January 15, 2017
After decades in the travel industry, I left to pursue other interests, but continued to have former clients ask me advice. 
I decided to go back into travel on a very part time basis, and help a few of my clients who couldn't get the service they were used to, when planning their complex custom trips. I signed with another agency who charged a hefty monthly fee, and were difficult to reach.
After about a year, I left that host agency and signed with Outside Agents. 
There are a few cons, but having been in the business for as long as I have, they're not out of the ordinary. The requirement to change the Revelex password every so often (I rarely use it, so it turns out I need to change it every time I log in, at which time I've forgotten it anyway), that time my account was suspended accidentally because I was mistaken for someone else (it was reinstated immediately when I emailed to ask why), and when you work for yourself, your only coworker is the cat (and she is never going to grab lunch for me).
The pros, however, are countless. When I have an issue, I can look on the website and find the person who can help me. They email me back within the hour (during business hours), and after hours, the owners give their cell phone numbers, so help is available virtually any time. Who does that? I don't even give my cell phone number to my own family! That accessibility is everything. Then, the commission structure. I am no longer a high volume agent, since I now do this very part time. They don't care how much business I do, and treat me like I'm the most important agent in the company. In spite of this, I get the benefit of the override commissions of the agency as a whole. A small brick and mortar might get 10% with a vendor, yet a home agent with a low volume could get 16% or 18% with that same vendor. The E&O insurance is included with the lower priced premium package. That's a big deal. When I need access to a vendor booking system that I haven't used before (that doesn't have self registration), I get a login super fast (during business hours). Even when I worked IN a travel office, I would often have to ask repeatedly for logins before the right person would be found, promising to do it "after lunch" and I'd end up spending a week on the phone with the vendor, booking and altering that reservation, and playing phone tag with the client. Outside Agents really gets it. They know how agents work, and they want to make sure we can function in the ways that make sense. Commissions are paid twice monthly, and are easy to track with the new system. I can see what vendor has paid, which ones haven't, and then I know which ones to shake down for payment. My client management system is easy to use (with provided training) and I'm not using my rolodex anymore. The start up fee was low (and refunded after my first booking, a single hotel night) and the monthly is so low, compared to other host agencies. On demand training, recorded webinars, and continuing education. They really do have it all.

Frank Palmer

Lara Catton

I was very new to the industry when I started in 2017 and was researching Host Agencies here. I was impressed with the reviews that OA received and started looking at their requirements and terms. The monthly cost and training reviews/awards really sold me, as a beginner agent. After looking at a few more agencies, I decided to join OA and I've never regretted that decision.

The training I've received, both online and in person, has been integral to my staying in business for the last 4 years, including through a pandemic year. My biggest issue is finding the time to start all the training that is offered to us. It's always updating, with new topics or improvements on previous ones. It's a credit to the staff to keep things fresh and relevant.

On that note, I love the technology used by OA for their training, agent websites, CRM, and booking tools. They are integrated so that information from booking tools can be automatically loaded into the CRM, which is such a time saver. The CRM also has a lot of automation and tasks for bookings, as well as the ability to market using their email campaigns. While I do love the technology, there are some things I would have on my "wish list" for the future. However, I am more than happy with what I have for the small price I'm paying for it.

As far as support, I cannot express how impressed I am at how connected staff is with the agents. It could be a holiday weekend and there is bound to be someone who responds to your request for assistance. On the off chance they aren't available, there are a plenty of your peers to reach out to when you have a question. With so many agents under the OA umbrella, you're bound to find someone who specializes in or has been through the issue you have encountered, who will offer help.

While I don't think there is a PERFECT host agency, I think this is the agency that is close enough to perfect for me and my business. If you're on the fence, give the OA family a try!

Mary Beth Lynn

I remember how stressful it was trying to select a host agency. I spent hours researching, reading reviews, and praying about it. After all of that I decided to join OA. It was the best decision of my entire career. In just three years with OA I was able to start my business and grow so much faster than I ever imagined. I have attended all of the in person training and they have been amazing. In a Pandemic year, I actually grew my business and ended the year in the top 100 agents out of 6,000 for 2020. I know a huge part of this is due to all of the support and training I've received from OA. I am so blessed to be a part of Outside Agents!

If your dream is to work really hard and grow your business there is no better place to go!

Angelica Magdalena

I've been with Outside Agents for 2 months. I'm new to the whole travel agent industry and Outside Agents is in my opinion the best company I have ever worked for. Any question I have they are so quick to respond. Before I signed up I was communicating with Richard Halstead. He was fantastic!!! He helped me make my decision to sign up with Outside Agents and I am so ecstatic that I did. The other companies cannot hold a candle to Outside Agents. If you're on the fence about joining this company don't be; it will be the best decision you'll make. They give you all the tools you need to be successful. I love this company and I am so grateful to be part a great community where everyone is always willing to help you.

Sheri Murray

I came over to Outside Agents from a different host, and outside agents has great training, a fantastic website platform to customize your web site and a much better commission tier. I was also able to have sub agents to help bring in additional income.

Wendy Williams

I started with Outside Agents over almost 9 years ago part time. I have learned so much. The awesome commission structure to agents, the authenticity of the leadership and the educational opportunity is what made my decision. I was with a card mill company when I first started out and when I was looking for a great host company I was online and on of the agents suggested OA. I researched the company and was impressed with the knowledge of the leaders. As time when on, I know that they are committed to ensuring that the agents are heard, allowed to ask questions and are willing to help you succeed in many ways. I have not taken full advantage of the gent hat I have, but I retire in 4 years and while I am on my way towards that end, I see a new beginning for me with OA. I really am excited after all of these years to still be a part of this family.

Julie Carite

I started looking into agencies in January. I took my time and talked to a couple. I finally choice Outside Agents because I thought, if I don't like it I can just cancel and move on. There is no commitment. I LOVE IT!!! I signed up on 1-30-2020 and dove right into my on-line classes and was really ready to start selling at the end of February. I had don a lot of fake quotes to my family etc.
Then hits COVID... Traveling Feet Vacations and never gotten off the ground except for all of the training that I have gotten. I have continued to communicate with potential customers, honestly about the situation. Outside Agent has not decreased but INCREASED out commission and have never closed there doors. They are always there to help me out with what ever silly question or not so silly question I may have. I have a full website, can send my own custom emails and they send an email a week to all of my clients that I have been collecting on Facebook. When "the powers that be" decide that this virus is over, I will have built at least a relationship with a lot of people thanks to the support of O/A. I can even get on the Discussion Board and just state that I'm frustrated and don't know what I'm doing wrong and 16 people will pop up and say nothing, just keep swimming.
When you choice a host agency do not get stuck in a contract or a high pressure situation where you must produce because this is not easy and right now, starting when I did. I would have failed for sure, if it was not for O/A and their supportive emails, posts on discussion boards and other agents saying that they are in the same boat.
Happy Traveling!
Julie Carite
Traveling Feet Vacations

Anonymous Reviewer

This is my second time around with this company (I left due to issues of my own not the company). Although there is a lot of information to get through at once as a new agent the staff is very responsive to my questions or concerns. Even during the COVID-19 situation the company has taken measures to help agents by adding to the commission. I think this is remarkable!! I do believe this is a company that stands behind the agents and help with your success as long as you do your part !

Jennifer McFaden

Outside Agents is my second host agency. My first was fine, but Outside Agents feels more like a family - a family that actually likes and takes care of each other. They have a wonderful marketing platform, an easy to use CRM, offer a free website, E&O insurance, and the list goes on.

The thing that brought me to HAR to review them today is the email I just received. In light of the Coronavirus' impact on the travel industry, they are giving all bookings for the next 30 days a 2% commission bonus. In a world with employers that are laying off and struggling to survive, Outside Agents is giving its agents a hand up. I could not be more in awe of their business decision to take care of their agents. Some might say it's not much, but this is the first positive effect I have felt from this virus. It's loud and clear that I'm not alone as one of their agents, and I cannot rave about them hard enough. Thank you, Outside Agents!

Catherine Brock

When selecting a Host Agency, I was looking for a company that would train new starters, provide optimal technology solutions and support, and offer a fair commission structure and access to the world's leading suppliers. Outside Agents ticked all those boxes, and 9 years later I have averaged 100 - 200% higher sales year over year consistently. They are a family-run with combined decades of travel experience, and have modern, user-friendly and client-facing technology solutions and services including web-based agent portal, CRM and client portals available to their agents, with a tiered pricing structure that facilitates start up for the cost of a monthly night at the movies. The only way you cannot succeed with Outside Agents is by not trying! I would never consider anyone else

Mary Beth Lynn

I can never say enough wonderful things about Outside Agents. I would give it 6 starts if I could. The training and support is the best in the business. The owners and staff care about every IC and are always available to help and support us. The best part about OA is the community. Other agents are always willing to help and share their knowledge. I've actually made some of my best friends here and am so thankful for them. You can stop your researching now because you couldn't find a best home for your business than OA.

1
2
3
4
5
Next ›
Last »