FAQ's
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Frequently asked questions
Q. Is there a joining fee or annual membership charge?
There is no application or processing fees, simply a management service charge based on your net commission, which is deducted from your commissions every month. You can run your own commission reports at any time to confirm that our figures agree. Payment of commission is guaranteed within 15 days of the month end.
Q. So how does Freedom make its money?
We apply a monthly management service fee equal to 10% of your nett commissions. Your commission is paid monthly, by BACS into your designated bank account.
Q. Who pays the Tour Operators?
Within our extensive Support Centre, we have a finance department who is responsible for all your supplier payments. Freedom members will receive free pay-in facilities facilities with the post office for any cash and cheques can be sent into us, thereby saving you any Bank charges. All customer monies are paid into a central account from which supplier payments are made.
Q. Do we need to arrange our own bonding with ABTA?
By joining Freedom Travel Group, you become a part of this automatically, you will be provided with an ABTA number which verifies that your customers are safe booking with you and that you will treat them fairly and play by the rules. This is an industry where the consumer is king, and the ABTA symbol is something that your customers will recognize and indeed look for when they are often making their biggest purchase of the year.
Q. What about credit card facilities?
The Freedom Travel Group will supply you with the latest Credit Card PDQ technology. Our transaction charges are amongst the lowest in the industry, the charges will be confirmed to you once you have spoken to our recruitment team.
Q. Can I use my own computers?
Whilst Freedom can supply a quote for supplying both your computer hardware and software, most members prefer to use a local company who will include a maintenance cover within the price. You must operate Windows XP Professional, Vista (Business or Ultimate) or Windows 7.
Q. If I decide to apply, how long does the application process take?
Once you have requested a meeting with one of our Sales & Recruitment Managers, we will then issue you with an application pack. This must be completed in full and returned to our Support Centre. You will be contacted by telephone and advised if your application has been successful. We will then issue you with an Agency Agreement for signing, once this has been returned to the Support Centre we will formally apply to ABTA for membership. At the same time we will commence the commissioning of the technical requirements. On average the membership application process takes approximately 4-6 weeks. Our Support Centre team will liaise closely with you throughout the process.
Q. Will we be trained how to use the TARSC, ATHENA & Magic system?
All successful applicants must attend a two-day training course which is free of charge and held in our Support Centre, in Stoke on Trent. Accommodation is available locally at competitive rates and at your own cost. In addition to the training, a member of our support team will also visit your business shortly after you commence trading as part of our “hand-holding” support programme. Furthermore, you will receive a visit or call from one of our Marketing team who will share with you all the sales and marketing benefits available to all Freedom members.
Q. Is there anyone we can turn to when we need help?
We pride ourselves on our membership support programme. We have a team of dedicated staff to assist you with all your enquiries. Whether they are technical, commercial, administrative, banking or marketing queries we are on hand to offer you and your staff help and assistance, and its free! You can contact the team on an 0800 number, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Q. What about commission rates and staff incentives?
We are part of the Co-operative Travel Trading Group (C.T.T.G) and therefore all Freedom members enjoy the best commission rates and incentives in the business. There are monthly promotional campaigns and “tactical” offers available throughout the year.
Q. Do you have an ATOL facility we can use?
You will also have access to the Freedom Travel Group ATOL facility, enabling you to produce a package holiday using various suppliers and you are able to set your own prices. Your customers will receive all of the benefits associated with a traditional package holiday booked from a brochure, but you are able to make these packages on demand and so can sell virtually every hotel and flight that is available at a price you are happy with.
Q. Will you help me with Marketing?
Yes, we have 2 dedicated members of the marketing team that are always there to help you. We can offer advice, point of sale, including window cards, posters and leaflets.