Some hotels have been flagged for failing to pay travel agent commissions — and that could indirectly affect where travelers stay.
In today’s travel landscape, there are several different ways to make hotel reservations. Many travelers book directly on a hotel’s website using points or cash. However, plenty of travelers still rely on travel advisors to help plan and book their trips.
There are pros and cons to using a travel agent or advisor, which we’ve outlined in our post “Do You Need a Travel Agent to Plan a Trip?” But now there may be one more potential drawback: some hotels that advisors may hesitate to recommend to clients.
How travel agents typically get paid
Travel advisors generally don’t charge their clients for their services, or if they do, it’s a small amount to cover their time. Instead, most of their income comes from commissions paid by the hotels they book.
In other words, when a travel advisor books a stay at a hotel, the property typically pays the advisor a commission as part of the reservation agreement.
Unfortunately, some hotels have reportedly delayed or failed to pay those commissions.
Because of ongoing complaints, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) created a public Hotel Watchlist highlighting properties where advisors say commissions have been delayed or unpaid.
The watchlist launched in late 2025 and, according to ASTA, has already helped recover nearly $15,000 in unpaid commissions. The organization hopes to recover $100,000 this year.
It’s ASTA’s way of increasing visibility of properties that haven’t paid commissions and, as they explain it, “encourage industry participation in ASTA’s Report a Hotel tool,” the Society said.
“Commissions earned are commissions owed, period. Our members should not have to chase money they are contractually due,” said ASTA President and CEO Zane Kerby.
“By making the Watch List public, we are increasing pressure where pressure is warranted and reinforcing a simple standard across the industry: pay advisors on time,” Kirby added. “If a hotel does not want to be publicly identified for poor commission practices, the solution is straightforward: resolve the issue and pay what is owed.”
What hotels are included on the list?
ASTA says the hotels on the list are properties where member advisors have reported concerns about delayed payment or non-payment of commissions.
The organization also notes that many hotels operating under major brand names — such as Hilton, Marriott, IHG, or Wyndham — are actually franchise properties owned by independent operators. In those cases, the issue may involve the individual property owner rather than the global hotel brand itself.
Hotels currently on the watchlist
According to ASTA, the following hotels are currently included on the watchlist:
- The Biltmore Mayfair Hotel (United Kingdom)
- The Captain Cook Hotel (Alaska)
- Coco Reef Bermuda (Bermuda)
- Gaylord National Hotel (Maryland)
- The High Line Hotel (New York)
- Hotel Manzoni (Italy)
- The Merchant Hotel (United Kingdom)
- Hotel Trundle (South Carolina)
- Lockport Inn (New York)
- Novotel (Algeria)
- Orlando World Center Marriott (Florida)
- The Piccolo (California)
- Radisson Cincinnati Riverfront (Kentucky)
- Small Luxury Hotels (New York)
- TWA Hotel (New York)
The current version of the list is scheduled to remain public through March 13, 2026.
How could this affect guests
A hotel that’s on the watchlist may not directly impact guests staying there. However, it could still influence the travel experience in several ways.
Travel advisors may stop recommending those hotels
Some of the properties on the list — including places like the TWA Hotel — have strong reputations among travelers. However, if a hotel consistently fails to pay commissions, advisors may simply stop recommending it to their clients.
In that case, travelers who rely on advisors might never even hear about those properties as an option.
Travelers could lose perks they didn’t realize they were getting
Travel advisors often have access to preferred hotel programs that provide extra benefits such as:
- free breakfast
- room upgrades
- resort credits
- early check-in
- late checkout
- welcome amenities
If advisors avoid booking certain hotels due to commission disputes, travelers may lose access to those perks.
Travel advisors often act as problem-solvers
Even after a reservation is made, a travel advisor typically acts as the liaison between the hotel and the guest.
If a problem arises — such as an incorrect room type, an overbooking situation, billing issues, or late check-out complications — the advisor often helps resolve it.
If advisors stop working with a particular property, travelers may lose that extra layer of support.
A note of fairness
This watchlist reflects ASTA’s position and may not represent the hotels’ perspectives.
Some properties may dispute the claims or may already be working privately with ASTA to resolve commission issues. Those responses are not reflected on the public watchlist.
Travelers are also still free to book stays at any of the listed hotels directly if they choose.
Our take
We’re not personally affected by the watchlist since — except for cruises and occasionally higher-end hotels where we may use a Virtuoso advisor — we usually book travel ourselves.
That said, any company that fails to pay money it is contractually obligated to pay isn’t making a great impression.
Many travelers rely on advisors to help plan their trips. If advisors begin avoiding certain properties due to unpaid commissions, those hotels could ultimately lose potential bookings — and that could affect where travelers choose to stay.
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