Travel Planners International is a Signature Travel Network member that provides direct Global Distribution System (GDS) access. At TPI, you pay a higher subscription price to access higher commission splits. Fora is a tech-forward host agency that charges a flat fee, with commission splits that scale with calendar-year booking volume and preferred partner access through Fora Reserve, which encompasses Fora’s Virtuoso membership and preferred partner properties.
Fora vs. TPI: Quick comparison
Pricing, commission splits, and contract terms pulled from internal Fora data, Travel Planners International's website, and published Host Agency Reviews profile information as of August 2026.
Pricing and fees
Fora is more affordable overall compared to TPI. TPI’s tiered pricing allows you to pay higher fees to get higher commission splits, while your fee stays flat at Fora no matter what your split.
TPI’s $40 per month tier is more expensive than Fora’s flat pricing, and you get the same 70/30 starting split without the ability to keep more as your bookings increase. To get a 80% or 90% split at TPI, you’ll pay $600 or $720 per year. Fora also has no startup fee, while TPI startup costs range from $199 up to $459 depending on the tier and contract term you choose.
Commission splits and rates
Tiered splits
Fora’s split structure is best if you want to build your way to a higher commission split or think you’ll earn more with its preferred partnerships and tooling. Established advisors with an existing book of business can also join Fora at a split that matches their sales volume.
The commission that Fora keeps also gets invested back into advisor support: Fora handles supplier invoicing and payment collection for advisors. When comparing Onyx payment data across over 150,000 hotels, we found that Fora collects payments about 25% faster than industry benchmarks, and with one-third fewer commissions left unpaid.
TPI commission split increases based on your plan tier. If a higher split matters more to you than pricing, TPI lets you pick your split.
Partner rates
TPI advertises a 16% average preferred partnership commission. Fora’s preferred partner commissions can be comparable—preferred hotel partners offer up to 15% base commission—with average commission of 12% across all supplier and booking types.
For example, if you book a preferred hotel partner with a commissionable value of $2,500:
With 15% commission: ($2,500 x 15%) x 70% split = $262 take home
With 16% commission: ($2,500 x 16%) x 70% split = $280 take home
An additional tradeoff with TPI is a higher fixed monthly fee and the upfront startup cost. If the specific consortium and hotel partnerships are important to your business, you’ll also need to consider Signature Travel Networks vs. Fora Reserve offerings.
Portal having multiple avenues to book all in one location, where you can compare everything [...] My overall commission has increased, just because I’m able to be more strategic.
Seasen Acevedo-Zullo
joined August 2024Platform and technology
Fora provides a more cohesive set of tools in a single platform. TPI offers direct GDS access, while Fora partners with GDS in the background. You book via the booking portal, flights suppliers, and group booking tools like Cvent. TPI gives advisors access to popular third-party tools (Tern, Travefy, TravelJoy, and AXUS) for CRM and itinerary building, plus its own invoicing tool and Agent Portal. Fora’s Portal is an all-in-one platform for booking, client management, and automated tooling.
Portal includes:
Hotel search with real-time availability
Client profiles with connected inquiry forms
Commission tracking with invoicing handled by Fora
Price Drop alerts that flag savings opportunities for your clients
Bookable Quote for clients to review and confirm directly
Deal and rate tracking across booking options
Itinerary builder to share proposals with clients
Marketing templates and assets
Live support and ongoing training
I think [Fora] truly eliminates the need for any other software programs.
Megan Smith
joined June 2023Training and community
Both Fora and TPI invest in regular community engagement and training, but Fora is a stronger option for new advisors—platform access includes new advisor training and ongoing certification, whereas TPI recommends paid training for beginners.
I just kept seeing this table full of resources that I could come sit at and feast on.
Stu Dressler
joined December 2023Preferred partnerships and supplier contacts
If you plan to book luxury travel and you want Virtuoso credentials, Fora is the stronger fit. Both Fora and TPI have preferred partnerships through strong consortium relationships, but Signature Travel Network has fewer properties in its network than Fora Reserve.
TPI is a member of Signature Travel Network Hotels & Resorts Collection, which has more than 1,300 properties, and has its own preferred partnerships across over 380 suppliers. Signature is a well-known luxury consortium with negotiated rates and amenities across its supplier base.
Fora has its own Fora Reserve partner program, which includes preferred partnerships with over 5,000 suppliers. Partner programs include Four Seasons Preferred, Marriott Stars & Luminous, Mandarin Oriental, IHG, and boutique properties. Fora is a Virtuoso member and CLIA Premier Agency Member, and has partnerships across cruise lines, tour operators, and experience providers worldwide.
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 2023Business support
Both Fora and TPI handle some of the business infrastructure for you, so you can focus on building your brand and client list.
Independent branding: Both Fora and TPI allow advisors to operate and market under their own brand identity.
Insurance: Fora and TPI advisors are covered by each agency’s respective errors & omissions (E&O) insurance. They should get their own coverage if operating under an LLC or booking more than $500,000 annually.
Seller of Travel requirements: Advisors at both host agencies can operate under their host’s Seller of Travel registration, though some states still require affiliated advisors to register.
Marketing: Both host agencies offer marketing support. Fora includes a customizable landing page and blog content, plus social media and email templates. TPI offers free email marketing software and social media tools.
Fora vs. TPI: Who is each best for?
Choose TPI if a higher fee fits your budget or if you need direct GDS access for your bookings. The tradeoff is that you’ll pay more for your subscription, with potential added costs for startup fees and training courses.
Choose Fora if you want a lower annual fee with a wide range of supplier options and an integrated business platform. You can’t pay to increase your commission split, but can earn a higher split by booking more travel.
Frequently asked questions
How do I switch from TPI to Fora?
Use TPI’s monthly opt-out, set a final cutover date, and begin Fora’s onboarding so you get Portal access, training, and supplier credentials as soon as possible. Fora can answer questions about timing before you give notice.
Is Fora or TPI cheaper?
Fora is more affordable than TPI on an annual basis. TPI’s 70/30 commission plan is $40 per month or $480 per year, vs. Fora’s $299–$396 per year with the same starting split. TPI’s 80/20 and 90/10 tiers cost $600 and $720 per year, respectively, while Fora Advisors at a higher split pay the same $299–$396 per year. TPI also has a startup fee of up to $459, while Fora has no startup fee.
Is Fora or TPI better for new travel advisors?
Fora is generally a better fit for new travel advisors: 97% of Fora advisors had never been travel advisors before joining. New advisors get full platform access including agency certification and training included in their fee. TPI recommends new advisors complete a paid Travel Agent Campus training, and layers paid certification through Travel Planners Academy on top of TPI’s included training.
Is Fora or TPI better for luxury travel advisors?
Fora is better for luxury advisors who want more options, since Fora Reserve includes more preferred partner hotels than Signature Travel Network. Both host agencies provide access to luxury properties, preferred client perks, and preferred commission rates, but Signature includes over 1,300 hotels in its network, while Fora Reserve includes over 5,000 hotel, cruise, and tour partners. However, your choice depends on which suppliers you book most.
Is Fora or TPI better for corporate or air-heavy advisors?
TPI is the better fit if your business depends on direct GDS access for your bookings. Fora doesn’t currently offer direct GDS access, but does have dedicated flight booking and group booking tools.
Are Fora and TPI legitimate host agencies?
Yes. Fora is a CLIA Premier Agency Member, a Virtuoso member, and partners with thousands of hotels through Fora Reserve. Fora Advisors have booked over $3 billion in travel since 2021 and work from 140 different countries. TPI has operated since 1988, reports $650 million in annual sales, and is a Signature Travel Network consortium member.
