Commission on Fees? Certifications? Facebook?

Commission on Fees? Certifications? Facebook?

Author: Host Agency Reviews February 20, 2026 Duration: 17:26

This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Dugan’s Travels! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us!

  1. How common is it for a Host Agency to take a commission on the planning/consulting/concierge/other fees I charge my clients? Is it even okay to charge commission on my planning fee given that I am an IC? For this question, I'm not asking about a payment processing fee if you use the Host payment processor. Rather, I'm talking about applying the same commission split to both sales and any fees I generate. Obviously, this would significantly impact my total profit if I have to give my HA 20 or 30% of my fees.
  2. What do you think is the most valuable certification? Travel Institute offers the CTA, CLIA has certifications as well as my Consortium Travel Leaders offers Leisure Travel and Luxury travel certificates. - Regina
  3. I'm a newbie to the travel industry and I just started my business. I'm getting very close to choosing a host agency and I’m super excited to get started. I have a question about marketing on Facebook. Is it more beneficial to have a company page or group? Or both? I know the FB algorithms can be wonky, so I want to make sure I'm reaching a wide audience. - Shelly


Hosted by the team at Host Agency Reviews, this audio channel blends two distinct formats into one practical resource. The first is Travel Agent Chatter, a quarterly series of spotlight interviews that dive deep into the experiences of working travel advisors. These longer conversations explore the real stories behind the careers, covering the nuances of building a business, personal client triumphs, and the cultural insights gained from a life in travel. The companion series, Friday 15, operates on a completely different rhythm. Every week, a focused fifteen-minute episode tackles specific questions from the travel industry, offering direct advice and timely insights that are both concise and immediately useful. Together, this podcast creates a balanced mix of inspirational narrative and actionable strategy. Whether you're seeking motivation from peer journeys or need quick answers to pressing professional questions, the channel is designed to support the daily realities of travel entrepreneurs. It’s a resource that understands the industry's blend of passion and pragmatism, delivered through the authentic voices of those who are deeply embedded in this world. Tune in for thoughtful perspectives that are as varied and dynamic as the travel profession itself.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 356

Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15
Podcast Episodes
Travel Insurance? Cancel for any reason? New trends? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week for the Friday 15, Shayna and Steph are thrilled to join forces with the Arch Roamright team. They'll take on a slew of questions about travel insurance this Friday at 12 pm CST, so don't miss this one! Sometim…
Tech Trends? AI Practical Use? Staying Current? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:40
This week for the Friday 15, Shayna and Steph are thrilled to join forces with Dan Christian, fellow podcaster and host of the excellent Travel Trends podcast. They'll take on a slew of questions about tech and AI this F…
Tech tools? Last minute changes? Tech Stack? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:22
Shayna and Steph team up with Stephanie Gries from Travefy to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out Travefy’s profile here: Travefy | Host Agency Reviews. Here are the awesome questions they’ll tackle this Fr…
Marketing my agency? Working with DMCs? Franchise vs Host? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:31
Shayna and Steph team up with Jenn Lee from Vacation Planners to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out Vacation Planners profile here: Vacation Planners | Host Agency Reviews. Here are the awesome questions t…
Hiring an agent for my agency? Selling other products? FAMs? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:32
Shayna and Steph team up with Jennifer Dugan from Dugan’s Travels to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out Dugan’s profile here: Dugan's Travels LLC | Host Agency Reviews. Here are the awesome questions they’…
Backend business organization? Contracts? Fraud Risks? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:51
Steph and Shayna welcome Sheila Folk of Travel Industry Solutions to cohost the Friday 15 this week! You can check out TIS’s profile here on our brand-new travel tech software profiles.Here are the juicy questions they’l…