Latest Agent News
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Travel Agent Reference Guide (TARG)
An internal destination guide with practical notes that I have learned over the years. This is a work in progress, so far only WDW has content.
Click here to visit the TARG
An internal destination guide with practical notes that I have learned over the years. This is a work in progress, so far only WDW has content.
Click here to visit the TARG
17hats Project Pipelines
The agency has a subscription to 17hats a project pipeline software that allows you to organize trips like projects which can help to keep you on task. The automated workflows can be set up to automatically generate a reminder for you for follow up, you can load any notes/documentation, and the tagging feature allows you to tag your projects (bookings) in a meaningful manner that will help you load them easily when you first log in (in other words, you can filter out everyone else's projects and just look at your own. Even better, this means that your notes and your clients records can be accessed from anywhere you have an internet connection (plus they have an app).
If you are interested in using this software, I can send you an invitation, just let me know if you are interested.
The agency has a subscription to 17hats a project pipeline software that allows you to organize trips like projects which can help to keep you on task. The automated workflows can be set up to automatically generate a reminder for you for follow up, you can load any notes/documentation, and the tagging feature allows you to tag your projects (bookings) in a meaningful manner that will help you load them easily when you first log in (in other words, you can filter out everyone else's projects and just look at your own. Even better, this means that your notes and your clients records can be accessed from anywhere you have an internet connection (plus they have an app).
If you are interested in using this software, I can send you an invitation, just let me know if you are interested.
Agency Travefy Membership:
Our agency has a generic Travefy membership so that you can create interactive, custom quotes and itineraries for your clients travel. I have created a sample itinerary so that you can see what one looks like.
https://travefy.com/account/login
Username: [email protected]
Password: 1travel23
Once you've logged in, if you click on "Get Help", the link will take you to video tutorials and FAQs that will help get you started.
Our agency has a generic Travefy membership so that you can create interactive, custom quotes and itineraries for your clients travel. I have created a sample itinerary so that you can see what one looks like.
https://travefy.com/account/login
Username: [email protected]
Password: 1travel23
Once you've logged in, if you click on "Get Help", the link will take you to video tutorials and FAQs that will help get you started.
Agency E-Mail Templates:
There are many email templates that I have created for previous trips. You may need to tweak things based on what your client details are or if something about the destination has changed since I created this template, but these are good starting points.
www.gmail.com
Username: tteinformation
Password: 1travel23
The hotel/destination folders are all on the left and are broken down by major travel area.
If you want to take a look/edit the emails in the source content, you can edit/update them in our Mail Chimp account. Just be sure that when you are done editing, you do not actually send it to a list. Simply send a "test" email to yourself.
https://mailchimp.com/
Username: [email protected]
Password: 1Travel23!
There are many email templates that I have created for previous trips. You may need to tweak things based on what your client details are or if something about the destination has changed since I created this template, but these are good starting points.
www.gmail.com
Username: tteinformation
Password: 1travel23
The hotel/destination folders are all on the left and are broken down by major travel area.
If you want to take a look/edit the emails in the source content, you can edit/update them in our Mail Chimp account. Just be sure that when you are done editing, you do not actually send it to a list. Simply send a "test" email to yourself.
https://mailchimp.com/
Username: [email protected]
Password: 1Travel23!
Important Links
Important Agency Links:
Agent Booking Form
Complete and remit this form once you have completed a client's booking. Be sure to complete a separate form for any different part of the booking that would have commission coming from a different source. For example, if you have a client who booked a Disney vacation and Universal Park Tickets, that means that you must fill out a form for the Disney vacation and then another one for the Universal Tickets. Please also forward any "agent" confirmation to my email at [email protected] in addition to completing this form.
Link to The Templates and Forms Folder
This is a Google Docs Folder that has a bunch of standard client and employment related forms. Let me know if you have questions or suggestions.
Link to Online Credit Card Authorization Form
You can use this if you want instead of the paper form, but is cannot be used for international Flights. This requires the client to acknowledge the online disclaimer, but be aware that there is a certain risk with this form. I generally use this form for friends and family, repeat clients, and referrals. This form is automatically sent to me and I will forward it to you as soon as I get it.
Link to The Training Folder
For job aids, webcasts, and other information to help you book more. This is a work in progress!
Request A New Supplier
If there is a vacation provider you are interested in working with.
Instructions for Importing the Supplier Contact List into your Gmail webmail!!! You do NOT have to do this. You can use this page or the word doc that I created if you prefer to keep something on your desk top and not mix your personal and professional clients. Totally up to you. If you want the word doc, see the list information below.
Coming Soon: Passport Form Entry
One of the biggest sources for errors in travel booking is errors in the client passport information. Often, I convince my clients to send me a smartphone pic of each of their passports so that someone has a copy stateside in case of an emergency. It means that they can send it via text, email, messenger, etc. So, it makes it very easy for them. Another option is to have them complete their own passport information in an online form. I will soon have links to forms of different sizes.
Coming Soon: Group Help!
Destinations weddings and group travel requires attention to detail, but can be very lucrative. I will be posting helpful information soon.
Agent Booking Form
Complete and remit this form once you have completed a client's booking. Be sure to complete a separate form for any different part of the booking that would have commission coming from a different source. For example, if you have a client who booked a Disney vacation and Universal Park Tickets, that means that you must fill out a form for the Disney vacation and then another one for the Universal Tickets. Please also forward any "agent" confirmation to my email at [email protected] in addition to completing this form.
Link to The Templates and Forms Folder
This is a Google Docs Folder that has a bunch of standard client and employment related forms. Let me know if you have questions or suggestions.
Link to Online Credit Card Authorization Form
You can use this if you want instead of the paper form, but is cannot be used for international Flights. This requires the client to acknowledge the online disclaimer, but be aware that there is a certain risk with this form. I generally use this form for friends and family, repeat clients, and referrals. This form is automatically sent to me and I will forward it to you as soon as I get it.
Link to The Training Folder
For job aids, webcasts, and other information to help you book more. This is a work in progress!
Request A New Supplier
If there is a vacation provider you are interested in working with.
Instructions for Importing the Supplier Contact List into your Gmail webmail!!! You do NOT have to do this. You can use this page or the word doc that I created if you prefer to keep something on your desk top and not mix your personal and professional clients. Totally up to you. If you want the word doc, see the list information below.
Coming Soon: Passport Form Entry
One of the biggest sources for errors in travel booking is errors in the client passport information. Often, I convince my clients to send me a smartphone pic of each of their passports so that someone has a copy stateside in case of an emergency. It means that they can send it via text, email, messenger, etc. So, it makes it very easy for them. Another option is to have them complete their own passport information in an online form. I will soon have links to forms of different sizes.
Coming Soon: Group Help!
Destinations weddings and group travel requires attention to detail, but can be very lucrative. I will be posting helpful information soon.
Supplier Information and Links
Before you can book with a Supplier, you must register with them! In order to register with them you will need our agency's CLIA number which can be found on the Supplier import file that is in the Suppliers Folder linked above (except Apple Travel Agent site, for which we share a username and password). In case you need a quick link to a supplier that you already registered with, here are some links!
ORLANDO
Disney Travel Agents Website
In order to book Disney, you must first register for their site. You will need our CLIA number though: 00477713
Vax Vacation Access Website
This website is good for booking Universal. You can book a full Universal package or you can just book Universal park tickets/dining. If you would like to book Universal or anything else through Vax, let me know and I will register you. I do not recommend booking Sandals/Beaches through Vax as you get an extra 2% commission if you book through the Sandals site.
TIP: There is a ticket on this site for a Universal ticket that includes transportation to/from a Disney property. It is a little pricey, but sometimes people prefer the convenience. Otherwise, the best bet may be a one day car rental from the Disney Car Care Center. Only Alamo and National are represented here, so even one day can sometimes be $40-50, but even when you factor in parking at Universal it may still be cheaper than the tickets with the shuttle.
See HOTELS, FLIGHTS, EXCURSIONS, & CAR RENTALS below for additional information that might help with an Orlando booking.
THE CARIBBEAN
Apple and Vacation Express are Tour Operators that bundle flights and hotel together for a convenient package. They tend to have some of the best pricing, but I have found that Apple occasionally does not have all flights that are really available. If someone is looking for a well priced Caribbean vacation, and they have some flexibility, I highly recommend using the Google Flights calendar to find a flight. One day can sometimes make a huge difference. If they are booking far enough in advance, they may also be able to book a "charter" flight which can save a ton. Vacation Express Charter flights tend to mostly run out of Newark (though there are a few out of Philly) and usually are for 4, 5, and 6 night vacations to Cancun, Punta Cana, or the Bahamas.
Tip: Save yourself the aggravation of having to log in and out multiple times when doing a quote and simply give the client the price from the consumer suite. We get the same pricing. That's the perk of using an agent! Same price and they get us for free!
Apple Vacations Website- Consumer Site
Apple Vacations Website- Travel Agent Portal
Apple Travel Agent Cafe
Tip: Apple includes free resort transfers for both package bookings AND hotel only bookings.
Vacation Express Website
Login Information
Username: [email protected]
Password: 1Travel23!
PLEASE do NOT edit or review any reservation that does not belong to you. Also, if you book something, please send a copy of the agent invoice and the booking form.
Club Med TA Portal
Club Med Public Site
Please let me know if you are interested in booking Club Med and we will get you registered. If you are "quoting" you can use the public site. Do not request to be registered until you have locked in a booking.
Sandals and Beaches Agent Website
Sandals Public Site
Beaches Public Site
Please let me know if you are interested in booking Sandals and we will get you registered. If you are "quoting" you can use the public site. Do not request to be registered until you have locked in a booking.
HOTELS
Venere for Travel Agents
This is the best site we have for hotels. It has all the same inventory as Expedia (they are partners) but there is no BS lower commissions for a client wanting to pay at the hotel versus paying in full up front. As a matter of fact, frequently this site has "extra" commission rooms available at great resorts. There are a few quirks to keep in mind though: 1. The site calcs most things initially in Euro, make sure you are set to USD when you log in, you could be quoting the wrong price; 2. You cannot see the final price (including taxes and fees) until the last page where you select the room, so make sure you tell clients the price is "plus tax" or go through the last page to give them the "total"; and 3. Watch out for DATES! The dates are in the European format of DD/MM/YY so 10/4/16 is not October 4, 2016 it's actually April 10, 2016. Be careful using the calendar to select dates too because it goes Monday-Sunday unlike our calendars here that are Sunday to Monday. Other than that, great site!
If you want to register for Venere, let me know and I will add you!
Expedia for Travel Agents
I do not recommend using this over Venere, but it is really easy if you prefer a very user friendly site. Be careful to always put your client's information on the booking page and not yours! I booked my mom's excursion once with my name on it because I was paranoid about making sure the agency got credit for the booking, lol.
If you want to book through Expedia, let me know and I will send you an "invitation".
ezBook
This is another consolidator site that has great pricing if your client is willing to "prepay" for the room in full. Let me know if you are interested in using this site and I will get you set up.
FLIGHTS- Domestic
We are unable to earn commission on domestic flights unless we add an "agent fee". Very few airlines pay commission, and most of the time if is only 3%. This makes it unprofitable for us to register and pay for an expensive GDS system. Furthermore, the risks are disproportionately high. I handle domestic flights one of two ways, I am either helpful by providing pricing from google flights and links to the site so that they can purchase flights themselves. Or, if they insist on me taking care of it for them, I book it through "Vax Published Air" and I add a 10% fee for my commission. You can also book it through expedia, but you will not be able to add an agent fee.
Vax Vacation Access
Expedia Travel Agent Portal
Google Flights Search Page
Note: The google flights search page is enormously helpful, but it does not include Southwest flights in it's engine.
Flights- International
While we cannot earn "commission" on flights, we do have access to a consolidator for international flights. This means that the rates we will find through the consolidator will be either at or below the published rate you will find through Google Flights (usually it's a good bit below). As a result, this allows you to purchase the flights on the client's behalf without it costing them extra. You would log into Vax and then select the "Vax Consolidator Air" supplier.
Vax Vacation Access
Note: the rules for this type of airfare are very strict. You need to be sure that you have the client complete the Credit Card Authorization form linked below and NOT ours (Vax has their own). You will also need a copy of the card holders ID with signature (Driver's License or Passport), and a picture of the front and back of their credit card. This is solely to protect you! International airfare has extra rules related to fraud and terrorism. So it's a pain, but remember that clients can scan and email, text pics, or even fax any of this to 877-344-0799.
Here is a link to their current Credit Card form
ALSO, keep in mind that the pricing changes minute to minute. So, your commission may show as $300 when you book it, but it could go up to $400 or down to $250 by the time it is ticketed. The sooner you get the paperwork to them the better. Also, there is usually a $2.50 per ticket ticketing fee added to each passenger's rate.
CAR RENTALS
Expedia Travel Agent Portal
The only domestic car rental supplier we have at this time is Expedia. It pays at 10% and it tends to have the best prices anyway.
Europcar Travel Agent Site
Europcar Consumer Site
For European travel, we are registered with Europecar, but they only pay commission on the higher rates that are associated with pay at pickup and not the lower prepay rates.
Let me know if you would like access to this supplier.
EXCURSIONS
Expedia Travel Agent Portal
This is the best option for excursions. There are lots of options and they pay 10%!
Arc Marketplace
This is a good idea if something that you want is not available via Expedia. Keep in mind that they only pay a 6% commission though. You do not have to register for this site, but when you are booking, you have to enter our agency infomation. Let me know the first time you use this.
CRUISES
Sabre Cruises
This is a cruise consolidator that has all of them in one entry, but using the tool is a pain and it is not user friendly. If you are interested in booking a cruise, I highly recommend quoting from the consumer sites and then letting me know when you are ready to book and I will add your name to the agent list for the individual cruise line.
Viking River Cruises Consumer Site
Viking Ocean Cruises Consumer Site
Viking Travel Agent Site
These are some of the most highly rated cruises for middle aged and retired adults. They are also great about sending materials for vendor shows and such, so let me know if you are interested in having some. I recommend quoting from the consumer site before requesting access.
Disney Cruises Consumer Site
Disney Travel Agents Site
I recommend pricing them out via the consumer site because it's much easier to navigate than the TA site. Also, this is where the client will create a login to link their cruise, do online check in (which you should be doing for them) and selecting cruise activities.
Carnival Consumer Site
Carnival Travel Agent Login
I recommend pricing on the consumer site and contacting me when your client is ready to book because you will need to be registered.
Royal Caribbean Consumer Site
Cruising Power Travel Agent Site
I recommend pricing on the consumer site and contacting me when your client is ready to book. The travel agent login is a consolidator called Cruising power. It's very easy to use and includes several cruise lines but requires registration. Let me know if you need to be registered.
Celebrity Cruises Consumer Site
Cruising Power Travel Agent Site
I recommend pricing on the consumer site and contacting me when your client is ready to book. The travel agent login is a consolidator called Cruising power. It's very easy to use and includes several cruise lines but requires registration. Let me know if you need to be registered.
Norwegian Consumer Site
Norwegian Travel Agent Login
I recommend pricing on the consumer site and contacting me when your client is ready to book because you will need to be registered.
EUROPE TOUR OPERATORS
See Italy By Laura Massoni
I used them for my very first Italy trip because I was very nervous. It was great because they put together the itinerary and kept everything priced at or below the client's budget, but also paid me 12% commission. Between that and my commission on the flights, I did very well and it required very little work. Let me know if you are interested in using them, I would just need to add your name to our agency information.
Europe Express
This is another great tour operator that will put everything together for you. They can sometimes be a bit pricier than if you put it together yourself, but the time savings can go into servicing your client better. Plus, their customer service is fabulous and they have lots of local contacts. Meaning that if something goes wrong, they will be able to service your client better than you can from the US.
Avanti Destinations
This is a tour operator that allows you to pick and choose their services and custom build what you need. They are very useful for trips where you are building everything from the ground up (versus using one of the providers above) and you just need a private transfer somewhere or train tickets. This site does have some minimal commission but it also allows you to add an agent fee to anything you book. Which means that if you build it right, you can save the client money from one of the tour operators above as well as make yourself decent agent commission.
Don't forget that Venere has some of the best priced and nicest hotel options if you are custom building your client's Flexible Itinerary Travel (FIT) trip.
GateOne Travel Consumer Site
GateOne Travel Agent Information Page
This is a very, very cheap provider. This is for the price conscious, comfortable traveler who is just looking for a deal. The trips are predetermined, usually include airfare, and are very easy to plan. So, even though the commissions aren't great, they are very easy trips to plan.
MORE INFORMATION TO COME!!!
ORLANDO
Disney Travel Agents Website
In order to book Disney, you must first register for their site. You will need our CLIA number though: 00477713
Vax Vacation Access Website
This website is good for booking Universal. You can book a full Universal package or you can just book Universal park tickets/dining. If you would like to book Universal or anything else through Vax, let me know and I will register you. I do not recommend booking Sandals/Beaches through Vax as you get an extra 2% commission if you book through the Sandals site.
TIP: There is a ticket on this site for a Universal ticket that includes transportation to/from a Disney property. It is a little pricey, but sometimes people prefer the convenience. Otherwise, the best bet may be a one day car rental from the Disney Car Care Center. Only Alamo and National are represented here, so even one day can sometimes be $40-50, but even when you factor in parking at Universal it may still be cheaper than the tickets with the shuttle.
See HOTELS, FLIGHTS, EXCURSIONS, & CAR RENTALS below for additional information that might help with an Orlando booking.
THE CARIBBEAN
Apple and Vacation Express are Tour Operators that bundle flights and hotel together for a convenient package. They tend to have some of the best pricing, but I have found that Apple occasionally does not have all flights that are really available. If someone is looking for a well priced Caribbean vacation, and they have some flexibility, I highly recommend using the Google Flights calendar to find a flight. One day can sometimes make a huge difference. If they are booking far enough in advance, they may also be able to book a "charter" flight which can save a ton. Vacation Express Charter flights tend to mostly run out of Newark (though there are a few out of Philly) and usually are for 4, 5, and 6 night vacations to Cancun, Punta Cana, or the Bahamas.
Tip: Save yourself the aggravation of having to log in and out multiple times when doing a quote and simply give the client the price from the consumer suite. We get the same pricing. That's the perk of using an agent! Same price and they get us for free!
Apple Vacations Website- Consumer Site
Apple Vacations Website- Travel Agent Portal
Apple Travel Agent Cafe
Tip: Apple includes free resort transfers for both package bookings AND hotel only bookings.
Vacation Express Website
Login Information
Username: [email protected]
Password: 1Travel23!
PLEASE do NOT edit or review any reservation that does not belong to you. Also, if you book something, please send a copy of the agent invoice and the booking form.
Club Med TA Portal
Club Med Public Site
Please let me know if you are interested in booking Club Med and we will get you registered. If you are "quoting" you can use the public site. Do not request to be registered until you have locked in a booking.
Sandals and Beaches Agent Website
Sandals Public Site
Beaches Public Site
Please let me know if you are interested in booking Sandals and we will get you registered. If you are "quoting" you can use the public site. Do not request to be registered until you have locked in a booking.
HOTELS
Venere for Travel Agents
This is the best site we have for hotels. It has all the same inventory as Expedia (they are partners) but there is no BS lower commissions for a client wanting to pay at the hotel versus paying in full up front. As a matter of fact, frequently this site has "extra" commission rooms available at great resorts. There are a few quirks to keep in mind though: 1. The site calcs most things initially in Euro, make sure you are set to USD when you log in, you could be quoting the wrong price; 2. You cannot see the final price (including taxes and fees) until the last page where you select the room, so make sure you tell clients the price is "plus tax" or go through the last page to give them the "total"; and 3. Watch out for DATES! The dates are in the European format of DD/MM/YY so 10/4/16 is not October 4, 2016 it's actually April 10, 2016. Be careful using the calendar to select dates too because it goes Monday-Sunday unlike our calendars here that are Sunday to Monday. Other than that, great site!
If you want to register for Venere, let me know and I will add you!
Expedia for Travel Agents
I do not recommend using this over Venere, but it is really easy if you prefer a very user friendly site. Be careful to always put your client's information on the booking page and not yours! I booked my mom's excursion once with my name on it because I was paranoid about making sure the agency got credit for the booking, lol.
If you want to book through Expedia, let me know and I will send you an "invitation".
ezBook
This is another consolidator site that has great pricing if your client is willing to "prepay" for the room in full. Let me know if you are interested in using this site and I will get you set up.
FLIGHTS- Domestic
We are unable to earn commission on domestic flights unless we add an "agent fee". Very few airlines pay commission, and most of the time if is only 3%. This makes it unprofitable for us to register and pay for an expensive GDS system. Furthermore, the risks are disproportionately high. I handle domestic flights one of two ways, I am either helpful by providing pricing from google flights and links to the site so that they can purchase flights themselves. Or, if they insist on me taking care of it for them, I book it through "Vax Published Air" and I add a 10% fee for my commission. You can also book it through expedia, but you will not be able to add an agent fee.
Vax Vacation Access
Expedia Travel Agent Portal
Google Flights Search Page
Note: The google flights search page is enormously helpful, but it does not include Southwest flights in it's engine.
Flights- International
While we cannot earn "commission" on flights, we do have access to a consolidator for international flights. This means that the rates we will find through the consolidator will be either at or below the published rate you will find through Google Flights (usually it's a good bit below). As a result, this allows you to purchase the flights on the client's behalf without it costing them extra. You would log into Vax and then select the "Vax Consolidator Air" supplier.
Vax Vacation Access
Note: the rules for this type of airfare are very strict. You need to be sure that you have the client complete the Credit Card Authorization form linked below and NOT ours (Vax has their own). You will also need a copy of the card holders ID with signature (Driver's License or Passport), and a picture of the front and back of their credit card. This is solely to protect you! International airfare has extra rules related to fraud and terrorism. So it's a pain, but remember that clients can scan and email, text pics, or even fax any of this to 877-344-0799.
Here is a link to their current Credit Card form
ALSO, keep in mind that the pricing changes minute to minute. So, your commission may show as $300 when you book it, but it could go up to $400 or down to $250 by the time it is ticketed. The sooner you get the paperwork to them the better. Also, there is usually a $2.50 per ticket ticketing fee added to each passenger's rate.
CAR RENTALS
Expedia Travel Agent Portal
The only domestic car rental supplier we have at this time is Expedia. It pays at 10% and it tends to have the best prices anyway.
Europcar Travel Agent Site
Europcar Consumer Site
For European travel, we are registered with Europecar, but they only pay commission on the higher rates that are associated with pay at pickup and not the lower prepay rates.
Let me know if you would like access to this supplier.
EXCURSIONS
Expedia Travel Agent Portal
This is the best option for excursions. There are lots of options and they pay 10%!
Arc Marketplace
This is a good idea if something that you want is not available via Expedia. Keep in mind that they only pay a 6% commission though. You do not have to register for this site, but when you are booking, you have to enter our agency infomation. Let me know the first time you use this.
CRUISES
Sabre Cruises
This is a cruise consolidator that has all of them in one entry, but using the tool is a pain and it is not user friendly. If you are interested in booking a cruise, I highly recommend quoting from the consumer sites and then letting me know when you are ready to book and I will add your name to the agent list for the individual cruise line.
Viking River Cruises Consumer Site
Viking Ocean Cruises Consumer Site
Viking Travel Agent Site
These are some of the most highly rated cruises for middle aged and retired adults. They are also great about sending materials for vendor shows and such, so let me know if you are interested in having some. I recommend quoting from the consumer site before requesting access.
Disney Cruises Consumer Site
Disney Travel Agents Site
I recommend pricing them out via the consumer site because it's much easier to navigate than the TA site. Also, this is where the client will create a login to link their cruise, do online check in (which you should be doing for them) and selecting cruise activities.
Carnival Consumer Site
Carnival Travel Agent Login
I recommend pricing on the consumer site and contacting me when your client is ready to book because you will need to be registered.
Royal Caribbean Consumer Site
Cruising Power Travel Agent Site
I recommend pricing on the consumer site and contacting me when your client is ready to book. The travel agent login is a consolidator called Cruising power. It's very easy to use and includes several cruise lines but requires registration. Let me know if you need to be registered.
Celebrity Cruises Consumer Site
Cruising Power Travel Agent Site
I recommend pricing on the consumer site and contacting me when your client is ready to book. The travel agent login is a consolidator called Cruising power. It's very easy to use and includes several cruise lines but requires registration. Let me know if you need to be registered.
Norwegian Consumer Site
Norwegian Travel Agent Login
I recommend pricing on the consumer site and contacting me when your client is ready to book because you will need to be registered.
EUROPE TOUR OPERATORS
See Italy By Laura Massoni
I used them for my very first Italy trip because I was very nervous. It was great because they put together the itinerary and kept everything priced at or below the client's budget, but also paid me 12% commission. Between that and my commission on the flights, I did very well and it required very little work. Let me know if you are interested in using them, I would just need to add your name to our agency information.
Europe Express
This is another great tour operator that will put everything together for you. They can sometimes be a bit pricier than if you put it together yourself, but the time savings can go into servicing your client better. Plus, their customer service is fabulous and they have lots of local contacts. Meaning that if something goes wrong, they will be able to service your client better than you can from the US.
Avanti Destinations
This is a tour operator that allows you to pick and choose their services and custom build what you need. They are very useful for trips where you are building everything from the ground up (versus using one of the providers above) and you just need a private transfer somewhere or train tickets. This site does have some minimal commission but it also allows you to add an agent fee to anything you book. Which means that if you build it right, you can save the client money from one of the tour operators above as well as make yourself decent agent commission.
Don't forget that Venere has some of the best priced and nicest hotel options if you are custom building your client's Flexible Itinerary Travel (FIT) trip.
GateOne Travel Consumer Site
GateOne Travel Agent Information Page
This is a very, very cheap provider. This is for the price conscious, comfortable traveler who is just looking for a deal. The trips are predetermined, usually include airfare, and are very easy to plan. So, even though the commissions aren't great, they are very easy trips to plan.
MORE INFORMATION TO COME!!!
New Agent Tips!
Don't Be Shy! Get your Name out there!
1. Create a Facebook Business Page and invite friends and family to like and share it and encourage your clients to leave you a review after they are done traveling.
2. Facebook boosts are good for getting your name out there and getting knows for something that you are advertising. If you are a DIsney agent, post about the latest Disney deal. Always include your contact information IN your post and customize your audience to include your friends and friends of friends!
3. Send out a letter or a postcard! You can order custom postcards from Vista Print and often suppliers will send you free postcards for you to send to clients (disney and Viking both do this). This allows you to write a little note to your family and friends announcing your new business endeavor and gives them your business contact information.
4. Show off your expertise: write a blog post about your latest trip or some interesting research that you came across and then share it on your personal and business page. Don't be shy about asking friends and family who find it interesting to share it as well.
5. Get involved! Some of my best clients have been those that i have networked with (or patroned myself) locally. Get involved in community boards and business groups, answer questions and be helpful in local facebook groups, and advertise at local schools and events (maybe even a vendor/county fair).
Send me a note if you have any ideas to add to this list!
1. Create a Facebook Business Page and invite friends and family to like and share it and encourage your clients to leave you a review after they are done traveling.
2. Facebook boosts are good for getting your name out there and getting knows for something that you are advertising. If you are a DIsney agent, post about the latest Disney deal. Always include your contact information IN your post and customize your audience to include your friends and friends of friends!
3. Send out a letter or a postcard! You can order custom postcards from Vista Print and often suppliers will send you free postcards for you to send to clients (disney and Viking both do this). This allows you to write a little note to your family and friends announcing your new business endeavor and gives them your business contact information.
4. Show off your expertise: write a blog post about your latest trip or some interesting research that you came across and then share it on your personal and business page. Don't be shy about asking friends and family who find it interesting to share it as well.
5. Get involved! Some of my best clients have been those that i have networked with (or patroned myself) locally. Get involved in community boards and business groups, answer questions and be helpful in local facebook groups, and advertise at local schools and events (maybe even a vendor/county fair).
Send me a note if you have any ideas to add to this list!