ny travel agent requirements

How to Become a Travel Agent in New York

Get information on Travel Agent Training programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

What does a travel agent really do?

Agencies, involving travel, provide people with assistance finding airlines, hotels, car rentals, travel insurance, and package tours.

Travel agencies hire a travel agent to handle all the fine details involving travel.

The travel agent works diligently alongside the travelers to handle all their travel plans.

This includes arranging flights, handling all logistics regarding luggage, setting up a car rental service, and booking the hotel.

Article Table of Contents

• 1 The Duties of A Travel Agent
• 2 Requirements to Becoming a Travel Agent
• 3 Some Easy Programs Travel Agents Use
• 4.1 Regional Salary in New York
• 5.1 Is a travel agent job worth the hard work?
• 5.2 Do travel agents spend a lot of time traveling?
• 5.3 How are travel agents paid?
• 5.4 Is it a stressful job being a travel agent?
• 5.5 Do travel agents get free vacations?

The Duties of A Travel Agent

Some of the duties of a New York travel agent are to troubleshoot travel issues and address any concerns of the client.

The travel agent also processes deposit and payment requests for the client’s travel plans.

Requirements to Becoming a Travel Agent

In the United States, there is not much in regards to a licensing requirement or the process for getting licensed.

You will be happy to know there is no travel agency test required.

The only training or other qualifications needed are at the discretion of the agency that hires you.

To become a travel agent it is only required that you complete one easy application, and pay a minimal fee.

It is really that simple.

Once you do that, you are qualified to start selling travel anywhere within the United States!

Some Easy Programs Travel Agents Use

Travel agents use a number of programs and software in order to do their job efficiently.

Below are some of the common software and programs agents use: 

• TravelWorks – This is a cloud-based accounting and management system that was designed by PC Voyages. It was created for travel agencies of various sizes to use.
• Lemax – This is a type of travel software that is web-based, and used by tour operators and destination management.
• TravefyAgent – This software program aids travel agents in creating attractive itineraries and proposals for clients.
• ResVoyage – This software program enables the agent to set and configure their business efficiently.
• Ezus – This is a software program utilized by travel agencies. It provides all-in-one software to generate documents, manage budgets, and catalog information.
• TravelPerk – This is a platform providing an all-in-one way to book hotels, corporate flights, trains, and rental cars.
• Avochato – This is an SMS platform. This program helps travel agents know their text messages are read within 10 minutes of it being opened.
• TrekkSoft – This program is used by tour and booking companies. It enables travel agencies to connect to the appropriate online or offline sales channels.

How Much a Travel Agent Makes in New York

In the New York City area, a travel agent averages $38,888 annually.

Besides the salary, you can also anticipate cash compensation of an average of $11,092 a year.

This compensation ranges from anywhere between $2,284 to $53,859.

Below is a listing of various jobs within the travel industry and the average salary: 

• A Corporate Travel Agent makes an average of $52,954 annually.
• Travel agents in tourism make $65,895 a year.
• A Travel Coordinator can make about $45,246 per year.
• A customer service representative makes $41,379 annually.

Regional Salary in New York

Frequently asked questions, is a travel agent job worth the hard work.

One of the most revered and common jobs in the travel industry is that of the travel agent.

If you love traveling and helping others fulfill their dreams of traveling, becoming a travel agent is ideal.

Being a travel agent will provide you with the flexibility you need while allowing you to be financially stable.

Do travel agents spend a lot of time traveling?

Travel agents do travel for excitement and leisure.

However, many do so in order to inspect the hotel sites, and complete other tasks related to the job.

Regardless of why you are traveling as an agent, it is not going to be free.

However, you can expect some perks as an agent, like discounts and other returns from client business.

How are travel agents paid?

Travel agents make the most of their money through commissions.

A large percentage of pay comes from commissions from your clients when they buy from someone you refer them to.

Is it a stressful job being a travel agent?

Yes, a travel agent job is a stressful occupation.

As an agent, you are required to stay up-to-date on all the latest developing travel information.

If you are a freelance agent, you can experience tough times if customers are scarce.

As an agent, you need to learn how to market yourself via websites, networking, and travel consortiums.

Do travel agents get free vacations?

To be truthful, travel agents do not get to travel free in most cases.

However, an agent may get a discount or retain a commission earned in order to accommodate travel plans.

Often, experienced agents learn how to plan cheaper trips and go on working vacations.

Read the full guide: How to Become a Travel Agent

Travel Agent License by State

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• English (EN)
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How to Become a Travel Agent in New York

Get information on Travel Agent Training programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

New York is a good place to start a new career in tourism.

If you like to travel and want to become a travel agent, all you need to do is take a few steps.

Check out the piece below where you can read more about what you need to do!

Travel Agent Job Description and Duties in New York

In order to become a travel agent, you should first know what this job requires.

On a daily basis, you should aid your clients in finding:

• Transportation
• Accommodation
• Entertainment

Additionally, you also need to:

• Review visas, vaccinations, and other travel necessities
• Keep accurate records
• Find solutions to issues and emergencies
• Handle payments and deposits
• Promote the various packages resorts, hotels, and cruise companies offer
• Negotiate with hotels, resorts, cruise companies, and more

Those wanting to get specialization, have the next options:

• Have some more family time together
• For business
• Go on a cruise

Travel Agent Job Requirements in New York

In order to be successful, you also need to develop some skills.

The skills you need to have as a travel agent are:

• Good communication skills
• Good management skills
• Able to use various computer programs
• Good problem-solving skills
• Great marketing skills
• Able to work full-time
• Detail-oriented
• Being confident
• Be at least 18 years old
• Having a clean criminal record
• Being honest
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Speaking a foreign language
• Liking and having the ability to travel

In New York, you can become a travel agent without having specific education.

There are no particular requirements regarding certification either.

But, many future travel agents get a Bachelor’s degree.

If you have a degree, you can stand out among competitors and get a better job in the future.

As a travel agent in New York, you can travel a lot of the time.

This will help you get a better idea of what recommendations to give your clients.

Education and Certification for a Travel Agent in New York

Those wanting to get certified, need to attend a training program first.

This can typically be achieved by attending a training program.

You can either choose to attend a program in person or an online program.

In New York, you can find a program if you check out the following schools:

Top 47 Schools in New York

In this state, you will need a high school diploma or a GED to enroll in a program and train.

The programs usually include the following classes:

• Introduction to the travel industry
• Professional Skills
• Basic/International geography
• Destination geography
• Introduction to international travel
• Introduction to air travel
• Career development
• Sales and marketing for travel

Travel Agent Salary and Employment in New York

In New York, it is quite easy to find employment.

You can either work independently or get employed by an agency.

You will get flexible work hours and the ability to work in any location you visit.

Another option is to start your own business, for which you need more certifications.

The salary for travel agents in New York is higher compared to other states.

You can get a better salary once you get a license and education.

You can also get a better salary if you live in a big city.

Average Salary of Travel Agents in New York

Regional salary, additional information for travel agents in new york.

After you have your certification issued, you will need to ensure it is kept current.

For that to happen, you have to get your travel license certification renewed.

Some places require you to take some extra classes before.

This will keep you updated with the laws and regulations of the state.

To know you need to renew your license, keep in contact with the issuing agency.

Travel Agent State-specific Information:

3 comments on new york.

This is exactly the information I needed! I’ve always wanted to work in the travel industry, and knowing the steps to become a travel agent in New York is invaluable.

I appreciate the breakdown of the licensing process. It seems manageable with the right preparation.

I didn’t realize there were specific requirements for becoming a travel agent in New York. This clears up a lot of confusion

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Travel Advisor Resources

How to Become a Travel Agent in New York

The Modern Travel Agency

Fora Travel

https://www.foratravel.com/the-journal/how-to-become-a-travel-agent-in-new-york

Are you interested in turning your passion for travel into a rewarding career? Becoming a travel agent in New York allows you to build a fulfilling business and flexible income by booking travel. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to becoming a travel agent in New York, from getting started to building a successful business.

First things first. What is a travel agent?

Travel agents earn money by planning trips. They work with clients to understand their vacation needs and handle all the travel arrangements, including planning activities and booking accommodations.

What are the requirements to become a travel agent in New York?

Legal requirements for travel advisors

The main legal requirement to become a travel agent in New York is that you will need an IATA number, a unique identifier that allows a travel agency to conduct business. Most travel advisors choose a host agency (a business that provides support and resources to independent travel agents or small travel agencies). If you’re working with a host agency such as Fora, the host agency provides access to the IATA number.

Certification & education

Becoming a travel agent in New York does not require a formal travel agent certification or accreditation from a certificate program (such as Certified Travel Associates). Nor is a bachelor’s degree or high school diploma required. However, travel agent certification is highly encouraged (Fora offers this as part of its travel agent training program — more on that below).

How to become a travel agent in New York

1) Understand the role: As a travel agent in New York, you plan & book travel for clients, from booking flights and accommodations to organizing activities and excursions. You can book trips of all types, to destinations all over the world. You can also leverage your local knowledge to plan trips to your home state — fashion tours of NYC, nature exploration in the Hudson Valley — using your insider intel on travel to New York. Once you understand the basics of the role and are ready to dive in, you’ll want to get the right support and training. Learn more about how to become a travel agent .

2) Find the right host agency: In most cases, an independent travel agent in New York will work with a host agency. A host agency provides resources to travel agents, including access to booking systems & partner programs, marketing support and training. A host agency also provides agents with an IATA number, allowing them to earn commission on the travel they book. Fora is a host agency and offers a one-stop shop with everything you need to get started with your travel advisor business.

3) Participate in a training program: Once you choose a host agency, you’ll want to take a training course. Fora offers a comprehensive training program that includes seminars with all of the foundational topics to run your travel advisor business (ranging from customer service sessions to the nitty gritty of how to book). Our initial certification program offers 40+ hours of live, small-group training as well as access to recordings. We also offer ongoing training programs, including an advanced certification as well as regular partner and destination trainings.

How do I earn money as a travel agent in New York?

As a travel agent in New York, partners (like hotels and cruise lines) pay agents commissions for travel bookings. Commission rates vary depending on the partner. Travel agents are eligible to earn commission on any type of travel experiences, though many agents focus on 3-star or higher hotels, along with villas, cruises and tour operators. You can also earn money through planning fees. Learn more about how travel agents get paid . As an independent travel advisor, you’ll have a flexible schedule for earning. Whether you’re home-based or traveling, or if you’re working full-time or part-time, you can set your travel agent job schedule to whatever aligns best with your lifestyle.

How do I grow my business as a travel agent in New York?

Build your client base: As a travel agent, this is where creativity and customer service skills come in. Clients can be found via your personal network, often starting with your friends and family. You may decide to leverage email marketing and social media to showcase your services and attract clients. At Fora, we offer marketing training as part of our program. Fora Advisors also have access to a suite of marketing tools, including a Fora profile that functions as a website, social media and email templates and more. Learn more about how we help travel advisors build their book of business .

Network : You can also attend travel industry events, trade shows and conferences to network with other travel professionals to level up your knowledge and build your travel advisor business. We offer both online and in-person networking events through Fora, including Live Forum , our annual conference. We’ve also launched local chapters in select cities throughout the United States (with more to come). Fora Chapters offer local advisors the chance to connect, network, visit hotels and talk all things travel.

The first step to become an independent travel agent is to join a host agency. Through Fora, you will get all the training, tools & community you need to succeed as a travel agent. Apply to join today to turn your skills into a fulfilling and flexible career.

More FAQs about becoming a travel agent in New York

Where do travel agents work? How can I become a travel agent from home?

Some travel agents in the tourism industry work in an office, but Fora Advisors can work from anywhere. To get started, all you need is a passion for travel, a WiFi connection and a can-do attitude — and a few potential clients in your network doesn’t hurt either. As part of joining Fora, you will be an independent contractor, which means that you can set up your own business the way you want to.

What types of travel can I book as a Fora Advisor?

When starting your travel business, some Fora Advisors focus solely on booking hotels, while others offer full itinerary planning for domestic and international travel, including on-the-ground experiences (tours, activities, transportation…). In addition to hotels, advisors can book villas, cruises, yacht charters, vacation packages, all-inclusives, car rentals, travel insurance, private aviation and room blocks (for example, a destination wedding room block). Learn more about the types of bookings you can make as a Fora Advisor .

Where do travel advisors book trips to?

All over! You name it, they book it. Fora Advisors book travel to Italy (a community favorite), Costa Rica, Montana, all around the Caribbean, Australia and beyond. No destination is off-limits (yes, Fora Advisors even book travel to Antarctica ). Our training programs cover different types of travel planning at length — from cruise lines to international travel and luxury travel, as well as deep dives on different destinations.

What kinds of travel partnerships does Fora have?

Throughout our decades-long relationships in the tourism industry, Fora has partnered with more than 5,000 hotels, meaning our advisors have access to exclusive upgrades & perks at top properties around the world. Our preferred partnerships include prestigious collections including Virtuoso , Four Seasons , Rosewood and more. We work with both high-end luxury partners as well as lifestyle boutique partners in the travel industry.

How do Fora Advisors get paid?

Fora travel advisors get paid by earning commissions from their clients' trips — usually from hotel and travel bookings. Travel partners typically pay the agent 10 to 15 percent of the total cost, but sometimes more (depending on the brand and type of partner). You can also earn money by charging a planning fee.

Unlike at other agencies in the travel industry (where travel advisors frequently have to chase their own commission), we're proud to offer a full-service, backend commission-management department. The process is seamless, but don't just take our word for it: hear directly from Fora Advisor Amna Ismail in this article from TravelAge West .

What resources are available to me as a travel agent in New York?

Fora offers a one-stop shop for everything you need to launch your business as a travel advisor: community, training, partnerships, marketing tools, technology and payments. Online, you have access to our community app, Forum, to stay on top of travel trends and get answers to your questions about travel services, tour operators, partnerships, marketing strategies and more.

How much does Fora's subscription plan cost?

We charge advisors a monthly ($49) or annual ($299) subscription fee, which includes the cost of Fora’s technology platforms, certified training, admin support and our community app. We’ll set you up with everything you need to succeed, from your first booking to 1,000th and beyond.

How do I get started?

Sign up! Enter your email on this page and you’ll be prompted to complete a detailed survey on your travel style and experience. We’ll be in touch with next steps from there.

From training to tech, community and more, Fora is a one-stop shop to build your business as a travel advisor. Learn more and become a Fora Advisor today.

Are you the go-to person for travel tips?

Transform your passion for travel into your dream job. We'll set you up with everything you need to succeed as a travel advisor. From training to top-notch tech, marketing assets, community, commission tracking & payments (and more), we've got you.

It's Official, Our  Leads Program and Booking Portal With Over 750,000 Hotels Has Launched For Our Agents. Learn More

Travel Agent Resources

How to become a travel agent in new york (for free).

• X (Twitter)

By Courtney Eisen

May 23, 2024

New York, a city full of life, is an ideal place for a travel agent career. But how does one become successful in this field here? It's not about enrolling in a college hospitality program or spending a lot for vocational training. It's about having the right mindset, access to quality learning resources, and being part of a supportive community.

The journey to becoming a successful travel agent.

The journey to becoming a top-producing travel agent in New York is achievable for anyone with the dedication to learn, the capacity to network, and the drive to work hard. And the best part? Organizations like LuxRally Travel offer free online travel agent training to help you kickstart your career.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Host Agency

Unless you're planning to establish your own travel agency in New York, joining a host travel agency is a critical step in starting your career as a travel agent. The choice of host agency plays a pivotal role in your success. We've even dedicated an entire article discussing the factors to consider when choosing a host agency.

If you're aiming to sell on a national scale, make sure the host agency you join is licensed to sell to residents of Florida, California, Washington, and Hawaii. These states require a specific Seller of Travel License for any transactions involving their residents.

Is LuxRally Travel the Right Host Agency for You?

As you embark on this exciting career journey, it's vital to find a host travel agency that aligns with your goals. If you're serious about transforming this career into a full-time job that could potentially earn you six or seven figures, then LuxRally Travel may be the perfect fit for you.

At LuxRally Travel, we're not merely looking for agents who are seeking discounts on their Disney trips. We're in search of go-getters and entrepreneurs ready to seize opportunities and generate substantial income.

We provide a free online travel agent training course that can be completed within 50-70 hours. Two-thirds of this course is self guided.

Upon completion of the travel agent training , you'll be a fully licensed and insured agent, equipped and ready to sell. But that's not all. You'll also be part of a community of fellow luxury travel agents whom you can turn to for advice, support, and collaboration.

So, are you ready to take the first steps to become a travel agent in New York? With LuxRally Travel's free online agent training, you can start your journey towards a rewarding career in the travel industry today.

• What's in the Free Online LuxRally Travel Agent Training Curriculum? Our self-directed curriculum includes but is not limited to: ​ What is a Travel Agent? The LuxRally Mindset Tenets of Sales Quick-Quoting Fundamentals Evaluating Clients Problem Solving Steps of the Sale Closing Techniques How to Use Travel Leaders Select Hotel Benefits Programs Flights and Airlines Hotel Brands Primer Introduction to All-Inclusive Resorts Introduction to Wholesalers How to Use Wholesaler Portals Cruising Primer How to Use Cruise Portals Ancillary Services LuxRally Concierge Services Travel Insurance Accounting and Finance Group Contracts and Tools Booking Groups at All-Inclusive Resorts Booking Groups on Cruises Marketing Basics Fraud and Scam Detection How to Use Our Knowledge Base The curriculum ends with a concluding assessment. Once the self-guided portion of your training is completed your will begin preparing for your practical exam, a hands-on assesment of your sales skills and knowledge. Opportunities for continued learning are offered post-graduation. Thorough GDS training is provided upon request.
• How much does LuxRally Travel's Agent Training cost? Zero. Free. No hidden fees, no catch.
• Do I need experience to become a luxury travel advisor with LuxRally Travel? No, we do not hire prior travel agents. Our methods and philosophies are often opposite to that of traditional travel agencies. For example, we do not believe in charging service fees, and this is something experienced agents cannot wrap their heads around. Additionally, while we enjoy free travel occasionally, we do not believe in FAM culture. FAMs are free group trips for travel agents and often create a conflict of interest between the agents and their clients. Traditional travel agents may send people to a location in exchange for a FAM trip. We find this practice repulsive. The average travel agent makes $46,000 a year; LuxRally Travel agents are trained to make multiples of that. The LuxRally system is best for beginners as it takes more energy for us to fix existing agents than to make new ones.
• Who is a good fit for the LuxRally Travel team? We want general hustlers here to make money and who know how to sell. We want you if you have no sales experience but can prove to us that you are a natural-born hustler. Those with prior sales experience, mortgage brokers, car dealers, jewelers, IT salespeople, concierges, hotel sales managers, medical, pharma, top producing real estate agents, timeshare salespeople, etc., tend to be better at not only understanding the value of their networks but also understand how to advocate for their clients when interacting with vendors. We also look for individuals with large networks that deal primarily with the upper middle class and wealthy and those with a passion for all things travel, especially luxury travel and luxury dining.
• How long does LuxRally's travel agent training take? The training can be broken down into three portions: A Self-Guided Course on Teachable: 50-70 hours (varies by the speed of the individual). This should take you 2-4 weeks. A Launch Meeting on Microsoft Teams: 1-2 hours (scheduled weekly) You Will Have a One Week Period to Prepare for Your Practical Exam A Practical Exam / Final Assessment on Microsoft Teams: 3-4 hours (scheduled weekly) You have four weeks to complete the Teachable portion of your training. If you do not complete the training within four weeks of your enrollment (note: enrollment occurs after your contract is signed/counter-signed), you will be removed from the program. You have three attempts to pass your practical exam. If you fail on your first attempt, you may retake it the following week. You can expect to become an agent within 3-6 weeks, depending on how quickly you complete the teachable and whether you pass your final assessment on the first attempt.
• Do I need anything specific to become a travel agent? From a practical standpoint, you will need a solid computer (preferably with multiple screens), a smartphone, and a current job that allows you to interrupt your day to handle issues for traveling clients. This is a 24/7/365 career. While you will not be working all of the time, clients need to be able to reach you if they experience an emergency while on a trip.
• What is the difference between a travel agent and a travel advisor? There is no real difference; however, travel advisor is often the preferred term for those in the luxury sector.
• Do I need to get my own leads? The short answer is that you will be responsible for getting your own leads and must cultivate a stable source of clients to earn six or seven figures as a Luxury Travel Agent. That being said, we have just launched our FastTrack program. FastTrack gamifies our leads program through a unique credit system, rewarding successful deals with additional credits and providing opportunities to earn more through various tasks. Credits are redeemed for leads. If an agent runs out of credits (because they did not close any leads), they can earn credits through various tasks or wait for their quarterly replenishment. Credits cannot be bought by agents. The Credits system is created to ensure agents with solid close rates work the leads and that agents with low closing rates do not take large quantities of leads. Participating in FastTrack is currently invite only. The program has completed it's pilot and has begun rolling out to other agents as of May 6th, 2024. We are expanding the program to make it accessible to all agents. Agents who score high on their final exam are more likely to be invited into the FastTrack program.
• Do I need to make my own travel brand to be successful? No, it is not a requirement for success. You can use the LuxRally Travel brand to market yourself as an agent. After graduation from our training program and completion of our orientation, you will receive the following: An @LuxRallyTravel.com Email A Landing Page (Agent Profile) on Our Website Access to Branded Templates for Business Cards, Flyers, and Other Promotional Materials Additionally, once you are officially a LuxRally Travel Agent, you will have access to our marketing team to help you create promotional branded materials. Sponsoring an event and need signage? Need help with a social media post? Our team has your back. Now, creating a brand might make sense if you plan on getting leads through SEO or paid ads that require landing pages. However, for most people, creating an independent travel brand is not necessary. Your name will be the brand you will want to focus on. When someone thinks about you i.e., "David Eisen", you want them to automatically think about travel. After completing our training, if you are still determining which path is right for you, we suggest scheduling a one-on-one session with our CMO to evaluate what would be most beneficial to growing a healthy client base. Some agents use social media and personal networks, while others use branded websites and more traditional marketing tactics. It all depends on your situation, networks and background. A simple example would be if your background is in digital marketing. If you have experience in SEO, we would never discourage you from having your own site. We don't make money until you do, so we always provide feedback based on what we think will be practical for ramping up your business. Whatever you choose to do, know that we support both approaches and will provide candid feedback after learning more about your goals.
• What can I earn commission on? Hotel Stays (including groups) Cruises Flights (select flights, not all flights pay commission, you will learn about this in our agent training) Tours Car Service Travel Insurance Rental Cars Private Villas Private Jets Luxury Trains
• How do I get Paid? We offer a commission split based on your received commissions from your client's bookings. It is one of the best commission splits in the industry, starting at 80%/20% in your favor, meaning you keep 80% of what you make. After your first $100,000 in commissions, your split increases to 90%/10%, meaning you keep 90% of what you make. The commission resets each year back to 80%. The most productive LuxRally travel advisors earn multiples of the average travel agent.
• Will I be a fully licensed travel agent after completing the LuxRally Travel Agent Training Program? Yes, after completing our training and orientation, you will be fully licensed under our host agency with all IATA and Seller of Travel licenses required.
• What is the LuxRally Travel Agent Portal? Our comprehensive portal is the one-stop shop for creating clients, making bookings, overseeing your accounting, and more. Instead of getting lost across dozens of systems, our agent portal centralizes all the essential tools you need to be a successful travel agent. These Features include: A Dashboard with Key Statistics About Your Performance, Top Clients, and Top Vendors A Booking Dashboard Where You Can Quickly Make Bookings Directly in the Portal (Launching Q3 2024) Quick Invoicing to Efficiently Complete All Accounting Work Associated With Your Booking Agent Analytics to Take a Deeper Dive Into Your Performance Over Time A CRM to Manage All of Your Client Information in One Place An Accounting Portal to Manage Invoices, Match and Track Commissions, and begin Collections From Vendors For Unpaid Commissions Direct Access to the LuxRally Travel Knowledge Base to Quickly Find Educational Resources Access to a Leads Program to Claim Leads and Track Your Performance (Launching in April 2024) Direct Access to Our "Schedule a 1:1" Feature to Easily Get in Touch With LuxRally Travel Staff When Your Need In-Depth Support in Sales or Marketing Our portal has been designed to minimize the administrative workload on our agents. It is developed in house meaning we make adjustments quickly based on agent feedback.
• What happens after training is over? After training, you become a fully licensed travel agent, ready to sell. We provide access to a superabundance of resources to ensure that all new agents feel welcomed and confident. ​ The LuxRally Group Chat: Our group chat is a go-to for most agents seeking hotel recommendations, assistance with booking tools and third parties, advice on utilizing benefits programs, and general guidance for anything that may come up. LuxRally Agents sign agreements stating they cannot poach each other's clients, allowing our agents to confidently ask for assistance without fear of giving up a promising lead. ​ Continued Mentorship: One-on-One sessions with members from our sales and marketing teams available to our agents. Whether you need a refresher on using a booking tool or lead generation advice, you will have access to a solid mentor. ​ Bi-Weekly Ask Me Anything (AMA) Sessions with David Eisen: David Eisen is not only the founder of LuxRally Travel but is believed to be the highest-grossing single travel agent in the world. Our agents can casually ask David anything travel related on bi-weekly video calls. Bi-Weekly Marketing Round Tables with Courtney Eisen: Courtney Eisen has an extensive marketing background and highlights destinations to focus on, marketing best practices and open format Q&A opportunities. Office Hours With Top Closers: Our top performing agents have open office hour sessions where you can join, ask questions and learn from other agents about specific strategies to better serve clients and increase earnings. ​ Weekly Vendor Chats: Each week, a vendor is invited to a companywide weekly video conference to present educational materials and lead a Q&A. From General Managers of Forbes Five-Star hotels to Mega Yacht experts, our agents have access to continued education directly from industry professionals.
• What if I fail? Follow our training, and, likely, you won't. However, in the rare case you do, you will owe us nothing unless you leave to join another agency. Before parting ways, we will remove you from our website, group chats, and other internal resources. While a tiny percentage of our agents who complete training drop out of the program, we understand that selling travel is not for everyone.
• Why should I choose LuxRally Travel as my host agency? We can confidently say we offer more to our agents than any other host agency with the following: Free, Comprehensive Travel Agent Training We Cover Licensing and Errors and Omissions Insurance for Our Agents We Do Not Charge Our Agents Any Subscription or Membership Fees to be a Part of Our Host Agency Weekly Group Classes One-on-One Sessions Available to All Agents, Even After Training, With Sales and Marketing Teams Competitive Commission Splits (80%/20% vs. 70%/30%), Meaning You Make More Money The Most Advanced Agent Portal on the Market Mentorship From the Highest-grossing Travel Agent in the World Modern Best Practices That Generate Revenue and Maximize Client Satisfaction A Culture of Camaraderie An In-House Team Negotiating Deals for our Agency Directly With Vendors A Comprehensive Knowledge Base Annual Sales Symposiums for In-Person Training and Networking Most importantly, we only make money once you do. We are vested in your success and will do everything possible to give you the best shot in this industry. These are just a few reasons why starting your career as a travel agent with LuxRally Travel is the best move. Lastly, we do not hire people who are already agents, so you will miss out if you ramp up with another host. Our methods are directly opposed to the fee-saturated "best practices" of archaic host agencies, and we've found it takes an immense amount of energy to break the bad habits of existing agents.
• What are the requirements to remain an agent with LuxRally Travel? To maintain your status as an agent with LuxRally Travel, you must meet the following requirements throughout the duration of your time with us: Email Communication: Agents must regularly log into their LuxRally Travel email address. If they have not logged in within 30 days or use an alternate email address for communications, this could affect their standing. Sales Performance: Agents must make at least one sale every 90 days. This can be any sale as long as it is not personal travel (booked by the agent for their own travel). Availability: It's important that agents have ample availability for clients. Limited availability may impact their ability to serve clients effectively. Equipment: Agents need access to a reliable computer to run their travel business. Without this, they may struggle to manage their work efficiently. Community Participation: Being part of the official LuxRally Travel Agent Facebook chat(s) or group(s) is a requirement. This helps agents stay connected and updated with the latest information. These are private channels for agency-related information and support. Revenue Generation: Our agents must sell $30,000 in revenue per year. That would equate to $3,000 a year in commission (an incredibly low number). If you go through our training and cannot hit this small milestone, this is likely not the right career path for you. By meeting these requirements, agents can ensure they maintain their status with LuxRally Travel. Agents who do not meet these requirements are cut from our agency. If you have additional questions regarding this list of requirements, we encourage you to ask them during your interview after applying to our program.
• What are the next steps? Go ahead and apply to join our team. You will be asked to schedule an interview or denied from our program within 24-48 hours.

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How to Become a Travel Agent in New York

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Trending Careers

Domestic and international travelers highly prize New York travel agents due to the popularity of the state and NYC proper.

As New York is one of the most popular cities in the US and worldwide to visit, your job as a NY travel agent can be quite busy.

Prepare for a career in this field with a list of NY travel agent duties and programs where you can train in selling travel services.

Table of Contents

Travel Agent Duties in New York

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As a New York travel agent, your typical day will be focused on all aspects of organizing travel plans.

Whether you are renewing passports, buying train tickets, or consulting about tour possibilities, these are part and parcel of your job duties. 

• Book transportation tickets for buses, airplanes, etc.
• Provide meal options and pre-order meals
• Supply rentable equipment, such as watercraft or bicycles
• Identify any safety issues at the destination 

You should have a good travel background to understand the world of travel.

Otherwise, you cannot organize travel for others based on a lack of personal experience.

You can gain travel agent experience by attending school to prepare for job duties.

You can study many subjects in New York to become a travel agent, such as world geography and finance. 

However, programs will prepare you to plan travel itineraries, work with customs agents, and handle emergencies.

Expect to work with tour companies, ticketing agencies, and money exchange vendors as you become acquainted with work as a travel agent in NY.

New York has no licensing requirements to become a travel agent.

You do not have to follow any preset formula to start your career selling travel services and products.

In addition, you will not have to get certified. 

If you have experience and passion for helping people travel, and your resources are strong for finding information, you can be a travel agent in NY.

This might sound surprising since the city is so populated and has many visitors yearly.

However, travel agents only need to show their capabilities and offer services. 

Travel Agent Program

The New York Institute of Career Development has a completely online program to train travel agents.

The travel agent course leads to certification, an option for working as a travel agent in the field.

The program is offered through Penn and Foster as NYICD no longer accepts new students.

However, this is the only official program for travel agent training in New York state.

The national average salary for travel agents is $40,287 a year.

In New York, the cost of living in most cities is higher than most cities throughout the US.

The cost of living in New York City is nearly 17 percent more than that in Los Angeles, for comparison, and these are two of the most expensive cities in the world. 

Therefore, expect to earn more money as a travel agent in New York, particularly if you work in New York City.

If you are a Bronx travel agent in NYC, the annual salary is $47,337, which is $7,000 more than the national average.

If you are an NYC travel agent, the salary is the same as in the Bronx.

This is because the Bronx is a borough of New York City.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you are not required by law in the state to get licensed as a travel agent for New Yorkers.

The state board of employment does not have a system to license or certify travel agents.

As a result, there is no centralized way to find out who is a licensed travel agent in NY.

The best option is to train and certify to become a travel agent and then get a business license to bond your business.

No, you will not need to have certification as a travel agent to work in NY.

The certification aims to verify that you know the industry to employers and those hiring you for travel services.

Plus, by learning the information you need to pass a board certification exam in New York, you can ensure clients that you know the latest information about the industry.

Be prepared to provide clients with optimal services with proper training and certification at the right price point.

Unless you live in New York City or the state and know the area, you may need help working in NYC as a new travel agent.

The city is large and very populated, and the cost of living is higher than in most places, including travel costs.

Therefore, start locally and spread your wings with experiences built up working as a travel agent in New York.

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Crucial Steps to Start a Travel Business in New York City

Want to start a travel business in NYC? Well, you’ve reached the right place. New York has always been an excellent choice for entrepreneurs to start a business. The Big Apple is the business capital of America and has the 3rd best access to venture capital. However, the competition is also fierce because many startups are gaining traction since the beginning of 2021.

Starting a travel business in New York is a great business idea. Your timing will also be perfect because the CDC has decided that vaccinated Americans can start traveling within and outside the country. You can begin with low startup costs and there are plenty of opportunities if you have the passion to sell.

However, starting a travel business can be as complex as any other entrepreneurship. You will need all the help you can get to make sure that you are on the right path. That is why we are going to list the crucial steps that can get you started on your entrepreneurial journey.

Steps to Start a Travel Business in NYC:

1. form a travel business idea.

Before you think of starting a travel business, you should explore some ideas and do your research. You should also consider your personal interests, skill sets, and available resources. But most importantly, you should dwell on the reasons why you wish to start a travel business.

You should select a niche after a thorough evaluation. Selecting a niche helps you to establish your brand name. But more importantly, it will help you to formulate a business plan that includes startup costs, competition analysis, and revenue strategies.

It will give you a better idea of your chances of making a profit through your travel business. You will need to present a business plan if you want to get funds from lenders or investors. 

2. Decide the Legal Structure

The next step would be to form a legal structure for your travel company. Some of the most common ones are:

• Sole proprietorship
• Partnership 
• Limited Liability Company 
• Corporation 

There are some special legal structures as well, like a limited partnership. You must choose the legal structure that offers the best financial benefits for your travel business. You should also know that you can change your business structure as your travel agency evolves and your business goals.

3. Choose a Brand Name

If you are forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) or a corporation, you need to check the uniqueness of your travel business name. You will find that all existing businesses have filed with the New York Department Of State (DOS).

Once you have chosen a unique name, you can file an Application for Reservation of Name with the DOS and reserve it for 60 days. There are specific requirements that you need to follow to name an LLC or a corporation.

If your sole proprietorship or general partnership business has a different name from the owner/partners, you will need to file a certificate with the county. If your travel agency operates entirely online, you will have to choose and register your business domain name. You should also check federal and state trademarks to avoid infringements. 

4. Build a Business Website

No travel agency can operate in the current times without a proper business website. You should start the process of creating a website as soon as you have chosen a brand name. You may wonder why we are suggesting you create a website even before you have registered your business.

It will take time to market your agency on the Internet, and creating a website is the first step. If you do not have any web-building experience or might be preoccupied with other aspects of your business, you should hire local website designers. An NYC web design will ensure that your website is created according to the latest tourism trends of the city.

Once you have a running travel agency website, you can start marketing it on various social media platforms. You will also be able to take steps to optimize the SEO of your website content so you can attract local and national travelers. A running website will come in handy to promote introductory offers and your opening event. You can even create a countdown of your opening date on your website and social media platforms.

If you’re going to accept payments online, register for PayPal, Payoneer, and other online payment options, but also be open to accepting cryptocurrencies – as these are becoming extremely popular. You can easily learn more about this by taking a few blockchain technology courses .

5. Register Your Business Entity

Once you have decided on a name, you need to register your travel business in New York. There are certain differences depending on the legal structure of your business. You can check the Small Business Administration (SBA) website to learn how to register your startup.  The common steps are:

• To choose a registered agent to accept tax and legal documents for your business (You don’t want to get into any tax issues )
• Get an Employer Identification Number from the IRS
• File the documents of formation 

You do not need to file any organizational documents for a sole proprietorship in the state of New York.

The same goes for general partnerships. But you should ideally have a written partnership agreement to solve any future disputes. If you wish to form a limited liability partnership, you will have to file a Certificate of Registration with the DOS. 

You need to file the required articles of organization with the DOS to form an LLC in New York. Even though it is not a legal requirement, you should prepare an operating agreement describing the rules of your LLC operations. 

You will have to file a Certificate of Incorporation with the DOS to establish a corporation in the state of New York. You should also establish the internal operational rules of your travel company by preparing bylaws. But again, it is not legally required.

6. Apply For the Licenses and Permits

The good news is that you do not have to obtain a license at a federal level to open your travel agency. But you will have to register yourself as a Seller of travel (SOT) in the state of New York. Any New York-based travel agent needs to go through the NY’s Article 10-A Truth in Travel Act .

You should specifically look at Section 157-A for outlines of disclosures that you are required to provide to your customers. You have to register with the Department of Taxation and Finance (DTF) in New York. You must also register your business with the Department Of Labor (DOL) if you plan to have employees.

You may also need additional licenses and permits for your travel agency depending on your business. Some of the areas covered by them are:

• Health and safety
• Protection of the environment
• Constructions and buildings

7. Obtain the Necessary Insurances

Business insurances are crucial to protect your travel organization and personal assets in case of an emergency. You can contact professional insurance agents to explore various coverage options. They will also be able to advise you on the legal requirements for business insurance. For example, worker’s compensation is necessary for legal compliance in most of the United States if you have employees.

There are a few additional requirements for starting a travel business apart from the ones we mentioned. Some of them include choosing a business location, checking the zoning regulations, and opening a business bank account. You can also consult the local authorities and government business services to learn more about the process.

Want to read more of our latest posts? Check out the reasons you should visit Queens this year, or our short guide on what to do in Chelsea , Manhattan.

Alex is a computer geek, programmer, who loves traveling. Not the usual mix, but Alex is always with his laptop – no matter how high the mountain he’s hiking on. On every peak he reaches, he writes a story that captures it all.

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Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Travel Agent

Here's what you should know before becoming a travel agent.

If you're someone who spends your days scanning flights , loves hotel rewards points, and in general, is a fervent traveler, you've probably wondered how to become a travel agent.

And, while it's true that living in the age of Expedia means travel agents are not as vital as they once were, people use them a lot more than you might think. Just because travelers aren't calling up an agent every time they need to book a quick flight doesn't mean they don't want to consult an expert for a big trip. This holds especially true when it comes to honeymoons or experiential trips that have a lot of moving parts — coordinating tour companies , translators, or multiple resort stays, for example. It's often easier to leave the logistics to someone else: travel agents.

You don't need a specific employment background to become a travel agent, so if you're looking for a fresh career start, that's totally OK. You have to start somewhere on your path to becoming a travel agent, and the sooner you jump in, the sooner you'll build your client base. On the other hand, if you're hoping to parlay your experience in a semi-related industry, be it marketing or hospitality, that can help because you'll have even more context for your new gig. Either way, this can be a rewarding career path (with some fun perks), so here's what you need to know to become a travel agent.

Formal Training Needed to Become a Travel Agent

While some four-year colleges, community colleges, and trade schools offer tourism certifications, it is not a requirement for those trying to become travel agents. Certificates of tourism can be very helpful, but so can previous training in marketing, hospitality, or even event planning. Ultimately, your knowledge of destinations, sales, itinerary planning, and booking software will be crucial for your career as a travel agent.

In terms of the training time you need to put in before becoming a fully-fledged travel agent, it depends. You could start your career right after high school, or you could put in one to four years to earn a certificate, associate's, or bachelor's degree in tourism. Of course, you could also change course from a related job, and morph your experience as, say, a destination wedding planner into a career as a travel agent.

Training Programs Available

You could take classes with a company like The Travel Institute to earn your certification. Not only will they teach you the basics of planning itineraries, but they'll also make sure you're learning about new cultures, world geography, and experiences you can have all over the world. They'll also help you decide what business route you want to take.

How to Become a Travel Agent: The Logistics

Becoming a travel agent will likely mean starting your own business . On the plus side, it requires relatively little overhead. If you're becoming a small business owner by opening a yoga studio, for example, you will need to rent a space, deal with permits, buy supplies, build a website, and pay yoga teachers and someone to work the front desk. However, if you're starting a travel agent business, you can operate from your living room and there aren't nearly as many upfront costs.

You will have to think about what type of business you want to become. Do you want to incorporate or become an LLC? Would you rather be a sole proprietor? Incorporating takes the most effort, and is often the most expensive. Becoming an LLC is a good happy medium because it can help protect you as a business entity without having as many associated costs. Small business owners typically become an LLC to protect their personal assets. If you get sued as an LLC, someone can come after your business holdings, but can't come after your house, car, or personal savings.

If you choose to remain a sole proprietor (which doesn't require any fees or legwork), you are essentially a freelancer or independent contractor. You can be an LLC and an independent contractor, too — they aren't mutually exclusive. If you want to be an independent contractor, it likely means you're working as part of a larger host agency, which is smart to do when you're starting out as a travel agent. Down the road, you can also own a travel agency franchise. Owning a franchise might come with more overhead costs, and that would be a reason to incorporate.

If you're an independent contractor, you should know that your taxes aren't going to be as straightforward as a full-time employee's might be. You may have to start keeping track of your business expenses, as you might be able to write them off. You also might not get things like health benefits from your employer. As you plan your new career, consider sitting down with an established travel agent to ask them some logistical questions: Where do they get their health insurance? How do they keep track of their income and expenses? Do they use an accountant to do their taxes? While meeting with the travel agent, you can discuss the pros and cons of working for a larger agency, too. If you're not sure how to get in touch with other travel agents, consider using social media, like LinkedIn or even Instagram.

What to Think About When You Become a Travel Agent

Once you've secured work as a travel agent, you'll want to think about how you can earn more money and distinguish yourself from other agents. Here are three things to consider as you start your career.

Making Commissions: If you're working for a larger travel agency as an independent contractor, how do commissions work? Make sure you have this conversation early on before accepting the position. When you're starting out, you want to make sure the commission rate you're receiving is similar to the industry standard.

Growing Your Client Base: How do you make more money as a travel agent? Clients, clients, clients. You want happy customers who will return to you every time they want to book a travel experience. You'll want to keep your clients happy by finding them great deals, curating unbelievable experiences for them, and simply being great to work with.

Establishing a Niche: This is by no means a requirement for becoming a travel agent, but as you establish your career, you may want to consider focusing on a specific niche. For example, perhaps you're someone who focuses on honeymoon travel , luxury travel, or adventure travel . Your niche can help you attract clients, and it can be anything in the travel realm, as long as there's a need for it.

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• Serve customers by appointment only who have urgent travel to a foreign country in the next 14 calendar days, or need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days

The U.S. Department of State runs each passport agency and center. An agency and center is different than acceptance facilities which may include post offices, libraries, and local government offices.

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An Overview On Travel Agent Licensing Requirements In The USA and Canada Go Back Button

You are considering becoming a professional travel agent, so you start doing your research on all the things you need to start selling travel. One of the things you may research or come across is licensing. Do you need licensing to start selling travel? The answer to that question is broken down below to hopefully provide you with the clarity you need to move forward.

Travel Agent Licensing Requirements For Travel Agents In The United States

The licensing requirements in the US for travel agents is not much of a licensing process. There are no testing, training or qualification process needed. All that is required is to complete a simple form, pay a small fee and just like that, you can start selling travel in the USA. There are certain states however that have their individual "Seller Of Travel Requirements." These states are California, Florida, Iowa, Washington and Hawaii. We will look at the individual licensing requirements for those later on in this article for those looking to trade in travel products and services in any of those 5 states. 

Travel Agent Licensing Requirements For Travel Agents In Canada

Selling travel legally in Canada is not so easy as in the US. This is especially so for those living in the province of Ontario. Anyone selling travel products and services in the Province of Ontario must be a registered member of the Travel Industry Council Of Ontario (TICO) or affiliated with a registered member of TICO. There are two different types of TICO registration requirements. If you are looking to start your own travel agency, you must complete the TICO application, qualification, training and registration process to obtain a TICO registration number. If you are looking to simply sell travel, you must first complete the TICO Exam then join a TICO registered travel agency.

So here are the requirements for Travel Agents and Agencies In Ontario

A) Travel Agency must be TICO registered with a TICO number to employ or host travel agents.

B) All members of that Travel Agency, selling or giving advice for travel services, must complete the TICO Exam.

To write the TICO Exam, you must first download and read the TICO education standard manual. This manual provides you with a list of rules, guidelines and etiquette you must follow when selling travel in the province of Ontario. Once you have completed the manual, which should take no longer than one to two weeks, you then need to register for exam at one of the approved centers. You can find a list of upcoming exams on the ACTA (Association Of Canadian Travel Agents) website. The course registration fee is only $35, and there are a few courses you can take. You can either take the Travel Counselors course of if you have and can show experience in the industry you can take the travel manager/supervisor course. The combined courses will cost you $50.

To run your own TICO registered travel agency is not as easy and cost friendly as completing the exam to sell travel through an agency that is already certified. If you are thinking of starting your own TICO registered travel agency, here are the list of requirements:

-   You will need to come up with an application fee of $3000 CDN

-   You must provide your tax returns to show proof of financial stability

-   You will need to show evidence of a minimum $5000 in working capital

-   You will need to provide a $10,000 bond that TICO will hold for two years

-   You will need to open a trust account where all funds you collect for travel must be held.

-   You will need to register your travel business with Service Ontario

TICO registration numbers are non-transferable, so there are no options to buy out an already existing TICO certified travel agency. Starting a travel agency in the province of Ontario is among the hardest if not the hardest in the industry, so if you are new to the business and you are living in Ontario, the easiest thing to do is work through a host agency that is already TICO certified.

British Colombia Travel Agency Licensing Requirements

To start a travel agency in British Columbia, Canada, you are required by the Insurance Council of British Colombian to take a travel insurance exam for a fee of $225 per year. That licensing will be tied to the Agency, and each agent will be required to take the exam once, and then maintain by taking a 2-hour course each year. A 2-year lapse or non-activity will require the agency to start the process all over again.

There are some additional fees and certification requirements for sellers of travel residing in British Columbia.

-   You must register with the BC Corporate Registry

-   You must register with Consumer Protection BC

If you are a hosted agent working under an Agency located in BC, you will need to apply for a branch location of your host agency in British Columbia.

Saskatchewan Colombia Travel Agency Licensing Requirements

Similarly to British Colombia, getting licensed to sell travel in Saskatchewan Canada is insurance based. The tow exams that’s required to be written and passed are the General Insurance Council of Saskatchewan (GICS)—the Qualifying Exam (online: $109 CAD + taxes) and the Travel Bylaw Exam (online: $55 CAD + taxes). The bylaw exam is an open book exam, so you do not need to worry too much about passing it.

US Travel Agency Licensing Requirements Per State

Even though getting your travel business up and running on the national level in the United States is pretty much hassle free, some states have implemented their own registration procedures that may make things a little bit more complicated. 5 States have their own Seller of Travel laws in place. Those states are California, Florida, Washington, Iowa, and Hawaii. These laws are what is called extraterritorial laws that do not just apply to those residing in the above-mentioned states, but those outside of the states selling travel to the residents of those states.

In the State of Delaware, if you plan on opening your travel agency there, you will need an occupational license that can be obtained for the nominal fee of $25. The same procedure is said to be in Lousiana but does not seem to be enforced. When it comes to Seller Of Travel licensing requirements, Louisiana and Delaware are hardly mentioned. It is the 5 primary states mentioned above that is worth paying close attention to.

Hawaii Seller Of Travel Requirements

Hawaii Seller of travel laws states that anyone acting as an intermediary between a person looking to buy travel products and services, and anyone that wishes sell travel products and services, must first register with the Hawaii Travel Agent Licensing Program. All travel agencies, chartered tour operators residing in Hawaii is required to register at the end of each odd-numbered year. The bi-annual registration fee is $140. For those living outside of the State of Hawaii but wish to do business in Hawaii, must apply for a Certificate of Authority to sell trade in travel products and services in the state of Hawaii. The registration cost is $25 per year. For full details of these and other requirements, contact the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

California Seller Of Travel Requirements

Anyone that sells, offers consultation, or offers travel products and travel-related services in the state of California or from n office located in California, is required to be registered as a California Seller Of Travel. This is also including anyone selling or distributing travel certificates, a coupon, vouchers, passes, are all required to comply with the California State Seller Of Travel Laws. Failing to register may result in penalties, a cease and desist order and the possibility of criminal charges.

There are two registration programs for travel businesses located in California. Once is the Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation which manages the handling of customer funds and the other is the California Seller Of Travel Program (CST) that is administered and upheld by the California Attorney General. Out of state agencies are only required to register for the CST. The California seller of travel law is strictly enforced and travel agencies conducting business are required to display their CST number on any marketing material promoting of offering travel services in the State of California.

Florida Seller Of Travel Requirements

In the sate of Florida, anyone seeking to sell travel products or travel related services must register with the Department of Agriculture of Consumer Services. The Seller Of Travel registration requirements applies to all persons offering pre-arranged travel packages, tourist related services, guided tours for Land, Air and Sea.

The state requires a bond of $50,000 and extensive disclosures in order to obtain a Seller Of Travel license. Independent travel agents are not required to post the bond but must meet the other mandatory requirements.

Iowa Seller of Travel Requirements

It is a requirement in the state of Iowa that all sellers of travel register with the department of Economic Development. This applies to anyone selling or offer consultation for travel products and travel-related services.

Washington Seller Of Travel Requirements

The State of Washington has a seller of travel registration requirement done through the Department of Licensing. There are also certain financial requirements and securities that needs to be in place. A travel business can become exempt from these fees is certain business standards are met and funds and consumer funds collected for travel are being held properly.

When looking to get licensing to sell travel, the best thing to do is thoroughly research the laws in your local area. This is another place where the value of a Host Agency comes in. By contacting a host agency, they will not only be able to save you time and money of the licensing and registration process; they will be able to provide you with a lot of the information you are looking for.

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Clarence Thomas, in Financial Disclosure, Acknowledges 2019 Trips Paid by Harlan Crow

The justice amended an earlier filing to include vacations to Bali and an exclusive California club paid for by the Texas billionaire Harlan Crow.

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By Abbie VanSickle

Justice Clarence Thomas acknowledged on Friday additional luxury travel he had accepted from a conservative billionaire, amending a previous financial disclosure to reflect trips he had taken to an Indonesian island and a secretive all-male club in the Northern California redwoods.

The trips, taken in 2019, were earlier revealed by ProPublica , but it is the first time that Justice Thomas has included them on his financial disclosures .

Other Supreme Court justices chronicled their gifts, travel and money earned from books and teaching. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson reported receiving four concert tickets valued at about $3,700 from Beyoncé and $10,000 of artwork for her chambers from the Alabama artist and musician Lonnie Holley .

The financial disclosures, released yearly, are one of the few public records available about the justices’ lives, providing select details of their activities outside the court. A steady drumbeat of revelations about ties between some of the justices and wealthy donors has only intensified interest in the reports, particularly after disclosures that Justice Thomas had accepted lavish gifts and travel from affluent friends over decades.

Books are one of the few ways that the justices can earn outside, uncapped money . Justice Jackson reported $893,750 from an advance for her coming book, a memoir. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch listed a book advance of $250,000.

Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh disclosed a $340,000 advance. He is working on a legal memoir, still untitled, and is expected to offer a firsthand account of his contentious confirmation hearing in 2018 and an attempt on his life in 2022. The deal was earlier reported by Axios .

Justice Sonia Sotomayor continued to earn royalties for her books, including about $87,000 in proceeds this year. She cited about $1,900 for voicing a character on an animated children’s show on PBS, “Alma’s Way,” about a Puerto Rican girl from the Bronx and her family. The narrative arc is not unfamiliar to the justice, whose Puerto Rican parents raised her in public housing in the Bronx.

The 2019 trips disclosed by Justice Thomas refer to two excursions with Harlan Crow, a Texas real estate magnate and donor to conservative causes. During one, he and his wife, Virginia Thomas, flew aboard Mr. Crow’s private jet to Indonesia, where they spent more than a week island-hopping on Mr. Crow’s superyacht.

Justice Thomas did not provide a dollar value on his disclosure form, but ProPublica had estimated that if Justice Thomas had paid for the plane trip and yacht himself, the trip could have exceeded $500,000.

The second trip, listed as a visit to Monte Rio, Calif., appears to be an excursion to Bohemian Grove, an exclusive retreat held on a 2,700-acre property in Sonoma County, north of San Francisco. Mr. Crow is a member of the club.

Justice Thomas did not report any gifts or private jet flights or travel from benefactors for 2023, the year covered by the most recent disclosures. He listed only one gift, a pair of photo albums worth $2,000 from Terrence and Barbara Giroux. Mr. Giroux is the departing executive director of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, an exclusive group that includes figures at some of the highest echelons of society.

As a member of the group, Justice Thomas has granted it unusual access to the Supreme Court, presiding over an annual ceremony in the courtroom and meeting with and mentoring the recipients of college scholarships awarded by the group and worth millions of dollars a year; many come from backgrounds that mirror his own.

Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. was granted an extension this year, said the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, which offers support for the federal judiciary and handles the financial records . That is in keeping with his typical practice. According to Fix the Court, an advocacy group critical of the court’s lack of transparency, for more than a decade he has delayed filing his disclosure.

Last year, both Justice Thomas and Justice Alito requested and received extensions on filing their disclosure forms. Neither cited a reason in asking for a delay.

Read Justice Clarence Thomas’s Financial Disclosures for 2023

The Supreme Court justice also included an amendment for his 2019 filing.

When his form was released to the public , Justice Thomas had included an unusual addendum, a statement defending his acceptance of gifts from Mr. Crow . In reporting a real estate deal, a sale of his mother’s single-family home to Mr. Crow, he said in the statement that he had “inadvertently omitted” such information, which also sought to justify his decision to fly on private jets. He stated that he had been advised to avoid commercial travel after the leak of the draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade. However, he did not list any private plane travel in 2023.

The Supreme Court, under mounting pressure and intense public scrutiny, adopted its first ethics code in November. Judges in lower federal courts have long been bound by a code, but the Supreme Court has never been subject to those requirements because of its special constitutional status.

Still the lack of enforcement mechanism or a process to handle ethics complaints drew criticism , as did the absence of any specific restrictions on gifts, travel or real estate deals.

However, the nine-page code cautioned that members of the Supreme Court should not participate in activities that “detract from the dignity” of the job, interfere with a justice’s ability to carry out official duties, “reflect adversely on the justice’s impartiality” or “lead to frequent disqualification.”

Elizabeth A. Harris contributed reporting.

Abbie VanSickle covers the United States Supreme Court for The Times. She is a lawyer and has an extensive background in investigative reporting. More about Abbie VanSickle

Judge in Donald Trump's classified documents case rejects gag request from prosecutors

The federal judge in former President Donald Trump's classified documents case rejected a request Tuesday from prosecutors to prohibit him from commenting on FBI agents who seized the records at Mar-a-Lago. She also refused a defense request to hold the prosecutors in contempt merely for requesting the order.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon found Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith's urgent request Friday for the gag order "wholly lacking in substance in professional courtesy." She ruled that prosecutors should have taken time to meet with Trump's lawyers, as the Trump team requested, to address the defense's concerns.

"Any future, non-emergency motion brought in this case − whether on the topic of release conditions or anything else − shall not be filed absent meaningful, timely, and professional conferral," Cannon wrote. "Failure to comply with these requirements may result in sanctions."

A spokesperson for Smith's team declined to comment on Cannon's ruling.

Smith's team had asked Cannon on Friday to prohibit Trump from commenting about law enforcement agents after Trump claimed the FBI “was authorized to shoot me” and agents were “locked &loaded ready to take me out” when they went to Mar-a-Lago to recover classified documents Trump had taken after leaving office and refused to return to the government.

Prep for the polls: See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide

Trump, who was not present during the search, has complained about an FBI policy for agents to be armed during such a search. But the FBI said the policy was standard for all searches and prosecutors wrote that “no force was used or threatened during the search.” Attorney General Merrick Garland said Trump’s description was “false” and "dangerous."

By asking to change Trump’s conditions of remaining free before trial, the request threatened to jail Trump rather than just fine him, if he violated it.

But Trump's lawyers criticized the request on the eve of Memorial Day weekend and said prosecutors should be punished for not waiting to meet Monday to discuss their concerns. The filing came as the lawyers were preparing for closing arguments in Trump’s New York hush money trial.

“This is bad-faith behavior, plain and simple,” Trump’s lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and Christopher Kise wrote. “The Motion is an extraordinary, unprecedented, and unconstitutional censorship application.”

Prosecutors seek to jail rather than fine Trump for commenting on FBI

The dispute marks an escalation in proposed punishment for Trump from fines to jail − and a more hostile response from his lawyers to the threat − if he violates a gag order in a criminal case.

Two New York judges fined him a combined $25,000 for violating gag orders against talking about witnesses or court staffers. The federal judge in Trump’s election interference case in Washington has also ordered him not to comment on participants in that case.

In the documents case, Trump faces 40 charges of hoarding hoarding national defense records at his Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, after leaving the White House. FBI agents seize the documents during an August 2022 search after his lawyers had certified that all classified records had been returned to the government.

Trump posts about FBI 'danger' to law enforcement agents: prosecutors

Smith’s team asked Cannon to modify Trump’s conditions of release to prevent statements “that pose a significant, imminent, and foreseeable danger to law enforcement agents participating in the investigation and prosecution of this case.”

One exhibit was an all-caps post on Truth Social saying the FBI was authorized “to use deadly (lethal) force” during the search. Another exhibit was an email from Trump’s presidential campaign saying “DOJ was authorized to shoot me!”

Trump continued to post about the search after the filing. About noon on Saturday, Trump posted the "DOJ authorized use of deadly force against President Trump in Mar-a-Lago raid."

"As we also tried to explain earlier, our judgment was that the situation your client has created necessitated a prompt request for relief that could not wait the weekend to file," prosecutor David Harbach told Trump's lawyers in an email.

Trump’s lawyers, who were notified about the request about 5:30 p.m. on Friday, asked prosecutors to hold off filing until they could meet Monday. But prosecutors filed their motion about 8 p.m. Friday.

“Instead, they persisted with a troubling pattern of pursuing media coverage rather than justice,” Trump’s lawyers wrote. “Such an approach requires consequences to ensure fundamental fairness.”

Trump’s lawyers asked Cannon to find all the lawyers who participated in the filing in contempt and to decide on sanctions after holding a hearing.

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For a lot of people, buying car insurance is like buying sliced bread. It’s not the most exciting purchase, and the options all seem similar. So thrifty shoppers might simply reach for the cheapest thing on the shelf. But like cheap bread, cheap car insurance may leave you wishing you spent a little more on quality.

“The cheapest is not always the best,” warns Jessica McNally, an agency owner with Goosehead Insurance in Dallas. That’s because there are lots of factors that make up a car insurance company. And while price is one of them, it’s best to look at the bigger picture.

Here’s what to look for when picking the best car insurance company.

1. Choose a financially stable company

The best car insurance companies have plenty of money on hand to pay for customers’ claims. It’s important to check an insurer’s financial stability before buying a policy, especially if it’s a smaller insurer you’ve never heard of.

There are several independent agencies that evaluate the financial strength of insurance companies. One example is A.M. Best. You can use its online search tool to find an insurer’s financial strength rating. Companies with a rating of A or higher are considered to have an excellent ability to pay out customer claims.

2. Check customer satisfaction ratings and reviews

Not every insurer is customer-first. That’s why it’s important to research the customer satisfaction of insurers you’re considering.

You can turn to surveys from companies like J.D. Power to find insurers with the best customer satisfaction scores [0] J.D. Power . Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Plummets as Rates Continue to Surge, J.D. Power Finds . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources . Or, if you don’t mind doing a little detective work, you can compare customer complaints against insurers by using the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ website . But take other people’s emotionally charged comments about companies or agents you might read online with a grain of salt, McNally advises.

3. Look for convenience

A great auto insurer should offer multiple ways to manage a policy. For example, some insurers allow customers to use a mobile app to file and track claims. But it’s hard to tell how simple it’ll be to file a claim or perform other essential tasks, like paying your premium, before becoming a customer.

Some telltale signs that an insurer will be easy to work with are high mobile app ratings, flexible customer service hours and an easy-to-use website with helpful content. Consider asking a company representative to walk you through the claims process to learn what you’ll need to do if you have to file a claim. And pay attention to how the company communicates with you. "If they don't properly communicate, well, that's a warning sign," says Michael DeLong, a research and advocacy associate for the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America.

4. Pick an affordable company

Car insurance premiums are stretching to record-breaking heights [0] U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS . Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources , and almost half of U.S. consumers shopped for a new car insurance policy in the past year, according to an April 2024 report by J.D. Power [0] J.D. Power . Half of Auto Insurance Customers Currently Shopping for New Policies, J.D. Power Finds . Accessed May 21, 2024. View all sources . The best car insurance companies offer competitive rates and a variety of potential discounts.

It’s not hard to get car insurance quotes online from many companies. Make sure you compare the same coverage options throughout the quote-gathering process. And don’t forget to look for car insurance discounts, like breaks for being a good driver, paying your premium in full or driving a new car.

More tips to find the best car insurance

When shopping for the best car insurance, keep the following tips in mind.

Assess your needs. Before buying car insurance, take a moment to reflect on what’s important to you and your family. For example, maybe you prioritize affordability and a well-polished mobile app, but don’t need accident forgiveness .  

Consider small insurers. There are lots of small insurance companies you’ve probably never heard of. These regional insurers may provide lower rates and better customer service than the big companies you see advertised on TV.

Work with an independent agent. While it may be easy to get quotes yourself, independent car insurance agents and brokers can streamline the process. These experts vet companies and compile quotes from small and large insurers on your behalf. Independent agents and brokers can especially come in handy if you have a less-than-perfect driving record and can’t find insurance on your own.

Do your research. Search online for recent mentions of a company in the news before buying a policy, recommends DeLong. If you find a company has lots of recent lawsuits against it, you may want to think twice about signing on the dotted line. “And if they've had to pay out settlements, that's an even bigger red flag,” DeLong says.

Shop around once a year. Make a practice of shopping for car insurance every year — especially if price is important to you. Insurers adjust car insurance rates regularly, so what might have been the most affordable option last year may no longer be a bargain.

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