It has been a year since I signed up with OA. Now is a great time to share my experience with you if you looking for a new host ( like I was) or are a new agent looking to join the tourism trade.
OA is a GREAT host. No doubt. Before joining them, I simply picked up the phone and called them to speak with the owner. I had zero expectation of this actually happening but was pleasantly surprised when Chad Burt came on the line and spent a good half an hour speaking with me and answering all my questions. I signed up the same day. It didn't take me much time to understand their systems and if I had a question, the OA staff was very quick with their email replies. Best way to communicate with them. They have brilliant internal systems set up for just this purpose. Agency staff and higher-ups are almost always available for insight and help as and when needed. They are highly professional ( yet super funny on socials). I had a chance to meet most of the staff at one of their TA conferences and the vibe is that of one big family. For new agents, they have mentors for initial support. Though I have industry experience, I still set up a call with a mentor just to test the new waters. It was a lovely call.
They have great contracts with vendors, resorts, and consolidators across the world. Their payment system is top-notch with very little room for confusion. Payments have been on time on expected dates. The split is also one of the best ( that I know of) ( Ex host had a terrible split and I wish I had known of OA before).
All in all, I highly recommend Outside Agents. It has been a great year with them.
Happy Travel!
Anytime I have ever had a question, someone at the company has reached out to me in a timely fashion. The CRM is easy to use and I am glad I made the switch to this company!!
I think people that are disgruntled need to realize that there is no job that does not require proper training. So you can not think that you will make six figures your first year on the job. It is not Outside Agents responsibility to market you and grow your business. If you only plan to book 4 trips a year then you are never going to be proficient at your craft!!
I switched to OA in 2014 after a few years with a smaller host agency. What a difference it made! OA provides non stop support for their agents, whether is start up training, virtual webinars, in person training camps, and/or emails or phone calls. The people at the "top" , the owners, and the National Sales Manager will answer your call or return your call in an extremely swift and timely manner. They are encouraging, provide the latest and greatest up to date technology and never stop improving so that we can improve ourselves! I love OA!
I have been with Outside Agents since 2017 and cannot say enough about how amazing they are to work with.
Not having experience in the travel industry was very intimidating when I began. Not only did Outside Agents provide wonderful training opportunities, they are there for you when ever needed to answer questions, assist with issues and help point you in the right direction for success. Their relationships in the industry are extremely helpful and offer so many advantages to help grow your business.
I can say with confidence that I would not be where I am today in the industry had I not made the choice to work with Outside Agents. Not only are they wonderful business partners they have become friends and that is invaluable!
My husband has been with OA since 2016. I recently joined to manage the growth we have had in our travel business. I am 2 days into a 5 day training, and it has been unbelievably informative. OA is 100% focused on agent support, training and helping you become a professional business owner. I am confident that, with their guidance, the sky is the limit!
About 5 years ago, my partner and I decided to becaome travel advisors. We spent over three months researching all the various host agencies. By he way, finidng Host Agency Reviews was wonderful. After many hours of reading, talking to a number of hosts, and many spreadsheets, we decided Outsdie Agents was the best combination of fair pricing, good training, and great support. We have never regretted it. In fact, when we went to a very reasonably priced in-person training at their HQ, about half the agents I spoke to were refugees from other hosts.
The support and training has gotten better and better. Their commission structure is far better than others we looked at. You start at 80% and can rise fairly quickly to 90% and even 95%. The monthly fees are low and you can quit any time. During the pandemic, OA provided all sorts of support. I can't say enough good things about OA.
The best in the business. The owners are people of integrity and this is a host agency you can be proud to be part of. Outstanding commission levels, booking tools, education programs, and support of all kinds. I was with another host for 3 years prior to joining -that was a mistake. Joining OA was the best business decision I've made.
This is my first year and they have been very helpful with the trainings and availabilty for help with things. I think the training alone has helped fill in so many gaps with trying to learn how to be a credible and professional travel agent. After a month I got my first client and I believe a big part of that was because of the training.
Before launching my business, I did a lot of research and purchased an entire training program from somewhere else. The only reason I am not angry about having spent all that money is because that training program ended with host agency recommendations, and one of those recommendations was Outside Agents. I am so impressed by the available resources, training, marketing, etc. that are included in the very small monthly fee. Outside Agents is ideal for any travel agent, as their commission split is one of the highest, if not THE highest, in the business. But especially for someone who wants to create a brand for themselves, not use another host's brand, Outside Agents is the best. Seriously, they keep adding, or I keep finding, new resources available to me, for training, suppliers and marketing. This has been an exciting year, and I could not have had this kind of success without Outside Agents!
OA has been my host agency since I started my business...just before the pandemic. They offer automated training as well as in person trainings in Jacksonville, FL. The support is great, but you are a true Independent Contractor. You decide how much or little you choose to take advantage of with their training and support. Although I would love to see updates with our CRM, it is still a very good tool. One of many that are included in the monthly fee.
OA is excellent in so many way-the staff is very well trained and very helpful, & personable too. The owners are always adding new training for us - complimentary online as well as in person at their office, and seminars at sea. Frequent emails are welcome to keep us in touch with what's new. I highly recommend them for all advisors - your business will grow quickly.