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!
OA was my first host agency as it was mentioned on the DIS boards. I didn't have any expectations as I was new to the industry -though I took a travel course out of high school too much had changed in 20 yrs.
I felt I was floundering my first year and half. Though it was not due to the training of OA. They offer the same supplier training and support as most other host agencies. It was my own mindset. I didn't like having to piece my business together with the CRM here, Technology there, website etc. I wanted it all in one spot... with one log-in.
After leaving OA & signing with another agency (which has far fewer reviews on here than OA) due to their technology (having it all in once place); I am looking back with clear eyes. OA may not offer the website or CRM but this can be a good thing as you have complete autonomy of your business. YOU get to decide what is on your website - I don't now. You get to decide what type of client you wish to book. YOU make the choices for your business. Chad & Steve are there to advise and guide you but they don't want to to take over your business. YOU get to grow your own brand instead of growing someone else's brand.
I got what I asked for with the other agency but it comes with a lot of fees. I see the person in an above review whine about $39 - oh dear, you need not be in this business if $39 makes you upset. This is half the monthly fee I pay along with 30% of my commission and other fees at the end of the year to my current host. Hind sight is always clearer.
Another comparison - the agency I am with now caters to the top tier of agents and those starting out & working to build as the ones who aren't invited to FAMS, don't get the benefits and supplier offers as the top tier agents - who have been in the business for many years mind you. I never felt that way with OA. I always felt invited, included, and important.
Other hosts boast about having the most allowed commissions from suppliers. OA has that too with a better agency/agent split.
The only reason I didn't mark 5 stars is b/c of the reservation, CRM, Website technology not being all in one spot with one log-in. But as I mentioned that can be a good thing. If you don't sell a certain product then YOU get to decide if that is on your website - the agency isn't promoting that for you. You really have very little to lose by going with OA. If you decide to leave they aren't rude, nasty, or binding. I'm looking forward to my contract with the other agency to end and return to OA
I have wasted my time with other hosts promising leads and training. We don't get leads from Outside Agents but the training and programs they have are the best I have seen in the 4 years I have been in the industry. There are 2 owners and you might not get ahold of them immediately (usually do) but they get back to you in more than a timely manner. I do not think most owners are going to be that available. Again I don't care how new or experienced you are I do not think you can beat Outside Agents.
I am only on my second week and I must say, the communication with OA and me is wonderful. They give a fast response and is very helpful, I have completed some of the training's and will be doing more today. Outside Agents provide everything you need to be successful and the community of support is outstanding. I am hoping to be in this business for a very long time and I'm glad that I chose them to guide me.
Thank you,
I have been in the travel industry for 34 years and can say that Outside Agents has everything you need and more to help you in your journey of booking travel..... IF you have the drive, they can help you make your dream a reality. In todays world of technology travel can sell itself, WE (travel agents) sell ourselves (service) and OA gives you everything you need to be successful.
Mary @ Host Agency Reviews recommended Outside Agents to me because I didn't have much money to start up my company and all the other agencies I looked at required a start up, and/or, monthly fee that I couldn't afford. I signed up with them and Chad was VERY helpful when I first called them about signing up!!! There is so much you can learn from them. The other agents in the chat room and forum are very helpful. Lots of vendors to choose from, plenty of webinars to attend (never had to so many scheduled at one time) and lots of training!! I could go on and on about them. I'm glad I signed up! Thanks Mary!!
I joined Outside Agents more than 2 years ago, and they've been a great Host Agency! They give you the tools and support to get your business going! Thank you OA!
I am so glad that a friend of a friend recommended OA when I was searching this site looking for the right host. When I met this woman through a mutual friend and found out she was an agent I asked what host she used, as I had struggled over a month researching to find the perfect host. She told me she used OA, that it was free except for the set up fee of under $40 and there was plenty of training and she was doing great. I let that comment end my hunt, and signed up with OA. Its been almost a year and I have never looked back. There's all the training you can do, and everyone from the owners on down all care about your success. The other agents help you every step of the way and are not cut throat. Its a fabulous "warm and fuzzy" company of people who care.
I recently met someone in my neighborhood who was in the same spot i was a year ago, stressing over which host was right for her. She has 7 years experience or a large company but never worked on her own. I told her my OA story, and it ended her search. She has now signed up and called to thank me for the recommendation. Give them a try! You won't be sorry!
I been in the business for over a year now and $500.00 later I still am on the nest trying to fine the fit for me as a hosting agent that will work for me. I look at Outside and never got on board. BOY i wish I had of . but no i gone a different host agency. and now I built the nest and got my eggs in a row and am on the nest wanting to fly. and am not getting any help from my hosting agency. so that bring me to where am at now. After reading all and i mean all the reviews and looking at the site. I know i was wrong in not starting with you in the first place. so am all in and you guys are it so. help me get off this nest and get me flying like the eagle that i know i can be.
I researched Host Agencies for about 4 months. I kept coming back to Outside Agents. I joined today and have already completed several levels of the training to get started. The ease of signing up, getting started and accessing the training was phenomenal. I like to jump in and learn, and Outside Agents has allowed me to hit the ground running. I have spoken to several people at the office, and all of them were welcoming and helpful. I am thrilled about the helpful tools and the abundance of information available for me to learn. Unlike other Host Agencies, there are no hidden fees, no monthly fees. This makes them very eager to make you successful. It feels great knowing that I made the right choice! I can't wait to start making people's vacation dreams a reality!
I signed up for with OutsideAgents.com and Cruises & Tours Unlimited
paid for $39 fee set up, and i wrote to chad@iwantacruise.com (the owner)to cancel the service right away due to the fact that I was out of the States & wasn’t ready yet so I wrote him to cancel the service. No reply, instead I got the welcome message?!
Then I tried it again but sent to Heather email heather@iwantacruise.com, no reply.. although i couldn’t even be able to get into the member site!!!!
https://agents.outsideagents.com/page/outsideagents-com-agent-services-directory.
said that “this is not a valid account.If you have an existing account and need assistance to recover your password contact customer service”.
4 days later, I was billed $39 for the service I have never been able to use. No communication and very irresponsible company.
In my opinion, I’m so disappointed and I won’t recommend anyone.
Dear Ms. Natkritta Suracupt,
First, let me apologize that you found our sign-up process to be confusing.
Next, let me expression my confusion as to your assertion that you’ve never been able to access our system as, in your post, you reference information on a page that is only accessible to members.
Regardless, our records indicate that you signed up on 4/26/15 at 12:26am. We sent you a notice on 4/27/15 at 8:10am indicating that you hadn’t selected a password and we provided a link to do so. You followed the link, completed your registration, we approved you, we sent you a welcome email with all the necessary information to get started, and you accessed the site that same day. On Friday, 5/1/15 at 7:27pm, you emailed requesting a refund as you were “unable to use your service at this time.” As it was a weekend, I replied on 5/4/15 reiterating the terms, to which you had agreed, under which a refund was available – you simply needed to book anything through us in your first 30 days. Unfortunately, you did not meet those terms. We did, however, refund your set up fee, as a courtesy due to your circumstances, on your first request on 4/30/15. Here’s your reply:
"I don't understand your system at all. What make it so hard to figure the new member out! It's over than a week after I signed up and feel so disappointed with your system VERY MUCH.
It's not because of my regret of paying for set up but because of your poor system that never let me sign in that screw up everything and I think this is RIP OFF! period!!!
I won't be able to play this game of booking within 30 days anymore because I will be in the camp next week until the end of this month. Meaning that I won't be able to use any of your stupid setup RIP OFF fee at all."
My key take away from your final email, sent well after you had full access to our systems, was that you didn’t have time pursue a travel business at the time. As I explained, due to the cost of approximately $38/agent to set up a new account, we were not obligated to refund your set up fee. We did it anyway.
Finally, I regret that you assert that we never communicated with you as, in addition to a confirmation email for your refund, I have a trail of at least 6 emails to the contrary. It’s unfortunate that, for whatever reason, you were not in receipt of those emails.
I sincerely regret you were unable to participate in our program when you signed up. As a courtesy, I have left your account open, so you can access it at your leisure to take advantage of our award winning training, technology, and support.
As always, just let us know if there is anything we can do to help you build your travel business.