TravelQuest - About

When did you join TravelQuest? I started searching for a host agency to work with in the fall of 2006. I signed up with TravelQuest in June of 2008. It took me a year and half to find an agency that really understood what services corporate agents need to succeed in today’s market. How long have you been selling travel and what do you sell? My days as a travel agent began in 1994 in Atlanta, GA. I started at a small retail agency where I worked for six years. Then took a position at a larger agency that predominately booked corporate travel. I was with them for nine years. I think we all want to just find a place to fit in, feel like part of the family, and just run our travel business. I immediately felt welcomed when I first made initial contact with Stephanie at TravelQuest. How did you decide between the different host agencies? There is so much trust involved between a corporate travel agent and his or her host agency, I definitely wanted to find an organization that I felt extra comfortable working with so I looked in depth at 15 different companies. I am not kidding.

I had a list of 44 questions for each agency I made contact with. I know this may seem neurotic to some but I didn’t want to be left with any surprises after the deal what done. I thought of every possible issue that could come up and made a list of 44 questions long for each agency to answer if they wanted my business. My probing research paid off, I’m happy as a clam! Yes, clams are happy!

Most agencies wouldn’t make it too far down my list before there were three or four issues that would come up, to say the least! The first time I spoke with Jordan at TravelQuest it was a real shocker for me, every answer she gave me was a yes! I was like Dang Girl! And, if she didn’t know the answer, which rarely happened, she always got back to me quickly and the answer to my questions rarely changed…yes…yes…yes. It was so exciting! I was finally going to make more money and found an incredible group of people to work with.

I could go on and on about the services I have received from Bonnie and Jordan but that would take forever. If any of you would like to contact me please don’t hesitate to do so, I can be reached at mmattern@corptraveladvisors.com. I know that it is a real struggle to find an organization that you can feel comfortable with.

What has impressed you most about TravelQuest?
I am impressed with the positive vibe and respect I’m given each time I have a question or need help from the TravelQ staff. Equally, I treasure Bonnie’ s knowledge of the industry, her ideas on how to increase sales, and how she keeps us updated on vendors’ policies and offers. I’m impressed with Jordan’s effervescent personality and willingness to help or take care of any kind of Worldspan issue that might come my way, which often happens. I’m impressed with Stephanie who knows the ins and outs of Travel Leaders’ policies and procedures. Plus, she keeps us up to date with her TravelQuest email broadcasts and is always working on information for our special TravelQuest site for independent agents (login required). Finally and most importantly, I’m really impressed about how my commission checks are deposited on time and my commission statements are always on the money! Amen! Whew! This is a first for me, I don’t know about you.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Yes! Bonnie, Stephanie, and Jordan are so cool to work with that you just have to check them out for yourselves! You won’t be disappointed – I guarantee it! Good luck with your decision, I know it is a drag to trying to find a good fit in this industry.

When did you join TravelQuest? I joined TravelQuest in 2005 after an exhaustive search for a reliable, honest and trustworthy host agency that would be suitable for my specific needs. How long have you been selling travel and what do you sell? I have been selling travel since I graduated from McConnell Travel School in Minneapolis in 1997 at the age of 20. How did you decide between the different host agencies? The process of finding a quality host agency was challenging, but I always knew when I found an agency I wasn’t interested in. I knew within 10 minutes of speaking to a representative, and I have been

attached to at least 5 well known host agencies in Minnesota throughout my career in travel. Smoke and mirrors my friends, they were just smoke and mirrors. All glittery and enticing on the outside, but the heart and soul of those agencies left something to be desired. When I was looking for a host agency to call home, I didn’t need help learning how to book travel, I didn’t need help marketing or finding clients, I didn’t need a website and I didn’t need some extraordinarily high start up fee to have all of these “perks”. What I did need was a host agency that had been in business for a long period of time and they had a solid background in ARC and commission tracking.

Those were the things that I didn’t want to get bogged down with. I had my clients and I knew how to book travel, but what happens in the back office is so incredibly time consuming I really needed a host agency I could trust to take care of that aspect of selling travel. I also really enjoyed the options for commissions that other agencies didn’t have. Either a set monthly fee or a commission split. That was a key factor because in the beginning when you are growing your book of business, to commit to a set monthly fee is difficult. In this instance, a commission split seems the most fair. Once you have a solid book of business and can count on a specific dollar amount each month, a set monthly fee might be the most reasonable option.

Either way, TravelQuest had both options available and to top it all off, if you needed the added perks of help booking, website development and marketing, they were available for you as well. Though I have never been to TravelQuest and I have not met any of the employees in person, I trust them and I know I can count on them to be available to me and fair in all transactions. I am happy to call TravelQuest my preferred host agency and I intend on spending many years as a part of this travel family.

Anything else you'd like to add?
TravelQuest is fair and honest. I trust them with my livelihood.

When did you join TravelQuest? I joined TravelQuest in May 2007. How long have you been selling travel and what do you sell? I started in the travel industry in July of 2000 and I sell both Leisure & Corporate Travel including cruises, escorted tours, vacation packages, car rentals, hotels and airline tickets. How did you decide between the different host agencies? I quit my job as an inside agent at a small agency and I received some great leads on different host agencies from a tour company sales rep. After talking with many of them, I knew Bonnie and TravelQuest were just what I was looking for. Our personalities clicked and I have loved working with them!

How has being part of the TravelQuest network helped you grow your business?
Being a part of TravelQuest’s network has made it possible for me to earn some of the highest commissions possible in the industry due to our size. That extra 1% or 2% can really make a difference on your paycheck. The Agent Resource Center has also been a great asset. You can post questions that you may have about anything in particular and the other agents respond back with what they have done in the past or if they can help in any way. For example, it gives you first hand knowledge to say that if you haven’t been to a property or destination your client is considering that one of my “team members” has been and they will fill you in on all you need to know. We truly are all a team!

What has impressed you most about TravelQuest?
I am impressed by the policies and procedures that TravelQuest has. I came from an agency where nothing was written on the wall. Here, you know which day you will be paid, you know when things are due, and you know what is expected from your business. It’s all written out for you.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Truly, the people in the office at TravelQuest have made the biggest impression on me. They have embraced me as one of their own. Whenever I have a question about anything, they are always happy to chat with me and almost always know the answers I am looking for!

When did you join TravelQuest? I joined TravelQuest in 2005. How long have you been selling travel and what do you sell? I went into travel to capitalize on my life long travel experiences. I generally sell most any destination or package that my customers request worldwide. This could range from a package to Mexico or a customized safari in Tanzania. How did you decide between the different host agencies? My main requirement was for the host agency to have a training program or a staff that would be willing to help me learn the business. TravelQuest was invaluable to me when I first started my contract with them.

Bonnie and her wonderful staff were always available to help guide me through some of the more detailed aspects of the business and the technologies involved.

How has being part of the TravelQuest network helped you grow your business?
Since I am based in Minnesota near TravelQuest’s office I could utilize a more personal approach to setting up my business. I would visit the office and just observe the agents working with clients. TravelQuest’s staff is wonderful and more than helpful in explaining the systems and suppliers.

What has impressed you most about TravelQuest?
The personal service and patience they have and continue to have for their contractors.

Anything else you'd like to add?
TravelQuest has most every supplier’s top commission level. That is a great advantage to working with TravelQuest.