How Travel Agents Can Make Money Beyond Commissions in 2025

How Travel Agents Can Make Money Beyond Commissions in 2025

Travel agents relying on supplier commissions alone might no longer be enough for most travel agents. Margins are under pressure, booking windows are shorter, and client expectations are higher than ever. If you want to grow and sustain your business, you may need to consider a revenue model that is not tied entirely to what airlines, cruise lines, or hotels decide to pay you.

This is not about adding adding costs that your clients will hate. It is about building a business that generates predictable, diverse income whilst giving your clients a reason to keep coming back.

Consider a Service Fee Structure

Most successful agents now charge for their time and expertise. A service fee, whether fixed or hourly, helps cover planning time, supplier research, and ongoing support. It can also act as a filter to make sure the people you work with are serious about booking through you, and will not use your services to then book solo.

For example, a $250 planning fee for a custom Europe trip may sound high, but if you spend 15 hours researching trains, villas, and guides, it covers your time before any commission comes through. In the U.S., charging a professional fee is permitted as long as you are clear in your client agreements and disclose it properly.

Consider Tiered or Retainer Models

Agents serving repeat clients, particularly corporate travelers or high-net-worth leisure travelers, often work on a retainer basis. For a flat monthly or quarterly fee, you handle all arrangements, provide 24-hour support, and manage travel budgets. Retainers smooth your income and help you avoid gaps in cash flow when commission payments lag by months.

Corporate travel, even for small businesses, can also provide consistent revenue. Unlike one-off leisure trips, businesses tend to book year-round, which helps even out seasonal cash flow spikes.

Consider offering add-on products and insurance

Travel insurance remains one of the most consistent commission opportunities, but many agents avoid it because they fear appearing pushy. The key is transparency. Present insurance as a financial safeguard for both you and your client. Explain the coverage clearly, disclose the commission, and show how it protects everyone’s investment.

Other add-ons include rail passes, attraction tickets, or even private transfers. These small extras can add 5% to 15% to your earnings per booking, provided you choose reputable suppliers and disclose terms upfront.

Teach, don’t just sell

Workshops, webinars, and small-group sessions can bring in additional revenue while marketing your expertise. Agents specializing in niche travel, like luxury rail journeys, safaris, or family adventure trips can often run online events for a small fee or secure sponsorship from suppliers

These sessions can generate leads while positioning you as a specialist. If you record them, they can also be used for future marketing or sold as part of a content library.

Use affiliate and content income strategically

Affiliate links from blogs or newsletters are not a full business model, but they can supplement your income if used carefully. Focus on travel products you trust and that align with your niche, like luggage brands or insurance providers, rather than flooding your site with random links.

The same applies to sponsored content. Work only with companies that enhance your credibility, not those that cheapen your brand. Your reputation is worth more than a one-time payment. (Antravia will shortly publish another blog on Affiliate income!)

Build membership or loyalty programs

Some agents now offer annual memberships, giving clients early access to group trips, guaranteed planning slots, or negotiated perks. This model works best if you already have a loyal base and can deliver tangible value, such as exclusive negotiated rates or VIP events.

Membership fees provide upfront income, helping you cover operating costs and giving your clients a reason to stick with you.

The Antravia Approach: Don't Just diversify, track it all

Whichever revenue streams you use, track each one separately. Look at:

• Which products or services generate the highest profit per hour of work

• How quickly each stream converts into cash (service fees are immediate, commissions often take 60 to 120 days)

• What your client retention looks like across different models
  
  

Many agents discover they are over-reliant on one or two suppliers for income, leaving their business vulnerable. Others realize that service fees or workshops, while a smaller part of total revenue, deliver faster cash flow and higher loyalty.

The Antravia View

Building a travel business that does not rely solely on commissions is not just looking at your business in a smart way. Antravia thinks this is necessary in 2025. Clients expect more, booking patterns are unpredictable, and commission rates can change overnight. By diversifying your income, tracking what works, and structuring your fees correctly, you can protect your margins and grow with confidence.

Antravia helps travel agents design these models, from financial tracking to supplier agreements.

Tired of the commission rollercoaster? It's time to build a predictable, profitable business you control. At Antravia, we specialize in helping travel agents design and implement the financial systems that make this possible. Ready to build a business that works for you? Contact us for a free consultation today.. Contact us