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Since 1974, Boscov's Travel has helped clients craft enduring vacation memories. As a full travel management company, we can take you to almost any destination across the globe. Whether you're looking to go on your first family trip to Walt Disney World, or looking to cross the last exotic journey off your bucket list, our team of experienced Travel Advisors can help you design an unforgettable vacation. Best of all, we never charge you for complete travel package planning services.

MEET OUR ADVISORS

We are dream vacation makers. We are world travelers. We are the Boscov's Travel team. Our team of Travel Advisors help thousands of clients each year explore almost every corner of the world. Our highly-trained and experienced team allows you to take the stress out of vacation planning while getting more for your money when you work with them. It's time to take the stress out of vacation planning and get more for your money when you book with one of our Travel Advisors.

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Is a travel agent worth it the pros and cons.

Travel experts agree there are several advantages to hiring a vacation planner.

The Pros & Cons of Using a Travel Agent

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A travel agent can save you money and time.

Need to pivot your trip plans but don't want to deal with the extra time, money and hassle of rebooking flights and accommodations on your own? That's just one area where a knowledgeable travel agent (also commonly known as a travel advisor) can help. Read on to discover the other benefits – as well as the downsides – of using a travel agent, so you can confidently decide whether or not a travel agent is worth it for your next trip.

The Pros of Using a Travel Agent

Travel agents can save you money – and get you other perks.

"In some cases, you'll actually get a better  deal by working with a travel agent," says Jackie Steele, travel expert at MagicGuides . "This could be in the form of a cruise onboard credit (free spending money to use on the ship), access to special agency/group rates, or even just learning about a discount you qualify for but weren't aware of." The best agents will even keep an eye on new discounts as they're announced and apply them to your trip even after you've booked, he notes.

Travel agents handle all the details

Hotel room? Booked. Dinner reservations? Made. Tour tickets? Ready to go. A travel agent handles every detail of your vacation itinerary. "The traveler still gets to be involved in the fun part of dreaming up ideas and providing their travel wishes, while we take and perfect them," says Jessica Parker, founder of Trip Whisperer .

Molly McShea, owner and travel advisor at McShea Travel , points out that travel agents can also help with timing logistics. "Travel agents know how many days should be spent in each destination, which tours go together, and how many things you should do in a day," she says, adding that crafting an itinerary can be challenging if it's not something you regularly do. Additionally, travel agents can help you choose the best time to visit your preferred destination(s) based on seasonality and your budget, and sift through travel insurance policies to find the best option for your needs.

Travel agents can provide local expertise

"A travel advisor's industry connections and relationships provide added value to their clients," says Valerie Edman, a luxury travel advisor and agency owner at Cultured Travel LLC. She says when working with a travel agent, travelers gain access to a global network of connections including:

• In-destination specialists who work exclusively with travel advisors and can connect travelers with unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences they wouldn't otherwise know about
• Exclusive experiences not available to the general public

You'll avoid surprise fees

When deciding if a travel agent is worth it for you, remember this: A reputable agent can guarantee you won't encounter any surprise fees on accommodations and activities once your trip is booked.

You'll have someone to troubleshoot unexpected travel issues

A travel advisor is essentially your personal vacation concierge. "Because they've been around for so long, agents really know what to look for," says Christopher Elliott , a consumer advocate and journalist. "Travel agents are among the first to know about flight cancellations and delays , making it easy for them to rebook itineraries right away." 

The Cons of Using a Travel Agent

It might not be your cheapest option.

There are some instances when it makes more sense to plan your own trip. "If you're planning a quick flight from New York City to Los Angeles, it's easy enough to book it yourself online directly or through a third-party booking site," says Elliott. "If you're planning a once-in-a-lifetime trip or bucket list honeymoon , that's when you call the experts."

You'll have less flexibility in your itinerary

The upside of working with a travel agent is having someone plan an epic vacation for you based on industry knowledge and local expertise. But this can also be a downside in the event you discover an activity you'd like to do or a restaurant you'd like to try that isn't on your pre-planned itinerary. If you alter your plans, you risk losing money; plus, the time it takes for you and your travel agent to coordinate your change of plans may not be worth the hassle.

You still have to do some research

It's important to find an agent you can trust, which means you still have to do some of the vacation planning. For this part, Parker recommends picking up the phone. "Lots of people avoid or don't pick up the phone as much anymore," she says. "That's where you get the high-touch service, tone of voice, excitement or concerns to manage." She advises to look for the following red flags:

• No fees: " Travel advisors are charging planning fees more now or increasing them, so the client knows more confidently than ever, we work for them, not the suppliers with the best commissions," Parker explains. "There are a lot of things that are non-commissionable and the advisor's time and expertise shouldn't be given away for free, either. That's the best way to show an advisor takes their business seriously."
• Limited options: If you work with someone who is inexperienced or has an incentive to book you with a certain supplier, they may not be prioritizing your best interests. "It's important to check if they are with a larger consortia, accreditations and network, typically listed on their website and signatures," says Parker. "That level of mindshare doesn't come with a lone advisor unless they have many, many years of experience."
• Slow response times: If communication is delayed, that's a sign they may be too busy to plan your trip – but again, this is something you can avoid by having the right conversations early on.

Edman suggestes starting your search with the American Society of Travel Advisors . "ASTA-verified travel advisors are committed to the highest industry standards and have verifiable industry knowledge so consumers can feel confident in working with them," she says.

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Best Online Travel Agencies

Booking.com is our top choice for making your trip arrangements

Ligaya Malones is an editor, blogger, and freelance writer specializing in food and travel. Ligaya's work has appeared in publications including Lonely Planet and BRIDES.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Planning a trip can be easier through an online travel agency than if you handle each aspect of the planning separately. You can book hotels, air travel, rental cars, and more through a single site, and booking everything together sometimes results in discounts. By inputting a destination, a range of dates, and other preferences, you will see a list of options for each aspect of travel.

The best online travel agencies offer options from the largest number of airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, and more. Look for sites that offer discounts for combining reservations for different aspects of your trip. For example, the best sites will have lower rates if you book both plane tickets and a hotel through their services. The best sites also provide reviews from customers who actually have booked through the service. These are our top picks.

• Best Overall: Booking.com
• Best Budget: Skyscanner
• Best Price Predictor: Hopper
• Most Innovative: Kiwi.com
• Best for Eco-Conscious: Kind Traveler
• Best for Social Impact: I Like Local
• Best for Design-Forward Homestays: Plum Guide
• Our Top Picks
• Booking.com

Kind Traveler

I Like Local

• See More (4)

Final Verdict

Frequently asked questions, methodology, best overall : booking.com.

 Booking.com

This industry leader offers one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms on the Internet.

Lots of options to choose from

Interface is easy to use

Numerous filters to customize your search

Tricky to tell whether changes/cancellations can be made with Booking.com or the vendor directly

Booking.com was founded in 1996 and has grown into an industry leader that stands out for being one of the most comprehensive trip planning platforms out there. From one website, you can compare and book accommodations, flights (including one-way and multi-city flights), sightseeing activities, and even airport taxis. The website lists more than 28 million accommodation options, from hotels, hostels, and B&Bs to vacation homes and luxury resorts—you can browse more choices per destination on Booking.com than other online travel agencies. The website also performs well on cost and typically returns lower-than-average prices for flights and hotels. 

Booking.com's interface is also easy to use. On the home page, search for a hotel by entering your chosen destination and dates. Then, use the extensive list of filters—such as price range and distance from the city center—to narrow the results down and find the best fit. You can also search for a specific hotel, or seek inspiration by clicking through options grouped by destination or property type or by topic such as the country’s best Michelin-starred hotel restaurants or the top cities for vegan travelers. The flights, car rental, and other tabs are just as intuitive. 

Best Budget : Skyscanner

 Skyscanner

You can compare prices across airlines, hotels, and car rentals.

Simple interface

Option to toggle searches between specific dates or by monthly calendars

Search Everywhere button is great for spontaneous planners

Extra clicks are required to make a final purchase

Must read fine print for changes/cancellations—may need to deal directly with the vendor

Ads on the sidebar can be distracting

Find deals on airfare, hotels, and car rentals with an aggregator site like Skyscanner , which uses a metasearch engine to compare prices from all online travel agencies and the airline, hotel, or car rental company in question. Run searches with fixed dates, opt to compare airfare prices month to month, or click “Cheapest Month.” Searches also include options for nearby airports or non-stop flights only. With hotel searches, you can choose to select only from properties with free cancellation, a cleanliness rating of 4.5/5 or higher, or 3- or 4-starred hotels only. Car rental searches include an option to select “return car to different location.”

Once you’ve found the best rate, click on the link to be redirected to the third-party site to make your booking. Feeling spontaneous? The Search Everywhere button on the homepage offers a list of the cheapest flight deals for destinations both locally and across the world—just plug in your departure airport first.

Best Price Predictor : Hopper

The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting when flights and hotel rates will be cheapest.

Color-coded system makes it easy to determine cheapest days to buy

App is easy to use

Option to track flights and receive alerts when the best time to buy arises

Some have mentioned the app functions better as a research tool than a booking tool

Unclear whether Hopper will price match if you find a cheaper flight elsewhere

Hopper is a travel app available on iOS and Android that aims to help travelers save on airfare by usng historical data and their own algorithm to predict when flights will be cheapest. Just type in where and when you’d like to fly and Hopper will present you with a color-coded pricing calendar indicating how much tickets are likely to cost. (Green is the least expensive, then yellow, orange, and red for most expensive.) Hopper will also recommend you either buy now or wait, or you can choose to watch a trip and receive notifications on the best time to buy. In addition, the app has expanded to offer hotel and car rental price predictions, too.

Some newer features since the app’s inception in 2009 include an option to freeze a price for a limited time—for an extra fee—as well as exclusive app-only discounts. Hopper is free to download, and you can choose to book directly through the app, though some users mentioned they use Hopper as more of a research tool before booking directly with the airline or hotel. The company claims a 95 percent accuracy rate at predicting flight rates up to a year ahead.

Most Innovative : Kiwi.com

This metasearch engine scours the web to piece together the ideal itinerary using planes, trains, buses, and more.

Creative itineraries get you where you need to go, especially if you’ve got a multi-stop trip

Kiwi Guarantee offers rebooking or cancellation protections

Nomad option appeals to travelers with a lot of flexibility

Creative itineraries mean you may not fly out of the same airport you flew into

Kiwi Guarantee has an additional fee

Charges all-in-one fee for booking flights, trains, buses (though you can always purchase a la carte)

Travelers planning multi-city destinations and seeking a bargain, as well as those looking to take planes, trains, and automobiles to get there, might consider Kiwi . Kiwi is a metasearch engine that scours and pieces together itineraries from various airlines (even if they don’t have a codeshare agreement), considers multiple airports (even if your arrival airport is different from departure), and offers booking options, whether you’re looking at very specific dates or more general ones (up to 60 nights).

Some will find the ability to make multiple bookings for a particular trip more convenient than going at it manually several different times, though note that you must opt into the Kiwi Guarantee program to access rebooking and refund protections should your reservation change or be canceled. Kiwi’s Nomad option allows you to plug in a bunch of destinations you’d like to visit and the length of your intended stay, and the website will churn out the most affordable itineraries for review.

Best for Eco-Conscious : Kind Traveler

A give-and-get business model means booking accommodations with exclusive perks, a donation to environmental organizations, and more.

All participating hotels include a local give-back component

Exclusive savings and perks

Participating hotels are located in some of the most beautiful places in the world

Inventory is much smaller compared to other booking platforms

Some of the amenities mentioned are based on availability only

In 2022, Kind Traveler (an online trave agency focused on hotel bookings) announced an increase in environmentally and socially conscious hotels, charity donations, voluntourism opportunities, and additional perks like waived resort fees or a welcome amenity.

Unlock exclusive hotel rates and perks from participating Kind Traveler hotels with a minimum $10/night minimum donation to a local charity. For example, stay at the Six Senses Laamu in the Maldives and receive up to $33 off the nightly rate and perks such as a food and beverage credit and an Earth Lab or Alchemy Bar workshop when you make a donation to Manta Trust. The organization funds coastal research to protect the island nation’s large yet fragile population of reef mantas.

Select from more than 140 participating hotels from the Hawaiian Islands to Bozeman, Montana, and the Maldives. Charities include wildlife, human rights, arts, education, and environmental preservation organizations.

Best for Social Impact : I Like Local

Choose from a host of travel experiences with the peace of mind that 100 percent of the cost goes directly to local partners.

Social impact mission woven into organization’s business model

Immersive experiences led by local guides

Range of experiences offered

May not be best fit for those seeking upscale, luxury experiences and stays

Can’t sort experiences by a list of countries (though an interactive map is available)

No experiences outside of Africa and Asia

For an online travel agency with a booking platform designed to route dollars spent directly to the communities travelers intend to visit, consider I Like Local . Visit the website to browse a host of travel experiences in countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Cambodia. Experiences include homestays and farmstays as well as wellness and culturally oriented experiences—from cooking and cycling tours to weaving classes.

To search for an experience, select from drop-down items like travel dates and experience categories, or view a global map and click on a country to view experiences that way.

The platform got its start in 2014 and has grown to 4,000 local hosts across nearly 20 countries. As a social impact organization, 100 percent of each booking fee goes to local hosts. To date, 16,000 travelers have booked with I Like Local.

Best for Design-Forward Homestays : Plum Guide

Browse and book seriously vetted, design-forward vacation homes.

Highly curated inventory of vacation rentals across the world

Design-forward

Thorough vetting process

Does not publish guest reviews

Other platforms have homes available across more destinations

When it comes to booking a vacation home, serviced apartment, or condo, travelers are spoiled for choice. Plum Guide is an online travel agency that specializes in accommodations—though not just any home makes its directory. The company claims that each potential home listed on its site must jump through 150 hoops to be included, from internet speed and mattress and pillow quality to the showers’ water pressure and the home’s proximity to dining, shopping, and attractions.

Search by a featured collection on the website such as “ pet-friendly homes ” or “one-of-a-kind homes in Palm Springs.” Scroll to the bottom of its homepage to view its top destinations, as well as a list of all destinations where Plum Guide homes are available, including Barbados, Mexico, Portugal, Switzerland, the U.S., and Turkey. Note: From the top right-hand corner of the site, use the dropdown menu to select currency of choice.

As long as you know what you value most out of your travel experience—such as affordability, social impact, or luxe accommodations—there’s an online travel agency to help plan your next trip. Be sure to read the fine print, as some agencies are third-party websites and not direct vendors. If you're not sure where to start, Booking.com is your best bet for a smooth user experience and hard-to-beat offers on flights, hotels, and other travel arrangements.

What Is the Biggest Travel Agency?

Our choice for best overall, Booking.com, is known as an industry leader with listings for all major hotels, airlines, car rental companies, and more. It boasts more choices for accommodations per destination than any other site, and we found its interface to be user-friendly.

Are Online Travel Agencies Worth It?

This depends on your needs and priorities. The best online travel agencies certainly can save time by booking everything all at once. However, if you're someone who is good at haggling and enjoys the details of planning a trip, you might be able to find better deals by reaching out to hotels or other destinations and speaking to someone personally.

Is It Cheaper to Book Online Than With a Travel Agent?

Not always. A travel agent you know and trust should have the experience and connections to find deals that can match or surpass what you'll find online. Additionally, if something goes wrong, travel agents provide you with an actual person you can use as an advocate to correct the problem . But if you don't have access to a good travel agent, online sites still provide plenty of ways to streamline planning and save money .

We considered dozens of online travel agencies and narrowed down the options based on user experience, volume and quality of inventory, unique offerings and specials, and customer reviews. We also assessed travel companies’ environmentally and socially conscious policies.

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

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VS Travel Service

Let's explore the word, premier travel agency, # one stop shop for all your vacation packages.

VS TRAVEL wants to provide quality information and affordable travel plans for families and groups who want to explore the world. We want to build a business that provides the highest levels of quality customer service. VS Travel specializes in Hawaii, Miami, Mexico, Safari (Africa), Europe and the Caribbean travel package. Just tell us where you dream of going and we will get you there!

It's Time to Start Your Adventures

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Backpacking Trips

Fuerat aestu carentem habentia spectent tonitrua mutastis locavit liberioris inistra possedit.

Family Hiking Trips

Water Sports

Winter Sports

Why outdoor adventure.

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• Experience: Locavit liberioris possedit
• Reputation: Diremit mundi mare undae
• Guide Experience: Spectent tonitrua mutastis

What You Get

• Private Hike: Locavit liberioris possedit
• Transportation: Diremit mundi mare undae
• Great Facilities: Spectent tonitrua mutastis

Forest Wilderness

Look Deep Into Nature

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Just Living Is Not Enough

Adopt The Pace Of Nature

How can we help you.

• USA & Canada

Founded in 1995, AV Travel is headquartered in Garden Grove, California. As a full-service travel agency, we have seen many changes in our industry throughout the years, but our commitment to provide the best possible service has never wavered.

We want to thank all our clients for their loyalty and continued support. We have taken the occasion to introduce a series of new tours to exciting destinations around the world and to launch a new logo commemorating our continued success. We’ve also added new features and functionalities to our new website to better serve our clients.

AV Travel is a member of the International Network of Tourism, an organization that provides worldwide vacations and guided tour management services. As a full-service travel agency, we specialize in comprehensive luxury tours that include airfare, 4-5 star hotel accommodations, deluxe ground transport, gourmet meals, professional tour guides, and top sightseeing activities. Staffed with friendly and experienced agents, we are ready to assist you in finding a vacation tour that brings a lifetime of memories.

• Accommodations
• Visa Processing
• Ground Transportation
• Exhibits & Show Tickets
• Optional Excursions & Activities
• Group or Personal Guided Tours

Our commitment to quality, affordability, safety and fun travel has never changed since our company was established in 1995. Whether your preference is to travel to multiple cities or to a single destination, AV Travel can advise you of the best choice given your time and budget.

Our service is not just about booking airfare and accommodations but to ensure that you get to experience the local traditions, cultures and enjoy the activities available wherever you are traveling.

Our true reward is for you to return from your trip with a refreshed outlook, enhanced world knowledge and fond memories that last a lifetime.

Travel Documents

U.S. citizens are required to have a passport for all trips outside of the U.S., which must be valid for at least six months beyond the completion date of the tour. Entry laws differ with respect to travelers’ citizenship.

Each participant is responsible for any expenses incurred because of delays or itinerary changes related to his/her lack of appropriate travel documents and are ineligible for any refund from AV Travel should these circumstances arise.

For more information on countries requiring visas for U.S. citizens and non-U.S citizens, please refer to the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov.

Travel Insurance

In today’s changing travel environment, it’s important to protect your travel investment so you can relax and enjoy your trip. Unforeseen events such as flight delays, baggage loss or even a sudden sickness or injury could impact your travel plans. For your convenience, we offer a Travelex Insurance Services protection plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected. For more information and rates, please review the 360° Group Choice product flyer here .

The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries. The full coverage terms and details, including limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. To view/download the policy, go to https://policy.travelexinsurance.com/GCB-0521 . Travelex Insurance Services, Inc. CA Agency License #0D10209. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company; NAIC #22276. X41

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Deposit: For tours departing in June, July, August and December or during special events and holidays, deposits are non-refundable. All other tours are subject to a service charge equal to 50% of the total deposit fee as well as any airline penalties if a cancellation is made 60 days or more prior to the tour departure date. Deposits are non-refundable for any cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the tour departure date.

Final Payment: Final payment is due 60 days prior to the tour departure date. Cancellations made 60 days or more prior to the departure date is subject to a 50% service charge of the total tour package fee. There are no refunds for cancellations made less than 30 days prior the tour departure date.

Visa and Processing Fees: Visa and processing fees are non-refundable.

Other Terms & Provisions

AV Travel reserves the right to modify the tour itinerary and/or schedule, including canceling a tour departure in accordance to its tour operating policy and requirements.

If a tour is cancelled prior to the departure date by AV Travel, the company’s only obligation is to refund the amount received from each participant of the specified tour.

AV Travel acts only as an agent for the suppliers of transportation, accommodations, meals and other services provided to the tour participants. Neither AV Travel or its agents assume responsibility for death, personal injury, property damage and loss, or delays incurred by any person in connection with the tour or by result of any event beyond its control, including neglect, strike, war, terrorism, hostility, civil disturbance, and/or any acts of God.

State of California Seller of Travel Disclosure

Middle East

North America

Cruising Northern Croatia & Its Islands featuring the Istrian Peninsula

Canadian rockies and alaska's inside passage featuring rocky mountaineer and a 7-night alaska cruise, sequoia & kings canyon national parks featuring san diego and california’s central coast.

United States

Explorations

EXPLORATIONS

Montana: Exploring Big Sky Country featuring Yellowstone & Glacier National Parks

Canadian Rockies by Train

$3,299 pp* $3,399 pp.

America's Music Cities featuring New Orleans, Memphis & Nashville

Bosnia And Herzegovina

Czech Republic

Netherlands

Northern Ireland

Switzerland

United Kingdom

New Zealand

South Pacific Wonders

Australia’s Outback to New Zealand’s South Island

Exploring New Zealand's Wonders featuring the North & South Islands

South Africa

The Plains of Africa Kenya Wildlife Safari

Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water

$3,799 pp* $3,999 pp, treasures of egypt.

South America

Costa Rica: A World of Nature featuring Tortuguero National Park, Arenal Volcano & Manuel Antonio National Park

Patagonia: edge of the world featuring argentina, chile, and a 4-night patagonia cruise.

Peru: Machu Picchu and Lake Titicaca

South Korea

United Arab Emirates

Japan: Past & Present A Cultural Journey from Tokyo to Osaka

Mysteries of India

Kingdoms of Southeast Asia Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand

$18,449 pp*.

Journey to Antarctica: The White Continent aboard the National Geographic Resolution

Journey Through Egypt and Jordan

Colors of Morocco

Treasures of Turkey Istanbul, Ancient Ephesus & Cappadocia

View all destinations, wonders of thailand discovering ancient wonders and natural beauty from bangkok to phuket, $3,299 pp* $3,699 pp, historical greenbrier featuring washington d.c. & williamsburg.

Essence of France Paris, Provence & the French Riviera

Visit iconic must-sees and engage with new cultures on these feature-rich tours., $2,239 pp* $2,399 pp.

Classical Greece

Cultural Treasures of Japan

Small group explorations, dive deeper and engage with local life on these tours designed for small groups..

Exploring South Africa, Victoria Falls & Botswana

Unpack just once and dive deep into a destination on these getaway-style tours..

Spotlight on New York City

$1,699 pp* $1,899 pp.

Spotlight on Tuscany

Vacation envy starts here

Featured in, next-level travel powered by tech and the human touch.

Our travel advisors have the tools, insights & connections to build your dream vacation. Get killer recommendations & perks, a seamless booking experience — and maybe a cool new friend along the way.

Destinations near and far, we do it all

Buzzing cities, tropical islands, remote escapes and everything in between. Our first-hand intel and insider expertise covers the globe.

Designed for every type of traveler

... whether you're planning a bucket list adventure, family reunion, solo trip or weekend away. If it's on your list, we book it.

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Unlock perks and upgrades at thousands of hotels around the world — including Four Seasons, Andaz, Kimpton and more — at no extra cost.

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Featured hotels

Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection

This serene casita resort features bird-song-filled acres of untamed tropical forest, a coffee farm, equine stables, organic chef’s gardens and a wellbeing center.

$100 hotel credit.

Breakfast daily.

Extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Chablé Yucatán

This luxury Mexico resort was founded on the basis of Mayan well-being, and offers thoughtful immersion into the country’s vibrant culture.

$100 hotel / resort credit.

Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Domaine de Fontenille

This restored 18th-century home sits amid an organic garden and 17th-century vineyard in Luberon, an idyllic hilltop region in Provence.

Complimentary experience.

Welcome note & amenities.

One-way airport transfer.

Why We're Different

Customized travel planning for your style, expert advice from people who've actually been there, free upgrades, spa credits and more — we got you, relax, you're in good hands.

Fora Advisor Christina P.

Christina was extremely thorough throughout the process. She handled everything every step of the way. Honestly, it felt like she was right by my side throughout the entire trip. I could not have experienced this trip without her.

Booked travel to Illinois with Christina P.

Fora Advisor Katrina F.

Katrina was incredible every step of the way. She helped us tighten up our itinerary and made great recommendations for hotels and restaurants that worked really well for our family. I would highly recommend anyone thinking about how to make their trip perfect go straight to Katrina.

Booked travel to California with Katrina F.

Fora Advisor Melissa F.

I was impressed by the high level of professionalism in planning and organizing my trip to NYC. Attention to detail and genuine care for my particular interests - great restaurants and seeing the best of the city - were evident in every step of the planning. I highly recommend Melissa!

Booked travel to New York City with Melissa F.

Fora Advisor Thomas S.

Thomas was amazing. He got us a free room upgrade, free breakfasts for 5 days (an ~$270 value), a $50 room credit, early checkin, late checkout and more. I am referring him to all of my friends who like to travel in style.

Booked travel to Washington DC with Thomas S.

Fora Advisor Sequoia A.

Managed expectations and helped deliver the experience I was looking for. Kind and professional. Facilitated everything so I could fully enjoy myself without worry or any kind of stress arranging my stay.

Booked travel to Mexico with Sequoia A.

Fora Advisor Jill M.

Jill is amazing - so professional and goes above and beyond to accommodate her clients and their particular requests and booking preferences. She always find exactly what we need and want! Highly recommend.

Booked travel to Portugal with Jill M.

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What is a travel agency.

A travel agency supports a team of travel advisors who sell, curate and book travel. Travel advisors consult with clients on where to go, what to do and where to stay. In addition to planning and booking trips, advisors communicate with hotels and other partners (tour companies, cruises, etc.) to ensure each trip goes smoothly.

What is the difference between a travel advisor and a travel agent?

The terms travel agent and travel advisor are used interchangeably. The original term was ‘travel agent,’ but the industry has gone through a bit of a rebrand to showcase the breadth of work that a travel advisor does. We use both, but typically refer to our network of travel advisors simply as Fora Advisors.  

Fora Advisors (a.k.a. travel advisors / agents) work with clients to understand their travel needs and handle all the travel arrangements, from booking a hotel for a long weekend to planning a honeymoon to securing a room block for a corporate conference. 

What are the benefits of working with a travel agent?

Working with a travel agent helps you level up your travel experience. A travel agent handles all the logistics — on-the-ground transfers, hotel and tour bookings, itinerary planning — so you can get the most out of your trip, without any of the stress. 

Plus, our Fora travel agents have insider access to over 5,000 preferred partnerships, meaning you get complimentary perks, priority upgrades and so much more at thousands of locations around the globe. We put serious time and airline mileage into visiting these properties in person so we can give you the up-to-date intel on your destination. We also maintain close relationships with hotel management so you’re treated like the VIP you are from the moment you arrive.

In other words, working with a travel agent unlocks a secret travel world you need to be a part of. But don’t just take our word for it… we have tons of 5-star reviews from happy clients.

Will I get perks & benefits when I work with a Fora Advisor?

Yes — big time. Our travel advisors have access to upgrades & perks at over 5,000 partners around the world. Plus, our partnerships with brands like Virtuoso , Four Seasons , Rosewood and beyond — as well as with smaller, independent boutique hotels — ensure you get treated like a VIP wherever you travel to next.

What types of travel can I book with Fora?

You name it, we book it: resort vacations, safaris , city breaks, vacation home rentals, once-in-a-lifetime adventures, weekend escapes…We do it all.

Do Fora Advisors count as Disney travel agents? What about cruise travel agents?

Absolutely. We provide comprehensive training on just about everything in the travel industry, so our advisors are well equipped to curate any client’s dream trip. (Read more about the benefits of booking with a cruise travel agent .)

I’m planning a group trip. Can Fora Advisors help?

Of course! The more the merrier. Whether you’re organizing a family reunion, honeymoon , bachelorette party or company-wide retreat, we’re happy to help. Just get in touch with your Fora Advisor to begin the process.

How do I make the most of my experience when planning a trip with Fora?

Tell us everything. Let us know if you love golf, must have access to a kids’ club or have a soft spot for off-the-beaten-path travel . Serious allergies or dietary restrictions are also very helpful information to share. That way, we’ll only show you options that fit your wants and needs. We also love to hear about your favorite hotels and trips you’ve enjoyed in the past, because that clues us in to your travel style.

If you’ve never worked with a travel advisor before, get our guide on what to expect when booking with a travel agent .

Wait, I kind of want to be a Fora Advisor myself. How can I join?

We love to hear it! We have a guide on how to become a travel agent . Then, when you’re interested in transforming your passion for travel into a meaningful career, apply to become a Fora Advisor today . 

9 things to consider when choosing to book via a portal vs. booking directly

Editor's Note

When it comes to travel, you have a lot of options.

You can book directly through the website of an airline, hotel, rental car company or other travel provider. You can also use online travel agencies like Expedia or Skyscanner. And many banks offer their own portals, such as Capital One Travel and Chase Travel .

While there are some horror stories from cancellations associated with portals, booking with one linked to a credit card in your wallet can be an attractive option.

Consider asking yourself these nine questions to determine the best approach for planning your next trip. They will help you decide whether to book directly, use an online travel agency or utilize a credit card portal for your next vacation.

Will you forfeit status perks and status earnings?

When booking a hotel room through online travel agencies like Hotels.com or Expedia , you may not receive your stay credit from the hotel brand (e.g., Marriott Bonvoy ). Any nights that would typically contribute toward your status won't be counted.

Moreover, as a member with elite status, you often won't receive the usual perks during your stay — like free breakfast or room upgrades. This applies to all major hotel loyalty programs . Many hotels offer a best-price guarantee , allowing you to request a match to a better price you find elsewhere, even if it's on an online travel agency. With this guarantee, you can enjoy loyalty benefits without spending more than necessary.

The decision becomes less straightforward if you want to leverage perks that require booking through a credit card travel portal — which can include bonus rewards or statement credits. You must prioritize what matters most: receiving elite perks and night credits or earning more credit card points and benefiting from automatic discounts for your stay.

However, it's worth noting that flights booked through third-party sites generally qualify as ordinary revenue tickets and are thus eligible to earn points or miles in the given airline's loyalty program. However, be sure to read the terms carefully to avoid booking restrictive basic economy fares .

Related: Why you don't earn hotel points when booking through an online travel agency

Do you have travel credits you can use from your credit card?

Several credit cards offer travel credits on your statements when you book through their travel portals.

For example, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees ) offers $300 in annual credits when you reserve flights, hotels and rental cars through the Capital One Travel portal .

Similarly, anyone with The Platinum Card® from American Express can enjoy various benefits of the Amex Platinum , including an annual hotel credit worth up to $200 for prepaid reservations at Fine Hotels + Resorts properties or The Hotel Collection (the latter of which requires a two-night minimum). The perk is issued as a statement credit to your account. Like the Capital One credit, the only way to receive the Amex credit is to book an eligible stay through the American Express Travel portal .

Those with a Chase Sapphire Preferred Card also receive a comparable credit for hotel reservations, though it's significantly lower at $50 per year. Simply book through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal to have the annual credit appear on your account.

If you have a travel credit you have yet to use, take advantage of it before it expires. But carefully consider its rules to ensure your booking qualifies for reimbursement.

Related: The top 11 credit cards with annual travel statement credits

What will cost you the fewest points?

If you have accumulated enough points in credit card portals like American Express Membership Rewards or Citi ThankYou points , you should carefully consider which redemption option will require the fewest points for your upcoming trip.

Sometimes, transferring your points to a partner program and booking through their website may be the most cost-effective option.

On the other hand, it may be cheaper in some situations to keep your points in your credit card account and use them through the card's travel portal. This is especially true for hotels, as transferring points to a partner hotel loyalty program may provide less value than redeeming them directly through your credit card issuer.

This can also make sense for boutique properties that don't participate in a loyalty program.

Always compare both redemption options before transferring your points to ensure that you get the best value .

Related: How (and why) you should earn transferable points

What will get you the most points on your credit card?

Regarding travel expenses, you should consider which credit card offers the best rewards for each purchase .

For instance, the Capital One Venture X (see rates and fees ) card provides 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel. Additionally, you earn 5 miles per dollar spent on flights booked this way. Comparing these rates to the 2 miles per dollar earned on purchases made outside the Capital One Travel portal, it's clear which option is more advantageous.

Chase follows a similar pattern. If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve and book through the Ultimate Rewards portal, you will earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars and 5 points on flights. These rates are significantly better than the 3 points per dollar earned on travel booked through other methods.

The Amex Platinum card presents a more drastic example. It offers 5 points per dollar for prepaid hotels booked through the Amex Travel portal. You also receive 5 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with an airline or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 in flights per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar spent). However, for hotel reservations booked directly with a hotel, you only earn 1 point per dollar spent. While you can choose either option for airfare, booking hotel stays through Amex Travel is best to maximize your earnings — though again, you'll likely give up the opportunity to earn hotel points by doing so.

Related: What are points and miles worth?

Do you have to choose between rental car loyalty perks and a better price?

Online travel agencies and portals are popular because they offer convenience. You can visit a single website and compare results from various rental car companies.

However, there is a trade-off to consider.

When you see a lower price on an online travel agency or credit card portal than a rental car website, you usually won't receive any elite benefits associated with a rental car loyalty program . This is because most online travel agencies and credit card portals do not provide an option to add your rental car loyalty number to the reservation (though there are exceptions ). Even if they do, the rental agency often doesn't honor the associated benefits, such as skipping the line during car pickup.

In such situations, you must decide whether booking the lower price or receiving perks is more important. Ultimately, the decision may come down to the price difference.

Related: Get automatic rental car elite status through your credit card

Will the hotel give preference to guests who booked directly?

In short: Possibly. You may not receive the same perks when booking a hotel through a third-party website instead of directly with the hotel.

For example, a TPG staffer faced this issue while staying at Universal's Cabana Bay Beach Resort in Orlando. He booked through the Capital One Travel portal to earn miles with his Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees ). However, this meant he couldn't use the mobile check-in feature and had to wait in a long line at check-in. Additionally, he was assigned a less desirable room near noisy areas like the service elevators and housekeeping storage.

If you're not a light sleeper or prefer in-person check-in, these drawbacks may not be significant concerns. Nevertheless, it's worth considering these factors when deciding how to make your hotel booking.

Related: The best ways to book hotels through online travel agencies and bank portals

Can you get free perks from hotels booked via a portal?

Why not add free perks to the deal if you're paying cash for a hotel?

With American Express, you can enjoy extras by booking through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection . However, you will not get these benefits if you book directly with the hotel.

Capital One and Chase offer similar programs through the Capital One Premier Collection , Capital One Lifestyle Collection and Chase Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection . When you book with these programs, you can expect to receive perks that could include free breakfast, a welcome gift or space-available room upgrades.

Related: 6 surprising ways to use your on-property credits at hotels

Will you get free nights added to a hotel booking?

Adding free nights to your hotel reservation could be a huge differentiator.

For example, the Citi Prestige® Card offers a fourth-night-free benefit . But there are some restrictions and nuances to using this benefit. There's a limit of two uses per year and you must book through Citi ThankYou Rewards to receive it.

The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Likewise, you can get a fourth or fifth night free when redeeming select types of hotel points for award stays — which could lead you to book directly with a hotel program.

Related: Can I mix hotel points and free night certificates to get a 4th or 5th night free?

What if something goes wrong with your flights?

Unlike rental car and hotel reservations made through portals and online travel agencies, flights booked outside airline websites will still earn you miles and frequent flyer status credits.

This is good news, but it gets even better when you realize you can stack rewards by booking flights through online travel agencies . This means you can earn points on your credit card, miles from flying, shopping portal bonuses and rewards from the loyalty programs of online travel agencies .

However, there is a potential issue to consider if unexpected problems arise before or during your trip.

When you book directly with an airline and your flight gets canceled, you can deal with the carrier directly. They will reimburse or rebook you based on their change or cancellation policy . However, this may not be the case for portals and online travel agency bookings.

If the airline cancels your flight due to bad weather, they may instruct you to purchase new tickets for a later flight through your credit card portal or the online travel agency you booked with. If you have a schedule change or want to adjust your reservation, you often need to go back to the third-party site for support instead of contacting the airline directly. This can be a significant drawback when booking flights through a third-party option, particularly if your trip carries a high risk of weather-related issues or you think there's a possibility that you'll need to change (or cancel) your trip.

Related: Flight canceled or delayed? Here's what to do

Bottom line

Having various options for booking trips is great. You can compare prices and use your points and miles effectively. You might even get extra perks that other websites don't offer.

However, having too many options can be overwhelming and confusing.

To simplify the process, consider these nine questions before making your booking. By considering factors such as your travel credits and how the booking will impact your elite status strategy, you can avoid surprises during your trip and make the most out of the rewards you earn.

Additional reporting by Kyle Olsen.

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The Pros and Cons of Booking Through Online Travel Agencies

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

You’re likely already familiar with online travel agencies, even if you don’t travel often. These companies — such as Priceline , Expedia and Orbitz — act as intermediaries between you and a travel provider.

Booking your travel through an OTA can be a good idea in some circumstances, but you’ll want to be wary of its pitfalls. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of online travel agencies, so you’ll know what to use to book your next vacation.

Pros of booking through online travel agencies

There are certainly advantages booking through online travel agencies, though you’ll find different experiences whether you’re using public OTAs — such as Kayak — or private ones like those offered by your card issuer, such as the Chase's travel portal .

✅ It may be cheaper

When searching for flights online, you may see different prices for the same routes that vary across websites. Although it may be a result of fare type — for example, some search results may not clarify that a fare is basic economy rather than main cabin or economy — other times, the difference comes down to competition for your business.

Online travel services will often offer slightly lower prices on flights in an effort to entice you as a customer. This is true for both hotels and airlines.

» Learn more: Best credit cards for online travel-booking websites

✅ It can earn you more rewards

Have you ever heard of shopping portals ? By logging into a shopping portal, you can earn rewards for purchases made with many online merchants. Some hotel chains, such as Hilton , Marriott and IHG , can be accessed through shopping portals while still booking directly on the hotel website. In this way, you can earn rewards with the hotel directly as well as with the shopping portal.

The same isn’t true for shopping portals and most airline sites. However, many public online travel agencies are accessible through shopping portals, which can then earn you rewards for airfare bookings. By opting to book in this way, you’ll be able to earn points or cash-back rewards through the shopping portal that you’d otherwise miss.

Some card issuers will also reward you heavily when using their online travel services. Clear examples of this can be seen with Capital One and Chase. With the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , for example, you’ll get 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel .

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is similar. With this card, you can get 10 Ultimate Rewards® points per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Chase's portal.

While these numbers are high, it’s important to remember that there are trade-offs when booking through an OTA rather than directly with a hotel or airline. We’ll get into that a little later.

Online travel agencies offered by your card issuer may not feature the same prices as booking directly; you’ll want to compare these before committing to a purchase.

Some card issuers will go so far as to give your points more value when redeeming through their online travel agencies.

This is true with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card . When redeeming points on Chase's travel portal, you’ll get 1.25 cents in value per point rather than 1 cent elsewhere.

» Learn more: How much are your airline miles and hotel points worth this year?

Cons of booking through online travel agencies

There are several downsides when it comes to using online travel services for booking travel. It mainly comes down to the fact that travel providers prefer that you book directly with them — and offer more perks to woo your business.

❌ It can be harder to change a booking

Ever needed to change a flight after it's booked? No matter the reason, attempting to alter or otherwise cancel a flight can be a hassle — especially if you’ve booked through a third party.

Generally speaking, rather than offering you direct assistance, both hotels and airlines will recommend you contact the online travel agency you’ve booked with in order to make any changes.

While you may be able to make changes or get refunds with the travel agency, airlines and hotels can — and will — offer much more flexibility when you’ve booked with them directly. You may also be subject to additional fees charged by the online travel agency, which can erase any savings you’ve received.

❌ You may not receive elite benefits

This is the real kicker for anyone wanting elite status. Although airlines will almost always recognize your elite status and allow you to earn miles even for bookings made through an online travel agency, hotels and rental car companies will not.

This is especially important for hotel chains. Earning elite status with hotels generally relies on elite night credits. Although these can be earned in a variety of ways — including having complimentary status by holding certain credit cards — the main method of acquiring elite night credits is by spending nights in hotels. Rooms booked through an online travel agency do not count toward elite status as elite night credits.

Additionally, you will not receive any of the benefits of your existing elite status if your booking is through a third party. This can mean the loss of perks such as room upgrades, complimentary breakfast and even free Wi-Fi.

» Learn more: The best airline and hotel rewards loyalty programs this year

❌ It may be more expensive

Did you know that many hotel chains have best price guarantees? Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott and IHG all have a guarantee that’ll give you either points or a discount if you find a better rate elsewhere.

These guarantees are generous; Hilton, for example, will match the rate and then discount it by a further 25%.

Although you’ll need to file claims for these guarantees and they face limitations — such as a 24-hour window from when you made the booking — you can save a lot of money on your stay if your request is approved.

Online travel agencies can be hit or miss

There are two sides to every coin and this is no different, as there are several benefits and limitations of online travel services. Depending on your needs and loyalty program status, you’ll want to choose whether to book directly with a travel provider or rely on OTAs to do the job for you.

Booking travel through credit card portals from issuers like Chase and Capital One can earn you big rewards. But if you anticipate altering your travel plans or aim to earn elite status instead, booking directly is the way to go.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

75,000 Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Travel MLMs: What You Need to Know

We’re about to get a little bit controversial here and chat up on travel MLMs (multi-level marketing) businesses.

Before I launch in, I want to say that this not a “host travel agency vs. MLM face-off” or anything of the like. No way. We’re all about peace, puppies, totality, and trumpets over in our neck of the woods. If you want to go with a travel MLM and you know what you're getting into, go for it.

Every so often an aspiring travel agent stumbles into a travel MLM thinking it functions like a host travel agency. But that’s just not the case.

But every so often an aspiring travel agent stumbles into a travel MLM thinking it functions like a host travel agency . But that’s just not the case. Host agencies and MLMs are two different types of businesses. I'd say they're like apples and oranges, but it's really more like apples and elephants.

We want to help agents differentiate between full-service travel companies like host agencies (which support agents to sell travel) and travel MLMs (which tend to emphasize selling memberships). Here's the key takeaways:

⭐️ HAR ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS: ⭐️

• What is an MLM? An MLM, short for Multi-Level Marketing, is a business model that relies on recruiting others to sell products rather than just selling products yourself. You make money by getting commissions on your sales, but also on the sales of the people you recruit (your "downline"). >>> Jump to section
• What is an MLM Travel Agency, Specifically? It's a business model that focuses on recruitment over booking travel. Unlike traditional travel agents, income from travel MLMs comes mainly from selling memberships to build a sales team, not commissions from booking trips. >>> Jump to section
• The Truth About Travel MLMs (An Infographic) Travel MLMs are opaque when it comes to documenting earnings and success rate. This infographic offers a look at travel MLMs in a visual nutshell! It magnifies the "fine print," showing data from income disclosure statements, offering a list of travel MLMs, and more. >>> Jump to section
• A Note on Travel MLM Income Disclosures & Compensation Structures : A review of what travel MLM income disclosures and compensation structures include and conceal with real-life examples. >>> Jump to section
• The Coded Language of Travel MLMs : How do you know if you're in MLM danger zone? Check out these real-life examples of travel MLM lingo. >>> Jump to section
• The Travel MLM Hybrid/ MLM-Affiliated Model : Some companies affiliated with an MLM marketing arm distance themselves given the bad reputation of pyramid schemes. Read more about this model of "hybrid" travel MLMs. >>> Jump to section
• How Did Travel MLMs Start Getting a Bad Rap (An Origin Story)? Travel MLMs started with YTB, Your Travel Business. Here's a rundown on how the emergence of YTB soured the travel industry for the travel MLMs of today. >>> Jump to section
• How Is a Travel MLM Different from a Host Agency? What makes a host agency different from a travel MLM? A lot. This section takes a big-picture look at these differences including how HAR flags travel MLMs and MLM hybrids on their site. >>> Jump to section

What Is An MLM?

In a nutshell, an MLM, short for Multi-Level Marketing, is a business model that relies on recruiting others to sell products rather than just selling products yourself . You make money by getting commissions on your sales, but also on the sales of the people you recruit (your "downline"). MLM marketing is also called “network marketing” and “direct sales,” so if you see a website throwing around that terminology, they’re probably talking about an MLM business model.

MLM expert, Robert FitzPatrick, published a 2008 study that covered ten publicly traded MLMs at its time—including the now-defunct travel MLM Your Travel Business (YTB). What did he find? In short this: ". . . 99% of all [MLM] participants received less than $10 a week in commissions, before all expenses ." 1

We love academic papers, but this fictionalized explanation from The Office is arguably (or factually?) more fun.

With the exception of YTB, FitzPatrick's study take didn't offer a deep-dive on how travel MLMs, in particular, operate. Moving on, we'll focus on how MLM travel agencies are unique. Why? Because travel is a very different product than, say, herbs, vitamins, makeup, or leggings.

But one thing travel MLMs have in common with more conventional MLMs is the high rate of failure. Let's dig in and chat travel MLMs specifically.

What Is an MLM Travel Agency?

In travel MLMs, the dominant revenue stream is from selling memberships to recruits, not commissions from selling travel.

What is an MLM travel agency? It's a business model that focuses on recruitment over booking travel. Unlike traditional travel agents, income from travel MLMs comes mainly from selling memberships to build a sales team, not commissions from booking trips.

Like any other MLM, travel MLMs have two revenue streams for their members:

• Commissions from selling a product (in this case, travel) directly to clients.
• Commissions, overrides, or kickbacks on membership sales from recruiting others into the organization.

In travel MLMs, the dominant revenue stream is from selling memberships to recruits, not commissions from selling travel. Travel MLMs will try to entice you with promises that residual (or passive) income will trickle down from the upper echelon of the downline. (*cough* pyramid scheme.) 

What makes a travel MLM different from other MLMs (like Amway, LuLaRoe, Herbalife, etc.) is that reps don’t have to buy any product to sell like leggings, makeup, or vitamins. ( However, oddly enough, some travel MLMs do also try to push selling vitamins and energy boosters!) In some ways, not having to buy products makes a travel MLM less risky in terms of financial investment (but not without risk).

Travel MLMs are opaque regarding their success rate. Many travel MLMs are not required to publicize their income disclosure statements (they're not publicly traded). Those that do share their disclosures (in the name of transparency) present a pretty grim picture when it comes to income potential. 

You know how in most sales situations, you make the bulk of the commission on the product? Well, with MLMs, the people above you are the ones raking in the dough. (*cough* pyramid scheme). Here's a visual of how MLMs operate, using real-life MLM income disclosures as an example.

Here's a closer look at the three Travel MLM income disclosures mentioned in the infographic.

1. Dream Trips (formerly WorldVentures)

For example, travel MLM Dream Trips (formerly WorldVentures) reported in 2019 ( the most recent disclosures available ) that 14.6% of all Representatives earned a commission or a bonus. 85.4% earned nothing or operated at a loss. The average commission and bonus earnings of all reps was $354.31, including the ones who made $0.

If you take out the group who made nothing (or operated at a loss), you get an average of $2,425.55 and a median of $50.00. But the annual cost to join Dream Trips is a minimum of $769.89 in its first year ( source for annual fees ). (It may not come as a surprise to our perceptive readers that WorldVentures has declared bankruptcy, attempted an acquisition, and rebranded as Dream Trips, all since 2019.)

2. Incruises

Travel MLM Incruises is one of the world's largest subscription-based travel companies whose majority of income-earning "partners" (reps) bring in less than $10,000 annually. 705 Partners earned more than 10,000 dollars in a 12-month period, which is only 2.21% of all "active" reps (what they mean by "active" is clear as mud, which we'll address later).

They actually state quite plainly in their April 2024 disclosure that: "most Partners will not reach the highest levels...where a substantial income can be achieved." The number that does, in fact, is 97 people total. (Friends, that's 0.30%.) 2 . YIKES.

Travel MLM MWR has a unique income disclosure in that they do not tell you:

1. the overall average income

2. how many members are a part of their network

What this means is that we can't tell you what percent of members earn zero income. But the numbers are no less dismal. Most of their membership base, 73%, are among the worst-performing tier. This group (entering pyramid scheme territory) earned an $18 annual average (and no, that is not a typo).

A Note on Travel MLM Income Disclosures

You've have a peek behind the when it comes to income disclosures and compensation structures. Looking at an income disclosure can leave you with more questions than answers. If a travel MLM does provides an income disclosure (they are not required by law unless the travel MLM is publicly traded), you can typically find out:

• the average earnings for active reps at different tiers
• the period in which income was earned
• the percentage who earned some and/or no income during that period

These income disclosures are in stark opposition to the implications of all the residual income and free trips these travel MLMs focus on in their marketing.

But there's a lot that an income disclosure doesn't tell you. Many income disclosures will not include information such as: 

• Churn Rate & Attrition:  How quickly reps turnover and leave the MLM. The data may only include the number of reps who are still signed on with them at the end of the disclosure period, and do not account for the number of reps who left within that time frame. 
• Total Number of Distributors at Different Levels of the Organization:  This masks the total number of reps and distributors in general, then further obscures the data by not revealing how many reps sell at what level. How does this affect things? It skews the average income of the typical rep since the income spread between the bottom and top of a pyramid scheme can be significant (hundreds of thousands or even a million).
• How Much Income is from Travel Commissions:  The data also does not disclose what percentage of the income earned is from actual travel commissions (vs. residual income from referrals).
• Definition of "Active" Distributor:  Is active defined as someone that has sales during that period? Or any distributor paying fees? We have no idea. 

What this means is that if you're interested in aligning yourself with a travel MLM, you'll want to arm yourself with curiosity. The FTC published a pdf chapter from Jon M. Taylor, PhD, 2011 book, "The Case For (and Against) Multi-Level Marketing." Here, Dr. Taylor cautions those interested in MLMs to ask about attrition (dropout) rates. Here's what he says:

" Prospects should ask their recruiter to furnish the company’s attrition (dropout) rate; i.e., the percentage of recruits who sign up only to drop out within a year — and over a five or ten-year period. If they can’t or won’t furnish it, you can assume that it exceeds the minimum of 50% per year . . . Over a five-year period, at least 95% typically have left the company; and usually after ten years, nearly all but those at or near the top of their respective pyramids will have dropped out." Source (pg. 6)

Herein lies the illusion of transparency when it comes to a travel MLM's income disclosure : As bad as the disclosures look already, it gets even worse. The info included does not (and is not required to) offer to a complete picture of earning potential of MLMs, which can further mask losses. 

And this is really just the tip of the iceberg. There's a ton of other juicy information that many MLMs (not just travel MLMs) conceal in these types of statements. 3

The Coded Language of Travel MLMs

In general, travel MLMs get real shady when they make more money by recruiting other sales reps into the organization than they do actually selling a product (in this case, travel). This is entering serious pyramid scheme territory. And that’s a major DANGER ZONE folks.

But how do you know if you're entering the travel MLM danger zone before it's too late? Marketing language is one key! Travel MLMs use their own jargon for their travel agent members. They actually use this wording to make their offer more attractive. Be your own boss! Work independently! A travel MLM will more likely refer to its participants with terms like: representatives (PlanNet Marketing), builders (Surge365), referring travel agent (YTB) . . . you get the gist.

Alternately, with a host agency, it's 99% likely that they'll refer to you as an " independent contractor, " travel business , or travel advisor .

The TV show Schitt's Creek nails the jargon for their fictional MLM, Allez Vous.

But you don't need to rely on fiction, you can see it in action. This "Your Travelution" promotional video clip outlines some of the misleading and manipulating marketing strategies travel MLMs will use to try and recruit members:

Halfway through the TraVerus video below, it attempts to sell you on a nutritional supplement (another MLM product), which reps, in turn, would sell to others—verging from its original appeal and trying to woo you with promises of feeling and looking great while you lounge on the beach. 

The MLM Hybrid/ MLM-Affiliated Model

[Editor’s note: This section was added Oct. 12, 2018 and updated April 18th, 2024.]

The HAR desk often gets inquiries about InteleTravel host agency. I didn’t want to go too deep into InteleTravel when I first wrote this because I knew I’d already be kicking a hornet’s nest. But here I go now, about to take a swing at it.

While InteleTravel is not an MLM, anyone who wants to sign up with them must go through their MLM marketing arm, PlanNet Marketing

While InteleTravel is not an MLM, per se, anyone who wants to sign up with them must go through their MLM marketing arm, PlanNet Marketing, in order to sign on. And this is where it gets a little sticky.

As is typical of an MLM, earnings from PlanNet Marketing do not compensate for the level of investment required . Here’s the cliff notes in their own words: "During the period January 2023 to December 2023, 20.92% of all IRs earned a commission or override, while 79.08% did not."

For PlanNet marketing's "Rep" level (the entry point), the average annual income reported was $41.64. 4 . This lowest-earning segment is 93% of PlanNet marketing's membership.

But how does PlanNet link in with InteleTravel? Inteletravel uses PlanNet marketing for marketing. To be very clear, someone can join Inteletravel without joining PlanNet Marketing. Borrowing from PlanNet Marketing's terminology, this means that Inteletravel agents are not required to sell ITAs ("independent travel agencies"). But again, the caveats:

1. If you want to join Inteletravel, you must go through a PlanNet Marketing Rep. You cannot sign up directly with them. What does mean? It means you will be a part of someone's downline whether you engage in recruiting or not.

If one wants to steer clear of the the MLM and sign up for InteleTravel only, they may be pressured (depending on the rep they purchased their agency through) to also sell ITAs (InteleTravel travel agencies) through PlanNet Marketing. A PlanNet Marketing rep will send you their personal page to sign up. This is a huge red flag.

2. PlanNet Marketing strategy draws hoards of advisor to Inteletravel. In July 2023, InteleTravel reported having "more than 90,000 independent home-based advisors." For perspective, if you add the total number of travel advisors all 197 of HAR's host agencies report, the total is 76,298, and the average number of ICs is 387.

It looks like this: 

The small print (on the image above) also indicates you can only enroll through the PlanNet Marketing rep account first if you're interested in joining InteleTravel.

Several InteleTravel agents I spoke with (who I will not name for privacy purposes) have reported that an InteleTravel agent is not required to sign up for PlanNet Marketing to sell ITAs . The important thing to know is that when you sign up for InteleTravel, you'll be a part of someone's downline whether you personally participate in the MLM side of things or not. When host agencies rely on these MLM marketing arms, we call them "MLM hybrids."

Though InteleTravel is not technically an MLM,  for us there are red flags with InteleTravel due to their reliance on PlanNet Marketing's MLM branch.  

This might be more information than you ever wanted to know. However, InteleTravel is one of a handful of host agencies that partner with MLM marketing branches in the same way and we want you to be informed! (Archer Travel, who affiliates through Evolution's MLM marketing branch is another.)

Do you know of other travel MLMs or MLM hybrids that are not mentioned in this article or infographic? Drop a comment below!

How Did Travel MLMs Start Getting a Bad Rap?

The shady reputation of MLMs certainly is not limited to the travel industry, but when it comes to travel MLMs in particular, it was the rise and fall of YTB (Your Travel Business) that really left a bad taste in the mouth of the travel industry.

Long story short: founded in 2001, YTB was modeled after a typical pyramid scheme structure that preyed on hopes of those who were economically vulnerable with promises of get-rich-quick schemes that required little time and relatively low financial investment. In 2008, California's then-Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr., won the lawsuit he filed against YTB to halt their operations.

85% of YTB’s revenue was from selling memberships and materials for marketing courses to new recruits rather than travel sales. This from a company that had claimed you were a travel agent!

And there’s more … guess how much the average YTB rep earned each year? The average annual commission paid to a YTB rep was $44.29. Sounds bad, right? Well it gets worse, because 81% of all YTB reps earned no money at all, and 4% of YTB reps (those at the top of the upline) received 96% of all commissions paid to the company.

And the travel MLMs' habit of primarily booking personal travel (rather than travel for consumers) is something vendors noticed. Vendors felt that non-professionals were exploiting travel agent benefits (such as FAM trips) for personal gain. So much so, that many travel vendors severed ties with YTB.

TW image sources here , here and here .

YTB was subject to lawsuits from CA, IL, as well as a class-action lawsuit and eventually went bankrupt. But the vestiges of YTB exist today in modern-day travel MLMs. The founder of YTB (J. Lloyd “Coach” Tomer) is now the Chief Visionary Officer for Surge365 (one of the companies featured in our infographic earlier).

David E. Manning was president of now-defunct Travelworks International, Inc. and is currently the president of Paycation (which now shows up as TraVerus, over which he also presides) and he is also the chairman of XStream travel. All of these are travel MLMs.  5

MLMs will often run strong for a few years, but implode once they get too big to sustain themselves. The MLM may close its doors, possibly reemerging if its founders will start a new one, or rebrand and operate under another name. 

And The Oscar Goes to . . . A Travel MLM Mashup!

Steph put together a great travel MLM mashup video to illustrate exactly how MLMs and their reps operate by preying on vulnerabilities, making big promises with zero info to back them up, and how they eventually become saturated and collapse (yes, it's essentially a more entertaining version of what I just wrote 🙂)

If you're still not convinced, and you want to give MLMs a shot, the FTC has a resource page with some great questions to ask your sponsor before signing on with an MLM. 

How Is a Travel MLM Different from a Host Agency?

At its most basic, the major difference between a travel MLM and host agency is what comprises their primary revenue streams. Host agencies don't earn money unless you sell travel (not so with a travel MLM, that makes more money from membership sales). This means that hosts are motivated to support you to sell as much travel as possible.

But there's many differences beyond revenue channels. Here's some more:

How you book travel

Some travel MLMs such as WorldVentures (which filed for bankruptcy in Dec. 2020) do not allow their reps to book directly with vendors . Rather, vendors require that travel bookings are made through a designated MLM HQ, where the MLM permanent staff (not any of its members) make the actual booking for agents.

This may sound nice but the downside is that you're not in control of your reservation. This is problematic if you sign on believing you’ll be able use vendors’ travel agent portals, call in direct to the travel agent support lines, and build a relationship with the sales reps.

With a host agency, you are able to connect with suppliers either directly or through the hosts proprietary booking portal (or both!)

Transparency

Travel MLMs and MLM hybrids offered little to no concrete information about commissions, backend support, Seller of Travel  (which you need if you’re selling travel in certain states), E&O insurance —not even basic information about joining without signing onto their email listserv or participating in a sizzle call.

Heck, many of these sites don't even include profiles of people who run the business. So if the only way to get support for your agency is to send an email to an address with no name or employee attached to it, I'd be wary. By and large, they offered a lot of promises without any information to back it up. 

The host agency profiles on HAR's site (and on host's websites) are very clear about this information from accreditation, licensing, technology, IC volume, sales and more. Here are just a few of the other differences between a host agency and a travel MLM.

Travel Advisor Volume

Host agencies will typically have much lower volumes of travel advisors compared to travel MLMs. These days, most MLM income disclosure refer to their member volume.

What we do know is that MLM hybrid InteleTravel reported 90k advisors. With InCruises reporting 31.73% of their members are membership free, we can extrapolate they have ~32,067 members. Most other travel MLM don't disclose their volume.

Host agencies, which do no focus recruitment, have a much lower IC volumes. At the time of writing this, 197 host agencies averaged 387 ICs.

In fact, if you want to become a travel agent with a focus on creating a client base, receiving a constant travel education, building relationships with suppliers, and providing great customer service over recruiting other sellers, I’d steer you (far) away from an MLM and direct you to a host agency.

If you're a travel agent or an aspiring travel agent who wants to earn money planning trips and selling travel, we here at HAR do NOT think a travel MLM is a good option for you. No sirree. Not by a long shot.

The HAR crew has mind-melded on the travel MLM issue. Originally, when this article was first published, we didn't even list MLMs on the site. Since then, we decided it's important to list them because our whole purpose is for travel agents to make informed choices. So here's the drill: if you see an MLM or an MLM hybrid (more on hybrids soon), you'll notice an alert on their profile.

Why do we advise such caution? It's our opinion that MLM travel business models use deceptive advertising, prey on people who are at an economic disadvantage and do not provide adequate support to serious travel agents.

Want to Become a Travel Agent Without Joining a Travel MLM?

If you're interested in becoming a travel agent without falling into the costly trap of a travel MLM, Host Agency Review's 7DS Accelerator course can help you breeze through your travel agency setup process. Whether you want to sell travel part time or build it into a full-fledged dream career, the course ensures that you will align with legitimate host agencies, franchises, or accrediting organizations who are not highly regarded by travel suppliers.

The course gets you off the ground faster so you can start earning commissions faster. That right, earning a solid income from selling travel . . . not recruiting people. Check it out!

Travel MLMs were something of an uncharted territory for me. So when I started by digging into the Google-verse, I was surprised to find how little concrete information was provided about joining a travel MLM organization on their site.

Heck, many of these sites don't even include profiles of people who run the business. So if the only way to get support for your agency is to send an email to an address with no name or employee attached to it, I'd be wary. By and large, they offered a lot of promises without any information to back it up.

Travel MLMs have gotten shiftier. No longer will they make promises of how much income you can earn in a month (because, according to the FTC, they need to be able to provide support of any income claims 6 ). Rather, they make appeals to lifestyle and promises of free or discounted travel. 

Ultimately, I was just really confused. I was left with more questions than answers. Which I interpreted as “proceed with extreme caution" and I hope you will too!

*Editor's Note: This post was updated April 26th to update the infographic. "World Ventures" reorganized and co-branded as "Dream Vacations" in 2022, "with Verona International Holdings as a plan of reorganization sponsor under the bankruptcy code." ( Source )

• Source: PlanNet Marketing Income Disclosure for 2023 (plannetnow.com) ↩
• Source: FTC : ↩

About the Author

Mary Stein has been working as a writer and editor for Host Agency Reviews since 2016. She loves supporting travel advisors on their entrepreneurial journey and is inspired by their passion, tenacity, and creativity. Mary is also a mom, dog lover, fiction writer, hiker, and a Great British Bake Off superfan.

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