Travel Agent Registration FAQ

Your complete guide to joining our B2B travel portal and accessing wholesale rates for hotels, tours, and transfers across Southeast Asia

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about becoming a registered travel agent on DMC Quote

Our B2B portal is designed specifically for professional travel industry partners. You can register if you are:

  • Licensed Travel Agencies: Companies with valid IATA accreditation, tourism board registration, or equivalent licensing in your country
  • Tour Operators: Businesses organizing group tours, FIT packages, or specialized travel experiences
  • Destination Management Companies (DMCs): Local ground handlers looking to expand their service portfolio
  • Corporate Travel Managers: Companies managing travel bookings for business clients
  • Online Travel Agencies (OTAs): Digital platforms with established booking operations

Note: Individual travel agents working under an agency should use their company's registration details, not personal credentials.

We do not accept registrations from individual travelers or personal booking requests. Our platform is exclusively for business-to-business transactions with verified travel professionals.

To verify your business credentials and maintain the integrity of our B2B platform, we require the following documentation:

Essential Documents (Required for All Applicants):

  • Business License: Valid trade license or company registration certificate showing your legal business name
  • IATA/Tourism Board Registration: IATA accreditation number or official registration with your national tourism authority
  • Government-Issued ID: Passport or national ID of the authorized signatory
  • Business Address Proof: Utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement (not older than 3 months) showing your physical office address

Additional Documents (Based on Your Business Type):

  • Tax Registration: GST/VAT certificate or tax identification number
  • Bank Account Details: Cancelled cheque or bank letter confirming your business account
  • Professional References: Letters from hotel partners or tourism boards (optional but helpful for faster approval)

Important: All documents must be in English or accompanied by certified translations. Ensure your business license is current and not expired.

Documents should be uploaded as clear scans or photos in JPG, PNG, or PDF format (max 5MB per file). Our verification team reviews submissions within 24-48 business hours.

We understand that time is critical in the travel industry, so we've streamlined our verification process to be as efficient as possible:

Standard Timeline:

  • Initial Submission Review: 2-4 hours during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 6 PM SGT)
  • Document Verification: 24-48 business hours for complete applications
  • Final Approval & Activation: Within 1 business day after successful verification

What Happens During Verification:

  • Our compliance team checks your business license against official government databases
  • We verify your IATA accreditation or tourism board registration through their respective portals
  • Your submitted documents are cross-checked for authenticity and validity
  • We may contact you via phone or email for additional clarification if needed

Express Verification: If you have existing partnerships with recognized hotel chains or DMCs, mention them during registration. We can fast-track verification within 12-24 hours.

You'll receive email updates at each stage of the verification process. Once approved, you'll get instant access to our complete inventory with your assigned agent category pricing.

Delayed Approvals: If we haven't responded within 48 hours, check your spam folder or contact our support team at support@dmcquote.com.

We use a tier-based pricing system to reward high-performing partners with better rates. Your category is assigned based on several business factors:

Category A (Premium Partners):

  • Monthly booking volume exceeding SGD 50,000 or 100+ room nights
  • Established agencies with 5+ years of operational history
  • IATA accredited agencies with proven track records
  • Partners with existing hotel/DMC contracts demonstrating industry credibility
  • Pricing Benefit: Lowest available rates with maximum commission potential

Category B (Growing Partners):

  • Monthly bookings between SGD 15,000 - 50,000
  • Agencies operational for 2-5 years
  • Tourism board registered with solid client base
  • Consistent booking patterns with good payment history
  • Pricing Benefit: Competitive wholesale rates suitable for standard retail margins

Category C (New Partners):

  • Newly registered agencies or those with monthly volume under SGD 15,000
  • Startups with valid licenses but limited operational history
  • All new registrations begin here by default
  • Pricing Benefit: Standard B2B rates, still significantly lower than retail prices

Category Upgrades: We review agent performance quarterly. Consistent booking volume, payment reliability, and customer feedback can move you to higher tiers within 3-6 months.

Don't worry if you start at Category C - our pricing is competitive across all tiers. As your business grows with us, so do your benefits. We've designed this system to support travel agents at every stage of their journey.

While we can't disclose exact margins publicly (they vary by supplier and season), here's how our tiered pricing structure works in practice:

Understanding the Pricing Model:

  • Base Net Rate: The wholesale price we negotiate with hotels, tour operators, and transfer providers
  • Category Markup: A small percentage added based on your agent tier (Category A gets the smallest markup, Category C slightly higher)
  • Your Selling Price: You add your own retail margin when selling to customers

Real-World Example:

Let's say a hotel room has a base net rate of SGD 100:

  • Category A: Your price might be SGD 108 (8% margin to work with before reaching typical retail price of SGD 150)
  • Category B: Your price might be SGD 112 (competitive but slightly higher)
  • Category C: Your price might be SGD 115 (still well below retail, giving you room for profit)

All categories remain profitable: Even Category C pricing is 20-30% below standard retail rates, ensuring healthy margins for your business.

Additional Pricing Benefits by Category:

  • Category A: Access to exclusive hotel allotments, priority inventory during peak seasons, early-bird promotional rates
  • Category B: Standard promotional rates, good inventory access during most periods
  • Category C: Regular promotional access, reliable inventory for off-peak and shoulder seasons

Remember, pricing transparency is built into your agent dashboard. You'll always see your net rate, suggested retail price, and potential margin before booking.

Once your registration is approved, you'll receive a comprehensive welcome package to get you started immediately:

Immediate Access:

  • Login Credentials: Your email becomes your username, and you'll set a secure password
  • Agent Dashboard: Full access to search, book, and manage reservations across our inventory
  • Pricing Visibility: See your category-specific rates for all hotels, tours, and transfers
  • Booking Tools: Create custom packages, generate quotations, and process instant confirmations

Welcome Resources You'll Receive:

  • Platform training video (15 minutes covering all major features)
  • Quick start guide with step-by-step booking instructions
  • Rate sheet downloads for your most popular destinations
  • Marketing materials (logos, property descriptions) to share with clients
  • Contact details for your dedicated account manager (Category A & B partners)

New Agent Promotion: Many of our new partners receive a welcome bonus - often a discount on their first 5 bookings or waived platform fees for the first month. Check your welcome email for current offers.

Getting Started Checklist:

  • Complete your company profile (upload logo, add team members)
  • Set up payment preferences (credit terms, wallet balance, credit card)
  • Configure notification settings (booking confirmations, payment reminders)
  • Make your first test search to familiarize yourself with the platform
  • Join our monthly webinar for new agents (optional but recommended)

You're not alone in this journey - our support team is available via email, phone, or live chat to help you maximize your success on the platform.

Yes! We understand that travel agencies often have multiple team members who need access to the booking platform. Here's how our multi-user system works:

Primary Account Holder:

  • The person who completes the initial registration becomes the Master Admin
  • Full control over company profile, payment methods, and user management
  • Can add, edit, or remove sub-users at any time
  • Receives consolidated invoicing and reporting for all bookings made by the team

Adding Sub-Agent Accounts:

  • How Many: Unlimited sub-users for all agent categories (no additional cost)
  • How to Add: From your dashboard, go to Settings > Team Management > Add New User
  • Required Info: Just their name, email, and phone number
  • Activation: They receive an email invitation to set their own password

Permission Levels You Can Assign:

  • Booking Agent: Can search, create quotations, and make bookings, but cannot access payment methods or financial reports
  • Senior Agent: Booking privileges plus access to booking history, customer data, and performance reports
  • Manager: All booking and reporting features, plus ability to modify company profile and manage sub-users
  • Admin: Full access identical to the Master Admin (use this sparingly for security)

Security Best Practice: Don't share login credentials among multiple staff. Create individual accounts for each team member to maintain audit trails and accountability.

Benefits of Multiple User Accounts:

  • Track which team member made which booking (helpful for commission tracking)
  • Set individual email notifications for each agent's bookings
  • Better customer service when clients can work with their dedicated agent
  • Secure access control - if an employee leaves, simply deactivate their account

All sub-users operate under your company's agent category and pricing tier, ensuring consistent rates across your team.

Keeping your business information current is important for smooth operations and maintaining your account status. Here's what you can update and how:

Information You Can Update Instantly (No Verification Required):

  • Contact Details: Phone numbers, alternate email addresses, business hours
  • Company Logo: Upload a new logo that appears on your quotations and invoices
  • Payment Preferences: Credit card details, bank account information for refunds
  • Notification Settings: Email alerts, SMS preferences, booking confirmations
  • Team Members: Add or remove sub-users, update their permissions

How to Make These Updates:

  • Log into your agent dashboard
  • Navigate to Settings > Company Profile or Account Settings
  • Edit the fields you want to change
  • Click Save - changes take effect immediately

Updates Requiring Verification (1-2 Business Days):

  • Legal Business Name: If your company name changes due to rebranding or legal restructuring
  • Business License/Registration: Upload renewed licenses before the old ones expire
  • IATA Accreditation: Update if your IATA number changes or you newly acquire accreditation
  • Office Address: Relocating your office requires new address proof documents
  • Ownership Transfer: If the company changes hands or authorized signatory changes

Proactive License Renewal: Upload renewed business licenses 30 days before expiration to avoid account interruptions. We'll send you reminder emails 45 days before your documents expire.

Document Update Process:

  • Go to Settings > Business Documents
  • Click "Update Document" next to the item you want to replace
  • Upload the new document (JPG, PNG, or PDF, max 5MB)
  • Submit for verification - you'll receive an email confirmation within 24-48 hours
  • Your account remains active during the review period

What Happens If Documents Expire:

  • 45-day warning: Email reminder to upload renewed documents
  • 15-day warning: Dashboard notification appears
  • At expiration: Booking ability temporarily suspended until renewal
  • Existing bookings are honored regardless of document status

Need help updating something? Contact accounts@dmcquote.com and we'll guide you through the process.

Account security is crucial in the travel industry, but we've made password recovery simple and secure. Here's what to do in different scenarios:

Forgot Your Password:

  • Go to the login page and click "Forgot Password?"
  • Enter your registered email address
  • Check your inbox (and spam folder) for a password reset link
  • The link expires in 60 minutes for security, so use it promptly
  • Create a new strong password (minimum 8 characters, mixing letters, numbers, and symbols)
  • You'll be logged in automatically after setting the new password

Reset Email Not Arriving: Check your spam/junk folder first. If still missing after 10 minutes, request a new reset link - sometimes server delays occur.

Email Address Changed or No Longer Accessible:

  • Contact our support team at support@dmcquote.com
  • Provide your company name, business license number, and new email address
  • For security, we'll verify your identity by calling your registered phone number
  • Once verified, we'll update your email and send new login credentials
  • This process typically takes 2-4 hours during business hours

Account Locked Due to Multiple Failed Login Attempts:

  • After 5 incorrect password attempts, accounts are temporarily locked for 30 minutes
  • This is a security measure to prevent unauthorized access
  • Wait 30 minutes and try again, or use the "Forgot Password" option immediately
  • If you suspect unauthorized access attempts, change your password immediately and contact security@dmcquote.com

Can't Remember Your Registered Email:

  • Check with your team members - they might know the company login email
  • Look for previous booking confirmations in your email from noreply@dmcquote.com
  • Contact us with your company name and business license number for email recovery

Password Security Best Practices:

  • Use a unique password not used on other websites
  • Change passwords every 90 days (we'll send reminders)
  • Never share passwords - create sub-user accounts instead
  • Enable two-factor authentication (available in account settings for enhanced security)
  • Use a password manager to store complex passwords securely

Suspicious Activity: If you notice bookings you didn't make or unauthorized changes to your profile, contact us immediately at security@dmcquote.com or call our 24/7 hotline.

We rarely suspend accounts, but maintaining platform integrity requires certain standards. Here are scenarios that could lead to temporary suspension:

Common Reasons for Account Suspension:

  • Payment Issues:
    • Outstanding invoices unpaid for 30+ days
    • Chargebacks or disputed payments without resolution
    • Repeatedly declined credit cards without updating payment methods
  • Expired Documentation:
    • Business license expired and not renewed within 30 days
    • IATA accreditation lapsed without providing alternative valid registration
  • Booking Policy Violations:
    • Excessive cancellations (more than 40% of bookings)
    • Fraudulent bookings or using stolen payment methods
    • Reselling our rates to other agents without authorization
    • Booking for personal use rather than client bookings
  • Terms of Service Breaches:
    • Sharing login credentials with unauthorized parties
    • Creating multiple accounts to exploit promotional offers
    • Scraping pricing data for competitor analysis

We Always Warn First: Except in cases of obvious fraud, you'll receive at least 2 email warnings before any suspension. We want to help you stay compliant, not penalize you.

What Happens During Suspension:

  • Booking ability is disabled until the issue is resolved
  • Existing confirmed bookings are honored and processed normally
  • You retain access to view your booking history and download invoices
  • Customer support remains available to help resolve the suspension reason
  • No new charges are made to your account while suspended

How to Reactivate a Suspended Account:

  • For Payment Issues: Clear outstanding balances and update payment methods
  • For Expired Documents: Upload renewed licenses or registrations for verification
  • For Policy Violations: Contact our compliance team to discuss resolution and sign an acknowledgment of policy understanding
  • Reactivation typically occurs within 24 hours after resolving the issue

Preventing Suspension: Watch for dashboard notifications and email alerts. We proactively remind you about upcoming document expirations and payment due dates to help you avoid interruptions.

Permanent Account Termination:

This is extremely rare and only occurs in cases of:

  • Repeated fraudulent activity after warnings
  • Legal issues or business closure
  • Voluntary account closure request from the agent

If you believe your account was suspended in error, contact compliance@dmcquote.com immediately. We review all cases individually and are always fair in our assessments.

Great news - registration on DMC Quote is completely free, and we don't charge annual subscription fees. Here's our transparent pricing model:

What's Free Forever:

  • Registration: No setup fees or onboarding charges
  • Platform Access: Unlimited searches, quotation creation, and system usage
  • Multiple Users: Add unlimited sub-agents at no extra cost
  • Customer Support: Email, phone, and chat support included
  • Platform Updates: Automatic access to new features and inventory additions
  • Training Resources: Video tutorials, webinars, and documentation

How We Make Money (So You Know Where Costs Come From):

  • We negotiate bulk rates with hotels, tour operators, and transfer companies
  • A small service margin is built into the rates you see (varies by agent category)
  • You pay only when you make a booking - no hidden subscription fees
  • The more you book, the better your category and pricing becomes

Optional Premium Services: While core features are free, we offer add-ons like dedicated account managers (included free for Category A), custom API integration (for high-volume OTAs), and white-label booking widgets. Contact sales@dmcquote.com for pricing.

Payment Terms:

  • Prepaid Wallet: Load funds into your wallet and pay as you book (5% bonus credit on deposits over SGD 5,000)
  • Credit Terms: Category A and B agents with good history can apply for 7-30 day payment terms
  • Credit Card: Pay per booking with instant confirmation (standard card processing fees may apply)

No Hidden Fees or Surprises:

  • Pricing displayed at search includes all taxes and service charges
  • No booking fees, transaction fees, or processing charges added at checkout
  • Cancellation fees follow standard supplier policies (clearly shown before confirmation)
  • Amendment charges only apply if the supplier charges us (we pass through actual costs, no markup)

Our philosophy is simple: your success is our success. We grow when you grow, so we've eliminated barriers to getting started. Register today, make your first booking, and see the value yourself - all without any upfront investment.

We believe that supporting our agent partners is just as important as providing great rates. Here's the comprehensive support structure available to you:

24/7 Support Channels:

  • Email Support: support@dmcquote.com - Response within 2 hours during business hours, 6 hours off-hours
  • Phone Hotline: +65 6789 1234 (Singapore) - Available 9 AM - 9 PM SGT daily for urgent booking issues
  • Live Chat: Dashboard chat button - Instant messaging with support agents (Mon-Sat, 9 AM - 7 PM SGT)
  • WhatsApp Business: +65 9123 4567 - Quick questions and booking confirmations (business hours)

Dedicated Account Management (Category-Based):

  • Category A Partners:
    • Named account manager with direct phone and email
    • Monthly performance review calls
    • Priority access to new inventory and promotional rates
    • Quarterly business planning sessions
  • Category B Partners:
    • Shared account manager supporting 10-15 agents
    • Bi-monthly check-in emails
    • Priority response to support tickets
  • Category C Partners:
    • General support team assistance
    • Welcome onboarding call within 48 hours of activation
    • Access to all self-service resources

Training and Resources:

  • New Agent Onboarding: Live 30-minute training session via Zoom (scheduled at your convenience)
  • Video Tutorials: 20+ short videos covering every platform feature, accessible anytime from your dashboard
  • Monthly Webinars: Product updates, new destination launches, sales techniques (recorded for later viewing)
  • Knowledge Base: Searchable FAQ database with 200+ articles on common questions
  • Download Center: Rate sheets, marketing materials, property descriptions, terms & conditions

Booking Emergency Support: If a client is already at the hotel and there's a confirmation issue, call our emergency line immediately. We have 24/7 on-call managers for urgent situations that can't wait.

Proactive Support You'll Receive:

  • Document Expiry Reminders: 45 days, 15 days, and final notice before business licenses expire
  • Payment Due Notifications: Reminders before invoices become overdue
  • Inventory Alerts: Email notifications when popular hotels release new availability or promotional rates
  • System Updates: Advance notice of planned maintenance or new feature rollouts
  • Performance Insights: Monthly summary of your booking patterns, popular destinations, and category upgrade progress

Community and Networking:

  • Private Facebook group for DMC Quote agents (optional) - share tips, ask questions, network
  • Annual agent conference (Singapore-based) - meet the team, attend workshops, networking dinners
  • Regional meet-ups in major cities (Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta)

Technical Support:

  • Browser compatibility assistance
  • Help with payment gateway issues
  • API integration support for tech-savvy agencies wanting custom solutions
  • Troubleshooting booking errors or system glitches

We're here to help you succeed. Don't hesitate to reach out - there's no such thing as a "stupid question" when you're learning a new platform or navigating a complex booking scenario.

Absolutely! While our inventory focuses on Southeast Asian destinations, we welcome travel agent partners from anywhere in the world. Here's what you need to know:

International Agent Registration:

  • Eligible Countries: We accept registrations from travel agencies in any country with valid business licensing
  • Documentation: Provide your local business license or tourism board registration (English translation required if in another language)
  • Verification: International registrations may take 3-5 business days for document authentication
  • Pricing Currency: All rates displayed in Singapore Dollars (SGD) - you can add your own currency markup when selling to clients

Why International Agents Choose Us:

  • Europe-Based Agents: Southeast Asia is a booming destination for European travelers - access authentic local rates without going through multiple intermediaries
  • Australia & New Zealand: Your nearest exotic destination with direct flights - offer competitive packages with our wholesale pricing
  • Middle East Agents: Growing demand for family-friendly Southeast Asian holidays - we provide halal-friendly hotel options and tour selections
  • North American Agencies: Capture the adventure travel market with unique experiences you can't find on mainstream platforms
  • African & Latin American Agents: Expand your product portfolio with affordable Asia packages

Time Zone Support: While our primary office hours are Singapore Time (SGT), our email support operates across multiple time zones. Expect responses within 6-8 hours regardless of your location.

Payment Methods for International Agents:

  • International Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express accepted (standard FX conversion fees apply from your bank)
  • Bank Wire Transfer: USD or SGD payments to our Singapore bank account (we provide SWIFT details after registration)
  • PayPal/Stripe: Available for agents who prefer these platforms (subject to approval)
  • Multi-Currency Wallet: Load funds in SGD and avoid repeated conversion fees on individual bookings

Special Considerations:

  • Language: Platform is currently English-only, but we're working on Spanish, French, and Arabic versions
  • Tax Compliance: You're responsible for local tax obligations in your country - our invoices show GST/taxes for Singapore portion only
  • Invoicing: We can provide invoices in your company name for accounting purposes
  • Communication: Video call onboarding available to work across time zones

Destination Coverage Perfect for International Markets:

  • Singapore - City-state hub with universal appeal
  • Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Cameron Highlands
  • Thailand - Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai (expanding)
  • Indonesia - Bali, Jakarta (coming soon)
  • Vietnam - Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Ha Long Bay (coming soon)

Distance is no barrier in today's connected world. Whether you're in London, Toronto, Dubai, or Sydney, you'll receive the same professional service and competitive rates as our Singapore-based partners.

Ready to Join Our B2B Platform?

Register now and start accessing wholesale rates for Southeast Asia's best hotels, tours, and transfers

Register as Travel Agent

Registration takes 5 minutes. Approval within 24-48 hours.

Still Have Questions?

Email Support

support@dmcquote.com

Response within 2 hours

Phone Support

+65 6789 1234

Mon-Sat, 9 AM - 9 PM SGT

WhatsApp

+65 9123 4567

Business hours only