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!
Five months in here is an open and honest review of Outside Agents
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1. Access to vendors: 5 out of 5
2. Technology: 3
3. Support: 4
4. Price: 5
5. Value: 4
6. Overall Impression: 4
Access to vendors; With TLN as its consortium, almost all the vendors are there at good commission point. If they aren't, they've negotiated with OA so you're clear.
Technology: Slow loading is its main issue. The other big one is customization of website. I had a website review done by the Small Business Council of Wyoming. It was a nightmare report, and none of it was fixable by me. Everything is locked down on the homepage, and the header cannot be customized. Metadata is not accessible, so SEO cannot be completed.
Support: When it can be fixed, they fix it. If it can't be, well, support goes out the door. Main issue: My webpage throws a "Bad Gateway" error on Firefox. The solution: Use Chrome. Great for me, but what about my clients?
Price: $51 a month for two agents (my partner and me). No setup fees. Includes your E&O as well. You can also go in for $21, but that doesn't include customizing your website. (See above before you count that as a minus)
Value: Get the website issues fixed, and this goes to a 5. You get more than you pay for as is right now.
Overall Impression: Outside Agents is great if you're not looking to do an elaborate website. It's low entry price makes joining affordable. It has great vendor training and good business training.
I joined Outside Agents 1 year ago and my only regret is I did not do it years ago. I have been in the travel industry for 10 years and prior to Outside Agents, I worked for another host who did very little on training compared to the training thats available with Outside Agents. Now, I feel like I actually own my own business rather than working for someone else and I make a lot more money. One of the things I was most impressed about was how quickly OA pays out commissions, with the other company I worked with sometimes it would be a couple months after a trip before I would see a dime. I have more control over my bookings now and the opportunities and training offered is unlimited. You also receive much support from other Agents who work for OA thru Social Media. Don't short change yourself if you are serious about this industry and being successful.... contact Outside Agents today.
I've been with Outside Agents now for about a year and half and it's been a wonderful experience. I was previously with another host for about 6 months that wasn't the right fit for me. After speaking to some friends in the industry, I took the time to study the different hosts and what they had to offer. I chose OA because it had everything I wanted. I've never regretted that decision. After attending my first boot camp training session, I felt so energized and ready for what lied ahead. One month later, I made the top 50 list of agents (we have about 5000 agents) They give you the tools to be successful. It's like being part of a family . The owner's Steve an Chad are there for you if and when you need them. Dan does an excellent job organizing great training events for us. The whole office staff is very helpful. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
I have been with Outside Agents for less than one year and I am happy that the Lord led me this way. They are super helpful and I have gotten so much support. I don't have another agency to compare them with as I am a new travel consultant, but I am very pleased with the service that I have received so far. They are very affordable and for new agents, that is very important as you normally can't afford much overhead in the beginning stages of your business. OA makes it affordable for the beginner and gives you so much in return. I am very pleased and I hope that it stays this way as I continue my travel consulting journey being a entrepreneur in the Travel Industry. They really seem to want you to succeed as a business owner and it is not all about them. We are in this together and they treat you as such at least my contact with them thru cyberspace as I have not met any staff in person yet; however all my internet and phone contact have be super. May OA continue to one of the premier Host out there. Again, I am glad that I was led to join their team.
Wow...just Wow. Yes, you totally get us. We actually want our agent to succeed. At the end of the day, this is how we all win. Thank-you, from the bottom of our hearts, Mennie, for your thoughts and feedback.
I have been with Outside Agents for 3 years. I was new to the business. They have great training and support. Whenever I have a question or a problem, they promptly give me the help I need. They have all kinds of trainings on their website. i have gone to Jacksonville serveral times for trainings. I have met other agents who support each other. I couldn't imagine doing this business without them.
I have been with Outside Agents for 3 years, they are outstanding! Training, assistance, response to questions, everything is top notch!
I have been with Outside Agents since 2016. I have been with other hosts previously, and while each was good in it's own way, Outside Agents is the right host for me. They are very responsive to any questions and problems. I had a problem with a supplier that could have led to loss of my group, but OA recommended a course of action and put me in contact the appropriate BDM. Everything was resolved. The technology provided is comprehensive and they constantly work to upgrade the capabilities offered to us. When I've asked for custom reports, they have always provided them very quickly. The commission split is stellar. I can run my business my way and still comply with their rules (not a lot of rules, but ones that are important). We have access to the BDMs. The training is excellent. I also find it very beneficial to be associated with Travel Leaders Network as part of this hosts' offering. I am very pleased.
I have been a home-based travel agent since 1992. I was working the business part-time up until 2014, which is when I sold my Orthodontic practice, retired from dentistry, and took on the travel business on a more full-time basis. I joined OutsideAgents in 2014 and have been extremely happy with that decision. Although I had been operating my own travel business for over 20 years when I joined OA, I have learned so much more about the travel business thanks to Steve, Chad & Dan at OA. The owners, Steve and Chad, are very accessible and helpful. Dan is our Sales Manager, and he provides unending opportunities for training for both newbies and old-timers, like me! The whole staff feels like family, and I have truly enjoyed getting to know them and the other agents that are members of the OutsideAgents. For me, joining OutsideAgents was the best decision I have made during my travel career!!
I have been with Outside Agents for almost 8 years. I love this agency as there is so much information available to their agents. Plus you can reach out anytime for help or just for some answers. They are very responsive. And more than that caring and very friendly to all. My experience with them as my Host Agency is 100% a positive experience. Thank you OA for everything.
I started with OA because I was very green and needed a host agency that was affordable for me. I have watched as the company has grown, and I have always been happy with what the agency offers. They just keep getting better and better! The preferred companies I can present to my guests are very reputable, and I have always had a great selection to choose from. I have never felt like I was left stranded and without any help. I love OA and am very grateful to be a part!