Booking a hotel for customers is a no-brainer for travel advisors. It’s where the majority of the earnings are, especially with ALG Vacations® bonus commissions and/or WAVES® points. But adding air has value, especially with ALGV’s Exclusive Nonstop Vacation Flights (ENVFs). So why stop at just the stay when full-service hotel + air packages not only enhance your value as a one-stop shop, but can also provide you with lucrative opportunities?

For example, while scheduled air is notorious for only giving nominal commissions, advisors can earn a full 15% commission on ALGV ENVF packages.

Additionally, what many travel advisors don’t realize is that despite actual commission amounts for airfare (or lack thereof), the key to agency success is actually higher booking values. Because while air and land may be commissioned at different rates, you’re still increasing your commissionable base when you create a package. Dynamic packaging helps to drive that value upward.

Essentially, success isn’t necessarily about the commissionable portion of a vacation booking, but about increasing your bottom line.

Air is often the most complicated and intimidating part of travel, which is why clients value the travel advisor’s guidance on flight times, airlines, seats, and airport tips — especially with ENVFs, which offer better schedules and added value. Since they’ll ask for your advice anyway, booking their flights keeps that expertise — and the revenue — in your hands. It also lets you showcase insider knowledge which helps to build trust and a long-term relationship with your client.

Additionally, bundling keeps you in control, reducing back-and-forth over transfers, arrival times, and schedules.

With all components tied together in one package, it makes it so much easier to look at the whole picture and figure out how one hiccup affects another. This also allows you to be proactive about troubleshooting should their flight be delayed or they lose a day of their stay due to issues with travel.

This is even more critical if they’ve purchased Travel Protection Plus, which of course, we can’t recommend enough. This plan covers delays, trip interruptions, lost baggage, and more, so packaging air and hotel together protects all components of the booking under one policy. With an ENVF package, there’s even more protection for all since it’s an ALGV in-house offer.

Not only does bundling increase your business, it protects it, too.

Including air reduces the risk of clients booking separately, getting lured by OTAs, or going hotel-direct. Clients also book more when they see package savings — and the simplicity of having you handle everything. This component becomes a critical part of building loyalty with your clients, as well as trust. When you provide an easy, cost-effective, and seamless experience and the value of full-service planning, they feel well supported and well-advised, which makes them more likely to rebook with you and refer you to others.

So sure, it might be tempting to make flight recommendations and let your customers book air on their own since it can be a hassle … but whether they say it or not, many travelers would prefer to save the step and work if they’ve already got a pro on their side.