2023 Travel Agent Sales Policies
Southwind Adventures, Inc. (SWA) will honor commissions to any IATAN or ARC appointed travel agency as indicated in the Commission Structures below for both individual travelers (FIT) or private groups booked on Signature Trips or custom programs.
SIGNATURE TRIPS OR PRIVATE GROUPS BOOKINGS
These are individuals or groups of travelers (minimum of 2-4 participants according to the destination traveling together on the same itinerary) that the agency books on one of SWA’s Trips.The itinerary may be one of Southwind’s programs listed in our website or it can be a custom-designed trip. After a discussion of your client’s interests, needs and preferences, a Southwind travel specialist will send a brief outline itinerary and estimated Land Cost for the customized tour. The next step is a proposal and price quote for which there is a non-refundable & non-transferable $500 or $1,000 custom itinerary design fee (provides for a maximum of 3 itineraries). The design fee counts towards your client’s Land Cost and is deducted on their invoice.
A deposit of $1,500 – $5,000 per person, per trip (may be higher in some cases) along with a signed and completed Trip Reservation eForm will secure a reservation on the trip requested. Once a trip is guaranteed to operate, SWA’s comprehensive planning documents will be sent to the agency by email to be forwarded to clients. All other traveler’s forms including a medical questionnaire and traveler’s profile are available online and due with final payment.
The agency will be invoiced for the balance at the time the departure is guaranteed to operate. Final payment (balance less applicable commission) is generally due 120 days prior to the scheduled departure from the US. Trip balance for special private trips or cruises may be due 150 days or more in advance. The exact due date will be indicated on the detailed itinerary and our invoice. Full payment is due at the time of booking for reservations made less than 120 days in advance (or in certain cases less than 150 days in advance).
Deposits and balance payments are payable in US dollars to Southwind Adventures by agency check, wire transfer or client credit card (MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express).
All other Terms & Conditions as shown on this website, Assumption of Risks and Release of Liability, or individual Trip Itineraries apply. SWA’s promotional discounts such as Early Sign-up, Group, Child and Alumni discounts are applicable.
SIGNATURE TRIPS OR PRIVATE GROUP COMMISSION STRUCTURE
Based on the number of full revenue participants in a group (excluding the Trip Escort) the travel agency will earn the following per person commission on the Land Cost (LC) of the trip.Single Supplement Fees, cost for optional Trip Extensions, reduced land cost for a Trip Escort, any gear rental, accommodation upgrades, extra hotel nights for early arrival or late departure, and additional or partial services are non-commissionable. Airfare, if arranged by Southwind, is not commissionable.
2-11 participants: 10% Commission on the LC
12 + participants: 12% Commission on the LC
TRIP ESCORT(S)
Trip Escorts who accompany a private group qualify for a Trip Escort Discount. Their participation is non-commissionable and they do not count toward the total number of participants in a group for pricing or commission purposes.One Trip Escort Discount is deducted from the Land Cost and is based on the number of full revenue participants on a private group trip. Airfare, if arranged by SWA, does not qualify for a discount according to service contract. It is assumed that the Trip Escort will share accommodations unless advised otherwise (escorts occupying single accommodations either by choice or circumstance must pay a discounted Single Supplement). Terms will be specified by agreement between SWA and the agency.
Less than 6 participants: 20% Trip Escort Discount on the LC
6-10 participants: 30% Discount on the LC
11-14 participants: 50% Discount on the LC
15 + participants: 100% Discount on the LC
TRAVEL AGENTS qualify for a 20% discount on the Land Cost of any Southwind program.
Contact us through our Travel Agent Info Request Form