Running a travel agency is no small feat. Between tracking endless commissions, chasing down payments, and growing mountains of admin work, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

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Understanding your finances often takes a backseat, making it hard to scale your business effectively. You deserve a solution that tackles these challenges head-on, so you can focus on the growth of your travel agency.

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In this guide, we’ll help you navigate the options and show you why Sion (yes, we’re biased!) stands out as the best choice for your agency’s needs.

1. Identify Your Travel Agency Needs

First things first, let’s figure out what you actually need. Ask yourself:

• How many agents need access to the software?
• What’s my budget?
• What features are non-negotiable (e.g., automatic commission tracking, multi-currency support, integration with your GDS)?
• Do you need robust reporting and analytics?

By understanding your requirements, you can narrow down your options quickly.

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2. Evaluate User-Friendliness

Let’s be real—no one wants to spend hours training their team on a new system. Look for software that’s intuitive and easy to use. A friendly user interface means:

• Less time onboarding new agents.
• Fewer mistakes.
• More time focusing on growing your business.

Sion shines here with a user-friendly design that’s as simple as booking a flight.

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3. Check Integration Capabilities

Your commission management software should play nice with your existing tools. Check for compatibility with your:

• Financial management tools, such as Quickbooks
• Payment platforms, such as Flywire
• Global Distribution Systems(GDS), such as Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport
• Consortia, such as Virtuoso

The more tools and platforms you can integrate, the more you can automate.

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4. Look for Automation Features

Automation is your new best friend. It saves time, reduces errors, and makes your life easier. Features to look for include:

• Automatic commission tracking and calculation
• Auto reconciliation of commissions
• One-click invoicing
• Live statements for real-time financial tracking
• Automated reminders for unpaid commissions
• Live statements for easy adjustments
• Multi-currency and multi-language support
• Built in client relationship management (CRM) functionality

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5. Assess Customer Support

Even the best software needs great support. When evaluating options, consider:

• Availability of support (24/7, business hours, etc.)
• Channels available (phone, email, chat)
• Responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team
• Whether or not they have Laura Mandinach on their team.

Okay, so we’re cheating a bit with that last one — only Sion has Laura on its Customer Success team, and our clients love her.

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6. Compare Pricing Models

Budget matters, but so does value. Compare pricing models to understand what you’re getting for your money. Look for:

• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
• Scalable options that grow with your business
• A solution that doesn’t hold your commissions hostage

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7. Read Reviews and Testimonials

Don’t just take the company’s word for it—see what other travel agencies are saying. Look for:

• Testimonials on the company’s website
• Reviews on third-party sites
• Case studies that show real-world success stories

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Exploring Your Options: Tres, Grasp, and Onyx

When choosing commission management software, it's important to understand what each option offers. Here’s a quick overview of three solutions available today: Tres Technologies, Grasp and Onyx CenterSource:

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Tres Technologies

Tres Technologies, originally a Sabre platform, offers back-office, and CRM solutions for travel agencies. It does boast a variety of features and integrations, but users highlight the complexity of the platform, which means your agents are likely going to need extensive training to use the tools.

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Grasp Technologies

Grasp specializes in data management and reporting, which can provide helpful analytics for travel agencies. However, it may not offer the agent access or automation capabilities needed for streamlining your commission management.

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Onyx CenterSource

Onyx CenterSource, originally known as Pegasus Solutions, was founded in 1992. The company specializes in payments, reputation management and reporting. While it does offer commission recovery services, customers have noted that Onyx CenterSource tends to be expensive, with costs that might not be transparent upfront.

You’ll also want to keep in mind its older architecture —which can mean less flexibility and slower adaptation to new industry demands. Hidden fees and a lack of modern automation features can make Onyx CenterSource a cumbersome and costly choice.

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Why Sion Stands Out

With so many options, why choose Sion?

• Ease of Use: Our intuitive interface means you spend less time training and more time earning.
• Seamless Integrations: We play well with your existing tools, integrating with Flywire, Virtuoso and all the major GDS systems, making commission tracking a breeze.
• Powerful Automation: From tracking to reconciliation, invoicing, and live statements, we automate the tedious stuff so you can focus on growth.
• Comprehensive Reports and Insights: You have immediate access to detailed analytics and reports that show you exactly where and when your money is going.
• Outstanding Support: Our team is always here to help, ensuring you get the most out of our software.
• Happy customers: Sion customers rave about the platform. Travel Experts recently told us that they found $114,000 in commission payments the week after onboarding to Sion.
• Built by travel agents for travel agents: We understand exactly what it takes to build and grow a travel agency, and exactly what solutions you need for your day-to-day.

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In the end, choosing the right commission management software means finding a partner that understands your needs and helps your agency thrive.

Ready to make the switch? Try Sion today and see the difference for yourself.

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