What is Archer Travel Group?

Archer Travel Group is a name that is used to describe the host-agency and travel services business of Archer Travel Service, Inc. (established in 1952) which is a business that serves independent travel agents, group travel bookings and corporate travel services. 

History and Introduction to Archer Travel.

Founding and early years

Archer Travel started within a greyhound bus terminal in Glendale, California in the year 1952 when Cliff and Lola Archer commenced organizing travel of the locals. 

The development of a travel host agency.

During decades, Archer became several divisions such as leisure, group and corporate travel, and has turned into the host agency of independent travel agents. 

What Are the Services offered by Archer Travel Group?

The following are the key service categories:

Leisure and group travel booking.

Archer provides bespoke group tours to groups of any member size, negotiates discounted air, hotel, car hire and helps in celebrating milestones or incentive programmes, family reunions. 

Business and corporate travel.

Archer through its corporate division manages airline sourcing, rental cars, hotel reservations, traveller profile, company and group and meeting travel with 20 to 5,000 guests. 

Independent agent host agency model.

Archer is a host agency that gives travel professionals the opportunity to work under their wing, gain access to supplier contracts, training, and infrastructure. As per listings, it has a start up fee and a monthly fee, and commission levels (70-90%) dependent on sales volume. 

Pros & Cons – What to Consider

Advantages

History and established company since 1952 and well-known travel industry credentials. 

The access to supplier contracts, group rate negotiation and agent training.

Capacity to make big group bookings and corporate travel on behalf of their clients.

Risks and debate

Certain independent reports and review forums have doubts about the business model of agents, based on initial fees and a recruitment/MLM-type of approach. 

As an ex-member of archer travel/ evolution travel…. leave. It is a scam.” 

Success in the agents business is more of creating your own customers, rather than an overnight success as some make it out to be.

Monthly or startup charges might be charged and payout cycle can be postponed until bookings are received.

Step-by-Step Guide to the Agent Model.

The following outline is a simplified workflow in case you are an independent agent with Archer:

To join the host agency, you pay a startup fee + a monthly fee (based on listed plan: e.g. $99 + $39/month). 

You are trained, have access to supplier contracts, marketing tools and aid.

You find/source clients of travel/bookings: leisure, group, corporate.

You book through the IATA/ARC credentials of Archer and get commission. Commissions are listed as between 70-90 percent on an annual sales volume. 

There is also the chance of recruiting other agents (as per plan) and that is where the criticism comes in.

You need to create your customer base, promote yourself and handle bookings, cancellations, alterations as well as risk of refunds.

Archer Travel Group is either a Pyramid or MLM?

What people say

Some of the posts on the forums suggest that certain attitudes towards the agent side of Archer are more inclined to the characteristics of MLM or network marketing:

It is certainly an MLM and a Ponzi scheme …. 

Their reviews on the better business bureau web site are vague. … some of the experiences are they are extremely pushy to recruit… 

The company’s stance

The company introduces itself as a host agency and travel service provider with a focus on training, infrastructure and agent commissions on the independent basis. 

Verdict

Although it seems that Archer Travel Group / Archer Travel Service is a valid, established travel company to provide the client with the services, potential agents need to conduct due diligence. Know all charges, view the contract, read how you will make money and beware of focusing on recruiting others as the bottom line to profit.

Recommendations to UK/USA Audience in relation to Archer Travel Group.

In the UK or USA, in case you are looking at this as a travel-agent opportunity, look at local host agencies as well (which are cheaper, easier contracting).

The entire contract: check fee charges, payout schedules, cancellation conditions, insurance.

See if you would need to hire other people or just concentrate on making a travel reservation.

Create a solid client base (friends/family travel, niche market) instead of using recruitment as the sole means of acquiring clients.

Record day in day out costs and revenues in no less than 90 days before making a profitability assumption.

When you are a client (not an agent) and want to use the group travel: ask Archer to provide supplier credentials, request sample itinerary, inquire about reviews of reliability and cancellation conditions.

Archer Travel Group: Conclusion

The Archer Travel Group is an old-established travel services business that has provided client bookings of travel (group, corporate, leisure) and a host-agency business model to independent travel agents. To clients who want to travel in a group or use corporate travel management, it has a viable alternative. 

As an agent wanting to establish a home-based travel business, it might become an option, however, only when you are fully aware of the fees, business concept, the potential of incomes realistically and your personal capability to generate customers. 

Due diligence is particularly relevant due to the presence of both positive and negative reviewing and accusations of the operations of the type of the MLM.

Key Questions & Answers (FAQ)

Q: What is the location of the head office of Archer Travel Group?

A: The company is based in the city of Montrose (in the area of Los Angeles) in the state of California, the USA. 

Q: Do independent agents that work with Archer have to pay startup fee and monthly fees?

A: Yes – there is a startup fee (e.g., 99) and monthly fee (e.g., 39) of professional plan. 

Q: What is the commission rate that can be expected by agents?

A: Under one plan, there are commissions of 70% of up to $10,000 in annual sales, 80% of 10,001-50,000 annual sales, and 90%+ of more than 50,000 annual sales. 

Q: Does Archer deal with big group travel bookings?

A: Yes- According to Archer, it can organize group travel as simple as 20 to 5,000 guests during meetings, conventions or events. 

Q: Does their business model have some referral or recruiting aspect?

A: Although the company pays special attention to independent bookings, numerous agent reviews and forums refer to recruitment and multi-level capabilities, hence this is the grey area and should be approached with care.