The American Society of Travel Agents` (ASTA) efforts to protect travel agents` rights to unclaimed funds in the…
The American Society of Travel Agents` (ASTA) efforts to protect travel agents` rights to unclaimed funds in the airline commission caps case has resulted in a win for all travel agents – as the more than $600,000 in funds were released July 31 by the judge to travel agents in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The released funds are a result of ASTA`s work to overturn two rulings that distributed the unclaimed funds to Minnesota charities and other organizations rather than to travel agencies.
ASTA`s determination and hard work to fight on behalf of the travel agents has resulted in a long-awaited victory for all travel agents, but especially for those in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, said ASTA President and CEO Richard M. Copland, CTC. The releasing of the money to the agents in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands after almost four years is proof that a long battle for the right cause is worth the effort. Travel agents work hard for their money and deserve to be paid for the job they do on behalf of the consumer.
In June 1999, ASTA filed a motion to clarify the inclusion of Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Island agents in the original distribution of funds. At question was the distribution of more than $600,000 in unclaimed funds remaining from the $86 million settlement in the airlines cap case. ASTA was seeking a ruling that the class included travel agents in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands so that unclaimed funds could be divided among the agents in those locations. Alternatively, ASTA sought a ruling that even if not included in the original class, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands agents were the most appropriate group to whom to distribute the left-over funds.
The District Court initially ordered distribution of these funds to several educational and charitable organizations in the vicinity of Minneapolis. The Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit upheld the lower court`s decision that the Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands agents were not members of the original class, but agreeing with ASTA, reversed its decision regarding the charities. When the case was remanded, the District Court ordered the funds distributed to the National Association for Public Interest Law. On Sept. 9, 2002, following a second appeal, briefings and oral arguments, the appeals court reversed that decision as well. The District court has now entered its order directing the distribution to the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
