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How to Work with a Travel Agent to Book Your Vacation Home
Travel agents can be a source of bookings and often work for clients who may not have discovered your property otherwise.
Occasionally, you may receive an inquiry from a travel agent searching for a vacation home for a client. Your instinct may be to say “no.” However, don't discount them outright. Travel agents can be a source of bookings and often work for clients who may not have discovered your property otherwise.
Handling Commissions
Most travel agents charge 5-10% for their services. Simply up-charge your rental rate by their commission fee to determine the total amount paid by the renter. For example, if your normal rental rate is $1500 per week and the travel agent charges 10%, you would charge the renter $1650.
The Screening Process
You should follow a similar screening process to the one that you do normally: Be sure to talk to each renter on the phone before confirming the reservation, etc.
Accepting Payment
The best way to handle payment from the renter is to take their credit card information (or have them write a check to you) for the entire amount. In the example above, that'd be $1650. The travel agent would then send you an invoice for their commission fee. This way, the fee is a business expense and you';d have the proper documentation come tax time.
Best Practices
• Don't give keys or directions until you've received the payment in full.
• Don't take a booking with first talking to the renter.
• Charge cleaning fees and sales tax as usual.
• Be on the lookout for inquiries that seem a little fishy or too good to be true.
• Be wary of less-than-reputable travel agents. That's why it's best to accept the payment directly from the renters instead of going through the travel agent.
The key to working successfully with a travel agent is to adhere to the same general principles that you use when taking a booking from direct renters.
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