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How to Become a Travel Agent and Not Get Scammed

Hilarye January 24, 2020 Resources 1 Comment

I’ve always been curious about how to become a travel agent. The job itself seems so dreamy and right in line with so many of my passions. I became a travel writer 12 years ago because I love to travel, I love to write and I love to help encourage others to go out and see different parts of the world. So naturally, I became intrigued by the idea of becoming a travel agent and I wanted to learn more about the profession. In a world where it’s easy to book online travel and to search your own attractions and itineraries- is it possible to still make money as a travel agent?

I reached out to two of my good travel agent friends who I personally know and trust to get the raw details on how to make money as a travel agent, how to avoid being scammed, and what really is the best way to get started as a travel agent. 

Meet my travel agent guru friends Loulu from Book Here Give Here and Amanda Storm from Amanda’s Travels . Amanda has been a travel agent for seven years. She specializes in the Caribbean, Europe, Disney, and one-off adventures. In 2010 she went to Disney with her family and fell in love with the industry and decided she wanted to do this for a living.

Amanda also had a college degree in hotel management and worked previously as a special events manager for a university. It took her three years to find a host travel agency in the midwest and then she began her career and hasn’t looked back.

After studying abroad in her college years (hospitality management in Switzerland), Loulu Lima went on to study at culinary school and then travel agent school in 1996. She has had a career path in various capacities within the travel industry before starting her own independent travel agency.

Loulu loves to focus on foreign international trips and has personal relationships with her vendors that allow her to craft unique experiences for her clients. 

How to Become a Travel Agent From Home

One of the beauties of working as a travel agent is the flexibility and freedom to work from home, set your own hours, and work as little or as much as you want. But don’t get the wrong idea, according to Amanda and Loulu there is a direct correlation between the amount of time and effort put towards your business and the success you see. You have to work to get results.

Amanda and Loulu both agree that the best way to become a travel agent is to first start with a host agency.

Amanda gives the advice: “The best way is to find someone who is a travel agent in your metro area.” Usually, agents work for someone else or a host agency before venturing off on their own. Most continue on with host agencies but sometimes agents grow enough and open their own agency.

Loulu, who now mentors her own independent contractors and mentors them to be excellent travel advisors for clients, offers this advice for those wanting to become a travel agent: “MLMs stay away from. Host agencies are the best way to start out. You want to look at host agency reviews look at what other people have said about their host agency.

Loulu chose to start with Nexion as her host agency when she first started out. She points out that getting mentored is the best education you can get as a new travel agent and she felt she received that with her host agency.

“ I loved Nexion. A good host agency should have really good training, when you joi n a big one you will get mentorship and training programs, at the end of the day it’s an association and what you put into it is what you will get out of it. Go learn the vendors. Getting clients and not getting taken. Everyone starts at the bottom and works their way up. As you see your value grow then you start charging fees – that’s where you get paid for your time. Being apart of a consortium is important. Commission split entry-level program splits are how you learn and how you graduate the program.”

The average annual income for a travel agent in 2018 was $38,700. Bureau of Labor

The Travel Institute is another great place to start your travel agent career. They have been helping people reach their travel agent certifications for over 50 years. The institute can provide training in most specialized areas and also provide continuing education for already certified agents. These credentials can help set you apart from other successful travel agents. 

A Certified Travel Counselor CTC is a certification offered through the Travel Institute that allows travel advisors with five years of industry experience to take a course, submit a white paper and pass an exam.

A Certified Travel Associate CTA certificate is also offered through the Travel Institute and covers topics such as business ethics, customer experience, travel insurance and other important topics to help travel agents succeed in their careers and support their clients.

Having extensive travel experience as well as being extremely customer service oriented will be key to any new travel agent’s business model. Loulu also points out it’s important to have a good grasp of world geography. She says you would be surprised at how many people want to become a travel agent but can’t point out destinations on a map.

How to Become a Travel Agent for Free

The best way to become a travel agent for free is to find a host agency or a successful travel advisor in your area. Start working with them as mentors. You could become an independent contractor with them or work directly for them while continuing your education to become a travel agent.

Working with another agent or agency to make travel plans will help you learn the industry. You will study different cruise ships, destinations wedding locations, car rental companies, and learning the IATA systems, and offering customer service for clients. All while you have a mentor at hand.

The truth is, you will have to invest money both in yourself and your businesses. This was pointed out by both Amanda and Loulu. Spending money on Fam tips (familiarization trips) and actually going out and becoming an expert on destinations is key.

You will also have fees to your consortia and different associations you will belong to.

Being a Travel Agent Pros and Cons

Just like any career, business, or side-hustle there pros and cons to being a travel agent.

When asked what she loves about being a travel agent, Amanda replied: “I love working with people. I know how hard it is to have time together as a busy family. This last week we had one night we had together. However, when you are together on vacation, there is time for laughter and time to create memories to carry you through the tough times.” She also goes on to say her biggest perk of her job is getting to know people and creating relationships with them.

She also points out that in her first year she only sold five vacations. A con would be that it takes a while to build up your clientele and actually be profitable. “During the first year, I sold five vacations. I kept at it, I marketed, I held events, I answered questions [and] took the money I made and reinvested. By three years I was closer to making teens and twenties.”

Loulu had a similar experience. It took her three years to be profitable and advises against anyone getting into the business to “get rich quick.”

Pros of Being a Travel Agent:

• Helping other people create memories
• Getting an inside look at the travel industry.
• Being able to familiarize yourself with destinations and vacations others only dream of going on.

It’s very important to be a successful travel agent or travel advisor that you are passionate about travel.

Cons of Being a Travel Agent:

• Virtually no travel discounts. That is a myth that many mistakenly think is a huge plus for becoming a travel agent.
• Putting out fires when things go badly. Think rebookings, missed flights, etc.

Amanda says: “You do sometimes get hotel discounts and travel agent rates on select sailings that haven’t sold out but they tend to be last-minute. Also, they’re not typically available for holiday and school break times making it extremely difficult to actually use them.”

Loulu says there are no travel discounts unless you earn them.

Both travel agents I interviewed are very customer and client-focused so they love helping people. My outside perspective is that when you are a travel agent you are in a customer service position. So, when things go wrong you are going to be the first line of contact to help them. Of course, these things usually happen at odd hours of the day. You’ll be the one helping with rebooking and dealing with crises.

Some agents may get a thrill out of helping people. Others may be annoyed at the prospect of fielding calls and putting out fires. If you are the second- then it probably isn’t the profession for you.

Watch for Travel Agent Scams

One of the increasing concerns for becoming a travel agent is how to do so without being scammed. Amanda says: “One of the worst ways is through a travel agent MLM because the priority is recruiting and not focusing on the destination.”

Travel agent MLM companies focus on recruiting new members because that is how they make the bulk of their money. A travel agent with an MLM often spends more time recruiting than selling travel.

Some travel agent MLMs will require an upfront cost of thousands of dollars. Promising that you’ll soon be selling dream vacations and travel packages to your friends. The harsh truth is that there is not much training or support. A lot of friends will buy a travel package from a travel “professional” friend only to find that their MLM agent is no longer working in the industry when they need assistance later.

Amanda warns people interested in getting started as a travel agent. She says to listen for key giveaways such as if they ask you to recruit friends and family members to join your team. Or if the company offers the opportunity to get free or reduced trips.

In the name of research, I went to Facebook to look around. I had one such “travel agent” tell me via FB messenger that they made 70% commissions on sales. They also said that they would make over six figures in the first year with her agency. This threw up many red flags for me.

After talking to Loulu who broke down the typical travel agent commissions of 10% for hotel stays and 12-16% per cruise- this just seems inaccurate and falsified.

Another travel agent scam you want to watch out for is a person telling you they sell travel packages. Do your research. Many of these people sell you fake travel packages. They may even have a fake ID card or business card to help confirm trust. They will attempt to get your credit card information to purchase airline tickets for you and then commit identity theft.

Never want to trust someone you have never met or hasn’t been referred to you by someone you know. And never buy vacations over the phone or by email. Always use certified, reviewed, and reputable travel agents and advisors. If you are ready to purchase that dream vacation ask around to friends and family. Find someone your friends or family have used or trusted. Do not buy a vacation from so-and-so’s cousin who just joined a MLM or someone who wants to book you a trip online and rip off your credit card number. 

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Raise your hand if you love to travel. Whether you’re often on the road or take a vacation just once a year, you’ve probably heard of travel agents. These folks help plan and book itineraries for you, eliminating a lot of the pain points when it comes to traveling.

These days many people skip out on a travel agent in lieu of booking their trip online, but if you’re a frequent traveler, you may want to become a travel agent yourself. Why? Because it can save you a lot of money — and may even earn you some in the process.

Let’s take a look at how to become a travel agent, why it’s something you may want to consider and the ways it can work for you.

Why become a travel agent?

Have you ever obsessively researched the best hotels in a city you’re planning to visit? How about checking seat maps on an airplane? If getting into the nitty-gritty of travel logistics is something you do in your spare time, you might also enjoy becoming a travel agent.

Not only do you get to plan trips for others, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of special discounts on many facets of travel.

This is true for your clients, but also for yourself. Travel agents have access to a variety of discounted rates on both airlines and hotels, even when booking travel for themselves.

» Learn more: How to get a refund from a travel agency

How to become a travel agent

Find a program.

Becoming a travel agent isn’t as simple as declaring yourself one. Typically, the first step is to sign up for a program that’ll teach you the basics of running your own travel business.

There are a variety of programs to choose from, depending on your interests and career goals. Most programs will teach you about the business side of being a travel agent as well as how to plan trips, so your courses in itinerary planning and travel insurance will be coupled with business ethics and customer service.

If you’re wondering how to become a travel agent from home, don’t worry. Many of these courses don’t have to be done in person; there are online programs that will teach you everything you need to know from the comfort of your living room.

Apply for certification

Once you’ve completed your coursework, you’ll want to apply for certification. Although there is no single standard that designates you a travel agent, there are a number of different identifiers that you can acquire. Some of the more common ones are:

International Air Transport Association, or IATA, which allows you to book travel on domestic and international airlines.

Travel Industry Designator Service, or TIDS, which allows agents to book trips with a variety of travel suppliers and receive commissions.

Cruise Lines International Association, or CLIA, which provides agents the ability to book trips on cruises around the world.

In order to access Marriott’s travel advisor rates, for example, you can use any three of these designations, along with a variety of others.

Each of these associations and identifiers have different implications for your business, so you’ll want to be sure you’ve fully researched them before applying for membership.

» Learn more: Do travel agents really save you money?

Save money as a travel agent

Once you’ve qualified as a travel agent, what comes next? If you travel frequently, becoming a travel agent can be a huge benefit to you, as it offers discounted rates and access to luxury travel options.

Discounted rates

Travel agents have access to negotiated rates that aren’t available to the general public. The exact amount will vary depending on the business. Hilton, for example, will give personal travel discounts of 50% off at newly-opened hotels and up to 25% off at the remainder of hotels within Hilton’s portfolio.

Hyatt, meanwhile, will give you a discount on personal travel of up to 50%, but only during select dates of the year. And although not all airlines give discounts to travel agents, many do.

Regardless, these are some pretty spectacular savings, and if you’re looking to save money on your vacations, being a travel agent can help.

Luxury programs

Becoming a travel agent isn’t only about saving money, however. It also grants you access to many hotel chains’ luxury travel programs.

If you’re big into elite status benefits, this is definitely something you’ll want to consider — especially since you don’t need any status at all to receive these perks, as long as you book through the hotel’s agent portal.

Most major hotel chains have these programs, including Hyatt Privé, Hilton Impresario, Marriott STARS & Luminous, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Belmond Bellini Club, Rosewood Elite, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club and Shangri-La Luxury Circle.

While benefits vary by brand, many of these offers include things like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, early check-in or late checkout and credits for expenses like dining or spa services. General consumers aren’t eligible for these programs, but once you’ve become a registered travel agent, they become accessible to you; however, some programs — such as Hyatt Privé — are invitation only.

For the most part, booking rooms through these programs shouldn’t cost more than the standard rate you’d be paying anyway, so you have the potential to get big benefits without shelling out any additional money.

However, note that these numbers don’t take into account any other discounted rates for which you may be eligible, such as those offered to American Automobile Association members and veterans .

» Learn more: Uncommon tips for saving money on travel

Earn money as a travel agent

Of course, becoming a travel agent isn’t all about scoring discounts for yourself. If you’re looking to earn some money, being a travel agent can be a good way to do so.

Note that travel agents operate in a customer-facing role, so you’ll also need to be able to build client relationships and be comfortable with sales. Courses such as those mentioned above can help train you to do this and run a successful business.

If booking travel and organizing trips for others is something that appeals to you, there’s definitely money to be earned. Marriott, for example, gives agents a commission of between 8% and 10% for all eligible stays booked.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of booking through online travel agencies

If you’d like to become a travel agent

There are a few good reasons to become a travel agent, especially if you travel a lot. Although it takes time and effort to complete training and apply for accreditation, the benefits you’ll receive as a travel advisor can be significant. This is true whether you’re booking personal travel or have built yourself a client base. Either way, there’s money to be had — and saved.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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15 Dream Jobs That Pay You to Travel the World

Posted: April 29, 2024 | Last updated: April 29, 2024

Who doesn’t love to travel? The idea of visiting breathtaking places and immersing ourselves in different cultures is something that excites and inspires us. However, the downside of travel is that it can be quite expensive, which can be a major deterrent for many of us. But what if I told you that you could get paid to travel? There are many jobs out there that allow you to see the world while earning a living.

In this article, we’ll take a look at 15 jobs that will enable you to live the dream and get paid to travel.

Travel Writer/Blogger

Writing about your travel experiences is a great way to see the world and get paid at the same time. Many publications and websites are always looking for travel content, and if you have a way with words and a passion for travel, this could be the perfect job for you.

Social media is a great platform to get your business going. Start by sharing your writing on your own blog and social accounts, then pitch to publications once you’ve built a portfolio.

Flight Attendant

Flight attendants get to travel to different parts of the world and experience different cultures. Although the job requires hard work and long hours, the perks of traveling and learning about new places make it worth it.

This is a great stepping stone for young people who want to start traveling the world. Many airlines offer reduced flight benefits for attendants and their families, allowing you to travel affordably on your time off.

If you are someone who loves to show people around and share your knowledge of different places, then being a tour guide is an excellent option. You get to visit new locations and meet people from all over the world.

This is great if you like geography or if you are really into local facts and useful information that you could share to make the tour fun and informative. Consider specializing in a type of tour that matches your interests and expertise, such as food tours or ghost tours.

Professional Photographer

Photographers are in high demand for travel-related work. Whether you take photos of stunning landscapes or capture images of people, photography is an amazing way to see the world and get paid.

Currently, exploring social media with your photos can be very profitable. Build a following on Instagram or YouTube to monetize your travel photography.

Cruise Ship Worker

Working on a cruise ship is a fantastic option for those who want to see the world while getting paid. From serving food to entertaining guests, there are many roles available on a cruise ship, which allows you to travel to different destinations.

They often have stops where you can get off the cruise and spend the day out. Many cruise lines offer discounted fares for employees to take their own cruises during time off.

English Teacher

One of the most popular jobs for those who want to travel is English teaching. With job opportunities available all over the world, you can immerse yourself in new cultures while teaching others.

Programs like the JET Program in Japan fully sponsor Native English teachers to live and work abroad. Many programs provide visa sponsorship so you can legally work in other countries.

Scuba Diving Instructor

If you love diving and the ocean, becoming a scuba diving instructor might be the perfect job for you. You’ll teach people how to dive while exploring various locations around the world.

You need to be an expert swimmer to attempt this one. Many resorts offer free room and board for dive instructors in addition to pay.

Travel Agent

Travel agents get to explore new locations as part of their job to provide first-hand recommendations to their clients. While this job might not involve traveling as much, it still provides an opportunity to explore new places or offers great discounts.

Many travel agencies incentivize agents with free or discounted trips to familiarize themselves with various destinations.

Yoga Instructor

Yoga has become a popular activity in many countries worldwide, and if you are a certified yoga instructor, you could teach it in different parts of the world.

This job allows you to combine your passion for yoga with your desire to travel. Yoga retreats and studios abroad often provide housing and meals in addition to paying for visiting instructors.

If you enjoy cooking and traveling, becoming a chef is another option. From working in local cafes to working on luxury yachts, there are many opportunities available for chefs who want to combine their love of food and travel.

Look for seasonal positions at resorts that align with your desired travel destinations. Consider culinary schools abroad to enhance your skills and network internationally.

Become a VA

A virtual assistant is just like it sounds: you assist someone else with a variety of administrative tasks, typically from your computer. Some virtual assistants work essentially as personal assistants, and others specialize in a particular skill, such as managing and growing someone’s social media accounts.

The ability to work remotely as a VA allows you to travel while earning an income online.

Volunteer Around the World

If earning money isn’t your priority and you just want to know how to travel for free, your best option is to volunteer. You get to live and work at various locations. While you won’t get paid, your hosts will open up their homes and dinner tables to you in exchange for your help.

WorkAway offers a broader range of educational and cultural experiences, not just agriculture. Help out your local hosts for a few hours in exchange for food and board for as many days as you choose, and explore the city in your spare time.

Travel Nurse

As a nurse, traveling to different parts of the world, providing medical assistance, and working in medical centers can provide a fulfilling career and life experience.

Many travel nursing companies cover housing and travel costs for short-term assignments, allowing nurses to explore new places. Joining a reputable agency ensures your credentials and safety are vetted.

Become a travel influencer

If you have a strong social media presence, you can leverage your following to become a travel influencer. Brands will sponsor your travels in exchange for creating blog posts, videos, and social media promotions about their products or services.

The more engaging content you create and the larger your audience, the more profitable this can become as a full-time career. Consistency and quality content is key to growing a loyal following.

house sit abroad

Taking care of someone’s home and pets while they are away is a mutually beneficial arrangement for people who want to travel.

Through sites like TrustedHousesitters, you can find house-sitting gigs worldwide that provide free accommodation in exchange for your services. This allows you to live like a local and affordably immerse yourself in new destinations. Get reviews from previous house-sitting jobs to build trust with homeowners.

As you can see, there are many jobs available that allow you to combine your passion for travel with your professional career. Pursuing one of these careers will not only give you the financial freedom to explore the world, but it will also allow you to learn about new cultures, meet people from all over the world, and make unforgettable memories. Go ahead and follow your dreams of traveling while getting paid to do so.

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U.S. bans noncompete agreements for nearly all jobs

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan has said noncompete agreements stop workers from switching jobs, even when they could earn more money or have better working conditions. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption

Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan has said noncompete agreements stop workers from switching jobs, even when they could earn more money or have better working conditions.

The Federal Trade Commission narrowly voted Tuesday to ban nearly all noncompetes, employment agreements that typically prevent workers from joining competing businesses or launching ones of their own.

The FTC received more than 26,000 public comments in the months leading up to the vote. Chair Lina Khan referenced on Tuesday some of the stories she had heard from workers.

"We heard from employees who, because of noncompetes, were stuck in abusive workplaces," she said. "One person noted when an employer merged with an organization whose religious principles conflicted with their own, a noncompete kept the worker locked in place and unable to freely switch to a job that didn't conflict with their religious practices."

After 26,000 public comments, FTC to vote on rule banning noncompete agreements

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These accounts, she said, "pointed to the basic reality of how robbing people of their economic liberty also robs them of all sorts of other freedoms."

The FTC estimates about 30 million people, or one in five American workers, from minimum wage earners to CEOs, are bound by noncompetes . It says the policy change could lead to increased wages totaling nearly $300 billion per year by encouraging people to swap jobs freely.

Many workers barely recall signing noncompetes, until they try to change jobs

Flight attendants don't earn their hourly pay until aircraft doors close. Here's why

The ban, which will take effect later this year, carves out an exception for existing noncompetes that companies have given their senior executives, on the grounds that these agreements are more likely to have been negotiated. The FTC says employers should not enforce other existing noncompete agreements.

The vote was 3 to 2 along party lines. The dissenting commissioners, Melissa Holyoak and Andrew Ferguson, argued that the FTC was overstepping the boundaries of its power. Holyoak predicted the ban would be challenged in court and eventually struck down.

These companies tried a 4-day workweek. More than a year in, they still love it

Shortly after the vote, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it would sue the FTC to block the rule, calling it unnecessary, unlawful and a blatant power grab.

For more than a year, the group has vigorously opposed the ban, saying that noncompetes are vital to companies, by allowing them to better guard trade secrets, and employees, by giving employers greater incentive to invest in workforce training and development.

"This decision sets a dangerous precedent for government micromanagement of business and can harm employers, workers, and our economy," wrote Suzanne P. Clark, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber, in a statement.

Correction April 27, 2024

An earlier version of this story misspelled FTC Commissioner Melissa Holyoak's last name.

• Federal Trade Commission
• competition
• noncompete agreements