Host agencies

[correctcraft]

Hi,
Looking for a host agency to start learning and selling with. There are lots out there. Very confusing. Anybody have any suggestions or experiences? Should I have to pay for this? Two top contenders for me want $300 or more. Is this just a money scam? Thanks

 

[DaBomb_Z]

$300 may not be a lot if they are giving you really thorough training (at least 2-3 months). That fee may include materials that they will send you so it's important to ask what is included in the start up amount. And it's a good idea to make sure they are an "Authorized Disney Vacation Planner". When I recently searched for an agency, I only applied to agencies which were "Earmarked" (meaning they're the cream of the crop of the Authorized Disney Vacation Planners). Good luck!!!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Moving to the Community Board

 

[Feralpeg]

Hi,
Looking for a host agency to start learning and selling with. There are lots out there. Very confusing. Anybody have any suggestions or experiences? Should I have to pay for this? Two top contenders for me want $300 or more. Is this just a money scam? Thanks

It's not a scam. It's the way a lot of the agencies do business. Regardless of the agency, you will need insurance. Some of the agencies pay this for you. Others expect you to pay it directly. That may cover part of the $300 up front. In addition, they have to give you materials and get you set up as a member of their agency before you can even access many of the training sites or do reservations.

There are a ton of agencies out there. Many will not even respond to your inquiry. I went through that. So many people see this as an easy way to make money from home. It's not. It is a difficult business to get into and even more difficult to be successful. I'm not saying that to be difficult, it is the truth.

Do not expect your host agency to give you business. The host agency is there for one reason. They have the numbers you need to get into the reservation systems and to which the travel destinations make payment. Finding clients will be totally your responsibility. It's not easy to find clients unless you already have an extended network. The Internet is not the travel agent's friend. It's just too easy for people to research and book their own vacations.

Also, Disney is an over saturated market for travel agents. If that is all you are interested in booking, you will have an incredible amount of competition. Sadly, I found many people contacted me to do the leg work for them, then booked the vacations for themselves, thus cutting me out.

But, if you go into it with your eyes open, it may work out for you. My suggestion is to look at the agreements offered by various agencies. Each agency decides how they will pay commission and how much of a percentage the booking agent will receive. Then, read, read and read some more. Look outside of the Disney market. Find a way to advertise yourself outside your host agency website.

Be prepared to not make a lot for at least a couple of years. I will admit that it did not work for me. You might think that living in the Orlando area would make it easier, but I found it to be just the opposite. Good luck!

 

[correctcraft]

It does come with 1 year of error and omission insurance and their own training program (not sure how in depth). So it might not be that bad of a deal. I just read on a board somewhere that the good ones are free, but I can't seem to find any good info on them. I definitely have the drive and work ethic and Disney obsession to give it a run for its money. Not looking to get rich, but maybe....turn it into something decent

 

[Feralpeg]

It does come with 1 year of error and omission insurance and their own training program (not sure how in depth). So it might not be that bad of a deal. I just read on a board somewhere that the good ones are free, but I can't seem to find any good info on them. I definitely have the drive and work ethic and Disney obsession to give it a run for its money. Not looking to get rich, but maybe....turn it into something decent

When I started, I had to pay $200 for the insurance, so $300 doesn't sound so bad. Think of it this way, it takes time for them to set you up with all the different ids you'll need. They won't make any money off you until you start selling. If you never sell anything, they would have gone to all that trouble for nothing. Not saying that will be the case, but it does justify the fee a bit.

If you find a free host agency, you'll still be paying for the insurance one way or another.

 

[correctcraft]

Anybody got any specific agency testimonials or comments they would like to share?

 

[mdsoccermom]

Good host agencies are not necessarily free. I have an amazing host, but do pay fees. They are well established with tons of resources. However, they are not solely Disney related, nor do I sell just Disney. I am busy, but I earn more on my non-Disney vacation.

 

[correctcraft]

keep the good info coming!

 

[momof2intx]

I going to bump this thread from last year so I can ask a question about this. This is also something I am interested in. I've been in the travel industry since 1999 and currently am a corporate travel agent outside the home.

What I would like to do is be able to be an Authorized Disney Planner but have my own business name and own business website in which to generate leads and bookings. I also have plans to offer more Disney related services than just selling the actual vacation packages. Also, instead of just doing it all myself I have a friend who would like to partner in the business as well.

I found a few ADP host agencies but my question is -- do I have to use their website or can I make my own? Can I market it was my own business or do I have to say I am employed by them? I basically just need the host agency for the IATA and CLIA associations and insurance since I couldn't afford the thousands that it costs to obtain them myself.


I have to say I already have several family members and friends who are already intersted in booking through me so I figure I should get started quickly!

Thanks in advance for any help you might have!