2024 Travel Agent Sales Policies


Southwind Adventures (SWA) will honor commissions to any IATAN or ARC appointed travel agency as indicated in the Commission Structures below for all Custom Trips.

PRIVATE TRIPS BOOKINGS

These are individuals, families or groups of travelers (minimum of 2-4 participants according to the destination and a minimum trip length of 7 days) that the agency books on a Southwind Trip.

The itinerary may be one of Southwind’s programs listed on 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 journey. The next step is a proposal and price quote for which there is a non-refundable & non-transferable $1,000 or $2,000 custom itinerary design fee (provides for a maximum of 3 itineraries). The design fee counts towards your client’s Land Cost and is deducted from their invoice.

A deposit of $1,500 – $6,000 per person, per trip 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. SWA’s traveler’s forms including the medical 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.

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.

PRIVATE TRIPS COMMISSION STRUCTURE

Regardless of the number of full revenue participants in a group the travel agency will earn 10% commission per traveler on the Land Cost 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.

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 purposes.

One Trip Escort Discount is deducted from the Land Cost (LC) and is based on the number of full revenue participants on a private group trip. 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 trip.

Contact us through our Travel Agent Info Request Form