This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Bill from KHM Travel! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I'm a new-ish agent, under 3 years experience, and I have been entertaining the idea of venturing out on my own. I am currently with a host agency. I am curious about how this would work with suppliers and if this is a good idea.
2. Do agents typically manage their workflow with their host agency provided CRM program only, or are there other project management platforms that are popular with travel agents?
3. I keep hearing everyone talk about FIT. So what is it and how does someone specialize in it?

RESOURCES:

• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-preferred-supplier
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software
• https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/fit-travel-meaning

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jennifer from Dugan’s Travels! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. What I'm still not clear on are things like this: how do I present options and prices to a client, and give them time to make a decision? Am I supposed to reserve all of the options first to guarantee the price, and then cancel the discarded options afterward? Or do you just present it and hope the prices don't change in the meantime? Are there other good places to find tips or suggestions for effective booking practices?
2. I keep noticing offers from my host agency/consortia/vendors that would provide perks for my clients and bonus commissions for me.. after it is too late to claim them. How do other agents manage the flood of consumer and agent incentives so they can make recommendations that are good for their clients and good for them? - Vince
3. I am looking for a host agency and I have never had one before. I have compared a tonne on your site and I am feeling overwhelmed. What are the main things I should be looking for in a good host agency?

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jenn from HAR! A huge thank you to Avoya Travel for sponsoring this episode. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. How important is it to get a client to decline insurance or purchase insurance? If I send out a form to a client to decline insurance or confirm that they already purchased insurance and they don’t fill it out, is the email confirmation enough that I offered them the insurance and made them aware of the consequences of not having? Am I protected by that?I have a client who I’ve sent the email to a few times and they just will not accept or decline, I don’t know why. I spoke to them numerous times and they said they would do it, but they just will not do it so I just wanna make sure that I am protected. - Travel Dad Matt
2. I struggle with knowing when it’s time to raise my prices or start charging fees, how did you approach that in your business, and what helped you feel confident doing it?
3. I’m in my first 30 days as a travel advisor and already feeling pulled in a million directions, what should I actually be focusing on right now, and what are some things I should avoid spending time on this early in my business?

RESOURCES:

• https://hostagencyreviews.com/insurances
• We had a webinar last week - https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-conferences-events/2026/travel-insurance-reimagined-what-today-s-travelers-expect-and-how-to-deliver-it
• E&O - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-need-eo-insurance
• Guide to charging fees - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-fees
• TAC - https://hostagencyreviews.com/travelagentchatter/amy-freyder-epic-away-travel

****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol35

Special thanks to today’s sponsor: Uniglobe Travel Center

Today’s guest took a life-changing leap, selling her home, putting everything in storage, and moving her family to Japan. What started as a bold personal decision quickly turned into something much bigger.

Since becoming a travel advisor in 2019, Amy has grown her business to over $2 million in annual sales, all as a solo advisor.

What makes Amy’s journey particularly powerful is how it’s rooted in lived experience. From fully immersing her family in life in Osaka to traveling throughout Japan and Southeast Asia, she built her business from the ground up based on real-world travel and a deep understanding of what clients truly want. Her children loved the experience so much, they even asked to stay longer.

From the outside, her success might look like a smooth, upward climb. But behind the scenes, Amy has been navigating personal challenges while continuing to show up for her business and her clients.

In this episode, Amy shares how she built momentum during difficult seasons, how she prioritizes her time when energy is limited, and what it really looks like to grow a business when life doesn’t slow down.

Tune in for an honest, inspiring conversation about resilience, taking risks, and building a travel business that evolves alongside your life.

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Betsy from Uniglobe Travel Center! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I just started as a travel agent this past September. And I do have quite a few sales, more than I expected. However, There’s been a few instances lately, where people have reached out to me and seemed eager to work together, and I’ll respond back to them to try and set up a quick phone call or video chat to get a vision for their trip, and before I can even really provide them with a proposal, they’ve kind of moved on. Do you think there’s something else I can try and to do to progress the conversation and get closer to a sale? Am I missing something? - Travel Dad Matt
2. Hello! I'm trying to figure out best practices for situations where the client does not pay for everything outright.How would you recommend handling payments done in installments (either paying a deposit and balance due, or using a tool that breaks up the payments even further)? Do you send the client a credit card authorization each time there is a payment? Should you send regular balance statements or simply forward the conformation/invoices from suppliers? What are the best practices?
3. I'm just starting out in the business. I'm about three months in and I'm working on setting the foundation of my business. I'm completing trainings, learning about suppliers, listening to podcasts, creating a logo and social media, along with plenty of other items on my to-do! I was even able to complete my first booking for some of my family! With that said, I'm worried that because I don't have more of a legitimate business, it's going to be difficult to complete bookings with any of the leads I get. What do you suggest I do to help build up my business and get potential clients to trust in me as their travel advisor when I'm so new? - Laura

RESOURCES:

• Getting leads - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-leads
• Great article about payment security in general that you might want to check out - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tis-q4-2025

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Erwing from Oasis Travel Network! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. New advisor here, just starting out-I’m wondering if it’s possible to be successful in getting leads through online marketing only, and not tap into friends and family or local community?
2. I am a new home-based travel agent and I am curious as to which online payment gateway host you recommend? I will be using this payment gateway only for my fee. All other payments go directly to the vendors. Any help is appreciated, thanks!
3. Is there an actual hierarchy to the travel business? I understand we're all dependent on one another, but how would it look on a traditional organization chart? For example, do host agencies depend on suppliers, or are the suppliers what makes it possible to form a host agency? Just trying to understand the big picture of this industry!

RESOURCES:

• Getting leads - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-leads
• Great article about payment security in general that you might want to check out - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/tis-q4-2025

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Katie from Tern! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I’m just getting started and trying to wrap my head around using a CRM, but I’m honestly not sure what I should actually be tracking in it day-to-day. Right now, I have client emails, trip details, and notes kind of scattered across different places. What are the most important things a travel advisor should be tracking in a CRM to stay organized and not let things fall through the cracks?
2. There are so many tools out there, and I feel like every time I turn around there’s something new I “should” be using. How do I actually evaluate whether a tool is solving a real problem in my business versus just adding another layer of complexity or something else to manage?
3. I feel like there’s a lot of pressure to use all the latest tech as a travel advisor, especially when I’m seeing what others are doing online. From your perspective, what’s something advisors often think they need technology for, but in reality, it might not be necessary or the best use of their time early on?

RESOURCES:

1. CRMs - https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software/category/crm
2. https://hostagencyreviews.com/page/har-wired

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Samantha from Jus Adventures! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I continue to see it recommended that we get copies of our client's ID's. However, I am unsure of a process to do this that is secure? Or does it need to be secure? Can they just text or email me a photo? I'd love your perspective on this. - Erin
2. Can you talk about the practice of DMCs presenting quotes in gross vs net commission, and is it preferred or acceptable to request one over the other? - Carrie
3. Love the podcast! I'm just over a year in as a part time agent and have been focusing on training (supplier and host agency training), building a website, and branding. Now I'm stuck on how to build a client base. I work full time in recruitment so I know that your close network isn't always going to become your client, but I've stalled out and need some inspiration. My focus is luxury leaning travellers interested in cruising with Virgin Voyages or going on safari. I have a great background in sales, event planning, dealing with ultra-high net worth clients, and I used to live in West Africa for 5 years. I know I'm well positioned to jump start this business but I feel a little lost on selling myself. Any help? - Stephanie

RESOURCES:

1. https://hostagencyreviews.com/travel-agency-software
2. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jennifer from Dugan’s Travels! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I love your podcasts and have been a loyal listener for over 3 years. In 2023, I trained and started working as a Corporate Travel Advisor for a small agency, remotely. I took the job because thought I needed training in GDS platforms but my true desire is to run my own leisure travel agency. I work full time, have great benefits and have mastered two platforms. My question is, is there a conflict in joining a host agency to start a leisure business, while still working with a corporate agency? I spoke with one of the host agencies on HAR and got pretty far but was then told since I would have 2 IATA numbers, I couldn’t move forward. My employee handbook at work does not cover anything about other work in the travel business and I can sign up for my own personal IATA since I am an employee. I still really want my own leisure business but need the security of another income while I build my own business. I haven’t spoken with other host agencies since I was deterred by the first one. Do you have any thoughts? Thank you for your insights. - Michelle
2. I am based in South Africa/Namibia, specialising in travel and safaris in Southern Africa. Since 2018, I have been working directly with FIT clients (many of them from the USA), creating highly personalised tours and safaris for them. Recently, I have been considering offering my services to other travel advisors outside Africa (I guess that would be acting as a DMC). My question is: how does such collaboration work regarding fees and commissions? I charge my FIT clients a planning fee, and I know that many travel advisors, especially those based in the USA, also charge fees. Do DMC/travel specialists in the destination also charge fees to advisors, or would advisors prefer to work with DMCs that do not? Also, would I need to be associated with any of the hosting agencies (I am myself an independent operator), or how do advisors find their DMSs? Thank you in advance for sharing any insight into how such collaboration works. - Lenka
3. Can you give any insights on how commissions work as it relates to destination wedding bookings? I’m still new the travel [advisor] industry and curious if there are any general thoughts or advice on how this might work (especially for destination weddings booked outside of DMCs). Thank you! - Joy

RESOURCES:

1. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Fora! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. I am working on creating more automated processes and was wondering if there is a general "checklist" of things an agent should do before each trip? I feel like I am forgetting something and just want to be able to check things off (virtually). Things like "gather personal info", "make airline booking" "make hotel/resort booking" "confirm car rental" "email hotel 2 weeks prior to confirm reservation was received" "deposit due" "final payment due" "call hotel 1 week prior to confirm reservation was received and add special requests" and so on and so on. I am wondering what other agents might have included in their processes that would be a good idea to implement. - Melissa
2. I've had a hard time summing up my niche into one word, as I'm new to the industry. My goal is to provide travel to the curious mind that is leisure, but can also include giving back to the community/land/culture through volunteering, shopping local markets, or through participating in educational experiences. It seems the appropriate name for this niche would be Eco Travel or Responsible Travel. Granted, it's difficult to be 100% environmentally friendly since some travel is unavoidable, but if you have any suggestions regarding the name or suggestions of suppliers that specialize work with this type of niche, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for this incredible podcast. - Jamie
3. I’m thinking about adding my booking metrics data like the number of booked cruises, flights, and destinations to my website. Do you think this is a good idea? If so, how would an agent go about adding that information to the site? All this to help build a trusting relationship with clients about the services that we provide. - Quincy

ESOURCES:

1. https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/sustainable-travel-checklist

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming GTN! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

1. Hi! I am looking forward to starting this next great adventure. I have a background as a paralegal that I think will serve me well in the administrative side of things as well as problem solving. I am thinking of specializing in accessible travel. Is this a good idea at the start or would it be better to get to know the business before specializing? - Patti
2. Are you allowed to have your own landing page or website that can link to the website that your host agency has provided for you? How customizable are the host agency websites? - Amy
3. I keep hearing everyone talk about FIT. So what is it and how does someone specialize in it? - Helen

RESOURCES:

1. Finding a travel niche - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/find-a-travel-niche
2. Complete guide to agency website options - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agency-websites
3. What is FIT and what does it mean in travel - ​​https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/fit-travel-meaning
4. What is a DMC - https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/what-is-dmc-destination-management-company