Top Review
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!
Joining Outside Agents in 2016 was one of the best decisions I ever made for my business. Not only do they pay top-tier commissions, but they offer unparalleled support & training. Being with OA is like being a part of a large family, there are so many wonderful agents willing to support one another. On of my favorite things about OA is that they care no matter how big you are. You can sell $5000 or over a million dollars a year & they are always there to help you without discrimination based on sales number. They honestly care & want you to succeed. If you are a new agent shopping for a host or looking for a new host, I highly encourage you to consider Outside Agents. You won't regret it.
Working with Outside Agents has been one of the best business decisions I’ve made. The technology options are great. The CRM is well thought out and the ability to manage groups, online payments and ai tools is well worth the monthly costs. The commission payments are on time and reliable. Lastly their relationships with vendors gives you all of the networks you need. Highly recommend!
After hours of looking and comparing different host agencies, I finally decided on Outside Agents. I was weary since it seemed like every host had something different to offer, but I am so glad I chose OA. I have been with them for 3 months and have learned more in that time than I did in my entire TA Penn Foster course. The support the mentors provide, and the amount of training they offer is fantastic. The OA community is extremely responsive 24/7 and it's so comforting as a new agent to know someone is always there to help!
I love this host agency. I feel very supportive by the staff at OA and have really enjoyed getting to know other OA agents. The in-person trainings are high-quality and packed with helpful information. When I was a new agent, I felt lost at first and I could ask questions always receiving the guidance I needed. I feel very grateful I found Outside Agents.
Outside Agents is a solid choice for travel agents seeking a supportive and resource-rich environment to grow their business. The combination of affordable fees, competitive commissions, extensive training, and a strong community makes it a compelling option for both new and experienced agents. However, it's important to be aware of the potential learning curve associated with the numerous tools and resources offered.
Would I Recommend?
Yes, I would recommend Outside Agents to travel agents looking for a supportive and affordable host agency with a strong focus on training, technology, and community.
I was hesitant to start with Outside Agents because they seemed too good to be true - excellent reviews, no startup fees, minimal monthly dues, and 80/20 commission split to start, with the possibility of getting up to 90/10 or even 95/5. The other hosts I was looking at wanted an initial investment of $500+, had higher monthly dues, and started at only 60/40 commission split. I decided to go with OA because if it didn't work out, at least I was only out $21. That's been the best decision I have made since deciding to become a travel agent! Everything they advertise and all the good reviews are true. Plus, they have excellent support, not only from their office staff, but from their network of 8000+ other agents as well! You'll be an independent contractor and they treat you as such; run your business exactly the way you want to. They have lots of different types of training: on-demand, live webinar, video instruction, and in-person. I highly recommend OA and can't imagine a better host.
Outside Agents has been a wonderful Host Agency to work with, and I highly recommend them to anyone wanting to enter into the world of travel and become an Agent. There are many opportunities to learn, share and have a dream job working for yourself. Great agent support provided by the Outside Agents Team! ... Elizabeth Carlson
The best host agency!
They give quick payment of commission, they give quick responses to questions, they organize many FAM opportunities and educational opportunities … I have been with 3 host agencies and never had the support that Outside Agents gives to their agents. If you are looking for a Host agency, look no further!
I've been with Outside Agents for a little over a year. As a brand-new agent I've found OA to be a perfect host agency for new agents. The library of courses is incredible! Any and everything that you need to know can be found in their Learning Management System. From marketing to execution to home-office assistance I found everything I was looking for with Outside Agents!
Outside Agents is the second Host agency I've been a part of and my experiences have been great so far! They have everything you need to start your own business and if you're new, they have a huge library of courses you can take to get started. Your monthly subscription gives you a CRM, free website, travel mentors, and so much more. I definitely recommend splurging and signing up for the unlimited plan ($41 a month). Outside Agents is great because you also have a back-office team where you can ask any questions and get the help you need no matter what the topic is. If you're new to the travel industry START WITH OUTSIDE AGENTS and if you're a veteran in the field this is a one stop shop that will benefit you greatly.