How to become a travel agent

The BLS currently lists the average travel agent salary in 2019 as $44,690 with a range of $23,360 and $69,420 dividing the lower to upper 10% of travel agents. These results are similar to our most recent income report. We found an average income of $44,312 for hosted travel agents with 3+ years experience.

According to the same study, travelers are increasingly interested in local, authentic experiences and value agents‘ destination expertise. So yes, there is inherent value to travel agents! But you’re probably reading this because you have hesitations that a travel agent career is viable.

Generally, leisure travel agencies‘ main revenue is from commissions vendors pay on vacation packages, cruises, air and other add-ons. However, consultation fees and service fees are becoming more common as agencies try to diversify income sources to become less dependent on supplier commissions.

In truth, most of the time, travel agents don’t get free travel although they sometimes get discounts or a chance to keep the commission they would get on their own travel plans. Convention properties give them a cheaper trip to let them learn about their property on a working vacation.

Some offer a meager $2 per reservation (regardless of value), while others based on incentives and productivity will pay commissions as high as 20%. Across the board the average commissions are 3% for Internet bookings, 3-5% on promotional rental rates and 10% on leisure rates booked through GDS distribution channels.

Many agents also charge clients a fee that’s separate from trip expenses, and that may range from $100 to $500 and up. That fee can be charged up front as a security deposit and can either be returned to you at the end of the planning process or, more commonly, applied to the cost of the trip itself.

Service fees could include a $25 to $50 fee per airline ticket, or up to $500 for full itinerary design and booking. Some agents charge by the hour, but not all agencies charge service fees.

From guaranteeing your hotel is available to knowing if the excursion company is legitimate, booking through a travel agent ensures travelers will not get duped. And they provide insurance for medical emergencies and trip cancellations. They’re there 24/7. Travel agents are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Why you should not use a travel agent

Something else to keep in mind is fees. Some travel agents charge fees to research an itinerary. These fees are typically anywhere from $25 to $200 bucks. Even so, the legwork involved to plan a trip is almost always worth the extra cost.

So, Why Use A Travel Agent? Because they make it easier for you, you’ll have a better experience during the booking process and while traveling, you’ll probably get some value-added perks and you’ll have someone to turn to if you have a problem along the way.

When you plan it, you have the chance to cut some costs or to opt for cheaper things. At the end of the day, a DIY can cost less than an agency package. More information and knowledge about the places that you will visit. Planning the trip by yourself will increase your knowledge about the places that you will visit.

According to Expedia, Americans visit 140 travel websites before booking their next vacation. Seaton says booking through a travel agent typically won’t cost you more. She says while some agents will charge you a nominal planning fee, many agencies like hers do not charge anything extra for their services.

Price: The Travel Agent’s Cost

Pro: You often don’t pay any more for using an agent because most travel agents get referral fees or commissions for booking your trip. Con: But sometimes you do pay more! Airlines, for example, don’t pay commissions so you might get charged a fee by a travel agent who books your flight.

In most cases, travel agents have access to information about rates and routes that average consumer might not have, saving you time and money, even when you consider the agent’s fee. Using a travel agent can also help you score a great deal on a package or promotion.

In addition to earning a living and helping their clients arrange trips and vacations, travel agents can earn travel discounts for hotel stays, car rentals, cruises and tours. While many travel agents work for travel agencies, some make the choice to strike out on their own or open their own business.

And lastly, travel agents are not a dying breed.

The answer: Yes, and we still account for one-third of all travel booked in the United States,” insists O’Shaughnessy. It’s still a profitable industry in the United States and there’s no reason to believe the industry is dying off.

Travel Agents Are Back! “I was passionate about travel and that’s what I wanted to do and like then, now is a great time,” she said. Travel advisors are in the spotlight now in a positive way and new advisors can take advantage of that. Saburn pointed out that demand for travel advisors is higher now after this event.