Choosing a Travel Agency Partner: Green Flags, Red Flags, and When It’s Time to Move On

(For independent contractors, this may look like a “host agency.”)

If you’re thinking about becoming a travel professional, or you’re already an advisor considering a change, you’re not alone. Behind the pretty logos and “we’re all family here” messages, the travel agency you partner with is essentially a business partner. The relationship can be an incredible launchpad for your success…or a slow drain on your time, money, and confidence.

Over the past few years, advisors have shared stories about:

• Commissions not being paid unless they chase them down

• E&O policies that were allowed to lapse

• Owners threatening to withhold earned commission when an IC decides to leave

• Agencies that are more fixated on recruiting than actually supporting advisors

It’s a lot. And it can be scary when your income and your clients are on the line.

Note:  Throughout this post, I’ll mostly use “travel agency” or “agency.”  If you’re an independent contractor, this might mean a host agency; the agency you affiliate with under your own business.

This post is here to help you:

1. Ask better questions before you sign with a travel agency

2. Recognize warning signs if you’re already in a tricky situation

3. Feel empowered, not guilty, about making a change when it’s time

Start with You: What Do You Want From an Agency?

Before you look at agencies, get clear on your own priorities:

• Do you want a high-support, high-collaboration environment, or more independence?

• Are you laser-focused on a niche (Disney, cruises, luxury, accessible travel, etc.)?

• What kind of culture do you want to be part of:  competitive, cozy, growth-minded, advocacy-focused?

• How important are onboarding and ongoing professional development?

Knowing your values and business goals makes it much easier to spot when an agency is truly aligned, or just saying the right things in marketing copy.

Green Flags: Signs You’re Looking at a Healthy Travel Agency

Let’s start with the good stuff, because there are healthy, aligned, supportive agencies out there.

1. Clear, Transparent Money Conversations

They can explain:

• How commissions are paid and on what timeline

• What happens with rebooks, cancellations, and schedule changes

• Any fees you’re responsible for (agency/host fees, tech fees, E&O, marketing, etc.)

No vague answers. No “we’ll talk about that after you sign.”

2. A Contract That Makes Sense (and You’re Encouraged to Read It)

The independent contractor agreement (if you’re an IC) or employment agreement (if you’re an employee):

• Is provided before you commit

• Clearly defines expectations for both sides

• Encourages you to ask questions (or even have a lawyer review it)

(Friendly note: this blog isn’t legal advice - when in doubt, talk with a professional.)

3. Respect for Your Role as a Business Owner

If you’re an independent contractor, you’re treated as a business owner, not an employee without benefits. You’re encouraged to:

• Build your own brand

• Set your own fees (within reasonable guidelines)

• Own your growth and decisions

4. Support Without Strings Attached

There is:

• A structured onboarding process

• Access to support (office hours, guidance with complicated situations, etc)

• Encouragement to continue learning - even beyond the agency’s own resources

All of this happens without guilt, pressure, or “loyalty oaths.”

5. Healthy Culture & Community

Internal spaces (like Facebook groups, group chats, or Slack channels) feel:

• Encouraging and collaborative

• Safe for questions and differing viewpoints

• Focused on serving clients, supporting each other, and building sustainable businesses

No constant drama. No bashing of other agencies or advisors who have left.

Yellow Flags: “Something Feels Off…”

These are signs to slow down and ask more questions:

• Commission timing suddenly changes or you only get paid if you repeatedly chase things down.

• You notice outdated paperwork, like an E&O policy that’s years out of date.

• There are frequent, sudden changes to the contract or policies that aren’t communicated clearly.

• There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes drama, gossip, or finger-pointing at advisors rather than problem-solving.

Sometimes a travel agency starts out solid and then drifts. Due diligence isn’t a one-time event; it’s okay to periodically reassess whether things still feel right for you and your business.

If your gut is telling you, “Something is off here,” pay attention.

Red Flags: When It’s Time to Take Things Seriously

Some behaviors go beyond “quirky culture” and into true red flag territory. Here are patterns advisors have reported that should prompt serious caution or a plan to exit:

1. Money & Contracts Used as Weapons

• Owners threaten to withhold your earned commissions if you leave the agency.

• The agency introduces non-compete or exclusivity clauses that don’t make sense for independent contractors.

• You’re given new terms outside the contract or hit with surprise “fees” when you try to leave.

• Commissions aren’t being paid, or entire groups of advisors are missing income without clear explanation.

If you can’t walk away with 100% of the money you’ve legitimately earned, that’s not a partnership; that’s a trap.

2. Excessive Control Over Your Business & Relationships

• They dictate what tools you must use, without offering support or flexibility.

• They try to control your social media voice or which events you attend.

• They block or discourage relationships with BDMs, suppliers, or other advisors outside the agency.

• You’re not allowed to join industry groups, attend external trainings, or “have travel advisor friends” beyond their walls.

Control and isolation are classic red flags. Healthy agencies don’t fear you building a strong professional network.

3. “We’re Family” With a Side of Guilt and Fear

• The agency leans heavily on “we’re a family” language, and expects loyalty at all costs.

• You see or hear about public shaming of advisors who leave or questioning their character.

• You feel guilty for even considering another agency, as if you’re “betraying” them.

Business partnerships can be warm and connected, but they should still have healthy boundaries. It is okay for an advisor to outgrow a travel agency or realize they need something different.

4. Signs of Possible Instability

• E&O or required registrations are out of date.

• There are multiple lawsuits or public disputes with former advisors when you Google the agency.

• You’re hearing from other advisors that commissions aren’t being paid or that an agency is going quiet when money questions arise.

None of these things automatically prove wrongdoing, but together, they can point to an environment where your income and reputation are at risk.

Can a Good Travel Agency Go Bad? Yes. What Then?

Sometimes, you did do your due diligence. The agency was solid when you joined. And then…something changed.  By the time the agency finally collapses or fully “goes rogue,” many advisors are left scrambling.

If you’re seeing patterns of instability:

• Document what’s happening. Keep records of missing commissions and communication.

• Pause before adding more volume. Be mindful about how much new business you route through that agency while you research.

• Review your contract and, if needed, talk with a lawyer about your rights and obligations.

And most importantly: trust yourself. Advisors rarely say, “I left too early.” More often, it’s: “I wish I hadn’t stayed so long.”

What If You’re Ready to Leave a Travel Agency?

If you’re reading this and thinking, “Uh oh…this is my current situation,” take a breath. You’re not the only one who’s been here.

A few general steps to consider:

1. Revisit your contract.

Understand notice periods, how commissions are handled, and any non-solicitation or non-compete clauses. When in doubt, get professional legal guidance. This blog isn’t legal advice, and you deserve qualified support.

2. Clarify who owns what.

Know what you’re allowed to take with you (client lists, notes, templates) and what is considered agency property, based on your contract and local laws.

3. Make a plan.

Many advisors:

• Line up a new travel agency partner that’s a better fit

• Let existing bookings run their course with the current agency, when possible

• Set a realistic transition date that honors their contract and commitments

You don’t have to change everything overnight; a thoughtful, phased transition can protect both your clients and your peace of mind.

4. Protect your well-being.

Being in a stressful agency situation can be emotionally draining. Reach out to trusted peers, mentors, or communities where you can process what you’re experiencing and feel less alone.

5. Refocus your loyalty.

Your primary loyalty is to your clients and your own business. A travel agency (or host agency) is one tool in your toolbox, not your entire identity. When that tool stops working, you’re allowed to pick up a better one.

Final Thoughts: You’re Allowed to Outgrow an Agency

Choosing a travel agency partner is a significant decision, but it isn’t a lifetime vow.

You might:

• Discover that what you thought you wanted in year one doesn’t match who you’re becoming in year five

• Realize you need more flexibility, or more structure, or a different niche focus

• Recognize that an agency’s values and behaviors no longer align with your own

All of that is normal. It doesn’t mean you failed. It means you’re growing.

You deserve:

• Clear and timely payment

• Transparent, fair contracts

• Respect for your independence

• A culture that supports your growth without control, guilt, or coercion

If you’re evaluating agencies or actively navigating a transition, treat this as your reminder: you’re allowed to ask questions, you’re allowed to say no, and you’re allowed to move on.