The word “entrepreneur” describes all of us. It’s a word indicative of hard work and dedication. Starting a business is easy, but growing and sustaining it is the hard part. That’s why it pays to use free tools that don’t require a travel industry number but can maximize commissions and save you hundreds in yearly membership fees.

Skybird Travel. How much better would your bottom line look if you could book airline tickets on your own without a GDS, earn commissions and add fees to tickets? You can do just that with Skybird Travel (www.skybird.com), a consolidator whose IT department works around the clock to help ensure quality service. You can register there for a free account to begin earning fees on air bookings. Commissions are paid on a timely basis via direct-deposit shortly after booking.

Hotel Rewards. Hotel Rewards (www. hotelrewards.com), an online booking platform, offers you the ability to book stays at more than 150,000 hotels and resorts worldwide. By signing up for an Agent Studio website (www.AgentStudio.com) you’ll be able to integrate Hotel Rewards on your site to increase visitor traffic and let clients book their own hotel stays while you earn the commission.

Cruising Rewards. This booking tool is scheduled to debut soon and will allow you to book cruises and receive commissions directly from the lines. As is the case with Hotel Rewards, you will be able to integrate Cruising Rewards into your Agent Studio website for increased client booking options, which will make your agency more appealing to a wider swath of travelers.

Priceline Partner Network. My go-to source for travel packages is Priceline Partners Network (www. pricelinepartnernetwork.com), which I have integrated into my website. It gives clients interested in self-booking every component of their trips the ability to do so. They book, I earn. Email me if you need advice on how to integrate full booking capabilities into your website.

VAX Vacation Access. The Mark Travel Corporation’s VAX Vacation Access (www. VAXVacationAccess.com) is my other go-to solution for travel packages. It provides access to suppliers through a VAX login, and commissions are paid directly to your account. It also offers you the ability to add additional commissions to package prices and a VAX connection to Xcelerator, an agency management platform that is a necessity for running a successful business.

Competition is fierce in the industry. You need to maximize your earnings and protect your bottom line. Taking advantage of complimentary booking tools will help keep you on the cutting edge of travel while you save money and earn more. So work smarter – not harder.