FITs? Switching Hosts? Planning Fees?

FITs? Switching Hosts? Planning Fees?

Author: Host Agency Reviews May 29, 2026 Duration: 17:35

Welcome to this week's Friday 15 podcast! This week Shayna's live on location at ASTA, with Carolyn Okon from Exodus Travels. And thanks to our sponsor Outside Agents for making this episode possible. Here's the questions:

  1. I am an ICF certified Travel Coach, and when I pursued my certification I intended to building an online coaching practice to help women in major life transitions (career change, loss, divorce, etc.) find their inner bravery to face those transitions via adventure travel. As I’m coming along I’ve begun to learn I’d actually like to host my coaching via IRL experiences; group trips and retreats. My questions: ideally I am booking everything for my clients once they are on the ground, I’ve heard about FITs on the podcast, and wonder if this is what I’m trying to accomplish? If so, then what do I need to know about organizing only FIT travel in which I accompany my travelers? How do payments from the trip attendees work when I host a FIT under a host agency? How can I operate this legally and ethically, while being fair to the host agency? - Courtney
  2. When changing Host agencies, is it possible to transfer clients and vendor information without doing it individually? As a courtesy, should I tell the agency that I am moving on to another agency? - Pamela
  3. Do advisors typically split their planning fees with their host agencies? If so, does it follow the commission split? Thank you! (Anonymous, please)

RESOURCES:



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: 50

Travel Agent Chatter | Friday 15
Podcast Episodes
Busy vs Productive? Next Trip? Higher-end Trips? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:59
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jennifer from Dugan’s Travels. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I feel like I’m busy all the time, but I’m not necessarily maki…
Leads? Planning Fees? Training vs Selling? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:29
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Carolyn from KHM Travel Group. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I’m still pretty new and don’t have a huge client list yet. Wha…
Follow-ups? Groups? Clients? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:08
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Josh from Global Travel Collection. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! How do you follow up with a potential client without feeli…
Net Rates? Facebook Groups? Marketing on Social? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:36
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jenn from Travel Planners International and Vacation Planners. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! When advisors quote net rates,…
Which host? Start-up? FIT? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:43
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Gina from Uniglobe Travel Center. Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! While I have years of experience building my own travel plan…
Larger hosts? BDMs? Time? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:27
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Laura from WorldVia Travel Network! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I'm currently researching host agencies, and one thing I k…
Airfare? Beyond Commission? Expansion? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:04
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Amy from KHM Travel! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! With airfare remaining one of the biggest travel expenses, what are some…
Find Clients? Luxury Clients? Habits? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:55
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Simon from Global Travel Collection! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I don't have a big network of friends and family to sell…
Mistakes? New Tech? Switching Hosts? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:49
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Chelsea Martinez from OASIS Travel Network! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! If I join a host agency today, what are the bigges…
Host v Franchise? Tech? Questions to ask? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:20
This week’s Friday 15, we're welcoming Jenn Lee from TPI and Vacation Planners! Let’s have some fun, plus some questions to discuss this Friday at 12 pm CST. Join us! I'm trying to decide between joining a host agency or…