Top Suppliers That Travel Advisors Use
Training Guide by Ash from Ash Knows Travel
Overview
This comprehensive training covers essential suppliers and booking platforms that professional travel advisors use daily to serve their clients effectively.
Primary Booking Platforms
Travel Leaders Network
Key Features:
- Comprehensive supplier directory with rental cars and more
- Free and paid training programs available
- Agent Profiler for getting listed on Travel Leaders Network
- Cruise Complete: Search multiple cruise vendors simultaneously
- Extensive training library
- Close integration with Vax
- Bonus commission opportunities
Vax (Primary Tool)
Why It's Essential:
- Deposit Options: Only vendor offering deposit options for complete packages (flights, hotels, cars, activities)
- Typically $50 deposit per person for hotels booked far enough in advance
- Competitive pricing - often the cheapest option
- Resort credits available through bookings
- Multiple vendor search capabilities
- Best Week Offers section
- Reward system including Wave Maker Elite and hotel rewards
- ALG Vacations integration with certification through GB Pro
- GV 360 database for promotional videos and resources
Best Use Cases:
- Clients wanting to pay deposits instead of full price upfront
- Complete vacation packages
- Competitive pricing with added benefits
Secondary Booking Platforms
Downtown Travel
Highlights:
- Excellent commission rates
- Strong focus on group bookings
- Direct payment
- Affiliated with Travel Cafe and Travel Agent Academy
- Good package deals
Expedia TAP
Strategic Use:
- Essential for price matching
- 20% off flights when booking packages
- Comprehensive offerings: properties, flights, cars, activities, airport transfers, groups
- Lowest commission rates - use as last resort or for price matching
- Great backup tool when clients find lower prices elsewhere
Pleasant Holidays
Features:
- Now offers affiliate links (must request)
- Flight, hotel, and car packages
- Deposit system with payment plans
- Resorts not available on Vax
- Groups and weddings capabilities
- Excellent promotional materials and flyers
- Focus: Mexico, Caribbean, United States
Marketing Bonus: Screenshot their rotating promotional banners for free marketing materials
Vacation Express
Standout Features:
- Similar coverage to Pleasant Holidays (Mexico, Caribbean, US)
- Better deals and promotions than Pleasant Holidays
- Deposit system and reduced deposit plans
- Price match guarantee
- Trip insurance options
- 20% commission opportunities
- Marketing Tool: City-specific deal pages that auto-generate promotional content
- Screenshot-ready packages with pricing
- Changes based on departure city selected
- Perfect for social media and video content
Specialized Services
Cintraf
Limited Use:
- Flights only bookings
- Can add commission to some flights
- Rarely offers lower prices
- Good for price checking flight-only bookings
Europe Express
Rail Bookings:
- Best option for European rail
- 5% commission on airfare
- Important: No commission on rail bookings - must add your own commission
Amtrak
- Standard US rail booking
- No commission included - must add your own
Tickets at Work
Use For:
- Theme park tickets
- Attractions
- Avoid: Flights and cruises
- Requires access code
- No commission - add your own
Travel Insurance
TinLeg (Highly Recommended)
Why Use Instead of Vendor Insurance:
- Comprehensive coverage starting around $39
- Covers: COVID cancellation, trip cancellation, hurricanes, weather
- $30,000+ travel protection (adjustable)
- Pre-existing condition coverage
- Can be purchased after booking
- Easy client self-service option
Setup Tip: Add to your LinkTree for clients to book directly while you track commission
Key Strategies & Tips
Price Matching
- Vax offers instant price match on many resorts - look for "instant price match" indicator
- Must be exact same room and conditions
- Vax will show you how to submit for price match
Commission Optimization
- Vax typically offers best commission structure for packages
- Avoid Expedia TAP unless necessary for price matching (lowest commissions)
- Always add commission to rail and attraction bookings
- Downtown Travel offers excellent commission rates
Marketing Resources
- Pleasant Holidays and Vacation Express provide ready-made promotional materials
- Screenshot their deals pages for social media content
- Use Vacation Express's city-specific landing pages for targeted marketing
Additional Resources
- Full supplier cheat sheet available with 130+ vendors
- Focus on these daily-use platforms for efficiency
- All listed suppliers are part of Travel Cafe network
Pro Tip: While there are 130+ vendors available, these highlighted suppliers cover the vast majority of daily booking needs for successful travel advisors.