The Travel Agent Next Door has announced a new deferred travel program will launch this summer, offering travelers the option of “travel now, pay later”, with equal payments spread out over either three, six or twelve months.

With the new travel program, one transaction fee is paid versus typical interest payments, making things easier for travelers, something TTAND Founder Flemming Friisdahl says consumers want.

“There’s a lot of other programs out there where you pay an interest rate. With us, you have a set fee for repayment, that’s what consumers like. Simplicity.”

Under the deferred/equal payment plan, the following fees will apply:

- Three months ($1-$5,000) = $69.99 fee ($79.99 for $5,001 and up)

- Six months ($1-$5,000) = $99.99 fee ($159.99 for $5,001 and up)

- Twelve months ($1-$5,000) = $169.99 fee ($249.99 for $5,001 and up)

Friisdahl says the feedback from agents has already been amazing, with many raving it will help their businesses as it did for many of them who once worked for Sears Travel which had a similar program at the time.

“The feedback from the agents is a complete game changer for them, having come from companies that had previously offered it. This will make a night and day difference in their ability to go out and get customers.”

The announcement was made on Friday at their annual conference themed MoreU, which TravelPulse Canada has been covering all week. Friisdahl says the overall feedback from attendees was positive and demonstrative of the camaraderie of the company.

“From our side we’re really excited about the conference. Probably what makes me the most proud is hearing the comments from the suppliers, our guest speakers. Our guest speaker Gary (Gzik) said he’s worked with many organizations, big ones, small ones and with ours, he’s never seen that camaraderie among everyone. Especially, when you think about it, they are competitors in some ways.”

As though on cue, Gary Gzik stopped by to congratulate Friisdahl on the conference during our TravelPulse interview.

“I work with companies across all of North America and the first time I meet them, I’m always guarded because everyone always give you a perceived first impression," says Gzik. "This is probably the second time in my history where I’ve turned around and said that is an authentic company.”

Gary is impressed by TTAND's growth in only five years, and he should be. As we mentioned earlier this week, the agency is on track to having Canada’s largest sales volume of any host agency, a success that Friisdahl attributes to their agents and the idea the company operates as a two way system.

“We always say to our agents, give us your feedback. Not only does your feedback matter, but for us it drives our decision making.”