Annual Tiered Commission Structure

Tiers are based on total annual booked sales volume per calendar year (January 1 – December 31). Tier upgrades apply immediately once the threshold is reached and reset annually.

Annual Booked Sales Volume Agent Split Host Split (You Choose Travels) $0 – $49,999 70% 30% $50,000 – $99,999 75% 25% $100,000 – $249,999 85% 15% $250,000+ 90% 10%

 

How It Works in Plain Terms

• ✅ Immediate upgrade:
  As soon as an agent hits a higher tier threshold, the new split applies to all future commissions for the rest of that year.

• 🔄 Annual reset:
  On January 1, all agents reset to the base tier  regardless of when they upgraded during the prior year.

 

 

Hello Future Agent!
Please take a moment to review our Independent Agent Agreement below before getting started. This overview is provided to help you understand our program, expectations, and commission structure prior to enrollment.

Independent Travel Agent Agreement

 

• 📝 Step 1: Submit your subscription payment below.
• 📄 Step 2: Receive and sign your contract within 3 days.
• 💳 Step 3: Complete the verification process.
• ✅ Step 4: Receive onboarding materials
• 🚀 Step 5: Get started!

Independent contract travel agents (ICTAs)—often called independent travel agents, travel advisors, or home-based travel agents—typically earn money in several key ways. Because they work as independent contractors rather than employees, their income is usually commission-based with optional service fees.

1. Commissions from Travel Suppliers (Main Income Source)

Travel agents earn a percentage of the total booking cost when they sell:

• Flights

• Hotels & resorts

• Cruises

• Vacation packages

• Tours & excursions

• Travel insurance

• Car rentals

Typical commission ranges:

• Hotels: 10–20%

• Cruises: 12–18% (sometimes higher for luxury lines)

• Tours/vacation packages: 10–20%

• Travel insurance: 20–40%

• Car rentals: 5–10%

• Flights: Usually very small (0–5%) unless packaged

For independent agents part of a host agency, these commissions are often split (e.g., 70/30, 80/20, 90/10, or even 100% in some membership plans).

---

2. Service Fees Charged to Clients

Many ICTAs charge professional service fees for:

• Trip planning (e.g., $50–$300+ depending on complexity)

• Airline ticketing fees ($25–$50 per ticket)

• Research fees

• Change/cancellation assistance

• Custom itinerary creation

Service fees are 100% kept by the agent.

---

3. Markups

Some agents add a small markup to:

• Custom tours

• Group travel packages

• FIT (foreign independent travel) itineraries

Example: An agent creates a custom Italy tour costing $3,000 wholesale and sells it for $3,300 → keeps the $300 markup.

---

4. Overrides & Bonuses (For High Producers)

Agents (typically through their host agency) may receive:

• Bonus commissions for high sales volume

• Marketing credit

• Cash incentives from suppliers

• Free or discounted travel (FAM trips)

---

5. Selling Add-Ons

Extra products that boost earnings:

• Airport transfers

• Pre/post cruise hotel nights

• Travel insurance (a big profit center)

• Upgrades or premium experiences

---

6. Hosting Sub-Agents (Advanced)

Experienced agents can:

• Build teams

• Recruit sub-agents

• Earn an override or split from their agents' bookings

This is similar to building a small travel business under the host agency’s umbrella.

---

Example Income Scenario

If an agent books a $5,000 cruise at 16% commission:

• Total commission: $800

• If on a 80/20 split with a host agency:

  • Agent keeps $640

  • Host keeps $160

If the agent also charged a $50 planning fee, they keep the full $50.