Home FAQ News Links About
 

Home Based
Travel Agent

Host Agency List

Opportunity
Travel Agent Articles
Education

Host Agencies
Selling Cruises
Travel Agent Scams
Travel Agent Books
Agent Resources
NACTA 
Site Advertising

Home Based
Travel Affiliate

ORDER BOOKS

 

 

 

Home Based Travel Agent Host Agency Report
Home Based Travel Agent Host Agency Report

Become a Home-Based Travel Agent
an Interview with
Andi Mysza
(www.MTravel.com)
Montrose Travel
by Tom Ogg

 

Back in the 1970s when I worked for Aloha Airlines, I was the Sales Manager for the Southwest for a period of time based in Los Angeles. Montrose Travel was a key account then and I got to know them as they were a huge Hawaii producer. In the 1980s when Joanie and I owned and operated a regional wholesale Hawaii tour company (Windansea Vacations) Montrose was one of our largest accounts. Montrose Travel has a rich history of outstanding performance and I am glad to see them working with independent travel agents and would highly recommend them.

I caught up with Andi Mysza and asked her a few questions regarding Montrose Travel's independent travel agent programs.

Andi, How Long has Montrose Travel Been In Business?

Our company was established in 1956.

 

 

What is the Annual Volume for Montrose Travel?

It is about $110 million dollars.

How Long has Montrose Travel Been Hosting Independent Agents?

We've been hosting independent contractors since the early 1970's.

How Many Independent Agents are You Currently Hosting?

Approximately 300.

Is There a Fee to Join Montrose Travel?

Yes. We offer 3 programs (no monthly fees):

Inexperienced Agents - $299/yr 1 to join (annual renewal $259)

Experienced Agents - $399/yr 1 to join (annual renewal $359)

Established Agents - $499/yr 1 to join (annual renewal $459). Minimum $10,000 in commissions (must show proof of volume via 1099 or check stubs)

What is the Commission Split for Your Programs?

Inexperienced Agents - 50%
Experienced Agents - 70%
Established Agents - 80%

Do You Offer Any Overrides?

We figure our commission split based on the total upfront commission generated (including overrides). Back end overrides are not shared.

Do You Offer any Preferred Suppliers?

http://join.mtravel.com/about-us/preferred-suppliers

Key cruise suppliers include, Princess, Carnival, RCCL, NCL, Silversea, Oceania, Holland America, Disney, Celebrity, Crystal

Key land suppliers include - Classic Custom Vacations, Pleasant Holidays, Gogo, Globus

We also have numerous air contracts for Apollo users, access to thousands of corporate hotel rates worldwide and relationships with the key car rental companies.

We can service the leisure, corporate and group agent with our product mix. This is a key differentiator for us.

Does Montrose Travel Offer any Automation?

Montrose Travel has worked with and supported Independent Contractors since it’s inception. We understand the needs of Independent Contractors and Home Based Agents and continuously develop market-leading products to increase your chances of success. By providing the right tools, products, technology and discounted net rate content our agents need to capture a larger share of the vacation market and better service their customers, nobody offers you more comprehensive technology and support than MTravel.com.

Without a doubt, our private labeled consumer websites with online booking capabilities are the most superior in the host agency market. Let our team of programmers and designers worry about keeping the content fresh and professional looking. (If you’ve ever attempted to keep a website up to date with the volumes of supplier deals available every hour, you know this is an impossible task that would take you away from your primary goal of maximizing profit). Our booking engines allow you and your customers to book cruise, air, car, hotel, and dynamic packages. This is available at no additional cost.

The MTravel.com Agent Support Site contains hundreds of pages of content designed to provide you with everything from procedures to training, marketing to group ideas and support, commission tracking to blast email tools and FAQ’s. It also includes some fabulous travel industry tech tools such as destination guides, objective hotel reviews, and more. It’s so comprehensive that you’ll spend hours discovering its potential for you.

In addition:

1. Apollo - optional $15/mo
2. Cornerstone - QC software (included)
3. iBank Reports for corporate agent accounts (add'l cost)
4. CRM (included)
5. Email marketing tools (included)
6. Star Service Online (included)
7. Weissmann Travel Reports (included)

Do You Offer any Sales Leads?

No. We used to offer group leads. However, we found that many of the email leads that are generated online are price shopping consumers and have been time wasters for our agents.

The most loyal customers are people who are already acquainted with the agent. Assuming a superior customer service experience, ultimately, an agent's business will be 80% repeat and referral business. It behooves an agent to focus on this potential to grow their own client base.

Do You Accept New Agents at Montrose Travel?

Absolutely.

Is There a Minimum Amount of Revenue an Agent Must Acheive?

Not for the Experienced/Inexperienced Agent levels. No volume requirement.

Established Agent level - minimum $10,000/year in total commissions

What Qualities Does Montrose Travel Look For in an Independent Agent?

We are primarily looking for people who are motivated to build their own travel business under their own company name.

For experienced agents, we love those who are seasoned with established clientele. These people can definitely take advantage of all we have to offer.

For inexperienced agents, we want to know that someone is actively working to build their business, is hungry to learn and not solely looking to take advantage of travel benefits.

What Special Qualities Does Montrose Travel Offer?

I believe our key differentiators are:

1. Established 1956
2. Hosting since 1973
3. Family owned and managed (hands on)
4. Top 5 host agency - Large size (150 employees) and buying power ($110MM volume), with the small town touch - we get to know our agents as individuals (personal business coaching)
5. Financial stability - no debt on our balance sheet
6. Leisure, corporate and group products
7. One of the top consumer websites with online booking technology available from a host
8. Top producer nationwide with most of our core preferred suppliers

Who Should Agents Contact For More Information?

Andi Mysza
800-870-5799
andi@montrosetravel.com
www.MTravel.com

Any Thing Else You Would Like to Share?

Yes, Andi Mysza is also the current President of PATH (Professional Association of Travel Hosts).

 


BRAND NEW!
TURN YOUR
WEBSITE INTO
A VIRTUAL
MONEY MACHINE!!

If you have a travel website, you have to read this book. It will introduce you to more ways to make money than you can imagine.

Order it Now!
More Information

Become a Home Based Travel Agent
ALL NEW!
STUDY COURSE
April, 2007 Edition
Available NOW!

A complete Independent Study Course for starting a home-based travel agency is now available for shipping. This is a professionally edited new book that will help you get started in record time. 

Order it Now!
More Information
Table of Contents


April 2007 Edition
Available NOW!

Order it Now!
More Information
Table of Contents

Become a Travel Agent
ALL NEW
WORKBOOK

Finally a comprehensive workbook companion to the Study Course. This workbook, start-up check list and test will make starting your own home-based travel business easy. If you plan on starting your business soon, be sure to purchase the workbook companion to the How to Start a Home Based Travel Agency Independent Sturdy Course.

Order it Now!
More Information

Still Available!
How to Start a Home Based Travel Agency

The 2003 version of How to Start a Home Based Travel Agency  is still available for immediate delivery. It includes everything you need to know to start your own travel business in these challenging times. This is the original book that started it all! 

Order it now! 
More Information
 
Table of Contents 

 

 
         
Thanks for visiting the Home Based Travel Agent Information Center