First, is it actually late?
A lot of “late” commission isn’t late at all; it’s measured from the wrong date. Before you chase anything, check when that supplier actually pays.
- Check what the date counts from. Some suppliers pay before departure, some after the trip, and cruise lines often pay against the client’s final payment. See when suppliers pay commission.
- Allow for the payment run. If the supplier pays weekly or on a monthly statement, a commission released just after the cut-off waits for the next one.
- Add your host’s timing. If you work under a host, the supplier pays them first and they pay you on their own schedule.
A good rule: only treat a commission as late once it’s past the date you’d reasonably expect it, including those extra steps.
Check these before you write
- Was the trip paid in full? Some suppliers hold commission while a balance is owing.
- Did the trip go ahead as booked? A change or cancellation can change or cancel the commission.
- Has your host already been paid? If you’re hosted, check your host’s latest statement or portal. If the supplier has paid them, the question goes to your host, not the supplier.
- Was part of it paid? A short payment is worth chasing too. Compare what arrived with what you expected.
Who to contact
- If you work under a host: start with your host’s commission team. They can see what the supplier has paid and usually chase on your behalf.
- If you’re independent: contact the supplier’s agent support or commission department directly.
What to include
Make it easy to find the booking. For each one, give:
- The booking reference
- The lead passenger’s name
- The travel dates
- When you expected payment, and why (the supplier’s terms)
If several bookings with the same supplier are late, list them all in one message rather than sending one email each.
Be careful with amounts. If you work under a host, the figure you track is usually your share after the split, not what the supplier pays. Quoting your share to a supplier can confuse things; dates and booking references are safer.
Keep a record
Note when you asked, who you asked and what they said. If nothing happens, follow up after a week or two, with the same list. When the money arrives, record it against each booking so you know what’s still outstanding.
Let the list build itself
Arrivals puts every booking on a chase list as soon as it passes its expected pay date with money still owed, grouped by supplier, most overdue first. One click writes the follow-up email with booking references, names and dates, ready to send from your own email. See the chase list.