By Les Lee Roland

Welcome to the Flips and Flops column. We are able to do what we do here because of your input and information. If you want a supplier or a res agent or DSM to get special recognition, let us know. If there is something amiss with a company’s policies or actions, share them with us, as well. Let us know which booking engines and Web pages are hits and which are misses! E-Mail your suggestions to packagedeals@comcast.net.

A double FLIP to Globus, which now will send weekly E-mails to agents to remind them of final payments. I don’t think there is an agent out there who hasn’t forgotten a final date or not connected in time for the authorization from their client. So this helpful message from Globus works in favor of the agents.
And the second FLIP is for the company’s outreach to Home Based agents. When air flights were changed for an itinerary three weeks before departure, Globus didn’t just send out a fax to the Host agency. They actually called the Home Based agents to alert them about the change. This is so helpful, because some national Hosts receive the faxes and it can take a few days for them to pass them on to their agents. There is nothing better than the sound of a voice, rather than the shriek of the fax.
Let’s take a vote here: FLIP or FLOP? Is it worth $2.50 for you to order a brochure to be sent to your client with a customized letter from the supplier? That’s what Caravan Tours is offering to do. Methinks that this is a way for them to get a mailing list. It doesn’t cost an agent that much to order the brochure and send it directly to their client with a personalized note. And for $2.50 you can add some additional offers.
Agents should treasure their database and if they do decide to share with a Host or consortia, they should trust that alliance. Many times an agent books something and the supplier then starts sending its own promotions, not even mentioning the agency.  
Spirit runs sales for air travel almost weekly. One was for 7 cents a mile, another was for 32 cents each way on selected dates. I have even booked travel for $1 from Florida to Detroit on one of these too good to stay home deals.
Well, other carriers didn’t follow Spirit’s lead, but they probably will with another Spirit “innovation.” The airline now charges $10 to check a second bag of luggage under 50 pounds. And if you check a third bag, the rate is $100. A spokesperson for the airline said that passengers may start using duffle bags, which are easier to handle and hold more. Hope it isn’t a contagious FLOP — though British Airways is following Spirit’s lead.
We all know that the family market is growing by leaps and bounds. Well, hooray for Uniworld. They have started a family plan under which children ages 8 to 18 sail for half price on select cruises in June, July, and August. Special menus and shore excursions have been created for them, as well as a newly designed game room on board. What a great and educational multigeneration experience. FLIP!
Reported by agent Jan Paytas  from Pennsylvania: “My FLOP is Walt Disney Cruise Line. They recalled a $45 commission from our agency.  We booked grandparents and two children on a WDW cruise in November 2004 for a cruise in March 2005. All was fine, paid in full, wine ordered, etc. When one of the children boarded the cruise, he had had a birthday in the interim and was now a higher price. The grandparents were not charged but we were charged $45. They called it ‘commission recall.’ How ‘tacky’ that a company with the reputation of WDW would charge the travel agent the difference. To be sure, all agents now need to know what age a child WILL BE at sailing and book by that age, rather the age at booking!”
Yes, Jan, an expensive lesson, and a no-win situation. If they did charge the grandfather, he would have been mad at the agent, too. Thanks for the reminder.