Here's what our agents get:
Value |
What we Offer |
Gross Commission Splits* |
70% - 90% (average agent makes 80%) |
Agent portal to access all our travel agent resources |
X |
Promote your business with a unique online profile and turn your internet leads into new clients |
X |
Award winning direct mail and email marketing program that sends supplier partner-funded promotions to clients on your behalf |
X |
Social Media Studio: Training and content you can use to build your social following and drive new leads |
X |
Travel Leaders Network membership: 300+ training opportunities including Webinars, Tip Sheets, Workshops and Certified Travel Specialist courses. |
X |
State of the Art Client Relationship and Commission Management System (CRM) and email automation system |
X |
Client Portals for client payment authorizations and invoicing |
X |
Hiscox E & O Insurance |
X |
Priority Access to Vendors and Vendor Reps |
X |
Exclusive specials and promotions and agent booking incentives |
X |
Online Payment System and ability to take service fees |
X |
View details on over 250,000 properties and ships |
X |
Exclusive specials and promotions |
X |
Personal On-boarding, mentorship, and Coaching Sessions |
X |
Upgrade to Steady agent after earning $5,000 in annual commissions (once you hit steady agent you stay at steady agent) |
X |
Can move to VIP agent Status after earning $10,000 in annual commissions (must maintain commission volume otherwise you will be moved back down to the appropriate tier) |
X |
Qualify for IATA Membership Card** |
X |
Exclusive Training, coaching, and Agent Familiarization ("FAM") opportunities |
X |
Groups Management System |
X |
Standard Maintenance Fee |
$65/ month or $715/year (1 month free) |
*Agents transferring from another agency that can show their prior year's sales and commission volume meets the requirements for a steady business agent can start at the 80% commission rate.
** We require a minimum $5000 per year in annual commissions earned to qualify for an IATAN Membership card. If you are transferring from another agency and currently have a card through another agency, please call us to discuss how you can renew through us.
Refund Policy
** We require a minimum $5000 per year in annual commissions earned to qualify for an IATAN Membership card. If you are transferring from another agency and currently have a card through another agency, please call us to discuss how you can renew through us.
Refund Policy
Questions? Schedule a call with Danielle to learn more.
When can I start selling travel?
Once you compete the monthly or annual sign up form, we will approve your membership and give you access to our agent platform. You will be asked to sign the agent agreement, (including a completed W-9 and copy of your U.S. identification), the ethical agent agreement form, and we'll walk you through the new agent checklist in which you will complete a few training modules to get started. From there you will have access to our resources and Client Relationship Management (CRM) system. You will have full access to sell travel as an independent contractor of Good Life Travel by Danielle.
How long do I have access to the SYSTEM?
As long as your maintenance fees are submitted on an annual or monthly basis, you have access to the agent resources and CRM system and can sell travel as an agent of Good Life Travel by Danielle. If there is interruption in your payments, your access to our systems and the reservations you booked may be cut off. If you need to change billing information, please let us know. We can provide you with the link to update your account.
What if I am unhappy with being an agent?
If you are unsatisfied with your agent experience you can cancel at any time. You will have access to our systems for the remaining portion of that month, and reoccurring payments will be cancelled. If paid annually, you will receive a prorated refund for the remining months you did not use. Once your month is complete, all access will be discontinued. Any sales that commission was pending will be forfeited if the trips were not canceled or have not traveled. You cannot move existing trips that have not traveled over to another agency if they were booked using our seller of travel numbers.
Do I need a website?
Websites are a worthwhile investment that can add credibility for your business. At minimum we recommend a business social media presence to sell travel. Regardless of if you have a website, Danielle will list you as a travel agent on her website and send referrals as they come. It's optional to have your own site to promote specific types of travel that you sell. Danielle will only promote type of travel that fit her brand. So you have niche outside of what Danielle offers, it's up to you how you market that product. Danielle can make recommendation on low cost website and landing page options and resources for building a website to increase credibility.
Do I get to travel for free?
There are perks to being a travel agent, but you only receive those perks if you are selling. You can receive discounted or free trips depending on how much you sell a particular product. Some suppliers giveaway trips when travel agents attend virtual or in person training sessions to learn more about the products or destinations. Some suppliers have requirements on who qualifies for the trips. For example, you may need to complete their product training program and sell a commissionable trip, or hold a valid IATA card to qualify for many of these perks. Just because you are a travel agent doesn't mean you travel for free, but you can receive commission on travel you book for yourself.
Do I need a license or certification to sell travel?
In most states, a license or certification is only required for the Travel Agency, not the travel agents. As long as the agency is registered and certified, the travel agents are not required to have an additional certification. Florida, requires agents that live in Florida to be registered sellers of travel. Some states have seller of travel regulations. These registrations are covered by Good Life Travel by Danielle as part of your monthly or annual fee. There are numerous travel agents training courses (mostly free) that you can take to learn the various products you sell but no courses are required. Many of the trainings are required if you want to qualify for travel agent discounts. Learning and knowing the products makes you a better agent and salesperson. Over time, you may feel that some investments in learning the products may be needed, such as specialized training or familiarization trips (FAMs).
What are the down sides?
To be honest, there aren't too many down sides. Who doesn't love to travel and get paid for it or travel at a discounted rate. But it is important to remember that you are starting a business, so you must maintain your business (i.e. maintenance fees, filing business taxes or state registration fees) and building a reputation (client relationship management and marketing). It does take work and a financial investment to build your business, but if you are interested in learning how, we can provide you the resources to do so.
Also, Travel agents make money from commissions. This is not an hourly or salary based role. If people are not traveling or if they cancel trips, you don't get paid. So it can take a while to see the fruits of your labor. In many cases, you are not paid until after the client travels. You might put in a lot of work between now and the time they travel before you are compensated for your work. Danielle can work with you to develop strategies to maximize your profits and see a larger return on your investment. It is important to remember that this is not a quick money gig and you may find it necessary to spend money in order to make money.
Also, Travel agents make money from commissions. This is not an hourly or salary based role. If people are not traveling or if they cancel trips, you don't get paid. So it can take a while to see the fruits of your labor. In many cases, you are not paid until after the client travels. You might put in a lot of work between now and the time they travel before you are compensated for your work. Danielle can work with you to develop strategies to maximize your profits and see a larger return on your investment. It is important to remember that this is not a quick money gig and you may find it necessary to spend money in order to make money.
What is Gross COmmission and Comission Splits
Gross commission income is the total amount of dollars in commission an agent receives from closing a sale before commission splits. As a starter agent, you will receive 70% of the gross commission received from the suppliers. One can move from a starter to a steady agent in a matter of 5 bookings if your selling consistently and growing your book of business.
For example, one supplier might pay 12% commission on resort booking. If you book a vacation package for $5000, that's $600 in gross commissions. From that, as a starter agent, your take home at a 70% commission rate is $420, and $480 at an 80% commission rate as a steady agent. If selling 4 trips at $5000 each and a 12% commission rate, you're already at a steady agent.
For example, one supplier might pay 12% commission on resort booking. If you book a vacation package for $5000, that's $600 in gross commissions. From that, as a starter agent, your take home at a 70% commission rate is $420, and $480 at an 80% commission rate as a steady agent. If selling 4 trips at $5000 each and a 12% commission rate, you're already at a steady agent.
Where can I find a copy of the Good Life Travel by Danielle's membership agreement?
The Good Life Travel by Danielle membership terms and conditions can be found here.
Remember, we offer month-to-month membership, no setup fees, and we make it easier to leave than it was to sign up, just download your clients and cancel from within our portal.
Remember, we offer month-to-month membership, no setup fees, and we make it easier to leave than it was to sign up, just download your clients and cancel from within our portal.
If you have a question about our agency and working with us as a travel agent. please email Danielle at [email protected] or call at 281-819-4538 ext. 2
