Question 1

What type of FAM opportunities do you have for new agents?

Accepted Answer

Hi Karen, great question. We offer a variety of FAMs and Seminars at Sea (SAS) hosted by our suppliers, many of which are available to new agents. It just depends on the supplier, and the space available through that FAM or SAS. Last year we had FAM trips to Mexico, Dominican Republic, the Azores, and even Disney World, just to name a few examples. Every year, we also hold our Crystal Conference in destination or on a cruise ship. This event is hosted by us in collaboration with one of our Preferred Suppliers, and along with being an educational conference, it also gives agents a chance to experience a cruise line, destination, and/or resort. For instance, this past February, our Crystal Conference event was held on the Ruby Princess out of Los Angeles, and sailed to Cabo, Mexico. Agents not only got to learn from all the suppliers and KHM Travel Group staff on board, but they also gained first-hand knowledge of Princess Cruises and with the port of Cabo. The Crystal Conference is open to all agents regardless of experience, and we highly recommend it to new agents. We actually have an event website where you can learn more about events KHM Travel Group hosts and attends, and see photos and recaps from past events: www.TravelAgentMeeting.com. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any other questions at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 2

Is there a ratio requirement of client bookings to self-bookings?

Accepted Answer

Sonda, there is no limitation to personal bookings. Agents may receive 100% of the commission on their personal travel. Personal travel is defined as the room or cabin occupied by you and your immediate family members, such as your spouse or minor children. In the interests of full disclosure, for personal travel, there is a nonrefundable administrative service fee of $20.00 per booking confirmation number that will be taken out of your next commission check to cover KHM Travel's administrative costs. Once this booking has traveled, you will receive 100% commission for your personal travel. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to reach out at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 3

Do you offer assistance in setting up website and  finding marketing opportunities?

Accepted Answer

Hi Beth,  every agent is provided with a website to launch their presence online. You can view a sample of site here: basic.travsearch.com. You can personalize this site with your name,  agency name, contact info, logo, and your bio on the About page. There is also a built-in contact form on the About page to gather info from potential clients. In terms of marketing, we do not offer leads because we have found that the best way for travel agents to build their client list is through building relationships both in-person and online.  Our Agent Basics courses includes an introduction to Marketing and walks you through choosing a business name, setting up your website, developing a marketing mindset, and simple, inexpensive ways to find clients.  The Marketing section of our Agent Portal also includes ready-made email templates, brochures, and letters agents can easily customize for their business. Another very valuable tool for our agents is our Supplier Marketing Resources, where we dedicate a full page of pre-written posts and professionally designed graphics for our top suppliers that you can just copy and paste to use on your social media pages. For additional guidance with marketing, we have a one-on-one Coaching program to help you plan and implement marketing strategies that work for your business. We know travel agents have a lot of questions when it comes to marketing, and our team is here to be a resource for you! If you have any other questions, please free to reach out to our Membership Team at 1-888-611-1220 or visit KHMTravel.com.

Question 4

What do you require of new agents in order to join your company?

Accepted Answer

Hi Terri, we do not have many requirements for our independent agents -- they must be U.S. citizens living in the U.S. with a current and valid Driver's License or State ID. They also need a valid credit card, as well as reliable access to the internet in order to access our Agent Portal and CRM platforms. Other than that, there aren't requirements in terms of certificates or education since our education programs are designed to teach you everything you need to know in order to book travel and build your business. A passion for travel isn't a requirement, but it is usually beneficial in helping agents succeed! Hopefully this answered your question, but please feel free to reach out at 1-888-611-1220 if you would like more information.

Question 5

I am interested in hotels and weekend travel for several different organizations, Is this along with cruise and all inclusive travel a doable thing?

Accepted Answer

Hi Sonda, yes that is definitely doable! We work with hundreds of travel suppliers, so KHM Travel Agents are able to book all types of travel to destinations and on ships all over the world. If you are wondering about a particular supplier, please let us know and we'll be able to clarify for you. We can be reached at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 6

What is the best way to get started in the travel industry!!

Accepted Answer

Hi Elizabeth, there is a not a right way or a wrong in this case, or even a best way. It really depends on your experience, situation and goals. We put together a resource on our blog to lay out some of the options that are available here: https://khmtravel.com/options-become-travel-agent/. For many people who are completely new to the travel industry, partnering with a host travel agency allows for a lot of flexibility and freedom in terms of how you get educated and how much time you spend working your travel business. However, you still get the support, knowledge, resources, and connections already established by the host agency. The start-up costs are usually lower (compared with starting a franchise, going to travel school, or going it on your own), although the costs vary from host to host. Host Agency Reviews has a 7-day Set Up Program that you can join under Resources on this website that is also very helpful in determining a direction. Our Membership Team is here to help you determine if KHM Travel Group is the right fit for you at 1-888-611-1220 or at memberships@khmtravel.com. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have more questions.

Question 7

What are some of the best ways that you can provide training to new agents?

Accepted Answer

Hi Erin, this is one of our favorite questions, because we know education is so essential both new and experienced agents. All KHM Travel Group Agents can access to MyTravelAgentPortal, which is like an online office and classroom. Within MyTravelAgentPortal, we have an entire Learning Management System (LMS) that can be accessed whenever and wherever you are, so you can learn at your own pace. The New Agent courses in the LMS are how new agents get started learning the basics of starting a travel business, booking travel, and working with clients and suppliers. Another highlight of our education program is our webinars. We have a schedule of weekly webinars hosted by suppliers and by KHM Travel Group staff covering a range of topics including product updates, sales and marketing tools, and more. These webinars are recorded so they can be watched any time it is convenient for you. Finally, we also host live events here in Ohio that are an additional cost but they are not mandatory. These include Boot Camp for newer agents, Destination Success which is our supplier-centric event and trade show, and the Crystal Conference and Awards.  We go into more detail about each of our live events here on our website: https://khmtravel.com/ongoing-training/. These are just a few of the educational and professional development events our agents have access to. If you have any other questions about how KHM Travel Agents get educated and stay updated on what's happening in travel, don't hesitate to reach out to our Membership Team at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 8

Does KHM offer a Military Discount for a Veterans family member who is willing to start training to become a travel consultant?

Accepted Answer

Hi Janice, we do offer a military discount for active military, retirees/veterans, and their spouses. You can get more information about that here: https://khmtravel.com/military/

Question 9

What is your median sales for your agents?

Accepted Answer

Hi Dale, an agent's sales and numbers largely depend on the agent and how much time they are investing in their independent travel business. We have some agents who only make a couple bookings a year for friends or family, totaling few thousand dollars in sales. Our top producing agents working their travel business full-time have more than a million dollars in sales a year and can earn several thousand dollars a month in commission. It also depends on the type of travel you want to sell; hotels and car rentals typically earn agents less commission, because those suppliers only pay out 5% – 10% commission. Cruise lines and tour operators can pay up to 17% or 18% commission. Our agents have access to top commissions because of our relationships and sales volume with top travel suppliers, but what you’ll earn still depends on the type of travel you book and the suppliers you use. We don't really have a median or average sales per agent because each agent approaches their business a little differently. It really depends on what you want to put into it. It looks like you were in touch with our Membership Team a few months ago, but if you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to them at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 10

What can you offer me?

Accepted Answer

Hi Patrick, that's a very good question. We provide travel lovers like you with the opportunity to start and build their own travel businesses from home. More specifically, our focus is on agent education and professional development for new agents through online courses, webinars, and live events. Another thing that sets us apart is our straightforward membership plan. There are no tiers of payment depending on your commission level, and no sales minimums to hit to stay with us. You can find a comprehensive list of what our platform provides our independent travel agents here: https://khmtravel.com/benefits/, and please feel free to reach out to our Membership Team at 1-888-611-1220 with specific questions you have.

Question 11

Does KHM offer Disney College of Knowledge as part of their training?

Accepted Answer

Hi Janice, great question. Disney Travel Company is one of our Preferred Suppliers and yes, they do have access to the Disney College of Knowledge to learn all about Adventures by Disney, Disney Cruise Line, Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, and Aulani Resort.

Question 12

DO YOU HAVE A VETERANS PROGRAM?

Accepted Answer

Hi John, we do offer a military discount for active military, retirees/veterans, and their spouses. You can get more information about that and also learn how to get started here: https://khmtravel.com/military/. We also covered many of the reasons why veterans and military families find becoming a home-based travel agent a good fit for them here: https://khmtravel.com/military-families-veterans-start-travel-businesses/

Question 13

What does the average travel agent make and how would one get started?  Is it getting a certification first?

Accepted Answer

Hi Ann,  there are a number of ways you can get started as a travel agent. We actually created a resource for prospective agents that outlines the different avenues here: https://khmtravel.com/options-become-travel-agent/. To get started with us, you can either visit www.khmtravel.com/enroll or give our Membership Team a call at 1-888-611-1220 Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm ET. You do not need a certificate or degree to get started or to sell travel. Our educational programs are designed to provide you with the business and travel industry knowledge you need to be able to start booking travel and finding clients. In terms of income, for independent travel agents it varies because some operate their businesses on a part-time basis and some sell travel full-time.  It also depends on what you want to sell, because different travel segments and suppliers offer higher commission levels. For instance, booking airline tickets and car rentals have lower commission rates than tour operators and cruise lines.  Host Agency Reviews actually did a very thorough and colorful article on the average salaries of travel agents here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/how-much-do-travel-agents-make-travel-agent-salary. If you have any questions about partnering us, feel free to reach out directly at 1-888-611-1220 or at memberships@khmtravel.com.

Question 14

Is  E&O insurance included with membership? If there is one, what is the deductible?

Accepted Answer

Hi Marita, that's a great question. As a KHM Travel Group agent, you are covered under our E&O insurance for no extra cost. The coverage is for $2,000,000 and includes a $5,000.00 deductible. The independent contractor is responsible for paying the first $500.00 of the total deductible, and KHM Travel Group will pay the remainder of the deductible. If you have more questions don't hesitate to reach out to our Membership Team at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 15

How does billing (payments) at KHM work? I specialize in custom itineraries - how would I incorporate my itineraries (& their cost) when selling?

Accepted Answer

Hi Emily, great question. The best way for agents to take payments is through credit card. In this scenario, you'd provide your client with a credit card authorization form and then use that payment information to make payments via phone with the travel supplier you are booking with or on the supplier's booking website.  As for itineraries, each agent gains access to myTravelCRM with their Membership. This is our client relationship management system that allows agents to manage their clients and leads, track their commissions, create trip proposals and invoices, and more. You can learn more about it from our Commissions Manager, Hannah at www.khmtravel.com/technology

Question 16

Is there anything in the contract that would stop me from attending educational events, even if they are hosted by a different HA?

Accepted Answer

Hi Emily, we do not have anything in our contract to prevent you from attending events from other organizations or host travel agencies. We encourage our agents to pursue opportunities they feel will most benefit their businesses.

Question 17

How long does it take after signing up to begin booking vacations and earning commissions?

Accepted Answer

Hi Shwanda, this is your business so the timing of it is really up to you. Our online courses are designed to allow you to go at your own pace and learn when it is convenient for you. You can begin booking travel once we've set you up with suppliers so you can access their booking engines, and with myTravelCRM so you can record and manage your bookings. That can take a few business days depending on how busy our team is. You will earn commission for a trip after the client has traveled, and after we've received the commission from the supplier you booked with. We've had agents who have bookings within a week or so, and agents who don't make their first booking for a few months.  Either way, our team's goal is to make sure agents feel supported each step of the way and have someone to turn to when they are stuck or have a question. You can learn more on how being a travel agent generally works at www.khmtravel.com/how or by giving us a call at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 18

I am mostly interested in selling Disney vacations - do you support international travel at all? Tokyo Disney?

Accepted Answer

Hi Emily, definitely! Many of our agents focus on international travel that originates in the United States and we have a great relationship with Walt Disney Travel Company.

Question 19

Are you all affiliated with the Ritz Carlton Yacht?

Accepted Answer

Hi there,  yes our agents are able to book Ritz Carlton Yacht.

Question 20

How does the travel agent find potential customers to book vacations?

Accepted Answer

Hi Marisol, we encourage and empower KHM Travel Agents to find clients they can establish rapport and build relationships with. That could be out in their communities, on social media, at trade/bridal shows, or wherever they meet people! It varies by agent. Some agents have found success with networking groups like Business Networking International or their local chamber of commerce, and others have been able to build a clientele through organizations they are already a part of, like their church or their school's PTA. It just depends on who their target client is and which connections they can use to get the momentum for their business going. We provide courses on building a brand and marketing your business, and we also have a ton of sales assets available to agents like email templates, social media graphics and videos, and marketing calendars to help you stay on your clients' minds. Please give us a call if you have any other questions about getting started at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 21

Interested in learning more about any training, Boot Camps,  and FAM opportunities that you all may have scheduled for the upcoming 2020 year?

Accepted Answer

Hi Robin, education is huge and we have a lot of big things in store for next year. We are always developing new courses in our Learning Management System online and we've just released our 2020 schedule for our Boot Camp live events which can view here on our event website: https://travelagentmeeting.com/boot-camp/. We will also be holding two Boot Camp 2.0 events which are designed to help intermediate level agents go beyond the basics. Those dates are still TBD so stayed tuned. The other big live event we have in 2020 is our Crystal Conference, being held at the Iberostar Resort Complex in Riviera Maya. That event is part educational, part networking, and part a big celebration of our travel agents! You can also learn more about that on TravelAgentMeeting.com. In terms of FAMs, we have several seminars at sea on the horizon and FAMs, although they usually have less lead time than our other events. If you have any other questions for us about our education program or any other aspects of membership with us, you can reach out to our team at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 22

When joining with a membership, is a contract required?

Accepted Answer

Hi Angie, yes, our independent contractors sign a one-year contract with KHM Travel Group. We have two payment options: 

Monthly Option
One-time registration charge: $149.00
Monthly Memberships Fee: $49.95
Total = $198.95 at time of enrollment

Annual
One-time registration charge: $50.00
Annual Membership Fee: $498.00
Total = $548.00 at time of enrollment

Please let us know if you have any other questions about joining KHM Travel Group at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 23

How does that agents that you host gain leads when you don't offer any lead program?

Accepted Answer

Hi Patricia, great question. We encourage and empower KHM Travel Agents to find clients they can establish rapport and build relationships with. That could be out in their communities, on social media, at trade/bridal shows, or wherever they meet people! It varies by agent. Some agents have found success with social media, others have joined networking groups like Business Networking International or their local chamber of commerce, and others have been able to build a clientele through organizations they are already a part of, like their church or their school's PTA. It just depends on who their target client is and which connections they can use to get the momentum for their business going. We provide courses on building a brand and marketing your business, and we also have a ton of sales assets available to agents like email templates, social media graphics and videos, and marketing calendars to help you stay on your clients' minds. Please give us a call if you have any other questions about getting started at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 24

Are there any sales minimums to meet? I will be doing this part time to start with and am worried that I would not be able to meet any sales quotas.

Accepted Answer

Hi Julia, there are no sales minimum to meet with us. Most of our agents actually work on their businesses part-time, especially when they first get started! If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to our team at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 25

After reviewing your company’s profile, what ways do you help to keep your agents educated in the cruise industry other than Facebook webinars?

Accepted Answer

Hi Patricia, thanks for your question! Agents first get acquainted with booking credentials, travel segments, and our suppliers through our courses in our Learning Management System. We keep our agents updated on what's on in the industry through announcement in our online Agent Portal, weekly e-newsletters, and our blog. At our live events, we always have our team as well as top cruise suppliers present on the latest products and offerings, which includes cruising. Of course, as a KHM Travel Agent, you'll also get registered with cruise suppliers' travel agent websites so you can further your education with specific lines and their promotions. Another very strong relationship we have is with Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). KHM Travel Agents are eligible for CLIA Individual Agent Membership once they meet certain qualifications, and through CLIA, they have access to even more resources and courses to expand your knowledge of the cruise industry. You can find more details on becoming a cruise specialist with us at www.khmtravel.com/cruise/ or call us at 1-888-611-1220 if you have more questions.

Question 26

Do I have to use your system or can I have my own for storing my client data?

Accepted Answer

Hi Tina, all KHM Travel agents gain access to myTravelCRM, which is our client relationship management system. You are able to store your client data elsewhere, but in order to receive commission, you must enter your bookings in myTravelCRM. Otherwise, we have no way of keeping track of the bookings you make with suppliers. myTravelCRM has a lot of other functions in addition to managing your clients and leads. It also allows you to track your commissions, create trip proposals, and easily share trip details and invoices with clients. It's also mobile-friendly so it's accessible when you're on the go. If you have more questions about myTravelCRM or other aspects of our platform for travel agents, please give us a call at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 27

Are the fam trips available for everyone or are they need on seniority?

Accepted Answer

Hi Amanda, great question. The requirements vary by FAM and are normally determined by the supplier that is hosting.  Seniority normally isn't a factor, but that supplier may require that you have completed certain courses online or have a certain number of bookings with them already.  This is not always the case though, it really just depends on who is coordinating the trip. Hope that helps!

Question 28

Am I required to use an email through you or can I have my own?

Accepted Answer

Hi Tina, you can use whichever email address and provider you prefer!

Question 29

can you book rooms globally for individuals?

Accepted Answer

Hi Laura, you can book international travel and hotels for clients that reside within the U.S., yes! We highly recommend that you focus your business on selling to U.S. based clients. Booking travel for clients residing outside of the U.S. is dependent on supplier policies, and may result in commissions that are reduced or removed. It just depends on the supplier. Hopefully that answered your question, but if you need more clarification, feel free to reach out to us at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 30

I have not traveled to a lot of different places.. does that matter?

Accepted Answer

Hi Amanda, travel experience doesn't hurt but it doesn't determine whether or not you can be successful as a travel agent. Being interested and passionate about travel is usually key, though because there's a lot to learn! You will have access to our supplier travel agent websites, which contain a wealth of destination and product information and sales tool to help educate yourself. Through KHM Travel and through our suppliers, you will also have opportunities to attend FAM (familiarization trips) and Seminars at Sea which allow to you to experience resorts, ships, and destinations so you can better sell to your clients. The requirements for those do vary depending on who is hosting them, duration, etc. If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 31

What are some live training programs available for new 2 travel agents this year? When and where will they take place? Will they be free to attend?

Accepted Answer

Hi Ginger - our Boot Camp live events are designed for new agents! We have four of them this year in Ohio, they are: Feb. 25-28, May 12-15, Aug. 4-7 and Nov. 3-6. These events are an additional cost because they are additional cost to put on, and they also include breakfast, lunch, and snacks. We also have our annual conference, the Crystal Conference, which is taking place Aug 23-27 in Riviera Maya, Mexico. This event is for all agents, whether they are brand new or experienced. These are just the live training events we host, there are many more opportunities like FAM trips, seminars at sea/ship inspections, and industry events that you'll be kept informed about that are hosted by suppliers or industry organizations.

Question 32

Are you limited to only using your supplier partners? Can you book other resorts/cruises/tours that you don't offer?

Accepted Answer

Hi Edward, we have partnerships with hundreds of travel suppliers and we do allow agents to request new suppliers they'd like to work with. It's important to keep in mind that not all travel suppliers work with travel agents, not all will pay commission, and not all are all part of the USTOA (United States Tour Operators Association) or the NTA (National Tour Association). Vetting suppliers to ensure they meet these standards is not only beneficial to you as an agent, but it also helps to safeguard your clients' trip.

Question 33

What separates you from other hosts, and why should I start now instead of waiting for things to return closer to "normal" in the industry?

Accepted Answer

Hi Dennis, great question. We have a lot of great benefits, which you can learn about here: https://khmtravel.com/benefits/, but the thing that sets us apart is our people. Our 70+ team members have a wide variety of experiences, from accounting and marketing to industry relations and group travel, all working for you. If you ask many of our long-time agents, they'll tell you that our host agency prides itself on maintaining a family atmosphere and making sure agents always feel like they have someone they can reach out to for assistance or just reassurance. 

Getting your business set up, getting educated, and understanding the industry is a crucial part of becoming a travel advisor, and it takes time. If this is a path you are interested in, now is a great time to learn the ropes and take the time to establish your skills/knowledge before we see the full revival of the industry.  By that time, you'll be able to go through our online getting started courses, dive into supplier webinars and booking engines, and start thinking about how you want to launch your business to your community.  Our team will be here for you along the way!  If you have more questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 1-888-611-1220 or at memberships@khmtravel.com.

Question 34

What is your starting commission, and how can I earn a higher commission?

Accepted Answer

Hi Mark, our Preferred Suppliers pay us the top commissions, which mean higher income for our agents. Due to our collective sales volume, our Preferred Suppliers pay 13%, 15%, and in some cases up to 20% commission. All agents start out earning an 80% commission payout. This means that from the total commission the supplier has paid to KHM Travel Group, you will receive 80% of that amount. To be eligible for 90% commission payout, an agent must reach and maintain at least $5,000 in paid commissions within the calendar year, which resets January 1.  Another benefit for you is that we pay out commissions on a weekly basis, so you aren't waiting weeks after a supplier has paid out the commission to receive your portion. If you have other questions, please don't hesitate to reach out  to us at memberships@khmtravel.com

Question 35

Do you offer a mentoring program for novice agents?

Accepted Answer

Hi Anne, great question. For new agents, we have our series of Getting Started courses which are online, then an Exploring What's Next webinar each month you can sign up for to better understand your next steps. After these steps, we do also have a Coaching program where you can sign up for one-on-one calls with our team on specific topics or if you're just feeling stuck! Of course, our Agent Support team is available six days a week to answer your questions via phone, email, and live chat if you just need a quick answer or want help with a specific booking.

Question 36

If I leave, are my pending commissions paid to me? Is that in writing in the agreement?

Accepted Answer

Hi there Tina, you can actually view our independent contractor agreement here, you may need to copy and paste: https://khmtravel.com/agreement/

Our policies regarding commissions after termination of the IC agreement are outlined in section 8, "Termination of this IC agreement" and more specifically under "Commission on Future Bookings After Termination Date."  Hopefully you can find your answers and any other questions you have about our agreement there. If not, please feel free to reach to us at 1-888-611-1220.

Question 37

My focus is on Mediterranean travel, with your preferred suppliers, would this be a good fit for me?
Also, am I able to charge service fees?

Accepted Answer

Hi Natalie, we work with hundreds of travel suppliers, which will allow you to focus on whatever type of travel you'd like! If you want to know whether we already have a relationship with a specific supplier, please reach out to us.

In most states, you are able to charge service fees and there are a lot of aspects to consider when setting up a fee structure. Host Agency Reviews actually has a great resource on this which you can find here: https://hostagencyreviews.com/blog/travel-agents-guide-to-charging-fees. We also have lessons on fees in our online Virtual EDU series and in past webinars to help you understand what all you need to know about charging service fees.

Feel free to reach out to us 1-888-611-1220 or at memberships@khmtravel.com if you have additional questions.

Question 38

I just open a travel agency  which focuses on tours/trips for historical and religious sites/places.  Does KHM offers package tours/trips?

Accepted Answer

Hi there, great question. We have relationships with hundreds of travel suppliers, including tour operators. So yes, you are able to book historical and religious trips through our host agency. If you have a question about whether we work with a specific supplier or not, please let us know! You can reach our Membership team at 1-888-611-1220 or at memberships@khmtravel.com.

Question 39

When signing up with your agency, what licenses/documents are required for me to have if I live in California?

Accepted Answer

Hello Britany. Under California law, all travel advisors residing in the state of California must have a valid business license or operate as a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC). In accordance with those laws, we ask that agents submit proof of this in order to sell travel with us.

Question 40

I am wondering if there is no access to GDS, are we able to still book airline tickets or have access to a ticketing service for non-GDS agents?

Accepted Answer

Hi Zubila, Thank you for your question. If you choose to affiliate with KHM Travel Group, you can book airline tickets direct with the airlines or you can use one of our recommended wholesaler partners, such as Fare Buzz. If you have any further questions about becoming a travel agent with KHM Travel Group, please reach out to our Memberships Team at 1-888-611-1220. Have a nice day!

Question 41

Do you provide an emergency after-hours service for travelers should they need assistance outside of business hours?

Accepted Answer

Hi Anne! We have extended Agent Support hours during the week and availability on Saturdays to accommodate travel agents with questions. Beyond our business hours, we encourage agents to contact the supplier they booked with for the quickest answers to any issues that may arise.

Question 42

Ask a new travel professional, why should I choose your agency as my host agency?

Accepted Answer

Hi Kenda, we highly recommend you do your research when it comes to choosing a host travel agency and you've come to the right place!  Everyone's priorities and goals when they get started are different, but if you are looking for a full-service host agency that specializes in helping new-to-travel agents learn what they need to know to build a business, you've come to the right place. We won't sugar-coat things: this is a business opportunity, and now more than ever, it's going to take dedication and patience to learn the industry and all of the ways it is changing. It's not a get-rich-quick opportunity. 

We are very proud of our efforts to help our agents adapt to these changes and provide them more support and touchpoints with us than before. Many hosts have online education programs you can take at your own pace, comparable commissions, and some form of booking and marketing tools available. What we feel sets us apart is our commitment to individually serving our agents and building a community among our travel family.  We encourage you to check us out on social media (https://www.facebook.com/khmtravel/), or give our team a call (1-888-611-1220) so we can answer your questions on what specifically you are looking for in a host partner. It looks like you have already completed our initial application on our website so someone on our team will most likely be reaching out to you soon. Thanks for your interest!

Question 43

Can clients make payments directly through an online portal or do that have to provide the travel agent their CC information?

Accepted Answer

As a travel agent, you will be making payments on the suppliers' sites using your client's information. A signed authorization is required for every payment made by a client. We have instructions and Credit Card Authorization forms available for our agents to help simplify this process and ensure you remain compliant.

Question 44

Is there an option for travelers to make payments for their travel over a certain period of time?

Accepted Answer

Hi Herliesha, it really depends on the supplier and how far out the booking is made. Some suppliers offer payment plans, or you (as the travel agent) could set up a payment plan depending how far out the booking is made. For instance, for a trip booked 6 months out, the supplier may only care that a deposit and final payment is made, but the travel agent can determine a monthly payment plan with their client and manually add payments each month to the reservation.  The client management tool we offer, myTravelCRM, can help agents manage their clients' payments and is even able to send payment reminders. Please feel free to reach out to our team at 1-888-611-1220 if you have any other questions!

Question 45

Are there fees to give a partner access to the account? Or will they have to sign up for their own?

Accepted Answer

We have some options for situations like this, but it depends on a couple factors. If you give us a call at 888.611.1220, we'd be happy to run through them to help you decide what would be best for your business.

Question 46

I was unable to locate a careers section on your website. Do you ever hire externally for positions like trainer/facilitator?

Accepted Answer

Hi Sheila. We don't currently have any open positions with our company. If we do in the future, they will be posted here: https://khmtravel.com/about/careers.

Question 47

Are you able to book globally? Are you able to book for international (non-USA) clients?

Accepted Answer

Our independent travel agents are able to book destinations all over the world. If an independent agent books travel on behalf of a resident and/or citizen of a country other than the United States, following applicable laws/regulations and understanding taxes, exchange rate fluctuations, and points of origin/destination are the responsibility of the the agent.

Question 48

Are you able to quit/terminate your contract with KHM at anytime?

Accepted Answer

By completing our independent contractor agreement, you agree to twelve consecutive months of service on an annual continuing basis. This term will renew automatically unless you notify us of your desire to cancel.

Question 49

Do you allow your agents to charge planning fees and do you require them to be processed through you in ALL states or just SOT states?

Accepted Answer

Hi Sheila. As independent contractors, our travel agents may choose to charge planning fees. We do not process service fees in states with Seller of Travel Laws, therefore, agents residing in or that have clients in these states cannot charge a fee. Agents may increase commission though a supplier which will be subject to a commission split with KHM Travel Group. We strongly encourage you to check into the laws governing sellers of travel for the state in which you conduct business.

Question 50

How does the annual fee work? Do you have to pay the amount up front? Is this in addition to monthly fees? Thanks.

Accepted Answer

Hi Tania! We have two membership options–annual or monthly. If you choose the annual payment option, you'd pay the annual fee upfront, along with a one-time non-refundable registration charge. You can check out all of our pricing information here: https://khmtravel.com/get-started or reach out to us at 1-888-611-1220 to ask us any questions you may have!

Question 51

Are your marketing tools customizable (text and photos)?

Accepted Answer

Hi Elizabeth! Our agents have permission to add their logos to any of the graphics and videos we create for them to share on social media. We also have email templates, brochures, a flyer, and press release template that can be personalized. Our marketing resource library is very extensive and growing every month.

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