Travel Agent Life

Welcome to the Travel Agent Life! My name is Chris Lawrence (she/her). I'm originally from the Boston area, but I've been calling San Diego home for the past seven years. I live with my loving and supportive partner, Bill, and our adorable dog, Henry. After working as a software engineer for 23 years, I decided to leave the corporate world to seek more joy and work-life balance. I started my journey as an independent travel agent and would love to share this opportunity with you!

Image of Chris on the balcony of cruise ship in the Caribbean

Who is This Opportunity Right for?

Those who love to travel and want to take advantage of excellent travel agent discounts and perks.
Those looking for a side hustle. This includes individuals with an existing job, a partner with a job, or retirees. This is someone with financial stability seeking some additional spending money.

This is not W2 employment. This is an opportunity to start your own business. This is a commission-based, independent contractor (1099) role without a base salary or hourly pay. This is best suited for those with an entrepreneurial mindset, enthusiastic about building a business from the ground up and finding customers who will love the service you provide.

The Three Main Ways to Become a Travel Agent

Work as an Employee for a Travel Agency - This is a fine option for some folks, however I sought the flexibility that comes with owning my own business.
Start Your Own Independent Travel Agency -This route requires a significant upfront investment of time and money. You must establish relationships with vendors (e.g., cruise lines, hotels), which means starting at the lowest commission tier and potentially missing out on some perks. For instance, the lowest tier for cruise lines is typically 12%, about 25% less than the top tier.
Work as an Independent Contractor Through a Host Agency - Similar to how a realtor operates under a broker with a broker’s license, this arrangement offers the best of both worlds. You get to start your own business while enjoying the support of a larger agency. This backing of a large host agency often places you in a higher commission tier. For cruises, it’s generally around 16%, rather than the typical 12% mentioned above. You also get the benefits of the larger host agency’s buying power. More on the “power of large” below.

Benefits of Starting your Own Travel Business

You can earn perks from vendors just by completing their free training
You have access to discounted travel agent rates and upgrades
You have the ability to deduct expenses related to your business (consult your tax advisor)

Why I chose Archer Travel as my host agency

They have been in business for over 70 years and maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
They pay the highest commission split in the industry.
There are no quotas and no maximum to the amount of commission you can earn.
They are in the top tier of sales volume with most vendors – the power of large – that means many of these vendors have special rules for us, such as how many cabins you can hold in a group for free! That saves your precious working capital.
Under their license, you work directly with the vendors and you you can book with any vendor that pays a commission.
There is no large start up fee.
Archer’s long-established relationship with vendors gives strength when advocating for your clients to resolve an issue.
Archer’s relationship with vendors means more access to perks and FAM (Familiarization) trips.
There is an optional side of the business to mentor/recruit, but that is completely optional and there is never any pressure to do so.
Agents can obtain a CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) card on day 1. Archer agents get a $50 discount on the CLIA card, making it only $79.
Archer has an annual convention and other regional events to meet other agents and vendors.
No prior experience is required.
They offer a 10 day money back guarantee. This is an opportunity for you to give it a try, start the training and make sure it is a good fit for you.
The arrangement is month-to-month and you can cancel anytime. No long term contract.
They do not require a non-compete clause.
The team support is incredible. There are facebook groups, team chats, and daily Q&A sessions so you can always find answers to your questions.
They provide access to several wholesale booking systems that you can use to book for yourself, friends/family or clients.
There is live training every day and an incredible amount of recorded training.
You are eligible to participate in raffles and other giveaways.
You earn your IATAN card after earning $5,000 in commissions.

The cost of using Archer as your host agency is $90 per month. This fee includes:

The ability to book travel under Archer’s travel license and credentials
Errors & Omissions insurance to protect you and your business
Comprehensive training, including corporate, team, and vendor sessions
Access to a mentor and a supportive team, committed to helping you thrive and ready to support your growth

How Travel Agent Gets Paid Commission

Did you know that most travel has commission already built into the price? This includes hotels, cruises, all-inclusive resorts, car rentals, tours/activities, and even event tickets. The only exception is airfare. When you buy your travel through online travel agents (e.g. Expedia) or a cruise line or hotel directly, you are paying the “commission loaded” price. Why let Expedia take that commission? Why let the cruise line or the hotel make more profit? If you are a travel agent, you get that commission either as a “travel agent discount” or as a commission, which is basically the same as getting a rebate. This applies to travel you book for others too. If it’s a friend or family member, you can pass the discount along or split or keep it all. If it’s a stranger, (i.e., customer), that’s profit. You get a discount or profit depending on who you are booking travel for, and you don’t need to charge them any more than they would pay anyway.

CLIA and IATAN Cards

A CLIA card, issued by the Cruise Lines International Association, identifies you as a certified travel agent with expertise in cruising. It grants access to exclusive industry benefits such as discounted cruise fares, special offers, and onboard credits. Additionally, it enhances your professional credibility and provides valuable resources for continued education and networking within the cruise industry.

An IATAN card, issued by the International Air Transport Association, identifies you as a top-tier travel professional with a strong sales track record.. It offers access to industry discounts on flights, hotels, car rentals, and travel insurance. The card also provides recognition and credibility, enabling you to build stronger relationships with travel suppliers.

Both CLIA and IATAN cards offer significant benefits, but they serve different niches. A CLIA card is specifically tailored for cruise travel agents, providing cruise-related perks and resources. In contrast, an IATAN card caters to a broader range of travel professionals, offering discounts and recognition across various travel sectors, including air, hotel, and car rentals. Having both cards can maximize your industry benefits and professional opportunities.

FAM Trips

FAM trips, short for “familiarization trips,” are special travel experiences offered to travel agents and industry professionals. These trips provide firsthand knowledge of destinations, accommodations, and services, enabling agents to better advise clients. Generally, FAM trips include accommodations, meals, guided tours, and activities. However, airfare, personal expenses, and optional excursions are often not covered. Costs can vary, with some trips being heavily discounted or even free, while others may require a nominal fee. Typically, guests are not allowed to join FAM trips, as they are intended for professional development.

Disney

Once you complete the free Disney training and you have either a CLIA or IATAN card, you have access to the Disney perks. You can take advantage of all of these perks each year.

⭐ Disney World – a free 1 day park hopper ticket or 50% of multi day park hopper ticket

⭐ Disneyland – a free 1 day park hopper ticket

⭐ TA rates on Disney hotels

⭐ TA rates on Disney cruises

Mariott Fam-Tastic Rates

Once you complete the free Marriott training and you have either a CLIA or IATAN card, you have access to Marriott’s Fam-Tastic rates. These rates are exclusive travel agent perks offering significantly discounted rates - lower than even standard discounted TA rates.

Princess Cruises

Upon completing the free Princess training, you earn a complimentary cruise. You can choose from a selection of cruises ranging from 3 to 32 days in length and bring one guest. However, you will need to cover taxes, fees, and any personal expenses. Additionally whenever you are on board, you get the elite perks, which is their highest loyalty level.

Cunard Cruises

Upon completing the free Cunard training, you earn a complimentary cruise. You can choose from a selection of cruises ranging from 3 to 32 days in length and bring one guest. However, you will need to cover taxes, fees, and any personal expenses.

Facebook Group

If you are not already a part of my facebook community, I invite you to join my Travel Agent Life group to learn more and engage with other travel agents and those who are interested in becoming one.