TEMPE, ARIZONA - America West Airlines has joined other major carriers in dropping ticket commissions paid to travel agents. <br>
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In place of the commissions, the carrier said Friday that it will now pay travel agents bonuses of up to 5 percent if their ticket sales exceed a base level, which America West will set. <br>
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The airline had been paying commissions of 5 percent, up to $20, on each round-trip ticket sold by travel agents. <br>
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Delta, United, American, Continental and Northwest also have dropped the commissions for travel agents. <br>
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Airlines are trying to cut ticket-distribution costs and draw customers to their Internet sites. Ticket distribution is the fourth-largest expense for carriers after labor, fuel and aircraft, according to the Air Transport Association, the industry's trade group. <br>
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Travel agents say scrapping commissions will force some agencies to close and cause passengers to pay more for tickets because they will have to book their trips directly with airlines. <br>
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``In essence, this is a fare increase, putting more money in the pockets of the airlines,'' said Pam Stewart, owner of Stewart Travel of Mesa.
