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 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. InteleTravel also provides numerous trainings and ongoing webinars and events to help you learn more about the travel agent business and to help you grow as a travel agent. They provide webinars and even in-person events where you can learn more about a specific preferred partner or vendors 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.
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
- All-Inclusive Resorts
- Amusement Parks / Theme Parks
- Train Travel
- Car Rentals
- Concerts and Event Tickets
- Excursions, Tours, Museums, etc…
- Airport parking and transfers
and so much 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 businesses that you can consider when starting out. 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. You can also become a rep later on if you’d like.
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. After I did my research, learned more about being a travel agent and had one on one conversations with Cassie who’s my team leader.
Trust me, 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
Nothing! We have a full step by step guide to help you get started. Our host agency has an in-depth training to also help you learn the ins and outs of the business and how to set a strong foundation. You don’t have to have everything figured out before becoming a travel advisor. Just have to feel determined to learn, coachable, and eager to book travel for your clients.
How to Sign Up to Become a Travel Agent
To signup as a travel agent and just the travel agent side follow these steps:
- Click HERE or the button below
- 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 just as a travel agent it is $179.95 to sign up, then $39.95 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 as a Travel Agent and a Sponsor (optional)
There is a second (optional) business that you can also do. This is where you can build a team of your own and get paid for each person that signs up. Once you are a Gold Builder (9 people on your team) you will also get paid a 10% commission override for every trip your team books. There’s also other income potentials for this side of the business like bonuses, getting paid for everyone on your matrix, and rank payments.
If you would like to do both sides of the business do these steps instead:
- Click HERE or the button below.
- Scroll to “Your Business” and click “Learn More.”
- Click “Enroll Now,” “Enroll Now” again, then “Enroll Now” one last time.
- Note: You do NOT need the app!
This is the SPONSOR/REP side of the business it’s $19.99 to sign up and then $19.99 per month.
Once you are signed up for the sponsor side, you need to sign up for the agent side. Here’s how:
- Sign in to the PlanNet Marketing
- Scroll down on your virtual office and click the Orange button that says “Purchase Your ITA Now”
- Signup for the Travel Agent side there. It’s $179.95 to sign up. Then $39.95 per month after your first 30 days.
After Signing Up to be a Travel Agent
Once you’ve signed up please send me an email to thetravelplanningclub@gmail.com 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.
- Your first and last name
- Date when you signed up
- Email you used when you signed up
- Did you sign up as an idependent travel agent only or as a sponsor and a travel agent?
Still Not Ready to Become a Travel Agent? Let’s Chat!
I totally understand if you have questions. It is a big decision starting a new business. You can send me an email at thetravelplanningclub@gmail.com or via Facebook with all of your questions and so we can chat more about the business. Facebook messenger would be the fastest way of reaching me.
If you’re still curious about what it’s like to be a travel agent and want a space to learn more, I’d love to invite you to join my Facebook group! Inside the group I share helpful tips, behind-the-scenes insight of how I run my business, and share insight about the travel agent business. It’s the best place to connect, ask questions, and see if this opportunity might be the right fit for you. Come join us and to learn more about travel planning!
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.
