How do Seller of Travel Bonds Work?
A seller of travel surety bond (travel agency bond) is a type of license and permit bond. It works as a form of protection against fraud, misrepresentation, and all other forms of dishonest business practices. For example, it guarantees that travel agents will forward any payments for bookings or travel services to the appropriate persons or companies. These could be resorts, hotels, cruise lines, or other businesses that partner with the travel agent. If a travel agent is found to have misused funds that were available to them or has not forwarded funds in a timely fashion, a claim can be made against their bond.
Travel agency bonds are required in many states when one wishes to become a licensed travel agent. These bonds are sometimes confused with the ARC Bond, but these are not the same! ARC bonds only guarantee transfers of payments for airline bookings while seller of travel bonds guarantee transfers of payments for all types of travel bookings.
Bryant Surety Bonds can underwrite seller of travel bonds to all types of applicants, regardless of credit type. We have access to exclusive rates in all 50 states and can help you get bonded easily and in little to no time.
Find the Bond You Need
The table below contains a list of only the most popular surety bonds. If you can't find yours, fill out our online application and select "Not in the list".
| California | Seller of Travel Surety Bond | Dept. of Justice, Seller of Travel Program | Apply Now |
| California | Seller of Travel Discount Programs Bond | Secretary Of State | Apply Now |
| Florida | Seller of Travel | Agriculture and Consumer Service State of Florida | Apply Now |
| Illinois | Seller of Travel Bond | State of Illinois | Apply Now |
| Iowa | TRAVEL AGENCY BOND FORM | Secretary of State | Apply Now |
| Virginia | Travel Club | VA Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Svcs, Office | Apply Now |
| Washington | Seller of Travel Surety | Washington Department of Licensing | Apply Now |
How Much Does a Seller of Travel Bond Cost?
Your bond cost (paid annually) is a percentage of the total travel agency bond amount. This percentage depends on various financial factors that surety companies consider before making you an offer. For example, applicants whose personal credit score is high typically receive rates between 0.75%-2.5% of the total bond amount. On the other hand, if you have less-than-perfect credit score, you're mostly likely to pay a higher rate.
Since these are financial guarantee bonds, sureties may also want to review other financial documents such as personal and business financial statements (though, in most cases, one’s personal credit score is enough).
The cost of your bond is also influenced by the surety bond company you work with. Not all bonding companies have access to the same markets and rates. We, at Bryant Surety Bonds, can offer some of the lowest surety bond rates nationwide because of our long-standing partnership with the best A-rated and T-listed surety bond companies in all 50 states. By applying for a seller of travel bond through us, your bond will be backed by one of these companies and you will be offered one of the best deals possible.
If you want to learn more about how your bond amount, personal credit score and other factors determine your surety bond cost, have a look at our surety bond cost guide! You’ll find plenty of information on the subject there.
Bad Credit Seller of Travel Bond Program
It is also possible to obtain a seller of travel bond if you have poor credit. Since we have access to a number of special markets, we are able to underwrite surety bonds for applicants with less-than-perfect credit. Our Bad Credit Surety Bond Program enables applicants with bad credit to get bonded easily!
Usually, bond rates for bad credit applicants differ from standard market rates due to the risk involved. They range between 2.5% and 10% for applicants with very low credit score. Yet, despite the slightly higher rates, almost all applicants under our bad credit program get approved almost immediately and are able to proceed with applying for their travel agency license.
How to Get Your Seller of Travel Bond?
Seller of travel bonds are easy to obtain and almost all applicants are approved immediately. To get your bond, apply online here by filling in the application form. We will then get back to you with a free quote (no obligations) on your travel agency bond.
If you have more questions about your surety bond, you can always call on of our travel agency bond experts at 866.450.3412! We have extensive knowledge and experience in underwriting travel agency bonds in all 50 states and will gladly help you!
Below is a list of bonding requirements for sellers of travel by state.
