If you want to become a travel agent, you'll need to sign up with a host agency as an independent contractor, and this is where things get confusing from the get-go. There are many host agencies, and some seem downright, well.... scammy.

When you submit this form, I'll connect you with my host agency and I've worked with for two years and personally vouch for. Or you can go out and find your own; just be sure to read vetted reviews before making your choice. 

Also be sure to ask the right questions, and compare and contrast the options, before locking in. At a minimum, you'll want to know the monthly hosting fee, commission split, and if there's a contract and/or sales quota.

Additionally, a good host agency will provide you with training and other resources you need to learn the ropes of being a travel agent, including ongoing continuing education, so also be sure to ask about training and support resources.

Okay, so this is another major area of confusion in the travel agency world, and honestly, it’s one of the reasons the industry can look “scammy” from the outside.

Travel agencies themselves are not MLMs (Multi-Level Marketing companies), but some travel-related businesses absolutely use an MLM model. A lot of the big names you’ll see when you Google “how to become a travel agent” fall into that category.

One of the largest and most widely known host agencies operates this way. I’m not naming them here, but they were the first one I signed with when I was brand new, paying a high monthly fee that has since increased twice.

A few months in, it became clear there were agencies with stronger business models, better training, and far lower hosting fees. I switched to the agency I’m with now, and it’s the one I recommend. I don’t own the host agency. I’m simply an independent travel agent who works through them, and my experience has been genuinely positive.

This agency uses a membership model. Agents pay $30 a month, which is less than half of what I paid at the previous agency. On this plan, the commission split is 80/20, so the agent keeps 80 percent.

It’s a great entry point because the monthly cost stays low. There’s also a Pro tier at $40 a month with a 90/10 split. You can switch to it later once you’ve built a stable client base and want to keep more of your commissions, or you can start with Pro right away if that structure fits your goals.

The agency I use and recommend isn’t multi-level. It’s uni-level. When an agent refers a new agent, they earn $10 or $15 per month for that referral plus a small percentage of that agent’s commissions. Recruiting is completely optional, with no pressure, which is very different from MLM-style host agencies that rely heavily on constant recruitment.

MLMs function like pyramid schemes. The people at the top capture most of the financial gain while everyone below keeps the system afloat by bringing in more agents. The money pools at the upper levels and the rest do the heavy lifting.

With the referral model my recommended host agency uses, agents who refer someone earn $10 or $15 per month per referral plus a small portion of the referred agent’s sales. That’s it. No multi-level stacking.

And in full transparency, yes, this applies to me too. If you join because I referred you, I receive that benefit, just as you will if you refer someone later.

Once you’re ready to move forward or simply want more information, just fill out this interest form.

Once you’re ready to move forward and become an agent or just learn more, simply fill out this interest form.

The reality is that anyone can become a travel agent, with or without experience, and this can be a good and a bad thing.

It's a good thing because it opens the door to anyone interested in becoming an agent. It requires nothing more than signing up and paying the monthly fee charged by the host agency and sometimes completing some basic preliminary online trainings.

It's a bad thing because there are sometimes highly unqualified travel agents out there, booking unwitting clients. 

If you're interested in becoming an agent, it's shockingly simple. Either find your own host agency, or fill out this form and I'll connect you with mine. Then, finish registering with them and pay your fee and that's it... you're officially a travel agent!

Good travel agents complete the training provided by their host agency and really master their craft. They also engage in professional development (which, in our world, also means traveling... how fun!) to really learn the ins and outs of what we're advising our clients.

Good host agencies provide their agents with online training and access to a CRM (customer relationship management) system, which is a database you'll use to enter and track your bookings. The agency I use provides all of these things, which is one of the things I like about them.

This isn’t a race. I didn’t book my first trip until I’d been an agent for two months, and that one was for myself. I didn’t feel ready to book for others, so I eased in with family and friends about five months in.

Because the host agency I recommend has no quotas or recruitment pressure, you can learn at a realistic, low-stress pace. And with a low $30 monthly hosting fee, you’re not bleeding money while you get your footing, unlike some host agencies that charge $100 or more per month on top of upfront setup fees.

Once you complete my interest form, I'll help get you connected with them.

I can't give tax advice here because I’m not a tax professional. I can only share what I personally do. I set up an LLC for my business, which includes my travel agent work and a few other things, and I deduct my monthly hosting fee as a business expense. I also deduct qualifying travel expenses tied to my business.

For commission income, you’ll complete a W-9 as an independent contractor, along with any other forms your host agency needs to stay compliant with State and Federal requirements.

Taxes are messy and complex, and everyone’s situation is different, so talk with a qualified tax professional about your specific setup.

I usually tell new agents not to stress about forming an LLC right out of the gate. The general guidance is to wait until you’re booking around $60K a year before it really becomes worthwhile. When you’re just starting, you’re a business owner (an independent travel agent) operating as a sole proprietor, which means your commission income flows straight through to your personal tax records. 

Once you’re generating enough business to justify forming an LLC, it’s quick, easy, and inexpensive in most states. I’m in Kentucky, and the last LLC I set up cost me $180 and took under 20 minutes, and I did it all online.

If you'd like to move forward with the next step toward becoming a travel agent, simply complete this form. 

Yes, this is one of the real perks of being a travel agent. I cruise often, and MSC Cruises regularly offers deeply discounted $29–$49 sailings for agents. I’ve also received a free Disney World ticket for completing their training, along with other similar perks. Those are just a couple of examples.

Agents can also participate in FAM trips, which are “familiarization” trips hosted by hotels, destinations, and other suppliers. The goal is to get agents on-site, so they understand the product and can sell it confidently. These trips aren’t just fun and games, though... they’re for networking, meeting supplier reps, and learning.

If cruising is your thing, cruise lines don’t usually offer traditional FAMs. Instead, they host ship tours for agents and sometimes offer discounted fares like the ones I mentioned above.

For me, the best perk, and the reason I became an agent in the first place, is earning commission on my own travel. I travel monthly, and earning back a portion of what I spend helps offset my costs and allows me to travel more often.

If you'd like more info on becoming a travel agent, simply complete this form. 

Absolutely, and that's one of the best perks of being a travel agent! You can work from anywhere, as long as you have a reliable internet connection.

Once you sign with a host agency, you will receive your own IATA number, which is your International Air Transport Association number, provided to accredited travel agencies, airlines, and other entities involved in the travel industry.

This number is essential for travel agencies and professionals who sell travel services because it grants them access to various industry benefits and resources.

Basically, anytime you make or update a booking, you'll need your IATA number (so memorize it once you have it!).

But... you can make and manage bookings remotely -- from anywhere! Ready to get started? Simply fill out this interest form.

Sure, you can go full-time right away, but it’s a terrible idea unless you’re independently wealthy or have someone covering your bills.

Despite what influencers love to pitch, this is not a “get rich quick” path. Honestly, for many people, it’s not even “get rich slow.” Becoming a successful travel agent takes time. Signing up to become a travel agent is simple and takes five minutes, but completing the trainings, learning the systems, figuring out suppliers, getting comfortable booking others, and building a client base that trusts you doesn’t happen overnight.

And you need to remember how commissions work. You don’t get paid until after your client completes their trip. If you join today and book a trip for a family member next year, you won’t see that commission for over a year. 

My advice: start as a side hustle. Learn, book your own travel, get some early clients under your belt, build confidence, and let the commissions stack over time. Then, if you’re successful and you’ve built a solid base, that’s when going full-time actually makes sense.

I know many full-time agents who now have total flexibility, travel constantly, and genuinely love their lifestyle. That's very legit. But it’s not immediate, and it's not the majority of agents.

You need patience, a genuine interest in travel, a willingness to learn constantly, and a commitment to customer service.

The slow pace of this, and amount of training needed to do it well, is why it's important to choose a host agency that has low startup costs, good training programs, and an affordable monthly fee. 

If you understand that this is a “low and slow” path to extra income and not a quick-money scheme, you can submit this form for more info and next steps.

I am very transparent that if you join with my same host agency with me as your referral source, I will receive $10 or $15 monthly, depending on the plan you choose, just as you will receive a monthly referral incentive for any agent you personally recruit once you've signed on.

I will also receive 5% or 10% commission from your bookings, but this does not in any way cut into your own commissions, just as will be the case for any agents you recruit.

I am not "sponsored" by my host agency in any way, nor do I receive any additional compensation or perks for sharing this information. The host agency is not owned by me, nor do I have any ownership stake in the business. 

I also welcome you to do your own research and explore the many other host agencies available. And if you choose one of them that works better for you, that's amazing!

But if you want info on the host agency I use and recommend, just complete my form, and I'll get you the info so you can compare.

When you sign up as an agent with the host agency I use and recommend, and list me as the referring agent, I will provide you with free access to my online Travel Agent Squad course, where I provide business development lessons, tools, and templates, and FREE access to my Travel Agent Growth Vault.

Once you join, and the host agency confirms your membership, you'll receive a welcome email from me with log-in details for my exclusive Travel Agent Squad course, which you can access online or via a mobile app.

Nope. My host agency does not require any commitment, obligation, or contract. You pay the $30 initial set up fee and then the $30 or $40 monthly hosting fee, depending on the plan you choose, which covers access to training, a custom CRM system, personalized website/landing page, and more.

Most importantly, this fee provides you the ability to sell travel as an Independent Contractor through the host agency, including the necessary licensing for all states in the USA that require Seller of Travel licensing or registration.

You are not required to sign a contract if you join through the host agency I use and recommend, and you can cancel at any time, although a 30-day notice is required.

If you'd like to move forward with the next step toward becoming a travel agent, simply complete this form. 

Nope, there aren't any other costs to get started as a travel agent beyond the $30 or $40 hosting fee, depending on the plan you choose, which makes this one of the lowest risk, lowest investment entrepreneurial venures out there.

Included in the monthly hosting fee is your own customized landing page, so even the web basics are covered.

While not required, I recommend that agents invest in a custom web domain through a provider like GoDaddy to personalize their brand and direct that URL to their free website provided by the host agency. Domains are surprisingly affordable, often under $15 per year.

I also recommend that agents eventually also buy a monthly customized email address. This gives your travel agent brand and business more legitimacy and credibility than a generic free email.

You may also consider using a service like Fiverr to hire an affordable freelance graphic designer to customize a logo for your brand (if you use my referral link here you can save 10% off your first order). This can often be done for under $25.

Basically, the beautiful thing about starting your travel business is that there is very low risk and minimal startup cost, even for these "extras."

I generally advise new agents not to worry so much about the business stuff just yet, though. Focus first on signing up to become a travel agent and doing the training, since that alone can be overwhelming. Trying to do much straight out of the gate is a recipe for disaster. 

The one thing I strongly recommend for new agents is to create a travel agent-only email, even if at first it's a freebie through Gmail or Yahoo.

Why? Because once you start signing up for suppliers and trainings, the emails will start coming in hot and heavy, and mixing TA stuff with personal email gets messy fast.

And don't worry about all this for now, because I provide all of this business development guidance as part of my FREE Travel Agent Squad course, which you'll be able to access once you sign up to become an agent and list me as your referring agent. 

You can live anywhere in the world and still join this host agency, but you are treated as a US-based travel agent. You’re operating under a US company, with US systems, US tax expectations, and US supplier relationships.

If you live outside the US, you can still:

• book clients who live outside the US
• book trips anywhere in the world
• run your business remotely

But structurally, you’re still considered an Independent Remote Agent for a US host agency. That means:

• your commissions are paid out through a US company
• you follow the agency’s US-based policies and procedures
• you use their US accreditation numbers (CLIA, IATA, etc.)
• you’re not registering as a travel agency in your own country

Think of it like plugging into a US agency’s ecosystem while living abroad. You can still work, you can still book, but administratively you’re viewed as a US agent because you’re working under their US credentials.

If you'd like to move forward with the next step toward becoming a travel agent, simply complete this form. 

Almost always, yes. You can earn commissions on casino offers, though they’re lower than standard cruise bookings, of course.

I cruise almost exclusively on casino deals myself, and between the discounted fares and the small commissions I earn as a travel agent, that’s a big part of how I’m able to afford to travel so often.

To give you a real benchmark, my own Carnival casino bookings typically pay me about $55–$75 in commission. It’s not huge, but it still offsets my travel costs, and it’s money I wouldn’t be getting otherwise.

If you want more info on becoming a travel agent, just complete this form. 

In the travel agent industry, SOT stands for Seller of Travel. This designation refers to the legal requirement for businesses or individuals selling travel services to register as a "Seller of Travel" in certain U.S. states. These states regulate the sale of travel services to protect consumers from fraud and ensure that travel agents operate in a transparent and ethical manner.

The specific requirements for SOT registration vary by state, but they typically include licensing, bonding, and compliance with consumer protection laws. States with SOT laws include:

• California
• Florida
• Hawaii
• Washington

For example, California's Seller of Travel law requires travel agents to register with the Attorney General's office and display their SOT number to inform clients that they comply with state regulations.

Some states, like Florida, require an SOT annual fee (in addition to the $30 or $40 monthly hosting fee Florida agents pay to the host agency). Click here for that application and info.

Individuals residing in these states may still register to sell insurance with my host agency, as the agency has SOTs and are licensed and bonded in all of these states. Depending on state requirements, like in Florida, an agent may also need to register and purchase their own SOT, which comes with an annual fee they are obligated to pay.

Some host agencies require sales minimums or quotas, so this is always a good question to ask before choosing one.

The host agency I use and recommend has no sales quotas, and there's no pressure to recruit other travel agents, which is great because you can build your business at your own pace.

If you'd like to move forward with the next step toward becoming a travel agent, simply complete this form. 

I do not own this or any host agency, nor do I have any ownership stake in it. I'm also not "sponsored" by them in any way.

I've just had a great experience with this particular agency after struggling to find clear information about host agencies and initially signing with a different host agency, where I did not have a good experience, so I'm vocal about recommending them.

I'm a regular travel agent sharing information about the high-quality, low-fee host agency with a strong commission split that I've found and believe in.

As noted elsewhere in this FAQ, if you sign up with me as your referring agent, I receive a monthly referral incentive, just as you will if you become an agent and refer others.

In return, my referred agents receive full access to my Travel Agent Squad online course, including FREE business development training and travel agent tools, templates, and resources. 

I love teaching and mentorship (it's literally what I do!), but I want to be very transparent that if you sign up as a travel agent with me as your referring agent, I am unable to provide direct one-on-one mentorship. I simply don't have the capacity for it.

If you sign up for the host agency I use and recommend, and list me as your referring agent, you'll get access to the Travel Agent Squad, which I created exclusively for my referred agents.

This includes video lessons on the business development side of your new travel agency, social media tools and templates, and other free resources and guides. My role is to help provide the business development tools to referred agents, and the host agency will provide all of the training and resources actually to book travel. And they do a great job on that side, which is why I recommend them so strongly. 

The host agency provides not only recorded training but also regularly hosts weekly and monthly small-group sessions and, as needed, one-on-one virtual mentorship training calls.

There's also an exclusive Facebook group that's a strong and supportive community, where agents can network, ask questions, and get guidance. 

If you'd like to move forward with the next step toward becoming a travel agent, complete this form. 

Yes, you can switch host agencies, but when you leave your current host agency, you may forfeit any outstanding commissions for trips you’ve already booked, but that haven’t traveled yet.

Most host agencies only pay out commissions to active agents at the time the client completes the trip.

Because of this, many agents use an overlap period. They stay active with their current agency long enough to receive the commissions already in the pipeline, while simultaneously signing up with the new host agency to begin booking future clients there. And yes, this means paying monthly hosting fees with both agencies. 

Once the old commissions have paid out, they fully transition to the new agency.

The bottom line: you can absolutely switch, but do it strategically to avoid losing money.

The messiness of switching is precisely why it's crucial to choose the right host agency from the start. When I switched early on as a newbie agent, I forfeited a couple of hundred dollars in commissions. That was painful, but it was still worth it financially because my original host agency’s monthly fee was so high.

If you're interested in making the switch, though, simply complete this interest form.

Yes, you and your spouse can absolutely run your travel business together, but the host agency relationship itself is set up for one individual.

That means one person needs to join, complete the trainings, set up the supplier accounts, and be the official independent agent on file. All commissions and the year-end W-9 will be issued to that person. How you two share the work internally is totally up to you, but the host agency side is a single-agent setup.

If you'd like more info, please complete this form. 

Finding clients is usually the hardest part of being a travel agent. It takes consistent effort, a willingness to network, and ideally some comfort with growing on social media.

If that’s not your thing, you may struggle unless you’re mainly booking for yourself, family, and friends, which is exactly how a lot of agents (including me in the beginning) get started.

Most host agencies claim they provide leads, but in reality, quality is usually hit-or-miss. And the agencies that consistently offer strong, high-quality leads almost always balance that out with terrible commission splits. I’ve seen splits drop as low as 40/60 on lead-based bookings, meaning you’d keep only 40 percent of the commission. At that point, it’s often not even worth your time.

The host agency I use and recommend occasionally passes leads to agents, but it’s not something you should rely on. I’m being upfront here; it happens, but it’s not frequent, and definitely not frequent enough to operate a business from.

The real growth comes from your own outreach, network, reputation, and presence.

This, again, is why it's important to choose a host agency without quotas and sales pressure and with a low monthly hosting fee, all of which the host agency I use and recommend provides.

If you'd like to move forward with the next step toward becoming a travel agent, simply complete this form. 

You pay a monthly hosting fee because the host agency is providing the infrastructure that lets you operate as a legitimate travel agent. That monthly fee covers things you’d otherwise have to source, pay for, or qualify for on your own. This usually includes:

• E&O insurance coverage, which protects you if a client makes a claim
• access to the agency’s CRM and booking tools
• access to all the recorded and live trainings
• the agency’s partnerships with suppliers, which often means higher commission tiers and better support than you’d get as a solo agent
• a personalized travel agent landing page so you have a professional presence right away
• ongoing mentorship and admin support you don’t have to build yourself

This is the backbone you plug into when you join a host agency. You’re essentially paying for the ability to operate like a fully accredited travel business without having to build the business infrastructure from scratch.

And you do need to be cautious with host agencies that advertise “no monthly fee.” That usually means they make their money somewhere else, and the tradeoff is almost always terrible commission splits.

I’ve seen some as low as 50/50 or even 40/60 on certain bookings. You end up keeping a fraction of your commission, which often wipes out any perceived savings, and really hurts if you're successful with it, get lots of bookings, but keep only half (or even less) of your commissions.

A reasonable monthly fee paired with strong commission splits is almost always the better deal long-term.

If you'd like more info about the host agency I use and recommend, complete this form.

If you're ready to sign up, just complete this form and I'll send you all the information you need to get going and signed up with the host agency I use.

Once you've officially signed with the host agency, you'll immediately receive access to their agent portal for initial onboarding and training.

After the host agency confirms your membership and sends your info to me, you'll receive an email from me (usually within 1-3 business days) with information on accessing my FREE Travel Squad course, an exclusive perk I provide just to my referred agents. 

Before you can book with a company, like a hotel, airline, or cruise line (in the industry, these are called "suppliers"), you'll need to complete each supplier's individual training, which is all offered online. Most of them have their own online booking portals for travel agents that you'll need to learn to navigate.

There is no contract and zero obligation to continue with the agency, so if you try it and decide it's not for you, you can cancel at any time with just a 30-day notice.

You're also welcome to research other host agencies and sign with the one that you think is the best fit for you. If you'd like to move forward with the host agency, which I use and recommend, submit this form.