Finish onboarding to start booking with Hotels by Tern and earn commission on your agency’s hotel bookings.
Where do I start?
You can start onboarding from any of these places. Each one opens the same onboarding form.
Back Office Suppliers page
Go to Back Office and open Suppliers. On the Hotels by Tern banner, click Add now. This banner stays on the Suppliers page until your agency has added Tern.Back Office Dashboard
Go to Back Office. On the Dashboard banner that says “You can now book hotels without leaving Tern,” click Add Tern as a supplier. This banner shows for about 30 days, and you can dismiss it.Hotels by Tern email
Open the Hotels by Tern email Tern sent during the user conference and click the onboarding link.
Before You Start
Have these ready:
Your agency’s legal business name, trading name, and location
Your agency’s IATA or CLIA number
A completed W9 for your agency
The bank account details where you want commission paid (routing number, account number, and account type)
The email address where commission statements should go, such as your finance team’s address
Note: Enter the IATA or CLIA number of the highest agency in your hierarchy. It must match the business name on your W9. Tern checks this after you sign the terms.
Completing Onboarding
Enter your personal details
Type in your name, job title, and phone number.Select your role at the agency
For example, choose Owner if you own the agency.Confirm your agency details
Check your legal business name, where your agency is based, and your trading name.Enter your IATA or CLIA number
Choose which one your agency books under, then enter the number.Upload your W9
Add your bank account information
Enter the account details for where Tern should pay your commission, and select your account type. Choose whether the account is held by a business or an individual, matching your W9. Confirm the email for commission statements. It’s filled in with your email by default, but you can change it if you have a different email alias that you want your commission statements sent to.Review your details
Check that your W9, bank account, agency name, and IATA or CLIA number are correct. Then click Continue to go to the terms.
Signing the Terms
Review the terms
Click the PDF to open and read the full terms.Sign the agreement
If you agree, click Sign Agreement.
If someone else at your agency needs to sign:
Enter their full name, job title, and email. Tern sends them a link to review and sign the terms.
Verification
After the terms are signed, Tern checks that your IATA or CLIA number matches the business name on your W9 and belongs to the highest agency in your hierarchy.
Hotels by Tern is turned on in stages. During the user conference, it’s on for agency owners and their advisors who are attending. After the conference, it opens to all advisors at onboarded agencies.
Verifying Your Bank Account
You can book with Hotels by Tern before your bank account is verified. Commission will not be paid until your bank account is verified.
Look for a small deposit from Tern
Tern sends a deposit of under $1 to the account you entered. It takes 2 to 3 business days to arrive.Enter the deposit amount
You'll get an email with a verification form. Enter the exact deposit amount there.
Once the amount is confirmed, your bank account is ready for commission payments. You’re all set!
Common Issues
I’m not the person who signs agreements for my agency.
Enter the signer’s name, job title, and email on the terms step. Tern sends them a link to sign.
Someone else at my agency already started onboarding.
Only the person who started it can finish it. Everyone else sees “Application in progress.” Ask that person to complete it.
My IATA or CLIA number couldn’t be verified.
Tell us in chat.
I didn’t receive the micro-deposit.
If the deposit hasn’t arrived after 3 business days, check that your bank details are correct and tell us in chat.
I need to change my bank account or W9.
Tell us in chat.
My booking says my accreditation can’t book through Tern.
Hotels by Tern only books under your agency’s verified IATA or CLIA. Choose the approved accreditation on the booking, or convert the hotel to a manual booking.