Tern makes it easy to track and manage commissions, ensuring travel advisors and agencies can monitor expected and received payments efficiently. The Commission Settings section allows you to configure default payout dates (with more management settings coming soon).
Default Payout Date
For future bookings, the Default Payout Date, delays payout eligibility to the travel start or end date. Otherwise, the commission received date is used.
1. Default Payout Date
Navigate to Settings → Commission Settings.
Locate the Default Payout Date field.
Choose from:
Travel Start Date: the start date on the booking activity
Travel End Date: the end date on the booking activity
Commission Received Date: the date the supplier payment is added to the booking
Click Save Changes.
2. Eligible for Payout Date
When adding a supplier payment to a booking, the Eligible for Payout Date is automatically set based on the Default Payout Date configured in your Commission Settings.
How It Works
Add a Supplier Payment to a booking
The Eligible for Payout field will be set based on your selection in the Default Payout Settings.
If you’ve selected Travel Start Date or Travel End Date and those dates are missing from the booking, the system defaults to the Commission Received Date.
Default Agent Commission Rate
How to Set a Default Agent Commission Split
Navigate to commission settings
Set a description and Split for your Standard Commission Split, this will be applied to all new teammates that join your team
Note: when you change this rate it will not change any of the rates applied to your agents directly.
Learn more about managing multiple commission split rates per agent here: Tern Agency: Managing Agent Commission Splits
Removing a Default Agent Commission Split
If you remove your Default Agent Commission rate and any standard rates on the agent profile then all bookings will default to custom commission splits for the agent.
How it works
When you add or edit a team member you will now see Standard Commission Rates as a part of their profile and when adding a new agent you will see that their Standard Rate is defaulted to what you set in the Commission Settings
When an agent adds a booking they will see an option for Standard or Custom rates and the Standard Rate will be based on the rates set in their profile and based on the booking date
Standard: the rate set and locked by an agency admin
Custom: a custom amount set by the agent
Commission Types
Creating Commission Types as an Agency Admin
Admins can set up custom commission types that align with their agency's unique workflows. Here’s how:
Navigate to Settings: From the main dashboard, go to Agency Settings.
Open Commission Types: Select Commission Settings from the settings menu.
Add New Type: Click New Type and fill in the required fields:
Name: A clear label for the commission type (e.g., Direct Payment, Override, Bonus).
Description (Optional): Help advisors understand when to select this type.
Default Split: Set a default advisor-agency split (e.g., 80/20). This can be adjusted later per booking.
Status: Toggle whether this type is active and visible to advisors.
Save: Click Save to add the new type.
Using Commission Types as an Advisor
Advisors can select from available commission types when:
Logging a booking and entering expected commission details
Recording a received commission payment
To select a commission type:
Go to the Trip: Open the trip containing the relevant booking.
Navigate to Booking & Pricing: Select the Booking & Pricing tab.
Log Expected Commission: When adding or updating expected commission, choose the appropriate Commission Type from the dropdown.
Save Changes: Confirm your entry to track expected earnings accurately.
Adjusting Commission Types During Reconciliation
Agency admins can review and adjust commission types during reconciliation to ensure accurate financial records. This is often necessary when:
A supplier pays via a different method than expected
A commission payment includes a bonus or override
To adjust a commission type during reconciliation:
Go to Reporting: Navigate to the Reporting section.
Locate the Commission Entry: Find the specific commission payment or booking.
Edit Commission Type: Click Edit and update the commission type from the dropdown.
Save Changes: Ensure the new type is reflected in your reports.
