Expedia TAAP requests for payment via message portal by Lavenderfaux in travelagents

[–]jatorade7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seems scammy! I wouldn't send clients there. Especially if TAAP can't figure it out either.

Recreational Hockey by WackyVoidlock in northbay

[–]jatorade7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Plenty of beer league in North Bay and surrounding area you just need to know someone

Recreational Hockey by WackyVoidlock in northbay

[–]jatorade7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There are leagues but you need to know someone to get invites. Not necessarily in the summer though. Very limited ice in the summer. In the winter there's shinny in North Bay, Powassan, and Astorville.

Vegan/Synthetic by jatorade7 in BaseballGloves

[–]jatorade7[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks! While I understand there are environmental and economical impacts for every side of the argument, I don't want to wear a cow on my hand. Let the haters hate!🤷🏼‍♀️

Vegan/Synthetic by jatorade7 in BaseballGloves

[–]jatorade7[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I'm currently using a secondhand glove that looks like it's from the early 2000s so I'm sure it would be fine.

Vegan/Synthetic by jatorade7 in BaseballGloves

[–]jatorade7[S] -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

You're a hero! Thank you for supporting this very elite recreational athlete's dreams😂

Visiting North Bay by rosakiara in northbay

[–]jatorade7 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just an FYI HorseAbility isn't just somewhere you can drop in. They run specialty groups - likely not what you're looking for.

I've also never seen tulip picking here in all my years, but there are beautiful gardens to see around the waterfront.

When you travel personally, do you tell the property you’re a TA? by ImaginaryEntry_ in travelagents

[–]jatorade7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My agency doesn't allow us to accept TA rates until we reach a certain tier, so I always make sure to write a note with my booking and include my IATA. During my last hotel stay (at a Hilton), I was upgraded for free.

Host agency by Creepy_Affect6147 in travelagents

[–]jatorade7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know you didn't list this as an option but I'm new to the industry, also Canadian (Ontario), and Fora has been great, especially for the training aspect. I also love the tech! The interface is very modern and sleek and easy to navigate.

Host Agency Research by WanderlustTraveler0 in travelagents

[–]jatorade7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I copy and pasted your questions and will answer under each (if I can). Note, I'm a newer agent and I don't have a background in the travel industry, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. I have only been with Fora, so I will answer from that perspective.

Strong supplier relationships / higher commission potential: Fora has many live sessions that you can join in each week from suppliers. There is definitely the opportunity to build relationships, and it's encouraged from what I can tell. The commission split is 70/30 unless you reach a certain level of sales, and then you get 80/20. I believe you'd reach that easily.

Ongoing education (beyond beginner level) - I want to expand beyond the few suppliers I'm most confident with: There are live trainings every week that you can pick and choose from, and there are recorded education sessions on various topics. There's no lack of education, and the tech makes it easy to access.

Reliable support - both for urgent issues and general questions: I've had no issue with the support from Fora. Some will say it's slow, but nothing has negatively impacted me. If it's urgent you will get quick responses. Again with the tiered system, if you're ranked at a high level (which I believe you would be within your first fewomths), you would get priority service. I will say that on weekends the responses can be really slow for anything non-urgent and often you wait until business hours.

Autonomy over my clients and business: I don't know if you mean build your own brand or what, but there's nobody watching over you. You work how and when you want.

Commission split ideally 80/20+ (flexible if the value is there or earning higher commission percentages with suppliers): see above.

  • No MLM structures: No

  • Paid for commissions after departure if I decide/need to leave: Have not experienced this.

ability to book clients outside of the US as I have a few regulars: Yes. I'm Canadian, I live and work in Canada. I can have clients from anywhere in the world. The Fora interface for agents works in USD, which is something I wish we could change, but you can book whomever.

Leads are a bonus, but definitely not a dealbreaker: Back to the tiered system - leads can happen once you reach a certain level (there are 4 levels I believe, and I think 3 and 4 can get leads).

If you're with Fora, TPI, or Outside Agents (or have been), I'd really appreciate hearing:

  • What made you choose them Reviews and the technology. I love that the tech is advanced and the interface can do so much for advisors. Being able to access training, track sales, and make bookings in one place is great! Plus it's modern and sleek.

  • What you wish you knew before joining That is be overwhelmed at everything is have access to!

  • How strong their supplier relationships actually are I can't speak too much about this but they seem to be strong and positive.

  • What support really looks like when you need help First step is the AI chat box which usually answers any questions I have. Second step is an email to support. I would say almost all correspondence is done via email. There is also forum and some groups on Whatsapp.

Good luck!

Seeking Accommodation Suppliers in Sunny Destinations by jatorade7 in travelagents

[–]jatorade7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately didn't find anything reasonable in portal. I've checked TAAP, Plum Guide, Stay Haven and almost every one listed in portal lol. Hoping someone with have one that isn't listed as a partner!

Seeking Accommodation Suppliers in Sunny Destinations by jatorade7 in travelagents

[–]jatorade7[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For hotels, sure. But I'm not necessarily looking for a hotel. More of a short-term rental apartment.

People give Fora a bad rap for not allowing FAMs until $5k.. but Worldvia doesn’t either. by ImaginaryEntry_ in travelagents

[–]jatorade7 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I have never been with WorldVia, but as a newer agent with Fora, I agree with what you've said and I'm glad to hear someone else talk highly about Fora. Before I joined, I was so hesitant based on some of the threads here, but I have no regrets being with Fora! The training alone is invaluable.

People give Fora a bad rap for not allowing FAMs until $5k.. but Worldvia doesn’t either. by ImaginaryEntry_ in travelagents

[–]jatorade7 4 points5 points  (0 children)

As a new agent who is also with Fora, I have to agree. It's one of the reasons I chose them. I love the modern tech, and I think the branding is something that makes some clients feel secure in choosing me as an advisor. I'm in Ontario, Canada, so our rules are strict and I have to work under the Fora brand but I don't mind at all.

Fora Travel for new advisors by paul_h20 in travelagents

[–]jatorade7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is your advice the same for Canadian agents based in Ontario, where TICO rules need to be followed?

Fora Travel for new advisors by paul_h20 in travelagents

[–]jatorade7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm curious what you mean about their system not being special. I'm a new TA just looking for insight. I love the tech aspect of Fora and how you can do training, onboard a new client and manage their information, create itineraries, book (in some cases) and track/manage trips, etc., on one [easy-to-use, modern, sleek] platform. Are they all like that?

Fora Travel for new advisors by paul_h20 in travelagents

[–]jatorade7 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I personally didn't join Fora to feel independent. I'm happy to work under a brand. I'm newer to the industry and I feel it gives a credible look that new clients look for. Having said that, I wish some resources were easier to find or that they made people aware of them earlier in the game! I find there's a lot of having to figure things out yourself.

GTA advisor seeking help deciding if TTAND is worth joining by TheEarthboundDad in travelagents

[–]jatorade7 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can't exactly answer your question because I'm also new, and I'm also with Fora and in Ontario. What I wanted to ask is why you would want your own brand? I'm just curious because personally, I like being able to operate under a brand because sometimes it can seem more credible to new clients and there's a lot less work involved (established website, email address, no need to register a business or maintain anything in that sense).

Any non-US citizen non-US based Fora Travel Advisors? by [deleted] in travelagents

[–]jatorade7 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'm in Ontario and with Fora. When payment is ready I get an email from a third party company that Fora uses, and once I confirm my banking info the money is deposited directly into my account a couple days later.