Becoming a Travel Agent

Sweet Cruise Giveaway

2008-03-19T12:27:00.000-07:00

This site will give you a 4 day cruise just for signing up!

TakeaCruiseToday.com

Hope you enjoy

Viva La Mexico

2008-03-17T12:03:00.003-07:00

Learn How to Become a Travel Agent

Hi, I would like to let you know about one of the most unbelievable new member promotions Global Travel International has ever had!

Sign up today or tomorrow and will send you and a guest on a 3 day/2 night, all-inclusive resort stay in tropical Mexico, INCLUDING round trip airfare (Valued at over $1900)! Call me today at 1-800-398-7491 to learn more about our membership and this opportunity to visit Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Acapulco, Ixtapa or Cozumel! Again, that number is 800-398-7491.

It is not just an industry, it is a lifestyle. And we share your passion for this lifestyle in everything that we do. As a result of GTI’s impressive volume and agent base, we’ve been able to negotiate incredible rates for our agents and their clients. The only thing you need to get started is the desire to enhance your life and travel experiences including making and saving money. We provide you with the website and training/marketing tools to make you successful. There is a full support team here to make you successful. While you will be working for yourself, you certainly won’t working by yourself. We designed this program to meet the needs of everyday consumers and make it as easy as possible! No monthly maintenance fees like some other programs out there.

Start today by calling 1-800-398-7491.

Global Travel – Build a Business, Live the life.

Learn How to Become a Travel Agent

JourneyPass - Win a 7 Day Caribbean Cruise

2008-01-30T14:21:00.000-08:00

You are invited to enter our 7 Day Carnival Caribbean Cruise getaway. One lucky winner and a guest will pack their bags and board a Carnival cruise ship for a week of fun and excitement in an oceanside cabin!

Here are the sweepstakes rules:

Sweepstakes URL: http://www.journeypass.com/WinACruise.aspx
Description/Prize Details: 7 Day Carribean Cruise for Two, Oceanview room
Expiration Date: Feb 29th, 08
Entry Frequency: Once daily
Age Eligibility: 21+
Residence Eligibility: US and Canada, excluding Quebec, Puerto Rico and Rhode Island

Become a Home Based Travel Agent - How To Become a Travel Agent

2007-12-17T18:49:00.000-08:00

You will find information here about becoming a home based travel agent. Become a home-based travel agent for a great way to earn some extra income or as a full-time career. Your home-based travel agent business is what you make it. You don't necessarily need travel industry experience to get started, but you will want to use the training resources available to you. Which home-based travel agency program should I join? A good home based travel agent program will provide you with the tools and training to make you successful. Look for an agents only website. A good travel agent program will also provide you with your own website, as well as training on how you can drive traffic and book travel through your own website. We always recommend starting by booking your own travel, as well as booking travel for your friends and family. This is a great way to break into the business, and will usually provide you with enough residual income to make the program pay for itself.

Some programs offer free or $1 trials to help you get started. Click here to see a great way to try becoming a travel agent for just a buck!

Secure Site to Sign Up

2007-12-07T08:45:00.000-08:00

That's right the Start-Travelagency website is now secure for you to sign up to become a Travel Agent by using a credit card. You can sign up for only One Dollar! it's for a limited time only so hurry up and start enjoying the benefits and travel perks of being a Home Based Travel Agent.

The image shown above is a screen shot of what is on the Start-Travelagency website. It's a small banner that is showing that the site is secured by Godaddy.com to protect you and your information. If you click on the small banner which is in the lower right hand of the Start-Travelagency website it will verify the sites security.

Traveling Tour Terms

2007-11-20T11:30:00.000-08:00

When you are an Independent Travel Agent it is best to know a little bit of information that you are providing to your clients. Here are some tour terms that can help you explain things a little more.

Brochure - Printed material that describes a tour or package and specifies the conditions of what is offered.
Itinerary - The travel schedule provided by a travel agent for the client. A final itinerary spells out in detail such things as flight numbers, departure times, etc., as well as describing planned activities.
Land Arrangements - All services provided to a client (except on-going transportation by public air-carriers) after reaching the final destination.
Minimum Land Package - The minimum packaged expressed in terms of cost and ingredients – a tour that must be purchased to qualify a passenger for an airline inclusive tour.
Option - A tour extension or side trip offered at extra cost.
Package - Any advertised tour. Includes prepaid transportation, accommodations and some combination of other tour elements. A package may include more than one destination.
Transfer - Local transportation from one carrier to another, from an airport terminal to a hotel, from a hotel to the theater. A tour contract should specify whether the transportation is by car or motorcoach.
Vouchers - Documents issued by tour operators to be exchanged for services such as accommodations, meals, sightseeing, etc., sometimes called coupons.

The Home Based Travel Agent

2007-11-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

In response to the dramatic rise in demand for web-based travel bookings, many home-based entrepreneurs have cashed in on the new independent model of travel sales. You can too! Visit us today to get started as an Independent Travel Agent!

If you are:
• Tired of not benefiting from travel referrals that might come from people you’ve booked or recommended travel for?
• Tired of wasting hours searching for travel deals through various sources
• Tired of paying higher prices for travel so other people can earn commission
Then, becoming an Independent Travel Agent through a Host Agency is perfect for you!
When choosing a Host Agency, keep in mind that it should offer a practical solution to starting your own homebased business, with awesome benefits such as:
• Low negotiated rates with preferred vendors
• Comprehensive training and support including start up training
• Exemplary customer service
• Consolidated "one-stop" search and low price guarantee
• Paying you a commission for simply sending business their way, or booking travel for yourself or your colleagues.

You’ll want to make sure that the opportunity being presented is fully supported and that someone will always be there to walk you through the process.

Reputable Host Agencies offer their agents:
• Comprehensive travel products
• Agent accreditation
• Personal website
• Service and support
• Full-service reservation center
• Marketing and Internet Technology enhancements
• Agent-Only deals and exclusive negotiated rates
• Multiple ways to earn income

You should also expect training benefits such as:
• A comprehensive training manual
• On-line courses
• Personal training or coaching over the phone
• Weekly contact through emails or e-newsletters
• Teleconference calls that provide industry and supplier training
• Sales & destination training
• Regional training seminars
• Training seminars at sea
• Ship inspections
• Discounted industry publications & manuals

Full-service Host Agencies also provide support benefits such as:
• Toll-Free travel support
• Internet support
• Free or included website hosting
• Travel brochures
• Online Marketing Toolkit including prewritten marketing aids
• Accounting service and support including the tracking and payment of referral bonuses and commissions, airline reporting, and processing payments to vendors and more.

Commission benefits vary by agency. The Host Agency you choose should offer a commission split of at least 40% of what they receive on all of the following travel bookings:
• Car Rentals
• Cruise/Tours
• Air**
• Hotel
**Few airlines pay commissions to Travel Agents on ARC tickets. Most agencies have adopted a policy of charging $10 to $15 Ticketing Fees just to cover some costs.

Be careful as some will promote high commission splits but then add on other fees such as invoicing or transaction fees which can amount to several hundred dollars per month. Make sure you consider all of the hidden fees before making your choice.

A full-service agency should offer marketing support in the form of:
• Business Cards
• Personalized Letterhead
• Flyers
• Press Releases
• Advertising Templates

Commonly Asked Questions

2007-10-18T12:42:00.000-07:00

When people want to become an independent travel agent there are usually common questions that are asked. Some are simple some are complex. Below are a few questions that are usually asked.

How do travel agents make money? Yes!
How much to travel agents make? The Sky is the Limit
What do you need to know to become a travel agent? No experience needed
How long does it take to start a travel agency business? Start Now!
What's the best way to become a travel agent? Start-Travelagency.com
How to become an online travel agent? Start-Travelagency.com
How to market your travel business? This Blog!
Tips to be a successful travel agent? Read more of this Blog!

70 Free Directories to Market your Travel Agency

2007-10-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of "Free Directories" that allow you to post a link of your blog or website without paying anything or having to provide a reciprocal link back. Theses free directories not only provide a link of resource they also get listed within the major search engines. Another good thing about linking to theses directories it also allows you to link your site to a wide range of Page Ranks (PR) from a PR1 up to PR8. This list is designed to help you promote your site so please don't copy it! just link back to us as a source. Thanks!

Start a Travel Agency for Only $1

2007-09-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

That's right you can start making money today by Becoming a Travel Agent for only One Dollar! Visit Start-TravelAgency.com to find out more information on how to start making money or saving money as an independent travel agent.

This is a great business opportunity for work at home moms, someone who wants to run a home based business, entrepreneurs, or anyone who wants to make some extra money.

Take a Cruise and Make Some Money

2007-08-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

A cruise can be a great way to bring the family closer or to have a romantic getaway with that special someone you love. Well either way you look at it you have the chance to save some money on your cruise, your tours and much more once you become a home based travel agent. That's right when you provide travel services to yourself or even other family members you are generating money from the sales. There are tons of other benefits you get when you decide to become a travel agent.

Travel Agent Marketing Tools

2007-08-22T10:47:00.000-07:00

When you are an Independent Travel Agent it's best to know which tool to use and when to use it are things you learn from experience, from talking to experts, and from educating yourself through workshops, training courses, books and other publications. There are many marketing tools available today and the good news is that you don’t need to be a marketing expert to make them work for you. The following is a guide to help you understand how marketing tools fit into various marketing strategies.

Advertising
• Display ads
• Classified ads

Public Relations
• Public appearances (lectures, workshops)
• Special events
• Radio and TV talk show interviews

Internet
• Email campaigns
• E-newsletters
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Reciprocal Linking
• Blogs and Blogging
• Blog Communities (mybloglog, blogcatalog, spicyypage, technorati)

Mass Media
• News media, direct mail (newsletters, brochures, flyers, post cards, letters)
• TV (commercials, infomercials)
• Radio

Promotions
• Press releases
• Promotional items for giveaways
• Signs and posters

The purpose of using a marketing tool is to get attention. Simply spending money on a direct mail campaign will accomplish nothing if everyone who receives a letter tosses it into a wastebasket. Every tool you use should have a carefully worked out strategy to give you the best odds for success. The tools you select will be working components of your marketing
package. This package is vital and will communicate your business to the world.

Sample Press Release
Submit a press release to your local newspaper promoting your Independent Travel Agent status. If your story is printed, it’s FREE advertising! Just follow the basic press release format below and include a photo to personalize the article.
(Your Name Here)
(Your Address Here)
(Your Daytime Phone Number Here)
(Your Nighttime Phone Number Here)

For Immediate Release LOCAL TRAVEL AGENT IS CHANGING THE INDUSTRY (Your full name) enjoys traveling so much, (s/he) decided to become a Travel Agent to support (his/her) increasingly costly habit. (Your last name) is not your traditional Travel Agent, however. (S/he) works as a (job position) during the week, and then works part-time earning additional income as an Independent Travel Agent for (name of company), based in (location). (Your last name) simply refers (his/her) friends, family members and virtually anyone who’s traveling to (company name) and their professional staff does all the work. Then, (Your last name) gets paid. By joining the ranks of (company name) Independent Agents worldwide, (Your last name) and (his/her) referrals are able to not only book the most competitive rates, but (Your last name) also earns up to 90% of the travel commission from (his/her) bookings as well as (his/her) referral bookings.

As an Independent Agent with (company name) the earning potential is not limited to commissions from travel bookings. (Your last name) can refer a friend to become an Independent Agent also. When that friend signs up, (Your last name) gets paid. This innovative concept in selling travel is radically changing the travel industry. In much the same fashion that Wal-Mart and Charles Schwab revolutionized their respective markets, industry experts are touting Independent Agents like (Your last name) as the twenty-first century’s new definition of a travel agent.

Building your Customer Base

2007-08-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

When you become a Home Based Travel Agent Consider tapping all of these resources:
• Church groups
• Sports or hobby groups
• Volunteer associations
• Trade associations
• Community events
• School events or classes
• Parent Teachers Association (PTA)
• Waiting rooms
• Airport waiting areas
• Health clubs
• Civic clubs and organizations
• Scout troops
• Little League teams
• Theater groups
• Youth choirs and bands
• Fraternal organizations
• Professional and trade organizations
• Lines at stores, airports, movies,restaurants
• High school athletic team boosters

The easiest way to start building your customer base is to talk to the people you are closest to: friends, neighbors, family members, business associates, people who are members of the clubs and other groups you belong to, and anyone else you come into contact with on a regular basis.

Marketing to your friends, family and business associates can accomplish a variety of goals. First, most people are likely to buy a product or service from someone they know and trust. Second, people you know are more likely to tell others about the products and services you offer, thereby increasing your prospect base.

An excellent way to find prospective clients is to make a list of everyone you know. Your list should include family as well as their friends, acquaintances and colleagues. Consult family address books, the people you send holiday cards to, the people you know through religious organizations and the PTA or business associations to which you belong. Consider also the people you do business with, as well as any customers you may already have from your career. It’s a good idea to decide in advance how to make your friends and family aware of your new business. Consider the best way to approach them. You may want to send a handwritten note along with your business card letting them know that you are now in the travel business. You can also mention it to them at the next cocktail party or club function you attend. Choose the method you feel most comfortable with to produce results. Encourage them to call you the next time they are traveling or need to arrange any travel. The most important thing to remember is that you must keep in touch with potential clients after making them aware of your services. When you hear about a special cruise deal, send a note to your clients who enjoy cruising. Before long you’ll find that clients are coming to you with ideas of their own and a desire to book travel with you.

Are You An Independent Travel Agent Candidate?

2007-08-21T08:34:00.000-07:00

Here are some common questions to ask yourself if you are looking to own your own Travel Agency or to become an Independent Travel Agent.

Do you love to travel?
If you do then you likely already know a little about the product and you’ve already taken the first step to success.

Do you have friends and relatives?
If so, you already have an established potential client base. Your friends and family are sure to be grateful for the fabulous travel deals that you have access to as an agent, and they will feel good referring business your way.

Do you belong to a club or organization?
This offers a great opportunity to organize group tours and a great way to start your travel business. You can present a group travel deal slide show to your organization.

Are you a stay-at-home parent?
Domestic engineers are perfect candidates for a home-based business. Imagine booking travel and earning commissions while the kids are sleeping or at school!

Are you a self-starter? Can you start RIGHT NOW?
Are you the type of person who wants to make money, or supplement your current income right now? If so, you can break into the travel industry and begin earning money right away.

Do you want a flexible schedule?
Booking travel from home can be done any time of the day or night. You also have the flexibility of working anywhere from 10 hours to 80 hours a week, based on your own schedule and level of motivation.

Are you a small to medium-sized business owner looking to slash your travel budget?
Being an Independent Travel Agent is perfect for you. You can save money and earn commissions on business travel for yourself and your employees.

If you answered YES to any of the above questions then visit Global Travel International and Sign Up Today!!

Make Money or Save Money... you Decide

2007-08-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

That's what is offered when you become an Independent Travel Agent. When you are an Independent Travel Agent with Global Travel International you can either make money as an Independent Travel Agent where you provide travel deals to friends and family or Save Money on your personal travel, business travel, and family trips. There is also ways you can earn FREE TRAVEL!!! That's right Free Travel so why not check out Global Travel International Today and Become an Independent Travel Agent business owner.

How to Become a Travel Agent

2007-08-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

A great way to become an Independent Travel Agent would be to sign up with Global Travel International. They offer some of the industries best customer service support, as well as detailed instructions on how to start up you online travel agency.

Car Rental Information Codes

2007-08-19T01:38:00.000-07:00

When you become an Independent Travel Agent with Global Travel International. You may need to start to see different codes for differnet things. Below is a very useful list of Car Rental Codes that help identify what type of car, the car rental company, and much more.

Car Rental Company Codes
AC – Ace Rent-A-Car
AD – Advantage
AW – Ai r way s
AL – Alamo
AB – All American
AU – Australian Rent-A-Car
ZI – Avis
ZD – Budget
CL – Celebrity
DT – Der
ZR – Dollar
ET – Enterprise
CR – Fiesta
FD – Ford Dealer
ZN – General
GS – Guy Salmon
ZE – Hertz
TS – I.T.S. Car
KN – Kenning
ZL – National
ZA – Payless
RR – Rent Rite
SN – Snappy
QS – Superior
ZT – Thrifty
CC – Town & Country
TR – Tropical
SV – U-Save
GO – Value

Class of Car
M – Mini (certain companies)
M – Mid-Size/Intermediate
E – Economy
C – Compact
S – Standard/Full-Size 2-Door
I – Intermediate/Mid-Size
F – Full Size 4-Door
P – Premium
L – Luxury
S – Special

Type of Vehicle
C – Car
W – Wagon
V – Van
L – Limousine
S – Sports
T – Convertible
R – Recreational Vehicle
F – Four-Wheel Drive
X – Special

Transmission
A – Automatic
M – Manual

Air Conditioning
R – Air-Conditioned
N – No Air Conditioning

Vehicle Type Codes
CCAR – Compact car, automatic transmission, air-conditioned
ECAR – Economy car, automatic transmission, air-conditioned
FCAR – Full-size 4-door car, automatic transmission, air-conditioned
ICAR – Intermediate/mid-size car, automatic transmission, air conditioned
ICMN – Intermediate/mid-size car, manual transmission, no air-conditioning
IWAR – Intermediate wagon, automatic transmission, air-conditioned
LCAR – Luxury car, automatic transmission, air-conditioned
SCAR – Standard/full-size 2-door, automatic transmission, air-conditioned
FMR – Standard, 4-wheel drive, manual transmission, air-conditioned
SPCL – Special car
SSAR – Standard sports car, automatic transmission, air-conditioned
STAR – Standard convertible, automatic transmission, air-conditioned
SVAR – Standard Van, automatic transmission, air-conditioned
SWAR/SWGN – Station Wagon

Rental Car Companies
Alamo Rent-A-Car (800) 327-9633 www.alamo.com
Avis Rent-A-Car (800) 331-1212 www.avis.com
Budget Rent-A-Car (800) 527-0700 www.budget.com
Dollar Rent-A-Car (800) 800-4000 www.dollar.com
Enterprise (800) 736-8222 www.enterprise.com
National (800) Car-Rent www.nationalcar.com
Pay Less (800) Pay-Less www.paylesscar.com
Thrifty (800) 331-9111 www.thrifty.com

Benefits of an Independent Travel Agent

2007-08-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some useful benefits you get when you become an Independent Travel Agent. Global Travel International offers the most inexpensive home business available and it provides you with everything you need plus ongoing business support.

• Complete business support from our team of reservation and support specialists.

• Your own website with online search and booking capabilities.

• Lucrative commission structure and referral bonuses (Refer Friends & Family).

• Up to 75% Savings on your personal travel and courtesy space-available upgrades.

• Comprehensive training available to teach you how to research and sell travel.

• Travel Agent ID card.

Don’t delay your success and miss out on your enormous earning potential; you could be earning money right now. Join us Today!