October 31, 2023
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!  

Blue G

Heidi Marijczyn

Experience: > 11 years
Sales:
Status: Currently with company

As a travel agent with over 20 years of experience I am thrilled to be working with OA. I moved over about 4 years ago and its been a great relationship. The team at OA is constantly improving processes and technologies. It seems like my CRM wishlist just keeps materializing. They pay commissions promptly, answer questions on a dime and are always very pleasant to work with. I highly recommend signing up with OA! Looking forward to many more years!

Melissa Mathies

Experience: 1-5 years
Sales:
Status: Currently with company

I have been a Travel Agent for 5 years now and since signing up with Outside Agents a little over a year ago my business has doubled. They are a wonderful, supportive agency offering top commission & assistance for your business. Their technology is top of the line & gives you more time to focus on selling & marketing. The owners are very responsive & hands on; my emails are always addressed very quickly. The entire agency is wonderful & I'm lucky to be a part of the team. Although they are a large agency, I always feel important & respected.

lili

Experience: < 1 year
Sales:
Status:

While my rating is not related to the quality of platform offered I feel that I need to share my story. I signed up for a $21/month membership but shortly I realized it was not what I was looking for. In less than 2 hours after I signed up, I sent an email and requested the membership cancellation and asked my card not to be charged. The transaction was already pending (of course)
The charge was made on my CC and no confirmation of the receipt of my request was ever sent to me. i called today spoke with Kaitlin and asked why my card was still charged --- she said they need 30 days notice in advance for cancellation. While I totally understand the cancellation policy, I know that with any other business if you send cancellation request within the first 24 hours you can cancel any agreement. Even a car lease can be cancelled within the first 24 hours!!!!!

Chad Burt - OutsideAgents.com

Hi,

I'm sorry to hear that your experience wasn't what you wanted.

To be clear, you replied within 24 hours, not 2 hours. Regardless, let me explain why we don't offer a refund if an agent cancels within 24 hours.

When an agent signs up with us, automation kicks in so that we can get the agent up and running quickly. Part of this automation is the setup of 3rd party services for which we are billed automatically and for which we cannot get a refund even if we canceled within seconds. In fact, it costs us $39.80 to set up every agent that signs up.

So, clearly we invest in the opportunity to partner with our agents. It should also be equally clear as to why we cannot offer refunds as we state on our website during your registration process.

I hope this clears the matter for you.

As always, if you need anything at all, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Mary Beth Neyland

Experience: < 1 year
Sales:
Status: Currently with company

I'm a newbie to the travel industry and researched many host agencies before deciding on OA. I really was a little wary, as I was waiting to find out what "the catch" was. It honestly sounds too good to be true. I have just returned from Boot Camp and am pleased to report, THERE IS NO CATCH!!! Fees are low and up front. Training is limitless. Support is outstanding. The only surprise for me was that there are NO surprises. I really feel like I made a good decision choosing OA and am excited to get things rolling.

Kerri Guenther

Experience: 1-5 years
Sales:
Status: Currently with company

This agency is amazing. They are always there to support and help you grow your business. Every one right down to the owners are so friendly and helpful. I could not ask for a better host agency to be affiliated with. I look forward to many more years working with them. if you are looking for a great host agency i highly recommend you sign up with Outside agents. You will not be disappointed.

Alfred Willis

Experience: 1-5 years
Sales:
Status: Currently with company

Great technology and excellent upper level affiliations TravelLeaders/Vacation.com. I've been able to work my travel business part-time over the past two years with very little out-of-pocket cost and I've still learned a lot about the travel industry. Starting full-time this week and I couldn't be happier than to be hosted by Outside Agents.
~Alfred

Amy W

Experience: 1-5 years
Sales:
Status: Currently with company

Outside Agents has an incredibly supportive staff and an amazing bank of training resources. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with them as my host agent.

Carole McShea

Experience: 1-5 years
Sales:
Status: Currently with company

I am about to complete 5 years with Outside Agents. I have found them to be very supportive and offer every opportunity to help make your business a success. The online education is top notch. Even though I work independently, I feel I have a huge network that is there in case I need any help.
I am very happy I made the decision to join this agency!!!!

sharon Rothermel

Experience: 1-5 years
Sales:
Status: Currently with company

I joined Outside Agents almost 2 years ago. Before that I was with another agency, was brand new, and they gave very little training. I went to a convention and started asking everyone what host agency they were with and everyone I spoke to with Outside Agents encouraged me to join them. They all were extremely happy with the commission and the great training. I couldn't be happier. They have trainings in their facility and other places, which have taught me so much, live webinars, and on demand trainings. You can call and get your questions answered and any information that you need.

Shenica Bridges Mathieu

Experience: 1-5 years
Sales:
Status: Currently with company

Outside Agents is hands down the best host agency in the world. I have never had a problem getting my money. I am often paid my commission quickly, and I have the best support system. I love the fact that my host agency answers the phone and responds to my trouble tickets quickly. I did not have this level of service with agencies that I belonged to in the past. I am so thankful that I found Outside Agents in a popular travel magazine over 2 years ago. My business has grown exponentially since then, and I know that it will continue to grow.