UniverCell introduces new travel agent commission program

UniverCell, a leading international cellular phone rental company introduced a new commission based program for travel agents to offer international cellular phone rentals to their clients traveling overseas.

BALTIMORE, Jan 6, 2003
At a time when many airlines are cutting commissions to travel agents by as much as 80%, UniverCell Global Phone Rentals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of UniverCell Holdings, Inc., (UVCL) (www.rentalcell.com) a leading international cellular phone rental company in the United States, has announced a commission program for travel agents that will pay $20.00 for every international cell phone rental referral plus a $100.00 bonus for ten or more rentals in a month, and commissions are paid weekly.

Experienced travelers know that most U.S. cell phones are incapable of working overseas. For years, they have had to use hotel phones that, for example, can cost $16.00 for the first minute for a London to Chicago call.

UniverCell phones are up to 70% less expensive than hotel phones and 30%-50% less than their competitors. The same call on a UniverCell phone from London to Chicago would have been 75 cents a minute, and incoming calls would have been free.

Rental fees are $25.00 for the first week and $20.00 for each additional week. Call charges range from 75 cents to $2.99 per minute for outgoing calls, and from FREE to $1.99 per minute for incoming calls.

"UniverCell does everything for the travel agents and their clients," says Becky Goldberg, vice president of agent relations. "All they have to do is ask: 'Do you need a cell phone on your trip?' If the client says 'yes,' there is just one simple form to complete, send to UniverCell, and we do all the rest."

Overnight, UniverCell will send a Motorola v66 cell phone that works on the GSM (global standard for mobile communications) system so travelers can place and receive calls worldwide. Each package contains the cell phone, in-room and car chargers, a hands-free kit, an extra battery and a leather case. There's even a prepaid return envelope to send the package back to UniverCell.

UniverCell will begin offering phones with U.S. numbers for rental to select countries in March. Currently, all operators rent phones with international phone numbers. UniverCell customers receive complimentary voice mail service, caller ID, call waiting, call conferencing and are Internet-ready.

UniverCell has an agreement with Avis-Rent-A-Car to be their exclusive international cell phone rental company for Avis clients. There is no cost to travel agents to join the UniverCell program. For more information or to join, travel agents can call 1-800-765-2355, ext. 8145, or e-mail www.beckyg@rentalcell.com.

The Beaumont Group, New YorkMaria Sclafani, 212/867-0228