It has been a year since I signed up with OA. Now is a great time to share my experience with you if you looking for a new host ( like I was) or are a new agent looking to join the tourism trade.
OA is a GREAT host. No doubt. Before joining them, I simply picked up the phone and called them to speak with the owner. I had zero expectation of this actually happening but was pleasantly surprised when Chad Burt came on the line and spent a good half an hour speaking with me and answering all my questions. I signed up the same day. It didn't take me much time to understand their systems and if I had a question, the OA staff was very quick with their email replies. Best way to communicate with them. They have brilliant internal systems set up for just this purpose. Agency staff and higher-ups are almost always available for insight and help as and when needed. They are highly professional ( yet super funny on socials). I had a chance to meet most of the staff at one of their TA conferences and the vibe is that of one big family. For new agents, they have mentors for initial support. Though I have industry experience, I still set up a call with a mentor just to test the new waters. It was a lovely call.
They have great contracts with vendors, resorts, and consolidators across the world. Their payment system is top-notch with very little room for confusion. Payments have been on time on expected dates. The split is also one of the best ( that I know of) ( Ex host had a terrible split and I wish I had known of OA before).
All in all, I highly recommend Outside Agents. It has been a great year with them.
Happy Travel!
I transferred into Outside Agents 6 months ago from another host agency, after being left feeling alone, unheard, and taken advantage of financially. When I began my host agency search I was very lucky to come across OA so quickly. Not only are they even more affordable than most other host agencies for what they offer, their network, training, support, and systems are all TOP NOTCH. They made the switch over seamless and super easy, answering any question I had along the way. They have mentor meetings available for however long you need, a group of agencies willing to help and support one another, QUALITY and ORGANIZED training content, an amazing CRM free to use, and much more. I could go on and on about the amazing company Outside Agents is but like I did, I highly recommend seeing for yourself and trying it out. You will not be disappointed.
I have been with Outside Agents for a little over a year. They do have TONS of videos for training as well as their consortia, Travel Leaders Network. I am giving OA 4 stars because I feel there is still room for improvement. The times that I have asked a question or asked for help on issues, I've gotten very confusing answers. It's like they are replying with a script instead of taking the time to actually look into the issue. The 2-3 times I called into a mentor, he was actually taking a walk and away from his computer so that really was not helpful at all. We ended up talking about the weather and how nice it was on his walk instead of addressing my needs. Fast forward to now, I am still glad I went with Outside Agents. I did a lot of research on several host agencies before going with OA. There is a world of support, mostly from other travel agents and TONS of videos. It is a lot of work keeping up with all the "setting up your business" stuff but if you take your time and do one step at a time, you will see that they have an amazing system in place!
I did a lot of research before choosing a host agency. Outside Agents kept being recommended. I am so happy that I chose Outside Agents. Right away, they had a Zoom call for new agents. They have a lot of training. They also have a wonderful mentoring program. I just had a call with a mentor. He was so helpful. He then told me that I could call or email anytime that I have a question.
We switched to Outside Agents last year because they were one of the only hosts to recognize and support us as a husband-wife team. They treat each agency as the individual business they are and offer the resources to succeed. The training and support from the top down has been nothing less than stellar. There is nothing like picking up the phone to call the main line and getting the owner answer your call and take the time to talk to you. Thank you Steve and team for making us feel like family.
When I was researching host agencies, OA came up continuously as the top of the field. I have not been disappointed. The training is top notch, responsiveness to questions or mentoring requests are out of this world, and the resources available to us are infinite! I thank you OA for making a dream of travel and a travel career a reality!
Great training, great resources, does not over charge, a great many vendors to work with. Glad I am hooked up with them! I have done both online and in-person trainings with them and was super impressed! Being part of TLN is also a bonus as it opens up more training and incentive options that I would not have had with other hosts.
Outside Agents is a great host agency for experienced and new travel agents. They provide great support, good commission splits and you feel like you’re part of a team of agents supporting each other! Great value with lots of resources and low overhead and monthly dues. If I have issues or need support they are quick to respond with assistance, have good relationships with suppliers.
Joining Outside Agents in 2020 (after being with a smaller agency for 4 years) was the BEST business decision I have ever made. The training and support are unmatched and my business has grown tremendously as a result. Whether you are new to the industry or looking to grow, OA has your back. 5 stars!
I have been with Outside Agents for four months now and I have been very happy with my choice of host agency. OA provides the tools and training that I need to be successful as well as the opportunity for mentorship. And when I ask a questions or have a concern, I can count on getting a quick response back from OA. But the best part is the agent community - everyone is so helpful and encouraging. I am really glad that I chose Outside Agents.
As a seasoned travel agent with nearly 7 years of hands-on experience with Outside Agents, I couldn't be happier with my journey so far. The high-quality training provided is truly top notch and constantly evolving which is a testament to their commitment to professional growth and customer satisfaction.
The Outside Agents community has offered me insights into unique perspectives and innovative approaches. It goes beyond just the work, it feels like being part of an extended family as my fellow agents are always willing to offer a helping hand.
My time with Outside Agents has really heightened my passion for travel and continually pushes me forward to learn as much as possible.