotel component.

"Orbitz for Agents is an easy-to-use solution for travel agents to book hotels and customised travel packages while earning extremely competitive commissions," said Ronnie Gurion, Orbitz Worldwide’s President of Distribution. Gurion further added, "Orbitz for Agents also gives travel agents the ability to set and charge service fees on a transaction-by-transaction basis." The site does not require an Iatan card or other travel agent identification to sign up. But the terms say that "at any time, Orbitz may request and subscriber shall provide evidence of subscriber's status as a travel agent."