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Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Host Agency Reviews
Travel Agent Chatter -- a Host Agency Reviews audio series -- inspires you with in-depth interviews featuring successful travel agents. We dig into what they do that makes their agencies flourish and how they did it. The Friday 15 is a shorter, more frequent series where we answer your travel industry questions for 15 minutes. Travel Agent Chatter and the Friday 15 are hosted by HAR's managing director, Shayna Zand, and Steph Lee, the founder of the website Host Agency Reviews.
Latest Episodes
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- Yesterday17 min
Airfare? Beyond Commission? Expansion?
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Amy from KHM Travel! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! With airfare remaining one of the biggest travel expenses, what are some legitimate ways travel advisors can maximize value for their clients? Are there particular consolidators, supplier partnerships, or booking strategies you recommend?If you were building a travel business today focused on Europe, Middle East and Asia, which host agency features would you prioritize beyond commission splits?I am a travel agent (since 2012) and own my own agency (since 2016). I am thinking of bringing on another agent and need to fully understand the differences and implications to both me as well as to the agent between me having this agent as an (a) employee, (b) and independent contractor, or (c) me being a host agency and them being a host agent.RESOURCES:https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/lary-neron-airfare-consultant (Podcast episode with an advisor who books air only and charges $50-500 fees per ticket.)Great article about top 10 things you should be asking your host /considerations when picking your host - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/ytc-q3-2023What is a sub agent - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-sub-agent
- 1 weeks ago16 min
Find Clients? Luxury Clients? Habits?
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Simon from Global Travel Collection! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I don't have a big network of friends and family to sell to. Where do successful new advisors actually find their first paying clients?How do you attract luxury clients if your current audience isn't necessarily affluent? Is it a marketing challenge, a networking challenge, or something else?What are some habits or routines you've seen your most successful advisors develop that newer advisors could start doing today?RESOURCES:https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/gtn-q2-2023 - becoming a successful luxury advisor
- 2 weeks ago15 min
Mistakes? New Tech? Switching Hosts?
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Chelsea Martinez from OASIS Travel Network! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! If I join a host agency today, what are the biggest mistakes you see new advisors make in their first six months that slow down their success and what would you encourage them to focus on instead?There seems to be a new travel technology platform launching every month. How do you evaluate whether a new tool is actually worth adopting versus just another shiny object that could end up costing me time and money?I've heard advisors say that switching host agencies can be difficult. What should I be thinking about before joining my first host so I'm making a decision that's right for me long-term and not just for where I am today?RESOURCES:What to think about when switching host agencies. (https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/switching-host-agencies-5-things-to-consider)https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software
- 3 weeks ago21 min
Host v Franchise? Tech? Questions to ask?
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jenn Lee from TPI and Vacation Planners! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I'm trying to decide between joining a host agency or a franchise. They both seem to offer training, support, and supplier relationships, so what are the biggest differences that someone new to the industry should really understand before making that decision?How much technology should I expect my host agency to provide versus what I should expect to purchase myself? I'd love to know what's typically included and what's considered part of running my own business.When I look at host agency websites, almost everyone talks about community, training, and support. Beyond those things, what are some questions I should be asking that many new advisors don't think to ask before signing a contract?RESOURCES:https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-franchise-or-host-agencyhttps://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-softwarehttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-back-office-front-office-softwarehttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contractshttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-lawyers
- 4 weeks ago16 min
Commission Changes? Terms & Conditions? Travel in Advance?
This week’s Friday 15, Steph Lee is back! She’ll be cohosting with Jenn Lee of TPI and Vacation Planners. C'mon over and dip in to these great questions with these awesome ladies of industry.I never knew my agency had a commission scale. [percentage increased as income increased] I asked to see it once i learnt about it and noticed I had met the goal in 2025 for a 5% increase in commission. They agreed and said the increase would start now. Shouldn't they do end of year reviews and increase or decrease? Why should it be the agents responsibility when we don't have access to accurate accounting? Also shouldn't they pay for in arrears for the last 5 months? -Thanks from a frustrated IC I'm not sure that this question has been asked before but I am not always sure whether I should show a client my Terms & Conditions or those of my suppliers. I usually show both but I wanted to make sure this is correct. I get them to sign mine when the itinerary is accepted and with a paid deposit and at the same time those of the supplier are shown which is attached to the itinerary. —Marc CI have one set of clients who are not traveling until spring 2027 but I am not always sure what to send clients who travel in advance when everything is done with signatures and paid deposits. They are on my email list and I send my list newsletters with updates frequently but I want to make it more personal. —MarcRESOURCES:https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/independent-travel-agent-contractshttps://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-setup-acceleratorhttps://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-softwarehttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-waivers-protect-your-travel-agencySelltravelyourway.com
- Jun 26, 202626 min
Luxury Market? Use of AI? Need Inspiration!
This week’s Friday 15, Steph Lee is back! She’ll be cohosting with Andrea of Outside Agents! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!1. How does an agent who doesn’t travel in luxury themselves, break into the luxury market? I’m not understanding how I can visit the properties and know about them if I’ve never traveled there. —anonymous2. I’m interested in hearing HAR’s and the co-host’s views on how to use AI as a travel advisor. Is there a certain area where AI should be used and another where it’s not? – Cindy3. Thanks so much for taking my question. It’s less of a question and more I need some inspiration. Would love to hear an inspirational story of an advisor who made it and what they did to make that happen. — KenyaRESOURCES:https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-companyhttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-training-travel-agent-educationhttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-nichehttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-fam-triphttps://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-conferences-eventshttps://hostagencyreviews.com/har-wiredhttps://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter
- Jun 19, 202623 min
Tech Investment? 7-Day Setup Enough? Taking the Leap to FT?
This week’s Friday 15, Steph Lee is back! She’ll be cohosting with Phil and Samantha Hammond of Jus Adventures! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I watched some of HAR Wired last week, thank you. My question is what do you suggest should be the first technology investment I make once my agency is set up? —AnonymousI’m a new travel agent and have found HAR invaluable as I try to learn. I’m thinking of taking ASTA’s Roadmap Course and HAR’s 7 Day Setup Accelerator. Do I need a host agency training if I complete those? If I do ask a host agency about their training, what should I ask? – Tanya D.I’ve been selling travel since 2023. I’m getting to the point where I am thinking about leaving my full-time job but I am nervous about the income stability. What advice do you have for someone in my shoes to “Take the leap” so to speak? And how do people manage the money when it comes in so inconsistently. I’m used to my paycheck every two weeks! — Sara B.RESOURCES:https://hostagencyreviews.com/har-wired https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software https://har.news/roadmap https://hostagencyreviews.com/7-day-setup-accelerator https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-training-travel-agent-education https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-market-research-reports https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/take-har-s-2026-travel-advisor-survey
- Jun 12, 202621 min
Paying Commission? Boutique Suppliers? Booking Platforms?
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Gina McGinnis from Uniglobe Travel Center! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I understand some suppliers don't pay the host until after the travel date, but I've found some suppliers like FareBuzz, Celebrity Cruises, Virgin Voyages, and Allianz pay the month after the sale or after the final payment it's made. I also know some host agencies pay out to their agents weekly, bi-monthly, or monthly. I'm curious to know the industry standard for how soon after receipt of commission from the supplier would a host agency pay the independent agent. - JenI have an interest in working with boutique suppliers, especially accommodations such as boutique hotels and Bed and Breakfasts. I'm wondering how host agencies mix with boutique suppliers? Do they generally have these connections? Am I able to make these connections and book with these suppliers using my host agencies IATA number? - LauraI'm a new advisor and the host agency's booking platform is soooo complicated! I'm still trying to make it through the training. Thinking about switching to another host. Are booking platforms so complicated in general? How can you find out? - MarshaRESOURCES:https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-commissionshttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplierhttps://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-travel-consortia-travel-coopshttps://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software
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About Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15
Travel Agent Chatter -- a Host Agency Reviews audio series -- inspires you with in-depth interviews featuring successful travel agents. We dig into what they do that makes their agencies flourish and how they did it. The Friday 15 is a shorter, more frequent series where we answer your travel industry questions for 15 minutes. Travel Agent Chatter and the Friday 15 are hosted by HAR's managing director, Shayna Zand, and Steph Lee, the founder of the website Host Agency Reviews.
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