How to Become a Universal Travel Agent

We’ve put together an in-depth guide below on how to become a travel agent for one of the most fun travel suppliers 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 Universal, 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!

Let’s just say that Universal is Epic.

Universal is also one of the top travel destinations for theme park lovers worldwide. It has theme parks in both Florida and California and is rapidly expanding to Texas. There are also strong rumors that Universal will debut something big in the United Kingdom in the coming years. As you can see, the future is bright… and let’s be honest, so is the present. 

Universal has some of the best theme parks in the world, including Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando, Universal Studios Hollywood with Super Nintendo World, and the highly anticipated Epic Universe, set to take the world by storm in 2025.

Being a Universal travel agent is all about helping people plan their perfect vacation. This includes assisting with flights, selecting the perfect hotel, explaining the theme parks and their attractions, and more. You should also go the extra mile by informing clients about options like Universal Express Pass, VIP tours, and transportation between Universal Resort and the theme parks. There’s a lot to consider, but it’s also an exciting job, especially if you’re a Universal fan.

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

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

Universal is HUGE

Huge… and incredibly popular. Universal is second only to Disney in the theme park industry, with some of the most sought-after destinations in the world. Universal Orlando, in particular, attracts millions of guests each year, many of whom are unaware of the perks of staying at Universal Resorts (like early park entry), along with options such as Universal Express Pass, Single Rider lanes, and more.

There are countless people who dream of visiting Universal, and that’s where you come in. The competition is fierce, but if you study Universal extensively and have firsthand experience, you'll have a head start in attracting new clients.

Epic Universe

Epic Universe is set to be the top travel destination of 2025, and there’s a good chance it will remain that way for years to come. This marks the first brand-new major theme park in Orlando since Universal opened Islands of Adventure in 1999. People from all over the world are incredibly hyped, and countless guests will be planning trips to Florida just to experience Epic Universe.

That’s where you come in: helping guests navigate ticket options, transportation, and everything they need to know to make the most of their visit.

Universal Kids Resort & Universal Studios Great Britain

Thought Universal would stop at Islands of Adventure, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Epic Universe? Think again! They’re just getting started. Universal is set to open Universal Kids Resort in Texas in 2026, and there are plans to expand to Europe with a potential theme park in the United Kingdom, possibly in the next decade.

As you can see, Universal has been busy. With new destinations launching in 2025 and 2026, you can bet that waves of new guests will be eager to book their vacations.

Universal & Famvia are a Match Made in Heaven

VacationLab’s sister website, Famvia, is a treasure trove of Universal content, all completely free. We offer planning guides, hotel recommendations, in-depth articles on Epic Universe, and nearly a hundred ride reviews, including VelociCoaster, Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, and The Bourne Stuntacular.

Let’s just say, we’re big fans of Universal. And if you decide to join us, you’ll have access to thousands of helpful resources (and plenty of support) to make your journey even easier!

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

Communication Skills

As a travel agent, strong communication skills are always important, and that’s also true for agents that are dealing with a travel supplier like Universal. Most of your clients will be families with children, but you may also assist adults traveling alone.

It’s important to assess how familiar new guests are with Universal and whether they’ve visited before. You’ll need to politely guide them through hotel options, ticket choices, pricing, and teach them  what parks like Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios have to offer. You might also need to create an itinerary, as theme parks can be overwhelming for first-time visitors.

Stay Up to Date with Everything Universal-Related

The theme park world is always evolving, as new rides, ticket options and features come up from time to time. As a travel agent, you need to be at the top of your game and teach new guests about changes so nobody is taken by surprise. Read about new rides, inform them if an attraction is going to be temporarily closed and so on.

You need to research some basic things like:

• The main Universal theme parks
• Universal Resorts (and perks)
• Ticket & Transportation Options
• The Best Rides at Universal
• Special Events (Halloween Horror Nights, Mardi Gras, etc)
• Super Nintendo World
• Epic Universe
• Universal Kids Resort
• …and more!

Universal Requires Ongoing Research

Universal is a massive and constantly evolving destination. With the launch of Epic Universe in 2025, Universal Kids Resort in 2026 and Universal Great Britain in the next decade, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve. Be sure to stay informed about these upcoming attractions so you can stay one step ahead of the competition when it’s time to book. Start researching Epic Universe now, and do the same for Universal Kids Resort in Texas.

Understand Disney as well

Let’s be honest: if someone is booking a trip to Universal, there's a good chance they’ll also want to visit either Disneyland or Disney World. Your guest may need help combining a visit to both Disney and Universal in one trip, and that’s where you come in - helping them with Disney World Resorts, Universal Resorts and tickets. While you can still focus on Universal, it’s a smart move to also work as a Disney Travel Agent to maximize sales.

Guess what, you’re already browsing one of the best host agencies around! We have a lot of information about Universal on our sister website, Famvia, and plenty of travel agents across the globe who can help you with this fun destination. We’d love to have you here, 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 fun as Universal!

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

• Wait, you don’t have experience as a travel agent? No problem! We're here to help you.
• We have a (super) 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 and reviews on our sister site, Famvia, covering major cruise lines, theme parks, and beach resorts. This includes Universal as well, where we have multiple guides about Universal Orlando and Universal Hollywood, and also dozens of reviews of particular rides and attractions.
• We’re always ready to listen, chat, and lend a helping hand!

Become a Universal Expert

If you plan to become a Universal travel agent, you need to know the ins and outs of Universal and have key answers at the tip of your tongue. This includes ticket prices, available ticket options, the best Universal resorts, how to combine a Universal trip with Disney, and more.

Luckily for you, VacationLab’s sister site, Famvia, offers hundreds of original articles focused on Universal. We provide planning guides and in-depth reviews of every major ride and attraction - covering nearly every experience at Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios - along with ratings, pros, and cons for each one.

Here’s a brief example of what you can find there:

• Planning a Trip to Universal Orlando
• Resort Categories Comparisons for Universal Orlando
• The TOP TEN Best Rides at Universal Orlando
• Islands of Adventure Ride Strategy
• Universal Kids Resort Guide
• Universal’s Aventura Hotel Review
• Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure Review

There’s a lot of information there, so use all this info to familiarize yourself with Universal before trying the training courses!

Prepare for your Interview

Always prepare for your interview by researching both the travel agency and the travel supplier - in this case, Universal.

You don’t need to know everything about Universal on the day of your interview, as the host agency will help you continue learning. However, you should be familiar with the basics. This includes understanding their theme parks (including Epic Universe), Super Nintendo World, Universal Resorts (and the perks), and some of the main attractions at each park.

Stay calm, ask questions when needed, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Universal travel agent in no time!

Commission Payout

Payment of commission to the travel agent will be issued 30 days after the completion of the client’s travel. No commission will be paid on change or cancellation fees.

Universal Travel Agent Rates

While specific commission percentages are protected by a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) between all travel partners/suppliers and the host agency, you can expect commission percentages to range from 5% to 15%, depending on the type of booking.

Universal typically pays a 10% commission on vacation packages that include accommodations and tickets, and 5% to 10% on tickets only.

Let’s now run some simulations to estimate your potential income as a travel agent.

Selling a 5-Night Premier Hotel Package:

• Total package cost: $4,500
• Base commission (10%): $450
• Your share at 80% split: $360

And now for a VIP Experience Booking:

• Total package cost: $7,000
• Base commission (10%): $700
• Your share at 80% split: $560

For every $100,000 in Universal bookings, expect $7,000+ in net commissions with VacationLab's competitive splits.

Universal Travel Agent Salary

It’s difficult to determine an exact salary for a travel agent, and even more so for Universal, given that we’re dealing with a travel supplier that has several different theme parks, is constantly expanding, has varying commission structures, and offers huge booking potential.

This might explain why Indeed reports that the average salary for travel agents is $42,000 per year, while Salary.com estimates it at $48,000. Some of the most successful travel agents specializing in Universal can make up to $100,000 per year.

The U-Preferred Agency Program

You should first head to the Universal Partner Community website to register as a Universal travel agent. There, you'll gain access to all training programs, which focuses on the theme parks and awards you a certification upon completion. 

Universal Travel Agent Discounts & Benefits

Travel agents who actively book and complete their yearly training within the U-Preferred Agency Program gain access to a variety of great benefits, including:

• 50% off up to 4 park tickets
• Up to 50% off Universal Orlando Resort Hotels

Universal Travel Agent Course Requirements

To apply and become a member of the Universal Partner Community, you must first be affiliated with a host agency. Once eligible, simply complete the required fields and select the courses you're interested in. Best of all, the U-Preferred Agency Program is completely free.

VacationLab gives you access to thousands of images and videos from major cruise lines, theme parks, and beach resorts. By joining us, you'll also gain access to our exclusive database, which makes it easy to showcase images and videos to your clients based on their preferences. We have hundreds of images and videos related to Universal, including pictures with meet-and-greet characters, attractions, and even ride vehicles.