Question 1

What are the benefits of being a franchise over partnering with a host agency?

Accepted Answer

Hi Tamara- Great question! 

Perhaps the most notable difference between a host and franchise is in the support and resources available to you. At a franchise like Cruise Planners you will receive comprehensive in-person training and have access to hundreds of hours of online training courses. You will also have a dedicated business development coach who helps you establish and grow your business. A franchise like Cruise Planners also provides you access to proprietary technology developed by an in-house technology team including a custom CRM system, an email automation platform, personalized websites, and agent and client mobile apps. You will also get world-class marketing support from an in-house marketing team. This includes beautifully designed direct mail pieces, weekly emails to your clients, social media support, print on-demand services, and data segmentation to better target customers.  

With many hosts, the tools and support will be limited and far less sophisticated. In many cases, you may have to provide these resources on your own, which can quickly get costly. 

With a franchise, you are tapping into an established brand with a proven model for success. Franchises like Cruise Planners have spent decades developing and refining process and tools to help travel advisors grow thriving businesses.

You can learn more about the differences between hosts and franchises here: https://hubs.ly/H0tpL1s0

Question 2

What are the benefits of being a franchise over partnering with a host agency?

Accepted Answer

Hi Tamara- Great question! 

Perhaps the most notable difference between a host and franchise is in the support and resources available to you. At a franchise like Cruise Planners you will receive comprehensive in-person training and have access to hundreds of hours of online training courses. You will also have a dedicated business development coach who helps you establish and grow your business. A franchise like Cruise Planners also provides you access to proprietary technology developed by an in-house technology team including a custom CRM system, an email automation platform, personalized websites, and agent and client mobile apps. You will also get world-class marketing support from an in-house marketing team. This includes beautifully designed direct mail pieces, weekly emails to your clients, social media support, print on-demand services, and data segmentation to better target customers.  

With many hosts, the tools and support will be limited and far less sophisticated. In many cases, you may have to provide these resources on your own, which can quickly get costly. 

With a franchise, you are tapping into an established brand with a proven model for success. Franchises like Cruise Planners have spent decades developing and refining process and tools to help travel advisors grow thriving businesses.

You can learn more about the differences between hosts and franchises here: https://hubs.ly/H0tpL1s0

Question 3

What can Cruise Planners do for me that a host agency wouldn't be able to?

Accepted Answer

Hi Clint, 

With Cruise Planners you are tapping into an established brand with a proven model for success. We have spent decades developing and refining process and tools to help travel advisors grow thriving businesses.

Our American Express Travel Affiliation will bring you instant recognition and credibility that other hosts can’t provide. 

Perhaps the most notable difference between Cruise Planners and a traditional host is in the support and resources available to you. At Cruise Planners you will receive comprehensive in-person training and have access to hundreds of hours of online training courses. You will also have a dedicated business development coach who helps you establish and grow your business. Cruise Planners also provides you access to proprietary technology developed by an in-house technology team including a custom CRM system, an email automation platform, personalized websites, and agent and client mobile apps. You will also get world-class marketing support from an in-house marketing team. This includes beautifully designed direct mail pieces, weekly emails to your clients, social media support, print on-demand services, and data segmentation to better target customers.  

With many hosts, the tools, support, and training will be limited and far less sophisticated. In many cases, you may have to provide these resources on your own, which can quickly get costly. 

In addition to all the tools and resources, Cruise Planners also has access to exclusive Home Office group rates as well as group rates through American Express that give you a competitive advantage and equates to more options and greater savings for your client. 

Because of Cruise Planners size and reputation, our advisors receive the highest commissions in the industry.

You can learn more about the differences between hosts and franchises here: https://hubs.ly/H0tpL1s0

Question 4

What makes a franchise better for someone new to travel SELLING (I have 35+ years of travel industry experience) than going with a host agency?

Accepted Answer

Hi Clint

With a franchise, you are tapping into an established brand with a proven model for success. Franchises like Cruise Planners have spent decades developing and refining process and tools to help travel advisors sell more and grow thriving businesses.

Perhaps the most notable difference between a host and franchise is in the support and resources available to you, all of which are designed to drive sales. At a franchise like Cruise Planners you will receive comprehensive in-person training and have access to hundreds of hours of online training courses. You will also have a dedicated business development coach who helps you establish and grow your business, including coaching you on sales tactics and growing your database. A franchise like Cruise Planners also provides you access to proprietary technology developed by an in-house technology team including a custom CRM system, an email automation platform, personalized websites, and agent and client mobile apps. You will also get world-class marketing support from an in-house marketing team. This includes beautifully designed direct mail pieces, weekly emails to your clients, social media support, print on-demand services, and data segmentation to better target customers.  

With many hosts, the tools, support and training will be limited and far less sophisticated. In many cases, you may have to provide these resources on your own, which can quickly get costly. 

You can learn more about the differences between hosts and franchises here: https://hubs.ly/H0tpL1s0

Question 5

What are the  differences in an agent booking through Cruise Planners than directly with the Cruise Line?

Accepted Answer

Hi Sonja- There are several differences between booking with a Cruise Planners travel advisor versus going direct that are beneficial to both the customer and the agent. The first is a Cruise Planners travel advisor will provide expert advice and tailor an itinerary to individual needs. This can be difficult by simply booking direct. Cruise Planners also has access to exclusive Home Office group rates as well as group rates through American Express that cannot be found by booking direct. This gives advisors a competitive advantage and equates to more options and greater savings for your client. 

You never anticipate something will going to go wrong, but if it does, travelers who booked with a Cruise Planners travel advisor have direct access to someone who can help them. A Cruise Planners advisor will work hard to help their client and protect their travel investment. This isn’t the case when booking direct.

Finally, because of Cruise Planners size and reputation, our advisors receive the highest commissions in the industry. As an agent, if you simply booked direct, you would not have access to these same commissions.

Question 6

I've learned that cruise planners' commission structure is different from the standard percentage model.  I'd love to learn more about this.

Accepted Answer

Hi Ria, 
Cruise Planners uses a royalty model. As a Cruise Planners advisor, you will earn a commission on the trips you sell and pay Cruise Planners a small 3% royalty on your gross commissionable sales. We also have a sales incentive rebate program. When you hit certain sales thresholds, your royalty will decrease, so the more you sell, the less you pay.

Question 7

What requirements are there to qualify for the "Seasoned Travel Advisor" discount?

Accepted Answer

We welcome the opportunity to talk with you about this, but most established travel advisors who have a book of business can qualify. Our records indicate that you are already in touch with our Franchise Development Manager – we look forward to welcoming you onboard.

Question 8

If you switch from being under a host agency to this model, what happens to your LLC/business name? Can you be (Business Name) at Cruise Planners?

Accepted Answer

Some existing travel advisors may be hesitant at first to lose any brand equity they have created with their legacy LLC/business name, however they quickly see the added value that Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative provides. To further clarify, since we are a franchise, all franchisees need to market themselves as Cruise Planners travel advisors. This is a consistent voice, and adds instant credibility.

Question 9

If you switch from being under a host agency to this model, what happens to your LLC/business name? Can you be (Business Name) at Cruise Planners?

Accepted Answer

Some existing travel advisors may be hesitant at first to lose any brand equity they have created with their legacy LLC/business name, however they quickly see the added value that Cruise Planners, an American Express Travel Representative provides. To further clarify, since we are a franchise, all franchisees need to market themselves as Cruise Planners travel advisors. This is a consistent voice, and adds instant credibility.

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