How to Become a Sandals Travel Agent

We’ve put together an in-depth guide below on how to become a travel agent for one of the most romantic beach resorts in the world. But if you’d prefer to get answers right away, just click vacationlab.io/join to chat live with our team and learn firsthand how to become a travel agent for Sandals, and gain access to all our other travel partners as well. Best of all, clicking the link is completely free - no dues or fees from us, ever!

What’s better than enjoying a summer vacation with your loved one at an all-inclusive beach resort in the middle of the Caribbean? Not much, I can tell you that. Sandals is a luxury brand dedicated to bringing romantic couples to breathtaking destinations like Saint Lucia, Curaçao and Jamaica, where they can unwind in front of gorgeous beaches and multiple swimming pools, all while enjoying complimentary meals and even personal butler service.

There are over 15 Sandals Resorts worldwide, and while they share many similarities, understanding the specific details of each is essential if you want to become a travel agent.

Oh, let’s also not forget one important detail: Sandals has a sister brand, Beaches Resorts, which is owned by the same company and caters to families. That’s the key difference: Sandals is exclusively for adults, whereas Beaches Resorts is designed for families and children. As a Sandas Travel Agent, you can certainly focus on both of them!

Being a Sandals travel agent means helping clients choose the perfect destination for their Caribbean getaway, assisting with flight arrangements, and recommending the best entertainment options and restaurants at each resort. Oh yeah, and also reminding them to bring sunscreen, of course!

This guide will teach you everything you need to know about becoming a Sandals travel agent. We will cover:

• Benefits of Becoming a Sandals Travel Agent
• Skills Required to Become a Sandals Travel Agent
• Finding a Sandals Host Agency
• The Best Host Agency for Sandals
• Tips for Those Starting Out
• Training Courses for Sandals
• Getting Paid
• Free Stock Library
• Sandals Travel Agent FAQs

Now let’s get started!

The Beach Resort Market Is Still Relatively Small

There are plenty of cruise and theme park travel agents selling Disney, Royal Caribbean, and other major travel brands. There’s nothing wrong with that, after all many agents make a great living by specializing in just one. But you know what’s interesting? You don’t see nearly as many travel agents focusing on beach resorts.

By specializing in Sandals and Beaches Resorts, you can carve out a unique niche, attracting families and couples looking for the perfect tropical vacation. Once you establish yourself, you can always expand to other travel suppliers later.

Sandals Can Pay Very Well

Sandals is a major company with nearly twenty beachfront resorts across the Caribbean, and its sister brand, Beaches Resorts, will have four resorts by the end of 2025. A Sandals vacation isn’t cheap: a couple can easily spend around $8,000 on a weeklong stay. That translates to a generous commission paycheck for you as a travel agent.

Another piece of good news is that once you complete the official Sandals training program for travel agents, you unlock a pretty good perk: by booking directly through the Sandals Travel Agent Portal, you can earn up to 17% commission, one of the highest rates in the industry.

Beaches Resorts… and Beaches Exuma!

As mentioned earlier, Sandals' sister brand, Beaches Resorts, is designed for families and children. It’s smaller than Sandals, with three resorts currently operating in the Caribbean and a fourth, Beaches Exuma, set to launch in 2025.

Right now, many travelers are searching for details about Beaches Exuma, meaning there’s already strong demand. With Exuma being one of the most anticipated travel destinations of the year, you have a great opportunity to help families book their dream vacation as soon as the resort opens!

Famvia Knows Sandals Inside and Out

VacationLab’s sister website, Famvia, is a treasure trove of information on Sandals and Beaches Resorts. With hundreds of in-depth guides, Famvia covers everything from general trip-planning advice to resort-specific details.

Seriously, we have a "Planning Your Trip to" guide for every Sandals and Beaches Resort out there. Plus, most Sandals resorts feature dedicated guides on rooms, dining, and activities. If you want to become a true Sandals specialist, just spend some time exploring Famvia!

Of course, being a travel agent requires a certain set of skills, and if you want to specialize in Sandals, there are some specific ones you'll need. Let’s take a look.

Communication Skills

Good communication is good for… uh… just about everything in life, but it’s especially important for travel agents, particularly those working with Sandals. When speaking with guests interested in booking a Sandals vacation, remember that you’re talking to adults who are looking for a peaceful getaway. While the age range can vary, expect to interact mostly with couples in their 40s to 70s who prioritize a romantic moment above anything else.

The dynamic shifts when assisting clients booking a Beaches Resorts vacation. These are typically families traveling with children, which means your communication should reflect an understanding of family-friendly entertainment. You’ll need to highlight key features like Sesame Street character meet-and-greets, waterparks, kid-friendly activities, and more to help families choose the best resort for their needs.

Stay Up to Date with Everything Sandals-Related

If you want to focus on Sandals, you need to understand what Sandals and Beaches Resorts are all about. Remember that beach resorts are still a relatively niche market, and clients might have even more questions about it than someone that is looking for a cruise. You need to understand and explain what’s included in their basefare, what kind of rooms they can get, extra paid activities and more.

You need to research things like:

• The differences between Sandals and Beaches Resorts
• What it means to be an All-Inclusive Resort
• Sandals Select Rewards Program
• Restaurants
• Flights
• Weddings at Sandals
• Entertainment Options
• Butler Elite Rooms
• …and more!

Hey, you’re already browsing one of the best host agencies around! We have a lot of information about Sandals on our sister website, Famvia, and I mean… a lot. Hundreds of guides talking about specific destinations, restaurants, activities, room types, prices and more. We’d love to have you here with us, of course, but here are some tips for choosing a host agency. Look for host agencies that:

• Have a good track record and good online reviews
• Offer an interview process and listen to you
• Share commissions with you fairly (typically starting at 70% for the travel agent)
• Are as fancy as Sandals!

VacationLab is the best host agency if you want to focus on Sandals, cruise lines and theme parks. Here’s why!

• No experience as a travel agent? That’s fine! We're here to lend you a hand.
• We have a fun interview process and listen to what you have to say!
• We offer SORS - our very own Travel Dashboard to help you manage bookings and travel rewards. Yes, SORS like in sorcery, it’s that good.
• We provide exclusive courses, like Mastering Travel Social Media, to support travel advisors of all backgrounds.
• We offer a commission split starting at 70%.
• We have hundreds of guides on our sister site, Famvia, covering every single Sandals and Beaches Resort out there.
• We’re always ready to listen and have a nice chat with you!

Become a Sandals Expert

If you’re looking to become a Sandals Travel Agent, you need to study and understand what makes Sandals unique. We’re not asking you to memorize every single detail about the twenty or so Sandals and Beaches Resorts worldwide, but you should definitely research the most popular Sandals resorts, the best Sandals resorts in 2025, the most romantic ones, what’s included, if Butlers at Sandals are worth it and more.

VacationLab's sister site, Famvia, offers free guides covering every Sandals and Beaches Resort. Check them out, learn about Sandals, and then expand your knowledge through online training courses!

Here are some examples of the free guides we offer:

• Planning a Trip to Sandals Dunn's River Resort
• Room Options at Sandals Montego Bay Resort
• Dining Options at Sandals Royal Curaçao Resort
• Activities at Sandals Ochi
• Planning a Trip to Beaches Turks and Caicos
• Beaches Ocho Rios Review

There are so many guides and reviews on Famvia about Sandals and Beaches Resorts that you could spend days just exploring everything we have to offer. Go ahead and dive in, they’re all free!

Prepare for your Interview

To prepare for your interview, research two key subjects: the host agency and the travel supplier.

When it comes to Sandals and Beaches Resorts, you need to understand what makes them unique and demonstrate your knowledge during the interview. You don’t need to list every single Sandals resort, but you should focus on their key features. Research their all-inclusive fare, the differences between Sandals and Beaches, the Butler Elite Rooms, and some of their signature restaurants (like Soy Sushi Bar!).

Stay calm, ask questions to show your interest, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a Sandals Travel Agent in no time!

Commission Payout

Sandals Resorts typically pays travel agents their commissions after the guest has made their final payment for the booking.

Sandals Travel Agent Rates

While specific commission percentages are protected by NDA (“Non Disclosure Agreement”) between all travel partners/travel suppliers and the host agency, you can assume that commission percentages range from 10% up to 20%, depending on the type of booking and your status with Sandals.

Let’s take into consideration how much you can earn if you start as a Travel Agent for Sandals, based on different vacation types:

7-Night Jamaica Vacation in a Luxury (standard) Room:

• Total package cost: $5,000
• Base commission (15%): $750
• Your share at 80% split: $600

Now for a Butler Elite Suite Booking:

• Total package cost: $8,000
• Base commission (15%): $1,200
• Your share at 80% split: $960

And the same trip, in a luxurious Over-the-Water Villa:

• Total package cost: $12,000
• Base commission (15%): $1,800
• Your share at 80% split: $1,440

Sandals Travel Agent Salary

Your salary will depend on several factors, including the number of bookings and the overall cost of certain vacations. Salary ranges for a Sandals Travel Agent typically fall between $40,000 and $70,000 per year.

The Certified Sandals Specialist (CSS) program

The Sandals training course is called the Certified Sandals Specialist program, and you can learn more about it on the official Sandals Travel Advisor Portal. You can create your own account by visiting this section of the website. The CSS program is used for both Sandals and Beaches Resorts.

After completing a number of different lessons, you will earn not only a special certification that distinguishes you as a qualified Sandals travel agent but also exclusive benefits when booking with Sandals. 

Sandals' Travel Advisor Portal gives you the opportunity to learn through online training modules, workshops, webinars, sales and marketing tools, social media groups, and even the chance to participate in trade shows and expos.

Once you complete the CSS program, you unlock one of the best perks with Sandals: by booking directly through the Sandals Travel Agent Portal, you can earn up to 15-20% commission, one of the highest rates in the industry.

Maintaining Your Certified Sandals Specialist (CSS) Status

To maintain your Certified Sandals Specialist (CSS) status, you must meet the annual training requirements, so be sure to stay up to date with new courses and modules.

Maintaining your CSS status also requires meeting a minimum booking requirement each year. You must register and complete at least one Sandals or Beaches booking per year through the Travel Agent Portal.

Sandals Elite Advisor (S.E.A.)

Sandals is rolling out new features for travel advisors in 2025, one of which is the Sandals Elite Advisor Program. S.E.A.s can progress through different ranks and receive exclusive benefits at each status level by registering commissionable travel bookings of three nights or longer. This means numerous benefits for you, the travel agent, as well as easier access to online support.

Chairman’s Royal Club (CRC) Membership

The Chairman’s Royal Club (CRC) is the ultimate recognition for travel agents specializing in Sandals and Beaches Resorts. To achieve this prestigious status, you must meet specific sales requirements. For example, Elite Status is awarded to travel agents who book either 100 rooms or 700 room nights per year at Sandals or Beaches Resorts.

Earning a spot in the Chairman’s Royal Club comes with exclusive benefits, including higher commission rates and extra perks (like being invited to exclusive events and FAM trips). However, achieving this status is very challenging, as there are only about 100 travel agents worldwide who are part of this elite group.

Sandals WeddingMoons Specialist (SWS)

Sandals is a very popular destination for weddings. I mean, who wouldn’t love to get married like in the movies, right in front of a crystal-clear ocean on white sandy beaches?

The SWS (Sandals Wedding Specialist) certification focuses on weddings and honeymoon travel. To earn this certification, you must complete specific training modules, and you may also need to participate in FAM trips to gain firsthand experience of how weddings and honeymoons are planned at Sandals.

VacationLab gives you access to thousands of images and videos from numerous travel suppliers, including major cruise lines, theme parks and beach resorts. By joining us, you'll also gain access to our exclusive database, making it easy to showcase images and videos to your clients based on what they’re looking for.