You might have noticed that Marriott is no longer showing up on any shopping portals. This is because Marriott has sent out an e-mail to affiliates that as of 5PM EST the affiliate program has been paused. Seems like a strange time to me to pause the program, but I guess the thinking is that they have bigger problems to deal with right now.
Sure, bookings are down and the travel industry is struggling. But I’m not so sure that’s the best time to cut commissions to sales agents.
Marriott disagrees.
It is suspending its online affiliate commission program today with minimal notice to partners. pic.twitter.com/6lz4Malbup
— Seth Miller (@WandrMe) March 18, 2020
Hotels in dire straits. They are cutting off all outflows to conserve cash. We are going to see huge layoffs.
Please pardon our appearance while downgrades are in progress!
I usually loathe everything they do. As an ambassador elite I’m used to self punishing. However, I’m happy to see this so they can pay their employees with what little money they have left. And I know we can all say management has been irresponsible. But at the end of the day, it’s not the front line employees fault.
TSA allows expired driver’s licenses
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/tsa-says-expired-licenses-ok-at-airport-security/index.html
https://twitter.com/TSA/status/1240000822941044736?s=20
(useful screenshots)
Stay well.
As soon as all sports got shut down Stubhub and Seatgeek both immediately cancelled their affiliate programs (I’m an affiliate for both and it’s a huge blow to my income). Whether they eventually bring them back (or those companies even in business at all), who knows…
I was actually surprised the hotels hadn’t pulled the plug yet.
So Arne’s answer to slow business is to kill off incentives to be involved with Marriott? Involved guests are more likely to stay with Marriott, hence the whole “loyalty” term. Why not just tell people to stay away while he’s at it? Sheesh, this guy. With the decisions he’s made, the Magic 8 Ball would statistically be a better option.
Leaving the door open to get beat up by OTAs
That seems like exactly the time to cut commissions to sales agents — you don’t want them selling because you are closing hotels and conserving cash.
Don’t the commissions get paid when the stay is completed? Would still be conserving cash if this as the case.