Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15

In episode 183 Steph cohosts with Kendra Tainsh of Travel Edge. They’re gonna have a go at the questions below, and give you plenty to learn about in the process!  

1. Hi, I am just joining a Travel Agent as part of her independent Agency starting in December but I do need to establish myself as an LLC as well as set up a business bank account which I will do at the bank that I have been using for my personal banking. Do you have any suggestions as to the best Credit card for TA's? Thank you, Robin R

2. Are there any arrangements where a customer can still earn points with a hotel chain or airline while purchasing through a travel agency? I hate having friends and family make an effort to work with me, pay the same as they would pay on their own & lose their points. –Jenn T.

3. Hi Steph, are there any host agencies that work with international new advisors outside the USA and Canada? Thank you! –Meseret G.

RESOURCES:

Setting Up Your Travel Agency’s Financials

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/setting-up-travel-agencys-financials)

The Best Credit Card Rewards for Your Travel Agency

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/best-credit-card-rewards-travel-agency)

How Much Do Travel Agents Make per Booking?

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-much-do-travel-agents-make-per-booking)

Using a Travel Agent vs. Booking Online: An Infographic

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-vs-booking-online)

Travel Agent Booking Basics

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-booking-basics)

Travel Agency Accreditation Options [Infographic + More]

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation)

Travel Edge | Host Agency Reviews with reviews and info (https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/travel-edge)

Luxury Travel Advisors & Agent Host Agency Network | TravelEdge

(https://www.traveledgenetwork.com/)

instagram: @traveledgenetwork

In episode 182 Steph cohosts with Jennnifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! Here’s a taste of the questions! 

1. Hello, HAR team. Thank you for your very informative article series on booking group travel.  I'm working on my first group and trying to wrap my brain around contracts. Is there a contract between you (the travel advisor) and the supplier, and another contract between you and the client, or is it all one contract? Is this in addition to the usual terms and conditions form used when booking FIT travel? Last, are there any red flags to watch out for or items to be sure to include when signing these contracts with suppliers? Thank you for all you do!  --Molly C. 

2.Do advisors typically split their planning fees with their host agencies? If so, does it follow the commission split? Thank you! --Anonymous

3. I've had a hard time summing up my niche into one word, as I'm new to the industry. My goal is to provide travel to the curious mind that is leisure, but can also include giving back to the community/land/culture through volunteering, shopping local markets, or through participating in educational experiences. It seems the appropriate name for this niche would be Eco Travel or Responsible Travel. Granted, it's difficult to be 100% environmentally friendly since some travel is unavoidable, but if you have any suggestions regarding the name or suggestions of suppliers that specialize work with this type of niche, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for this incredible podcast. - Jamie K. 

In episode 181 Steph cohosts with a longtime Friday 15 friend, April Swales of Uniglobe Travel! Here's a taste of the topics they'll tackle -- via your questions! 

1. I'm a new advisor and the host agency's booking platform is soooo complicated! I'm still trying to make it through the training. Thinking about switching to another host. Are booking platforms so complicated in general? How can you find out?  —Marsha G.

2. Hi Steph, I've been a long-time listener and am now a regular caller—love the show!

For my Friyay! 15 Question, I’m thinking about adding my booking metrics data like the number of booked cruises, flights, and destinations to my website. Do you think this is a good idea? If so, how would an agent go about adding that information to the site?

All this to help build a trusting relationship with clients about the services that we provide.

Thanks for your insights! I’ll hang up and listen now.😁

Best,

Quincy H.

3. Hi Steph! I saw your post on LinkedIn about the Beneficial Ownership Information. Is this required for all agencies? Why haven’t I heard about this before? —Anonymous

RESOURCES:

Find booking tools and reviews on HAR’s travel agency software list. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software)

Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI): What it Is, How to File, + Reporting Requirements (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/beneficial-ownership-information-boi-what-it-is-how-to-file-reporting-requirements)

Uniglobe Travel Center’s profile with reviews and info 

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/uniglobe-travel-center)

Uniglobetravelcenter.com

https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) 

(180) What Computer Should I Buy? Discounts in Host Agency Choice. Dual-Ownership of Agency and HAs? 

In episode 180 Steph welcomes Kendra Tainsh of Travel Edge Network as a co-host. They'll cover the following topics in this week's Friday 15! 

1. As I move into setting up my own Travel Advisor business, I'm thinking about what computer to get. As a teacher, I've been provided a MacBook Pro, which I love, but I know no different! Laptop? PC? Apple?  —Stephanie B.

2. I am in the process of researching which host agency to join. Which ones offer discounts to tickets (concerts/sporting events/day tours/activities/etc.)? Evolution Travel offers those discounts, but am unsure whether the MLM model is the right choice for me. I haven't been able to find this level of detail when doing my search. Ideally, 'm looking for a host agency with a GDS, part of consortia, no minimum sales requirement and have discounts to tickets. Thank you so much! :)  —Cecily M.  

3. Most resources we come across assume that the agent is structured as a sole proprietorship or single-LLC. This has caused us to ask if there are any major differences in how a MMLLC is handled within the industry. For example, do host agencies see us as a single "agency" or as two agents when it comes to commissions, fees, training?  —Joseph H.

RESOURCES:

What is a DMC in Travel? (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company)

All about preferred suppliers in the travel industry. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier)

Everything you need to know about Travel MLMs (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-mlms)

Advice on how to find the best host agency + questions to ask. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency) 

What the GDS is + options for booking air without the GDS system. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds)

In episode 179 Steph is co-hosting with David Meihoefer of TPI! Here’s a taste of the subjects they’ll tackle: 

1. I'm still debating which host agency to choose, do you suggest I wait until host week to choose?  Also do you think I should have my website set up before choosing a host? -Thanks, Jenn

2. I am still just doing lots of reading, and trying to better understand the travel advisor landscape a bit better.  One question I am wondering if you can answer for me is the relationship between the host agency and the consortium.  

When I talked to a host, it sounds like they select their suppliers directly. They have a team that does that. However, it also seems like their suppliers have to come from the consortium, or at least they have to maintain a certain ratio there. So if someone wanted to be a supplier to that host, would they also have to be a supplier to the consortium? 

Just trying to understand who really maintains that relationship between the suppliers? Is it both, or more one than the other? —Anonymous

RESOURCES:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 (Submit questions, sign up for reminders for the F15, along with that week's questions we'll be covering!) 

How to build a website in 7 minutes + videos (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/wix-tutorial)

Register for the party of the year: Host Week (https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/host-week)

Advice on how to find the best host agency + questions to ask. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency) 

All about preferred suppliers in the travel industry. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier)

What is a travel consortium? (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coops)

What is a host agency? 

(https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-host-agency)

Signature Travel Network’s HAR profile (https://hostagencyreviews.com/consortia/signature-travel-network)

Travel Planners International's profile with reviews and info (https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/travel-planners-international)

In episode 178 Steph is co-hosting with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! Here are the questions for this week! 

1. I loved the HAR CRM and Itinerary article. My head is spinning: I've looked at so many, Planiteasy, Travefy, Traveljoy, Unmapped, Axus, Tess, Tern. Which one can I either forward the email confirmation from hotels/air/car and it will input all the details not just the confirmation, dates... like prices, room type and cancel policies, or do they all make you enter this again to create the client itinerary once finished booking the reservation? Which let you import confirmations directly from suppliers and help create itineraries?

So yes I want a unicorn, a central repository for all my client's profiles and their bookings, plus the ability to create and send itineraries...that are of course beautiful.   Haha.

-Janette 

2. Does anyone have a place that they can recommend to track expenses?  I'm using an excel spreadsheet and honestly I'm not a fan of it. -Dina

3. Hi there! I have a client wanting to go on a fall foliage tour back east this year. I already quoted her a land tour, but now she’s asking about a train tour. Walking a lot would be a problem for my client. How should I balance all of these requests and find the right suppliers? Thank you for all your feedback. -Anonymous

RESOURCES:

Find itinerary builders, read over 90 advisor reviews + more in HAR’s new travel agency software list! (https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software)

Freshbooks. https://www.freshbooks.com/

Xero. https://www.xero.com/

Quickbooks. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/

Expensify. https://www.expensify.com/

What travel expenses can you (and can’t you) write off? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-expenses

Travel agents, here’s how to qualify clients. (Tutorials + real-life examples) https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-to-qualify-clients-travel-agent

Host Week EduSpot: Shifting Identities - Making Travel More Accessible. https://www.youtube.com/live/tT7cHbr_y-g?feature=shared&t=19139

 Host Week EduSpot: Growing Your Business Through Accessible Travel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0cSwYJxyOU&t=15922s

Dugan's Travels’ profile with reviews and info (https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/dugans-travels)

https://www.facebook.com/duganstravels/

In episode 177 Steph is co-hosting with Stephanie Pickles of Pickles Travel! They’ve got a ton to discuss, including the following: 

1. I hope to be a beginner agent one day soon and as I am sorting out how to break into this industry I have settled on going through a host agency, in large part thanks to your wonderful website and podcasts which I have been absorbing rapidly. 

2. I guess you can now call me an 'older newbie', but I think I am losing some clients when they ask, "Do you do flights." As I know most TAs don't do airfare I have been giving them the same response. 

However, I have lost some clients by saying that. I have learned recently that Centrav is now offering training on how to purchase airfare for clients. What's the best way to handle such a question or should I go ahead and make their flights if asked given the problems that could arise?  —Marc C.

3. Recently I had a client ask me to help him book a trip to Sicily.  I found two packaged deals that would fit his interests. The problem is that he asked me to send him the links I was looking at so that he could see the suppliers I am working with plus the hotels so he can make a choice. Not knowing how to handle such a response, I sent him the links. So far in two days, I haven't heard from him. What's the best way to handle such a situation from a client?  —Marc C.

RESOURCES:

Options for booking air without the GDS system + what the heck the GDS is. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/ (Travel agent survey data on fee charging practices: what they charge for, how much, fee structures and more.)

Find itinerary builders + more in HAR’s new travel agency software list! (https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software)

Pickles Travel Network’s profile with reviews and info (https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/pickles-travel-network)

In episode 176 Steph is co-hosting with Lori Speers of Levarte Travel! Here’s an introduction to the questions they’ll discuss. 

1.Hi Stephanie and Guest du jour! I’m a very new advisor and would like to know how best to make the most of an upcoming trip. 

My husband and I are cruising the Caribbean in February with our adult children. To be clear, this trip was planned a year ago, long before I decided to plan travel professionally. We will be cruising out of San Juan, stopping in St Kitts, St Lucia, Aruba, Punta Cana, and Curaçao. Most of the stops are for 8 hours or so. We will be spending a week in Puerto Rico post-cruise. 

This is most definitely a vacation, but I definitely want to leverage my time and opportunity in these places. I am planning to reach out to our BDM for the cruise line to see if I can request a ship tour. 

How long do site inspections take? Would it be feasible to hit up a resort while in port and do an inspection while I’m in town? Or are there other, or better ways to mix business with pleasure? Obviously I am planning on taking tons of photos, and posting all about our trip and all the fun we’ll be having in the sun! 

Thank you so much for your response, and for all that you do for the travel community! —-Rachel M

2. Hi HAR Friday 15!

I'm checking Friday 15 and TAC episodes off with every commute to work and love it!  I'm retiring from a fabulous 20 year career as an art educator in a public school this year.  I am committed to making it the best school year ever, but am so excited to begin a career I've always dreamed of in the travel industry.  I will retire in May and I would love your input on what would benefit my path to this new career while I'm still teaching full time.  I'm ready to commit to 2 or 3 hours 3 to 5 days a week.

I'm really enjoying doing some of the upfront work: finding a niche, developing a name/brand, reading up on the travel industry, reading ASTA articles, HAR articles and so on.  My questions are:Should I jump in and do the 7 Day Agency Set Up?  Or would that be a mistake? Is it possible to start with a host agency part time? Or would it be best to wait until I can dedicate my full brain and time to this new career?

While I'm young at heart (being a traveler does that to you!) I would be starting this new career later than some(at 58) are there other aspects of the travel industry that I could consider that might be better for a late start? I feel like it is such an awesome thing to have the time to do this before I become officially in the biz...I appreciate and enjoy all of the information that you put out there for people like me, so thanks! Hi to the dogs in charge, – Another Stephanie

RESOURCES:

What travel expenses can you (and can’t you) write off? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-expenses

Travel Agent FAM Trips: What They Are + How to Find Them + Etiquette (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-fam-trip)

How Travel Advisors Can Make the Most of a Cruise Ship Inspection (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-travel-agents-can-make-the-most-of-a-cruise-ship-inspection)

The Definitive Site Inspection Checklist (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/definitive-site-inspection-checklist)

Host Week 2024 Eduspot | Reels Blueprint: Create 30 reels in 20 minutes (No dance moves required) https://www.youtube.com/live/b8PvbmxA35U?feature=shared&t=7421

https://hostagencyreviews.com/7DS-accelerator  (HAR’s 7 Day Setup Accelerator course with over 70 bite-sized videos, 87 lessons, and 48 resources to help you get your agency set up faster, with the support you need.)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/ (Travel agent survey data on fee charging practices: what they charge for, how much, fee structures and more.)

Levarte’s HAR profile with reviews and info (https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/levarte-travel)

https://levartetravel.com/

In episode 175 Steph is co-hosting with Kendra Tainsh of Travel Edge! Here are the questions they cover in this variety-filled episode! 

1. I am not in Canada -- is this still pertinent? I would, however love to speak to someone about how to narrow down the overwhelming selection of host agencies to find one that fits my niche. I am just starting out. My niche is environmental based trips in nature featuring hiking, snorkeling, scuba and just relaxing for those who want to.  --Robin R. 

2. Hey, Long time listener first time caller, LOL. I am getting a new website and I want to list my advisor fee. Where do you recommend I list out the information of my advisor fee on my website.Thanks, –Quincy in Houston  

3. I have an interest in working with boutique suppliers, especially accommodations such as boutique hotels and Bed and Breakfasts. I'm wondering how host agencies mix with boutique suppliers? Do they generally have these connections? Am I able to make these connections and book with these suppliers using my host agency’s IATA number? I heard from a friend that smaller, boutique suppliers don't like working with host agencies? Any truth to that? Looking forward to hearing your take. Thank you HAR team!   --Laura

RESOURCES:

Software

All about preferred suppliers in the travel industry. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier)

Advice on how to find the best host agency. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency) 

https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/ (Travel agent survey data on fee charging practices: what they charge for, how much, fee structures and more.)

https://bookitboxtravel.com/services

https://www.travel-bash.com/faqs 

https://www.memoriesonthemovetravel.com/personalized-travel-planning-services

All about preferred suppliers in the travel industry. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier)

What is a DMC and what do they do? (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company)

In episode 174 Steph is co-hosting with Heather Kindred of Nexion! Check it out below – a record-breaking four questions that they’ll cover! Tune in this Friday at 12 pm CST. 

1. What is defined as a FAM? Would I be able to describe it as a business trip on my tax filing? Do I have to have any official reports, etc.? –Anonymous

2. Why are host agencies apprehensive about advisors having access to the GDS systems? Or they say it "takes years" to master? And with some hosts you have to have 2 or more years experience to qualify in order to have access. I used Sabre years ago and it only took a few months to learn and with Sabre Red 360 it seems easier than ever. Reentering the travel industry I have a corporate background and I will be temporarily booking air only until I learn leisure efficiently and using Sabre would be so much easier than using a CRM all I would need is a refresher in Sabre. Please help. Thank you.  –Robin B.

3. Do you have a list of host agencies that have GDS access? —Anonymous

4. Has anyone purchased any additional training courses beyond HAR's? HAR's has been great for getting me started. I would be lost without it! However, now, after being in business for about six months, I want to learn more, especially about marketing and growing my business. I want something that offers some certification along with a mentorship. In my research, I have found a wide range of costs. Do you have advice on picking a program to leap to next or any programs you love and have found helpful?  —Anonymous

RESOURCES:

What travel expenses you can (and can’t) write off. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-expenses

Travel Agent FAM Trips: What They Are + How to Find Them + Etiquette (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-fam-trip)

Over 200+ travel agent rates and info on how to access them

How Travel Advisors Can Make the Most of a Cruise Ship Inspection (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-travel-agents-can-make-the-most-of-a-cruise-ship-inspection)

The Definitive Site Inspection Checklist (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/definitive-site-inspection-checklist)

Stephanie Cannon–CPA turned travel advisor–financial resources for advisors (https://withstephaniecannon.com/resources)

In-depth information on what the GDS (global distribution system) is and which travel advisors use it. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds

Tips on how to become a corporate travel agent. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/become-corporate-travel-agent 

What is a travel agency debit memo? (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-debit-memo)

Host Agency List with filters for GDS and tons of other stuff! https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts

Training and education options for travel agents. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-training-travel-agent-education)

Travel Leaders of Tomorrow training program. 

(https://www.travelleadersoftomorrow.com/)