HAR's Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15 Steph Lee | Travel Industry Veteran, Founder Host Agency Reviews

In episode 154 Steph co-hosts Stephanie Gries of Travefy. (It’s a special Stephanie and Stephanie episode!) They’ve got some big questions to cover, so grab your note-taking materials and get ready to study up!

1. Hello HAR, I have learned so much from your site and have found it to be an invaluable resource, I only wish I had found it sooner!
I been a travel advisor for about 3 years. I recently left my host. There were some areas of the business that I did not feel the owners were keeping the same priorities as when the agency was first started and not providing support that had also been promised.
On top of taking a 60%/40% commission split- which I now know is not industry standard! In the IC contract that I terminated with my previous agency, there is a paragraph that reads:
"Directly or indirectly, continuing for one year after the termination of this Agreement, contractor shall not, hire, solicit,induce, or attempt to induce any independent contractor working with the Company to terminate his/her/their Commission Sales Agreement with the Company, or otherwise cease his/her/their relationship with the Company."
Do you think this holds any weight? Can they really hold me to not hiring anyone else from their agency for one year? We are all ICs, so I just don't see how they could actually enforce that?
I appreciate any insight or resource you may have on this matter. —Anonymous


2. Hi Stephanie. When does it make sense from a money standpoint for an advisor to join Travefy? With all the startup costs what would you say is the tipping point where it makes sense for an advisor to switch over? —A Fan Named Stephanie with the Last Name Lee


3. What are some tricks for balancing a full time job with starting an agency? —Melissa A.





TODAY’S RESOURCES:
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-industry-lawyer-list (List of travel industry attorneys)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts (Things to look for in your contract with your host agency)
Jeff Ment’s website (the attorney we reached out to): Connecticut Law Enforcement Lawyer & Travel Lawyer | Ment Law Group
https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/ (Annual hosted travel advisor report gives average commission split for new vs. experienced advisors.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/best-travel-itinerary-builders (HAR’s comparison chart of travel itinerary builders for agencies.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/free-travel-itinerary-template-for-advisors (HAR’s free travel itinerary building template.)
https://travefy.com/ (Check out Travefy!)
https://www.tiquehq.com/ (recommended Travefy resource)
https://www.letslucia.com/ (recommended Travefy resource)
https://travelindustrysolutions.com/ (recommended Travefy resource)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/726852665417747 (Travefy user group)

In episode 153 Steph co-hosts with the one and only Mary Stein of HAR. Sponsored by Outside Agents - thanks Chad and team! Here’s a taste of the questions they’ll cover:
1. I keep noticing offers from my host agency/consortia/vendors that would provide perks for my clients and bonus commissions for me…after it is too late to claim them. How do other agents manage the flood of consumer and agent incentives so they can make recommendations that are good for their clients and good for them? —Vince K.


2. I am thinking about switching to another host agency because the one I am with really does not reach out to ask me why my sales are low. It is very difficult to find clients. I would like to sign up with a host agency that will reach out to their members to help them to figure out where they are struggling. Sorry for the long intro but my question is do I lose all my credentials that I already have with some vendors. I have completed my Disney Knowledge, Universal's course and some of Norwegian's courses. I appreciate everything you do for us agents. Thank you! —Lourdes P.


3. I'm in the process of getting a business bank account, and I recall something being mentioned in one of the Friday 15s or in the 7-day Setup about potentially setting up a trust account for client deposits. Is this just a secondary business bank account specifically for depositing client deposits, or is it something official that is regulated by the state or another overseeing agency as it is for lawyers? —Ashley R.





TODAY’S RESOURCES:

https://www.spoiledagent.com/ (Spoiled Agent lists supplier incentives for advisors in an organized way.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts (List of host agencies.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency (Advice on how to find the best host agency.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts (Things to look for in your contract with your host agency)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/5-steps-to-finding-groups (Article series with advice on how travel agents can find group bookings.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/best-disney-travel-agents-booking-secrets (Best Disney travel agents share their booking secrets.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/universal-studios-hollywood-map-pdf (Universal Studios Hollywood map for your clients.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-hars-disney-world-planning-booking-cheatsheet (HAR guide on booking Disney World.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-license-seller-of-travel-license (Information on Seller of Travel registration requirements for California, Florida, Hawaii, and Washington.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/seller-travel-laws-service-fees (How seller of travel laws impact service fees.)

In episode 152 Steph co-hosts with the one and only Jenn of TPI and the chat on TPI’s new franchise, Vacation Planners!

1. What is your view on terms and conditions? I see so much talk about them but do I need to invest in getting custom terms and conditions for my agency? That seems crazy to me. —Anonymous

2. Hi Steph! I signed up for a host agency on your site and he asked me to Venmo over the payment to get started. He seems legitimate but it just has me worried. Is sending Venmo to a host agency normal? —Anonymous

3. First I would like to say how helpful your website and podcasts are. I listen to Spotify, watch YouTube videos and read all the articles every chance I can. Everything is SO HELPFUL! Thank you so much.
I am still in the process of finding the best host to join and here's my question: I am a Brazilian and US resident and I was wondering if I could have customers from other countries as Brazilians would be a huge network of clients for me visiting the US. Do host agencies accept that or does it depend on the agency?
Do their software of payments accept international credit cards/currency exchange? I would still be a US-based TA under a US-based host agency. Thank you! --Camila S.



TODAY’S RESOURCES:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/seller-travel-laws-service-fees (Tom Carpenter explaining how charging service fees interacts with seller of travel registrations)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-industry-lawyer-list (List of travel industry attorneys)
https://asta.org (ASTA provides free T&C templates to members. Use TPI50 for $50 off ASTA membership.)

https://travelindustrysolutions.com/ (Legal templates for travel agencies with membership)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts (List of host agencies.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency (Advice on how to find the best host agency.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contracts (Things to look for in your contract with your host agency)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts/travel-planners-international (TPI’s profile on HAR)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fiercelyforwardtraveladvisors/ (Fiercely Forward FB group for all advisors. Doesn’t need to be a part of TPI)
jennl@tpionline.com (Jenn’s email)
https://vacationplannersfranchise.com/ (Vacation Planners’ website to get on the franchise waitlist)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/franchises/vacation-planners (Vacation Planners’ HAR profile)

In episode 151 Steph tackles some great questions with co-host Henley Vazquez from Fora!

1. I have my agency set up after going through your 7 Day Set Up program but now I’m lost on how to find clients and start advertising. I know there is no one way to do things, but what would you recommend for next steps once my agency has opened? I sent an email to my friends and family about my new agency and also set up social profiles. –Anonymous

2. I am looking for a host agency and I have never had one before. I have compared a ton on your site and I am feeling overwhelmed. What are the main things I should be looking for in a good host agency? Or should I start my own? ---Judi N.

3. I was just invited on my first fam trip! Do you have any advice on how to make the most of it or tips for a new travel agent going on their first fam? Thanks! ---Anonymous




TODAY’S RESOURCES:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/7DS-lite (HAR’s 7 Day Setup LITE is a free online course that helps you start your agency. It does not have support and takes you through resources to help you make things happen)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/7DS-accelerator (HAR’s 7 Day Setup Accelerator course with 70+ easily digestible videos, 48 exclusive resources, monthly live meetups with HAR team and others for support and accountability, priority email support)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts (List of host agencies.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-on-how-to-find-the-best-travel-host-agency (Advice on how to find the best host agency.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-fam-trip (Travel Agent FAM Trips: What They Are + How to Find Them)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-travel-agents-can-make-the-most-of-a-cruise-ship-inspection (How Travel Advisors Can Make the Most of a Cruise Ship Inspection)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-travel-agents-can-make-the-most-of-a-cruise-ship-inspection (The Definitive Site Inspection Checklist)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/make-your-travel-conference-count (5 Ways to Make Your Travel Conference Count)

In episode 150 Steph fields some great questions from our good friend Anonymous (ha!) about naming your biz and choosing a HA based on locality. She also breaks down how to become a travel agent in some handy steps!

1. I am just stepping into starting a travel agency at the very early stages and still working on what it would look like for me. When considering a niche and a business name, I suspect having the niche in the business name can help, but would it cause issues if I wanted to pivot or expand to a different niche at some point in the future and possibly require a business name change and rebranding challenges. Do you have any advice or should I just worry about the future. –Anonymous

2. How important is it to join a local host agency? —Anonymous

3. I know there isn’t one set answer for this, but how would you break down the steps on how to become a travel agent? —Anonymous





TODAY’S RESOURCES:

https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-niche (Guide to choosing a travel niche)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tips-for-choosing-travel-agency-names (Tips for choosing travel agency names + examples)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/7DS-lite (HAR’s 7 Day Setup LITE is a free online course that helps you start your agency. It does not have support and takes you through resources to help you make things happen)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/7DS-accelerator (HAR’s 7 Day Setup Accelerator course with 70+ easily digestible videos, 48 exclusive resources, monthly live meetups with HAR team and others for support and accountability, priority email support)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/hosts (Find a map of host agencies on our host agency list.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-to-become-a-travel-agent (All you need to know to become a travel agent)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/ (Travel agent survey data on employee travel agents and self-employed travel agents.)

In episode 149 Steph co-hosts with April Swales of Uniglobe. Here are the questions they’ll cover. Got some fun ones this week! 

1. How do HAR courses differ from an IATA course or something offered through a host agency? –Anonymous

2. Hello HAR and team! I have a question about commissions. For travel agents based in Europe, as far as I know most airlines do not pay any commission. But it seems to me that this is not the case for TAs based elsewhere. I am asking this because I just got my IATA accreditation, and my business is mostly flight consulting. But I do this for clients based worldwide.

3. Most travel agents where I am from have to add a ticketing fee to their customers, and if they sell flight only then their only revenue will be that fee. In the end, if I don't get any commission from airlines, what is my benefit in using a GDS?

TODAY’S RESOURCES:

https://uniglobetravelcenter.com/mentor-u (UTC’s 3 month mentoring program)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/become-corporate-travel-agent (List of trainings specific to corporate advisors, including IATA)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-training-travel-agent-education (List of other travel agent training opportunities)
https://har.news/roadmap (HAR’s course through ASTA. The Roadmap to Becoming a Travel Advisor.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/7DS-lite (HAR’s 7 Day Setup LITE is a free online course that helps you start your agency. It does not have support and takes you through resources to help you make things happen)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/7DS-accelerator (HAR’s 7 Day Setup Accelerator course with 70+ easily digestible videos, 48 exclusive resources, monthly live meetups with HAR team and others for support and accountability, priority email support)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-industry-terms (HAR’s travel industry glossary)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-commissions (All about travel agent commissions, including airline commissions.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-accreditation (A list of the different travel agent accreditation options.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds (An article on what the GDS is)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/airline-fare-types (All about airline fare types)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-debit-memo (What is a travel agency debit memo?)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/3-ways-travel-agents-save-you-money (3 ways travel agents save you money that OTAs can’t)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/travel-advisor-research-reports/ (Travel agent survey data on fee charging practices: what they charge for, how much, fee structures and more.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-gds (In-depth information on what the GDS, global distribution system, is and which travel advisors use it.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/become-corporate-travel-agent (Tips on how to become a corporate travel agent.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/travel-agent-chatter-vol-5-karen-hurlbut-hurlbut-travel (Podcast episode with a corporate travel agent that does meetings and corporate travel management.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/lary-neron-airfare-consultant (Podcast episode with an advisor who books air only and charges $50-500 fees per ticket.)
https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-fees (Travel agent guide to charging fees.)