online travel agent school

7 Best Online Travel Agent Programs (Complete Guide)

Trade Schools / Travel Agent / 7 Best Online Travel Agent Programs (Complete Guide)

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

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Many people’s dream job is to travel and get paid!

While travel agents are only sometimes traveling, as they need to help plan and use their resources to set itineraries while getting the best deals, they must be knowledgeable about various places.

If you’re interested in becoming a travel agent, several educational paths exist to help you reach your goals.

The most common approach is an online travel and tourism diploma program, which is readily available.

If you want to dive deeper into the field, associate and bachelor’s degree programs are available but still require the fundamental core classes and can take up to four years to earn.

On the other hand, a certificate degree can be achieved in under one year.

If you’re interested in becoming a travel agent and are searching for a reputable online program, keep reading to learn more!

Best Online Travel Agent Programs

Despite being necessary for tens of thousands of travelers worldwide, travel agency positions are relatively niche.

Therefore, only a few online travel agent programs exist, including the following:

American Society of Travel Advisors

The ASTA offers a Verified Travel Advisor certification program, which helps students hone travel and tourism skills while providing a broad industry perspective.

This online, self-paced course is highly flexible, as students can complete the required coursework on their own terms.

Lessons for the primary certification include the following:

• Advanced Public Speaking – improves public speaking capabilities through actionable information.
• Agency Relationships and the Law – learn about your legal obligations to your clients, liabilities, and legal rights.
• Ethics for Travel Advisors – students must review and agree to the 12-point Code of Ethics, which builds client trust.
• Legal Overview for the Travel Agency Industry – taught by an attorney about legal issues surrounding taxes, liability, insurance, fees, and more.
• Marketing YOU! – maximize your value by promoting your business using effective marketing tactics.
• Project Management and Planning for the Travel Advisor – learn how project management and planning are critical to the industry and how to apply these techniques within your business.
• Real-World Sales Tactics – learn tactical solutions for improving your consulting and selling skills.
• The Art and Science of Negotiation – negotiating is a critical aspect of a successful travel business that allows you to get the best prices for your clients.
• U.S. Travel Agency Regulatory Compliance – helps travel advisors avoid costly regulatory mishaps.

The ASTA member program price is $399, the non-member independent travel advisor cost is $627, and the non-member travel advisor price is $789.

For those seeking re-certification, the tuition cost is $179.

Ashworth College

As one of the leading online vocational schools, Ashworth College helps students explore travel and tourism careers.

Their diploma in travel and tourism comprises coursework like The Global Distribution System, Types of Travel, and Travel Geography.

The program begins by teaching students the business fundamentals and ends with how to establish an exciting career as a travel agent or in other travel-related fields.

Program graduates have moved into numerous careers, from corporate travel at significant companies to starting a travel agency business.

Cayuga Community College

The entirely online Tourism Management certificate from Cayuga Community College is a 30-credit-hour program that prepares students for entry-level careers as travel agents, destination marketing organizations, tourism bureaus, tour companies, or working for tourism promotion agencies, hotels, inns, cruise lines, and visitor centers.

This self-paced certificate program allows students to work and attend school on their own schedule.

The faculty teaching these courses is the same online as on-campus, and students can transfer credits from other schools instead of retaking the class.

Colorado State University

CSU offers an online master’s degree in tourism management for those looking to make a career change or advance further in the industry.

This program focuses on developing students’ business management insight, helping them understand global tourism’s environmental and social impacts, and enhancing their knowledge of standard industry practices.

Furthermore, the faculty focuses on new technology, an evolving marketplace, and international events impacting tourism activities.

Throughout the nine-month program, students will learn more about financial management tools and processes, effective communication and marketing strategies, how to use data to guide business strategies, and how to manage resources and people ethically and strategically.

The program has 30 total credits and costs $794 per credit hour, regardless of if you live in-state or out-of-state.

Cruise Lines International Association

CLIA offers numerous online certification programs, including Accredited Cruise Counselor, Certified Cruise Counselor, Master Cruise Counselor, Elite Cruise Counselor, and Travel Agency Executive (TAE), a broader certification beyond cruises.

TAE was developed for management travel agency professionals currently employed by a CLIA Affiliate Agency and may be selling travel products.

To be eligible, candidates must work in a leadership capacity within the travel industry.

Those accepted into the program have two years from enrollment to complete the program and submit the required documentation.

The curriculum includes the following mandatory courses:

• Better Listening Skills for Better Business
• Building Client Loyalty
• Cruise Industry Leadership 501
• Cruise Industry Leadership 601
• Customer Relationship Management
• Effective Cruise Presentations 101
• Marketing 101
• Public Relations 101

Attendees must also select one elective training requirement: three CLIA online courses and live seminars, earning the CTA, CTC, or CTIE designation, or holding an undergraduate or graduate business degree.

Additionally, students must have two personal travel experiences: two cruises of at least two nights or be a CLIA Global Cruise Line Member.

Penn Foster Career School

Penn Foster and Ashworth College typically frequent the same list as best online vocational schools.

Like Ashworth, Penn Foster boasts an excellent travel agent diploma.

If you are passionate about travel, the program prepares you to work for tour companies, cruise ships, airlines, and travel agencies.

Many graduates also opt to open a travel agency business or in a corporate travel position.

The travel agent course prepares students for the Travel Agent Proficiency certification exam.

The curriculum includes Computerized Reservation Systems, Tours and Vacation Packages, Exploring the World, International Travel, World Geography, North American Air Travel, and The Travel Professional.

The school also offers a Destination Specialist course to expand student skills in the field further.

Tuition for the entire program, including materials, is $799, but the school offers flexible monthly payments for those who cannot immediately pay in full.

Stratford Career Institute

The Stratford Career Institute Travel Agent Program was developed for those who love to travel and want to transition that passion into a career.

The course covers basic and advanced topics that benefit aspiring travel agents and novices.

The curriculum includes Destination Geography, Travel and Booking Trends, and Corporate and Leisure Travel.

Students can expect to also learn about sales and marketing techniques, ticket prices and fees, and common fares within the industry.

The Travel Institute

Founded in 1964, The Travel Institute has granted just under 30,000 certifications since its founding.

The school has over 145 approved programs and has been awarded 3,600 scholarships since 2014.

The school offers a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) program, which covers 15 critical study areas developed to focus on the required skills for becoming a North American travel consultant.

To enroll in the program, candidates must have at least one year of industry experience selling travel products and services or pass the Travel Agent Proficiency exam with an 80 percent score.

To earn the certification, candidates must pass the CTA examination with at least a 70% score.

To maintain the certification, candidates must earn 10 continuing education units or more annually and be registered in the Certified Travel Agent Directory, which is a public document.

The skill modules range from travel insurance and planning itineraries to business ethics and business writing.

Best of all, the program can be taken entirely online in digital or digital plus print formats for those who prefer learning using physical materials.

The program offers peer support, one—on—one counseling, practice scenarios, and expert tips via videos from industry executives.

The digital version costs $550, while the digital plus print option costs $650.

What Courses Are in an Online Travel Agent Program?

Travel agent programs vary greatly based on the type and level of the coursework and the industry type.

The most common travel agent courses cover the following topics:

• Advising clients on local activities.
• Booking trends.
• Customer relationship management.
• Determining travel costs.
• Developing alternative travel plans when schedules change.
• Discuss essential information with clients.
• Informing clients about required travel documents.
• Legal aspects of the travel industry.
• Marketing techniques
• Negotiating hotel rates.
• Planning itineraries.
• Project management and planning.

Can You Earn a Travel Agent Certification Completely Online?

Since there is no in-person requirement to become a certified travel agent, all certifications can be completed online.

Depending on the educational level in the tourism industry that you wish to achieve, the school may require an internship to gain firsthand experience in the industry, dealing with clients.

Experts advise students at all levels to enroll in an internship, which can help make you marketable for future potential employers, develop professional contacts, have a higher probability for direct job offers, and expand your transferrable skills.

How Long Does It Take to Earn a Travel Agent Certification Online?

The online travel agent certification time commitment ranges based on the educational level you wish to achieve.

More basic certificates can be earned in a few months, whereas bachelor’s degrees in travel and tourism can take four years or more if you plan to enroll in an internship.

The primary difference between the certificate and diploma programs and the associate and bachelor’s degree programs is the latter requires foundational core classes, and the former focuses solely on travel agent topics.

However, the associate and bachelor’s degree programs tend to go more in-depth on many travel and tourism topics and offer additional opportunities to take specialized electives, which could also make you a more marketable candidate.

Also, the more education received, the higher salary you could earn after graduation compared to those with a lower level certification.

How Much Does an Online Travel Agent Certification Cost?

Like the time commitment required for travel agent certification, the cost varies based on several factors, including the training length, the school’s reputation, specialization, and financial aid availability.

The most basic certification programs cost between $330 and several thousand for a program lasting several months to one year.

Specialization programs for those with related training can cost around $550.

For those seeking higher education, an associate degree can range from several thousand dollars per year to over $10,000.

A bachelor’s degree can cost thousands of dollars for the entire program.

Suppose you’re considering a private school for associate or bachelor’s degrees.

In that case, it’s advisable to complete the core classes at a local community college with significantly less expensive credit hours, then transfer in the credits and take the travel and tourism classes at the private school.

This could save tens of thousands of dollars in the long term. Another option is to look for scholarships, grants, and financial aid opportunities.

As the world reopens, travel and tourism are at an all-time high for adventurers wanting to get outside and explore new cultures.

Although technology continues to improve and create itineraries and plans for travelers at the click of a button, travel agents are still needed due to their professional connections and relationships with hotels, travel and transportation companies, restaurants, airlines, and other travel-related businesses.

Therefore, they continue to be in high demand to get their clients the best possible prices.

For those looking to enter this dynamic and exciting field, there are plenty of online educational opportunities from which to choose.

Schools like The American Society of Travel Advisors and The Travel Institute focus on preparing students for industry certifications.

Ashford College, Penn Foster, and the Stratford Career Institute are some of the best online colleges available, so they use technology so students can succeed.

Cayuga Community College and CSU are more traditional schools with multiple educational levels beyond certificates, and the Cruise Lines International Association emphasizes coursework related to cruise travel.

Many options depend on your academic and career goals, so determine where you want to go next!

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7 Best Online Travel Agent Training Programs

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

With online studies, your career as a travel agent starts with a laptop, access to the internet, and a click.

If you spend hours daydreaming about the perfect vacation and love being a part of every last planning detail, a career in travel is right for you.

If you want smooth sailing and to help vacationers’ trips go off without a hitch, a travel agent career is for you.

Start turning travel dreams into a reality for clients.

How do you get the certification and training you need to launch a career as a travel agent?

Check out these best online travel agent training programs.

1. Penn Foster

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Most online courses prepare you to sit for the Travel Agent Proficiency TAP exam to earn your travel and tourism certification.

The TAP test takes two hours to complete.

The test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.

Or, continue your education to get your Bachelor of Science BS degree in hospitality.

After obtaining the necessary credentials, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 66,300 jobs in travel await those who pursue them, with an anticipated 3 percent job growth.

Travel agents earn an average of $46,400 annually, or $22.31 per hour.

The American Society of Travel Advisors, ASTA, and The Travel Institute developed the TAP certification examination.

Pass the TAP to launch your travel agent career.

Earn your TAP certification and then continue your education by attaining your Certified Travel Associate CTA certification.

Or, specialize in specific types of travel like the following:

• Family travel
• Accessible travel
• Rural tourism
• Pet-friendly travel
• Cruise lines
• Sustainable travel
• Eco-friendly travel
• Solo travel
• Luxury travel
• Romantic getaways
• Destination weddings
• Honeymoon travel

Take a look at the best options for online travel agent training programs.

Check out the following top online training programs:

Penn Foster Online offers courses at levels from high school to college degrees.

Learn everything you need to understand about the travel and tourism industry through this accredited school.

Penn Foster offers an affordable and accredited online Travel Agent Career Diploma.

The program prepares students for entry-level travel agent careers.

Study at your own pace with access to a dedicated faculty.

The Penn Foster online program prepares students for the TAP Travel Agent Proficiency certification exam.

Studying through Penn Foster also allows you free enrollment in a Destination Specialist course at The Travel Institute to help prepare you for the Destination Specialist certification exam.

Fast-paced learners complete the course in as short of time as nine months.

The average student takes 15 months to prepare for work as a travel agent.

Go on to work in an agency, a tour company, an airline, or any travel agent capacity.

The travel agent certificate online program usually costs $989.

Catch a sale to find it as low as $799.

The Travel Institute has a history of preparing individuals for successful and rewarding careers in the travel industry since 1964.

More than 25,000 students claim success through learning with The Travel Institute.

With more than 50 years of training travel agents, the Travel Institute offers certification as a non-profit organization.

The online program aims to develop travel professionals who will better the industry and benefit travelers.

The online training offers their own TRIPKIT Travel Industry Introductory Program.

The Travel Institute also offers certification courses and training in areas of specialization in the travel industry.

Before deciding on a course, sign up for one of many free Webinars.

Gain a solid foundation of knowledge to kick-start your career in travel in up to 12 months of study.

Become a Certified Travel Counselor CTC for $550.

Or, if you already have five years of industry experience, take the Fast Track course.

The Travel Institute also offers Certified Travel Associate CTA and Certified Travel Industry Executive CTIE courses.

Stratford Career Institute is privately owned and established in 1991.

The Institute offers quality at-home vocational training programs to students in North America.

Stratford foresaw the need for emerging education for busy adults and offers distance learning.

SCI provides the opportunity for students to learn in the convenience of their own home with a flexible schedule.

This online school is a member of the United States Distance Learning Association, the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education, and the International Council for Open and Distance Education ICDE.

SCI also has academic affiliations with Institutional Accountants ICIA and The Travel Institute.

If you love to travel and want to turn travel planning into your career, Stratford Career Institute online offers a comprehensive travel and tourism course.

Learn the basics and then move into more advanced topics.

Delve into sales and marketing with this self-paced course.

Complete the course in a year or shorter.

Some students are ready for the next step after six months.

The Stratford Career Institute Travel and Tourism online course will prepare you to sit for the TAP test.

Learn everything you need about landing a job and continuing work as a successful travel agent for $1,049.

Catch the course on sale for $499 during Black Friday or other sales throughout the year.

The Travel Agent Campus is a highly sought-after travel agent/advisor online training and certification program.

Train with lessons developed by innovators of their independent home-based travel agent learning platform.

Learn from instructors who offer more than 30 years of training to those new to the travel business.

The Travel Agent Campus allows you to work at your own pace.

Learn everything you need to know to earn your online travel agent certification in two weeks.

Or, take less time.

Most students finish the course in about three to ten days.

Pay $995 in full, or break it down into monthly payments.

Once you start your travel career, earn as much as 70 percent to 90 percent commission.

Learn at home about the vast travel industry and tourism at your own pace in partnership with TPI Travel Planners International.

Get started in your career of planning, researching, and booking trips with the help of this online course.

Grand Canyon University GCU offers a private for-profit university.

GCU is the largest Christian university in the world, teaching 70,000 online students and 20,000 on-campus learners.

Take your time and earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management.

By attaining a BS in Hospitality Management, you open doors to a solid career in travel.

With Grand Canyon University, earn your degree after studying 120 credit hours at approximately $485 per credit.

The online courses each last eight weeks and are self-paced.

You may participate in Web chat sessions or view lectures online throughout the courses.

If you have already earned college credit, transfer credit hours to reduce your overall expenses.

Apply for scholarships to save more on tuition costs. Also, enjoy extensive discounted tuition for active military personnel.

Study online to receive your travel consultant certificate from a program featured by Oprah, ABC, CNN, and The Wall Street Journal.

IAP Career College offers a private online career learning opportunity.

This online college allows students to develop skills to advance their careers or start a business.

Learn the principles and techniques of the travel industry through an affordable online program.

IAP Career College online Travel Consultant Certificate Course takes approximately six weeks to complete.

Some students get done faster, by four weeks.

Others take a full 12 weeks to complete.

Work online at your own pace without teaching assistance.

The IAP course costs approximately $377.

Catch a special sale to get it for as inexpensive as $149.00.

Ashworth College offers career education that teaches practical skills employers want without breaking the bank.

This online school is among the most affordable online schools available to gain travel agent certification.

All of the career-focused courses at Ashworth College include books, lessons, study guides, and academic guidance.

Earn your certification among more than 300,000 students who have graduated from Ashworth.

Ashworth College offers an online travel agent training program to prepare you for work in the travel industry.

The course of study covers reservations, customer service, and geography.

Study entirely at your own pace to prepare for the TAP test certification in less than a year.

Earn your travel and tourism diploma to work with planning tours and management positions.

Pay $989 with monthly payments of $799 paid in full.

Ready yourself to take the Travel Institute Travel Agent Proficiency Test after completing the course.

Ashworth College additionally provides a toolkit with resume templates and other resources to help you land a travel career.

Online travel agent training programs offer courses that teach everything you need to prepare you as a travel agent.

Some of the typical courses included in travel agent training programs include:

• Air travel ticketing, reservations, and baggage handling, including North American Air Travel
• Geographic studies, including popular travel destinations, cultures, customs, and top attractions while exploring the world
• Tourism and the History of tourism, including types of tourism and how travel impacts the economy
• TAP Travel Agent Proficiency Certification studies include customer service, consumer-focused professionalism, specialized travel sales techniques, marketing, office skills, and time management.
• Advanced skills in journey pricing and ticketing
• BSP Agent billing reports and agent remittance procedures
• Learn about required documents for international trips
• Intro to Tourism Management to establish a foundational understanding of the tourism business
• Delve into the challenges of the hospitality industry as a career
• Aspects of Transportation Learning how to navigate domestic and foreign transportation systems such as air, railway, or cruises
• Convention and Special Event Planning, including conferences, trade shows, arranging travel, lodging, booking the best venue, and organizing food services
• World Regions, including time zones, weather, and climate
• International Travel Documentation
• Customer-focused selling and understanding customer needs
• Accepting and processing payments
• Travel Insurance
• Car Rentals
• Tour Sales and Niche Marketing
• Hospitality
• Global Distribution System GDS and establishing Passenger Name Record PNR
• Career Options in Travel
• Types of Tours and Tour Operators
• Fares and ticketing
• How to start an at-home travel agency
• Business Ethics and writing skills
• The Art of listening and communicating

Several online colleges, universities, and career training centers offer a complete program to attain the skills needed in the travel industry.

One of the benefits of studying online is that you learn at your own pace.

Earning an online travel agent certification varies in how long it takes .

Spend a few days, two to three weeks, or stretch it out.

Combine your studies with an Associate’s or a Bachelor’s degree, and take two to four years.

Pursue one or all of the travel agent certifications, including the following:

• Travel Agent Proficiency TAP
• The Certified Travel Associate CTA – Requires one year of industry experience or completion of the Travel Agent Proficiency TAP exam.
• Certified Travel Counselor
• Certified Travel Industry Executive
• ASTA Verified Travel Advisor VTA from the American Society of Travel Advisors ASTA
• International Air Transport Association IATA
• Travel Industry Designator Service TIDS
• Certified Cruise Counselor CCC from the Cruise Lines International Association CLIA
• Accredited Cruise Counselor ACC
• Master Cruise Counselor MCC
• Elite Cruise Counselor ECC

Online training costs in the travel industry vary based on how long the program is, whether the institution is accredited, and any specializations you pursue.

It ranges in cost from approximately $100 to about $1,000 to complete certification.

Some online programs include an exam fee, so expect to spend about $2,000 or more.

Once you obtain the certification, expect ongoing studies to maintain the certification.

Agents must earn ten continuing education credits CEUs per year.

Pursue your dream of adventure and love for travel.

Obtain your certification to start work in the travel and tourism industry fast .

Study through the best online travel agent training programs.

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Become a Travel Advisor in as little as Four Months

Study at your own pace, avoid membership fees, and start profiting from your passion! Direct Travel Academy offers an online Travel Advisor certification that you earn on your own terms.

Scroll to learn more.

How our online travel advisor course works.

Course progress will be measured by online quizzes, assignments, and a final project. To graduate as a certified travel advisor, students must maintain an average grade of 80%.

Most students complete the course in around 4 months. You will have access to all chapters and resources for the remainder of the year, even if you complete the course ahead of schedule.

Your certificate of achievement will show travel industry employers you have the skills necessary for entry-level positions.

Career Benefits

Adventure for a living. Embark on discounted cruises with a companion of your choice, and accumulate free tropical resort stays as you meet sales goals.

Enjoy a career with a flexible work schedule. Work part-time, or full-time, from home, or at the office. The choice is yours.

Profit from your passion. Make money while helping your clients plan their dream vacation in a career that you love.

Why Choose Direct Travel Academy?

Direct Travel Academy is an online travel advisor school owned by Direct Travel . Our experienced professionals have been training travel advisors since 1985 and helping travelers plan vacations since 1973.

We offer exceptional, one-on-one assistance throughout your educational journey and will offer career placement assistance after graduation.

Enjoy a free cruise upon completion. This is your first travel benefit/familiarization trip as a travel advisor where you will start seeing things through the eyes of a customer.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the direct travel industry school the graduate should be able to:.

• Research and investigate unfamiliar areas, terminology and identify reference sources.
• Develop a self-image that reflects professionalism and confidence.
• Identify current trends in the industry and recognize the importance of the trends to their personal future in the travel industry.
• Utilize time management techniques.
• Demonstrate the ability to be flexible and adaptable when dealing with clients.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the terminology, regulations, and services as a Travel Advisor.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of how to guide the client through the sales and booking process to complete the total travel transaction as a Travel Advisor.
• Demonstrate and show how to prospect for new and existing clients.
• Identify that they need to possess a passport for themselves as it shows they comprehend the need for it for future travel for their success.
• Achieve a Certificate of Achievement that shows employers you have the skills necessary for entry-level positions in the travel industry.

Cost Comparison

The complete value of Direct Travel Academy tuition and fees totals $1,598. There is a $300 Registration Fee and $199 Curriculum Fee due at the time of enrollment ($499 total). For our students convenience, recurring monthly payments are processed with Stripe, a secure online payment processor. Learn more about our refund policy  here .

Direct Travel Academy

• No membership fees
• Easy & secure online payments
• Convenient monthly recurring payments
• 12 month access to course material

Join Direct Travel Academy Today

Begin turning your passion into a profession today. We provide open enrollment, meaning you can start the class at anytime. Access to the online coursework will be granted after credit card payment has processed and a copy of your high school diploma or equivalent (G.E.D., certification, high school transcripts) is uploaded.

"I could not imagine jumping into this career without the training that I received. The instructors are very knowledgable and the curriculum covers all aspects of the travel industry."

Krista P. | Travel Advisor

Ambassador Travel

This institution is regulated by:

5236 Vogel Rd. Suite B Evansville, IN 47715

Quick Links

• Terms & Conditions
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• Complaint Policy
• Refund Policy

Direct Travel Academy is a division of Ambassador Travel, LLC

THE JOURNAL

Travel Advisor Resources

How to Become a Travel Agent Online: Fora's Full Guide

The Modern Travel Agency

Fora Travel

https://www.foratravel.com/the-journal/become-a-travel-agent-online

You want to become a travel agent online. Is it easy? Are there any education or experience requirements? We’re answering all your questions and then some.

Want to check out the coolest travel agent remote jobs for yourself? Apply to become a Fora Advisor today.

First off, what is an online travel agent?

The only real difference between an online travel agent — we prefer the modern term, travel advisor — and a travel agent who works in a brick-and-mortar environment is, well, their setting. 

We could get into the nitty gritty comparisons — remote travel agents have more flexibility, in-person travel agents offer face-to-face meetings and so on — but at the end of the day, the locale is the only major difference.

(Need to back up and ask, “ What does a travel agent do? ” Our guide has all the answers.)

Next, the vital question: can you become a travel agent online?

Absolutely — and there are a ton of advantages to becoming a travel agent online, as compared to traditional travel agent schools .

(BTW: this guide focuses purely on the remote aspects of becoming a travel planner. If you’re looking for a more comprehensive look, check out how to become a travel agent .)

Pros of becoming a remote travel agent

Becoming a travel agent online offers a high degree of flexibility that more traditional travel agent jobs can’t match. 

For one, remote travel agents can work from anywhere, while brick-and-mortar agents are tied to a specific location. 

It’s also worth noting remote travel agents can be much more in tune with the contemporary travel industry. Many traditional travel agent schools have outdated curriculums that haven’t kept pace with the rapid modernization of the field.

Best of all, online travel agents can work with anyone around the world. Face-to-face interactions, while still possible at the discretion of the agent, simply aren’t necessary nowadays. Everything from bookings to travel planning can be completed over the internet — and most customers are just as interested in being able to consult a travel advisor from the comfort of their home.

Cons of becoming a remote travel agent

Simply put, there aren’t any major disadvantages to becoming an online travel agent versus committing to a brick-and-mortar office. Although some clients still prefer in-person exchanges, this is no longer the industry norm. 

If you love travel, you have what it takes to become a travel agent . But it certainly helps to have interpersonal skills, industry knowledge and a rolodex of relationships with travel partners around the world — all of which we provide in our online travel advisor training program.

(P.S. Looking for more jobs in the travel industry or jobs where you travel ? See our guides.)

What are the benefits of becoming a remote travel advisor with Fora?

We’ve covered the basics of becoming a travel agent online, but here’s why your choice of host agency matters. Fora offers unparalleled flexibility and support to all Fora Advisors. We’re big on inclusivity, and we always advocate for our own. All that said, you’re still in complete control of your travel business (learn how to become an independent travel agent with Fora).

Already convinced? Sign up to become a Fora Advisor .

(Prefer to fly completely solo? Here’s how to start a travel agency , but be warned, it’s no easy endeavor.)

Can you become a travel agent online as a side hustle?

Yes. In fact, a large number of Fora Advisors run a travel side hustle and nothing more. If you’re only interested in booking the occasional vacation for family or peers, it’s completely fine with us.

Do you need any certifications or degrees to become a travel agent online with Fora?

No experience or education is required to become a Fora Advisor. We offer all the travel agent training and travel agent certification programs you could possibly need to be successful. Plus, these courses can be completed at your own pace. 

Topics range from the basics of booking hotels to how to build a sales funnel and beyond.

How much money can you make as an online travel agent with Fora?

With great flexibility comes great ranges of Fora travel advisor salaries .

Obviously, the Fora Advisors that spend the most time honing their craft and selling travel make the most money. And many of our independent travel planners are only interested in making side money.

Need more details? Check out how much travel agents make , and for a deep dive on commissions, see how much travel agents make per booking .

How does Fora pay remote travel agents?

Fora Advisors are paid via direct deposit, a rarity in an industry that often still relies on the 20th-century method of paying by paper check. Our guide to how travel agents get paid offers an in-depth explanation.

Ready to work with a host agency that embraces new-age tech? Become a Fora Advisor .

How long does it take to become a travel agent online with Fora?

Becoming a travel agent online with Fora doesn’t take very long at all. The application process is easy, and you’re allowed to start booking travel as soon as you’re accepted as a Fora Advisor.

Wondering, " How long does it take to become a travel agent ?" See our guide for more intel.

How much does it cost to become a travel agent online?

Other agencies handle this differently, but at Fora, we charge a monthly subscription fee that covers our comprehensive training, access to our peer community — which possesses an incredible depth of travel expertise — extensive marketing resources, access to our proprietary booking platform and much, much more.

Currently, it costs $49 per month or $300 annually for a subscription (BTW: most advisors make their membership fee back within the first month). As far as becoming a travel agent online, few host agencies even compare — and many don't offer the perks that we do. 

Is becoming a travel agent online worth it?

It’s fair to wonder if being a travel agent is worth it . But if you love travel, you're already most of the way there. We'll teach you everything you need to know to build a thriving travel business you love.

That being said, if you’re wondering whether it makes sense to become a travel agent online or at a designated office, there’s no competition. Remote travel agent jobs are quickly becoming the standard — there simply aren’t any major advantages to brick-and-mortar travel planning nowadays.

Join Fora and become a travel agent online today

Ready to become a travel agent online? Why not join a host agency that puts your success front and center? Sign up to become a Fora Advisor today.

Looking for more travel advisor resources ? Check out these guides, as well:

Take it from Our Advisors: 8 Reasons to Become a Fora Advisor  

How Do Travel Agents Get Clients? Fora's Top 4 Tips  

How to Become a Luxury Travel Agent: the 2023 Guide  

How to Become a Disney Travel Agent  

  A Window into Fora's Certified Training  

How to Market Your Travel Business Like a Pro: Tips from the Experts  

How to Be a Successful Travel Advisor: Insider Tips from the Pros

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.

VIRTUAL CAMPUS

We engage the learner, our virtual campus new travel agent training program is much more than the traditional on-demand, online learning that other programs offer. becoming a travel agent is easier than ever since you can attend class anywhere you have access to a computer or tablet and internet., upcoming virtual campus start dates.

SELF-PACED STUDIES

You decide when and where to study with our blend of reading and written assignments, interactive eLearn’s, videos, recorded webinars, reviews and a group discussion forum.

WEEKLY VIRTUAL STUDY GROUPS

This weekly opportunity to meet with others in your session online is a great way to supplement self-study. In the event that a weekly study group is missed they are recorded.

DISCUSSION FORUM

Weekly topics will be posted to allow for thoughtful online interaction between participants in your study group anytime, anywhere.

INTERACTIVE ONLINE SESSIONS

24-hour access to an easy-to-use Learning Management System (LMS) and interactive online courses, quizzes, videos, recorded webinar’s and helpful resources.

GROUP PRESENTATIONS

Collaborate to create at least one presentation during the program. Group presentations may include a trip or destination and are during study hall between Module 3 and 4.

GUEST FACULTY

Guest faculty from all aspects of the travel industry will virtually present live or recorded webinars throughout the program. In the event that a participant is unable to attend live they are recorded.

Core Modules and Sample Coursework

• Welcome to the Travel Industry
• Travel Technology
• Qualifying the Client
• Travel Insurance
• Destination USA
• Destination Canada
• Destination British Isles & Northern Europe
• Destination Eastern & Southern Europe
• World Geography & International Travel
• Destination Asia
• Accommodations
• Group Presentations
• Tours and Packages
• Destination Mexico & the West Indies
• Marketing Strategies for Success & Making the Sale
• Your Career or Business Plan
• Final Presentation

• Host Agencies
• Accelerator Course
• Travel Jobs
• Travel Agent Chatter
• Etiquette & Rules
• Privacy Policy

A Complete Guide to Travel Agent Schools, 2024 [+Comparison Chart]

Travel agent schools are one of many travel agent training , education, and professional development opportunities. With so many choices, the decision can be mind-boggling.

Never fear. HAR's (Host Agency Reviews') goal is to de-boggle your mind. We'll help you decide if a travel school is right for you, give you a list of questions to ask before you take the plunge, and help you decide which travel agent school is best for you!

⭐️ HAR Article Highlights: ⭐️

Travel agent school preamble.

• A Comparison Chart of Travel Schools

Is a Travel Agent School Right for Me?

• How Do I Pick the Right Travel Agent School for Me?
• Alternatives to Travel Schools

Completing a travel agent school is not a requirement to enter the industry.

In fact, no specific schooling is required to become a travel advisor . No diploma, no certification or professional certificate, no degree, no fancy letters after your name. Nada. You don't need any of it.

The most important consideration is the quality of the education and how the travel agent school will equip you to succeed as a travel agent.

If/when you pick a travel agent school, the most important consideration is the quality of the education and how the travel agent school will equip you to succeed as a travel advisor.

One of the challenges of choosing a travel school is that there is no standardization or quality control. There's no organization that comes out and says, "Hey, you know, in order to be a credible travel agent school, you need to hit all these marks."

What this means is that you are the one that needs to assess whether or not a travel agent school meets your educational needs.

Sound overwhelming? That's what we're here for! To help you create your own metric to decide if attending a travel agent school is the best choice for you!

Travel Agent Schools: Infographic + Comparison Chart

I released a few messenger pigeons to gather information on school programs. Below is an infographic that offers a list and comparison of travel agent schools, plus tools to help you decide if travel agent school is best for you and (if so) to help you decide which one fits your needs.

Before I launch in, it's important to note that the comparison chart only includes programs that are travel-agent-specific . I didn’t include hospitality, tourism, or events management programs. Those areas of study are a different beast entirely.

Here’s the info our messenger pigeons had in tow 🐦🐧. As it turns out, messenger pigeons have impeccable infographic-creating capabilities. Sign in below to download our comparison chart!

Now that you have the lay of the land of what's out there, we're going to dive into how to decide which program would be the best fit for you.

Here are a few things to help you determine whether or not a travel agent school is a good decision for you. (You can think of it as an un-failable quiz!):

1. are you totally new to the industry?

If you're really working from ground zero, a travel agent school is great way to help you get your bearings. Not only that, but if you do your due diligence and choose a great travel agent school, you stand to save some time by getting all the basic industry info you need in one place (rather than trying to cobble together your own education).

2. Do you want to earn a general degree or professional certificate?

If you want to earn an Associate's degree or a professional certificate then a travel agent school could be a great option for you. If you're in the market for a general degree, you'll want to be sure the travel school you choose is accredited.

If you're in the market for a general degree, you'll want to be sure the travel school you choose is accredited.

How can you tell if a school is accredited?

• Check out our travel agent school comparison chart , which indicates if a travel agent school is accredited. Don't see your school of choice on our chart? Drop me an email at [email protected] so I can add the school to our chart!
• Check on the travel agent school's website to see if they're accredited. (You can usually find this in the About [School] section . . . they'll want to brag about their accreditation, so it will be there if they have one!)

If you're looking to earn a professional certificate, you won't need to pick an accredited school, but you'll want to choose a program that's industry-recognized (more on that later).

3. Does the idea of a structured program & Peer Support motivate you?

A travel agent school can also be a good option if you find If you thrive off of the structured support of a set program—a syllabus, class schedule, homework, evaluation, deadlines, quizzes, etc.

Each travel agent school will be structured differently, so if there are some aspects of the school structure that are important to you, make sure that the travel school fits the bill for you.

Most of the travel agent schools are online, but this isn't necessarily at the expense of tight-knit peer communities. One way to evaluate a travel school is to check and see if they have active online groups of alums. You can also ask programs how much contact students have with one another during the course (we'll get more into the nitty gritty of evaluating schools soon.)

4. Is a Travel School in Your Budget?

The tuition for travel agent schools listed in this article ranges from $495 to $15,900. That's quite a range. In terms of making a sound financial investment, consider these questions:

1. How much do I want to spend on a travel school?

2. Is the travel school affordable?

3. Does it seem to offer a good value?

4. Is it a good value for what it offers (for example, you might consider how much it costs per credit or contact hours, rather than focusing on the total sticker price) .

5. Is it comparable in price to other training programs?

6. Can I pay in installments?

7. Can I get any scholarship, aid, loans?

One thing to factor in your decision is the income potential for a travel agent. How do you know what kind of income to expect? Our travel advisor research papers have income info for employees as well as self-employed travel advisors (both independent and hosted travel agents).

If you're thinking of starting up your own agency , we have info on how much it costs to become a travel agent that can help you benchmark.

5. Do You Have Time?

Travel agent schools are a time commitment as well as a financial commitment.

Like tuition, the duration of travel school programs varies significantly—from four weeks to two years . Additionally, the time you need to invest in your coursework will also vary.

Travel agent schools are a time commitment . . . Like tuition, the duration of travel school programs varies significantly—from four weeks to two years.

If you want to take the time to get your bearings the industry before you dive in, a travel school could be idea. If you want to start selling travel yesterday and are willing to learn as you go, it might not be the best fit (or you might explore a short or self-paced program.)

time to tally your score.

Yay! You finished your unfailable quiz!

If you answered yes to a majority of the questions, a travel school could be a great fit and you should probably keep exploring! So keep reading!

If you answered no to a majority of these questions, you should still keep reading because, let's face it, you're really thorough and you want to ensure you not missing out on any info!

But if you want to take a shortcut to explore alternatives, go here !

Listen to Lu Maggiora, chat on her travel agent school success story in Travel Agent Chatter Vol. 7:

Make a Travel Agent School Short List

A travel school is a good option for you?! *High five!* Now the kicker is this, how do you decide what program might be best for you?

Here's a list of questions to ask of your travel agent school programs to help you narrow it down:

1. Who teaches in the program and what is their background in the industry?

I'm going to be honest here.

There's a lot of travel agent training and education programs out there, and you deserve a program with someone at the helm who's invested in the travel industry. Look at their background, and gauge the industry engagement of the people who run and teach at the school.

There's a lot of training and education programs out there, and you deserve a program with someone at the helm who's invested in the travel industry

The most important quality of a travel agent school is the quality of its education, and choosing one with deep industry roots is a good indication that you'll be in good hands.

This means they should be going to travel industry events and have had real-life experience in the world of travel agents.

2. If you want a general degree, is the school accredited?

If you want a general degree in addition to earning a professional certificate at a travel agent school, you want (I'll go ahead and say need ) to pick a school that is accredited.

Here's another thing to consider: Do any of the credits from the travel agent certificate go toward the general degree? Hopefully the answer is a resounding yes (the more credits that apply to your degree, the merrier).

3. is the TraveL School's certificate recognized within the industry?

Most travel agent schools result in some kind of professional certificate.

in most cases, a travel agent certificate itself is not going to give you instant access to a higher pay scale. But a good program will help you cultivate professional skills, which will translate to a higher pay scale.

If you want to become an independent contractor, you may also want to consider if a host agency accepts the certificate in lieu of the host's education program (more on that later). How would you know that if a host is willing to make this accommodation? You can post a question on their host profile on this very site!!!

4. Is their curriculum current, thorough and useful?

Evaluating the strength of a travel school's curriculum may seem hard if you have no industry experience. But I'm here to give you a few pointers on how to gauge if it's up to snuff for what you need:

• Does it cover a variety of topics? Does it go into as much depth as you need such as marketing, sales strategies, legal & regulatory topics, an industry overview, trip planning? Is there any focus on some popular niches such as destination specialty, cruise, etc (especially if it aligns with what you want to do).
• Does it focus on topics that you don't need? Okay. I'm about to say something controversial: Unless you want to be a corporate agent , you don't need a curriculum that focuses on GDS (Global Distribution System) . There. I said it. You can throw flaming bags of dog poop on my porch, but I stand behind this because A.) 99% of the time, GDS is not the right tool for the job for leisure agents and B.) It's a waste of your time and money to spend so much time learning a tool you probably won't use. Do you want to be familiar with what it is? Sure. But if you're going to sell leisure, you don't need 20% of your coursework dedicated to it.
• Is it current? When is the last time the travel agent school updated their curriculum? Do they talk about current issues in travel? If you're not sure just by perusing their site, give them a holler and ask.
• Do specific areas of focus align with what you want to do? Some travel agent schools will have specific areas of study that might be optional. This may include focusing on a particular destination or niche . This is fabulous . . . unless you don't really care about that area of study. So if a program has an entire unit on, let's say, Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, that's not going to be very helpful to you if you primarily want to book adventure trips to Alaska and the Arctic regions. But there's an exception . . .
• Does it prepare you to become an independent contractor or an employee? A curriculum will be very different based on whether or not you want to become an employee or an independent contractor . If you want to work for a retail location as an employee, familiarity with GDS may be an asset; a broad overview of cruise lines and popular destinations like Jamaica, Mexico and Europe is likely critical. But if you're going to be an independent contractor, it's important that the area of study aligns closely with what you want to sell. It might seems like choosing a niche is putting the cart before the horse, but homing in on a specialty can help you choose a travel agent school.

5. What are the program goals & do they succeed?

You have a good handle on your goals, but how do they align with the goals of a travel school? More than that, does the travel agent school achieve the goals they set out for themselves as a program? Here's a few questions to consider.

• What are the goals of the program (and does it fit with your professional goals)? Is it to prepare you for the Travel Institute's TAP (Travel Agent Proficiency) test? (Here's a hint: If prepping for the TAP test is your primary initiative, you can get a study guide for the TAP test and take it on your own for what could be a fraction of the cost to attend a travel school.) Is it to eventually support you with job placement? Is it to make you an expert on selling cruises? Is it to give you a broad overview of the industry? (Another hint: If that's the case, check out the American Society of Travel Advisor's (ASTA) Roadmap to Becoming a Travel Advisor course written by HAR's founder which will be much more cost effective.)
• Does the travel school have follow-up employment services? Will they continue to support you once you're out in the world? How do they do that?
• Are their alumnae ending up where you want to end up? Are their alumnae doing the jobs (or creating the jobs) that you want to do? (Check out HAR's travel jobs board for opportunities.)
• What does their data say? Beyond graduation/completion rate, how long does it take their students to get settled into the industry?

Alternatives to Travel Agent School

Maybe you've gotten this far and decided that a travel agent school is not right for you. But you don't need to throw your arms up in surrender just yet because there are other options.

What are they you ask? Read on!

1. Travel Agent Certification:

Certifications allow you to add fancy letters after your name that will (hopefully) be recognized by the travel industry.

They're often provided by organizations such as  travel consortia , accreditation organizations ( more here on travel agent accreditation options ), and travel industry membership groups such as Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) or The Travel Institute .

A comparable example to travel agent certification might be like a CPA (certified professional accountant). You can still be an accountant without your CPA, but it helps potential clients know that you're the real deal. If you're looking for certification (in addition to/ rather than training) we have a resource for you!

2. Host Travel Agent Education Programs:

Host agencies and travel consortia also have loads of education opportunities. In fact, some of the travel agent schools listed above were founded by folks who run host agencies. (They're busy!)

What the heck is a host agency and travel consortium? At its most basic, a host agency is an umbrella organization that an independent agency (that’s you!) can align with for better commissions , support, and marketing/tech tools.

A travel consortium is a collective of host agencies, travel agencies, and/or travel advisors that join forces to combine resources in order to increase their industry footprint. This gives them more including buying potential with preferred suppliers , perks, & more favorable commission agreements.

School's Out for the Summer

Yay! Your education on travel agent schools is complete. You can now consider yourself well prepared (if not over-prepared) to decide if a travel school is for you, and (if it is), which option is your best choice.

Have you gone to a travel agent school? Let us know the good, bad, and ugly in the comments below!

⭐️ Don't Miss HAR's Travel Agent Training & Education Series! ⭐️

• Travel Agent Training and Education: This is the motherboard for all travel agent training options.
• A Guide to Host Agency and Consortia Education: Details on host and consortia education, plus a comparison chart.
• Travel Agent Certification: Want to read up on what certification options are out there? This is for you.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published in Dec. 2019. We annually update and republish this article to include the latest information about travel agent school programs. The article was updated and republished on the post date listed at the top of the article.

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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Our travel agent education program.

In order to gain new clients, you have to be knowledgeable about what you are selling. That’s why we take pride in making sure our agents have access to everything they need to learn how to run a business, and book travel…whether it’s a simple hotel reservation or a large group cruise. It starts with our online travel agent courses and continues with many other fun opportunities!

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After you enroll, allow us 24-48 hours (or until the end of the next business day, if it’s a weekend) to get your account set up. Once you complete your required forms, you can access MyTravelAgentPortal .

MyTravelAgentPortal is your online office – and it houses your online travel agent courses in our Learning Management System or LMS. Within the LMS, you’ll learn the basics of selling travel, marketing your agency, and booking with our Preferred Suppliers .

The best part about our online travel agent courses is that you can learn on your own time , at your own pace!

Continuing Your Learning

Your education doesn’t end with our Learning Management System. W atch this video with Bill and Carolyn to discover all the other ways you can build your travel knowledge.

If you have questions about our online travel agent courses or education program, call us at 1-888-611-1220 or [email protected] . We are here to help you make an informed decision about partnering with us.

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Money blog: New Jaffa Cake flavour launches - and makers admit it might divide people

Disfrutar in Barcelona has been named the world's best restaurant; there's a new cola-flavoured Jaffa Cake launching; our psychology of shopping series concludes with the tricks shops use to get us to spend. Read these and the rest of today's consumer news in the Money blog.

Thursday 6 June 2024 14:35, UK

• ECB cuts interest rates - and it could boost your holiday money
• McVitie's launches first ever non-fruit flavoured Jaffa Cake
• There's a new best restaurant in the world - this is how much it costs to eat there
• Now is the time to lock some of your cash away - here's why
• Asda goes from cheapest to most expensive supermarket for petrol

Essential reads

• How brands get you to buy more, more, more
• Top chef shares his take on an Italian classic - and Warwickshire Cheap Eats
• Ed Conway : Claim of £2k tax rise under Labour is over four years - same maths suggests Tories have raised taxes by £13k in last four years
• How much are student loans, when do you start paying back and what is the interest?
• Best of the Money blog - an archive

Ask a question or make a comment

The 20 countries using the euro currency have seen interest rates cut from record highs following progress in the battle against inflation over the past two-and-a-half years.

The Frankfurt-based European Central Bank (ECB) said it was "appropriate" to trim its main deposit rate from 4% to 3.75%.

It followed an assertion last month by its president, Christine Lagarde, that the pace of price increases was now "under control".

But the Bank declared in a statement that the battle was not won - signalling data-driven caution on future policy decisions in the months ahead.

Its staff even revised upwards their forecasts for inflation this year and next.

As we have been discussing in Money this week, the cut before the US and UK could weaken the euro - potentially making Britons' holiday money go further.

McVitie's is selling a new flavour of Jaffa Cake - and it marks the first ever non-fruit flavour since the treat launched in 1927.

Shelves across the country will soon be stocked cola bottle flavoured cakes.

The new flavour will launch in Asda stores from 10 June and be available in other UK supermarkets - including Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Iceland and Co-op - in the coming weeks.

Adam Woolf, marketing director at McVitie's, said: "Jaffa Cakes Cola Bottle is certainly one of our more unexpected product launches – stepping away from fruit flavours for the very first time. 

"Jaffa Cakes have always stood out from the crowd (and the biscuit aisle), but we really wanted to try something new with this one. It's no doubt going to cause some debate among our Jaffanatics, and we can't wait to hear what they think."

By  Sarah Taaffe-Maguire , business reporter

Are we entering an era of interest rate cuts? Probably not. Or at least, not yet. 

But the European Central Bank (ECB) which controls the euro currency does look set to make their first cut in four years this afternoon. 

And Canada yesterday became the first country in the club of G7 industrialised nations to bring down borrowing costs by lowering their benchmark interest rate. 

The UK, however, isn't currently expected by markets to make a cut until September. 

Elsewhere, oil prices remain below $80 but are slightly more expensive than earlier this week. A barrel of the benchmark Brent crude oil costs $79.10.

The good news for people going on holidays to countries using the euro continues - the pound is still doing well against the currency with £1 equal to €1.1757. 

That could go even higher after the ECB decision at 1.15pm. A pound also can buy $1.2783. 

Like in the US, the UK's most valuable companies have become more valuable as the FTSE (Financial Times Stock Exchange) 100 and 250 indices are up 0.33% and 0.41% respectively.

Every Thursday  Savings Champion founder Anna Bowes  gives an insight into the savings market and how to make the most of your money...

Can you believe we are almost halfway through 2024?

Although the rate rises that we have seen this year have slowed compared with the previous couple of years, and we have even seen some falls, savers are now able to find hundreds of savings accounts that pay an interest rate higher than inflation.

The latest data from the Office for National Statistics showed inflation was still higher than predicted, however - which means the anticipated base rate cut is likely to be pushed back again – into the second half of this year.

While bad news for borrowers, this is great news for savers.

Incredibly, the latest statistics from the Bank of England show there is over £253bn sitting in current accounts and savings accounts earning no interest at all.

With top rates available paying 5% or even a bit more, that is potentially £12.65bn of gross interest that is not being claimed by savers.

So now really is the time to move your money if you have cash languishing, earning less than inflation, especially if you can lock some away with a fixed rate, as a base rate cut will happen at some stage, we just don't know when.

Easy access

If you think you'll need access to your money, an easy access account is a wise choice.

The base rate cuts that we have been waiting for are yet to start, so the top rates on offer are still paying almost as much as they were at the beginning of the year.

Fixed-term bonds 

There is a strange phenomenon with fixed-term bond rates at the moment: the longer you tie up your cash, the lower the interest rates on offer.

Normally, you'd expect to be rewarded for tying up your cash over the longer term - but base rate forecasts have flipped this.

Fixed-term cash ISAs

A frequent complaint that I hear from savers is that the tax-free rates on ISAs are usually lower than the pre-tax rates on the equivalent non-ISA accounts – and this is particularly true with fixed-term accounts.

As many more savers are paying tax on their interest once again, cash ISAs are more popular than ever, as the tax-free rate of the ISA can still be considerably more than the interest earned after tax has been deducted on the non-ISA bond equivalents.

The renowned "50 Best" list of the world's best restaurants was revealed in Las Vegas last night - with a new restaurant taking top spot.

Disfrutar in Barcelona took the crown from Central in Lima, Peru (previous winners are ineligible and instead join a Best of the Best list).

Eating the standard menu costs £247 (€290) - with an extra £136 (€160) if you want the wine pairing.

To be fair, you do get around 30 courses.

They also offer a unique menu for your table for between €1,050 and €390 per person - the more people, the less it costs.

The 50 Best list says: "The combination of brilliantly imaginative dishes, unsurpassed technical mastery and playful presentation results in the dining experience of a lifetime, as full of surprises as it is memories."

Dishes include:

• Caviar-filled Panchino doughnut
• Frozen gazpacho sandwich
• Thai-style cuttlefish with coconut multi-spherical
• Squab with kombu spaghetti, almond and grape

Two UK restaurants made the top 50 but the UK was eclipsed by countries from across South America as well as Thailand, Italy, France and Spain.

London's Kol moved up slightly to 17, while Ikoyi, which we reported on a few weeks ago following a link-up with Uber Eats, came it at 42.

Three whiskies created by Aldi have been named among the best in the world.

The budget supermarket took home three golds at the International Spirits Challenge awards for: 

• Glen Marnoch Highland Single Scotch Whisky (£18.49, 70cl)
• Highland Earl Blended Scotch Whisky (£16.89, 1L)
• Samuel Joe’s Straight Kentucky Bourbon (£14.99, 70cl)

In the single malt category, Aldi's submission beat the likes of M&S as well as premium brand Lochlea Distillery, which costs around £45 a bottle. 

Other gold winners included Johnnie Walker, Jameson and Glenfiddich. 

Aldi was also given three silver medals for its Highland Black Blended Scotch Whisky, Glen Marnoch Speyside Single Malt Whisky and Glen Marnoch Islay Single Malt Whisky. 

"This industry recognition helps to prove that great quality doesn't have to come with a luxury price tag and customers can be confident they're saving money with us, whilst getting the best whisky taste and experience," said Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK. 

As we've previously discussed in the Money blog, holidaying Brits can avoid costly roaming charges by using their own travel eSim - and there's now another mainstream option to choose from courtesy of Uswitch.

UK travellers who want to use their phones abroad usually rely on their roaming plans and data passes or sign up for a local SIM at their destination, which can often require time-consuming ID checks and additional documentation.

That can be costly. 

Since Brexit, the UK no longer benefits from several EU-mandated rules, including a worldwide data roaming cap of £45.

Roaming costs, especially in countries outside the EU, can now be as high as £9 for every 1MB of roaming data - equivalent to streaming Netflix for 14.4 seconds.

The savings with eSims are potentially massive, as our cost of living specialist Megan Harwood-Baynes outlined here last month...

USwitch product

Using 10GB of data in Morocco on a UK Pay As You Go network with uncapped fees would cost on average of £56,166, compared to just £17 with a USwitch eSim.

eSims are available online and are entirely digital - meaning customers don't need to visit a phone network store or wait for a physical SIM card to arrive in the post.

Most new smartphones are already compatible with eSim technology, including every iPhone released from 2018 onwards and most Samsung devices released from 2020 onwards.

"eSIMs offer them a newfound freedom that's cheaper than traditional data roaming and with none of the hassle of finding a local SIM card provider when you arrive," said CEO and co-founder of (USwitch's partner in this project) eSIM Go Zacchary Couldrick.

Asda has gone from selling the cheapest petrol out of the supermarket chains to now costing the most, according to the latest fuel price figures.

RAC says Asda's big rivals, Morrisons, Sainsbury's and Tesco, all sold a litre of unleaded petrol for 2.1p less on average at the end of May.

Diesel was also coming out costlier at Asda, with the supermarket 2.5p per litre more expensive than the rest of its supermarket competition.

Drivers are being urged - by the RAC - to change their refuelling habits to find the best prices. 

What makes up the cost of a litre of petrol?

The price you pay for fuel at the pumps is governed by wholesale fuel prices, which are affected by several factors.

These include the global price of crude oil, which itself is governed by supply and demand and oil refinery production and capacity.

Distribution costs, fuel duty (currently 52.95p a litre in the UK), VAT (currently at 20%) and profit margins dictated by fuel retailers all come into account when working out why prices of fuel rise and fall.

Fuel duty rate and VAT largely stay the same, though oil prices and the strength of the pound to the US dollar (refined fuel is sold in dollars per metric tonne) can cause prices to be extremely volatile.

How have UK petrol prices changed in the 21st century

Unleaded fuel in 2000 had an average cost of 80.35p, while the average cost of diesel in the same year was 81.73p.

The lowest average cost for unleaded petrol in the last 24 years came in 2002, where the average was 73.5p. Diesel also had its cheapest average cost in this year at 75.6p.

Unsurprisingly, the most expensive average prices for fuel have fallen in recent years. In 2022, the average cost of unleaded fuel was 165.06p and the average cost of diesel was 178.13p.

By Emily Mee , news reporter

We've all been there. You have a bad day and you need a little pick-me-up - so you head straight to your favourite website to buy something new.

That hit of dopamine you get when buying something is what many businesses rely on - and no one seems to understand it better than fast fashion brands. 

But not only is this hurting our wallets, it's also harming the planet. 

In the final part of our psychology of shopping series, we spoke to fair fashion campaigner Venetia La Manna ( @venetialamanna ) - who advocates for a more sustainable approach to clothing - about the little tricks fast fashion companies use to get people to spend, spend, spend... 

Always in a rush - and slippery floors

Many of the techniques fashion companies use involve ensuring people feel rushed to make purchasing decisions. 

Ms La Manna says websites and social media pages are set up to make them look "very immediate" so we "always feel like we have to buy something before it's gone" - meaning you're not able to sit with a purchase and think about whether you need it. 

Fast fashion companies also keep an eye on trends and push out products as soon as possible to make sure people are "buying very, very quickly without necessarily much thought". 

And the sense of urgency is not just limited to online stores.

Ms La Manna says physical clothes shops will make sure their floors are slippery "so you can almost whizz around with more ease".

Often they will also have loud music to encourage "shopping in a frenzy". 

They know what you want

Fashion sites use "highly advanced" search engine optimisation to find out what kind of products their customers are searching for and push these items to them, Ms La Manna says. 

They also work with popular online influencers and get them to post affiliate links - meaning if you want to look like your favourite influencer or celebrity, you can buy what they're wearing "in just a few clicks". 

Ultimately, they are making things "very easy to buy" and often have shopfronts on popular social media sites like Instagram and TikTok. 

Plus, there is the issue of affordability. 

Many are driving their prices down so low that "it makes you feel like 'hey, why not' when it's cheaper than a sandwich or a coffee", Ms La Manna says. 

Heaters at the entrance

Physical shops use other techniques to entice customers to buy. 

For example, Ms La Manna says the heat changes when you go into the shop so you're "invited into a warmer environment". 

Shops are also set out in a specific way, often placing cheaper items near checkouts and easy outfit formulas near each other. 

The dopamine hit

With lots going on in the world, we may be more susceptible to falling into the spending trap than ever. 

"The world is really heavy and people are struggling. Buying fast fashion or buying stuff gives us a momentary hit of dopamine, and of course we need that - when we're suffering, when we're feeling low, [shopping] is an easy one to reach for," Ms La Manna says. 

Despite practising "slow fashion" - trying to buy less and more consciously - for years, Ms La Manna says she still has moments where she feels that buying something would make her feel better. 

But she says it's possible to get much-needed dopamine hits from elsewhere - including by being active in your community, or by taking your time to find something you really, really want (ideally secondhand!). 

Why does it matter? 

Aside from being bad for your wallet, Ms La Manna says overconsumption is also bad for the planet and for the garment workers making your clothes. 

She says many big fashion companies don't pay their garment workers a fair living wage - with many unable to provide food for their families, living in poverty and lacking paid time off. 

The overproduction of clothing is also harming communities in the global south who are left to deal with vast piles of unwanted items, she says. 

The majority of clothes taken to charity shops or recycling bins don't end up being resold - instead they are shipped off largely to places in the global south, where communities are "left to deal with a problem that's not theirs". 

For more information on slow fashion, Ms La Manna suggests checking out The Or Foundation, Remake and the Clean Clothes Campaign. 

P Diddy has sold off his stake in the media company he founded more than a decade ago. 

The rapper, whose real name is Sean Combs, released his shares of Revolt with the company saying the have been fully redeemed and retired. 

Revolt has not disclosed how much Combs was paid for his stake in the hip-hop news and entertainment company, which he founded in 2013.

It also announced a new ownership structure that will give its employees an equity stake in the company. 

The move comes after several lawsuits were filed against Combs , accusing him of sexual assault and rape. 

In November, he was sued by R&B singer Cassie, who said he subjected her to a years-long abusive relationship that included beatings and rape.

Combs settled the lawsuit with Cassie, whose full name is Casandra Ventura, a few days after it was filed.

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Tver, Russia: A Glimpse into the Golden Ring’s Historic Heart

Tver, a picturesque city situated on the banks of the Volga River, is one of the jewels of Russia’s Golden Ring. It offers travelers a unique opportunity to explore a rich tapestry of history, culture, and natural beauty. In this comprehensive travel guide, we will uncover all that you need to know about Tver, including the best time to visit, must-see places, exciting activities, transportation options, dining experiences, accommodation choices, famous street markets, and essential travel tips to make your journey through this historic heart truly unforgettable.

About Tver: Location: Tver is located in the Tver Oblast, which is a part of the renowned Golden Ring—an ensemble of historic cities in Russia. It is situated about 170 kilometers northwest of Moscow.

Historical Significance: Tver boasts a rich historical legacy and has played a significant role in Russian history, with ties to figures such as Ivan the Terrible.

Best Time to Visit Tver: Summer (June to August): Summer is the prime tourist season in Tver. The weather is warm, and the city’s parks and riverside areas come alive with events and festivals.

Spring (May and early June) and Autumn (September): These seasons provide milder weather and are perfect for exploring the city with fewer crowds.

Winter (December to February): For those who appreciate the charm of winter, Tver offers a unique experience with snowy landscapes and festive celebrations.

Places to Visit in Tver: Tver Volga River Embankment: Stroll along the Volga River Embankment, which offers stunning views of the river and the iconic Starovolzhsky Bridge.

Tver Imperial Palace: Explore the Tver Imperial Palace, a magnificent neoclassical building that serves as a museum dedicated to the city’s history.

Tver Drama Theater: Enjoy a cultural performance at the Tver Drama Theater, which hosts a variety of plays and musical events throughout the year.

Mikhail Krug Monument: Pay a visit to the Mikhail Krug Monument, a tribute to the famous Russian singer-songwriter.

Things to Do in Tver: Historical Exploration: Delve into the city’s history by visiting museums, historic sites, and architectural landmarks that highlight Tver’s cultural heritage.

Volga River Activities: Take advantage of the city’s riverside location with activities such as boat tours, kayaking, or simply enjoying a leisurely picnic by the river.

Local Festivals: Participate in local festivals and cultural events that celebrate the city’s traditions, including music and arts festivals.

Local Cuisine: Savor the flavors of Tver by indulging in traditional Russian dishes and local specialties, often featuring fresh ingredients from the region.

How to Get Around Tver: Public Transportation: Tver has an efficient public transportation system, including buses and trams, which provide convenient options for getting around the city.

Taxis: Taxis are readily available and offer a comfortable and efficient way to travel within Tver.

Walking: Tver is a pedestrian-friendly city, and many attractions are within walking distance of each other.

Rental Bicycles: Consider renting a bicycle to explore the city at your own pace and enjoy the scenic riverside paths.

Where to Eat in Tver: Russian Cuisine: Sample traditional Russian dishes like borscht, pelmeni, and shashlik at local restaurants to savor the authentic flavors of the region.

Local Specialties: Indulge in dishes unique to Tver, which often feature ingredients and recipes distinctive to the city.

Cafes and Bakeries: For a quick snack or a cup of coffee, Tver boasts numerous cafes and bakeries that offer a range of pastries and beverages.

Famous Street Stalls in Tver: While street food culture may not be as prevalent in Tver as in larger cities, you can find local stalls offering traditional Russian snacks and street food in certain areas.

Where to Stay in Tver: Hotels: Tver offers a range of hotels, from luxury options to more budget-friendly choices. Some popular hotels in the city include the Osnabruck Hotel, the Volga Hotel, and the Aquarel Hotel.

Guesthouses and Homestays: For a more personal and immersive experience, consider staying in guesthouses or homestays to connect with locals and experience their way of life.

Boutique Accommodations: Explore boutique hotels or accommodations with unique character that offer a distinct experience in the heart of the city.

Travel Tips for Tver: Visa Requirements: Ensure you have the necessary visa to enter Russia. Visa regulations can be strict, so check well in advance of your trip.

Language Barrier: English may not be widely spoken, so it’s helpful to learn some basic Russian phrases or have a translation app handy.

Weather Preparation: Depending on the season of your visit, pack accordingly. Winters can be cold, so bring warm clothing.

Respect Local Customs: Russian culture values politeness and respect. Be courteous to the locals and follow cultural norms.

Currency Exchange: The currency used in Tver is the Russian Ruble (RUB). Ensure you have cash or access to ATMs for financial transactions.

Conclusion: Tver, with its rich history, picturesque riverbanks, and cultural heritage, is a city that promises a unique and memorable travel experience. Whether you’re drawn to historical landmarks, riverside activities, or local cuisine, Tver has something for every type of traveler. By following the travel tips provided, you can make the most of your visit to this historic heart of the Golden Ring, whether you come in the summer, winter, or any other season. Tver is a destination that offers a glimpse into history’s charm and the opportunity to create lasting memories.

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Russia-Ukraine War Prigozhin Listed as Passenger on Plane That Crashed, Killing All Aboard

The authorities did not confirm whether the Wagner mercenary leader, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, was on board when a private jet crashed north of Moscow on Wednesday, killing 10 people.

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Follow live news updates on Russia’s war in Ukraine .

Anton Troianovski

Here’s the latest on the crash.

Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the founder of the Wagner mercenary group who staged a brief mutiny against Russia’s military leadership in June, was listed as a passenger on a plane that crashed Wednesday, killing all 10 people aboard, according to Russian aviation authorities.

“An investigation of the Embraer plane crash that happened in the Tver Region this evening was initiated,” the Federal Agency for Air Transport of Russia said in a statement, according to the state news agency Tass . “According to the passenger list, first and last name of Yevgeny Prigozhin was included in this list.” But late into the Russian evening, the authorities had not officially confirmed that he had been killed.

The plane left Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport at about 6 p.m. local time, bound for St. Petersburg, and went down less than 100 miles to the northwest, near the city of Tver. In an article about the crash, the Russian state media agency, RIA Novosti, posted an unconfirmed video , widely shared on social media, that purports to show the plane tumbling from the sky, with smoke billowing.

The crash came hours after Russian authorities said that General Sergei Surovikin, a top officer who was seen as an ally of Mr. Prigozhin, had been relieved of his post. Mr. Surovikin and Mr. Prigozhin were seen as among the most ruthlessly effective Russian military leaders, both sidelined in power struggles with officials who had the ear of President Vladimir V. Putin.

Here are the latest developments:

Russian media have reported that the plane that crashed on Wednesday was an Embraer Legacy 600 business jet with the tail number RA-02795. Past news reports have linked the plane to Mr. Prigozhin and Wagner.

Russian media reported that all 10 bodies had been recovered from the site.

In the United States, the State Department and the National Security Council released statements saying that “no one should be surprised” if Mr. Prigozhin’s death was confirmed, drawing links to “the disastrous war in Ukraine,” Wagner’s march on Moscow “and now — it would seem — to this.”

President Biden, at Lake Tahoe, was asked if he thought Mr. Putin, was behind the crash. “There’s not much that happens in Russia that Putin’s not behind,” he answered. “But I don’t know enough to know the answer.”

In the evening, Russian television showed Mr. Putin commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in the Battle of Kursk.

Embraer, the Brazilian maker of the Legacy 600 business jet that crashed on Wednesday, said that it had stopped providing any support for the aircraft in 2019 because of sanctions. Typically that support is largely maintenance related. It can potentially include data monitoring, but it’s unclear if that was the case with this jet.

The Brazilian Air Force has also said that the responsibility of the crash investigation is on Russia in this case, and that Brazil (as the home country of Embraer) would only get involved if Russia reaches out. It has not.

Some Wagner supporters voice suspicions of a Russian assassination.

As reports of the Wagner mercenary tycoon Yevgeny V. Prigozhin’s possible death in a plane crash spread on Wednesday night, some of his supporters immediately began voicing suspicions of an assassination in online posts on the Telegram messaging app.

Most did not explicitly say who they thought was responsible, but left little doubt that they meant figures within the Russian government. Mr. Prigozhin had railed for months against the country’s military leadership, accusing it of incompetence, corruption and betrayal that hobbled the war effort in Ukraine.

Grey Zone, a channel associated with Wagner, uploaded a photograph of Mr. Prigozhin, praising him as a “true patriot of his Motherland” and saying that he died “as a result of the actions of traitors to Russia.”

“But even in Hell he will be the best!” the channel said. “Glory to Russia!”

Roman Saponkov, a Russian military blogger seen as close to the mercenary group, wrote that the “murder of Prigozhin will have catastrophic consequences.”

“The people who gave the order don’t understand the mood in the army or the morale at all,” he said.

A blogger writing anonymously under the pseudonym Alex Parker, who actively supported Mr. Prigozhin until he aborted a June 24 mutiny, suggested the tycoon’s apparent death was a repeat of what happened in 2015 and 2016 — when a number of militants who had carried out a Moscow-instigated invasion in eastern Ukraine were killed in apparent assassinations.

The blogger blamed Mr. Prigozhin’s apparent death on Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, calling him the “trigger” for such events.

“Today is the end of an era,” wrote the pro-war blogger Boris Rozhin, who posts under the Telegram pseudonym Colonelcassad. “August in Russia never fails in terms of bad news,” he added, referencing a longstanding superstition in Russia about a seemingly cursed month.

Some pro-government commentators were quick to turn the page.

Sergei Markov, a Russian political scientist and former adviser to Mr. Putin, quickly pinned the blame on Ukraine, eliciting more than a thousand “crying laughing” emojis in response.

The pro-war Russian military blog Arkhangel Spetsnaz, which has more than 900,000 followers on Telegram, said it was “closing the issue” of the plane crash.

“Leave all conjectures and investigations for later. When the enemy is defeated and victory will be ours,” the channel wrote. “Don’t muddy the waters now… The enemy takes advantage of every destabilizing situation.”

Where the plane crashed

St. Petersburg

Destination

Last tracked position

First tracked position

Last tracked

First tracked

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Elian Peltier

Reporting from Dakar, Senegal

Wagner’s future in Africa faces further uncertainty.

The future of the Wagner private military company in Africa, one of the force’s main areas of operation, with thousands of soldiers on the ground, would be thrown further into uncertainty without Yevgeny V. Prigozhin as its leader.

Wagner operatives provide security to autocratic African leaders seeking to stay in power, as well as boots on the ground to fight rebels or extremist groups alongside underequipped national armies. Wagner also provides misinformation tactics, which have given the group’s members a veneer of popularity even as they have been accused of widespread human rights abuses, including torture, mass killings and rape, in the countries where they operate.

Mr. Prigozhin’s aborted mutiny in Russia in June, which led Wagner forces to seek refuge in Belarus, had already raised doubts about the group’s operations in Africa, where it has developed a vast business empire and network of relationships with African leaders. But hours after that rebellion was called off, officials with the Russian Foreign Ministry phoned the president of the Central African Republic to assure him that the thousands of Wagner fighters deployed in his country would stay.

Besides the Central African Republic , Wagner’s launchpad in Africa, Wagner mercenaries are known to be deployed in Libya, Mali and Sudan .

In the Central African Republic, Wagner soldiers recently helped the authorities organize a referendum to rewrite the Constitution to allow the president to stay in power indefinitely.

In Mali, about 1,500 operatives have been deployed to fight off an Islamist insurgency, and in recent days they have been on the front line of a nascent conflict against rebel groups in the north of the country. Mr. Prigozhin appeared in an unverified recruitment video this week that several experts on the group said had been recorded in Africa, most likely in Mali.

An adviser to the Central African Republic’s president couldn’t be reached immediately on Wednesday, and a spokeswoman for the Malian military didn’t respond to requests for comment.

For years, questions have swirled around Wagner’s ambitions in Africa and where the group might expand next, especially in countries where military officers seized power.

After the coup in Niger last month, some Western and West African governments feared the country could become Wagner’s next priority . Mr. Prigozhin praised the coup in a voice message on Telegram and offered the group’s services to Niger’s new leaders.

A top civilian official representing the junta told The New York Times last week that to his knowledge, the new authorities had no intention of partnering with Wagner.

Laurence Tan

An informal memorial next to the former Wagner headquarters early Thursday in St. Petersburg, Russia. Yevgeny V. Prigozhin is not only famous for being the leader of the Wagner mercenary group, but he has built his own personal brand on social media.

Cassandra Vinograd

Who is Dmitri Utkin, the Wagner commander who gave the group its name?

The flight manifest for the plane that crashed north of Moscow on Wednesday night contained at least one other notable name in addition to Yevgeny V. Prigozhin — that of Dmitri Utkin, his longtime lieutenant in leading the Wagner private military company whose mercenaries have fought not only in Ukraine, but also in Syria and across Africa.

Wagner, which the U.S. government has said was financed by Mr. Prigozhin, emerged during President Vladimir V. Putin’s first assault on Ukraine in 2014, when its mercenaries fought alongside pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region. The Wagner commander at that time was Mr. Utkin, a retired Russian Special Forces officer said to be fascinated by Nazi history and culture.

The group’s name came from Mr. Utkin’s military call sign, which is said to have been taken from the composer Richard Wagner , Hitler’s favorite. Some of the group’s fighters also seemed to share that ideology: Ancient Norse symbols favored by white supremacists have been photographed on Wagner equipment in Africa and the Middle East.

Mr. Utkin, born in 1970, served in both of Russia’s wars against separatists in the Chechnya region, and he was in the G.R.U., the Russian military intelligence agency, until 2013. After that he commanded a Spetsnaz special forces unit and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel, according to a 2020 report from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

While over the years Mr. Utkin has been referred to as the “founder” of Wagner, a 2020 investigation by the investigative website Bellingcat said that open source data “strongly” suggested the Mr. Utkin was “not in the driver’s seat of setting up this private army” but rather a “hired gun.”

“While Dmitry Utkin has been widely presented as the front man and ‘principal’ for the Wagner PMC, there is ample data suggesting that his role was more of a field commander,” the report said.

After denying for years that he had any link to Wagner, Mr. Prigozhin admitted last year that he was its founder and chief.

Whatever his role in establishing Wagner, Mr. Utkin’s notoriety grew along with the military group’s — even though he was rarely seen, described by Bellingcat as “camera shy.”

Wagner expanded to Syria in 2015, tasked not only with bolstering the side of President Bashar al-Assad in the country’s civil war — but also with seizing oil and gas fields, American officials said .

In addition to Ukraine and Syria, Wagner operatives have also fought in Sudan, Central African Republic, Mali and Mozambique, extending Russian influence in Africa.

Mr. Putin awarded Mr. Utkin military honors at a banquet in 2016. A year later, the United States imposed sanctions on him for his activities with Wagner — specifically, recruiting soldiers to join separatist forces in Ukraine. (Britain, the European Union and Canada also imposed sanctions on Mr. Utkin and Mr. Prigozhin.)

After Russia began the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Wagner’s fighters took on a major role — most notably in the bloody, nearly yearlong battle for Bakhmut, where they ultimately claimed victory .

Even after the short-lived mutiny led by Mr. Prigozhin against Russia’s military leadership in June, Mr. Utkin stayed by the Wagner chief’s side.

Video emerged in July that appeared to feature Mr. Prigozhin delivering a speech to his fighters who had relocated to Belarus. After finishing, he turned the floor over to Mr. Utkin.

“This is not the end,” Mr. Utkin said.

Sheera Frenkel and Steven Lee Myers

With few available facts about the crash, rumors surge.

Conspiracy theories and misinformation flowed across the internet on Wednesday about the founder of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, after he was listed as a passenger on a plane that crashed outside Moscow earlier in the day.

People made claims that Mr. Prigozhin had staged the crash to fake his own death, on the same QAnon message boards in which others said that the United States was secretly responsible for his death. On far-right Telegram channels, users posted images of a map showing a second plane leaving Moscow shortly after the first, doomed flight, along with the claims that Mr. Prigozhin was on a second plane also owned by his company. The New York Times was not able to verify any of the claims.

The unclear circumstances surrounding the crash created exactly the type of confusion in which misinformation can easily spread, an irony given that Mr. Prigozhin was a pioneer in the field of establishing and sowing misinformation campaigns.

Although Russian officials said Mr. Prigozhin was listed on the plane’s manifest on Wednesday and that all 10 people on the flight were killed, officials have not said publicly that his remains had been identified.

More than a decade ago, Mr. Prigozhin created Russian troll farms, including the Internet Research Agency, to spread pro-Russian narratives. The troll farms were also part of a campaign to sow confusion in the United States and influence its elections — which he later boasted about — and in particular the 2016 presidential contest.

Those efforts led to a federal indictment of Mr. Prigozhin and others.

The fates of two men key to Putin’s war are now both in question.

Yevgeny V. Prigozhin led the Wagner mercenary force that is believed to have suffered tens of thousands of casualties in its victorious fight for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, hobbling Ukraine’s preparations for its counteroffensive .

Gen. Sergei Surovikin oversaw the construction of the daunting network of defensive lines in the territory that Russia occupies in Ukraine, a defense that Ukrainian troops have struggled to break through.

On Wednesday, Russian state media reported that the general had been demoted, and that the mercenary was listed as a passenger on a plane that crashed, killing everyone on board.

Wednesday’s fast-moving developments in Russia suggested that the end had come, in different ways, for two men who had proved pivotal over the past year to Russia’s war effort. If Mr. Prigozhin is confirmed to have been killed and General Surovikin remains sidelined from the invasion, questions are sure to be raised over whether President Vladimir V. Putin can sustain his fight without two of his most effective — and most brutal — military leaders.

The war itself has been a grinding slog for both sides.

Nearly three months into their counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces are still struggling to recapture territory occupied by Russia. American officials blame , among other things, Kyiv’s continued focus on Bakhmut, the city into which Mr. Prigozhin poured thousands of fighters recruited from Russian prisons for one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

Russian forces, too, have made little gains since taking Bakhmut. Analysts say that those troops are increasingly exhausted as they defend against Ukraine’s onslaught, and that Mr. Putin might well be forced to declare another draft of civilians to replenish the invading army’s ranks.

Yonette Joseph

Russia’s Emergency Services say the remains of all 10 people on board the plane that crashed north of Moscow have been recovered, according to the Russian news agency Interfax.

The name of Dmitri Utkin, the Wagner mercenary group’s most prominent commander, was also on the passenger manifest of the plane that crashed on Wednesday, as released by Russia’s aviation authority .

Wagner reportedly took its name from the nom de guerre of Utkin, a retired Russian Special Forces commander. Utkin is said to have chosen Wagner to honor the composer, who was a favorite of Hitler’s.

Julian E. Barnes

U.S. intelligence officials say they cannot confirm reports of Prigozhin’s death.

American officials said they could not confirm the reports from Russia that Yevgeny V. Prigozhin had been killed in an airplane crash, or why the jet went down.

U.S. intelligence agencies had been surprised that President Vladimir V. Putin had not yet taken action against him after his short-lived mutiny in June.

In July, William J. Burns, the C.I.A. director, said that a “complicated dance” with Mr. Putin had developed. Mr. Prigozhin continued to travel between Russia and Belarus, where President Aleksandr G. Lukashenko had offered Mr. Prigozhin and his fighters refuge, and other locations. But Mr. Burns predicted that Mr. Putin would move against Mr. Prigozhin, who staged the most significant challenge to Mr. Putin’s authority in decades with his rebellion .

“Putin is someone who generally thinks that revenge is a dish best served cold,” Mr. Burns said at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado last month. “So he’s going to try to settle the situation to the extent he can. But, again, in my experience, Putin is the ultimate apostle of payback. So I would be surprised if Prigozhin escapes further retribution for this.”

U.S. officials have said that Russia continues to depend on the Wagner mercenary group, particularly for its operations in Africa, a relationship that could have offered Mr. Prigozhin some insurance. But Russia was no longer dependent on the private forces in Ukraine, a reality that potentially gave Mr. Putin a broad hand, other officials noted previously.

On Wednesday, Russian media announced the ouster of Gen. Sergei Surovikin . U.S. officials said General Surovikin had at least known about Mr. Prigozhin’s planned mutiny and may have supported it. As a result, General Surovikin had lost his command, and was under some sort of movement restrictions, if not formal detention, U.S. officials confirmed Wednesday, shortly before the news of the crash became public.

After the announcement of General Surovikin’s removal, American officials noted that they were surprised by how Mr. Prigozhin continued to appear relatively free, recently traveling to Africa and posting a video on social media. In contrast, General Surovikin had lost his freedom of movement, a U.S. official said.

In an article about the crash, the Russian state media agency, RIA Novosti, posted an unconfirmed video , widely shared on social media, that purports to show the plane tumbling from the sky, with smoke billowing.

Erica L. Green

President Biden, who is at Lake Tahoe, was asked if he thought the Russian leader, Vladimir V. Putin, was behind the crash. “There’s not much that happens in Russia that Putin’s not behind,” he answered. “But I don’t know enough to know the answer.”

The pro-war Russian military blogger Arkhangel Spetsnaz, commented on the crash, urging his more than 900,000 followers on Telegram to “leave all conjectures and investigations for later.” The post continues: “Don’t muddy the waters now,” and says, “The enemy takes advantage of every destabilizing situation.”

Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian president’s office, posted what appeared to be a thinly veiled reference to the news of the crash on his Telegram account. Yermak, who frequently uses emojis to convey news and reactions, posted a simple audio link — to the song “Highway to Hell.”

Elian Peltier ,  Ivan Nechepurenko and Raja Abdulrahim

Prigozhin’s business empire stretches around the world.

A chocolate museum in St. Petersburg. A gold mine in the Central African Republic. Oil and gas ventures off the Syrian coast.

The economic ventures of Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, a former hot dog seller turned Wagner group warlord who staged a brief mutiny against Russia’s military last month, stretch far beyond the thousands of mercenaries he deployed in Ukraine, Africa and the Middle East.

Through a vast network of shell companies and intermediaries, Mr. Prigozhin’s activities have included catering, producing action movies, making beer and vodka, cutting timber, mining diamonds and hiring people to sow disinformation in elections abroad, including the 2016 U.S. election.

The exact size of his business has been shrouded in mystery and the fate of his sprawling empire is uncertain.

After Mr. Prigozhin led a short-lived mutiny in June, The New York Times took a look at his business interests around the world.

Timeline: What led to the June standoff between Russia’s leadership and Prigozhin?

For years, Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the Wagner mercenary leader who conducted a brief rebellion against the Russian military, had been a loyal supporter of President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. But in October, he began to openly criticize the Russian government.

Here is a timeline of the events leading to his break with Mr. Putin:

October 2022

Mr. Prigozhin was one of two powerful supporters of Mr. Putin to publicly turn on Russia’s military leadership after it ordered a retreat from Lyman, a key city in eastern Ukraine , emphasizing that the retreat was a major embarrassment for the Kremlin.

November 2022

Just a day before the U.S. midterms, Mr. Prigozhin sardonically boasted that Russia was interfering in the election .

February 2023

Mr. Prigozhin accused two Russian military leaders of treason in a series of hostile audio messages. He claimed that the Russian defense minister, Sergei K. Shoigu, and its most senior general, Valery V. Gerasimov, were withholding ammunition and supplies from his fighters to try to destroy Wagner.

Mr. Prigozhin issued a series of inflammatory statements. He once again accused Russia’s military bureaucracy of starving Wagner forces of necessary ammunition and threatened to withdraw them from Bakhmut . Days later, he appeared to backtrack on that threat after saying he had been promised more arms.

Mr. Putin mobilized Russian troops to defend Moscow from what he called an armed rebellion by Mr. Prigozhin, whose forces had claimed control of Rostov-on-Don and were seen moving north along a highway toward the Russian capital. Then, in a surprise turn of events, the Belarusian president, Aleksandr G. Lukashenko, said he had secured Mr. Prigozhin’s agreement to halt his forces’ advance. Mr. Prigozhin turned his forces around.

The Kremlin’s spokesman, Dmitri S. Peskov, said that Mr. Prigozhin would flee to Belarus, and that Russia’s military operations in Ukraine would continue unchanged.

Mr. Lukashenko told reporters that Mr. Prigozhin was a “free man” currently in St. Petersburg, adding that he “maybe” went to Moscow and was not in Belarus. A Pentagon official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation later confirmed that Mr. Prigozhin had been in Russia, between Moscow and St. Petersburg, during most of the period since the mutiny.

Unverified photographs circulated on social media suggested that Mr. Prigozhin was meeting with African officials in St. Petersburg, where some of the continent’s top leaders had converged for a summit with Mr. Putin.

August 2023

Mr. Prigozhin emerged in an unverified video message posted on Telegram channels affiliated with his Wagner forces, appearing to recruit for the group’s operations in Africa. On Wednesday, Gen. Sergei Surovikin, was demoted from his post as chief of the air force, according to Russian state media. The country’s former top commander in Ukraine, he is the only senior official with ties to Mr. Prigozhin that has been demoted or punished following the rebellion’s aftermath.

Lauren Leatherby

This was the path of the plane.

Data tracking the position of the plane that crashed abruptly cuts off about 100 miles northwest of Moscow, according to Flightradar24 .

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s fate remains unclear. Several Russian news outlets are reporting, citing anonymous sources, that he was indeed on the plane that crashed. But Grey Zone, a Telegram account associated with Prigozhin’s Wagner mercenary group, just posted that it remained uncertain whether the warlord was dead or alive.

Russia’s Investigative Committee, a top law enforcement body, announced the opening of a case on the plane crash, on suspicion of a violation of air transport safety rules. It said investigators had been dispatched to the site of the crash.

Eric Schmitt

The White House National Security Council said it had seen the reports of the crash in Russia involving Yevgeny Prigozhin. “If confirmed, no one should be surprised,” said a spokeswoman, Adrienne Watson.“The disastrous war in Ukraine led to a private army marching on Moscow, and now — it would seem — to this.”

Edward Wong

The State Department has issued the same public statement on the events as the National Security Council. It is unclear if U.S. government agencies have any concrete facts or intelligence on what happened. But the statements appear to be efforts to pin the blame on the Russian president, Vladimir V. Putin, and his “disastrous war,” as the American officials put it.

Russian television has been airing live footage of President Vladimir V. Putin in the Kursk region to honor the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. “I heartily congratulate all citizens of Russia on this event,” Putin says, standing onstage in front of an orchestra.

The White House says President Biden has been briefed on the reported plane crash in Russia.

The Russian aviation authority issued a new statement on the crash, announcing that it had created a special commission that was “investigating the circumstances and causes of the accident.” The statement offered no comment on the cause of the crash but said the commission would look for evidence, including black box records.

The Russian state television channel Rossiya-24 just aired a brief report on the plane crash, naming Yevgeny Prigozhin as being on the passenger list but without providing any new details. It cited the authorities as saying that three pilots and seven passengers had been on the plane.

U.S. officials said they could not confirm the Russian reports that Yvegeny Prigozhin was aboard a plane that crashed, killing all aboard.

Riley Mellen

Video shared on the messaging platform Telegram appears to show the aircraft that reportedly crashed burning on the ground. The paint and a partial registration number visible on the aircraft in the video aligns with a jet the Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin is known to use, RA-02795. Flight tracking websites indicate that the flight ended abruptly near Tver, northwest of Moscow, around 6 p.m. local time.

Eight bodies have been recovered at the crash site in the Tver region, the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti has reported, citing Russian Emergency Services officials.

Russian state television is showing live footage of President Vladimir V. Putin. He is at an event in the Kursk region, near the border with Ukraine, at a ceremony commemorating the Battle of Kursk in World War II.

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said in a statement that a private Embraer Legacy jet traveling from Moscow to St. Petersburg crashed in the Tver region, near the village of Kuzhenkino. The ministry said 10 people were on board the flight, three of which were crew members. “According to preliminary information, everyone on board died,” the statement said.

We wrote this profile of Yevgeny Prigozhin amid the Wagner uprising in June.

Yevgeny Prigozhin’s fate is not known at the moment. On the social messaging app Telegram, an account known to be close to the Russian authorities, Readovka, says that reports of the warlord’s death are “premature.” It adds: “Yevgeny Prigozhin may have been on a different airplane.”

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said that the plane crashed in the Tver region, north of Moscow.

Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the Russian mercenary leader of the private Wagner paramilitary group whose armed rebellion in June threatened the country’s leadership, was listed on the passenger roster of a private jet that crashed in Russia on Wednesday, killing all 10 people aboard, Russia’s aviation authority said.

Russia’s Emergency Situations Ministry said that the plane, an Embraer jet, crashed in the Tver region, north of Moscow, according to the state news agency Tass. Minutes later, the news agency, citing Russia’s aviation authority, said that Mr. Prigozhin was listed as a passenger on the plane.

“An investigation has been launched into the crash of the Embraer aircraft, which occurred tonight in the Tver region,” Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency said, Tass reported. “According to the list of passengers, among them is the name and surname of Yevgeny Prigozhin.”

The Embraer jet was traveling from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport to St. Petersburg, Russia, and crashed less than 30 minutes after takeoff, Tass said.

Mr. Prigozhin, an outspoken tycoon, built the private paramilitary force that has fought on Russia’s behalf in Ukraine and across Africa. Frustrated over the country’s military leadership, he instigated a short rebellion two months ago, a mutiny that posed a grave threat to the government of President Vladimir V. Putin.