How Do Travel Agents Make Money in the UK (2025)?

Want to quit your 9–5 and plan dream trips for a living? You’re not alone. Travel is booming again. And more people across the UK are turning their love for holidays into a real income. But there’s one big question everyone asks first: How do travel agents make money in the UK – especially now, in 2025?

The answer is clear: Travel agents earn through commissions, service fees, markups, and sometimes affiliate deals. The model has changed a bit in recent years. But it’s still very possible to build a good income – and even a six-figure business – by planning and booking trips for others.

Let’s unpack exactly how the money flows, what’s working in 2025, and how you can get started with confidence.

What Being a Travel Agent Looks Like in 2025

Forget what you saw in movies from the ’90s. Today’s travel agent doesn’t just sit behind a desk in a shop filled with brochures.

Some agents work from home. Others run sleek online businesses. Many are part of large groups or franchises. But they all do one main thing: They help people book smarter trips, with less stress and more value.

A travel agent’s job is part planner, part researcher, part advisor. And yes – when things go wrong (delays, wildfires, airline strikes), you’re the one who steps in and sorts it all out.

That kind of support is why people still use agents. And it’s why the money hasn’t dried up – in fact, it’s rising again.

Supplier Commissions Are Still the Main Way Travel Agents Make Money

So, how do travel agents make money most of the time? With commissions.

When you book a hotel, flight, cruise, or tour for a client, the supplier pays you a cut. This is usually a percentage of the total sale. And it’s how most travel agents build their core income.

Hotels and tour operators are the most generous. They usually pay between 10% and 20% of the booking value. So if you book a £3,000 safari or resort holiday, you could earn £300 to £600 in one go.

Cruise lines and all-inclusive resorts also pay well. Flights, though? Not so much. Most airlines now offer little or no commission unless you use special fare systems or bulk booking channels.

That’s why many agents don’t rely on flights alone. They use full packages or focus on higher-earning bookings. Because time is money.

How UK Travel Agents Make Money With Service Fees

This is where smart agents add real profit.

Some bookings take hours of research and follow-up. Others need special handling – like visa help, custom itineraries, or emergency rebooking. Many agents now charge small service fees for their time.

These fees might look like:

• A £25–£50 fee for flight-only bookings.
• A £100 fee for full trip planning.
• A rush fee for last-minute bookings or changes.

You’re not just booking a flight. You’re offering peace of mind. And people are willing to pay for that, especially after recent travel chaos in the news.

In fact, ABTA research shows more UK travellers are using agents now than in 2019. Why? Because they want help if something goes wrong. You’re not just booking. You’re backing them up.

Markups on Net Rates Help Agents Keep More of the Sale

Here’s another smart way travel agents make money in the UK: through markups.

Sometimes, suppliers give you special “net rates” – discounted prices meant only for agents. You then resell that hotel or package to your client at a slightly higher price. The difference is your profit.

Let’s say you buy a holiday at £2,000 but charge your client £2,200. That £200 is yours to keep.

This model works well for agents who book through wholesalers or travel networks. It’s also popular in niche travel, like luxury getaways, adventure trips, or honeymoon packages.

Clients don’t mind the markup. They care about the total price – and getting it all handled. You save them time and stress. That value makes your margin fair.

Affiliate Links and Referrals Add a Bit of Extra Income

This one isn’t huge, but it adds up over time.

Some travel agents use affiliate programs to earn small bonuses when clients book extras. This includes things like:

• Travel Insurance
• Car rentals
• Airport transfers
• Day tours and excursions

You send them a link. If they book, you get a cut.

It’s not your main income source. But if you’re already booking hotels and flights, why not include a few extras and earn more per client?

Some agents even build full blogs or websites with affiliate links. Others add extras during the booking process. Either way, it’s a simple way to boost your earnings.

Online Travel Agencies vs Traditional Agents: What Makes the Money?

You’ve heard of Expedia, Booking.com, and OnTheBeach. These are OTAs – Online Travel Agencies. And yes, they make serious money. But they do it differently than one-to-one agents.

OTAs earn mostly through:

• Big commissions on hotel bookings (15–25%)
• Advertisements sold to travel brands
• Volume. Huge amounts of daily bookings

They don’t offer much personal help. That’s where independent and retail agents still win.

In 2025, the UK is seeing a mix of both. About 70% of trips are still booked online. But more people – especially families and older travellers – are turning back to real agents.

Why? Because they want a person, not an app, when something goes wrong. And they want custom advice, not a price filter.

Agents who offer that? They’re thriving.

Real Examples: How UK Travel Agents Make Money Right Now

Let’s look at real names.

Hays Travel is the biggest independent travel agency in the UK. They run 500+ shops. They earn money from supplier commissions, own-brand holiday packages, and foreign currency sales. In 2024, they had £2.5 billion in bookings and a £73 million profit.

Travel Counsellors is a home-based agent network. Their agents work from home and use a central platform. They earn through commissions and often charge planning fees. The company keeps a small cut. The rest goes to the agent.

TUI UK works a bit differently. They sell their own holidays – flights, hotels, cruises – all under one brand. Their money comes from bundled pricing. When a customer buys a full package, TUI earns on every piece.

You don’t need a big name behind you. But studying these models helps you plan your path.

How Do Home-Based Travel Agents Make Money in the UK?

This part is for the dreamers. The ones who want to turn passion into profit – without renting a shop.

Home-based agents are booming. Many now join franchises or networks, like Not Just Travel or Travel Counsellors. These groups give you access to suppliers, tools, training, and support.

Here’s how you earn:

• Bookings = commission
• Extras = upsell
• Service = added fees
• Loyalty = repeat business

Many people start this part-time. But with effort, it can become full-time and beyond.

Home-based agents save on overhead. You work when you want, from wherever you want. And clients love the one-on-one attention.

How Do Travel Agents Make Money in a Post-COVID World?

Travel changed after 2020. But here’s what didn’t: People still want to explore. They just want support while doing it.

In fact, UK travel bookings have now passed pre-pandemic levels. Families, solo travellers, and even Gen Z are using agents again. They want help with the details – and someone to call if things fall apart.

Agents who focus on real value, not cheap deals, are doing well.

That means:

• Booking smarter, not faster
• Offering packages and extras
• Charging fairly for your time
• Building client trust

People don’t want to be overwhelmed by 50 tabs. They want someone to make it easy. That’s your edge.

Want to Become a Travel Agent in the UK? Here’s Your First Step

You’ve seen how travel agents make money. Now you’re wondering – could this be you?

It can. But you need training, support, and the right tools. You need to understand how to book properly, how to find deals, and how to charge fairly.

Start with a course that teaches you the business side of travel, not just the fun parts. Learn how commissions work. Get familiar with supplier systems. And practice building real client itineraries.

This isn’t a hobby anymore. It’s a business. And if you treat it that way, it can reward you with income, freedom, and purpose.

So, How Do Travel Agents Make Money?

To wrap it up, here’s the truth:

Travel agents make money by booking smart, charging for their time, and offering value people want.

In 2025, that value is higher than ever. People want guidance. They want help. They want a real person to lean on.

If you can be that person, you can make this work.

So if you’re dreaming of a job where your passport is your business card, now’s the time. Learn the trade. Pick your path. Build your business.

And yes – make money while helping others live their travel dreams.

Dream of planning holidays for a living? Learn how to do it — and get paid for it — with our Travel Agent Training at Training Tale!