If you love travel and want to unlock discounts for yourself and others, becoming a travel agent is an exciting option. As fun as it can be to help others with their travel plans, there’s always one question on a prospective agent’s mind: How do travel agents get paid?
With Boardwalk Travel Agency, the answer is relatively simple. Let’s break down how this process works and how much you can expect to make as an independent travel agent with Boardwalk Travel.
How Do Travel Agents Get Paid?
The answer depends on a couple of things. First, are you an independent travel agent or an employee of an agency?
At Boardwalk Travel, all of our agents are independent, meaning they are in control of when (or even if) they book travel, and they are paid via commission when they do book travel for themselves or others.
If you’re considering becoming an employee of a travel agency, that’s a bit different. You’d likely earn an hourly wage or a salary, but you’d also have quotas you’re expected to meet each month. If you don’t meet those quotas often enough, your employment may not last long. One other thing to think about if you’re becoming an employee for an agency–you often have to pay to use their software and booking tools. So, that’s money coming out of your pocket, even if you don’t book any travel.
But, how do travel agents get paid? Regardless of whether you work with an agency or as an independent travel agent, the process is fairly similar.
Earning a Commission
First, you have to book the trip with your client. A trip may consist of airfare, lodging, park tickets, cruises, and other package perks and add-ons. Whatever you book for your client is eligible for commission.
Once the trip is booked, you can calculate your commission rate (we’ll cover that in the next section). After your client completes their travel, you can log into your Boardwalk Travel account and submit your commission request. This occurs because the client may decide to alter their trip details or cancel the package altogether.
So, as a travel agent, you have to take this delay into consideration. Some of your clients may book trips a month or two in advance, while others might be looking a year ahead. Ideally, you can balance both immediate and long-term travel planning so you don’t have to wait too long between commissions.
In addition to learning how you get paid, you can already read our articles about How to become a Disney travel agent and How to become a travel agent from home. At Boardwalk, we are all about education for our agents and do all we can to help everyone get started on the right foot.
What is a Standard Commission Rate for Travel Agents?
Most travel agencies pay between 10 and 15 percent commissions on all eligible packages and reservations. While some agencies may offer bonuses or other incentives, you can expect to make around 10 percent commission as a new agent. The longer you stay with a company and the more money you earn for them, the more money you can make over time. However, many agencies have an upper commission limit, so there’s a cap on how much you can earn.
As an independent travel agent with Boardwalk Travel, you receive 70 percent commissions on all travel reservations and packages. So, while you don’t receive an hourly rate, you can earn a lot more, particularly as you grow your business and collect more clients.
Is Being a Travel Agent a Lucrative Career?
Your original question may have been how do travel agents get paid, but you may also wonder how much they get paid. If you’re looking for a way to make extra money with an absolutely flexible work schedule, becoming an independent travel agent is the perfect opportunity. It’s also a stable career with room for growth, so becoming a travel agent is much more lucrative than most other side jobs.
Best of all, as you build your client list, you can expand your business and start using assistants to help you manage your workload. So, over time, you can create a thriving travel agency of your own and earn even more.
Of course, making money as a travel agent requires work and diligence. It’s up to you to find and work with clients and build your roster of repeat business. As with any job or entrepreneurial opportunity, you’ll only receive what you put in. So, the more time, effort, and skills you can invest in your agency, the more you can earn over the long run.
Benefits of Being a Boardwalk Travel Agent
At Boardwalk Travel, we put you in the driver’s seat. We allow you to take charge and create your own travel agency business with access to our tools, services, and support. Here are some of the top reasons why it makes sense to sign up with Boardwalk Travel.
High Commission Rates
As we mentioned, we pay 70 percent commissions on all travel packages. So more money goes into your pocket. We can offer these incredible rates because we don’t have to invest in infrastructure or office buildings. You can work from anywhere you like, whether it’s the comfort of your own home or a hotel resort across the globe.
Fast Payouts
Most travel agencies don’t want to pay commissions as it impacts their bottom line. So, you can expect to wait days or weeks for a payout to come through, even though you’ve earned that money. At Boardwalk Travel, most of our payouts happen within a day or two. You’ve worked hard to get that commission, and we want you to have it as quickly as possible.
Hassle-Free Service
Because everything is processed through our system, it’s easy to submit commission requests and get approved. You don’t have to worry about getting the runaround or having to provide detailed documentation for each request. We’ve streamlined the process so you can get paid that much faster.
Lifetime Access and Support
Most other agencies charge a monthly or annual fee to use their software tools and get support from their in-house team. At Boardwalk Travel, you pay a one-time membership fee and get access to our support for life. So, whether you have a question tomorrow or five years from now, you never have to pay another dollar to access our tools and services.
Tips to Maximize Your Earnings As An Independent Travel Agent
As we mentioned, becoming a travel agent is a rewarding career, but it can take a while to start earning big commissions from high-end travel packages. Here are some tips to help get the ball rolling and start making a sustainable income with this business.
Focus on Customer Service
As a travel agent, your ability to work with clients is critical for success. You are the liaison between your client and the travel vendor, so it’s your job to hype up a specific package and inspire your clients to buy it. Fortunately, these packages are all fantastic and deliver exceptional travel experiences, so most of the work is done for you.
However, because you’re an independent agent, you can always go the extra mile with your clients. They’ll come to you with questions or concerns, so it’s your job to have answers and work with them to ensure they’re satisfied with every part of their vacation package. The better service you can provide, the more likely you’ll work with the same client again (and get referrals for new clients).
Be Proactive About Learning
You don’t need years of experience to become a successful travel agent. Instead, all it takes is time, passion, and the ability to learn. Another big part of your job is learning the finer details of your travel packages so you can serve your clients better. You should also learn about other travel details, such as what it’s like to fly to a different country, tips and tricks for making the trip smoother, and recommendations on the best things for your client to do.
Another way to learn about these packages is to book them for yourself or friends and family. Firsthand experience is always the best option because you can speak from your own perspective, not a sales sheet. This way, you can discover smaller details or tips that may not be apparent at first.
Learn to Upsell
Upselling is a crucial part of any sales job, but it can be a huge benefit as a travel agent. Upselling is when you convince your client to upgrade to a bigger or better package or to include add-ons to their existing package.
The key to success with upselling is to focus on the benefits and enjoyment your client will get from the experience. For example, paying more for a dining package can add convenience to the entire vacation. This way, instead of trying to find food offsite, your clients can have a seamless resort experience.
Typically, upsell packages enhance the trip and make it easier and more memorable. So, by focusing on the advantages of upgrading, you’re more likely to close the deal. Remember, people are willing to pay more for value. As long as the package is worth the money, you’re doing your clients a favor by recommending it.
Start Your Travel Agent Career With Boardwalk Travel Today
Are you excited about beginning your career as an independent travel agent? Boardwalk Travel makes it easy to realize your dreams and empowers you to reach for the stars. Now that you know more about how the process works and how you can get paid, you can start making money. Sign up today and see what you can do with Boardwalk Travel.
