Independent agents have threatened to switch-sell away from British Airways after the airline’s decision to implement a fee system.
Paul Dayson, manager of Spa Travel Worldchoice, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, said: “We will not sell BA. Switch-selling away from BA is our policy, if it suits our client.”
His comments were backed up by Di Baker, the owner of Wellington Travel in Aldershot.
“Switch-selling happens a lot, plus the public is currently not enamoured with BA,” she said.
Andrew Dickson, managing director of St Andrews Travel, Bolton said: “If our payments are substantially less than other airlines, we may have to look at airlines that pay more,” he said.
When BA cut commission to 7% from 9% two years ago and brought in the Performance Reward Scheme, many agents switch-sold away from the carrier. PRS was then scrapped.
Meanwhile, Thomas Cook commercial director Mike Beaumont said: “There has been lots of changes in BA’s commission structure and contracts. We are now faced with another change from a retail perspective. A level of consistency is very important. We have long-term plans and this change makes it very difficult.”