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18 June, 2020

Why agents will be cheering about Quark’s one-of-a-kind booking policy

By Travel Weekly

Quark Expeditions has responded to the temporary halt of cruising in the best way possible – by innovating its booking process for travel agents and their customers.

While you may have clients who are a tad anxious about whether their upcoming polar cruise will go ahead, you can rest assured that Quark has their backs thanks to the line’s ‘Book with Confidence’ policy.

The new, first-of-its kind policy offers risk-free cancellations and a lifetime guarantee on all your clients’ deposits and/or full payments entrusted to Quark Expeditions.

For new and existing bookings on voyages departing for Antarctica between 1 November 2020 through to 31 March 2021, guests can rebook for free up to 48 hours prior to their voyage, with all cancellation and rebook fees waived.

Guests also receive a 120 per cent Lifetime Future Travel Refund Credit for voyages where full payment at time of cancellation has been received by Quark, which gives them the flexibility to select a longer voyage or upgrade their cabin when the time is right to travel.

For deposits or other partial payments at time of cancellation, customers receive a 100 per cent Lifetime Future Travel Refund Credit from the cruise line.

Now, that sounds like a bloody good deal, but it gets even better.

Credit: Quark Expeditions/Nicky Souness

For a limited time, you can offer your clients a cabin with a low deposit of just 10 per cent – that’s half of the standard 20 per cent deposit required per booking!

Agents can combine this low deposit requirement with any of Quark’s in-market offers, including its early booking bonuses. Yes, you read correctly – the cruise line is offering discounts as high as 40 per cent on its Antarctic 2020/21 season, and up to 25 per cent on its Arctic 2021 expeditions, plus an additional 10 per cent off when paying in full on select departures.

Oh, and did we mention that Quark Expeditions has introduced an accelerated commission plan?

The cruise line will pay out $740 of earned commissions right away on all new bookings made by 31 August 2020 for all seasons on sale, with a minimum deposit amount of $1,480. And, you’ll of course receive the remaining commission on the regular payment schedule.

Speaking to Travel Weekly, Quark’s regional sales director, Jarrod Zurvas, said: “We’re incredibly excited to have introduced these innovative new booking conditions, which will help to support travel agent businesses right now, and also offer their customers peace of mind that their investment is protected – whether they choose to travel in 2021 or in the years to come.”

Credit: Quark Expeditions/Acacia Johnson

Travelling with confidence is top of mind for all cruisers right now, and you can put yourself and your clients at ease knowing Quark has been working behind the scenes with the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators and the International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators to develop and implement the most effective strategies necessary to keep guests safe post-coronavirus.

These include screening strategies (for guests and crew), enhanced ship- and gear-cleaning policies, and equipment and behaviour modifications.

Those agents looking to take advantage of Quark Expeditions’ unique policy and start earning now should contact their preferred Quark wholesaler or Quark Expeditions directly on 1800 812 855.

To learn more about all these stellar offers, simply click here.

Travel agents and industry professionals are also welcome to join Quark’s AU/NZ Facebook page.

Featured image: Quark Expeditions/David Merronun

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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