I would jump at the chance to do this I love side gigs that can generate revenue streams but being available 24/7 seems like a tough sell for me. Quite a few of my other side gigs have my phone on silent for hours at a time. May shoot you an email anyway

You don't always have to be available 24/7 - but for those clients who are traveling - if there is an emergency, then it needs to be addressed. I would say in 5+ years, I've had to do something really early or really late maybe 2-3 times? Essentially its if flights get canceled, etc. 99% of the time I never even hear from my clients during travel unless they are telling me how great it is.

Now I choose to work late/early sometimes, but that is my personal choice. Happy to chat more.

JMac, I'm not your target audience here, but I am interested in hearing more about your business.

Who is your market and how do you make money? Do your clients book with you because of ease, access to extra amenities, inside information?

My current target audience is all-inclusive resorts in Mexico and the Caribbean. It is about 90% of what I do. I also do Destination Weddings and groups (DW is about to get much bigger for me - or should). I do a little Disney, little Europe, some cruises. AI's are what I am efficient and proficient in. I would love someone who is good with all the other stuff. I am turning away some leads right now because there are not enough hours in the day (leads is a whole other can of worms - not every lead is a good one).

How am I paid - I am paid commission by the hotels, cruise lines, etc. Air only does not pay commission and I very rarely book it unless I am combining it with hotels/resorts. You are generally paid 2-4 weeks after travel, just depends when the vendor pays.

Vendors pay anywhere from 5%-27% commission on a booking. General rule is somewhere between 10-15%, but that isn't always the case (and you don't get that on air). I then have to pay a cut of that to my host agency. I belong to a host to get better deals, so while I pay a percentage of my profits to them, if I was on my own, I would be getting less % from the vendors because I don't have the volume that a host agency has.

Ideally whomever comes to works with me has a good network of people, or the ability to promote the fact they are an agent. While I will give some leads, they would be expected to bring their own business too (those client would stay theirs)



For cruises - we often have better pricing (not with Carnival) as we have access to groups. They may get onboard credit, cocktail hour, etc. As far as all-inclusive, sometimes we can beat, sometimes just meet. But having the expertise of agents who are familiar with travel, rules, COVID testing and more is a draw.

I can tell you this week alone, just since Monday, I have spent more than 24 hours on hold. That doesn't count my home phone since I can't easily tell. Right now travel is exploding and our vendors have insane hold times. It isn't always like this, but this is the stuff we do for our clients

(the last paragraph probably isn't helping anyone who is possibly interested, ha!)