In episode 192, Steph cohosts again with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! Here are the questions they’ll cover!

1. ​​Hi I’m a new independent travel advisor just getting ramped up and which CRM is recommended for CC payments- I would like my clients to pay directly using a CC or debit card. -Kevin Jordan 

2. How in the world can we go through 30 hosts in detail with questions to finally decide 1 to sign on? I have already contacted an attorney to form the LLC before sign up with the host.

-Anonymous

3. How do you assess how and what to charge for planning fees?

-Anonymous

RESOURCES:

Host Agency Review’s Travel Agency Software Profiles https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software

Travel Agency CRM List (with User Reviews (https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software/category/crm)

Things to look for in your contract with your host agency (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts)

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/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-fees (Travel agent guide to charging fees.)

https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/lary-neron-airfare-consultant  (Podcast episode with an advisor who books air only and charges $50-500 fees per ticket.)

Travel market research report data on travel agent fee charging practices: what they charge for, how much, fee structures and more. 

https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/

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

In episode 191, Steph cohosts with Dave Meihoefer of TPI and they’ve got a ton of questions to cover, so make sure and ready up on ‘em in advance! Have a gander: 

1. Hi Steph!  I thought I had a rare name, but your podcast is making me feel like just another Stephanie! :). SO many Stephanies!!!  We should start a club!

I have gone through the Accelerator Course, just going back and starting the business end of things - after 2 1/2 months of name searching, I feel like I can finally fill in the blanks!  Thanks so much for all of your great podcasts and resources!!

This question doesn't really pertain to me now, but when looking to the future, in my successful advisor life, what is the benefit of leaving a host agency and going on my own?  Will I be a host agency lifer?  Or is there a pot of gold on the other side?  Just curious, cheers-

Another One of those Stephanies

2. Hi Steph, listener & big HAR fan here from Belgium, Europe!

Don't know if this has already been asked, but couldn't find it straight away in the archives 😉

Here is my question:

"How would you deal with clients who are travelling and complaining about every minor detail, going from "the gym was only open for 1 hour" (though the sign & website says from 6am to 7 pm), "the room was cold but they wouldn't turn on the heating" (even though it was already on), "breakfast is too British", "restaurant prices were too Western, not to Indian standards" (in a Michelin star restaurant in India), ... They are driving the local rep up the wall, nothing seems to suit them, they've been given free upgrades etc, but when confronting them personally, they're telling a completely different story than the local agency is.

I'm worried it's some sort of strategy, to get a reimbursment or discount for their next trip, but don't want to fall for this.

How should one handle this professionally without risking getting bad reviews and knowing they got everything they requested at time of booking and more.

They are also seasoned travellers so shouldn't be a case where they came unprepared.

Any thoughts, insights?

Kind regards,

Inez

3. Hi Friday 15! I'm a school teacher and will be starting part time until I retire in 2-5 years. During the summers I have tons of free time but if I have clients on a trip during the school year how will I be available to them? For example if a problem arises and they need me to rebook something / advocate for them with a supplier, etc? Teaching is not like some jobs where you can just duck away from your desk for 15 minutes randomly in the middle of the day to take a phone call. When I'm at school I'm very much in a "school bubble" that nothing can interrupt. 

I guess the main "questions behind my question" are, how realistic is it to successfully do this as a side hustle while teaching, and for how long? How much will I be able to take care of my clients (or how much of that will actually be needed) during the school year?

 ---Alissa B.

RESOURCES:

HAR’s 7 Day Setup Accelerator course on how to start your travel agency! https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-setup-accelerator

Top 10 benefits of using a host agency. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/top-10-benefits-of-using-a-host-agency

Travel Agency Accreditation         https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation

What is a Preferred Supplier Relationship in the Travel Industry? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier

What Are Travel Consortia & Co-Ops? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coops

Do You Need A Travel Agent License? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license-seller-of-travel-license

Travel Planners International HAR profile  with user reviews. https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/travel-planners-international

Travel Planners International

https://www.travelplannersinternational.com

Dave on FB 

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

In episode 190, Steph Lee and Sheila Folk of Travel Industry Solutions go deep this week with questions on suppliers and seller of travel rules! Here are the questions in their entirely:

1. I have signed up with _____ as my host agent. Being very new to travel of this form, I feel I am learning a lot of the marketing. I know it is important but I’m not learning the program for the booking part and am getting frustrated. I must be missing something.

Ok sorry for the rant.

The question is: is it the suppliers that provide the software on the booking? I am going in the direction of cruises. Let me know.  —Deborah M..

2. I have been looking into host agencies and trying to find the right solution for my situation. I am hoping you could provide a little clarity with your expertise. I want to join a host agency with the hope that someday I can live wherever I want for up to 6 months out of the year. I currently live in Ontario, Canada and ideally when I retire I would like to continue my travel sales. I want a portable business. Is this possible with residency restrictions?

In reading more about "Seller of Travel" rules, my understanding is that in Ontario you need to be TICO certified to sell travel in Ontario. But you can only sell travel to Ontario residents and you must be an Ontario resident. Which I assume means even if my main residence is Ontario, if I'm visiting Italy for 3 months, I cannot continue to sell travel to Ontarions while staying in another country for several months out of the year?

So as I started to look into this issue, I found that the US is a little more lax, but there are still a few states that require certain licensing like Florida, California, Hawaii etc. So if I wanted a portable business would the solution be to connect with a host agency that is US based and accepts Canadians also, so that while I am living abroad I have the freedom to sell travel products to US residents without restrictions of licensing or where I live for a few months of the year?  —Patti

RESOURCES:

HAR’s travel industry conferences and events calendar with over 100+ events! https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-conferences-events

Do you need a travel agent license/seller of travel registration? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license-seller-of-travel-license

Canadian Regulations for Travel Agencies in a Nutshell https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/canadian-regulations-travel-agencies-nutshell

ACTA - Association of Canadian Travel Agencies and Advisors https://www.acta.ca/index.php

Host Agency List with hundreds of hosts and reviews from their travel advisor members. 

Travel Industry Solutions website

Read reviews and ask questions on Travel Industry Solutions’ HAR profile. 

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

In episode 189, Steph Lee and April Swales of Uniglobe Travel chat on our first barrage of 2025 questions from all you lovely people! Here's a taste, make sure and tune in on Friday! 

1. I plan to continue working at my current job and want to start my travel agency in the new year. Do you have tips on how to juggle two jobs and make sure I get back to my clients quickly when I have another day job? I don’t want to lose any future clients but can’t afford to not work. —Katee R.

2. Our family of 3 takes a cruise every winter with 3 other families. I am the organizer. Would it be worth it for me to become a travel agent? What kind of savings can I access and how much would it cost to become a travel agent? —Jen R.

RESOURCES:

How much do travel agents make? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-much-do-travel-agents-make-travel-agent-salary

How much does it cost to become a travel agent or start a travel agency?

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-become-travel-age

Information on travel agent income over time. https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/

Host Agency Review’s Travel Agency Software Profiles: https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software

Do Travel Agents Need Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance?

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insurance

A List of 200+ Travel Agent Rates in 2024

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-rates

Explaining Travel Agent Commissions [Infographic + Charts]

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-commissions

Host Week 2025! | Host Agency Reviews

https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/host-week

[2025] Uniglobe CoffeeSpot

https://ed1e5ad3.sibforms.com/serve/MUIFAJ1Efm1gFSJThrlIFK7HAQSHPtkbon_gnvq4zAanPS6Y0b3cRlAdM9Ej-vpPi1mHxDYqTtq6WB5QAl1DYefIsPdpjo9lB4NbzhVvTWP5-1c4EZHb4Z-OEiYxXS7-qZvHR-DsxB5hjyjHawev0slkms6vlwx-RymY3u_aRRL5W3OkEw8DQtNQWuC30ICqMRQAv7FJLPjGygQb

UTC’s Host Week interview will be Wednesday, 1/29/2024 at 11 am !

Uniglobe Travel Center | Host Agency Reviews

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

UTC Home

https://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!) 

In episode 188, Steph Lee and Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels cover some great questions this week, including how long it takes to get started as an advisor and how OTAs affect travel advisor business. Here are the queries in detail:  

1. Hi, I have been listening to the Friday 15s this month, thank you for all the information. What's the typical timeline from starting as a new advisor to becoming profitable? —Anonymous

2. I’m exploring a career as a travel advisor and am seriously thinking about starting my agency in 2025 after Host Week. I’m worried about competing with Booking.com and Expedia. How do those companies affect an agency’s business model and ability to compete? –Anonymous

RESOURCES:

How much do travel agents make? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-much-do-travel-agents-make-travel-agent-salary

How much does it cost to become a travel agent or start a travel agency?

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-much-does-it-cost-become-travel-age

Information on travel agent income over time. https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/3-ways-travel-agents-save-you-money (3 ways travel agents save you money that OTAs can’t)

Using a travel agent vs. booking online? 

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

Internova North American Traveler Insights report

https://internova.com/research/

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

In episode 187, Steph Lee and Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels discuss a variety of topics this week, including E&O Insurance and when it’s a good idea to get your own IATA number! Here are the questions in all their glory: 

1. I would like to hear the Pros and Cons and the best strategy on choosing a supplier for E&O insurance. –Diane D.

2. Hello! I came across a blog and wanted to reach out as I am becoming more and more confused as I search. I am a 1099 contractor under a company with an IATA # I've been using to sell travel for approx 10 years. But my main business is wedding planning. I would like to earn commission on my hotel room blocks at 100%. For many reasons, but most hotels are capped at 7% so I am not gaining anything with my current travel partners volume. I do still want to sell travel under his IATA for Sandals, and most other trips that I book with TOs and benefit from higher commissions due to volume I would not have on my own.

I do not sell air. Can I/ Should I get my own IATA # to book the hotels and non volume commission bookings and keep 100%. If so, can I continue selling under his IATA (I have my own IATAN card under his number for my own personal travel perks).

Or is there another accreditation I could use just for hotel commissions (mostly Hilton and Marriott). I was reading about clia and arc and true... etc. I don't need a complex answer. But I'd love some direction. Thank you very much in advance! –Anonymous

RESOURCES:

Do Travel Agents Need Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance? (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insurance)

What Is An IATA Number? (And How Do You Get It?) (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/iata-number)

What is a CLIA Number? CLIA vs. ARC and CLIA vs. IATA (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-a-clia-number)

Travel Agency Accreditation Options [Infographic + More] (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation)

Belonging to more than one host agency: The pros and cons. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/belonging-to-more-than-one-host-agency)

Things to look for in your contract with your host agency (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts)

Use HAR’s commission plan calculator: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/host-agency-commission-plan-comparison-calculator

More on host agency relationships (and more) in our Hosted Travel Advisor Report. https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/

Do Travel Agents Need Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance? (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insurance)

Dugan's Travels LLC | Host Agency Reviews

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

In episode 186 Steph cohosts with Kendra Tainsh of Travel Edge. Here are the questions these expert ladies will cover for you all! 

1. I have been away from the corporate travel industry for over 20+ years and I would like to revisit being a corporate travel advisor. I used Sabre when I was an agent and I've been seeing so many jobs I could possibly qualify for but you need at least 2 years of corporate travel experience domestic and international.

I would like to know the best Sabre course/refresher I could take to once again be Sabre efficient and qualified to apply for these positions. I was told once you know Sabre it's like riding a bike you don't forget how to navigate it. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.  ---Robin B. 

2. Hi! Thank you for your super helpful website and podcast!

I've signed up with a host agency, and done the online education, but I am still pretty confused about how to create FIT trips through the host. For years I have run my own trips and have strong relationships with specific hotels, lodges, transportation companies and tour guides. There are specific hotels and lodges that I always use when I book trips. Now that I have my own company and a host agency, I am realizing that none of my contacts/hotels, etc. are used or even findable on the host agency's site.

When I did my initial call with the host agency, they said it wasn't a problem to book non preferred suppliers, but now I am not getting any info about how to book these hotels and lodges that I want to for upcoming trips. I can book these hotels and lodges with an OTA or directly with the hotel or lodge, but am I then liable as the supplier since I didn't book through the host agency? I was told by the attorney who I hired to do my Terms and Conditions that it was important for me to book everything through the host agency for my protection, but I am not sure how to do that. 

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you from another Minnesotan! So grateful for your work with new advisors!!  ---Heather M.

RESOURCES:

What is the GDS system and which travel agents 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 

Sabre training (and other GDS trainings) by Viasinc. https://www.viasinc.com/products/sabre-training-courses.html

Travel Institute Sabre training. https://www.thetravelinstitute.com/product/sabre-personal-trainer/

Find travel agents jobs and get weekly roundup of new openings on HAR’s jobs board. https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-jobs

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

What is an FIT in travel? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/fit-travel-meaning

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

How Seller of Travel Laws Affect Service Fees. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/seller-travel-laws-service-fees)

What is the Seller of Travel registration or travel agency license? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license-seller-of-travel-license 

Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about travel agent E&O insurance (errors & ommissions insurance)! https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insurance

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

Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol31 

Special thanks to today’s sponsor: KHM Travel Group

Today's guests prove that sometimes the best partnerships start at home. Lauren Pronger launched Well Inspired Travels in 2011, inspired by witnessing travel's transformative power when her father used it to complement his cancer treatment. When her husband Chris, NHL Hall of Famer and Triple Gold Cup winner, joined the business in 2018, they discovered they were more powerful together.

What makes this power couple unique isn't just their high-profile clientele of professional athletes and executives—it's their holistic approach to travel planning and firm "no asshole policy." 

The Prongers have built a luxury agency that perfectly balances Lauren's creative vision with Chris's business development expertise. They've mastered the art of strategic outsourcing through their host agency, allowing them to be the face of the business while having strong back-office support.

Lauren brings her expertise as a wellness consultant to both clients and properties, helping hotels level up their wellness offerings while ensuring clients can maintain their health practices while traveling. With 10 different certifications and a deep understanding of both Eastern and Western approaches to wellness, she's helping to shape the future of luxury wellness travel.

Chris brings his experience as an elite athlete to help clients, especially professional athletes, navigate the unique challenges of maintaining peak performance while traveling. Together, they've mastered the art of what they call "travel matchmaking"—deeply understanding their clients' needs, goals, and challenges to create transformative travel experiences.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about building a successful family business, maintaining work-life balance, and the growing intersection of luxury and wellness travel. You'll learn about their "one thing" philosophy that every trip should improve your life in some way, how they maintain boundaries with ultra-high-net-worth clients, and why they're moving away from public travel recommendations to private newsletters for clients.

In episode 185 Steph cohosts with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels. Don’t miss this great episode chock full of helpful wisdom, covering the questions you will find below: 

1. What is the best way to contact a resort to do a site inspection (email, phone call), especially if the resort is out of the country?

Thanks, Jenn B.

2. After organizing group tours as a volunteer for my club, I am now transitioning to become a professional. I love your podcast and website - thank you.  I'll be doing the 7-day series soon.

I do group tours that are customized for a special interest.  Numerous times, I have tried to book a block of rooms with a hotel and the pricing they quote is more expensive than what I can get from Booking.com or Agoda.com.  In the most recent example, it was 133 room nights and the savings by leaving the rooms on Booking.com was over $15,000.  Additionally, the in-house contract usually requires up front deposits and has much worse cancellation policies.  I really want to help the hotels, but I can't wrap my head around why I should book direct when it costs more and has worse cancellation.  

Thoughts?

Larry P.

RESOURCES:

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

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

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

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

Using a Travel Agent vs. Booking Online: An Infographic (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-vs-booking-online)

How Much Do Travel Agents Make per Booking? (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-much-do-travel-agents-make-per-booking)

10 Insider Group Booking Tips from Travel Advisors [+Infographic] (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/group-booking-tips-travel-advisors-agents)

Here’s What Suppliers Want You to Know About Booking Groups (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/supplier-want-you-know-booking-groups)

Dugan's Travels LLC | Host Agency Reviews (https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/dugans-travels) 

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

In episode 184 Steph cohosts with David Meihoefer of TPI! Steph and Dave have some really substantive questions to dig into, so make sure you don’t miss it! Here are the questions: 

1. Hi Steph and Guest. Our host agency was just hit with fraud and they sent a notice that we’ll be responsible for any fraudulent bookings. Is this common? I’m new and I’m worried I will make a fraudulent booking and not know it. It would be helpful if we knew what to look out and how to avoid bad bookings. —Anonymous

2. I am curious about the industry practice regarding changing from one commission split level to another within a host agency. Is it customary to be paid on a booking based on what your split is when you entered the booking into your host’s commission tracking system? Rather than what your split is at the time of travel?

Thanks for any insight!

—Anonymous

3. Do you recommend new travel advisors have a marketing budget from Day 1? I know you need to spend money to make money. However, I’m unclear how much to spend and would appreciate guidance.

Thanks!

—Anonymous

RESOURCES:

Mark Pestronk on Preventing Fraud

https://www.travelweekly.com/Mark-Pestronk/How-to-prevent-IC-fraud-on-suppliers

ARC’s Fraud Prevention Tools 

https://www2.arccorp.com/support-training/fraud-prevention

How to Protect Your Travel Agency from Credit Card Fraud

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/protect-travel-agency-credit-card-fraud

Role Reversal: Thinking Like a Travel Agency Fraudster 2017

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/role-reversal-thinking-like-travel-agency-fraudster-2017

Explaining Travel Agent Commissions [Infographic + Charts]

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-commissions (All about travel agent commissions, including airline commissions.)

HAR’s $100 Travel Agency Marketing Plan  (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/the-100-travel-agency-marketing-plan)

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