After one year of employment, agents become eligible for a variety of travel benefits. Each year they may take a limited number of airline trips at reduced rates. They may be able to arrange discounts on hotel accommodations, car rentals, tours, and cruises. Agents may also go on special free or low-cost group tours sponsored by transportation carriers, tour operators, and government tourist bureaus. These are designed to familiarize agents with particular geographical areas and to promote new travel services.
Most employers prefer applicants with previous travel agency experience, but some hire trainees.
At least some knowledge of basic operations is required. Agencies in which ticket sales and reservations are a major portion of the work often hire former airline ticket or reservation agents. Vacation-oriented agencies, and others in which the agents' role as travel advisor is paramount, prefer applicants who are familiar with the standard agency reference books and popular tourist areas. They must have the ability to evaluate as well as sell a packaged cruise or tour. These agencies may hire graduates of travel training programs who have had instruction in all of the basic skills.