We are excited that you want to join Destinations to Explore! I know you probably have a lot of questions. We have a lot of FAQ below about joining our team.
Can I book travel around the world? ?
YES! We love selling Disney Destinations. However, you can book travel around the world. Destinations to Explore is a top seller (recognized by suppliers) in Hawaii, Caribbean, Mexico, Sandals/Beaches, Europe, Universal Orlando, Hawaii, cruises, and more. Whatever destination you love and want to sell, we have a supplier that can book it.
Can I book airfare?
We do not book airfare. The travel industry has changed over the past 10 years. Due to these changes, our team does not book airfare. We handle every aspect of a family vacation from the moment they land at the destination until they leave to head home. This includes their transfers from the airport, hotel, tickets, meals, and more.
How much do I make as a travel agent?
You are paid an 70% commission split, which is one of the highest in the travel industry. To explain in more detail…the average Disney World booking is $3,000. The agency receives a 10% commission on this booking from Disney World (before tax), which is $280. You receive an 70% commission split, so that is $196 to you on this booking.
You have an opportunity to receive a 80% commission, too. Each calendar year, we evaluate our team. If you reach a threshold, your commission tiers to 80%. With our higher commission splits, you can make a lot of money in this industry. One of our most successful agents made over $100,000 in 2023.
What are travel commissions?
We sell family travel around the world.
Most companies pay the same 10% commission on their bookings (before tax). Destinations to Explore has several preferred suppliers that offer a higher commission. These tiered commissions can range from 11%-24% (based on the supplier).
What does our team say about working with us?
Some of our agents share videos why they love working with Destinations to Explore.
I love to travel, can I travel?
At our company, we all LOVE travel. Not only helping guests book their family vacations, but traveling with our own family. My family and I just got back from the Icon of the Seas and the Florida Keys. Both of these trips were FREE! I did not have to pay for anything. In return for my free travel, I promoted the trip on my social marketing and blog. This is just one of the perks of working with our company vs other companies. We teach you how to pitch for free travel.
Disney Cruise has some incredible discounts right now. One of my favorites is $40 per person per night. This one is a huge discount, just for travel agents. Holland America gives you a free cruise, after you complete their online training. Universal Orlando also gives you a free 3-Day Park to Park after you complete their online training. As a travel agent, you can also take advantage of a lot of discounts and free trips.
We love sharing other opportunities with our team. We just had 41 of our team at Disney World for a 2-Day getaway to the Disney Parks. This same week, we sent an agent and her family on the inaugural Disney Wish. Some of our other fun events this year include a parade float (with agents and family) on the Mardi Gras Parade at Universal Orlando, DTE Agent Retreat on Allure of the Seas, Mexico All Inclusive Vacation, Disney World Social Media FAM, Sandals in Jamaica, and Norwegian Cruise. These are just a few of our fun events at Destinations to Explore. If you love to travel, this is such an amazing time to take advantage of free and deep discounts on getaways.
In addition to these two opportunities, travel suppliers offer huge discounts off hotels, cruises, theme parks, zoos, dining, shopping, and more for travel agents. You do need to show a CLIA card (travel agent card) for many of these discounts. This is just another opportunity to take advantage of free or discount travel. More details about the CLIA card is below.
I want to work with a family member. Can I do that?
Yes, we have several husband and wife teams. I would recommend signing up one person as the agent with our agency. The family member can help with everything, except accepting and processing payments for your guest. You, as the agent, would just handle the payments and processing. This way you only have to pay the agency fee and Seller of Travel for one person.
Are there any startup fees?
There are a few nominal fees to start selling travel. We wanted moms and dads to have the opportunity to work from home, without a lot of start up expenses. There are just a few expenses to consider.
- Office Supplies: It costs very little to start as a travel agent. You just need a computer and a cell phone. That is it!
- Travel Marketing Academy Fee: There is an agency fee that can be paid monthly or yearly. The fee is $50 per month or $500 per year. If you choose to pay the yearly fee, you can save $100 each year.
- State of Florida Fee: Our company is based in Florida. We are a Seller of Travel in the State of Florida. You do have to register with the State of Florida as one of our agents. This is an easy process called Seller of Travel Exemption. This is just a form you mail to the state, along with a fee. There is a yearly fee of $50 paid to the State of Florida. This is a yearly fee based on when you initially send in your Seller of Travel Exemption.
- Additional Optional Expense: The only other fee would be your travel agent card with CLIA. The CLIA card is optional and is based on the calendar year. This travel agent card is $129. This organization also requires you take an online course called State of the Industry every year. This is a free online course that takes less than an hour and updates you on the travel industry (each year). CLIA is an organization (outside of Destinations to Explore) so the price and requirements may change. The CLIA card provides you with amazing travel agency discounts throughout the year. We do not have any quotas in regards to bookings and getting your CLIA card. Any of our team can apply for their CLIA card.
We created this program, so you can start your own business for a nominal start up. Your start up can literally be only $100 ($50 per month for the agency fee and $50 yearly for the State of Florida Exemption). We wanted to create this opportunity for anyone that wanted to start a new business or lifestyle for their family.
What kind of travel agent training do I need?
You do not need any travel agent training, we will provide you all of the resources to help build your new business. You can go through our training in one day and start selling the next day! Our entire training is online through Travel Marketing Academy.
What hours do I work?
You decide your own schedule. You are an Independent Contractor running your own business and your own hours. As an Independent Contractor, you are responsible for your own taxes. You will receive a 1099 from our company in January.
How am I paid?
As an agent, you will add your customers into our agency database, prior to guest departure. You are then paid after the guest travels. Each month you are paid on any completed and paid travel (from the supplier) the previous month.
Do I have to live in Orlando to be one of your agents?
We have agents around the United States, so you do not have to live in Orlando to become one of our agents. All of our training is handled online, so you can do it right from your own computer in your living room.
You do have to live within the United States. Unfortunately, we cannot bring on agents outside the United States or in Puerto Rico. Due to Seller of Travel requirements, we also cannot take agents that live in Hawaii and California. In addition, you cannot sell or book any travel to Hawaii or California residents.
Do I get leads or referrals?
With this program, you do not receive any leads. However, our training will teach you how to market your business with your current network and how to build your travel business. In addition, you can sign up under CLIA and Agent Profiler page with Travel Leaders (under our agency) for opportunities to get leads through those two programs.
I am brand new to travel, how much support will I get from Destinations to Explore?
We are only successful if our agents are successful. With this in mind, we do provide a lot of support to our agents. You can click on this link to view all of the Benefits Selling Travel with Destinations to Explore.
Do you require quotas to maintain an agent?
We are looking for part time or full time agents. We do not have any quotas. You book as little or as much as you want, as an agent.
Do you have a contract?
To protect our team and agency, we do have a contract. It is a yearly contract that automatically renews every year. You can end your agreement anytime, but you will still be responsible for the agency fee through the rest of your year contract.
Do I have to process any payments or handle any money?
No. Think of a travel agent like a real estate agent. We are a “middle man” that helps book the travel and help them plan their vacation. We do get the credit card details from the customer to make any payments, on their behalf. However, we call the supplier or process the payment on the supplier website. The supplier always charges the credit card and payments. We do not accept any money.
How do I get started?
We have 300+ agents that currently work for us. We are excited to have you join our team! Click here to start the process to join our team.
If you have any questions, you can email me at destinationsinflorida@gmail.com or allison@destinationsinflorida.com. We are happy to answer any questions.
Wherever you go, go with all your heart ~ Confucius