Customers to See Price Hike after Airlines Cut Travel-Agent Fees.

Byline: William Conroy

Mar. 23--Travel agents are increasing their service charges to customers now that several airlines have eliminated the commissions they used to pay the agents.

Four Seasons Travel Inc. increased its service charge from $10 to $25 per ticket this week, said Joanne P. Kortenhaus, owner of the Tinton Falls agency.

"People are not going to want to pay it, and I don't blame them," she said.

But the travel agencies have no choice if they want to survive, Kortenhaus said.

Other New Jersey agencies are charging from 5 percent to 10 percent of the base price of the ticket, or a flat fee ranging from $25 to $50 per …