That's 20 percent less than the commission rate of a year ago. Total commissions paid only dropped 13 percent, because travel agents actually were selling 8 percent more airline tickets. They were just enjoying it less. November's figures, when they are released, will be worse. It appears that airlines, convinced they can sell their tickets directly either over the phone or through the Internet, will keep on cutting commissions until it is no longer profitable for them to do so.
Travel agents provide real value to airline passengers.
They can find the trip that best meets your budget and plans. But the basis of the business is rapidly changing. In the past, the agent essentially provided customers a free service. The ticket you bought from them cost the same as the ticket you bought from the airline. Now, many travel agents are being forced to charge their customers fees, since the commissions paid by the airlines don't cover their costs, much less provide a profit.