BECOME A TRAVEL AGENT!
Receive 75% off the regular rate when you sign up during our Black Friday sale!
NOVEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 5, 2025
Why Partner With a Host Agency to Start Your Travel Business?
- LIBRARY OF ON-DEMAND EXCLUSIVE WEBINARS LED BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS. NEW WEBINARS ADDED WEEKLY.
- SELF-PACED BUSINESS BASICS TRAINING DESIGNED FOR NEW TRAVEL AGENTS
- PREFERRED SUPPLIER QUICK START GUIDES
- ACCESS TO ON-DEMAND, SELF-PACED SUPPLIER TRAINING
- TOP AGENTS MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR SEMINARS AT SEA AND FAMILIARIZATION "FAM" TRIPS
- CUSTOMIZABLE MARKETING TEMPLATES TO FIT YOUR BRAND
- SOCIAL MEDIA GRAPHICS, CAPTIONS, AND PROMO CONTENT
- EXCLUSIVE PROMOTIONS AND SUPPLIER MARKETING MATERIALS
- PUBLIC PROFILE TO SHARE WITH CLIENTS
- IV AGENTHQ: YOUR CENTRAL HUB FOR COMMISSION TRACKING AND TRAVEL AGENT TOOLS.
- INTERACTIVE TRAVEL AGENT GUIDES
- QUICK ACCESS TO BOOKING PORTALS AND SUPPLIER LINKS
- IV AGENT CONNECT: OUR CUSTOM CLIENT RELATIONSHIP MANAGER (CRM)
- ONE-ON-ONE HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT
- DEDICATED FACEBOOK GROUP FOR AGENT COLLABORATION
- BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT
- DEDICATED AGENT SUPPORT DESK: PHONE AND EMAIL SUPPORT FROM REAL PEOPLE WHO KNOW YOUR NAME
- PREFERRED SUPPLIER NETWORK WITH COMPETITIVE COMMISSIONS
- MEMBER OF THE TRAVEL LEADERS NETWORK CONSORTIUM (NOTE TO BRANDI: ADD BENEFITS HERE)
- ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE OFFERS AND TRAVEL AGENT PERKS
- STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH TRUSTED BRANDS AND BDMs
- OPPORTUNITIES TO NETWORK AT LIVE EVENTS ACROSS THE U.S.
What is a travel host agency?
A travel host agency is a full-service, licensed and bonded travel agency that allows independent travel agents to operate under its accreditation.
Think of a host agency as the backbone of your travel business. Instead of spending thousands of dollars and months of effort trying to start a travel agency on your own, you get to plug into an established, licensed travel agency that already has the relationships, systems, and support in place. Partnering with a host agency is not only far more affordable, it also saves you the headaches of complicated licensing and overhead.
That means:
- Start booking right away under our accreditation.
- Access to our preferred supplier relationships and higher commission rates.
- Access to training, tools, and ongoing support so you don’t have to figure it all out alone.
How Travel Agents
Make Money
Sample Itinerary: Your Client Wants To Go On a 4-Night Vacation to Cancun, Mexico
Click the example itinerary pages and look for the “$” symbols to see how you could make money booking this amazing Cancun vacation.
Choose a Day to Learn How Travel Agents Make Money Booking Vacations
- The client takes a bulk fare flight to Cancun, Mexico
- Some vendors allow you to make a small commission on bulk airline fares.
- The clients booked an All-Inclusive Resort through one of our preferred package suppliers. Because the agent is under a host agency, she made a higher commission on the hotel portion of the package.
- Instead of navigating ride shares or long shuttle lines at the airport, the agent booked private roundtrip transportation through a trusted supplier. The agent made a commission on the transfer service, too!
- The clients spent the day enjoying the all-inclusive amenities at their resort.
- Because the resort was booked through a preferred supplier, the agent earned a higher commission on the package, which includes meals, drinks, entertainment, and more.
- Agents can also earn on extras like room upgrades, spa treatments, or excursions made in advance.
- The agent booked a full-day experience at Xcaret Park, including roundtrip transportation, admission, and lunch.
- Because the agent is under a host agency, they have access to a wide range of excursion partners, and they can offer trusted options that fit their client’s vacation vibe and budget requirements.
- Booking these types of excursions can bring in some of the best commissions, especially when you’re working with groups. From family reunions to destination weddings, one great activity can multiply your earnings by hundreds of dollars!
- The Isla Mujeres Catamaran Tour with lunch and an open bar was pre-booked by the agent as part of the client’s special birthday celebration.
- The agent earned commission on this activity, not just from her client, but also from the client’s friends who used her private excursion link to book the same tour on their own, with no extra work required from the agent.
- To make the day even more memorable, the agent arranged a surprise bottle of champagne and a birthday shout-out on board. While these extras aren’t always commissionable, going the extra mile builds loyalty and keeps clients coming back and sending referrals!
- The agent booked a private transfer to the airport, but bad weather caused a flight cancellation.
- Thankfully, the agent had already recommended trip insurance, which covered trip interruption. The client called, and the agent quickly arranged a nearby hotel and new transfers.
- The agent earned commission on the insurance and rebooking and proved their value when it mattered most to their client.
- The trip didn’t end as planned, but thanks to their agent, it still ended on a high note!
The More You Book, The More You Earn
We believe in rewarding success. New and inexperienced agents start at our entry-level commission tier, and as your earnings grow, so does your commission rate. If you’re already booking at a high level, let us know. Experienced agents may qualify for a higher split based on proven sales history. We commission match on a case-by-case basis. References or documentation may be required during the review process.
Commission tiers are based on the amount of commission you earn.
Commission Calculator
Type in the sample trip cost and commission rate, then adjust the slider to calculate your share.
Trip Commission Breakdown
Commission Breakdown
Transparent Pricing. Simple start-up.
For a limited time, you can join for 75% off the regular rate when you sign up during our Black Friday Sale. That’s less than $75 to start your travel business!
After your first year, renewal is just $72 per year, and many agents make that back with a single booking.
No monthly fees. No hidden fees, ever!
Simply enter the code “BLACKFRIDAY75″ in the “Who Referred You” box on the registration page to receive your discount.
Limited Time Only!
Sale ends December 5th.
Join the Exciting World of Travel!
Become an Independent Travel Agent!
Step One:
Click the button below to
begin your registration
Step two
Complete and return your
documentation as soon as
you receive your welcome
letter from Agent Support.
Step three
Our welcome guide will help
you begin training to be a
travel agent.
Step four
Begin building your
business and earning
unlimited income.
See why our agents love being part of international vacations, inc!
Here are the most Frequently Asked Questions about becoming an Independent Travel Agent
How do I become an independent travel agent with International Vacations, Inc.?
Becoming an independent travel agent with International Vacations, Inc. is simple! First, complete your registration by filling out the online form. Once your registration is submitted, you will be emailed a Welcome Guide with everything you need to get started, including the payment link and instructions for submitting your required documents.
As part of the onboarding process, you’ll need to:
✅ Submit your payment
✅ Sign the required Independent Contractor Agreement
✅ Provide a W-9 and government-issued ID
Once these steps are completed, you’ll gain access to IV AgentHQ, where you’ll find
the tools and resources to start booking travel and building your business!
Do I need experience to become a travel agent?
No prior experience is required! Our program is designed for both beginners and
experienced agents. You’ll have access to supplier training, marketing tools, and
support to help you confidently start and grow your travel business.
How much can I earn as a travel agent?
Earnings vary based on sales volume, commission rates, and the effort you put into
your business. As an independent travel agent, you earn commission on eligible
bookings made through approved supplier channels. To maximize your earnings,
it’s important to use our preferred suppliers and designated booking platforms (for
example, bookings made through ExpediaTAAP earn commission, while those made
on Expedia’s consumer site do not).
Some agents treat this as a side income, while others build a full-time business. With
the right approach, supplier relationships, and strategic bookings, you can
significantly increase your earning potential.
What kind of training and support do you offer?
Do I have to book through specific suppliers?
We strongly encourage agents to book through our preferred suppliers, as they
offer better commission rates, exclusive perks for clients, and additional support. While you have flexibility in choosing where to book based on client needs, it’s important to use approved supplier channels to ensure you receive commission.
For example, booking through ExpediaTAAP will earn commission, whereas
booking through Expedia’s consumer site will not. Agents should always verify that
they are using a commissionable booking platform before completing a reservation.
If you want to use a supplier that is not on our recommended list, please contact our Agent Support Desk first and we will be happy to review your request.
How do I find clients?
Building a client base is one of the most important aspects of being a successful
travel agent. Many new agents start by booking travel for friends and family, but as
they gain experience, they can expand their network through referrals, social media,
and targeted marketing.
What are the costs involved in becoming a travel agent?
Getting started as an independent travel agent with us is simple! Our Independent
Travel Agent Program has a one-time sign-up fee and a small annual renewal,
giving you access to everything you need to launch and grow your travel business.
There are no surprise fee, just a straightforward way to start selling travel and
earning commissions!
Do travel agents get discounts on their own travel?
Travel agents often have access to exclusive industry rates, special offers, and FAM
(familiarization) trips designed to help them experience destinations firsthand. While
these perks can be a great benefit, they are not guaranteed and vary by supplier.
Some of these benefits become available after reaching a certain level of bookings,
while others may require the completion of specific supplier training programs. The
primary role of a travel agent is to book travel for clients and earn commissions, but
taking advantage of agent-only travel opportunities can help agents gain valuable
firsthand knowledge.
Meet a Few of Our Trusted Partners
All travel is administered and provided by International Vacations, Inc. and is a registered seller of travel in each of the states listed below: California Registered Seller of Travel ID #CST 2076446-40; Florida Registered Seller of Travel FLA ST36342 Registration as a seller of travel in California does not constitute the state’s approval.
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