Do online travel agents make money?

Online travel agencies make money by taking a commission from the airline, hotel, car rental agency, or cruise line when you book. (At Going, we don't take any commissions from the airlines when we send our members deals.



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How do commissions vary? While the average commission range for many of the big online travel agents is 15-25%, some smaller and more niche OTAs offer lower rates – sometimes as low as 4%. It's very common for commission rates for properties on the same OTA to vary based on their region and property type.

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Approach it as a side hustle with the potential for growth. Being a travel agent can be a great way to make extra cash, especially if you already have other businesses or entrepreneurial ventures. If you're a serial entrepreneur, juggling multiple ventures might come naturally to you.

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A 2023 consumer research survey from ASTA (the American Society of Travel Advisors) found that 50% of travelers are more likely to use a travel advisor post-pandemic. (This is a 7-point increase from 2022.) Here are the crib notes: There's no better time to become a travel agent.

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The pay isn't necessarily exorbitant—the median income is $38,700 a year, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, but according to Pindar, it can actually be much higher. “Agents make anywhere from $50K to $100K on the low end and up to $250K to $500K annually,” says Pindar.

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How much does a travel agent cost? The cost of using a travel agent is generally marginal, and often, they won't charge you at all. Much of their money comes from commissions the hotels and wholesalers pay them. Before you decide to book with a travel agent, inquire whether or not they charge fees.

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  • You're Not The One Planning Your Travel. While not planning your travel is a pro to some, for other travelers, it's a major con. ...
  • You Add Another Person To The Equation. ...
  • You Actually Have To Find The Agent. ...
  • They're Not Great For Spur-Of-The-Moment Changes.


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Yes—and now they're called travel advisors. They could be more helpful than you may think. If the idea of using a travel agent to plan your next trip sounds like recommending a rotary phone to confirm your flight reservation, think again.

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Travel agents earnings are made up of a mix of salary, commission, and other incentives. Their pay can fluctuate significantly month to month or even annually. Different destinations, seasons, suppliers, affiliates, or even how the booking is made, all factor into the percentage of commission that an agent takes home.

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Employment of travel agents is projected to grow 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 8,600 openings for travel agents are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

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How to become a virtual travel agent
  1. Earn a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Many companies hire employees for virtual agent positions with no previous job experience. ...
  2. Gain travel experience. ...
  3. Work in sales and customer service. ...
  4. Find the right host agency. ...
  5. Apply as a virtual agent. ...
  6. Prepare your workspace.


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The travel industry can be a great choice for those who want to work remotely – whether that's from home or while trotting the globe. If you want to learn how to become a travel agent, why not take the leap and start your travel career as a Dream Vacations Franchise Owner?

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How to Start a Successful Independent Travel Agency
  1. Connect with a Host Agency. ...
  2. Make Sure You Get the Necessary Training. ...
  3. Develop a Niche Market. ...
  4. Become the Expert. ...
  5. Give Your Customers the Service You Want for Yourself.


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Find a Credit Card Processor But travel agencies also typically fall under “high risk.” One reason for that is the higher-than-average chargeback rates that can come from bookings for a future trip that a client later wants to cancel. Not to worry.

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For simple trips, booking a flight and hotel yourself is manageable. For longer, more complicated trips, enlisting the help of a travel agent can help you make the most of your time. Getting creative with scheduling and transportation methods is one advantage of travel agents.

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Some travel agents do have the ability to book Airbnb properties through special partnerships or programs. For example, Airbnb for Business offers a travel agent program that allows agents to book Airbnb accommodations for their clients and earn commission.

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With close connections to airlines, hotels, and tour guides, travel agents often have access to special deals and preferential pricing you won't find on your own. They know about seasonal deals, low-cost specials, and unique experiences that would be hard for you to find building your trip online yourself.

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The Top 20 Most Powerful Travel Agencies in 2023
  1. Booking Holdings. (photo courtesy of Booking Holdings) ...
  2. Expedia Group. ...
  3. American Express Global Business Travel. ...
  4. BCD Travel. ...
  5. CWT. ...
  6. Flight Centre. ...
  7. American Express Travel. ...
  8. Chase Travel Group.


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High Paying Travel Agent Jobs
  • Travel Sales Consultant. ...
  • Travel Counselor. ...
  • Tour Coordinator. ...
  • Travel Agency Team Leader. ...
  • Corporate Travel Agent. ...
  • Reservation Clerk. Salary range: $28,500-$34,000 per year. ...
  • Vacation Sales Advisor. Salary range: $26,000-$32,500 per year. ...
  • Tour Desk Agent. Salary range: $20,000-$24,000 per year.


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The Key Steps to Becoming a Luxury Travel Advisor
  1. Step One: Get Experience in the Travel Industry. ...
  2. Step Two: Get Certified. ...
  3. Step Three: Build Your Clientele. ...
  4. Step Four: Market Yourself. ...
  5. Step Five: Stay Abreast of Global Trends & TRAVEL LUXURY! ...
  6. Step Six: Set Goals and Plan.


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