Travel is more than just a hobby; it’s a state of mind. The desire to travel lies in all of us, just waiting to be set free. What’s better than exploring the world? How about booking trips for friends, family members, and clients and earning money toward your next vacation?
Yes, it’s possible if you become a travel agent. Maybe you’ve thought about becoming a travel agent before but got discouraged because the bar for entry was so high. Well, it isn’t anymore, thanks to Boardwalk Travel Agency–the best host agency for travel agents.
Before we get into the benefits of signing up with Boardwalk, let’s break down what it means to join a host agency and how to compare different options. This way, you can make an informed decision about why becoming a Boardwalk Travel Agent is the way to go.
Why Become a Travel Agent?
The simplest reason to become a travel agent is to make money while doing something you love. Booking travel itineraries for your clients allows you to live vicariously through their vacations. The more entertaining their plans, the more fun it is to book.
Additionally, you can help your friends and family members get discounted rates on their next trips. You get to treat the people you love like VIPs, all while earning commissions in the process.
Finally, one of the benefits of becoming a remote travel agent with a host agency like Boardwalk Travel is that you have the flexibility to work wherever you want. No more office space, and no more clocking in and out. Work whenever you want. You can make this a full-time or part-time job or just turn it into a side hustle whenever you need extra cash.
How to Choose a Host Agency
Even though you can become an independent travel agent, you still have to work with a host agency. Hosts connect you with suppliers and vendors so you can offer the best deals to your clients. For example, you can get discounts and perks for Disney and Universal vacations that aren’t available to the general public.
While many hosting agencies exist, they’re not all created equal. Here are the top factors to consider when comparing different hosts.
- Costs – All travel host agencies charge to use their network and supplier services. However, some agencies charge a monthly or annual fee. These fees can easily eat into your profitability, as you must make at least that much in commissions to cover those expenses. Otherwise, you’re paying to be a travel agent but not making any money.
- Commissions – Commissions are where you earn your income. Some agencies may pay a small hourly rate, which is typically the minimum wage for your state. However, the trade-off is that you make less from each commission. On average, travel agent commission rates are around 10 percent. Sometimes, you have to pass a probationary period of three months to start earning that, so you’ll only make a small hourly wage until then.
- Training – All host agencies provide some level of training so you can use their system. However, if you run into issues or questions later on, you may not be able to access more training services without paying another fee. Also, some hosts only offer minimal training programs, so you may have to do a lot of research on your own time, meaning you’re not getting paid for it.
- Work Requirements/Quotas – If you work for a big travel agency, you’ll likely have to meet monthly or quarterly quotas. Sometimes, you must meet these quotas to earn your commissions. In other cases, failure to meet these standards could leave you without a job. Additionally, some agencies require you to work a standard schedule, meaning you don’t get to choose your own hours or where you work.
Why Boardwalk Travel is the Best Host Agency for Travel Agents
Based on the factors we outlined above, the best host agency for travel agents is one that doesn’t charge much for access to its system, pays a lot of money in commissions, and offers free ongoing training and support to all agents, no matter how much they work. If all those features sound appealing, then Boardwalk Travel Agency is right up your alley.
Low Upfront Costs
One of the main hurdles many people face when becoming a travel agent is the cost of joining an agency. Businesses that charge a monthly or annual rate put a lot more pressure on you to succeed. So, if you’re not dedicated to building your client network, you could lose more money than you gain. Sometimes, these losses can spill into multiple months, making it even harder to build your business from scratch.
Thankfully, Boardwalk Travel Agency only charges a one-time membership fee. This means you never have to pay more money every month or every year to access the system. One low rate, and you’re ready to go.
The primary advantage of this setup is that there’s no pressure to start selling immediately. Because this is a lifetime membership, you can sign up today and start working on your travel agency several months from now. Go at your own pace and take as much time as you need to learn the system.
Highest Commission Rates in the Industry
As mentioned, most host travel agencies pay about a 10 percent commission on all sales. While this rate can be good for high-ticket vacations and travel packages, it’s not always enough to pay your bills. Having such a low rate means you must book more trips with more clients, which takes more time and energy. Overall, this setup can become a feedback loop, forcing you to put more resources into becoming a travel agent than you thought.
Boardwalk Travel Agency does things much differently. Because we don’t have expensive overhead or utility bills, we can pay up to 70 percent commission rates on your travel packages. This allows you to spend more time with your clients and provide better service. Since each package pays more, there’s less pressure to overextend yourself, ensuring you can succeed that much easier.
There is one thing to note about how commissions are paid, though. As with all travel agencies, you earn a commission when your client takes their trip, not when they book it. So, if most of your clients book months in advance, it can be a while before you see the money coming in.
That said, Boardwalk Travel pays commissions quickly. Once a commission comes in, you can expect it to hit your bank account as soon as possible.
Finally, commissions are paid by the vendor. This means you can earn commissions on your own trips. For example, you can book an all-inclusive Disney resort vacation and earn money back from your travels.
Top-Tier Training and Support
If you’ve never worked as a travel agent before, you may not know what it takes to succeed in this industry. While it can be easy to work through logistics and find great deals, you may struggle with some of the more technical aspects of the business. Additionally, if you’re not used to being a sales person, it can take a while to find your stride.
That’s why Boardwalk Travel Agency allows you to go at your own pace. Training materials are available for you whenever you need them, whether it’s your first week or you’ve been with the agency for three years. Plus, you can reach out to our support team with any questions or obstacles you may come across.
The best way to learn how to become a travel agent is to work with experienced agents. Our support staff have decades of experience, and they can guide you through any situation. Once you book a few trips, you’ll find your stride so you can start expanding your client base and earning more money.
Work Whenever and Wherever You Like
These days, most individuals want a generous work/life balance. Additionally, if you’re trying to get some extra income, you don’t want a gig that comes with a strict schedule. Flexibility is key, especially if you’re already working a regular day job.
With Boardwalk Travel, you can work whenever and wherever you like. In fact, you can book a vacation for yourself and work while you’re sitting on a beach. All you need is a laptop, a headset, and a strong internet connection, and you should be ready to work with clients anywhere in the world.
This flexibility also helps if you just want to book trips for yourself, your friends, and your family. This way, you can log into the system and get access to deals without the pressure of working every week or every month.
Access More Travel Suppliers
One significant downside of working with a big travel agency is that they have exclusive contracts with specific suppliers. For example, you may only be able to book cruises for Royal Caribbean, not Carnival. Or, you might be able to book resort stays with Universal, but not Disney.
Boardwalk Travel Agency works with all the top suppliers, so you can book virtually any trip for any client. While it can be beneficial to focus on a single type of trip (e.g., Disney family vacations), this flexibility can come in handy a lot. This way, you can expand your network and find more clients. For example, you can start working with traveling professionals by booking their itineraries whenever they have to work abroad.
Overall, you’re not limited to a single niche, so it’s much easier to grow and thrive in this industry.
Get Started as a Travel Agent With Boardwalk Travel Agency
Are you ready to make your travel dreams come true? Are you ready to start earning industry-leading commissions, even on your own vacation packages? If so, join the best host agency for travel agents and sign up with Boardwalk Travel Agency today. With our high commissions, low membership price, and fantastic support options, we can help you start on this exciting path today.
Whether you’re trying to become a full-time agent or just want better deals on your own travel plans, Boardwalk Travel Agency is here for you!
