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Happily Ever After Travel Guide Contract

HAPPILY EVER AFTER TRAVEL

Guide Tier Agent Independent Contractor Agreement

2026 Contract Year Effective Jan 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026

Agency: Happily Ever After Travel and HEA Travel (“Happily Ever After Travel,” “HEAT,” or “Agency”)
Contractor: Independent Contractor (“IC,” “Agent,” “Guide”)

Agency Overview

Founded in 2008, Happily Ever After Travel (HEAT) is a family-focused, service-driven travel agency dedicated to creating exceptional guest experiences and building lifelong client relationships through honesty, integrity, and attention to detail. We provide this service through a culture that supports each agent as a member of a team, enabling exceptional service to our guests.

IC’s with HEAT are committed to their role as a Professional Travel Advisor and agree to do all they can to AVOID missed deadlines, unsatisfied guests, or poor communication. Being an Independent Contractor with Happily Ever After Travel is not a “get rich” opportunity, but rather a trusted avenue for income which comes from satisfying work and planning excellent, well thought-out guest experiences. Our desire is EXCELLENT Service and EXCELLENT communication, which results in a reputation for EXCELLENCE. Income is earned through satisfied clients, resulting in referrals and repeat business, built on excellent planning and professional communication, and commitment to follow through with guests until travel is completed.

Happily Ever After Travel (HEAT) strives to create experiences for our clients that will create memories to last a lifetime, while becoming one of the most respected family travel service brands.

Being an Independent Contractor (IC) with Happily Ever After Travel as an Apprentice is an investment in your travel career. This tier is designed for agents in their first phase (typically 6–24 months), with:

Structured training
Mentorship and oversight
A clear path to advancement into Story Writer status

Key Definitions

To avoid confusion, the following terms are used consistently:

Agency – Happily Ever After Travel / HEA Travel.
Independent Contractor (IC) – The travel advisor contracted with the Agency.
Apprentice – IC in the entry-level tier
Guide – IC in the intermediate tier after to completion of two Apprentice year contracts.
Story Writer – IC in the advanced tier, after meeting additional performance requirements.
Agency Email – The IC’s @HappilyEverAfterTravel.com or @HEATravel.com email address provided by HEAT.
TESS – The Agency’s CRM (travelesolutions.com) used for all client and booking records.
Approved Vendor – Supplier listed on the HEAT Approved Vendor list in the HEAT Google Drive are companies we are registered with. Vendors marked with “*” will pay commission on correctly booked packages under our IATA or CLIA number. If there is no “*” the agent is responsible for hunting down unpaid commissions.
Received Traveled Commission – Commission actually received by the Agency from a supplier for bookings that have traveled and are eligible for commission split with the IC.
Personal Travel – Travel booked through HEAT where the travelers are the IC and their immediate household and paid at 100% commission for qualified IC’s.
Booking – the term used for the financial information on a vendor invoice when entered into TESS.

Tier Structure & Progression

Happily Ever After Travel (HEAT) uses a tiered structure:

Apprentice – Learning and training tier
Guide – Intermediate producing agent tier for those beyond 2 contract years who have not reached $5,000 in received commission in a 12 month period.
Story Writer – Advanced agent tier with additional benefits

2.1 Apprentice Tier Completed

2.2 Guide Tier (Post-Apprentice – only if $5,000 commission not acquired)

The Guide tier is designed for ICs who have completed Apprenticeship training and demonstrated consistent booking competency, communication reliability, and CRM compliance, but have not yet reached $5,000 in Received Traveled Commission within a 12-month period. Guides work independently but agree to consult with agency leadership or the Facebook support group when booking a destination, vendor, or travel style that is new to them.

Commission split: 65% IC / 35% Agency on qualifying bookings
Eligibility for 100% of commission on ONE (1) personal travel booking per calendar year (immediate household only, with proper designation)
All additional personal travel is 65%/35%
Continued access to training and support
Eligibility to work toward Story Writer status

2.3 Story Writer Tier

Upon meeting Story Writer criteria (including $5,000 in Received Traveled Commission and other requirements described in Section 15), the IC may be promoted to Story Writer, with:

Commission split: 70% IC / 30% Agency on qualifying bookings
Eligibility for 100% commission on all approved personal travel bookings (when properly designated)
Access to additional agency-generated leads and select benefits
Eligibility to benefits of this tier begin the month following confirming requirements are met. An email will be sent to the qualifying IC with the invitation to IATA and CLIA the month following qualification. At this time the IC will no longer receive monthly updates regarding their commission received for the last 12 months from the office.

Specific promotion criteria and benefits for each tier are outlined in Section 15.

Core Non-Negotiables

These are mandatory for all ICs and directly impact commission eligibility and continued affiliation:

3.1 TESS / CRM Requirements

IC must update TESS with complete client and booking information within 48 hours of applying any payment or deposit to a booking.

Each booking must include at minimum:

For at least one primary guest per household:

Full name
Home mailing address
Email address
Cell phone (and home phone if applicable)
Date of birth

For all other travelers on the booking:

First and last name
Date of birth

For the Booking itself (Booking Tab inside of Trip):

Confirmation numbers used to identify the invoice with the vendor
Gross invoice total due to vendor.
Supplier commission (estimate 10% if not visible - save as "Historical" if the commission is $0 or for non-commissionable invoices (i.e. airfare or travel agent rates)
Payment details (amounts and dates, ideally showing a $0 balance by travel and marking the booking as "Paid")
On the Booking Description line include the guest name and a description of what the booking invoice is for (hotel name, location, cruise line, cruise ship, cabin, WDW package with hotel name, ticket components, etc.)

Failure to maintain timely, complete TESS records may result in delayed or reduced commission, loss of benefits, eligibility for leads and/or impact to tier status or agency affiliation.

3.2 Email & Communication

IC must maintain a working Agency Email on both a smartphone and a desk computer or laptop.
If Agency Email stops working for sending or receiving, IC must notify Admin or Agency leadership and resolve it within 24 hours.
All client and supplier business must be conducted exclusively via Agency Email. Personal email may not be used for agency-related business.
IC must respond to client and agency communications within 24 hours, or notify the office if assistance is needed. This includes, scheduling annual reviews by the deadline stated in the email each year for review appointments.
A professional voicemail greeting is required, including the IC’s name and connection to HEAT.

3.3Technology & Work Expectations

By signing, the IC agrees to:

Maintain a functional computer (desktop, laptop, or PC-type tablet) with Microsoft Word and required fonts (provided via Google Drive).
Understand that a smartphone alone does not qualify as a computer.
Maintain reliable internet access sufficient to perform all duties.
Accept that all costs related to hardware, software, and internet are IC’s responsibility.
Commit to a typical availability and effort of 20+ hours per week to actively learn, train, and work on client needs.
Maintain access to:
- Agency Email (set up on phone and computer)
- TESS (CRM)
- Supplier portals and required training platforms

4.Training Requirements

4.1 Onboarding Training - Completed

Guides who have already completed these programs are not required to repeat them, but must maintain annual updates and current certifications as outlined in Section 4.2.

4.2 Ongoing Professional Development

This section governs your ongoing responsibilities. Even if you previously completed the initial CDK, Universal, ALG Pro, and Travel Leaders onboarding, you are responsible for maintaining current annual updates and certifications as described below.

To remain in good standing:

Maintain current and annual updates for CDK and Universal (Orlando & Hollywood).
Take advantage of additional vendor trainings (e.g., Sandals, Beaches, Carnival, etc.) as assigned or recommended.
Participation in Monday Zoom calls, live training events, webinars, and ship tours is strongly encouraged and may be required for specific opportunities or benefits.
Regular park visits (Disney and Universal) are strongly recommended approximately every 24 months, through:
- Official WDTC AEP (Agent Education Program),
- HEAT on-site training, or
- Personal family vacation.

On-site training is strongly encouraged but not required, as ICs are independent contractors.

4.3 Training Oversight

Training progress and milestones may be tracked in TESS.
HEAT office admin will send out monthly commission received for a 12 month look-back period the first of each month until $5,000 is achieved.

Required Destination Experience & Consulting

4.4 Disney & Cruise Minimums (All Tiers)

To ensure quality planning for Disney Destinations, all ICs (Apprentice, Guide, and Story Writer) are expected to work with a Trainer/Owner for the following number of planned trips before planning without assistance:

Walt Disney World – 4 planned trips
- Room with 3+ day tickets and/or dining
- Personal trips may count for up to 2, only when planned with trainer/owner
Disneyland California – 2 planned trips
- Disneyland Resort Hotel or Good Neighbor property with tickets
- Personal trips may count for 1, only when planned with trainer/owner
Disney Cruise Line – 3 planned trips
- Personal trips may count for up to 2, only when planned with trainer/owner

4.5 Guide Consulting Expectations

Guides are not required to consult on every booking; however, they must seek guidance from Agency leadership, the HEAT Facebook support group, or a trainer when they are:

Booking a destination, cruise line, or supplier for the first time
Handling complex, multi-component itineraries
Booking groups
Unsure about promotion stacking, insurance rules, or benchmark dates

Failure to consult when required may result in reduced commission (e.g., 50%) if client service or agency liability is compromised.

Communication Standards

The IC agrees to:

Have the ability to navigate the internet effectively which requires a personal laptop with WIFI.
Have the ability to communicate by phone and email using proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Respond to requests (client or agency) within 24 hours, or request help from the office when unable to respond.
Maintain a professional voicemail greeting.
Understand that a background check may be required at any time at the agency’s discretion.
Understands documents package are created digitally by the IC, in partnership with a trainer and with trainer approval, and must be sent in to the office in a timely manner to be sent to the guest.

Compensation & Fees

5.2 Guide Tier

This tier is for IC’s who have been unable to reach $5,000 in received commission and may be offered to IC’s who choose to continue after a minimum of two years as apprentice.

65% of Received Traveled Commission to the IC
35% to the Agency

This applies to:

Agency-generated leads
Self-generated leads
All Approved Vendors (Disney & non-Disney), provided all procedures are followed.

Conditions for Payment:

Booking entered into TESS within 48 hours of applying deposit/money.
Client information and booking record are complete
Required consulting with trainer/owner has occurred (for Apprentices, all bookings).
Supplier commission is received by the Agency.
Documents were sent into the office to be sent to the guest BEFORE travel in a timely manner.

Direct deposit is typically processed every other week, or more frequently at Agency discretion.

Guides also receive:

Eligibility for 100% commission on ONE (1) personal travel booking per calendar year (immediate household only), when properly designated and entered in TESS before commission is issued (see Section 12).

5.3 Story Writer Tier

When an IC receives $5,000 in commission during a 12 month period

70% of Received Traveled Commission to the IC
30% to the Agency

Story Writers may qualify for:

100% commission on all approved personal travel bookings, when properly designated and entered before commission is paid and when performance and standing requirements are met (see Section 12).
IATA and/or CLIA card to access industry discounts. Qualification is required annually.

5.4 Standard annual fee: $350 (due December 30 each year)- This annual fee applies to all active ICs (including Guides, and Story Writers) for each new contract year.

Includes:

TESS (CRM) basic subscription for 12 months
Access to Errors & Omissions coverage (when properly representing HEAT)
Personal page on HappilyEverAfterTravel.com
Tech support for email and supplier registration
Direct deposit for commissions
Access to Travel Leaders Network and consortium benefits
Social media support tools (e.g., Social Share Pro)
1 box of 250 business cards annually (as needed)
Toll free number with extension to use for public facing website and listings to protect the IC’s personal phone number.

5.5 Annual Agency Fee Adjustments (Based on Prior Year Performance and applies to years following the second contract or the contract following achieving Story Writer)

Reductions based on prior fiscal year Received Traveled Commission:

$15K–$24K: fee reduced to $300
$25K–$34K: fee reduced to $250
$35K–$49K: fee reduced to $200
$50K–$99K: fee reduced to $150
$100K+: fee reduced to $120

Payable via Cash App or check mailed to:
Happily Ever After Travel
101 N Greenville Ave, Suite C313
Allen, TX 75002

Annual fee discounts based on prior-year Received Traveled Commission may be applied according to agency policies communicated separately. An invoice has been or will be sent from the admin.

5.6 Commission Recalls & Vendor Reversals

If a vendor recalls, reverses, or withdraws commission previously paid to Happily Ever After Travel for any reason—including but not limited to guest cancellation, chargebacks, nonpayment, reservation modifications, fraudulent activity, or supplier policy—the Independent Contractor agrees to repay the Agency the full amount of commission that was previously paid to the IC for that booking.

Commission recall may be deducted from future commission payments.
If there is insufficient commission to deduct against, IC agrees to submit repayment to the Agency within 30 days of written notice.
If the vendor recalls the Agency’s commission after the IC has been paid, the IC remains financially responsible for returning the portion of commission they received.
Failure to repay recalled commission may result in:
- Suspension of new booking privileges
- Suspension of Agency Email access
- Interruption of commission payments
- Termination of Independent Contractor Agreement
- Legal action for repayment of recalled commission.

Commission is only considered “earned” when the following are true:

The guest has traveled;
The vendor has paid the Agency; and
No recall or reversal has been initiated by the vendor.

6.Inclusions & Support

ICs receive:

TESS CRM basic package
- Optional upgrade available for a fee paid directly to TESS.
Errors & Omissions insurance coverage as long as IC is correctly representing affiliation with HEAT and following procedures.
Personal page on com (as determined by agency) for lead collection and credibility.
Listing on Travel Leaders Agent Profiler (once minimum requirements met).
Free technical support for HEAT email setup and supplier registration.
Direct deposit for commissions.
Access to Travel Leaders Network consortium benefits (added amenities, group offers, etc.).
Access to Social Share Pro or similar social media tools as provided by the agency.
Use of a toll-free number (as provided) to protect personal phone number.
One box of 250 business cards annually, as needed.
Access to Canva templates for itineraries and touring plans.
Use of Google Forms ([email protected] process) for document package submissions and workflow management.

Round-Robin and general agency leads are typically earned after graduation to Guide/Story Writer tiers and based on performance, compliance, and responsiveness.

7.Client Care, Documents & Travel Protection

IC agrees to:

TESS Invoice

- Provide each guest a TESS invoice within 48 hours of deposit, showing:

Total package price
Amount paid to date
Final payment due date
Cancellation policy overview
Bookings in TRIP contain detailed description of what the charges are for.

Document Submission

Send complete client documents and instructions to [email protected] at least 14 days prior to departure, following agency “How Do I” instructions.

For cruise packages where gross commission is below $150 per household, IC may issue e-docs through TESS and notify the office that e-docs were sent.

Touring Plans – Disney Destinations

For Disney packages with tickets/dining, provide a complete touring plan (cover letter, day-by-day plan with dining, resort & flight confirmations as applicable, and concise overview in the form of a one page chronological itinerary).

If IC fails to provide a complete touring plan and the agency must create these documents, the booking commission may be paid at 50% for that trip.

Travel Protection

Offer travel protection to 100% of travelers for all destinations, through approved vendors (Travel Insured, CHUBB, or supplier policies).

Clearly explain:

Policy cost
Covered reasons (high level)
Deadlines for pre-existing condition coverage
Potential penalties or financial risks of not purchasing protection

- Obtain written confirmation when a guest declines coverage (email reply or signed waiver).
- IC understands they may be responsible for financial implications if they fail to properly offer/document travel protection.

Deadlines & Benchmarks

Communicate and meet key date benchmarks such as:

Dining windows (e.g., 60 days or current opening)
Final payment dates
Insurance purchase windows for pre-existing condition coverage
Insurance purchase requirement to be added to packages within “x” days of deposit or prior to final payment.

- IC is responsible for consequences associated with missed deadlines.

8.Personal Travel

8.1 Apprentices – not eligible

8.2 Guides

Upon promotion to Guide:

IC becomes eligible for 100% commission on ONE (1) personal travel booking per calendar year, for the IC’s immediate household only.
That one booking must:
- Be entered in TESS within 48 hours of booking;
- Be designated as personal travel according to agency procedure (which may include emailing [email protected] or another process communicated by the agency) before commission is paid.
All other personal travel for Guides is paid at the 65/35

8.3 Story Writers

Upon promotion to Story Writer and meeting the required performance thresholds:

IC becomes eligible for 100% commission on all approved personal travel bookings, for their immediate household, when properly designated as personal travel prior to commission being received.
Any personal travel bookings not properly pre-designated or found on the Unclaimed list may be paid at the standard 70/30 split without retroactive adjustment.

“Personal Travel” is defined as travel where all travelers are members of the IC’s immediate household. Any variation must be handled according to agency policy.

Leads, Marketing Co-Op & Growth Expectations

9.1 Eligibility for Agency-Generated Leads (Round Robin, website inquiries, etc.)

To receive agency-generated leads, Story Writer ICs must:

Average at least one client booking per month after completing Story Writer training.
Achieve $5,000 in Received Traveled Commission within a 12-month period.
Demonstrate 10% year-over-year growth in Received Traveled Commission.
Maintain current training (Disney, Universal, ALG Pro).
Respond to Agency Email within 24 hours.
Submit client documents to [email protected] at least 14 days prior to travel.
Communication Standards maintained – functioning email, responds to questions, attends trainings when available, etc.
Personal marketing efforts, including completed Agent Profiler and use of Engagement
Make an effort to keep Engagement and TESS client lists updated, including all leads (even those not booked), adding:
- First & last name
- Email
- Phone
- Referral group/source

10.2 Co-Op Marketing Support

For ICs who exceed certain production levels (e.g., $5,000+ in received commission), the Agency may, at its discretion, offer co-op marketing assistance for pre-approved events (bridal shows, markets, festivals) when requested with sufficient notice, usually 120 days+, and documentation.

IC’s may request cooperative funding for qualifying events (bridal shows, markets, festivals) promoting Happily Ever After Travel by:

Submitting event details (name, location, estimated attendance, cost)
Providing 90 days’ notice when possible
Submitting a paid invoice and proof of attendance (including booth photo)

Approved co-op is reimbursed after the event is attended and all paperwork is submitted to the admin upon vendor approval.

10.Professional Conduct & Public Representation

IC agrees to represent Happily Ever After Travel with professionalism and dignity at all times.

10.1 Business Cards & Solicitation

Allowed:

Handing a business card directly to an individual who expresses interest in travel or asks what the IC does.
Carrying business cards at training events, networking events, cruises, or resorts for one-to-one

Not Allowed:

Mass distribution of business cards or other paraphernalia in public spaces, including but not limited to:
- Taping or tucking business cards onto or under cruise cabin doors
- Slipping business cards under hotel room doors
- Leaving stacks of cards on public tables, pool decks, or in random public areas
Using business cards as flyers or intrusive advertisements that invade other guests’ vacations or attempt to solicit other agents’ clients.
If a guest approaches the IC about their work, they may respond professionally and offer a card, but there should be no stealth advertising via hidden items.

10.3 General Professional Conduct

IC agrees to:

Represent HEAT with professionalism in appearance, communication, and conduct.
Maintain a professional voicemail and keep business cards on hand during training and events.
Not grumble, complain, or discuss internal HEAT matters with outsiders or on social media.
Not disclose client personal data or Agency procedures in public forums.
Protect client privacy by:
- Storing sensitive information securely in TESS
- Shredding written documents after use
- Ensuring private, secure spaces when reading or conveying credit card details

IC will not solicit money from clients outside of paid commission or pre-agreed planning fees.
Listen respectfully to speakers at training events (no talking over presenters).
Offer a handshake, smile, and expression of gratitude to hosts.
Wear appropriate attire (including shoes) in public spaces during industry events.
Carry a minimum of 10 business cards in normal professional settings and 50 when attending industry training events or conferences.
Avoid soliciting business while traveling on travel agent rates, FAMs, or when attending industry events.
Avoid discussing commission structures, internal HEAT procedures, or confidential matters in public or around other agencies.

11.Social Media, Confidentiality & Internal Matters

IC agrees to:

Not discuss HEAT operating procedures, internal processes, guests, or commissions on social media or in public groups.
Not post questions about HEAT procedures on travel agency support pages. All procedural questions should be brought to HEAT trainers/leadership first.
Not represent themselves as “Disney Travel Agents” or as working for the Walt Disney Travel Company.
- Instead, use titles such as “Travel Advisor,” “Travel Professional,” or “Travel Agent specializing in...” with affiliation to Happily Ever After Travel.
Use HEAT branding and trademarks only with prior approval (for logos, printed materials, websites, booths, etc.).
Maintain confidentiality regarding HEAT policies, systems, and finances.
Never discuss commission percentages or splits with clients or agents outside HEAT.

12.Graduation & Promotion Criteria

12.1 Graduation from Apprentice to Guide

Typical timeframe: 6–24 months, depending on IC engagement and completion of requirements.

To be considered for promotion to Guide, an Apprentice must:

Complete all required initial training modules (CDK, Universal, ALG Pro, Travel Leaders onboarding) and maintain ongoing updates as required.
Demonstrate consistent TESS compliance (complete, timely entries and client profiles).
Complete or actively work toward the required Disney Destinations experience benchmarks with trainer oversight.
Maintain high standards of client communication, responsiveness, and professional conduct.
Show understanding of booking procedures, travel protection standards, and planning benchmarks.
Be recommended or approved by trainer/owner/agency leadership.
Agree to continue to communicate with office or trainers for new bookings.

Guide Tier Agreement or addendum with updated compensation and benefits, 65/35 split and one 100% personal travel booking per year, offered as annual contract.

12.2 Promotion from Guide to Story Writer

To be considered for promotion to Story Writer, an IC must:

Achieve $5,000+ Received Traveled Commission in a 12-month period
Maintain TESS compliance and training requirements
Actively participate in agency development (Zoom calls, trainings, etc.) either in person or by watching recordings as your time allows.
Be published on Happily Ever After Travel’s “Meet our Team” section
Be published on Travel Leaders’ Agent Profiler platform
Demonstrate strong professionalism and service
Receive trainer/owner approval

Independent Contractor Status, Background Check & Termination

IC is an independent contractor, not an employee. IC is responsible for their own taxes, insurance, and business expenses.
IC understands a background check may be required at any time, and failure to pass may result in termination.
Either party may cancel this Agreement in writing at any time.
IC is asked to provide 30 days’ written notice prior to resignation.
- Agency may revoke email and system access upon resignation.
- Existing bookings may be completed through the Agency with IC participation, as determined by the Agency.
- Bookings not completed within agreed timelines may be paid at a reduced commission (e.g., 50%) and completed by Agency admin/owner/trainer.
- Bookings are generally not eligible for transfer to another agency while under HEAT IATA/CLIA/ARC.

Errors & Omissions

IC is covered under the Agency’s E&O policy only when:

Properly representing themselves as affiliated with Happily Ever After Travel
Using Agency numbers (IATA/CLIA/ARC) and following procedures
Agent uses only their happilyeveraftertravel.com email for guest communication
Written evidence or necessary communication is available, including offering of travel protection, risks associated with not purchasing travel protection, and written accept or decline of travel protection from the client with evidence of the terms and conditions provided as well as travel protection cost.

If a claim is made under HEAT’s E&O policy, the IC may be responsible for up to 100% of the deductible (up to the amount specified by the policy, e.g., up to $2,000).

Acknowledgement & Signature

By signing below, the Independent Contractor acknowledges that they:

Have read and understand this Agreement.
Meet the qualifications to serve as an Independent Contractor with HEAT.
Agree to follow all expectations, requirements, and procedures outlined herein.
Commit to communicate questions or concerns quickly with Agency leadership.

This Agreement remains in effect for the duration as defined unless canceled in writing by either party.

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Signed by Christine Vorderbruggen
Signed On: December 5, 2025

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December 5, 2025 7:02 pm CST

Happily Ever After Travel Guide Contract Uploaded by Christine Vorderbruggen - [email protected] IP 47.185.228.152