In episode 185 Steph cohosts with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels. Don’t miss this great episode chock full of helpful wisdom, covering the questions you will find below: 1. What is the best way to contact a resort to do a site inspection (email, phone call), especially if the resort is out of the country? Thanks, Jenn B. 2. After organizing group tours as a volunteer for my club, I am now transitioning to become a professional. I love your podcast and website - thank you. I'll be doing the 7-...
Dec 06, 2024•25 min•Season 2Ep. 185
In episode 184 Steph cohosts with David Meihoefer of TPI! Steph and Dave have some really substantive questions to dig into, so make sure you don’t miss it! Here are the questions: 1. Hi Steph and Guest. Our host agency was just hit with fraud and they sent a notice that we’ll be responsible for any fraudulent bookings. Is this common? I’m new and I’m worried I will make a fraudulent booking and not know it. It would be helpful if we knew what to look out and how to avoid bad bookings. —Anonymou...
Nov 29, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 184
In episode 183 Steph cohosts with Kendra Tainsh of Travel Edge. They’re gonna have a go at the questions below, and give you plenty to learn about in the process! 1. Hi, I am just joining a Travel Agent as part of her independent Agency starting in December but I do need to establish myself as an LLC as well as set up a business bank account which I will do at the bank that I have been using for my personal banking. Do you have any suggestions as to the best Credit card for TA's? Thank you, Robi...
Nov 22, 2024•18 min•Season 2Ep. 183
In episode 182 Steph cohosts with Jennnifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! Here’s a taste of the questions! 1. Hello, HAR team. Thank you for your very informative article series on booking group travel. I'm working on my first group and trying to wrap my brain around contracts. Is there a contract between you (the travel advisor) and the supplier, and another contract between you and the client, or is it all one contract? Is this in addition to the usual terms and conditions form used when booking F...
Nov 15, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 182
In episode 181 Steph cohosts with a longtime Friday 15 friend, April Swales of Uniglobe Travel! Here's a taste of the topics they'll tackle -- via your questions! 1. I'm a new advisor and the host agency's booking platform is soooo complicated! I'm still trying to make it through the training. Thinking about switching to another host. Are booking platforms so complicated in general? How can you find out? —Marsha G. 2. Hi Steph, I've been a long-time listener and am now a regular caller—love the ...
Nov 08, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 181
In episode 180 Steph welcomes Kendra Tainsh of Travel Edge Network as a co-host. They'll cover the following topics in this week's Friday 15! 1. As I move into setting up my own Travel Advisor business, I'm thinking about what computer to get. As a teacher, I've been provided a MacBook Pro, which I love, but I know no different! Laptop? PC? Apple? —Stephanie B. 2. I am in the process of researching which host agency to join. Which ones offer discounts to tickets (concerts/sporting events/day tou...
Nov 01, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 180
In episode 179 Steph is co-hosting with David Meihoefer of TPI! Here’s a taste of the subjects they’ll tackle: 1. I'm still debating which host agency to choose, do you suggest I wait until host week to choose? Also do you think I should have my website set up before choosing a host? -Thanks, Jenn 2. I am still just doing lots of reading, and trying to better understand the travel advisor landscape a bit better. One question I am wondering if you can answer for me is the relationship between the...
Oct 25, 2024•24 min•Season 2Ep. 179
In episode 178 Steph is co-hosting with Jennifer Dugan of Dugan’s Travels! Here are the questions for this week! 1. I loved the HAR CRM and Itinerary article. My head is spinning: I've looked at so many, Planiteasy, Travefy, Traveljoy, Unmapped, Axus, Tess, Tern. Which one can I either forward the email confirmation from hotels/air/car and it will input all the details not just the confirmation, dates... like prices, room type and cancel policies, or do they all make you enter this again to crea...
Oct 18, 2024•23 min•Season 2Ep. 178
In episode 177 Steph is co-hosting with Stephanie Pickles of Pickles Travel! They’ve got a ton to discuss, including the following: 1. I hope to be a beginner agent one day soon and as I am sorting out how to break into this industry I have settled on going through a host agency, in large part thanks to your wonderful website and podcasts which I have been absorbing rapidly. However, as I review your Host Agency profiles I see GDS (which I understand and cannot use), as well as Ticketing for non...
Oct 11, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 177
In episode 176 Steph is co-hosting with Lori Speers of Levarte Travel! Here’s an introduction to the questions they’ll discuss. 1.Hi Stephanie and Guest du jour! I’m a very new advisor and would like to know how best to make the most of an upcoming trip. My husband and I are cruising the Caribbean in February with our adult children. To be clear, this trip was planned a year ago, long before I decided to plan travel professionally. We will be cruising out of San Juan, stopping in St Kitts, St Lu...
Oct 04, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 176
In episode 175 Steph is co-hosting with Kendra Tainsh of Travel Edge! Here are the questions they cover in this variety-filled episode! 1. I am not in Canada -- is this still pertinent? I would, however love to speak to someone about how to narrow down the overwhelming selection of host agencies to find one that fits my niche. I am just starting out. My niche is environmental based trips in nature featuring hiking, snorkeling, scuba and just relaxing for those who want to. --Robin R. 2. Hey, Lon...
Sep 27, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 175
In episode 174 Steph is co-hosting with Heather Kindred of Nexion! Check it out below – a record-breaking four questions that they’ll cover! Tune in this Friday at 12 pm CST. 1. What is defined as a FAM? Would I be able to describe it as a business trip on my tax filing? Do I have to have any official reports, etc.? –Anonymous 2. Why are host agencies apprehensive about advisors having access to the GDS systems? Or they say it "takes years" to master? And with some hosts you have to have 2 or mo...
Sep 20, 2024•24 min•Season 2Ep. 174
In episode 173 Steph and Lindsay Taylor answer a bunch of excellent questions submitted by you, our faithful viewers and listeners. If you have a question, by the way, send it our way at https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 ! 1. Hello Friday 15 team! I live in Ontario Canada & my question is, how do I get into the travel industry as an advisor with no experience but have the schooling as well as TICO Certified? Thank you kindly for all you do! –Chrystal M. 2. I’ve decided to expand my agen...
Sep 13, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 173
In episode 172 Steph welcomes Carolyn Orf of KHM Travel as a co-host! They will cover a ton of helpful topics, including the following: 1. My friend and I are interested in launching an agency together. We each bring slightly different skill sets to the table and have already worked together and been students together (and have been close for decades). When evaluating host agencies we see that only Travel Quest / WorldVia host agency seems to have a membership option geared towards a two person ...
Sep 06, 2024•32 min•Season 2Ep. 172
In episode 171 Steph co-hosts with Chad Burt of Outside Agents. Here’s the questions that they’ll cover: 1. Which host agency has the most organized training and accessible people if there are questions? –Joanne A. 2. Hi! I decided I can practice doing property inspection locally. I printed out your questionnaire and intended to go through it. I asked for a manager’s name and said I want a tour. Is it a good idea for me to do it at the point where I am at right now? Maybe I should just chill? Sh...
Aug 30, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 171
In episode 170 Steph cohosts with April Swales of Uniglobe Travel! They will tackle these questions, all provided by one curious listener this week! Thank you so much for all the wonderful resources on your website! If you don’t mind me asking you for advice.. So I figured that I would be better off signing up with the Host Agency… I applied with 2 different ones and I'm gonna look into more. I can already see some obvious differences. Was wondering… 1. Should I be worried if the company says, “...
Aug 23, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 170
In episode 169 Steph cohosts with Jenn Lee in her brand-new role at Vacation Planners! They will tackle some great questions, so please join us! 1. Hello, I would like to know about the host agency called MAGICAL VACATION PLANNER https://www.magicalvacationplanner.com/ . I cannot find the reviews about this host agency on your list. Please help.Thank you ---Rajan M. 2. I understand some suppliers don't pay the host until after the travel date, but I've found some suppliers like FareBuzz, Celebri...
Aug 16, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 169
In episode 168 Steph cohosts with Kendra from Travel Edge. They’ve got some excellent questions to cover this week, everything from CRMs to autism to non-profits. Tune in! 1. Can you provide any insight about ClientBase? My agency uses it as the CRM and the record for commission, and I hate it. IMO, it is antiquated and clunky and is the worst part of my job. Dramatic, I know. But the web-based version I have wastes my time and it's very unhelpful to me. It's all about getting paid by the host a...
Aug 09, 2024•24 min•Season 2Ep. 168
In episode 167 Steph hosts the Friday 15, all about Disney and seller of travel. Chad Burt of Outside Agents also pops in! 1. I am a new agent as of early spring 2024, so I am just getting my business known out into my community. I do live on a relatively small island in the PNW so I am excited to help facilitate tropical winter trips for the people who live here year round. I just signed on with the Chamber of Commerce so I am looking forward to getting more exposure in my community. Though I a...
Aug 02, 2024•19 min•Season 2Ep. 167
In episode 166 Steph is co-hosting with Chad Burt of Outside Agents. Here are the questions they’ll tackle together this week! 1. I'm currently doing The Travel Institute’s TripKit course. Should I complete the CTA course before I start contacting host agencies? Also, what CTA course do you recommend (The Travel Institute, ASTA, etc…) ---Anonymous 2. I'm interested in learning more about utilizing press releases for attendance of industry events and/or FAMS. How would you recommend doing that? -...
Jul 26, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 166
****** Transcript + Show Notes: https://har.news/vol30 ****** Special thanks to today’s sponsors: Travel Edge and Uniglobe Travel Center Today’s guest got her start in the industry with the inside sales team at Travel Impressions. After a reorg, Veranda Adkins decided to start her own agency, Travel Legacy. She gave herself 6 months to see if she could make things work. She’s yet to look back. Having been in the shoes of a supplier, Veranda tells us how advisors—even those just started out—can s...
Jul 22, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In episode 165 Steph is co-hosting David Meihoefer of Travel Planners International. Here’s a taste of the questions they’ll cover! 1. Hello, as a founding partner of an IATA accredited travel agency with plans to move to the United States by the end of the summer to operate from home, will I still have to go through all the stages of ARC-IATAN? Could HAR provide me with end-to-end support in this regard considering your 7 day agency setup program? Thanks & Regards. —Roland Y. 2. Before I st...
Jul 19, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 165
In episode 164 Steph is co-hosting again with Lindsay Taylor of Travel Leaders 365. Have a look at the questions below that they cover in this rich and informative edition of the Friday 15! Submit your questions + sign up for e-reminders for the upcoming F15 questions! QUESTIONS 1. Hi Steph. I worked as a Travel Manager at my previous company, however, it was a created position and I used a combination of Concur, Expedia, Hotels.com, National Car rental and all the other sites. I loved this posi...
Jul 12, 2024•23 min•Season 2Ep. 164
In episode 163 Steph is co-hosting with Lindsay Taylor of Travel Leaders 365, If you have a question for Steph and her co-hosts, please submit it here for a future episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 ! 1. I work as an independent contractor so I already have an LLC for non travel related business. I was wondering if I could just add a "second" DBA and use the same LLC to start the travel business but continue to work on my full time job as another name. So basically 2 DBAs under one ...
Jul 05, 2024•18 min•Season 2Ep. 163
In episode 162 Steph Lee is joined by Chad Burt of Outside Agents. We’ve got some great questions from you all. Speaking of – if you have a question for Steph and her co-hosts, please submit it here for a future episode: https://hostagencyreviews.com/friday15 ! 1. Do the airlines still give commissions on flights? If not, what is the benefit of an $2300 ARC #? —Anonymous 2. Hello! I have a quick question about workflows. If you have a travel services agreement, is it better to have clients sign ...
Jun 28, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 162
In episode 161 Steph is co-hosting with Lori Speers of Levarte Travel! We’ve got some great questions, so make sure you set aside the time to tune in this week! (Also, ICYMI, all of our podcasts are archived, so you can listen at your leisure!) QUESTIONS : 1. I recently joined a host agency (exactly 1 month ago) and I do a ton of research but somehow I feel more lost every day. I feel a little overwhelmed with so much information and access out there that my brain is freezing. I don't know where...
Jun 21, 2024•28 min•Season 2Ep. 161
In episode 160 Steph is co-hosting with April Swales of Uniglobe! Please join us as this dynamic duo tackles a couple of important questions! QUESTIONS : 1. I was wondering if I could pick your brain a little about the current status of the industry, the possibilities of finding someone interested in buying an agency, and what makes a travel agency attractive for a potential buyer. My mother isn't ready to stop working as an agent and loves helping her clients but I could see it being a good exi...
Jun 14, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 160
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Jun 07, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 159
In episode 158 Steph is flying solo! We’ve got some great questions and requests from our audience this week, so have a listen! QUESTION : 1. Not a question but a request... PLEASE discuss agent etiquette on FAMs. From the unwritten rules of don't sit on the bed or use a toilet to the obvious ones of show up on time, don't solicit guests, etc. There seems to be a lack of awareness and understanding lately. —Becky S. 2. What are the benefits of the GDS? —Anonymous 3. I saw ASTA had a conference t...
May 31, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 158
Welcome to Friday 15! For today's Friday 15 throwback, we are re-streaming Vol. 92 from Feb. 2023, where Steph chatted about acquiring a GDS system without a host, attending FAM trips through other host/consortiums, using a payment system without using a host, and do you need to be certified to work with a host. Helpful Resources: ( Use code HAR149 to save 50% ) ( More on IATA/ARC ) ( Global Business Travel Association ) https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agent-fam-trip ( HAR’s event cale...
May 24, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 157
