Trains.com just reported that Amtrak is changing the way it does business with travel agents as a way to boost ridership on long-distance trains while cutting its costs.Amtrak this month did away with the 5% commision it paid travel agents for booking tickets on corridor travel, including the acela Express and regional services such as as the Pacific Sufliner, Hiawathas, and Empire Corridor. The move is expected to save Amtrak $5 million annually.
But Amtrak will maintain the 8% commission paid to travel agents who book long-distance trips-and will increase from 10% to 12% the commission paid for Amtrak Vacation package bookings.
To boost group travel on long-distance trains, Amtrak will maintain the 10% travel agent commission while increasing the fare discount to 20% from 5%.
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