How Much Commission do Travel Agents Earn?

Hey, that’s the million dollar question, right?

The short answer is: it depends. I know. Boring, right?

The long answer is: it depends on the travel supplier and your status with them. Most travel suppliers offer commissions that range from 10% to 20%. I’d say 10% is the most common, but sometimes you can increase that amount due to various factors.

Factors include how long you’ve been working with a supplier, the status of your host agency with that supplier, and occasional promotions. 

For example, Carnival Cruise Line sometimes runs the "AMP Up Commission Challenge," allowing travel agents to qualify for higher commission levels, ranging from 11% to 15%, based on booking volume. On the other hand, Princess Cruises sometimes offers a $50 bonus commission per stateroom for bookings in an oceanview or higher category.

Let’s say you’re booking a trip for a family of four onboard Disney Cruise Line, and the total cost of the trip is $9,000. If Disney pays you a 10% base commission, you’ll earn $900. However, if you’re affiliated with a host agency (and you should), you'll need to split that commission. 

At VacationLab, we start with a 70/30 split, and agents can reach an 80/20 split over time. In the example above, with a 70/30 split, you’d earn $630, while $270 would go to the host agency. 

Can you earn a lot of money as a Travel Agent?

A common question that often comes up is, "Can you live as a travel agent exclusively?" The answer is yes, but it takes time. Some of the most successful travel agents earn six figures or more per year, but they’ve built a large client base over the years. 

They also don’t just work with a single travel supplier; they expand their expertise to include cruise lines, airlines, hotels, theme parks, beach resorts, and more. It’s all about patience, building a solid client base, and boosting sales.

Sometimes, It goes beyond Commissions as a Travel Agent

Commissions are great, but many travel agents also charge planning fees when creating custom itineraries for their clients. This is especially common for clients planning complex trips, like someone visiting Florida who wants to spend a week at Disney World, followed by a visit to Universal, and then a cruise with Royal Caribbean. The exact amount varies by agent, but $250 per week of travel planned is a common starting point.

So, should you implement planning fees? It depends. If you're just starting out, I'd advise against it. While planning fees can certainly boost your income, they’re better suited for the future, once you’ve built a solid client base and established your reputation.