What are 'Agents' as defined by Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham for reservation commission purposes?
Hawthorn_Suites_By_Wyndham Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
head) for providing these services. Some of our distribution partners may charge a commission on reservations you receive through these reservation channels and, if we pay such commission on your behalf, you will reimburse us and pay our service charge of 1.5% of commissionable revenue. Upon written notice to you, we may alter, change, modify, remove or add new fees as existing reservation channels are modified or partners are added to existing channels or new reservation channels are established.
You will also pay commissions for (a) reservations booked by "Agents" and/or (b) qualified reservations consumed by members of affinity groups and organizations that participate in our Member Benefits program. You must pay our service charge of 1.5% of commissionable revenue, if applicable. "Agents" include, but are not limited to, travel agents, on-line travel and referral websites, travel consortia, travel management companies, and global sales agents, as well
as digital media linking to Chain websites and unique call center numbers purchased by the payfor-performance program ("PFP").
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD page 92)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, "Agents" for reservation commission purposes include a variety of entities that facilitate bookings at the franchisee's facility. These agents are not limited to traditional travel agents but also encompass online platforms and referral services.
Specifically, Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham defines agents as travel agents, online travel and referral websites, travel consortia, travel management companies, and global sales agents. The definition extends to digital media that links to Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham websites and unique call center numbers purchased by the pay-for-performance program (PFP).
Franchisees are responsible for paying commissions on reservations booked through these agents. Additionally, if Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham pays a commission to these agents on the franchisee's behalf, the franchisee must reimburse Hawthorn Suites By Wyndham, along with a service charge of 1.5% of the commissionable revenue. This means that franchisees need to account for these potential commission expenses when evaluating the profitability of reservations generated through these various channels.