Is Being a Fora Travel Agent Worth It? My Honest Review (2025)

It started as a side hustle. Now, 7 years later, it’s my mostly everything.

I know there are a lot of shiny promises floating around online, such as “Get paid to travel!” or “Become a travel agent overnight!” and honestly? Most of it’s fluff. So if you’re here wondering if becoming a Fora travel advisor is actually worth it, I want to give you the real answer.

This isn’t a sponsored post. It’s not a pitch. It’s my honest take based on actual experience.

I’ve spent years in the travel world. Blogging, curating small group trips, and building, over time, I realized that helping others plan their trips could be more than just a passion project. It could be a legit income stream.

The passion I had for not only my own travel but helping others discover somewhere special took a long time to grow into more than just a few bucks here and there. But eventually, it did.

So I write this for those who already have a toe in the travel world. The bloggers, influencers, content creators, and obsessive trip planners who keep getting asked, “Can you help me plan my trip to Italy?”

As the influencer world (ew, that word) gets more and more competitive, those wanting to work in travel should consider more options than just hoping to trade services for stays. In most cases, those end up being more work than they’re worth.

So what is one to do?

Now, what I’m about to say is for those looking for a side hustle, to start at least. And those who genuinely love planning travel.

If you love researching hotels, piecing together dream itineraries, and being the go-to travel planner in your circle, this might be for you.

What Even Is Fora?

If you’re not familiar, Fora is a modern host agency that allows you to become a travel advisor (aka travel agent). At Fora, it’s flexible, with remote training, solid tech tools, and a community that’s more supportive than I expected. 

You don’t need to come from a traditional travel background, which is why so many creatives, bloggers, and planners are drawn to it.

But let’s get to the real question:

Is Being a Fora Travel Agent Worth It?

Short answer: It can be. But only if you treat it like an actual business and not just a shiny side gig.

Here’s the honest breakdown…

What Makes It Worth It – Let’s Do the Math

Let’s start with the obvious: Yes, you have to pay to join Fora. The annual membership is $299 or $249 with my $50 off code.

Some people get stuck there. But when you do the math, for me, it still made a lot of sense.

On average, a hotel stay these days runs about $200 to $250 per night…especially if you’re booking quality properties in major cities or resort areas.

Let’s say you take four trips a year, each one with a 6-night stay at $250 per night.

Item	Calculation	Amount
Hotel cost per trip	6 nights x $250	$1,500
Number of trips per year	4 trips x $1,500	$6,000
Commission earned (10%)	10% of $6,000	$600
Your share (70% of commission)	70% of $600	$420
Annual Membership Fee	With discount	$249
	Without discount	$299
Your Profit	$420 – $249 (with discount)	$171
	$420 – $299 (without discount)	$121

So even if you’re only booking your own travel, and just four trips a year, you’re already in the green. That’s profit. That’s what makes it worth it. BUT…you can’t solely book your own travel and remain an agent indefinitely.

There is also extra perks you’ll get by booking through Fora: room upgrades, free breakfast, late check-out, spa credits…the kind of value that OTAs can’t compete with.

If you’re someone who travels regularly and books hotels for friends and family that cost more than a basic chain stay, it doesn’t take much to make this membership pay for itself, and then some.

So yep… it just got even easier to make your money back.

Looking for a Career in Travel? A Must-Read: How to Actually Make Money in the Travel Industry in 2025

Pros and Cons of Fora

So, what are the downsides to Fora?

Let’s start with the cons. The commission split starts lower than what you might find at more traditional host agencies.

You’ll typically earn 70% of the commission, which is fair for beginners, but there are agencies that offer higher percentages, like 80%, to start. Now at Fora, your commission split will go up once you’ve cleared a threshold of sales.

Now, the pros, and honestly, they outweighed the cons for me:

• No sales minimums. You’re not pressured to meet quotas or monthly booking goals.
• You can keep your own brand. This was huge for me. Some agencies won’t let you market under your own business name or blog. Fora does.
• Tons of training. Whether you’re new to the travel industry or just brushing up, their onboarding and continued education is solid.
• Strong community support. You’re not on your own. Fora puts a big emphasis on collaboration, mentorship, and connection. This makes a difference, especially when you’re just getting started.

In short: Fora gives you the freedom to grow your business your way, which is something many other agencies just don’t offer.

Who Is Fora Really For?

Fora isn’t for everyone, but if you’re nodding along to any of this, it might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

You’re a travel blogger or content creator with an audience that’s constantly asking for your hotel recommendations, itineraries, or links to book the trip you just shared. If you’re already doing the work, you might as well be getting paid for it.

You’re someone with a community that trusts your taste in travel. Instead of chasing brand partnerships or trading content for “free” stays, you could be earning commission on actual bookings. And without having to post about it unless you want to.

You’re the go-to friend or family member when it comes to planning trips. The one who always gets the “Where should I stay in Lisbon?” texts. If you’re already fielding questions and planning for others, Fora gives you a way to turn that effort into income.

Or maybe you’re like me…someone who travels constantly and actually loves planning. I didn’t join Fora to become a “travel agent.” I joined because I was already planning multiple trips a year and realized I could make money doing what I was doing anyway.

💻 I find my clients by offering Group Trips! Join the workshop and learn how!

Who Fora Is Not For

Be honest with yourself, being a travel agent, even through a modern platform like Fora, is what you make of it. It’s not magic, and it’s definitely not passive.

I don’t recommend joining Fora, or any host agency, for that matter, unless you’re willing to actually do the work. 

That means putting in the effort to find clients, respond to emails, research hotels, manage bookings, and handle the occasional travel curveball.

I know there’s a lot of content out there trying to sell you the dream with shiny Instagram posts and YouTube videos that make it sound like you’ll be sipping champagne on a press trip within a month of signing up.

That’s not reality.

If you’re thinking about joining just because you want to travel for free, or you assume it’ll be easy money, I’d honestly tell you to hold off. 

It takes hustle, follow-through, and the kind of mindset that treats this like a real business, not a shortcut to perks.

But if you’re the kind of person who’s organized, resourceful, and genuinely loves helping people plan meaningful travel? Then yeah, it can be incredibly rewarding.

“Will I Save More Money Booking With a Travel Advisor?”

This is one of the most common questions I get, and it’s a fair one.

The short answer? Not always in the form of dollars off, but yes, in value, perks, and experience.

When you book directly through an OTA (Online Travel Agency) like Expedia or Booking.com, you’re usually getting the bare minimum. Sure, you can sometimes snag a deal, but you’re also just… a number in the system.

When you book through a travel advisor, especially one with access to preferred partner programs (which Fora advisors often do), you’re way more likely to get upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, free breakfast, spa credits, and other perks that OTAs can’t offer. These can easily add up to hundreds in value per stay.

And no, you don’t lose out on your credit card points. You can absolutely still pay with your own credit card, rack up those rewards, and take advantage of whatever travel protections your card offers.

In fact, those points? I usually recommend using them on flights and upgrades, rather than hotels, because as an advisor, I can often secure VIP perks at a hotel without requiring you to use your points.

While you may not always see a discount in black and white, the overall value of booking with an advisor is almost always higher, especially at 4- and 5-star properties.

And if something goes wrong? You have a human (me) to text or email, not a call center that keeps you on hold for an hour.

Final Thoughts: Is Being a Fora Travel Agent Worth It?

If you’re someone who already loves planning travel for yourself, for friends, for your online community, then yes, being a Fora travel agent can absolutely be worth it.

But it’s not a shortcut. It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. And it’s not a guaranteed ticket to free luxury vacations.

It’s a legit way to turn your passion for travel into profit, if you’re willing to treat it like a business.

I’ve been in the travel world long enough to see what works and what doesn’t. And while Fora doesn’t have the highest commission split in the industry, what they do offer, support, tech tools, training, and community. Which makes it one of the best-paying, most flexible side hustles I’ve found. Especially for someone just starting out.

If you’re curious and want to run the numbers for yourself, don’t forget you can use my code to save $50 off the annual membership, bringing the cost down to just $249.

Here’s the link to learn more and sign up: [Insert your referral link here]

And if you’ve questions about whether this is truly right for you, I’m happy to chat. I’ll give you the honest truth, just like I’ve done here.

Because in travel, and in life, transparency matters.