I joined Dugan's Travel in July of 2021 with no travel agent experience under my belt. I had discovered the joy of traveling only a few years before, and I was looking for a way to travel more and supplement my upcoming retirement income. I decided to give it a year's trial to see if I liked it and could make any money doing it.
Dugan's agency was more than willing to take on a newbie and provided a multitude of training opportunities. If I've had questions on procedures or suppliers or just needed suggestions for great travel ideas for clients, I've always gotten feedback from the leadership team or from other agents in the Dugan's family via the Facebook page. I've never been left hanging on my own.
I live in a small Midwestern town so I don't have a vast population to pull from for travel
clients, but with the variety of training I've taken advantage of, I have been in the top 25 selling agents in 2022. I so enjoy the work I'm doing, now as a full-time agent since my recent retirement. I'm so thankful I took a chance to reach out to Dugan's Travel to ask how I could become a travel agent with their organization. I would encourage anyone looking for a host agency that truly cares you as an individual to contact them, as well.
I have been disappointed in the leadership of my host agency, Dugans Travels, specifically email correspondences to me from Agency owner-Jennifer Dugan. It is common to get short, curt email responses from Jennifer in asking questions of our help desk. But most recently this week I was highly surprised by Jennifer’s assumption and suggestion that I take a 1-year leave of absence in reaction to simply asking the question if there was a way to receive just mandatory emails from Dugan’s vs the several times daily optional training emails. I was not stating I refused to receive the emails from Dugan’s Travels, if that was my only choice. No joke, we independent agents receive 2-5 various daily emails from Dugan’s + the numerous emails we receive weekly from suppliers. It’s a lot as a new agent trying to just get the clients to survive and make decent money as a travel agent, and for me more specifically I’m handling a very difficult, recent death in my family, care of an incapacitated family member and intense various legal trust challenges from a family member. Which Jennifer seems to know I’m dealing with yet still suggested a full 12 month leave of absence vs asking me if that’s what I want, or calling me to discuss, or anything that would have been better than a blunt 1 sentence suggestion I take a one-year leave of absence. Her statement without consideration how it would be received. It was very distressing and sad to me. I felt so abandoned I cancelled my vacation plans to join Jennifer, staff and Dugan’s agents on a FAM Cruise I had planned months to attend and was to start in just 7 days from Jennifer’s email.
It was very obviously to me I was not an agent someone Jennifer cared enough about to pick up the phone to talk to me, nor ask me any questions of what specifically might be going on in my life hindering my ability to receive so many daily emails, nor a suggestion that we discuss things when we meet up on the cruise the following week. I simply asked if it was possible to receive less optional emails from Dugan’s. I have struggled, as many new Part Time and FT agents due in gaining and retaining new clients, especially in the first year. I have followed the couple general direction ideas from Dugan’s in pursuing and marketing to possible new clients. But I’ve not found any efficient training, live, hands on mentoring training that works or groups of new agents, 1 year or less, that meet regularly online with staff to brainstorm ideas in specifically how to effectively gain new clients as a Dugan agent. For those of you considering coming to Dugan’s as a new agent I thought you deserved understanding some of what I have experienced as a new independent agent with Dugan’s. I’m sad what the future holds with Dugan’s Travels for me.
We are sorry to hear about the recent dissatisfaction expressed in this review. At Dugan's Travels, we genuinely strive to provide the best support to all our agents, especially those who are facing personal challenges.
We understand that this agent has been dealing with significant personal challenges over the past year, including caregiving responsibilities and a recent loss in the family. We made multiple efforts to support this agent, including offering three one-on-one Zoom calls, inviting them to our new agent Zoom meetings, and placing them in our mentorship program. Additionally, we offered a one-year leave of absence to provide the agent with time off without losing their status with the agency. Unfortunately, the agent took offense to this offer and began posting these reviews.
It's important to clarify that our agents are independent contractors, not employees. The agent's contract was up for renewal, and after reviewing the recent online reviews posted on multiple platforms, we made the decision not to renew the contract. This decision was based on the fact that concerns were not brought directly to us but were instead posted publicly online. In doing so, it was clear the goal was not to find resolution.
We believe in maintaining a positive and collaborative environment for all our agents and staff. We are committed to addressing concerns directly and constructively to improve our services.
I joined Dugan's Travels on June 30, 2023, new to the travel industry but have enjoyed planning trips for friends and family. Being a beginner is not an issue at Dugan's. The entire team is here for you in every way. I went to DU in September '23 to learn everything I could, and it was amazing! The team is friendly and helpful, and the suppliers are very informative. Dugan's has a help desk for questions and excellent response times. CEO Jennifer goes above and beyond in her accessibility to agents, showing her value for their success. Dugan's offers numerous resources to learn and grow at your pace. I initially joined to make extra money in my passion for travel, and have done better than expected, making the top 25 one month and almost making it another. Dugan's offers so much to learn, including the Bootcamp, which I just finished yesterday. Every day, lightbulbs would go off thanks to the tools and tips they provided! Huge thanks to Jennifer, Christina, Melissa, Shari, Lisa, and the entire Dugan's leadership for the best experience in becoming a travel agent! I couldn't have chosen a better option than to join Dugan's Travel!
Francine-
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience with Dugan's Travels! We are thrilled to hear how much you've enjoyed your journey with us, starting as a beginner and rapidly growing into to a top performer!
It's fantastic to know that our training programs, like DU and the Bootcamp, have been so enlightening for you and that the tools and tips provided have truly made a difference. We are also delighted to see our team's support, especially Christina, Melissa, Shari, and Lisa, has helped foster your passion for travel into a successful career.
Your success story is inspiring and highlights the essence of what we aim to provide for all our travel agents. We're so glad you chose Dugan's and look forward to supporting your continued growth and achievements in the travel industry.
Thank you once again for your kind words and for being a valued part of our community. Here’s to many more milestones and successes together!
I love to travel which prompt me to become a part-time travel agent. I joined Dugan's Travels in October 2015 with no travel agent experience even though I love to travel. I searched a lot of Host Agencies before I decided to go with Dugan's Travels. Jennifer and all her staff have been wonderful. They provide all the agents opportunity, support, training including online training needed to be successful in the business. There are so many options for training both in person and online. They did a zoom training with me early this year when I built my goal, and for the first time I'm one of the five-star agents. Thanks, Dugan's Travels for all your support. Flora Oladapo.
A big congratulations to you, Flora! Making Five Star was your goal and you made it! We are so happy to have you with Dugan's!
Dugan's Travels has been a wonderful host agency. There are so many to choose from and yet I kept going back to Dugan's. I am so glad I made the decision to work with them. There is so much training and everyone has been so helpful along the way. I am so glad I chose them and feel great to be a part of this wonderful host family. Thank you, Dugan's Travels, for making my dreams of becoming a travel advisor a reality.
Kim-
You are doing WONDERFUL! We are so glad you came to Dugan's!
I joined Dugan's Travels in September 2023 after finally deciding to re-start my travel career. I had orginally joined back in the early days of Dugan's and decided to look them up to see what they were currently offering. My socks were blown off by what I read. The training is 2nd to none and the staff do everything in their power to make sure their agents are well trained and well informed. While it's up to me to build my business I know that the staff at Dugan's stands by my side to make sure that I can be as successful as I want to be. I'm looking forward to a long & rewarding relationship with them.
Tracy,
We are so excited to see what you do with this business! You have some great ideas and we think you are going to soar! So glad you joined us! (again)
I started with Dugan's after working briefly with a local agency to organize group cruises. Jennifer was SO patient with me as I emailed her with question after question before committing. I am SO GLAD I did! Not only did Dugan's offer training to help me get started as a home-based agent, but they have continued to upgrade and revise the training offered. The support has been phenomenal, and I really feel like Dugan's is family-oriented and supportive of their agents. Since I started in 2011, they have added an excellent CRM program, in-person and virtual training and support, and agency FAM trips. I really can't imagine working with another host agency as Dugan's has provided everything I need to be successful on my own terms. There is no pressure to meet specific sales quotas, service fees and insurance costs are low, and I retain a larger portion of my commission than most other agencies. Dugan's is simply the best.
Cindy-
Thank you so much for the kind and thoughtful review! We are so glad you are with us and I am so glad you are happy with all the upgrades and new offerings we have for agents! Here's to 2024!
I have been in the travel industry as an advisor since 1995. I was grateful to find Dugan’s Travels in 2013. I was drawn to the agency as Jennifer (the owner) was a busy mother wanting to work from home doing what she loved. That was me! I am still overwhelmed by the amazing resources, training, and the true “family” that the Dugan’s agency offers. I have not an ounce of anything negative to say about Dugan’s, only the utmost praise and gratitude for how they run their business, the leadership and support.
Dorothy,
We are so glad you have stayed with us for so long and I have a feeling this year is going to be your year! You got this!
I've been with Dugan's since 7/2021. I started with no experience but have never felt out of place. With their encouragement and training, I achieved 5 Star status for 2023 and should again in 2024. My goals of retiring, working from home and lots of travel have been reached with their amazing help.
Nancy-
I have been so impressed how you came into the agency and really went after it! We have loved getting to know you and know you are going to continue to hit Five Star year after year!
I joined Dugan's in Feb of 2012 with only personal travel experience. They have been great from the beginning and very supportive. They try very hard to keep all the agents up to date with new travel guidelines.. great offers.. etc.. and always providing training to help us be very successful. I have a full-time job and started this as a side business and this has become a whole lot more than a side job. I almost reached my million-dollar sales goal for this year!!! Excited to see what my sales will be when I can go full time after my retirement in just 3 short years!! Dugans's support and training has helped to make this happen Thank you Dugan's!! If you are looking for an agency, Dugan's is the goal mine of the industry! Thanks Dugan's!
Sherry-
You have risen to the highest of levels! It's amazing to me that you started just part time doing this so long ago and now look at where you are! Congratulations!
When I decided to make the leap into the travel industry as a professional, I contacted several well known host agencies that I had researched online. Several simply replied with a online application with a payment portal to pay the hosting fees, while Dugan's actually followed up with a phone call and several follow up discussions to answer all my questions (and I had quite a few!). That impressed me, knowing that I was not going to just be a number on a spreadsheet, but a member of the Dugan's Travel family.
During my onboarding and for the first several months, the help desk was so supportive, and I really appreciated all the online training available across all types of travel - rail, cruises destinations and hotel vendors, which allowed me to be more confident as I started my new business. Likewise, the opportunity to meet with fellow Dugan's travel advisors at events around the country each year has been invaluable.
I also appreciate the fact that while competitive, the atmosphere is not cutthroat, and the Dugan's leadership team, along with fellow advisers are always ready and willing to provide any guidance and assistance if needed.
I am very pleased with my decision to select Dugan's Travel as my host agency and look forward to continuing this relationship in the future.
Joleen-
It has been a true delight to see what you are doing with your business. We love success stories like yours! So glad you joined us!