June 30, 2022
It was February, 2022, and I was frustrated with my then Host Agency (HA). 

I joined that particular HA as a brand-new, hot-off-the-showroom-floor, certified Independent Travel Agent (IA). I was old to the travel business, but a new IA with my LLC. I didn’t have much money, so the $19/mo. (now$21) fee was attractive, but even MORE attractive was the 80-20 commission split, unheard of at other HA’s. This was, by far, the best draw of all! I did want a user-friendly Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, and I especially wanted customers! I didn’t realize it then, but what I really needed was a reliable support system. 

My experience in choosing my first HA was in learning that specifics matter. I was general in my wants, and got exactly that. Every review in HAR has a “Program Details” section, and one of those details is ‘Lead Program’, indicating if that HA provides Leads or not.  I casually dismissed the fact that my HA choice did not offer Leads, because I intended on building my business by recruiting my family and friends. It also wouldn’t hurt to post on FB that I was now a IA, then maybe pass out a few business cards. I did not need Leads because every one I knew was now miraculously ready to travel, and would immediately become my customer! 

There were three. Three people. What I didn’t count on is that no one had immediate plans to travel. An 80% commission on nothing, is nothing. Avoya Leads do not pay 80% commission because they are Avoya customers, but these are actual Leads, not names off some outdated mailing list. They are vetted and real, and allow a new Avoya IA to earn income they would not have earned on their own. An IA is able to generate some income as they are building their own customer base at 80-20! 

I learned that ‘advanced’ CRM, but that does NOT necessarily mean user-friendly. That system was not intuitive. There were multiple pages to navigate for simple information, and entering info was quite time-consuming. On the other hand, Avoya’s CRM is quite intuitive. It is almost as if IA’s had a hand it it’s design. One of my favorite features is the tie-in with Outlook Office 365. Every e-mail between you and PAX is auto-saved in the record. There is also a ‘Conversation’ feature that allows you to chat with your PAX. Those chats are then a matter of record. Everything is documented.

When I chose Avoya, I had no idea what an ‘available’ support system looked like. I did learn that ‘reliable’ support does not mean expeditious, nor does it necessarily mean availability when you need it. Support is needed after 5pm, and on Saturday! There were those times, during 9-5, that I would receive an answer in a reasonable amount of time, but there were way too many times I would have to wait hours, or even a couple days to receive a reply for a problem in which I needed immediate help.    

Enter Avoya. In this industry, you are only as good as your access to correct information. Every IA is 100% dependent on access to the right suppliers, but we also depend heavily on a strong support system. Avoya has a very extensive, and easy to access Knowledge Base, but when additional support is needed, no support staff comes close to those at Avoya. They are always available, and they always respond. I have submitted a slew of Support Requests, and by far, the vast majority are answered within 10 minutes. This level of support is a crucial underpinning of every IA. You can be confident that Avoya support will not leave you floundering, or left in the cold. I did not know this level of support existed. 

If you are searching for your first HA, or are switching to a new one, please take time to review what Avoya has to offer. A user-friendly CRM and a solid support staff are crucial ingredients for an IA at any level, and when you add in Avoya’s access to all the top travel suppliers, you have the best recipe for the success!

John Walker

joan Zahn

Experience: 1-5 years
Sales:
Status: Currently with company

Avoya has been my host agency for 3 years. Having Avoya as my host agency has allowed me to grow my business with their live leads program. You can also incorporate your own personal clients. Avoya's innovative technology and commitment to education for their Independent Agencies is top notch to helping you grow your business. I highly recommend Avoya as your host agency.

Stephanie Rinehart

Experience: > 11 years
Sales: $150k-$499k
Status: Currently with company

“Avoya is the only host ageny that I know of that give you live leads plsu allows you to bring your own. Their support in all departments is wonderful. Plus their networking makes is great so you don't seem like you are really working from home by yourself!. I have been with Avoya for 15 years and I would not consider anyone else!

Cyd Clifford

Experience: > 11 years
Sales:
Status: Currently with company

Avoya's technology, marketing, and dedication to customer service is based on its place as an industry leader. Avoya is innovative and dedicated to excellence. As an IA with Avoya, I continue to be struck by how successful this organization is using honesty, integrity and dependability as a basis for their business model. Everyone wins with Avoya.

Pauline Jennings

Experience: > 11 years
Sales: $150k-$499k
Status: Currently with company

Avoya Travel is My Host Agency. The most important reason for a 10 score is great people, great training, great support , great marketing department , great leadership and lots of live Leads.” I am very please with my host family.
Thank you. Avoya Travel has given me access to travel resources and tools
to share with my clients, right at my finger tips. Avoya Travel is added value to agents.

Kenya Wynn

Experience: 1-5 years
Sales: $150k-$499k
Status: Currently with company

I started as a new Independent agent with Avoya Travel at the very beginning of the pandemic and it probably was the worst time to start. However, because of Avoya and their on going professional development I have starting building a business I am so very proud of. It takes a lot of work to sell travel on any given day but to do it during a pandemic and to always have that positive motivation behind me was great. I made lemonade out of my lemons and I have sold over $300,000 in travel over the last year. Their Live Leads program does work! The professional development does work! Thanks so much to Avoya for being such a great Host Agency. I have now expanded my business from just me to a team of 4.

Anonymous Reviewer

The support Avoya gives us that doesn't even have to do with Live Leads. Live Leads are great, but it's all the rest of what Avoya does to try to help us succeed in our business that makes it easier to take the live leads. All of the events and the way you pivoted to make them online during the last 18 months, the educational opportunities you provide, the good and bad news, the mentors, the trainers, the suggestions and the additions of new opportunities. Everything you do as a company makes me, as an Independent Member of the Network, feel like family and feel like you really do care. Thank you so much for all you do and provide!

Jan Bernel

Experience: > 11 years
Sales: $150k-$499k
Status: Currently with company

I have been in the travel industry for over 20 years and have been affiliated with several host agencies. Avoya Travel offers the most comprehensive professional development available along with the most amazing support staff in the industry. The Mastermind Team is there to support you and help you grown your business

Anonymous Reviewer

The education platform and Agent Power systems prove that Avoya helps make your business successful.

Carol Applebee

Experience: 6-10 years
Sales: $500k-$999k
Status: Currently with company

The very best decision I have made for my travel career of over 45 years.
Avoya is owned by a family who applies outstanding professional ethics in all aspects of the company. Tremendous software to provide support. During Covid pandemic the management team led the way for us to come out stronger.

Sharon Sheriff-White

Experience: > 11 years
Sales: $150k-$499k
Status: Currently with company

We would LOVE for you to share your feedback with the world as it may help others who are evaluating which Host would be best for their Independent Agency. If you would you be so kind as to take a few moments leave feedback on two of our Host Websites, it would be much appreciated. To make it easier for you, I’ve included your feedback here: “Avoya is like having a big brother in your corner. Always there, looking out for you. Big brothers roles change as you grow so now it's possible to do more without too much interaction but it's good knowing that they are no more than a click away.”