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INDUSTRY
Quite honestly, if I could give Pickles Travel Network more than a 5 star review I would! I am still a relatively new agent, however I started my journey as a TA with a host agency that was not supportive at all and did not care that I had no idea what I was doing. As a Type A, perfectionist - that was so difficult for me. But it led me to really researching and looking into who my second host agency would be - because I wanted that to be my final host agency.
I interviewed a few different hosts, and though they were all lovely, I was almost immediately in awe of PTN. Right away you can tell their dedication to their ICs and how much they care about your success.
Once you start with PTN you immediately feel like family! Their entire staff is so incredible and they just CARE so much. On top of that, all of their staff are TAs themselves, so when you are going to them for help/guidance they actually know what they’re talking about. When they give you their opinion/guidance/advice they are doing so from firsthand knowledge, and not knowledge from years ago - but from weeks or months ago!
Their agent portal is SO user friendly and it’s like they thought of EVERYTHING when they were building it out. Inside of the portal you are able to find so much information and resources. Something that I think is really cool about PTN and helps them stand out is that every single week (except for holidays of course) they have multiple live training sessions available for you to attend. These are a mix between training with the PTN staff to ask questions (they have an awesome New Agent Training they do regularly), training that focuses on a specific niche or area/destination, AND regular training with the suppliers that they partner with. What I also love is that if you’re unable to attend these training sessions for whatever reason you don’t have to worry. They have an impeccable upload schedule each week so if you miss a training you were hoping to attend, you’ll know exactly when it will be available to you.
And the big question - commission split. PTN provides you with the option to choose which commission split you want, and the lowest option available is 70%. I was floored when I recently learned that there are hosts who require you to start at 50%. I like that they give you the option to choose your split because it allows you to feel empowered, knowing the split you are receiving is a choice you made.
Whether you're looking for a host for the first time or you're looking to find a new host who will actually support you, I really believe that PTN is the perfect choice.
As I continue to grow my travel agency, I’m genuinely grateful to be partnered with PTN as my host agency. Being with a Texas-based, more intimate host just feels right to me, it’s personal, it’s warm, and it reminds me why I started this journey in the first place.
One of the things I love most is the close-knit community feel. We’re not just names on a roster, we’re part of a supportive circle where everyone wants to see each other succeed. PTN consistently rolls out weekly trainings (which you can choose to attend at your own pace), and they’re always introducing new systems and updates to help us stay ahead of the ever-changing travel industry.
The leadership truly listens. Our feedback matters, and that means a lot. Whether it’s new tools, supplier access, or learning opportunities, they’re always thinking about how to make things better for us agents. I also appreciate the growth opportunities they provide and how they encourage us to dream big, build strong businesses, and feel supported every step of the way.
If you're looking for a host agency that feels like home but still keeps its finger on the pulse of the industry,PTN is it.
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad to hear that PTN feels like home and that our community and support have helped you grow. We're excited to continue supporting your success!
Taking the leap and pursuing my career as a Travel Professional has been nothing short of amazing. The amount of training and support from the team and from Stephanie has been so helpful in allowing me to succeed. I am confident in the knowledge and information I've been taught and look forward to what else the industry has to offer!
I joined Pickles Travel Network with high hopes, especially after a warm and encouraging discovery call. The onboarding experience felt personal, and as a new advisor, I appreciated the welcoming energy and early responsiveness.
However, as I began building my business, I quickly realized the overall infrastructure didn’t align with what I needed long-term. PTN’s backend systems were extremely limited. They provided access to Travefy, which was positioned as a CRM, but in reality, it’s more of an itinerary builder — not a true client management or workflow tool. The “Supplier Portal” was simply a Google Sheets document. There was a strong push to book with Virtuoso-preferred suppliers, which works for some, but felt restrictive when trying to serve a wider range of clients.
Orientation consisted of three 1-hour Zoom sessions spread out over three months. While well-intentioned, the sessions were light on depth and actionable steps. PTN did offer some additional training sessions, but many felt generic, and most of the direction was to use Virtuoso Travel Academy. There were no shared workflows, systems, or templates provided to help you build your business. The overall message was “you’re an independent contractor, so it’s up to you to figure it out,” which can feel very isolating — especially for new advisors.
Support was handled strictly through a ticketing system, and we were instructed not to email anyone directly. All “staff” either run their own travel agencies or work under PTN’s brand — but all are 1099 advisors, not full-time support staff. This setup often meant slow response times (several days) and a lack of personalized help. There were no free onboarding calls or check-ins — any 1:1 coaching had to be paid for separately.
There were also onboarding requirements I didn’t fully anticipate:
• You must form an LLC before joining
• You must carry your own E&O insurance, listing PTN as an additional insured
While both are good practices, I wish these requirements — and their costs — had been clearly communicated upfront.
My total investment included:
• $599 one-time startup fee
• $659 for the mandatory Virtuoso Travel Basics course
• $79/month for a 90% commission split
Commissions were tracked through Sion, which worked fine, though it’s fairly basic.
While I felt the staff and other advisors inside PTN were friendly and genuinely wanted to see you succeed, I didn’t see any clear action steps or structured support to actually help make that happen. If you’re an experienced advisor with your own systems, PTN might work. But for newer advisors or those seeking strong support, workflows, and real guidance — I would recommend looking elsewhere.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with PTN. I’m truly sorry to hear that your journey with us didn’t meet your expectations. We value all feedback, as it helps us refine our processes and improve the support we provide.
I’m glad you felt welcomed during the discovery call and appreciated the personal onboarding experience. Our goal is always to ensure our advisors feel supported, especially in the early stages of their business. That said, I understand that every advisor’s needs are different, and it seems we may have missed the mark in a few areas.
Regarding our systems, I’d like to clarify that Travefy is currently a lite CRM, but it is actively working on expanding its capabilities to become a full CRM solution. While our agent portal is a true portal, our supplier list is hosted on Google Sheets to allow for real-time updates. As a growing agency, we frequently add new suppliers, and this tool helps us keep the process streamlined and up-to-date.
We do encourage booking with Virtuoso suppliers as they provide our advisors with the luxury perks and benefits that come with our network. This is part of the value that PTN offers as a luxury agency, and it’s why many of our members choose to work with us. However, we also understand that some advisors may seek flexibility, and we are always open to discussing options outside our preferred suppliers list.
Our orientation sessions are intended to provide a light introduction to all areas of our business and are followed by in-depth coaching and training multiple times per week. These sessions are designed to be actionable and specific, and I’m sorry to hear that you felt they were too generic. We aim to offer meaningful, personalized guidance to help you grow your business.
We also have a variety of workflows and templates available on our agent portal, and our coaching staff is always ready to assist. Our support system is designed to ensure advisors can easily reach out via support tickets or schedule one-on-one calls. Our leadership team works full-time for PTN and, as active travel advisors themselves, they are fully equipped to assist our advisors.
Regarding the onboarding requirements, we ask new advisors to form an LLC and secure E&O insurance, as these are essential for protecting both the advisor and PTN. These requirements are discussed upfront during the discovery call.
Lastly, we use Sion as our commission tracking software, which is one of the best tools in the industry for managing commissions. As independent contractors, our advisors are responsible for taking the initiative to attend coaching and training sessions and integrating these learnings into their business. We offer a supportive environment, but the drive for success ultimately comes from the individual.
We wish you nothing but the best in your journey as a travel advisor.
I left PTN a little under a year ago. While I still have a great deal of respect for many members of the team—and I stand by my original statement that they truly care—after experiencing another Virtuoso host that offers far more robust resources for both new and seasoned advisors, I can no longer recommend PTN or support the rest of my original review.
The biggest red flag for me during my time with PTN—and what ultimately led to my departure—was their strict limitation on which vendors advisors were allowed to partner with. What’s best for my clients should always be the top priority, not a host agency’s internal standing with Virtuoso. Their preferred partner list was extremely limited, with very few options that weren’t already Virtuoso-affiliated. Even when I’d developed meaningful relationships with non-listed partners through networking or industry events, getting approval to use those credentials was an uphill battle.
When I left, PTN had also implemented a sales minimum in order to maintain a Virtuoso profile (alternatively, advisors could pay for Virtuoso training to keep access for another year). I had joined PTN not long after they became affiliated with Virtuoso, and from the start, I heard again and again how incredible this partnership would be for us as advisors—especially those of us who were new. So to see this shift was deeply disappointing. We were told this was a Virtuoso-wide requirement, but after speaking with other host agencies during my transition, I quickly learned that wasn’t the case. That misrepresentation felt incredibly uncomfortable.
Combined with the restriction on supplier choices, these factors are what led me to revise my review. While I believe PTN still has good people at its core, I can no longer, in good conscience, recommend this host agency.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. I appreciate the support you’ve provided in the past, and I am sorry to hear that your experience did not meet your expectations.
As a newer agency, PTN is still in the process of growth. Upon joining Virtuoso, we were required to implement a sales minimum to meet their guidelines. Established agencies typically have the sales volume to support their networks, but as a growing agency, we’ve worked within Virtuoso’s framework to provide the best possible support for our advisors. While we initially enforced this minimum more strictly, as PTN has expanded, we are now able to be more flexible and take a collaborative approach to support our advisors.
Since your departure, we’ve made significant strides in expanding our resources, and we remain dedicated to helping our advisors succeed.
Regarding suppliers, we have access to over 2,200 through Virtuoso, as well as many PTN-preferred options outside of the Virtuoso network. We encourage advisors to request approval for non-preferred suppliers when needed, but we must maintain a curated list that aligns with PTN’s standards. I understand you had requested we add a specific supplier to our preferred list, and while we strive to accommodate such requests, our focus remains on ensuring that our advisors can meet client needs within our current supplier offerings.
I understand that our model may not have been the right fit for you. I hope you see the progress we’ve made, and we continue to be here for advisors who wish to grow with us. I wish you the best in your continued journey and hope you find the right fit for your business moving forward.
I have been with Pickles Travel Network for just over a year. I would be lost without them. They are constantly updating and tweaking to ensure their TA's have the best in what is available. They are always in contact with TA's, allowing us to voice our concerns and input. The owners are open and available should we need them. But since the staff at PTN is so amazing we really don't. Love you Stephanie and Baz. Open forums and training are there for the taking in the monthly calendars and suppliers are updated after being vetted for our own piece of mind. Could not ask for more from a host.
Thank you, Kathleen, it has been a pleasure! We are so happy to be able to support your business!
Pickles Travel Network is a wonderful host agency to work for. I have been with them a little over a year. I have sold way more than I ever expected to in my first year of being a travel agent. I just signed up for another year and hoping to great things in 2025 and exceed my sales in my next year. Thank You
Thank you, Jennifer, for the awesome review! We are so happy you chose PTN as your host!!
I chose Pickles Travel Network to be my host agency in the summer of 2022, I was a brand new travel advisor and I am so thankful I chose them.
My commission split is amazing, 90/10, their commissions with the suppliers I love and use most often are high and the weekly trainings and support is seemingly endless. They have weekly live trainings that are always recorded for you to watch on your own time as well. Supplier trainings, best practices, marketing, even mindset. Any time I have submitted a support ticket for any reason I have a response quickly and my issue is solved. They also provide so many of the software tools like Travefy etc needed to be successful.
Virtuoso being Pickles consortia is the cherry on top. If you want to sell luxury travel, Virtuoso can't be matched.
Everyone at Pickles is always willing to help, offer advice as well as other advisors helping each other. I also love that they encourage charging planning fees and do not take a cut of them. You run your business the way you choose. They don't have weird things in your contract, no red flags here. I am thankful to have gotten it right the first time in selecting my host agency, they are worth it and so are you.
Thank you, Tiffany, for your excellent review! We are honored to be able to support you and your business.
I have been a travel advisor for nearly 2 years and love every educational minute and of course traveling. I choose Pickles Travel Network in the beginning after speaking to the owner, Stephanie. There are so many things to learn and not knowing much, I took the leap of faith. The employees of PTN, whom are also TA's are super helpful. It does take a learning curve when one owns and operates 2 other hospitality businesses, but luckily I don't give up easy. Thank you PTN for always striving to offer us, the TA's, the best in travel options. Brenda
Thank you, Brenda, for your excellent review! We are honored to be able to support our amazing agents!
Pickles was very little help in general. The first year there was not training available from Pickles except all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. After they added some for other areas but it was very sparse. High fees and exceptionally targeted towards new agents that were from Careers on Vacation. COV steered many agents there as well. Very little support to fees just to have an account with Virtuoso because they accept all new agents. No phone line for support. I moved and have been amazed at the difference. Two stars only because some of the staff were really great. Owners and some of the senior staff acted like you were from Mars with some basic questions and situations. I am so glad I found another host agency that is very supportive, trains, and is in good standing with Virtuoso. There were so many changes within a year that were so hard as they recommended one platform and then said it was bad and instituted another within 1 1/2 years. It was a crazy ride. I am glad I am done with it now.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. While we’re sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your expectations, we’d like to clarify a few points for others who might read this review.
Over the past few years, we’ve worked hard to enhance our training offerings, refine our support systems, and better align with the diverse needs of our travel advisors. While change can be challenging, we make updates with the long-term benefit of our members in mind.
PTN offers extensive training that goes far beyond just all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean. We have consistently provided several training sessions per week tailored to both new and experienced advisors, covering a diverse range of topics and destinations. Additionally, our fees are among the most competitive for Virtuoso agencies and include valuable tools like Travefy and Sion, which many advisors find essential to their success.
Regarding support, we do have a phone line, and advisors can schedule calls to ensure we connect at a time that works best for their schedule. This approach allows us to provide personalized and timely assistance.
That said, this review doesn’t align with the feedback we received from you while you were an active member. While we’re always looking for ways to improve, we’re proud of the comprehensive resources, training, and support we offer our advisors. We remain committed to their success and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
I wanted to take a moment to express my appreciation for the outstanding support and training that Pickles has consistently provided to their agents. From the very beginning, Pickles has been incredibly attentive to the needs of their agents, always taking the time to listen and respond to any concerns or feedback we have. It’s clear that they value their agents and understand the importance of providing the right tools and resources for success.
The training programs offered by Pickles are comprehensive and tailored to ensure agents are well-prepared to handle any situation. They go beyond just basic knowledge and offer real-world applications, making it easier to grasp concepts and apply them in our day-to-day roles. Whether it’s onboarding or advanced training, Pickles has been committed to ensuring we’re equipped with the skills necessary to thrive.
What I’ve also found invaluable is the open-door policy when it comes to asking questions. At Pickles, there’s always a sense of support, and no question is too big or small. Whenever I’ve had a query, the team has always been quick to provide clear, helpful answers. This level of support has created a positive and encouraging environment, where I feel confident reaching out and continuing to grow as an agent.
In addition to the excellent training, the consistent follow-up and ongoing support from Pickles have made a significant difference in my experience. It’s rare to find a company that is so proactive in ensuring its agents have everything they need to succeed and feel supported throughout their journey. I truly appreciate how Pickles has prioritized agent development and consistently shown a commitment to their well-being and success.
Overall, I couldn’t be more satisfied with the support, training, and open communication that Pickles offers. I feel well-equipped, valued, and confident in my role, and I look forward to continuing to grow with the company.
Thank you, Anthony, for your excellent review! We are honored to be able to support you and your business.