‘I was making no money’: Travel agent side hustle promoted by influencers criticised over fees
Travel agency schemes promoted by influencers are facing criticism from recruits who claim they struggle to earn money after accounting for fees. Participants allege that the business model focuses more on recruiting new members than selling travel services.
Why it matters
This highlights the risks associated with influencer-led business opportunities and the potential for financial exploitation in multi-level marketing structures.
Influencers promote InteleTravel and PlanNet Marketing to large audiences, with slogans such as ‘normalise working from anywhere’. Influencers promote InteleTravel and PlanNet Marketing to large audiences, with slogans such as ‘normalise working from anywhere’. Consumer affairs ‘I was making no money’: Travel agent side hustle promoted by influencers criticised over fees Would-be marketers enticed by online talk of entering a world of travel and easy cash find that the reality is rather different
Sarah Marsh Sat 3 Oct 2026 07.00 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google M onths before she entered the Love Island villa, the content creator Yasmin Hadlow promised viewers of her online videos that they could “catch flights and get paid mid-air”. All they had to do, she said, was send her a direct message with the word “freedom”.
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