Travel Advisor

AAA • Auburn, ME

4d

About The Position

The Travel Advisor sells travel agency products and services and provides travel-related member entitlement services to members and non-members. The role adds member value by educating members about other available products and services, making outbound calls as needed to support goals, and potentially participating in the club’s social media programs. Advisors are trained to handle multiple transactions without handing customers off to other staff. They sell travel and related products while meeting sales goals and maintaining high service quality. They must protect the confidentiality of client and member information in accordance with applicable laws and club policies.

Travel Advisors sell and arrange domestic and international travel, including air, car, hotel, rail, cruise, and tour products. They advise clients on travel requirements, protection plans, and trip advisories; research supplier rates and make recommendations based on clients’ desired experience, budget, and needs; and maintain knowledge of club products, preferred suppliers, and industry trends. The role includes issuing international driving permits and taking passport photos, using travel systems to fulfill requests, documenting transactions thoroughly, and maintaining accurate supporting records.

Advisors identify cross-sell and up-sell opportunities, provide leads to other departments, and meet service-quality and sales objectives. The role requires independent analysis of cruise and tour packages, anticipating and avoiding errors or delays, and resolving difficult situations independently while escalating matters to branch management when appropriate. Advisors must document the actions taken and reasoning behind decisions and explain write-offs or shortages to management. The position may require educational trips for job knowledge, estimated at 10% proficiency.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Four to six years of travel agency or sales experience.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills.
• Moderate analytical and time-management skills.
• Ability to create and deliver presentations.
• General typing, Windows, Outlook, Word, and Internet/Intranet access skills.
• General knowledge of club systems, including TSTApollo, Viewpoint, and preferred vendor websites used for cruise and tour packages and travel insurance.
• Proven track record in travel sales.
• Ability to maintain systems knowledge for airline, cruise, and rail ticketing.
• Flexibility to work weekends and flexible hours and to attend offsite training and events.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of client and member information.
• Ability to independently analyze travel packages, document decisions, and resolve difficult service situations.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree preferred.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the organization’s operating areas, products and services, and branch operations delivery channels is desirable.
• Advanced knowledge and training on computer systems used to fulfill member travel requests and travel agency accounting systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Sell domestic and international travel-related products and services to members and non-members.
• Use lead-management tools and resources to cultivate new business and repeat business, including entering all quotes into club technology.
• Advise clients on travel requirements, protection plans, and trip advisory information.
• Follow organizational policies and procedures and accurately document transactions.
• Maintain product knowledge for the Preferred Supplier program and meet club sales and cross-sell goals.
• Issue international driving permits and take passport photos.
• Make air, car, hotel, and rail reservations and provide ticketing for members and non-members.
• Use appropriate computer systems to fulfill travel requests.
• Track transactions accurately and maintain required supporting documentation, including signatures, payment processing, and review of travel documents.
• Protect client and member information in accordance with applicable laws and club policies and procedures.
• Maintain expertise in club products, services, member value offers, industry trends, and travel products; make recommendations as appropriate.
• Research and compare supplier rates and recommend trips according to client expectations, budget, and needs.
• Meet or exceed branch and corporate service-quality objectives.
• Identify cross-sell and up-sell opportunities and provide leads to other departments as appropriate.
• Maintain administrative requirements, including wage-and-hour compliance, expense reports, meeting and training attendance, and assigned schedules and duties.
• Independently analyze cruise and tour packages and providers; anticipate and prevent errors or service delays.
• Resolve difficult situations independently and seek branch-management assistance when escalation is needed.
• Document files thoroughly, including actions taken and reasons for decisions, and explain write-offs or shortages to management.
• Make outbound calls as needed to support goals and participate in club social media programs as needed.
• Attend offsite training and events, such as travel shows, and educational trips when required.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision health coverage.
• 401(k) savings plan with company match and pension.
• Tuition assistance.
• Floating holidays and PTO for community volunteer programs.
• Paid parental leave.
• Wellness programs.
• Employee discounts on membership, insurance, travel, entertainment, services, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED