Any travel agents...

[momof2minnies]

out there? I was just wondering if there is schooling and if there is not how do you get started?
Thanks,Linda

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

I've been trying to get started too. I've found some online schools, but I don't know how reputable they are. I've also talked with a couple of agencies who both said that the schooling isn't really necessary. I'm looking to work from home when we have our second child, and thought this would be a great career since I really enjoy planning and travel. If there are any agents reading this, HELP!

 

[Stimpy]

Bump!

I'm interested too in the response!

 

[binny]

check your PMs momof2minnies

 

[Amberle3]

This has been covered a couple of times in the last month or two, if I get a chance later I'll do a search and edit this to add the links.

Basically what it comes down to is this:

It's very difficult to make a living as a travel agent. If you're looking to do it part time from home, then you're going need to find a host agency to work with so that you can get paid commissions (hotels etc won't just pay commission to anyone, you have to be set up with a travel agent #). The host agency will keep a portion of your commission, anywhere from 10-50%. Either that or they'll let you keep all your commission if you pay them a monthly or yearly fee.

Airlines basically don't pay commission anymore, so don't look to them for money. Hotels will pay around 10% if they pay you, right now I've got about a 60/40 split on that. Car rental agencies are even worse, that's more like a 40/60 split. Use any discount codes and they likely won't pay commission.

From last year I wasn't paid 15% of the commission due , this year I'm currently at 32%.

Many travel agents are now charging a service fee, and this is why.

Also, keep in mind that if your host agency doesn't provide you with any then you'll have to get your own Errors & Omissions insurance. Some of the vendors won't deal with you if you don't have it - in Canada it's required if you want to sell travel insurance for instance. My E&O insurance costs over $1200 a year.

I was going to say that I don't mean to sound negative, but on reflection yes, I do. This is NOT a business to get into if you're not serious about it. The money is not that good unless you do a large number of bookings. Compared to the job I had before I was a travel agent, I'm now making 60% less. There aren't many industry "perks" left, so don't look for big discounts on things. If your client has a problem and needs help, and it happens to be an inconvenient time for you, well too bad. There are some things that can't wait, and your client being stuck in Armpitville because their connecting flight didn't show up and they need to get to their cruise, well that's one of them.

As for schooling & training for it - some host agencies will sign you up with no experience, no training whatsoever. Personally I'd steer away from those. There's a lot to know about this industry. I went to school for 8 months, full time, and still had a lot that could only be learned through hands-on experience. I went through the additional training and am a CTC (Certified Travel Counsellor).

I've seen a number of recommendations for the Thomson Education Direct program. I don't know how much it costs. I will caution though that their site is a little misleading as it tells you that "The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment opportunities for travel professionals will increase through the year 2010.**". It then tells you at the bottom that this is a 10-year projection ending in 2010, which means it was based on 1999 figures. Since then there have been major upheavals in the travel industry, many full-time agents have lost their jobs because the work just isn't there.

Another thing to consider about becoming a travel agent at this particular point in time - the airlines are not having a good time right now. I know many agents that won't see US Airways for dates past the end of this year for example, because they just don't think that the airline is going to survive much longer. Delta, still struggling financially, has announced a cross the board 10% pay cut for all employees. If either one of these airlines goes under the amount of scrambling that travel agents will have to do to protect their clients on other flights and alter arrangements will be staggering.

The travel industry can be very rewarding. I love my job, because I love taking care of things like this. I love having clients come back from a vacation and telling me that things I recommended or did for them made their vacation special. But it's a lot of hard work. If you're serious about spending the time and effort required to become a good travel agent, then by all means go for it. Just realize there's a lot more involved than meets the eye.