🏩 🛳️ Travel industry commissions
You're paying this fee ... but not at Vacation Steal.
If you’re booking a resort, hotel, or cruise, you’re paying a sales commission. You don’t see it because it’s part of the price. But it’s going to someone, whether it’s a travel agent or staff contractor or employee.
Good news! Vacation Steal is a wholesale travel provider. Just like Costco and Sam’s Club, our sales staff is paid a regular salary. We don’t pay sales commissions. That’s part of why our prices are so low.
Typical travel agent commissions range from 8% to 15% for hotels and resorts, and 10% to 20% for cruises. These percentages apply to the base room or cruise fare, excluding government taxes and resort or port fees. At travel agencies, similar to real estate agencies, individual agents typically split the fee with the agency.
We did some research to dig into this further.
Hotels and Resorts Commission Rates
Standard / Budget Properties (2–3 star): 8% to 12%
Mid-Range & Chain Properties (4–5 star / Marriott, Hilton): 10% to 15%
Luxury Properties & Consortia Partners (Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton via Virtuoso): 12% to 20% (luxury brands often start at 10%, but preferred partner programs or high volume push rates higher)
Cruise Commission Rates
Mass Market Lines (Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean): 10% to 14% base, up to 15–16% with preferred status
Premium & River Cruises (Celebrity Cruises, Viking Cruises): 12% to 18%
Luxury & Expedition Lines (Regent, Silversea Cruises): 15% to 22%
Staff Splits and Payout Realities
Host Agency Splits: Independent agents working under a host agency typically split the commission, keeping anywhere from 60% to 90%.
Timing: Most suppliers pay commissions 30 to 90 days after travel is completed, though some cruise lines disburse funds after final client payment.
Planning Fees: Because base commissions can lag, many agents charge separate upfront planning or service fees ($100–$250+) for their time. In comparison, Vacation Steal charges $35 to consult and book your vacation with one of our travel planners.