Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15

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

1. I don't have a big network of friends and family to sell to. Where do successful new advisors actually find their first paying clients?
2. How do you attract luxury clients if your current audience isn't necessarily affluent? Is it a marketing challenge, a networking challenge, or something else?
3. What are some habits or routines you've seen your most successful advisors develop that newer advisors could start doing today?

RESOURCES:

• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/gtn-q2-2023 - becoming a successful luxury advisor

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

1. If I join a host agency today, what are the biggest mistakes you see new advisors make in their first six months that slow down their success and what would you encourage them to focus on instead?
2. There seems to be a new travel technology platform launching every month. How do you evaluate whether a new tool is actually worth adopting versus just another shiny object that could end up costing me time and money?
3. I've heard advisors say that switching host agencies can be difficult. What should I be thinking about before joining my first host so I'm making a decision that's right for me long-term and not just for where I am today?

RESOURCES:

• What to think about when switching host agencies. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/switching-host-agencies-5-things-to-consider)
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software

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

1. I'm trying to decide between joining a host agency or a franchise. They both seem to offer training, support, and supplier relationships, so what are the biggest differences that someone new to the industry should really understand before making that decision?
2. How much technology should I expect my host agency to provide versus what I should expect to purchase myself? I'd love to know what's typically included and what's considered part of running my own business.
3. When I look at host agency websites, almost everyone talks about community, training, and support. Beyond those things, what are some questions I should be asking that many new advisors don't think to ask before signing a contract?

RESOURCES:

• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-franchise-or-host-agency
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-back-office-front-office-software
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-lawyers

This week’s Friday 15, Steph Lee is back! She’ll be cohosting with Jenn Lee of TPI and Vacation Planners. C'mon over and dip in to these great questions with these awesome ladies of industry.

1. I never knew my agency had a commission scale. [percentage increased as income increased] I asked to see it once i learnt about it and noticed I had met the goal in 2025 for a 5% increase in commission. They agreed and said the increase would start now. Shouldn't they do end of year reviews and increase or decrease? Why should it be the agents responsibility when we don't have access to accurate accounting? Also shouldn't they pay for in arrears for the last 5 months? -Thanks from a frustrated IC
2. I'm not sure that this question has been asked before but I am not always sure whether I should show a client my Terms & Conditions or those of my suppliers. I usually show both but I wanted to make sure this is correct. I get them to sign mine when the itinerary is accepted and with a paid deposit and at the same time those of the supplier are shown which is attached to the itinerary. —Marc C
3. I have one set of clients who are not traveling until spring 2027 but I am not always sure what to send clients who travel in advance when everything is done with signatures and paid deposits. They are on my email list and I send my list newsletters with updates frequently but I want to make it more personal. —Marc

RESOURCES:

• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-setup-accelerator
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-waivers-protect-your-travel-agency
• Selltravelyourway.com

This week’s Friday 15, Steph Lee is back! She’ll be cohosting with Andrea of Outside Agents! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. How does an agent who doesn’t travel in luxury themselves, break into the luxury market? I’m not understanding how I can visit the properties and know about them if I’ve never traveled there. —anonymous

2. I’m interested in hearing HAR’s and the co-host’s views on how to use AI as a travel advisor. Is there a certain area where AI should be used and another where it’s not? – Cindy

3. Thanks so much for taking my question. It’s less of a question and more I need some inspiration. Would love to hear an inspirational story of an advisor who made it and what they did to make that happen. — Kenya

RESOURCES:

• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-training-travel-agent-education
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-niche
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-fam-trip
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-conferences-events
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/har-wired
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter

This week’s Friday 15, Steph Lee is back! She’ll be cohosting with Phil and Samantha Hammond of Jus Adventures! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I watched some of HAR Wired last week, thank you. My question is what do you suggest should be the first technology investment I make once my agency is set up? —Anonymous
2. I’m a new travel agent and have found HAR invaluable as I try to learn. I’m thinking of taking ASTA’s Roadmap Course and HAR’s 7 Day Setup Accelerator. Do I need a host agency training if I complete those? If I do ask a host agency about their training, what should I ask? – Tanya D.
3. I’ve been selling travel since 2023. I’m getting to the point where I am thinking about leaving my full-time job but I am nervous about the income stability. What advice do you have for someone in my shoes to “Take the leap” so to speak? And how do people manage the money when it comes in so inconsistently. I’m used to my paycheck every two weeks! — Sara B.

RESOURCES:

• https://hostagencyreviews.com/har-wired
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software
• https://har.news/roadmap
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-setup-accelerator
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-training-travel-agent-education
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-market-research-reports
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/take-har-s-2026-travel-advisor-survey

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

1. I understand some suppliers don't pay the host until after the travel date, but I've found some suppliers like FareBuzz, Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Allianz pay the month after the sale or after the final payment it's made. I also know some host agencies pay out to their agents weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. I'm curious to know the industry standard for how soon after receipt of commission from the supplier would a host agency pay the independent agent. - Jen
2. 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 agencies IATA number? - Laura
3. 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

RESOURCES:

• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-commissions
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coops
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software

It didn’t start with a niche, it started with a perspective. And in just a few short years, Karen has turned that perspective into a fast-growing travel business that’s on track to hit $1M in annual sales in 2026.

Since entering the industry in 2022, Karen has built her business around accessible travel, not as a checkbox, but as a core part of how she serves every single client. As a wheelchair user herself, she brings lived experience into every itinerary, helping travelers navigate a world that isn’t always designed with them in mind… and showing them what is possible.

Karen is a firm believer that accessible travel isn’t just for a small subset of clients, it’s something every advisor should be thinking about. From mobility needs to invisible disabilities to simply asking better questions, she shares how advisors can create more inclusive experiences without feeling overwhelmed or out of their depth.

In this episode, Karen walks us through how she’s built trust with her clients, the realities (and misconceptions) of accessible travel, and how focusing on this space has not only made her business more meaningful, but also incredibly successful.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to better support your clients, this is a conversation that might just change the way you think about accessibility in travel.

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

1. Can you talk about the practice of DMCs presenting quotes in gross vs net commission, and is it preferred or acceptable to request one over the other? - Carrie
2. I am a travel agent (since 2012) and own my own agency (since 2016). I am thinking of bringing on another agent and need to fully understand the differences and implications to both me as well as to the agent between me having this agent as an (a) employee, (b) and independent contractor, or (c) a subagent - Karen
3. I am an IC with about 2 years in the business. I'm considering going out on my own because I'm not happy with my situation for many reasons. How do you know it's the right time to make this change? What do you see as the pros and cons of staying an IC and being independent?

RESOURCES:

• What is a DMC in travel? https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company
• What is a sub agent and is it right for you https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-sub-agent
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-lawyers
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-industry-collaboration-supports-travel-advisor-success-spotlight-on-path

Welcome to this week's Friday 15 podcast! This week Shayna's live on location at ASTA, with Carolyn Okon from Exodus Travels. And thanks to our sponsor Outside Agents for making this episode possible. Here's the questions:

1. I am an ICF certified Travel Coach, and when I pursued my certification I intended to building an online coaching practice to help women in major life transitions (career change, loss, divorce, etc.) find their inner bravery to face those transitions via adventure travel. As I’m coming along I’ve begun to learn I’d actually like to host my coaching via IRL experiences; group trips and retreats. My questions: ideally I am booking everything for my clients once they are on the ground, I’ve heard about FITs on the podcast, and wonder if this is what I’m trying to accomplish? If so, then what do I need to know about organizing only FIT travel in which I accompany my travelers? How do payments from the trip attendees work when I host a FIT under a host agency? How can I operate this legally and ethically, while being fair to the host agency? - Courtney
2. When changing Host agencies, is it possible to transfer clients and vendor information without doing it individually? As a courtesy, should I tell the agency that I am moving on to another agency? - Pamela
3. Do advisors typically split their planning fees with their host agencies? If so, does it follow the commission split? Thank you! (Anonymous, please)

RESOURCES:

• Guide to charging fees - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-fees
• What to think about when switching host agencies. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/switching-host-agencies-5-things-to-consider)
• What does FIT in travel mean?
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/fit-travel-meaning