In response to the recent announcement that Marriott International will cut commissions paid to third-party meeting planners, some boutique hotels and independent brands are launching promotions increasing commissions with hopes of acquiring new customers or expanding on existing group business.
Marriott International announced it will cut third-party commissions to 7 percent from 10 percent for all of its hotels in the U.S. and Canada. The reduction will officially take effect on March 31, 2018, but Marriott confirmed it will pay the 10 percent commission rate for contracts signed prior to March 31.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts currently has a 60-day promotion called “We Appreciate You."
The offer provides clients with 150,000 I Prefer Reward Points and an additional 1 percent commission, bringing the end commission rate to 11 percent, for any programs that exceed $100,000 in rooms revenue and have the contract closed by July 30, 2018 (they must be sold by April 1, 2018).
“Reducing commissions may be the wave of the future for larger chains, while it is still very early to tell,” said Elaine Macy, executive vice president of global group sale for Preferred Hotels. “Looking ahead, I believe we will see that most large franchise brands will reduce commissions across the board and then have some type of back-end volume bonus for the major third-party planners to reimburse them for lost commission.
“We are maintaining our standard 10 percent commission level and staying true to all of our clients—especially the smaller independent planners, who we value highly,” Macy continued. "It will allow us to be more visible in the industry, allow us to attract business we may never have had the opportunity to bid on before, help planners get to know Preferred Hotels & Resorts as a brand and help us develop long-term relationships with our clients—small- and large-size agencies—on behalf of our brand and member hotels."
Eden Roc Miami Beach, Nobu Hotel Miami Beach and the soon-to-debut Nobu Hotel Los Cabos have also introduced promotions in response to the news of a commission reduction from Marriott International.
All have all increased commissions from 10 percent to 12 percent on new groups that book a minimum of 10 rooms per night contracted through Dec. 31, 2018. This includes travel anytime.
Eldorado Hotel & Spa in Santa Fe, N.M., is offering 13 percent commission on all new business booked by April 30, 2018, and consumed before Dec. 31, 2018. The incentive is not valid with any other offers or promotions or pending business in prospect or tentative status. It is also not valid over festivals and blackout dates may apply.
The recently renovated Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas announced a special that offers up to a 12 percent room commission with the code, “Meet me at the Plaza."
This commission rate applies to new bookings only with a minimum of 50 room nights and the reservation of meeting space is required. Additional restrictions and blackout dates may apply.
