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!
I LOVE Outside Agent /Cruise and Tours Unlimited. I am a brand new travel agent and have done a lot of research trying to find a host agency with no idea where to start. I knew that I loved to travel and wanted to invest in something that would give me the most pleasure in helping people fulfill their dream vacation without breaking the bank. Outside Agency by far is the best in a host agency with tons of training, no monthly fees, and a very generous commission split. I have been with Outside Agent for 3 months and the wealth of experience from all the agents within Outside Agents agency is phenomenal. Everyone is willing to help giving great advice. The commission is fantastic and the owners are great.
This is definitely the best choice I could have made and a GREAT company.
You will not go wrong with Outside agents just read all the reviews there is not one person that is unhappy. They must be doing something right! I have been with them for 8 years I was lucky to have been referred to them by someone that worked with them on their website. They told me they are family owed and they make you feel like family. TRUE TRUE TRUE. They have only gotten better over the years I have been with them. Come join us you will be happy you did. See you on the Message boards!
I feel very lucky to have been referred to Outside Agents. I have been with them for 8 years and have been very happy. They have been making a lot of changes over the years to help us Agents. If you are looking for a company that cares come join us.
I love Outside Agents because they're always there for you. They know what they're doing unlike some other hosts whose names I will not mention. They get back to you in an eye blink or within 1 business day to help with your needs. Especially when it comes to login info for certain websites and tour operators. They just do a great job and it's great to interact with other Outside Agent TA's when you log in to your back office. It's just like Travel Professional Community but you have the access to all of the suppliers, wholesalers, tour operators and cruise lines. Bottom line, I couldn't be more happier. OUTSIDE AGENTS ROCKS!!!
We have been with Outside Agents for a year. We were with another host prior to joining. We know we have made the right decision. Communication is open, training always available, easy access to the owners, and a great commission rate paid quickly. There is also an agent forum that is a great resource. So glad we made the switch.
We decided to go with OA mainly because of the fact there is very little cash required up front. OA has tons of resources for learning too. We had no experience, and have learned so much already. They also give you a great list of travel suppliers.
I am working with Outsideagents for almost two years. They give us so many offers, trainings, suppliers, Travel agent insurance, website, travel agent communities with no annual and monthly fees!
When I asked the support through an email to Chad, Co-owner, he had reply my email in a minute.
They are really taking care of us!
The whole team at OutsideAgents.com are valuable partners to add to your team. From Steve and Dan, with there extensive group knowledge. Chad with his never ending quest to bring technology and new marketing strategies to the table. And you can't forget the most valuable piece of OutsideAgents.com, the accounting team, highly efficient and timely when it comes to invoicing and commissions
There are 2 main reasons we stay with Outside Agents:
1) Our commissions are paid on time and are accurately.
2) We get support when we need it and get answers quickly
We were with another agency for a short time. We nearly had to beg for our commissions payments and they were seldom accurate. We have never had a problem getting our commissions checks with Outside Agents.
We ever we have a questions or problem, someone is always just a phone call or email away. We get our answers quickly.
Outside Agents is currently my host and by far the best one that I have worked with over the past several years.
I am closing down commitments with a prior host because of the great support and outreach that outside agents have provided me. I will outline that I was skeptical at first when joining up with them and kept my options open with my former host. It just didn't seem to make sense to me that something without monthly fees and dues could work effectively. Happily I was proven wrong. I have received commissions in a timely manner and the staff is always there to support you and follow up in a timely manner. With OA you can be as productive as you want to be and make the most out of your business. That is what I really like about Outside Agents they don't make promises or imply you will bring in six digit figures over night, they are just committed to making you as successful as you want to be. This is very evident by the commission rate structure they have in place. Commission rates are great for anyone new to the business and even better for more seasoned agents that are productive. You will not be" nickel-ed" to death with small fees or transaction charges that happen at other hosts.
In conclusion, if your a self starter, love to learn independently and want to grown your own business this is your host. Outside agents has a very straight forward business and the support is great. You truly are given the tools to make YOUR business as successful as YOU want it to be without investing a great deal of your money. Money that can be used on YOUR marketing and not the hosts!!!