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Enjoy a richer, more memorable travel experience when you choose an Ensemble member agency.

With decades of experience and thousands of travel advisors throughout the U.S. and Canada, Ensemble is a travel consortium that can always help connect you with the trip of your dreams. Here’s how our members make your trip better:

They take care of everything for you

Figuring out all the particulars of a trip can be complicated. Let an Ensemble member travel advisor expert manage the details of your trip, while you focus on anticipation and excitement – the way it should be.

Get the inside scoop on your destination

When it comes to travel, not everything is on Google. Your experienced Ensemble advisor knows your destination in depth because they’ve been there, and can help you get the best of it.

Go beyond cookie cutter

Why go on the same trip as everyone else? Your Ensemble advisor has access to a whole world of travel options and possibilities – more ways to create an extraordinary and unique experience for you.

Feel confident you always have an ally

Unexpected things can happen when you travel, but that’s no reason for stress or worry. Rest assured that your Ensemble travel advisor will work tirelessly on your behalf to make your experience right.

Enjoy personalized service focused on your needs

Your Ensemble advisor gets to know you and how you like to travel, so they can make recommendations that are right for you about what you’re likely to enjoy – even if you didn’t realize it.

Connect with an Ensemble member advisor

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Why Choose a MAST Travel Advisor?

Saves you money.

MAST Travel Advisors have access  to the myriad of airfares, hotel rates, package tours, and cruise vacations worldwide and are Internet savvy. Accompanied by strong working relationships with travel suppliers, often the best deal lies with the people who know where to look.

Relationships & Clout

Advisors know how to interact with suppliers and have the  proper contacts to get things done.  Advisors have more buying power. Advisors offer value and amenities by providing inclusions or extras at no cost.

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Join MAST Travel Network

MAST works for you! We focus on your needs, your branding, your growth. We supply the tools to fulfill your marketing, networking, and training needs. Our emphasis is on growing your business and increasing your sales. As a MAST member agency, you share in our resources, our growth, and our supplier overrides go back to you!

Exceptional customer service requires skilled professionals. MAST offers a multi-faceted educational program from webinars to regional training to networking events. MAST makes it easy to stay informed and knowledgeable through the endless educational opportunities we offer our members.

Member Owned

MAST Travel Network is a member-owned and member-driven consortium composed of more than 200 travel agencies across the United States & Canada. Through exclusive agreements, partnerships, training, and support, MAST agencies have the tools to deliver an outstanding customer service experience every time.

MAST Preferred Suppliers

MAST Travel Network has relationships with select travel suppliers. These suppliers work with us and our member agencies to provide quality service, education, discounts, and commissions to our members. We have travel suppliers in categories that include:

Cruise Lines

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Hotels & Resorts

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Air Suppliers

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What Our Members Say

SOME KIND WORDS FROM OUR RESPECTED MEMBERS

Jennifer Wayland Island Bridal Travel

“ I had been in the industry for over 20 years and owned my own agency for 10 years. All along I had been searching for a consortium that didn’t just offer a lot of bells and whistles, but offered programs that my agency WOULD use and grow with. Then I discovered and joined MAST. Our agency is very active in MAST events, marketing, and programs. They are very beneficial to our success. MAST is all about communicating and working together for everyone’s benefit. All of the MAST staff, including and especially the President, communicate with us as a group and one-on-one as often as we request. “

Jennifer Walker, CTIE, VTA Jennifer Walker Travel

“ I was introduced to MAST by my host agency when we started in travel. When we moved to be an independent agency and host others I did not hesitate to register ourselves to stay. The staff treats each of us as family and have true integrity and honesty. They have wonderful relationships with the vendors, negotiate good commissions as well as provide great service to our agency. They make having close relationships and connections with the vendors as well as between agencies and the consortia itself easy. In addition to all of that, their training, assistance with business planning, marketing and events are top notch. “

Jeni Chaffer Journeys Travel, Inc.

“ Joining MAST is one of the best things to ever happen to my agency. I have been with other consortias where I was no more than a number. I was competing with large host agencies for any recognition not for sales awards but for any acknowledgment or recognition from Suppliers. MAST is respected by BDMs, agencies are acknowledged for what they bring to the table & everyone is treated equally. MAST is agent owned and operated too which makes all aspects from marketing to commission levels to decision making more personalized. “

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Travel Agent Resources

What is a travel consortium.

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By Courtney Eisen

February 22, 2024

A travel consortium or travel cooperative is a collective of travel agencies, host agencies, and travel advisors that combine their volume to enhance their presence in the industry. They work together to increase their buying potential, benefits, and commission levels.

The benefits of volume.

Let's break down the benefits of buying power from top to bottom. If an individual traveler visits a hotel for a week each year, which would mean they were pretty loyal, they still only represent seven room nights a year. An agent who sends multiple clients to that same hotel could represent hundreds of room nights per year. Their agency may represent thousands of room nights. The travel consortia could represent tens or even hundreds of thousands of room nights for that property or brand. Do you see where we are going with this? The volume gives the organization more leverage to negotiate. Just like the individual traveler gets benefits by using an agency, an agency gets benefits by joining forces with a travel consortium.

Suggested Article: What is a Host Travel Agency?

Consortia and co-ops provide their members with various benefits and support. They assist with marketing, training, technologies, and supplier negotiations, among other things. For example, they offer direct mailings, hosted websites, social media content, and other marketing tools. They also provide technologies such as websites, CRM systems, online booking programs, and more. Additionally, they offer training opportunities like webinars, online courses, and events with educational panels. Moreover, consortia have greater buying power, allowing them to negotiate higher commissions and more amenities for their members.

You Likely Still Need a Host Agency

However, it's important to note that consortia do not provide an accreditation number or day-to-day back-office support like tracking commissions and basic bookkeeping. If you prefer constant support, a host agency might be a better option. Nevertheless, most agencies offer some level of backend support.

Suggested Article: How to Select the Best Host Travel Agency For Your Business

Independent advisors with their own travel accreditation, are able to join travel consortia as individuals. However, if you're a hosted agent, it's unlikely that you will need to join a travel consortium - your host is likely already a member, which gives you access to the consortium's benefits. To join a consortium, members usually need to meet certain sales thresholds and pay member dues. If you do not meet the requirements to join a specific consortium as an independent advisor, you can choose a host agency that is part of that consortium.

Consortia affiliations can have a significant impact on hosted advisors. A host's consortium affiliation provides benefits that trickle down to the hosted advisor or independent contractor. It powers the booking and marketing tools used by agencies under the host agency, impacting marketing efforts, access to higher commissions and amenity programs, and leads. Consortia affiliations help smaller agencies scale their business and access tools without having to meet prohibitive sales thresholds as individuals.

Travel Consortia Benefits

So, if you do join a consortium or join an agency affiliated with a consortium, what does that mean for your clients? Well, it means you can add a host of benefits. Benefits vary from brand to brand and even property to property; however, here are some common benefits that agents access through travel consortia:

Complimentary Upgrade Upon Arrival, If Available*

$100 Resort Credit Upon Arrival*

Welcome Amenity Upon Arrival*

Complimentary Breakfast For Two Daily*

Early Check-in / Late Check-Out, If Available*

These perks are similar to those offered by American Express. However, American Express only has access to select hotels. By joining a consortium or a host agency that is already affiliated with a travel consortium, you will have access to benefits for a larger selection of properties than even American Express, giving you a competitive edge and more consistent experience.

Our Travel Consortium: Travel Leaders

Our travel consortium of choice is Travel Leaders Network. Travel Leaders Network is a large consortium that represents the collective buying power of over 6,800 travel agencies. It provides various benefits for a wide range of travel vendors. Here is a breakdown of the offerings provided by Travel Leaders:

SELECT Hotels & Resorts

This program consists of premium properties from around the world. It offers VIP privileges to create memorable and authentic experiences for clients. These privileges include a special amenity worth $100, complimentary daily breakfast for two, free Wi-Fi, early check-in/late check-out, and room upgrades based on availability. Moreover, all advisor commissions are guaranteed to be 10% or higher.

SELECT Villas

This collection comprises over 2,800 private villas in more than 50 destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, and the Americas. SELECT Villas allows the agency to offer clients exclusive, unique, and customized experiences at a great value. The agency receives a guaranteed 12% commission and other benefits for both themselves and their clients.

Worldwide Hotel Program

This comprehensive and price-competitive hotel program offers clients the Best Available Rates at over 44,000 hotel brands and independent properties worldwide. Clients also enjoy flexibility with pre-payment, access to Last Room Availability, and additional amenities such as complimentary breakfast, parking, or Wi-Fi. Clients can book these three to five-star rated properties through GDS, pinSIGHT, or by contacting the property directly.

Enhanced Commissions

This exclusive offer is available to Travel Leaders Group advisors to maximize their earnings with higher commissions at participating properties. Commissions range from 15% to 25% on rooms and suites, in addition to the top-tier levels agencies already receive as Travel Leaders Group members. All properties offering Enhanced Commission are also part of the SELECT and/or Worldwide programs, allowing the agency to optimize both their earnings and their clients' benefits when making bookings.

In summary, travel consortia play a vital role in the travel industry by bringing together agencies, host agencies , and advisors to enhance their collective presence and benefits. They provide support in various areas and offer opportunities for growth and success.

More Resources

Why You Should Be a 24 Hour Travel Agent

How Do Travel Agents Make Money?

How to Start a Travel Agency From Home

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Depart from What You Know to Be True and Real

Departure fact check.

Agencies who belong to a travel host agency with a consortia grow their business exponentially while still maintaining complete control of their business. Learn from people who share your passion for travel and can’t wait to see you succeed. Work with a travel host agency and consortia to gain critical insights and assistance with marketing and more. Take your skills and business to the next level to give your clients the best travel experience possible.

When You Partner With Travel Planners International, You’ll…

Double your opportunities.

• Double the sales “exclusive” opportunities
• Double the group space (we share our TCs)
• Double the travel partner support — build additional relationships at a deeper level.
• Double the marketing options

Build Your Bottom Line

• Earn top tier commissions on almost everything you sell (no longer leave money on the table.)
• Keep up to 100% of your commission* and direct contracts where applicable. Yep, keep what works for you and use us for the rest!
• Half the fees of a consortia.
• We take care of the accounting for you, so you can focus on making more!
• FREE email software program, with unlimited contacts
• FREE Marketing Asset Bank filled with thousands of videos, pictures and social shareables
• FREE CRM technology so good, it’ll make your business smarter.

Go ahead, add up that savings…that’s REAL money back in your pocket.

*100% commission program available for highly vetted businesses doing more than $500,000 in travel sales.

Scale Your Business with Ease

• Back-office support system to help manage your commissions, data and agency trends
• Education and support tools to easily onboard new advisors to your agency
• Ongoing support and education for your agency so you can focus on the BIG picture.
• Tight-knit community of support for your entire agency when and where you need it

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Get Started Now with a Host Agency and Consortia

At TPI, we’re obsessed with YOUR success. It’s your brand, your business and identity. We spend our days and nights designing ways to support you throughout the life of your agency. We believe the best travel consortia empowers your success and growth. That’s why we do everything to help you work smarter, not harder. Get the best partner by your side when you choose us as your host agency and consortia.

Connect with us today. Let us show you how we can help you grow and support your thriving empire.

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Rockstar Success Stories

I've worked incredibly hard to get to where I am today, and it's nice to know I have a company like TPI supporting me as I continue to make my place in the travel industry.

Theresa Chu-Bermudez Get Out Custom Travels

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a host agency.

A host agency is a support system and unmatched resource for travel agents of all levels. Access exclusive tools, training and community to improve your at-home travel business. With TPI as your host agency, earn better commissions and help your business soar.

What is a consortium travel agent?

A consortium is a group made of independent travel agents, agencies and similar travel professionals. A consortium travel agent is an independent agent who belongs to one of these groups. They pool their resources and expertise to offer deals and options to their clients.

What is consortia affiliation?

Consortia affiliation simply refers to those agencies that belong to a travel host agency and consortia. This gives them the resources to rock their business to the moon and back! Ready to get the party started? Partner with TPI and watch your agency thrive and prosper!

How do I choose a hosting agency?

Choosing the best travel host agency depends on what you’re looking to get out of your partnership. Look for a host agency like us that champions your success across the board. We over 24/7 support, the highest commissions, host AND consortia exclusives, and more!

Connect with us today and let us show you how we can help you grow and support that EMPIRE of yours.

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         – Avalon Myanmar – Myanmar River Cruise – April 2017

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• Celebrity Xperience In The Galapagos- Part VI (Incredible Birding, Baby Sea Lions and So Much More)
• Celebrity Xperience In The Galapagos- Part VII (Reflections & Updates on the Ships – Including the new Celebrity Flora – and What to Consider.)              

– How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity’s Smallest Ship Get? – Part I – How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity’s Smallest Ship Get? Part II – How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity’s Smallest Ship Get? Part III – How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity’s Smallest Ship Get? Part IV – How Close to Luxury Can Celebrity’s Smallest Ship Get? – Some Final Observations and Thoughts

– The Prologue to the Travelogue – The Adventure Begins…With a Bump or Two – Settling In Made Easy – Luxury Touches Here, There and OK, Not, Everywhere…But There Are Lots of Them! – Asian Flair Onboard and On Shore – Private Tours, Israel and Conflicts in Perceptions and Perspective Celebrity Equinox 2009 – Egypt…Impressive and Depressing – Dining With the Captain and the Reidel Wine Seminar – The Last Dinner (Tuscan Grille) and Disembarkation – What Happens When A Class Act Meets Highly Discounted Cruise Fare

– How Upscale to Luxury is a Celebrity Cruise Experience? – Part I – How Upscale to Luxury is a Celebrity Cruise Experience? – Part II – How Upscale to Luxury is a Celebrity Cruise Experience? The Review – Part III

– Celebrity Solstice 2008 Inaugural Cruise – Part I – Celebrity Solstice 2008 Inaugural Cruise – Part II

Celebrity Summit “Solticized” – A Ship Inspection (2012)

– Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a “Move Up” & “Move Over” Luxury Option – Part I – Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a “Move Up” & “Move Over” Luxury Option – Part II – Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a “Move Up” & “Move Over” Luxury Option – Part III – Lisbon to Monaco: Crystal As a “Move Up” & “Move Over” Luxury Option – Part IV (Food & Wine!)

– Part I – Part II – Part III – Part IV – Part V – Part VI – Part VII – Part VIII – Part IX – Goldring Travel’s Pacific Exploration of Crystal Cruise’s Luxury Experience – “Reflections”

– Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 – A Winter Transatlantic Crossing on Her 10th Anniversary

– Immersing In fathom’s Social Impact Programs

– Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures – Part I – Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures – Part II – Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures – Part III – Cruising the Peruvian Amazon With G Adventures – Part IV (What Group Travel Should Really Be About!)

– Norwegian Gem – Budget Cruises Pitching Luxury: You Don’t Get What You Pay For, You Only Think You Do.

– Paul Gauguin (2007)

– Princess Cruises Doesn’t Treat You Like Royalty; Celebrity Cruises Does! Which is a Better Value for the Upscale Cruise Guest? Part I – Celebrity Silhouette vs. -Royal Princess – Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part II: The Standard Veranda Staterooms – Celebrity Silhouette vs. Royal Princess – Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part III: Treating You Right From The Start – Celebrity Silhouette vs. Royal Princess – Which Is A Better Value For The Upscale Cruise Guest? Part IV: The Wine Lists Speak Volumes (As Do The Beverage Packages)

   Regent Seven Seas Voyager – August 2017

• Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: Rome to Barcelona – August 1, 2017)
• Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: Rome to Barcelona – August 1, 2017) – Getting There and First Impressions
• Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: Rome to Barcelona – August 1, 2017) – Part III (Florence and Ajaccio: Starting to Drill Down on the Regent Experience)
• Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: Rome to Barcelona – August 1, 2017) – Part IV (La Spezia and Monaco: Consistent Inconsistencies and Misses)
• Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: Rome to Barcelona – August 1, 2017) – Part V (Antibes and Marseilles: The Ensemble Experience, Cultural Wine “Tasting” and Sette Mari – Luxury Experiences for Sure)
• Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: Rome to Barcelona – August 1, 2017) – Part VI (Palamos, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca & Valencia: Culinary Bliss..and Consistent Inconsistencies)
• Goldring Travel Revisits Regent Seven Seas Cruises (Seven Seas Voyager: August 1, 2017) – Caveat Emptor! Consistently Inconsistent: Not a “Six Star Luxury” Cruise Experience

– Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas Travelogue – Prologue – Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas – My First 24 Hours – Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas – A Hurricane Runs Through It…Almost – Royal Caribbean Mariner of the Seas Travelogue – The Last Days …

– Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part I – Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part II (Getting There, The Stateroom and First Impressions) – Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part III (“You Can’t Teach Five Star Service” and Bonafacio, Corsica) – Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part IV (Calvi, Monaco, Portofino, Porto Azzurro…and Stale Bread) – Italy and Corisca 2014 – Part V (My Last Day…and How The Chef’s Team Makes It Happen)

• Silversea Expedition Cruises – Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part I
• Silversea Expedition Cruises –Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part II (Singapore & Raffles Hotel)
• Silversea Expedition Cruises – Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part III (Ship Happens: Singapore Day 2)
• Silversea Expedition Cruises –  Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part IV (The Ship Arrives)
• Silversea Expedition Cruises –  Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part V (The Expedition Begins – Orangutans & Jimmy Buffett)
• Silversea Expedition Cruises – Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part VI (What is an Expedition Cruise? Why am I Here?)
• Silversea Expedition Cruises – Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part VII (Myanmar – No Complaints!)
• Silversea Expedition Cruises – Silver Discoverer Indonesia/Myanmar Expedition: Part VIII (Myanmar – Developing Tourism & Finding Nemo Again)

• Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part I
• Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part II
• Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part III
• Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part IV
• Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part V
• Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part VI
• Silversea Silver Shadow Alaska Cruise Review – Part VII

– A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan – Who Knew? – Part I – A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan – Who Knew? – Part II – A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan – Who Knew? – Part III (Spa, Beauty and Fashion) – A Few Days in Taipei, Taiwan – Who Knew? – Part IV (Cuisine: Street, Sublime & Surreal)

– Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise – Part I – Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise – Part II – The Transformation of A Cruise Line – Windstar Cruises’ Star Breeze Inaugural Cruise – Part III – The Windstar Experience 2.0

– Windstar Cruises – Star Pride Black Sea Cruise – Part I – Windstar Cruises – Star Pride Black Sea Cruise – Part II – Windstar Cruises – Star Pride Black Sea Cruise – Part III

Windstar’s Wind Surf – Caribbean – January 2014

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• September 12, 2008

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Travel consortiums: ensemble travel, virtuoso, etc..

• Cruising , cruising; iamboatman , Ensemble Travel , holland america , Luxury Travel , Seabourn , Virtuoso

Ensemble Travel Group calls itself, “ An International Collection of Expert Travel Agencies with Exclusive Offers That Make Your Travel Dreams Come True “.  Virtuoso takes that a step further and has established an impressive international network of high end/luxury providers and, admittedly, is the tops when it comes to marketing itself and providing the ultimate in luxury offerings.  There are other travel consortiums as well, such as Signature (also focused on the upper end of the market) and Vacations.com (focused more on the mass market).

These travel consortiums of travel agents use their joint marketing and purchasing power to work with travel suppliers around the world in an effort to bring added value, better pricing and more information to their clients.  You should also be aware that in order to be a member of one of the upper level consortiums (Ensemble, Virtuoso, Signature), membership requires (aside from the payment of fees) that the agency not only be legitimate, but that it have a history of producing a very significant amount of revenue.  That requires, obviously, each travel agency to have established itself for a number of years and that it has a substantial client base. 

I digress for a moment to let you know/disclose I am a member of Ensemble. Years ago I was a member of Vacations.com, but as I will explain, it wasn’t a good fit for me or my clients.

What do these consortiums do for a travel agent and, ultimately, for you?  They provide travel agents with a network of travel providers (whether they be cruise lines, hotels, tour operators, etc.) that cooperatively allow the agent to offer its clients – on occasion – special pricing, or added value (onboard credits, complimentary tours, a room upgrade, included breakfasts or dinner, or similar).  They also provide marketing programs, so that the travel agent can cost-effectively send out not only postcards and flyers, but glossy catalogs and magazines to its clients…and those dreaded emails (which I try to avoid sending unless it is something really good!).  And they provide the travel agent with information.

One thing that I find interesting is how the cache belonging to a consortium is directly proportional to the cost of the vacation. As a former Vacations.com agency, I do not recall any clients caring (and most not knowing) that I was a member.  For my luxury clients there really was little benefit, while those sailing on Carnival or Princess did benefit from some onboard credits (and, to be sure, they do add percentage-wise a much greater value on a lower priced cruise).  So it was a really poor fit for me and a very short term relationship.

On the other hand, there are those that believe using a Virtuoso travel agency is akin to wearing a Rolex; it is a status symbol.  Virtuoso provides its agents and their clients with some really good stuff, but at least for me as I write this, I do not find the value to be there.  That is, in large part, because of my involvement in the superyacht industry.  Many of the contacts and access Virtuoso affords its member agencies I already have.  Much of the information it provides is already in my knowledge bank because I have actively traveled all over the world for decades.  I have never been one to be impressed with hype (heck, being in the superyacht business, if I was swayed by “flash” I would have self-destructed years ago!), so I have looked at what works best and is the best value for me and my clients. 

I readily acknowledge that Ensemble Travel does not have the cache of Virtuoso.  But there are so many similarities between the two that other than Virtuoso having higher quality marketing materials and the aforementioend access, I find little useful difference.  As an Ensemble Travel agency, I am able to provide similar (or even identical) hosted tours and cocktail parties, some great European hotel upgrades and/or benefits (complimentary breakfasts, wine, etc.) and more.  One benefit that I believe Ensemble has over Virtuoso is that because its focus is not so much on the luxury end, I can provide some better pricing and amenities on the premium lines (such as Celebrity and Holland America); which is a significant portion of my business.

You may have noticed that I have not really discussed what the information is that the consortiums provide its member agencies.  There is a reason:  For the client it is many times simply irrelevant.  I do not care what information is available if it is not accessed, understood, efficiently utilized and then conveyed properly by the particular travel agent to the client.  I have had too many experiences of clients coming to me from another agency (one that is a member of a consortium) and their complaining about the misinformation, the lack of service or serious mistakes that were made…by a specific travel agent. 

Alas, it is not about reading something off a computer screen or “hearing” the Great Barrier Reef, Dubai or Amsterdam are wonderful.  You want to know that you can have a float plane fly you too the reef for your day of diving rather than enduring a two hour boat ride each way…and explain what it is like.  You want to know why Dubai’s newest hotel, Raffles Dubai, is incredible and you just might enjoy knowing more about the incredible museums of Amsterdam (and how to miss the lines entirely) rather than the Red Light District.

Also, remember that marketing material (no matter how impressive) is intended to get you to go on vacation; not be your vacation.  So when you are looking to book your next cruise you should think about whether the travel agent’s membership in a consortium and offering a complimentary tour or onboard credit is really what is important to you…or is it the knowledge that your cruise will be booked at a good price, with you being provided solid information, and receiving exceptional service that really matters. 

If you are fortunate, and I try to make all my clients fortunate,  you will get it all!

Waves We’ve Made

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A Guide to Host Agency and Consortia Education [+Comparison Chart]

Host agency and consortia education are one of ten gillion travel agent education opportunities. (Yep. I counted.) Why are there so many to choose from? Well, in the past decade, hosts and consortia educational opportunities have really developed to respond to the needs of an ever-growing segment of independent travel agents.

What are some examples of their educational programs? How about a crash course in running a home-based agency? Or a master’s course in Instagram marketing? Do you fancy a Seminar at Sea to help you develop your group cruise business? Or a FAM trip to Negril, Jamaica? How about a one on one coach or mentor who will walk you through your first six months of business?

Chances are if you can imagine it, it exists.

Hurray! You have choices! Shucks. How do you wade through all the choices if you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for? Read this article and check out the voluminous information in our infographic. That's how! Here's what we have in store:

⭐️ HAR Article Highlights: ⭐️

• Sneak Preview: Steph Lee Chats Travel Host Education [Video]
• What the Heck Is a Host Agency & Consortium? (The crib notes.)

A Closer Look at Host/ Consortia Education

How do i narrow down my options an exercise.

• Comparison Chart: An Overview of Host/Consortia Education
• Other Travel Agent Training Options 

Before we really dive in, I have a theatrical trailer for this article brought to you by Stephanie Lee. She recently chatted on travel agent education during Friday 15 offering some pearls of wisdom to help frame this article:

What the Heck Is a Host Agency and a Consortium?

Now, you're about to get fire-hosed with TONS of information on host education so I want to avoid going down any vocabulary rabbit holes. But here's what I think is important for you to know about host agencies and consortia in regards to travel agent training:

Host agencies provide independent travel advisors with the infrastructure to own and operate their own travel agency business. Some of the biggies they provide are access to an accreditation number , a ton of backend/ accounting support, software and tools to help run operations, and robust relationships with suppliers (aka higher commissions for their pool of independent agents due to their higher aggregate sales volume).

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 offers the agencies under their umbrella more buying potential, benefits, and commission levels.

To make things more confusing, since hosts are members of consortia, they may use that particular consortium’s education program and/or tools.

With all the options out there, distilling host and consortia education options are almost impossible. But guess what, we’re bonkers and we did it anyway.

Host, franchise, and consortia education opportunities run the gamut: Some organizations run all their education in-house. Others might outsource the education to existing 3rd party programs based on your specific educational goals. Others do a combo. Some are more structured, and some cater to independent learning.

Let's take a look at what you might expect.

1. Education Modalities

Most programs cater to diverse learning styles, including a mix of webinars, online classes, vendor training, conference calls, coaching or mentoring, conventions, FAMs (familiarization trips) , in-house training, destination education, and more.

These opportunities may vary depending on how much industry experience you have. If you prize a certain type of education modality, check the list to ensure the host offers it. Ask them how much of their programming is focused on that event/modality. (More questions to come!)

2. is a host, Franchise, or consortia education program right for you?

Your experience level as an agent may help you narrow down choices for you. (Check out our chart to see which programs are available to new agents and which are available to experienced agents.)

Some organizations will require some education or comparable travel agent experience before you sign on with them. Others may require a sales threshold for more advanced levels of training.

Do already know you want some kind of travel agent education, and you know you want to join a host, franchise, or consortia? If you answered yes to both of these questions, going with this type of education might be a great fit for you. Why? Because it will also give you a good feel for their company's culture and familiarize you with their specific tools and technology.

If you don't need or want an education at this time, but you do want to join a host or consortia, then you'll want to find a host that will allow you to opt-out of their education program. Good news? all these details are listed on our chart.

3. What are a host/consortia's educational objectives?

The objectives of a host/consortia education will depend on the program. It might be very focused (e.g. familiarizing yourself with a specific product update or software program.) Or its goal might have broader objectives (e.g. boosting your marketing skills so you can increase your client base by 10%).

A good way to think of it is like this: What are two or three of your personal educational objectives? Do you want to increase your knowledge of booking groups? Do you want a dive deep into a specific destination? Do you want to learn how to use a customer relationship management system?

Take the mini list of your educational objectives and use it to whittle your options. If you have more specific questions for a host, go ahead and ask them in the Q&A section on their HAR profile!

4. What's the damage?

We did a little math: 65% of hosts and consortia who filled our questionnaire reported that their education program is free. YAY!

Among those that cost some moolah, fees ranged from a low average of $2,135 to and a high average of $2,475. Wow, that's a pretty narrow range! But be sure to check out our infographic for all the information on cost.

65% of hosts and consortia who filled our questionnaire reported that their education program is free.

Education is an investment! What factors impacted the cost? One factor is modality. Is it intensive coaching or in-person training? That's going to cost you. Is it a few one-off webinars? That's probably going to cost less.

If the cost of education is wrapped into an organization's start-up fee, then a host with a higher education fee may have a lower startup cost. So don't forget to consider all the factors!

Okay, so maybe you're thinking, "Mary, this is wonderful. But even with the massive chart, I'm still basically drowning in choices. They all start to look the same after a while."

I hear you. If you're still feeling overwhelmed, try this brief exercise (it's like the compass that will help you navigate your options).

Part 1: Questions to ask yourself

Short of a crystal ball, this chart offers a few strategies to help you decide. Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• How does a host and/or consortium's education align with my niche? Consider your niche. This will be important when you dig for more info, especially for vendor training.
• What topics do I desire in a host and/or consortium's education? Check out some of the options that the host and/or consortium listed. Which ones stick out to you the most? Don't see specific topics you're looking for? Ask on the company's site profile if their education targets your desired subjects.
• What are some of my favored learning styles? How does the program structure meet my needs? Do you prefer online courses at your own pace? Do you need a classroom environment? Do you benefit from one-to-one mentorship? Do you prefer the intensity of a conference? What learning style works best for you?
• How much hand-holding do I need? It’s okay if you need or want a lot of support. It really is. On our message boards (and in some reviews), I’ve heard from agents who’ve been disappointed to learn that professional development programs haven’t been as intensive as they wanted. For newbies, it’s good to tell a host agency up front how much support you expect so you're all on the same page.
• How quickly do I want to complete this education? Do you have time to take it slow, or do you have a group of 50 people clamoring to get booked on a cruise yesterday? What kind of turnaround are you looking for?

Part 2: Questions to ask the hosts/consortia

Once you’ve completed part I, you’re all set for part II. Part II is a table of questions you can adapt and ask host agencies and/or consortia about their education programs.

These are probably questions you want to reserve for your “shortlist” of about 2-5 hosts and/or consortia.

• What examples of vendor training on [niche] have you had in the past year? Is that a topic you anticipate covering in the next few months?
• [Your hot topic] is particularly important to me. Can you give me an idea of what kind of education you’ve had on these topics in the last year or what facilitators/programs you have lined up to address this topic in the year to come?
• (If they have the one-on-one training/ mentoring) What is the frequency of contact do agents typically have with their mentor?
• May I have the contact of an agent or agents who have recently completed your education program?
• (If not explicitly listed) Based on what kind of education I want, what is the overall cost? Do you have any payment plans for that level of education?
• Do you have any data on your education outcomes?

Of course, we made a cheatsheet you can use to fill out when you chat with your shortlist of hosts and/or consortia about their travel agent education programs. Behold:

HAR's Glorious Host/Consortia Education Comparison Chart

Ready to dive in and find some amazing information? We reached out to host agencies and consortia and charted the information they provided on cost, requirements, educational format, topics, and length of program. It's important to note that just because a host may not be listed doesn't mean they don't have an education program. (It just means they didn't fill out our questionnaire.)

Look. I'm going to give it to you straight, this resource is epic. In fact, it's so comprehensive, that it's possible you'll feel like you're scrolling down to the earth's molten core.

You can find host/consortia/franchises listed in alphabetical order in the infographic!

Phew! You made it! Still, have unanswered questions? You can reach out to any of these organizations via their site profiles . Added bonus? For every question you post on a company's Q&A page, you'll be entered to win $200 . Yup. I'm serious. One entry for every question.

Other Options for Travel Agent Education

Want to see what other kinds of travel agent training programs are out there? You’re in luck because this article is part of a series on travel agent education. What more could there possibly be, you ask? Oh. Plenty . . .

⭐️ 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.
• Travel Agent Certification: Want to read up on what certification options are out there? This is for you.
• Travel Agent Schools, A Complete Guide: Want to look into a degree program or a professional certificate? Go here!

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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Unlocking the Travel Industry: Host Agency vs Travel Consortium

Greetings, seasoned and aspiring travel agents! We're here to journey together through some of the core business models in the travel industry, namely the Host Agency and the Travel Consortium. Many may wonder about the difference between a Host Agency and a Travel Consortium. Well, wonder no more! At Gateway Travel, we believe in equipping our team and our partners with the knowledge they need to navigate the industry successfully. So, gather your metaphorical suitcases and let's unravel this intriguing comparison.

What is a Host Agency?

To start off, it's essential to define what a Host Agency is. In layman's terms, a Host Agency can be viewed as the umbrella under which independent travel agents operate. As an aspiring travel agent, you don't need to create your own business from scratch. A Host Agency provides you established infrastructures such as GDS accesses, marketing functions and, client management systems. By working under a Host Agency, you gain professional exposure and access resources otherwise unaffordable when starting solo.

But that's not all! Arguably the most enticing benefit of working under a Host Agency is the possibility of higher commissions. Since they pool together the sales of various agents, they're often able to negotiate better commission rates with travel suppliers.

What is a Travel Consortium?

Next, a Travel Consortium in the travel industry serves somewhat a similar role on a larger scale. A Travel Consortium is like a 'club' of multiple independent agencies or companies. It’s a cooperative group wherein each member shares the benefits that come from their collective bargaining power. Furthering this thought, a Travel Consortium provides its members with access to preferred suppliers and negotiated contracts. Members also benefit from exclusive business development and training resources.

What gives Travel Consortium a competitive advantage is the marketing power. They typically offer marketing programs, and the chance for their agency members to leverage collective branding. It's also noteworthy that along with shared marketing, members can access training, networking events, and even insurance advantages.

Deconstructing the Differences of the Two Models

So, we get down to the crux of it all: the difference between a Host Agency and a Travel Consortium. The main distinctions rest on the structures, benefits , and roles they play in the travel industry.

From a structural standpoint, a Host Agency operates as an individual company where all its agents are essentially a part of the same organization. They work with suppliers and negotiate deals on behalf of their ‘team’ of agents.

On the other hand, a Travel Consortium includes varied agencies, each an independent entity, working cooperatively to garner advantages from suppliers. Thus, they tend to have larger marketing resources and comprehensive business support services.

But it's not a case of one against the other. The two models can symbiotically exist in the travel industry landscape. An independent agent can work under a Host Agency which is, in turn, part of a larger Travel Consortium. This way, the agent benefits from the support of the Host Agency and isn't impeded from enjoying the perks being part of a Travel Consortium.

Choosing the Right Fit for You

As you consider your entry into the fascinating travel industry, you may wonder which model suits you best. The decision truly depends on your unique business conditions—your level of experience, your financial capacity, and even your approach to risk-taking.

If you prefer the safety of an established infrastructure, then operating under a Host Agency would be your safe bet. They offer those beneficial "in-house" advantages. However, if you're keen on a more individualistic approach where you're still operating under the benefits of a group without having to assimilate into one organization, a Travel Consortium would be more appealing.

In essence, the travel industry provides flexibility to mold your travel business in a way that truly suits your entrepreneurial ambition. Remember, you could straddle both worlds and stretch the benefits as far as they could go. Work with a Host Agency that's part of a Travel Consortium, and you might just hit the jackpot without having to compromise on your independence.

So there you have it, a simple, clarified understanding of the difference between a Host Agency and a Travel Consortium! Gateway Travel is here as a beacon of knowledge in the muddling seas of the travel industry. And at the heart of it all, we believe, the best travel agents are those who continue to learn and evolve. So go forth, take the plunge and let's travel to success together!

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What Are Consortia and Why Do They Matter For Travellers?

For travellers seeking the ease and expertise of a travel agent, the term ‘consortia’ might not be on the top of your mind. However, understanding what consortia are and why you should be seeking out a travel agent that is part of one can significantly impact your travel experience for the better; who knows, maybe this could be the answer to all your travel woes?  

What Are Travel Consortia?  

By definition, a consortium (plural: consortia) is “ an agreement, combination, or group formed to undertake an enterprise beyond the resources of any one member.”  

Within the travel industry, this refers to an association or group that provides a community of travel businesses with assets that they may not have the resources or connections to obtain individually. Very often, with resources such as supplier contracts and deals, card transactions, and currency hedging, dealings can be made cheaper, simpler, and less stressful when they are acquired for a group rather than an individual.  

For example, Protected Trust Services (PTS) could, by definition, be considered a consortium. By being a member of PTS, travel businesses have access to exclusive supplier contracts that they cannot get on their own. This is because many suppliers are more willing to provide such exclusive deals for a group over a single business since this creates a much more beneficial relationship for them in the long term.  

Why Should You Care as a Traveller?  

Of course, this definition alone doesn’t really explain why you, the traveller, should care about consortia. Just because a travel agent is getting support from an association like PTS, doesn’t mean your holiday is going to be any better, right?  

Wrong. The benefits that PTS members or consortia members receive can directly impact your next holiday. This could be for one of the following reasons:  

• Exclusive Deals and Better Value: with travel agents reaping the benefits of exclusive contracts with suppliers, they can offer their travellers special deals, reduced prices, and even more fun for your money that you may not get with a travel agent building these relationships solo.  
• Financial Security: though financial protection is required of travel businesses by UK law, there is always the risk of fraudulence and the possibility that a travel business may not return your money even if the legislation says so. This isn’t a risk when you book with a travel agent that is part of a consortium. For example, PTS does vigorous checks on all members before they are allowed to be members at all, PTS also provides the foundation and necessary financial protection for all members, ensuring that your protection comes before their profits.  
• Better Expertise: this may not seem like a massive one in theory, but if you are booking with a travel agent for the expertise, or maybe you’re booking a destination or activity that comes with risks, a travel agent that is part of a large community of travel businesses like PTS members is going to have a fantastic network of information that will help them to help you. This includes introducing new holidays to their selection that they may not have without the influence of the community, so if you love a particular travel agent, but aren’t selling what you really want yet, keep an eye out!  
• Community & Sharing: travel agents in consortia are much more likely to be able to refer you if you’re looking for the protection they provide, but their niche simply doesn’t serve you. This way, you can reap all those benefits while getting the holiday you really want.  
• Tech & Tools: some consortia, like PTS, provide advanced travel technology and tools that travel businesses cannot afford or acquire outside of a consortium. This means online payment may be simpler (or possible in the first place), and when you book your holiday, you will have an easy hub to check your details and communicate with your agent.  

How Do You Find Out if They are in a Consortium?  

Many consortia do require members to provide evidence of their membership. This is true of associations and the CAA as well. You’ve probably seen many of the ATOL ads by now, telling you to look out for their badge, and consortia are very similar (all businesses selling flights are legally required to have an ATOL and an ATOL badge, so check for that too!).  

If you want to know whether your chosen travel agent is a member of PTS, for example, all you need to do is look in their shop window or at the bottom of their website, and if you see the PTS logo with their business name and PTS number on it, then you’ve found the right fit for your next holiday. If you want to be doubly sure, you can also type their name or PTS number into the member finder on the PTS website and check our database for them.  

So, if you’re looking forward to your next holiday, don’t wait, book now with a travel business member of PTS for 100% financial protection through trust. Or, if you’d like assistance choosing one of the lovely PTS members to book with, you can contact PTS directly at  0207 190 9988  or check us out on  Facebook ,  Instagram , or  Twitter .          

If you’d like to learn more about  your financial protection with PTS  or how the  Package Travel Regulations  protect your holiday booking, check out our pages and Travel Advice.  

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Should You Join a Travel Consortium?

If you’re a travel agent, chances are you’ve heard about travel agent consortiums. If you haven’t, don’t worry, we’re going to break it down for you! Once you know all the information, you can decide if joining a travel consortium is the right move for you and your career. Read on:

What is a travel consortium?

A travel agency consortium (plural: travel agency consortia) is a group of travel agencies, host agencies, travel advisors, travel consultants, and other individuals and organizations in the travel industry. The goal of a travel consortium is to create relationships between travel agencies, vendors, and other relevant entities. This increases the commissions that each individual involved in the consortia is able to make, as well as provides more benefits for each agent.

How does it work?

Many travel consortia will require its members to meet certain sales requirements before they are able to join. There is also typically a membership fee, as well as membership dues you will have to pay once you have joined.

After you join, the consortium will provide you with training and resources . They may also provide you with networking connections that may be more difficult to come by as an independent travel agent. These important resources are why travel consortiums require a fee. It’s basically like a club that members pay to join, but once you’re in, there are some great perks!

The pros and cons of joining a travel consortium

Travel consortia are typically founded by veterans in the travel agent industry. If you’re just starting out as a travel agent , joining a travel consortium can help show you the ropes and teach you everything you need to know to be an excellent travel agent or advisor. Lots of travel consortia will also provide you with industry training, courses, and certification to further your career as a travel agent. Typically, many travel consortia will also provide you with technology help, such as give you a hosted agent website and social media management assistance. Many consortia will also provide marketing assistance to help you promote yourself as a travel agent or consultant.

Like we mentioned before, another benefit of joining a consortium is being able to make higher commissions. Because a consortium is a group of travel agents and hosts, it is usually able to negotiate a larger commission from its partners and vendors. When the consortium makes a higher commission, you will make a higher commission as well.

We also mentioned this briefly, but joining a consortium can also provide you with connections within the travel industry it may be harder to make on your own. Connections with suppliers, partners, and other travel agents and hosts can teach you more about the industry and how to be successful in this field.

Although there are clearly many benefits to joining a consortium, there are also some reasons you may prefer to be independent instead. Firstly, travel consortiums do not provide you with an accreditation number. In case you don’t know, an accreditation number is a series of digits assigned to travel agents and consultants so that their business is recognized as an official travel agency. You will need your accreditation number to book trips, accommodation, and other services for your clients. In order to obtain one, you have to meet certain requirements and go through a process that travel consortia will not help you with.

Travel consortia also do not provide support for day-to-day things such as keeping track of your commissions, helping you with your daily reports, and other daily tasks.

What are some examples of a travel consortium?

If you decide that joining a consortium is the best move for you and your career, the next step is to pick which consortium to join. There are many well-known travel consortia throughout the world. See the below travel consortium list for consortia that are popular in the U.S and Canada.:

• Signature Travel Network
• Travel Leaders Network (and its affiliate Vacation.com )
• Ensemble Travel Group If you are based in the U.K., you may have heard of the popular travel consortia Advantage Travel Partnership or Elite Travel Group.

Another popular travel consortia is Virtuoso , which is based in the U.S., China, and Australia.

How do I choose a consortium to join?

With so many to choose from, it might be overwhelming! Here is a checklist of topics to consider when choosing which consortium is the best fit for you:

• What is the membership fee?
• Are there membership dues? How much are they?
• What is the sales threshold I have to make before joining?
• Does it provide training and resources?
• What technology does it provide? (Hosted websites, assistance with social media, etc.)
• Do they help me with marketing to better advertise my services?

Armed with your new knowledge of travel consortia, we hope you are better able to decide if joining one is the right move for you, or if you would rather remain independent . Congratulations on starting your travel agent journey!

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UNITING GLOBAL TRAVEL

For over 40 years, Hickory Global Partners has been the go-to industry-leading global corporate travel alliance (consortia) for corporate travel agencies, corporate travel departments (CTDs) and corporations. HICKORY delivers unmatched negotiated discounts and commissions, resources, support and value that significantly benefits our members, and ultimately, their clients. Joining HICKORY is easy, and the best part is we do not charge a membership fee.

THE HICKORY DIFFERENCE

Hickory Global Partners bridges the gap between members and suppliers and raises the bar on what being a global corporate travel alliance is all about.

Powerful Partnerships

Results-driven revenue share program, supplier marketing program, your destination for a world of opportunities.

Imagine being able to take advantage of extensive benefits designed to increase your margins and enhance your offerings to ensure complete client satisfaction. With Hickory Global Partners, your family is part of ours the second you come onboard. We’re here to help you succeed. And since corporate travel is what we live and breathe, you also benefit from our decades of experience, established relationships, global capabilities and passion and love for what we do.

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Search NEST - Responsive

N etwork of e ntrepreneurs s elling t ravel.

NEST-Network of Entrepreneurs Selling Travel is the industry’s first and only travel marketing group in the United States dedicated solely to home based travel agencies. In business since 2004, our focus is helping entrepreneurs achieve greater success financially, professionally and personally by championing solutions just for them.

NEST offers choices for experienced Home Based Travel Advisors.

We are a marketing organization offering experienced agencies a choice between staying independent and book directly with suppliers (using their own ARC, CLIA, IATA, or TRUE number) or be part of the newly created extension of NEST called NEST Plus. NEST Plus is an extension of NEST to serve the need of Independent Travel Advisor looking for the resources of a hosted agency. At NEST you have the choice to remain independent or be part of a HOSTED program. NEST provides you with options and a place to call HOME.

If interested in the HOSTED program, Click Here for more information on NEST Plus.

NEST supports the changing needs of suppliers, helping them to connect with the rapidly growing home-based distribution channel, of agencies or Independent Travel Advisors. Today, our membership in NEST exceeds 450 agencies, comprised of the finest home-based travel professionals in the industry. Our goal remains steadfast — to create opportunities, intensify partnerships, and increase profits for our members and our suppliers.

Who Is The NEST Advisor?

NEST advisors are Home Based and Proud. They are experienced travel professionals aspiring for financial, professional, personal growth and recognition. They are: true entrepreneurs, motivated, knowledgeable sales people, focused, creative marketers, strong, invested business professionals.

N etwork of   E ntrepreneurs   S elling   T ravel

Nest is not a host agency, association, or franchise..

We are a marketing organization serving two primary clients: the home-based travel agency and the preferred travel supplier. Agencies join as members and book directly with suppliers (using their own ARC, CLIA, IATA, or TRUE number). They maintain their agency ownership, commissions and client database.

NEST supports the changing needs of suppliers, helping them to connect with the rapidly growing home-based distribution channel to train, cultivate and compensate them. Today, our membership exceeds 450 agencies, comprised of the finest home-based travel professionals in the industry. Our goal remains steadfast — to create opportunities, intensify partnerships, and increase profits for our members.

Our Mission

T o help home-based travel agencies achieve greater success financially, professionally, and personally by championing solutions and opportunities exclusively for them. Read More

Home-based & proud today?

Have you been contemplating transitioning to working from home? Join NEST to truly preserve your independence and enjoy extraordinary benefits.

To help home-based travel agencies achieve greater success financially, professionally, and personally by championing solutions and opportunities exclusively for them. Read More

Join The NEST

Or are you contemplating transitioning to the home? Join the NEST to truly preserve your independence and enjoy extraordinary benefits.

INVESTING IN YOU - The NEST ADVANTAGE

In NEST you will find an entire community of proud entrepreneurs just like you ... over 450 strong and growing. We want to be your "second" home and powerful connection to a new universe of business-building benefits.

TRUE INDEPENDENCE

Maintain your identity and earn more commission. Read More

MARKETING THAT MATTERS

Your agency will stay top-of-mind with travelers through our award-winning, professionally designed leisure travel promotional campaigns, all customizable with YOUR brand . . . Read More

LEADING TECHNOLOGY

Our proprietary technology platforms are all state-of-the-art and integrated. These powerful tools give our agencies a competitive edge to improve efficiencies and productivity . . . Read More

STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Since 2004 NEST has built long-standing relationships with the travel industry’s best preferred suppliers . . . Read More

HOTELS & RESORTS

NEST Hotel and Resorts Collection with access to over 140,000 hotels and resorts worldwide. Read More

TRAINING & SUPPORT

NEST is committed to giving your agency a greater competitive edge...to help your clients enjoy the best travel experiences of their lives...and to make your business more profitable . . . Read More

Why choose NEST?

True independence, higher commissions, increased profitability, turnkey sales promotions, supplier recognition, hands on training, dedicated business analyst.

Having come from a very large consortium, I really enjoy being a member of NEST because of its ideal size. It’s large enough to have the benefits of things like free direct mail, rewards, support of the cruise lines and tour companies, yet small enough to know the staff and get assistance when needed. Plus, the networking opportunities like the annual NEST FEST conference and Seminars at Sea are intimate enough to network with fellow members and supplier executives. I believe sharing business experiences with other home-based agents and owners (which I have always been) is extremely beneficial. Fran Card Owner, Card’s Cruise Connection

NEST Products and Services

"To help home-based travel agencies achieve greater success financially, professionally, and personally by championing solutions and opportunities exclusively for them."

Interested in Joining the NEST? Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus rutrum ex libero, nec tincidunt nunc euismod mollis. Praesent in enim quis purus mollis feugiat

Click here to find out more. Click here to register your interest.

Membership Requirements

• Must be home-based .
• Must be independently owned and operated as a sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation.
• Must already be registered to book directly with suppliers, not booking through a host.
• Must be a strong producer , generating a minimum dollar amount of preferred supplier sales.

The NEST Advantage

You can rely on our technology to customize marketing programs and solutions  tailored to your needs.

Our technology ensures you are covered in all areas to seamlessly reach your clientele and offers the best, most competitive pricing.

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We've spent more than four decades building solid relationships with the top suppliers. Our partnerships allow us the ability to negotiate competitive pricing that is passed on to our agents.

NEST Agencies

By providing a wide array of marketing and technology tools, we are committed to helping our agencies increase their share of the market through NEST preferred suppliers while increasing the profitability of their business.

Leisure Agencies

TRAVELSAVERS is committed to providing your agency with a greater competitive edge. We strongly believe that the strength and success of TRAVELSAVERS is dependent on the partnerships we have formed with our individual licensees.

Luxury Agencies

Defining our high end luxury segment, The Affluent Traveler Collection (ATC), American Marketing Group’s luxury brand, is an elite organization designed to help agents increase their luxury leisure sales. It builds upon the resources TRAVELSAVERS travel professionals can access and enhances their ability to attract today’s discerning, affluent traveler.

NEST Preferred Suppliers

NEST is here to help

450 agency members, home-based and proud.

NEST  71 Audrey Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771  888-245-6378    [email protected]

CAREERS For information on career opportunities at NEST:  888-245-6378    [email protected]

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Are you currently a home based agency or contemplating moving home or are you an experienced travel advisor who needs a new home to partner with.

Either way at NEST we have the program that is right for you! We offer two options that will offer you extraordinary benefits and will assist you in growing your current business model and making it more successful in the years to come.

Your success is our success whether you choose NEST or NEST Plus we offer the tools and programs you need to achieve greater success!

For Home-based travel agencies looking to partner with the country's first and only marketing group solely dedicated to Home Based Travel agencies looking for their own independency and currently have their own IATA, ARC or CLIA number

NEST Plus  

For the experienced travel advisor looking for a hosted program to call home

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Consortia Programs

Join Consortia Travel Agent groups and increase bookings by offering competitive rates to travel agents worldwide.

Each year BookingCenter offers a list of Consortia and TMCs (Travel Management Companies) to our GDS properties for participation.

If your property chooses to participate in the annual program, you will receive instructional emails, starting in July/August, keeping you up-to-date with the bidding process for the following year.

Along with keeping you informed, BookingCenter makes a strong effort to market your property to these mega agencies.

What is a Consortia?

According to HEDNA a Consortia is a “rate negotiated between a hotel company and a travel agency group. Viewership of these rates in the GDS by a TA or other GDS user is restricted and the rate may be booked only after entry of either the Agents or Client authorization code.” Originally started for mom and pop travel agencies, Consortia’s have become a major player in the travel industry.

A Consortia is a conglomerate of travel agency members that have joined an organization and by doing this can increase marketing to their customers by offering competitive rates at hotels worldwide. For an overview of this year’s Consortia programs, download this document .  

Each program has a list of requirements and fees to participate, but the standard requirements include:

R ate Parity

Last room availability guarantee

10% commission to the Agent

All rates quoted are to be guaranteed for the entire year starting from Jan 1 – Dec 31, unless otherwise noted.

BookingCenter uses the  Nexus Consortia Services Tool  as the tool for managing the RFP and content process.  As such, each customer who chooses to participate will be purchasing access to a Nexus account connected to their GDS account.  Only customers of the GDS program can participate in Consortia, but they will get these benefits:

Seamless integration – Using the Nexus tool, we’re able to push rates, availability, and bookings from BookingCenter to/fro your GDS/Consortia rates.

Content Integration – Hotels will have the option to auto populate their property profile in Nexus with data from your GDS profile.

Centralized Communication – All marketing opportunities will be communicated through the Nexus tool. Using Nexus you’ll be able to respond to Consortia RFPs and handle all marketing engagements through a single tool.

Easy to use – Nexus is intuitive and when you have a question our support team is here to assist. Live training sessions are offered weekly so you’ll always have someone available to walk you through the process.

Please  download this overview document   which explains this year’s 2018 Consortia programs and answers questions such as:

What are the Programs that I can participate, and what do they offer?

What are the benefits to participation?

Who books Consortia rates?

When is a corporate rate vs. consortia rate booked?

Please see the list below for details on specific Consortia programs.

For more than 35 years, ABC Global Services has been the leading provider of travel-related products and services to the global travel agency and corporate communities.  ABC’s Premier Hotel Program is the industry leader, used by more than 7,900 agency locations in 67 countries and driving millions of room nights per year.  More information is available at www.abcglobal.travel .

• ABC Represents 70% corporate and 30% leisure business
• More than 30,000 hotels participate in ABC’s programs
• ABC agencies include: Altour International, Boeing Travel Management, Casto Travel, Frosch International, Garber Travel, Protravel International, Tzell Travel, Ultramar Travel Management and Valerie Wilson Travel.
• ABC also provides its hotel programs to prestigious agency networks including: ATPI, Lufthansa City Center, MAST, Nexion and Thomas Cook.
• Selection of key cities:  Amsterdam, Atlanta, Austin, Bangkok, Beijing, Boston, Calgary, Cape Town, Charlotte, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Dubai, Frankfurt, Guadalajara, Hong Kong Area, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles Area, Melbourne, Mexico City, Miami Area, Monterrey, Montreal, New York, Orange County, CA, Orlando Area, Paris, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Shanghai, Singapore, Stockholm, Sydney, Tampa, Tokyo, Toronto, Washington, DC

BCD Travel is ranked as the Top 3 TMC worldwide and have maintain an industry-leading client-retention rate of more than 97% the past years. Having your hotel listed under the exclusive BCD rate access codes delivers your product to the point of sale of 6000 BCD travel counselors in 110 countries and to clients worldwide.

•  92.2% of the total BCD Travel hotel bookings generated in 2015 were made into properties participating in the BCD Travel Global Hotel Program. BCD Travel’s 2015 global hotel bookings: US$ 3.8 billion / 24 million room nights (source: BCD Travel GDS tracked bookings only)
• BCD Travel has single ownership in all key business travel markets
• Key accounts include one third of the Fortune 500 companies
•  Business mix: 90% corporate / 5% leisure / 5% meetings & incentives
•  Destination target: All major, secondary and tertiary global business destinations

As the long-term partner of choice for leading corporations around the globe, Carlson Wagonlit Travel delivers unparalleled service while unlocking economic value. CWT employs a holistic approach to travel management: Our understanding of clients unique business models, travel needs, and both corporate and national cultures, enables us to deliver deep knowledge and expertise in all aspects of the travel management process. Carlson recently acquired Maritz Travel. www.carlsonwagonlit.com

•  99% corporate travel, 1% leisure travel
• Worldwide sales volume of 11.5 billion
• A leading travel management partner to fortune 100 companies
• 3000+ locations, in 140 countries

CCRA – CCRA is a negotiated, preferred-rate hotel program, has become one of the largest consortia in the world, booking in excess of 20 million hotel room nights each year. CCRA has diversified its markets in order for its hotel partners to reach every segment of the traveling public. CCRA’s reputation for increasing bookings by “double to triple digits” has grown in recent years. The printed directories are first-class in both design and usability and are valuable tools utilized by more than 100,000 agencies, individual agents, and travelers. www.ccraonline.com

•  40% corporate travel, 60% leisure travel
• 30,000 locations in 30+ countries
• 100,000 agents worldwide
• 27 million room nights a year total

Top Agencies – CCRA has many companies that they work with, below are some of them:

• Vacation.com
• Outside Sales Support Network
• Cruise and Travel Store
• Western Assn. of TA’s
• Natl. Assn. of commissioned TA’s IT Group
• America Society of TA’s
• Marketing alliance of Retail TA’s

Premier membership-based provider of travel, shopping, health, entertainment, and consumer protection services for more than 25 million members across America. These programs help enhance brand loyalty and revenue for marketing partners. Members find tremendous value through the program by saving money and enjoying the convenience of shopping at home or online. Through several Trilegiant Membership clubs (Travelers Advantage, Auto Advantage, Great Fun, private label programs) approximately 4MM members have access to travel benefits including the hotel discount component.

• Relationships with numerous companies
• Offers enhanced marketing opportunities

Partnerships include:

• Travelers Advantage
• Off Duty Travelers Advantage
• Great Options Travel
• Chase Travelers Advantage
• Avis Travelers Advantage

Custom Travel Systems is comprised of many independent travel agencies and travel agency consortia, including Hickory Travel Systems, Inc. and FIRST Travel Management International.

•  70% corporate travel, 30% leisure
• Comprised of CTS / Hickory Travel / Global Star
• 32,000 locations, in 38 countries worldwide

Top Agencies – DER has many companies that they work with, below are some of them:

• Aladdin Travel
• Global Travel Mgmt
• Travel Solutions
• Premier Travel
• Discovery Travel
• Continental Travel
• Traveltime Services
• Travel Mgmt. Solutions
• Keller Travel
• ITI Travelnet
• Worldwide Travel
• Pegasus Travel, Inc

Whether a business or weekend trip, the Internet is increasingly a primary source of information when it comes to fast, flexible and comprehensive travel search. Therefore your hotel should be present where the customers search online: in the global hotel platform www.DERhotel.com.

Since 2004 DERhotel.com offers clients a world wide portfolio with various dimensions of 100,000 hotels. With the help of a clearly arranged, self-explanatory website, DERhotel.com provides the customers a quick and uncomplicated hotel booking.

DERhotel.com put your hotel in the best perspective:

• Detailed description of your hotel, including rates
• Free publication of up to 6 hotel pictures in the DERhotel administration
• Representation of hotel address, map of the area, pictures, facilities, prices
• Vicinity search for exact addresses as well as for points of interest, airports, train stations and exhibitions Clearly arranged display and user-centered design NEW: since 2016 is DERhotel.com available in the APP Store for the android system.
• With your listing on DERhotel.com you automatically reach all companies and more than 4.000 travel agencies linked to DERhotel.com. In this way you benefit from a constantly increasing business volume.
• Key markets DERhotels.com in 2015 (Top 15 countries): 1. Germany 2. United Kingdom 3. USA 4. Denmark 5. Austria 6. Sweden 7. Norway 8. Netherlands 9. Switzerland 10. Singapore 11. Russia 12. France 13. United Arab Emirates 14. Finland 15. China

TIPS: Gold Preferred Programme – Become a preferred partner with DERhotel.com for free! Hotels which participate in the programme will be highlighted & positioned on top of the hotel results for a period of three months. The participation is free of charge but limited to a maximum of five hotels per city offering 14% or more commission during the three campaign months. v

Worldwide access around the clock, instant online access with the possibility to book fully, and targeted customer contacts are only a few of the advantages a partnership with ehotel AG will provide you – and all this will cost you not one single penny. Your record in the ehotel AG database is free of charge. We at ehotel AG only charge a commission on referred sales plus VAT.

A proactive, owner-involved international organization of 1,400 independent travel agencies in the United States and Canada, is pleased to invite your hotel to partner with us and participate in our 2005 Hotel Connections program. This is an exclusive program for 4 and 5 star hotels only. All bids are done on paper and cannot be used on Lanyon at this time. Please contact Adam if you are interested in participating in this program.

Started in 1967 Guild of Business Travel is more than a mere association. It has become the industry seal of quality, a guarantee of high standards whenever a Guild member is used. Indeed, it has become a force in its own right and a relentless champion of the cause of business travelers. www.gbta-guild.com

• London based, European / UK presence
• Responsible for 80% of all business through the UK
• Rates are made available for Guild of European Business Travel

IAPA is the worlds most prestigious traveler association, serving the frequent business traveler for over 40 years. Our services include exceptional savings, travelers insurance, and online reservations. www.iapa.com

•  400,000 members in 200 countries around the world
• Members stay an average of 5 room nights per month

International Travel Partners operates primarily throughout main European cities and the US. Membership is strictly restricted to companies who have an established record of integrity and reputable growth and operate to the business travel sector.

•  Primary markets include US and Europe
• Represents 2.5 billion in annual sales
• Represents 61 travel companies and over 500 branch locations

Top Agencies – ITP has many companies that they work with, below are some of them:

Accent Travel                        All World Travel Services             Boehm & Boehm

Business Travel Partners         Casto Travel                               Corp. Travel Planners

Conti Travel                         Covington Travel Intl.                  Holiday Travel

World Travel Services            Travelstore.com                           Riverside Travel

Japan Travel Bureau

Founded in 1912, and renamed in 1945, JTB is Japan’s top destination management company. They organize congresses, events, exhibitions, incentive tours, cultural exchange, cultural and nature tours, cruises, exclusive parties, accommodations, guides, transfers, meeting services, and more to match their travel needs.

•  80% corporate travel, 20% leisure travel
• 1,100 office of which 110 are dedicated to corporate centers in 23 countries
• Global annual sales exceed $22 billion with more than 10 million room nights consumed
• Top cities include Tokyo, London, San Francisco, Paris, New York, Silicon Valley, Orlando, Sydney, Berlin, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Toronto, Madrid, Orlando and many other major cities

Jurni is an entirely new kind of offline travel agency consortium, one that goes beyond what you’ve come to expect of the traditional travel consortia. Jurni Network is brought to you by the people at Sabre Travel Network and leverages industry expertise, travel merchandising and technology capabilities across Sabre Holdings, the worlds leading name in travel commerce. www.jurni.com

Nexionª is a fully licensed, bonded and accredited agency, which has been an industry pioneer and a host agency since early 1995. Nexion is in business to provide complete and cost-effective solutions to independent travel professionals, allowing them to manage their businesses in the most cost-efficient fashion. Nexion enables independent travel agents to operate with the backing and clout of a multi-billion dollar company. www.nexion.com

•  Network of over 2,500 travel sellers with $1B gross sales
• List of preferred suppliers limited to 40 – 50 across air, car, hotel, tour and cruise
• Single desktop tool used by all Jurni Agencies regardless of the GDS brand
• Direct Marketing Tools, POS marketing, Dynamic Packaging

With 86 shareholder agencies operating 4,600+ branches around the globe, RADIUS, formerly Woodside Travel Trust, has earned a reputation for successfully serving the needs of business travelers worldwide. Our pioneering accomplishments, culminating in the rebranding to RADIUS in 2000, have set standards in the corporate travel community. www.radius.com

•  70% Corporate, 30 % Leisure
• 4,600+ locations in 87 countries
• Alliance w/Uniglobe Travel and GIANTS
• Participation in 2003 included 8,460 hotels in 2,198 cities and 134 countries

With 50 years experience and a Navigant Company, Sato International is the leading provider of travel services for US Military and Civilian Government. www.satotravel.com

• 95% government / Military, 5% leisure
• 4,300 associates, has operations in 1,300 locations in 19 countries
• Over 4 billion sold in airlines tickets

THOR’s history of leadership in the travel industry spans close to 30 years. Founded in 1977, in Boulder, Colorado, USA, THOR anticipated the need to create a new service providing commissionable and discounted hotel rates, which its member agencies could recommend to their travelers.

THOR’s, Worldwide Hotel Program is now the largest and fastest growing program with over 22,000 hotel partners around the world. Many of our 3,700+ member agencies use this extensive worldwide program to book both corporate and leisure travelers.

•  70% Corporate, 30% Leisure
• 2,500+ Travel Agencies, in 17 countries
• Agencies based: 95% US, 5% International

A member network of 3,000 travel agents spread throughout the world, Travelgraphic International offers a 1-year membership to their database for a limited fee. www.tgiweb.com

• 45% Corporate, 55% leisure
• 3,000 + agencies
• Represents approx. 6 million Travelers

TRAVELSAVERS

TRAVELSAVERS is an international travel marketing company that was founded nearly 35 years ago. More than 3,000 independent travel agencies in 13 countries around the world are part of our organization, making us one of the world’s largest travel marketing companies. www.travelsavers.com

•  60% Corporate, 40% Leisure
• 4,000 corporate and Leisure agencies
• Represents over 18.2 billion in annual sales

An invitation only program, Virtuoso only accepts hotels on its own merits. Open invitation is not available for this program. Requirements include, but are not limited to: 5 star or superior classification, a history of outstanding service, special amenities provided including breakfast and references from Virtuoso TAÕs that have personally stayed at the hotel. If you have an interest in participation please contact Adam for more information.

BCD Travel helps companies make the most of what they spend on travel. For travelers, this means keeping them safe and productive, and equipping them to make good choices on the road. For travel and procurement managers, it means advising them on how to grow the value of their travel program. For executives, we ensure that the travel program supports company objectives. In short, we help our clients travel smart and achieve more. We make this happen in almost 100 countries with more than 11,000 creative, committed and experienced people. And it’s how we maintain an industry-leading client-retention rate of more than 96%, with 2014 sales of US$24.2 billion. For more information, visit. www.bcdtravel.com.

• $3.6 billion in hotel bookings in 2014
• 23 million room nights booked 2014

Worldwide Independent Travel Network (WIN)

Worldwide Independent Travel Network (WIN) – WIN is the Worldwide Independent Travel Network, an established leader in the travel services business. WIN is a partnership of likeminded travel agencies from around the World.

•  56% Corporate, 40% Leisure, and 4% Meetings and Incentives
•  6,000 independent agencies worldwide

Top Cities include: Rome, Milan, Manchester, London, New York, Chicago, Madrid, Toronto, Washington DC, Athens, Vancouver, Calgary, Tokyo, Brussels, San Francisco, Vienna, Barcelona, Edinburgh, Montreal, and many more.

•  Advantage Travel UK
• ASR Germany
• Group Star/OVR
• Sure Travel
• Premier Foods
• Mitra Travel

WHERE WILL YOUR JOURNEY TAKE YOU?

Are you a discerning traveler seeking to explore and discover the world’s most incredible destinations? Do you dream of adventure on the African plains or a life-changing expedition through the Arctic? Perhaps you are in a stage of your life where you seek peace, tranquility , and a relaxing escape to your private island where azure waters meet pristine white sand beaches. Boutique Travel Advisors is a luxury travel agency based out of Scottsdale, Arizona specializes in designing once-in-a-lifetime experiences for individuals, families, and teams.

Stop settling for plain uninspired vacations. Instead, discover how bespoke travel experiences explicitly crafted for YOU will transform your travels. Let our luxury Virtuoso travel agency show you the way.

CUSTOM ITINERARIES

If you seek unique travel experiences that capture the essence of a destination, immersing you in the culture and connecting you with local customs and traditions, our itineraries will excite and inspire you. Our goal is to ensure travelers have meaningful and captivating experiences that are as unique as you are.

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH BTA

Every client is a VIP, and every trip is meant to be remarkable . No matter where in the world you travel, you will be received as an honored guest and provided access to exclusive privileges, complimentary benefits , cutting-edge technology, and unmatched service.

ELEVATED EXPERIENCES

Your preferences and interests are unique, and we believe you deserve to work with a travel company that can guide you through designing and executing extraordinary experiences. When you partner with BTA, you will work directly with our team of expert Virtuoso travel advisors to create fully customized itineraries based on your interests and budget.

EXCEPTIONAL PARTNERS

To provide you with unmatched service and design incredible trips, we work exclusively with highly vetted suppliers worldwide. As a Luxury Virtuoso Travel Agency, our partnerships with the most respected and knowledgeable suppliers worldwide allow our guests access to special amenities, VIP experiences, and exceptional service. We maintain a solid commitment to eco-stewardship and responsible travel experiences. BTA is privileged to be a part of Virtuoso, which gives us access to the world’s most respected hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators.

To provide you with unmatched service and design incredible trips, we work exclusively with highly vetted suppliers worldwide. We maintain a solid commitment to eco-stewardship and responsible travel experiences. BTA is privileged to be a part of the exclusive Virtuoso travel consortium, which gives us access to the world’s most respected hotels, cruise lines, and tour operators.

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

We recognize that your travel needs will vary. Therefore, we offer several options for working together. Whether you seek a weekend getaway , a multi-generational adventure , a world cruise , or a month-long European immersion , we have a design package that fits your needs. In addition, we offer a convenient annual membership plan for clients who travel multiple times per year and provide a multi-year travel roadmap.

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Make an Appointment at a Passport Agency

Life-or-Death Emergencies

Courier and Expeditor Companies

Our passport agencies and centers :

• Process all applications we receive from acceptance facilities and by mail, and
• Serve customers by appointment only who have urgent travel to a foreign country in the next 14 calendar days, or need a foreign visa in the next 28 calendar days

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

Avoid the stress of needing to visit a passport agency or center for urgent travel. Apply early at an  acceptance facility  or  renew by mail .

Steps to Make an Appointment for Urgent Travel

I have not yet applied.

Follow these steps to make an appointment:

• Go to our  Online Passport Appointment System .
• Enter information about your travel plans to see if you qualify for an appointment. You may make an appointment for up to seven members of your household.
• Enter your email address. We will email you a code which you must enter to continue making an appointment. Check your junk or spam folder if you do not see the code in your inbox.
• Enter your mobile phone number. We will send you a text message with another code you must enter to continue making an appointment.
• Complete the process of scheduling your appointment. 
• Check your email for a message confirming the details of your appointment. The system will hold your appointment for 15 minutes. If you do not confirm your appointment within 15 minutes, you will need to start over.
• If you need to cancel or change the appointment, click the link in the confirmation email to get information about your appointment. 

I have already applied

• Call  1-877-487-2778  from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Mondays through Fridays, or on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Se habla español. 

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, call  1-888-874-7793  for TDD/TTY teletype services. 

• We will provide you unique information that we will check on the day of your appointment to confirm your appointment is legitimate. If you are not the appointment holder, the passport agency or center will not be able to see you.
• If you need to cancel or change your appointment, please call us. We will give your appointment to a new customer calling to make an appointment. You cannot transfer your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i know which location is processing my application and has my documents.

The first two digits of your nine-digit passport application locator number allow you to know which agency or center is working on your application. You can find your application locator number by checking our Online Passport Status System . 

How and when should I contact a passport agency or center by mail?

You can find an agency or center's mailing address on each agency or center webpage. You can contact our locations by mail if:

We sent you a letter : If we need more information to process your application , we will send you a letter in the mail. Send the information to the full mailing address in Sterling, VA listed on your letter. Do not send information to the agency’s physical address.

Map of Passport Office Locations

Make an appointment at a passport agency or center.

We have two types of appointments: Life-or-Death Emergency Service and Urgent Travel Service . You cannot walk-in. 

Not Yet Applied : Make an appointment online

Already Applied : Call  1-877-487-2778 . Se habla español.

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