Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Geoff from KHM Travell Group. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I joined a host agency because I wanted access to support, tools, training and supplier relationships, but sometimes I wonder if I’m actually taking advantage of everything that’s available to me. What are some of the resources you see successful advisors using that other advisors tend to overlook?
2. I’m getting busier and reaching the point where I can’t keep doing everything myself, but I’m nervous about the expense of hiring someone. How do I know when I’m actually ready to bring on help, and what would you recommend outsourcing or hiring for first?
3. I hear a lot about specializing and finding a niche, but I’m nervous about turning away business. Do you really see advisors with a defined niche performing better, and how narrow does that niche actually need to be?

RESOURCES:

• To see what resources are offered - https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-sub-agent
• Guide to choosing a travel niche. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-niche

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jackie from Nexion Travel Group. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I’m a brand new advisor. I have a friend who I thought would be fantastic at this as I was researching being a travel advisor. When I told her about my business idea, she wanted to partner. We had previously wanted to start a business together but could not generate enough capital for the business we wanted. However, we do have the capital to do this. We would be making equal monetary and time contributions. And while any one of us would only be able to commit 15ish hours a week right now, together we would essentially have one near full time agent and we have pretty different skill sets and strengths (like I have web development experience and she is great at social media). Am I making this harder for myself to succeed by starting with a partner vs going at it solo? - Jenna
2. Why do we have to wait so long to get our commission if the client pays in full. Shouldn’t we be able to get our commission then or a couple of days after that? How does the process work? - Carolyn
3. I am hitting a wall trying to figure out how to bill for group FIT trips. To have each person in the group pay individually for each hotel reservation and activity would cause many foreign transaction fees on their credit cards. It is so much easier to just collect one payment/client and then I could pay it to all of the vendors on my business credit card which has no foreign transaction fees. However, I have heard multiple times that this is not best practice. Any help with this would be greatly appreciated! Appreciate all you do!

RESOURCES:

• 7DS Course to understand different business models - https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-setup-accelerator
• Commission payments - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/host-agency-commission-plan-comparison-calculator
• How to grow group bookings webinar with Nexion - https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-conferences-events/2026/the-group-booking-advantage-how-to-grow-your-group-sales-with-nexion
• Payment security - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tis-q4-2025
• FIT in travel - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/fit-travel-meaning

(274) Marketing? Trust & New Leads? Switching Hosts?

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Chelsea from OASIS Travel Network. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I'm a newbie to the travel industry and I just started my business. I'm getting very close to choosing a host agency and I’m super excited to get started. I have a question about marketing on Facebook. Is it more beneficial to have a company page or group? Or both? I know the FB algorithms can be wonky, so I want to make sure I'm reaching a wide audience. Any advice you can give me is appreciated. HAR has been monumental in me learning this exciting new business. - Shelley
2. I'm just starting out in the business. I'm about three months in and I'm working on setting the foundation of my business. I'm completing trainings, learning about suppliers, listening to podcasts, creating a logo and social media, along with plenty of other items on my to-do! I was even able to complete my first booking for some of my family! With that said, I'm worried that because I don't have more of a legitimate business, it's going to be difficult to complete bookings with any of the leads I get. What do you suggest I do to help build up my business and get potential clients to trust in me as their travel advisor when I'm so new? - Laura
3. How much do you have to say when you want to break up with your host agency? Can it just be as simple as “this is my 30 day notice to end our contract thanks.” ? Recommendations for ways to follow up to make sure you get any owed commission post split?

RESOURCES:

• Verifying your company’s facebook page - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/verify-business-facebook-page
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/travel-agent-chatter-volume-7-lu-maggiora-travel-by-lu (TAC episode where advisor uses a FB group for her clients)
• https://youtu.be/jhvwlonYW_s (Jenn’s webinar: How to Create a FB Community That Converts)
• Travel Leads: Here’s what you need to know. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-leads
• What to think about when switching host agencies. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/switching-host-agencies-5-things-to-consider)

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Samantha from Jus Adventures. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. How do you work with clients who have a limited budget but expect a five-star luxury experience? What strategies do you use to set realistic expectations without losing the client, and when do you know it’s time to politely decline the booking? - Sandy
2. How do I keep clients coming back and turn one trip into multiple bookings throughout the year without feeling like I’m constantly trying to sell to them? - Marjorie
3. 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

RESOURCES:

• Our guide to qualifying clients: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-to-qualify-clients-travel-agent
• Brand-new HAR to Heart from Jenn Myers on having boundaries with your clients: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/boundaries-for-advisors-who-care-too-much-a-practical-playbook-for-protecting-your-time-without-sacrificing-service
• Travel Agent Booking Basics: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-booking-basics
• Researching and qualifying suppliers: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-advisor-guide-researching-qualifying-suppliers
• E & O Insurance: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insurance
• Travel Agency Software Profile - search for “templates”: https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jennifer from Dugan’s Travels. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I feel like I’m busy all the time, but I’m not necessarily making more money. How do I figure out what I should actually be spending my time on?
2. How far in advance should I be talking to clients about their next trip? I feel like I’m always waiting for them to come back to me.
3. How do you sell higher-end trips when you don’t personally travel that way or haven’t stayed at those types of hotels yourself?

RESOURCES:

• Travel Agents, Here’s How to Qualify Clients https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-to-qualify-clients-travel-agent

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Carolyn from KHM Travel Group. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I’m still pretty new and don’t have a huge client list yet. What would you focus on first to actually start getting consistent leads?
2. How do you get comfortable charging planning fees when you’re a newer advisor and still feel like you’re learning?
3. How much time should a newer advisor actually be spending on training versus trying to find and sell to clients? I feel like I could take supplier trainings forever!

RESOURCES:

• Travel Leads: Here’s what you need to know. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-leads
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-fees (Travel agent guide to charging fees.)
• Training and education options for travel agents. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-training-travel-agent-education)

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Josh from Global Travel Collection. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. How do you follow up with a potential client without feeling like you’re annoying them? How many follow-ups is too many?
2. I’d love to start selling groups, but honestly, they intimidate me. What’s the best way to get started with groups without getting in over my head? And if I want to put together my own group trip, should I get people interested first or actually have the trip planned before I start promoting it?
3. When you’re new, is it better to focus on getting ANY bookings you can, or should you be more selective about the types of clients and trips you take on?

RESOURCES:

• Great article with email templates for typical follow-ups you should be doing - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/5-emails-every-travel-advisor-sends-twice-a-week-and-how-to-stop-retyping-them
• Travel Leads: Here’s what you need to know. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-leads

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jenn from Travel Planners International and Vacation Planners. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. When advisors quote net rates, where does the markup actually get calculated? The picture I keep getting is a spreadsheet open next to whatever tool built the itinerary, and I'm curious whether that is most people or just the ones who talk about it.
2. I am not sure if this is something you can answer, but I mainly focus on cruises and business has been pretty good lately. I started a Facebook group for a sailing that I am going on and I was wondering if you had any tips for engaging with people in the group without them knowing I am travel agent so it doesn't sound like I am trying to sell them anything. I was thinking after all of my engagement posts and the cruise is complete maybe there is a way to announce that I am an agent and would love to help them book their next trip if they enjoyed my posts. Is that something agents do? I am stuck on what type of posts to make though. I've made some with some tips on the ports we are visiting, but do I need to further? Any help would be appreciated. - Travel Dad Matt
3. How do you face your fear about marketing your travel business on social media if you are an introvert?

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Gina from Uniglobe Travel Center. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. While I have years of experience building my own travel plans for business, and leisure, I want to become a travel agent. The number of hosting agencies is overwhelming. Which one do you suggest, and why? - Chris
2. Hi! I've done some domestic travel and love it. I am interested in working as a part-time travel agent. I see start up fees are around $500. Are there any other fees? What all does start up entail? - Christina
3. I keep hearing everyone talk about FIT. So what is it and how does someone specialize in it? - Helen

RESOURCES:

• Host agency directories - https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts
• 7DS Course - https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-setup-accelerator
• Lawyer List - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-lawyers
• What does FIT mean in travel? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/fit-travel-meaning

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Laura from WorldVia Travel Network! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I'm currently researching host agencies, and one thing I keep coming back to is whether I'll actually get the support I need at a larger host. I love that larger hosts often have more resources and training, but I also worry that I'll just be another number, especially as someone who's still fairly new. How do you make sure advisors feel supported and don't get lost in the crowd as they build their business?
2. As a newer travel advisor, I know building relationships with suppliers and BDMs is important, but honestly, it feels a little intimidating. Sometimes I don't know who I should be reaching out to, what questions I should be asking, or even when it's appropriate to introduce myself. What's the best way for a new advisor to start building those relationships without feeling like they're bothering people?
3. I know everyone says it takes time to build a successful travel business, and I completely understand that it's different for everyone. But it can be hard not to compare myself to other advisors who seem to be doing really well. From your experience, how long does it realistically take for most advisors to build a sustainable business, and what milestones should new advisors expect to hit along the way so they know they're on the right track?

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-agent