Fora is the best host agency for experienced travel advisors because it pairs tiered commission splits with strong preferred partner access and modern booking technology—and matches new advisors with an existing book to a commission tier that reflects their sales volume from day one. Fora’s tiered structure pays out 70%, 80%, and 90% commission splits; Fora Reserve includes over 5,000 preferred partners; and the booking platform replaces the disconnected systems experienced advisors tend to inherit at older host agencies.
Since launching in 2021, Fora Advisors have sold more than $3 billion in travel. In 2025, Fora’s top 100 advisors collectively booked more than $200 million in travel and 200,000 room nights, with approximately 40 advisors booking over $2 million each. Experienced switchers come to Fora from independent practices, traditional hosts, agency ownership, and supplier-side roles.
What experienced advisors should look for in a host agency
Experienced travel advisors need strong infrastructure that makes it easier to grow their business. What they look for when switching usually depends on what their current host is missing. Consider what could support your growth:
Preferred partner access: Consortia and brand relationships get you access to higher base commission and give your clients priority for perks and upgrades.
Support for your niche: Make sure a host agency’s preferred partners, training, and supplier access line up with your specialty and client interests.
Booking technology: Technology that helps you work faster allows you to take on a higher volume of clients and trips and be more strategic with booking choices.
Business support: Look for ongoing business skill training, networking and in-person events, automated invoicing, supplier-led events, and freedom to develop a brand identity.
Switching guidance: Ask how the host handles open bookings, IATA/CLIA records, and the cutover from another agency.
Clear commission tiers: The host’s commission structure should match your priorities, and ideally offer an option to join at a split that matches your current sales.
Most experienced advisors who join Fora come from another host after years for better technology and stronger partner relationships.
Read our full guide to what to look for in a host agency
Fora’s technology serves booking quotes up on a silver platter, with Champagne flutes and caviar included. Compared to my previous agency experience, it’s night and day.
Nancy Vuletic
joined February 2024Experienced advisors can earn more at Fora
Fora’s commission, relationships, and technology give advisors with an existing business an advantage. Fora’s commission splits start at 70/30 and move to 80/20 at $300,000 annual sales and 90/10 at $2 million. Since splits scale with volume, you can join at a split that fits your experience level without paying extra fees.
Fora Reserve preferred partners
Fora Advisors get preferred partner access through Fora Reserve, which includes over 5,000 preferred partners across Virtuoso membership, partner programs like Four Seasons Preferred Partner, and boutique properties. Preferred partners often provide higher base commission rates, which is why Fora Advisors average 12% base commission instead of the standard 10%.
All-in-one business technology
You can handle research, booking, itineraries and proposals, client invoicing, commission tracking, and CRM in the Fora Portal. Advisors who switch from older host agency systems could replace three or four separate platforms with Fora. And Fora takes care of invoicing for advisors—no more tracking submission dates or chasing down suppliers. That time saved on operations can go back to your clients and business.
If you have those relationships, you can make it. And you can do very well. The earning potential, when you know what you’re doing, is really unlimited.
Janeely Mejia
joined June 2024Learn how these experienced advisors switched to Fora and grew their businesses:
Megan Smith: Joined from a small agency, top 100 Fora Advisor in 2026
Randy Marsden: Joined from a legacy host agency, got 4x more business in six months
Janeely Mejia: Joined after a career break from Amex Travel, sold $700,000 in year one
Independent agents join Fora from across the industry
Experienced advisors who come to Fora arrive from different corners of the industry, but most are after the same things: better technology, stronger partner access, and a host agency that’s invested in helping them succeed.
Advisors from other host agencies
These advisors come to Fora after outgrowing their previous host. Many cite specific friction points, like outdated booking and invoicing systems, lack of in-house support, or limited access to luxury suppliers, that finally outweighed the cost of switching.
One Fora Advisor who switched, Seasen Acevedo-Zullo, was frustrated with her agency’s lack of support and at a breaking point with invoicing. “I actually got to a point where I was considering three things,” she says. “One, ‘I'm going to hire an assistant and they’re going to handle all my invoicing.’ Two, ‘I’m going to quit the industry, I hate invoicing so much.’ Number three was, ‘Is there a better way?’” After joining Fora, Seasen matched the booking volume she’d done in her final six months at her previous host—and earned more with better supplier commission comparisons—and became a top-producing advisor.
Travel business owners
Advisors who once owned their own travel agency or planning business come to Fora after winding down operations or to hand off the business overhead. They have years of client relationships, supplier knowledge, and a clear sense of what works, and they want a platform that handles the back office so they can focus on advising.
Fora Advisor Kristin Staats, who operates Wander & Pour with her sister, joined Fora after building their business exclusively on planning fees. They were already doing the job, but Fora helped them quickly access infrastructure and an IATA number to earn commission. “Everything is so intentional to help us grow our business quickly and efficiently,” she says.
Luxury and specialty advisors
Advisors who specialize in luxury, destination weddings, safaris, or expedition cruising tend to need preferred partner access more than they need training. Fora Reserve gives them direct relationships with the brands and consortia that matter most for high-value bookings, plus the technology to manage complex itineraries.
Megan Smith knew her clients wanted luxury hotel access and the perks that come with it, but had to use workarounds to get there at her previous host agency. She joined Fora and became a top-producing advisor in less than two years. “Fora is choose-your-own adventure,” she says. “You can book through direct preferred partnerships or through consortium partners. All of these options are available to you. It’s really valuable.”
Hospitality and supplier-side professionals
Some experienced advisors come from the supplier side of the industry, like hotel sales, tour operations, DMC roles, or cruise line positions. They already know the suppliers, the contracting language, client expectations, and the operations side of the business. A host agency provides a way to expand beyond their role and start booking complete itineraries for clients without building an agency from scratch.
Anson Tan joined Fora from hotel sales at Mandarin Oriental. He knew firsthand how much VIP treatment can change a client’s stay—and how a strong advisor relationship can give those perks an extra boost. As an advisor, getting priority for his clients is “made easier because of Fora’s industry reputation and access to such a diverse range of preferred partnerships,” he says.
The fact that we are in all of these programs shows that the partners trust us with their brand and their property.
Anson Tan
joined April 2023How to switch to Fora from another host agency
Switching host agencies is more straightforward than most advisors expect, but there are a few important steps in the process.
Check your current contract. Review your contract for the notice you owe your current host, what happens to bookings that haven’t traveled yet, and whether commissions on those bookings stay with your current agency or transfer with you. Fora’s team can help you understand what to look for.
Speak with the Fora team. A member of Fora HQ can answer your questions and explain how your existing business will translate to Fora’s platform and commission tiers.
Make your transition plan. Set a timeline for your switch, starting with your required notice period and backing up client details, and ending with migrating supplier contacts and client trips.
Complete onboarding. Once you choose a cutover date and make the switch, complete any necessary training to get familiar with Fora’s policies and booking platform.
Inform clients and suppliers. Send your clients and any Business Development Manager (BDM) contacts a message about your transition and how to reach you going forward.
Track open bookings. Note when your previous host will pay out any remaining commission on bookings that traveled before your cutover date, and confirm how those payments will be handled.
Fora doesn’t allow dual affiliation with another host, so you’ll need a clean cutover date between your last host agency and Fora.
“It was a lot of work, I will admit, just because I was leaving an existing set of systems behind and trying to learn new systems and also building a website and also launching a brand,” says Seasen. “But it was worth it.”
Frequently asked questions
How does Fora compare to other host agencies for experienced advisors?
Fora differs from many host agency models in commission handling and independent branding for experienced advisors. Fora doesn’t tie commission to membership fees, like some traditional host agencies—splits scale with sales volume at the same $299 annual fee—and Fora does the supplier invoicing for advisors. Experienced switchers with a documented book of business can also join at a split that fits their current scale. And Fora Advisors can operate under their own brand identity while booking through Fora’s platform, which not all host agencies allow.
Will I lose business when I switch host agencies?
No, most advisors don’t see a slowdown when they change host agencies. The work of switching is mostly operational—setting up systems, migrating contacts, learning the new platform—rather than lost bookings. Advisors with very large books of business may want to plan for a longer transition window.
What commission split does Fora offer experienced advisors?
Fora’s commission splits are tiered at 70/30, 80/20, and 90/10, with advisor splits increasing at $300,000 annual sales and $2 million annual sales. Experienced advisors joining Fora with an established book of business are matched to a commission tier that reflects their recent sales volume. Your exact starting split will depend on documented prior production.
Can I keep my own brand at Fora?
Yes. Fora Advisors are affiliated with Fora and book using its accreditation and supplier relationships, but they can work under their own professional brand identity. They can attach their business name and logo to their Fora Advisor profile, marketing, and client-facing materials. Advisors who previously operated under their own agency name retain their client relationships and personal positioning when they join, even though bookings move under the Fora umbrella.
Does Fora support luxury travel advisors?
Yes. Fora Reserve includes preferred partner relationships with over 5,000 partners across luxury brands and consortia, including Virtuoso membership and exclusive programs like Rosewood Elite and Four Seasons Preferred Partner. Fora can answer questions about specific partners that are important for your luxury business.
How long does it take to switch host agencies?
Switching host agencies can take from 30–90 days. The longest step is the notice period required by your current host, which can be a few days or up to 60 days depending on your contract. Once you give notice, onboarding to your new host agency can take a matter of days. There’ll be some overlap as outstanding bookings and payments complete at your previous host.
Can I bring my existing clients and open bookings to Fora?
You can bring existing clients to Fora, but open bookings usually stay with your previous host agency. In some cases, your host will keep any clients that were originally agency-provided leads. Review your current host’s policies before setting your transition date.
Will I lose access to my preferred suppliers if I switch?
No, not usually. You can update your advisor account with each supplier to change your affiliation from one host agency to another. BDMs and other supplier contacts you’ve built typically carry over too, though you’ll need to update each one. Every host agency's rules vary, so confirm with your new host before you make a switch.
