The Travel Agent Next Door announces zero interest payment program

Agency
05-03-2019 3:02 pm
Michael Pihach

Michael Pihach

Michael Pihach is an award-winning journalist with a keen interest in digital storytelling. In addition to PAX, Michael has also written for CBC Life, Ryerson University Magazine, IN Magazine, and DailyXtra.ca. Michael joins PAX after years of working at popular Canadian television shows, such as Steven and Chris, The Goods and The Marilyn Denis Show.

The Travel Agent Next Door (TTAND) will be launching a zero interest payment program this summer, giving travellers more choice when it comes to financing their bucket list adventures.

Flemming Friisdahl, founder of TTAND, made the announcement Friday (May 3) at the host agency’s 2019 national conference, called MORE™ U, which PAX has been covering on location at the Iberostar Selection Playa Mita in Punta Mita, Mexico all week.

“I’m stoked about this program,” Friisdahl told a ballroom of nearly 200 conference attendees – a mix of suppliers and home-based agents and agencies. “It’s something that I’ve wanted to do since we started.”

It’s believed the program was inspired by a similar “travel now, pay later” payment program once operated by Sears Travel. “[That program] was the number one thing that helped them succeed in their sales,” Friisdahl said.

Three payment plans

TTAND’s program will offer equal payment plans spread over three, six and 12 months.

There will be a fee to use the service, paid for by the customer, Friisdahl said.

The fees, under a deferred/equal payment plan, will amount to the following:

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)

“You get the fees paid up front,” Friisdahl explained. “The price is very cost effective.”

All prices in the zero interest program will be converted into Canadian dollars.

And, (although nothing is confirmed), Friisdahl said that suppliers have already approached him to ask if they could pay the deferral fee, an idea that generated a round of applause from the audience.

“Can you imagine?” Friisdahl said, enthusiastically. “Zero interest...and the fee would be taken care of.”

Friisdahl declined to comment when asked if TTAND’s new program would directly compete with Uplift, another program new to Canada that gives travellers the ability to book now and pay over time.

“This is a phenomenal thing in my mind because we’ll be the first host agency to have a zero interest program,” Friisdahl said. “I really believe it’s something that’s going to make a significant difference in the industry."

TTAND’s zero interest payment program is expected to launch this July 2019.

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