Since planning a Disney vacation can be so complicated, especially if you’re a newbie to Disneyland or Disney World, it’s helpful to have a travel agent to book your travel for you.
Disney just terminated a top travel agency partnership with a company that previously employed nearly 70 travel agents. At Mickey Visit, we report on all Disney news, including the newest Disney travel discounts, plus the half-price military annual pass. Now, we the owner of the travel agency has responded and there are new allegations against the agency from agents and from a client.
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Smart Moms Travel Faces Allegations of Wrongful Terminations and Withheld Pay
Smart Moms Travel, a nationwide travel agency, is currently being accused of wrongful termination and withholding commission from former and current employees. Former and current employees took to social media to accuse the travel agency of wrongdoing, according to NBC Connecticut.
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Lauren Belair, a Smart Moms Travel agent, told the station, “I just feel so sad and so horrible for the 70 plus agents that were terminated right before the holidays. You know, they were really relying on that income that they are not going to receive, and there was no warning.” While Belair was not among the 70 agents who were allegedly terminated, she told the news station that the payroll department informed her they would be withholding her commission of “probably two thousand dollars plus.”
NBC reached out to Smart Moms Travel CEO Lauralyn Johnson (LJ), but she did not respond to their multiple requests for comment. The news station also highlighted her most recent Instagram post from Wednesday about a trip to Italy, which read, “Day two of being in Italy and not in prison for firing people who stole from me.”
They also spoke with a former Smart Moms Travel employee in Nebraska who previously had administrative privileges and was later terminated. They stated that travel agents can’t steal, as clients book their vacations directly with companies like Disney. Disney then sends the commission payments to the agency, and Smart Moms Travel distributes those commissions to individual agents.
According to a statement from the CEO, LJ, on the Smart Moms Travel About Us page, which serves as the company’s general description, “One of the best parts of my job is helping other women build rewarding careers as travel agents. Empowering women to turn their travel passions into a profession is incredibly fulfilling. Through Smart Moms Travel, I offer guidance, fellowship, and support to women looking to balance family and career in ways that are flexible and exciting.”
Disney Responds to Smart Moms Travel Controversy
NBC Connecticut also reached out to the major travel companies Smart Moms Travel books through, including Disney, Universal, and Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean told the station it is looking into the situation.
A Disney spokesperson responded with the following statement:
“Based on concerns we have received regarding changes to Smart Moms Travel’s business practices, we have exercised our right to terminate our Authorized Disney Vacation Planner designation agreement with the agency.”
Disney did not clarify what changes it responded to, but many are assuming it’s due to the allegations from former and current employees against Smart Moms Travel.
How Travel Agencies Make Money
Travel agencies booking vacations through companies like Disney, Universal, and cruise lines receive a payment from the company, which they then distribute to their travel agents as a commission.
The details of the commission and payment are based on the internal agreements and policies at these agencies. Most travel agents work as independent contractors under a larger agency, which then manages licensing, training, and commission distribution. Commission rates vary depending on the company, but in some cases could range from 10 to 20 percent of the travel package.
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This is why using a travel agent is nearly always a free service, as the company (such as Disney) pays the travel agency, not the customer. We always recommend our trusted travel partner, Get Away Today, as they offer a free service providing discounts and assistance in planning trips to our readers.
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