Have you ever thought about becoming an independent travel agent? This was an amazing decision I made last year and it has greatly benefited our family financially. It has also given us the opportunity to grow my blog, take more trips together as a family, and meet new like-minded people along the way.
After being a travel agent for several months, I decided to start coaching other travel agents in growing their own business. As their team leader I can give them all of the resources, coaching calls, and guidance to not just learn but help them navigate the different skills needed with growing their business and speaking with clients.
Why You Should Become a Travel Agent
If you love to travel and also plan trips for your family and friends, then this is the job for you! As a travel blogger I am always creating itineraries and helping others plan their vacation. When I found out I can get paid to plan trips to amazing destinations for others, I was blown away.
Becoming a travel agent opens many doors and the best one is to travel. By becoming a travel agent you can learn about different destinations and plan trips for your clients while getting paid a nice commission for each trip you plan for them.
Of course, becoming a travel agent is not a good fit for everyone but if travel is something that you are passionate about then it may be the best fit for you! Afterall, when you’re working, you want to do something you love doing.
The video below tells you more details about the business.
How to Save Money as a Travel Agent
As a travel agent you can save money on your own trips as well making it more affordable for you to travel to those bucket list destinations. This means that you will make a commission on the trips you book for yourself. There is also something called Familiarization Trips, also known as FAM trips, that some company will open for travel agents so they can familiarize themselves with that destination, cruise, resort, etc. There is usually an agent rate for these types of trips and it all varies by vendors.
How to Earn Money as a Travel Agent
There are many ways to earn money as a travel agent. The main way to earn money is by making the reservations for your client on their behalf and handling all of the customer service and travel research that many people dread doing. You can also provide additional services to your client like creating custom travel itineraries, doing additional reservations for like certain restaurants, events, museums, concerts, etc… or any other travel related services you would like to provide on top of the commissioned scope of work.
When working with InteleTravel you will earn 70% of your commission and work up to 80% of your commission after hitting $5,000 in commissions for the year. This is the highest paid commission in the industry right now which is amazing.
What Formal Training is Needed to Become a Travel Agent
The best part of becoming a travel agent is that you don’t need any prior training. All training is provided and as your coach, I will guide you every step of the way. My goal is to help you learn everything there is to know about this business and guiding you every step of the way.
InteleTravel provides numerous trainings and ongoing webinars and events to help you learn more about travel. They provide webinars and even in-person events where you can learn more about a specific preferred partner or vendor so you can provide better insights and travel guidance for your clients.
Additional Courses for Becoming a Travel Agent
Many preferred partners that InteleTravel is partnered with also have their own individual trainings so you can learn more about them from the comfort of your own home. There is also destination trainings that you can take to learn more about that specific travel destination. I recently completed a few including Orlando, Disney, Jamaica, and a few others.
By learning more in-depth about the different vendors and destinations, I am able to provide a better planned trip for my clients. And even if you still have questions, we have a very amazing team that helps each other out.
What Kind of Trips Can I Book?
InteleTravel is partnered with over 250+ vendors meaning that you have many options to book travel for your clients. Some of the trips that you can book are:
- Hotels
- Vacation Rentals
- Cruises
- Walt Disney World and Disneyland
- All-Inclusive Resorts
- Universal, LegoLand, and other amusement parks
- Train Travel
- Car Rentals
- Concerts and Event Tickets
- Excursions, Tours, Museums, etc…
- Airport parking and transfers
and so much more!!!
What Vendors Do You Work With?
There are so many amazing vendors that you can work with to help plan the perfect trip for your clients. As mentioned before, there are over 250+ preferred partners to choose from for your trip. I know that number may seem overwhelming at first but they are all for different types of trips and different parts of your trip.
Here are some of the vendors:
- Disney
- Carnival
- Royal Caribbean
- MSC Cruises
- Universal Studios
- Hilton
- Marriott
- Sandals
- Delta Vacations
- Hertz
- The Parking Spot
- Amtrak Vacations
- RIU Hotels and Resorts
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Margaritaville
- Sceptre
- Uplift
- Visit Orlando
- Virgin Voyages
and many more…
Who Will Be My Travel Agent Mentor or Coach?
Me! Hi, I’m Jessica Tejera and I will be your travel agent mentor, coach, and team leader. I will be running alongside you the entire way. Not just at the beginning but the entire time! I’m here to lead you, guide you, teach you, and cheer you on on your journey!
Can I Learn More About The Business and How It Works?
Yes! Of course you can. I want you to feel as comfortable as possible with making this decision of starting your own business so I want to share as much information as possible with you from the very beginning.
There are two sides to this business. There is InteleTravel which is for becoming a travel agent and running your own remote travel agency from home. Then there is PlanNet Marketing which is to become a coach and mentor for your own team of travel agents.
About InteleTravel
InteleTravel has been in business for 25+ years and continues to hold a A+ rating on BBB. It is one of the highest paying commission host agencies in the travel agency industry. They also have an extensive list of preferred travel partners that they are partnered with allowing you to plan a well-rounded vacation for your clients. InteleTravel also provides on-going webinars to help you continue to learn and grow as well as in-person events where you can meet more like-minded agents and entrepreneurs.
InteleTravel also provides their travel agents with a back office to process their client bookings, access to other resources, official documents to help you run your business professionally and legally, and much more.
About PlanNet Marketing
PlanNet Marketing is the representative/sponsor side of the business. This is where you can build your own team of travel agents that you can help coach and mentor. This side of the business is completely optional. You don’t need to be a rep to be an independent travel agent.
Do I Have To Have My Own Team of Travel Agent?
Not at all! You don’t have to have your own team. That part of the business is completely optional and falls under PlanNet Marketing. However, if you want to start your own team of travel agents down the road you can join then. Not everyone wants to have their own team or feels comfortable with the idea of it so it’s completely optional. You don’t have to do both to be a successful travel agent and run your own remote travel agency business from your home.
What are the Costs of Becoming a Travel Agent? And What Does It Cover?
To sign up to be a remote travel agent it’s a one time fee of $179.95 USD and then $39.95 USD a month. This covers your insurance just in case anything happens and someone tries to get a refund from their trip. It also covers documents, trainings, a back office, access to all of the preferred booking partners and the trainings that the partners provide as well. And most importantly, it give you a CLIA and IATA number to use for your business so you are able to book these trips and get paid for them. A CLIA number allows you to book cruises for your clients and an IATA number allows your to book hotels, resorts, flights, etc… Best of all, there is a 30 Day Money Back Guarantee.
Before Signing Up to Become a Travel Agent or Sponsor
Before I started on my travel agent journey I sat on the idea in my mind for a few months. I wanted to make sure it was the right fit for me and my family. I did my research, learned more about being a travel agent and had one on one conversations with Cassie who’s my team leader.
I get it. Starting a new business is a big decision and a financial investment. If you want to have a more one on one conversation with me, I’m open to it. You can always private message me through my Facebook page here or even schedule a call together where you can ask me all of your questions. I want you to feel comfortable about your decision and I want to help guide you and find that peace of mind before committing to this new journey.
Things To Do Before Signing Up
Now before becoming a travel agent I want you to be prepared and ready to go. Here are a few things you can do before signing up.
- Find a business name that suits you and your new travel agency. I have a guide here that will help you find a good business name and make sure that it is available for you to use.
- Make an email account with your new business name on Google (gmail).
- Create a Facebook page with your new business name.
How to Sign Up to Become a Travel Agent
Click the button (link) below and at the top right select “Enroll Now.” Scroll down to where it says “The Travel Business” under “About Us.” Then select “Purchase Now” and then “Purchase Now” again to become a travel agent!
Scroll down on your Virtual Office and click the ORANGE button that says ”PURCHASE YOUR ITA NOW.”
To sign up for the AGENT side it’s $179 to sign up, then $39.99 a month. This covers your insurance (in case someone tries to get a refund from their trip, etc.), your website, IATA and CLIA numbers, and access to all of the preferred booking partners!
How to Sign Up To Have Your Own Team of Travel Agents (optional)
To become a sponsor you are going to click the button (link) below. Then you are going to scroll to “Your Business” and click “Learn More.” Click to “Enroll Now,” “Enroll Now” again , then “Enroll Now” one last time. This is the SPONSOR/REP side of the business it’s $19.99 to sign up and then $19.99 per month.
You do NOT need the app!
After Signing Up to be a Travel Agent
Once you’ve signed up please send me an email to [email protected] with the information below. Once I receive your email I will send you your full welcome packet to help you get started along with my personal info so we can stay in touch along the way.
- Did you sign up as a travel agent only or as a sponsor and a travel agent?
- Facebook page name and link if you created one.
- What travel business name did you choose?
- Phone number and new business email address
- Do you have any questions in regards to starting your new business?
Summary on How To Become an Independent Travel Agent
Being an independent and remote travel agent is such an amazing opportunity if travel is something you are passionate about. It’s not a get rich quick scheme but has such an amazing potential to bring a steady income into your home. Best of all, as your business grows so does your income. Our team of independent travel agents are very engaging and motivating always helping each other grow and answering any questions that may arise. To make things even more fun, we have travel agent retreats and other events to help you not just grow your business but to meet like-minded people.
So if you’re considering on becoming a travel agent and have any questions please feel free to reach out to me via messenger on Facebook here. I would love to help answer any questions you may have and most of all, get to know you as a person.
