Is anyone interested in becoming their own Travel Agent?

[Stone]

This sounds like a line from an Infomercial, but it's true:

I got my IATA number <edit> the number does not belong to the individual, but to the sponsering agency: Global Travel International </edit> and Travel Agent Kit for $300 and saved $1200 on my first trip.

The magic phrase "Do you have a Travel Agent Discount?" (and my Travel Agent ID card) got me 10% off on the Nimrod Explorer Liveaboard (which returned my investment), and I got 50% off on all my hotel accomodations (The "Intercontinental" in Sydney, and the "Oasis" in Cairns).

After the first year it's only $120 a year to renew.

If there is any interest, I will entertain questions.

 

[Natasha]

Stone,
All my years of hard work, time, and money, and all I had to do was meet you first, and pay 300.00. I feel like a fool.
:sunny:

 

[Stone]

Natasha,

The $300 doesn't buy the years of experience of a professional Travel Agent. It is more like buying a Sam's Warehouse discount card. If a person is comfortable making his/her own travel arrangements, they can save a lot of money.

 

[bottom_sucker]

Stone,

What impact does this have on making bookings over the web? I was doing all arrangements (flight, rental car, hotel) using web forms. Who do we have to contact to take advantage of this?

I've seen this information before a few years back, but it didn't have much detail in it.

Thanks in advance,
Dave

 

[Stone]

Dave,

I do all my research on the web. I usually start with Travelocity.

I check for the lowest airfares and either book online or call the airline to check for available upgrades.

After I find the hotels I'm interested in, I call them and ask if they have a travel agent discount (and how much). I don't bother calling a $30 a night Days Inn. As my first post mentioned, I stayed at the "Intercontinental" (overlooking Sydney Harbour) for $50 US a night (50% off). I book directly with the hotel and they will ask for your Travel Agent ID when you check in.

The most money is saved on the hotels, but there are also rental car discounts, theme park discounts, charter boat discounts, and HUGE discounts on Cruise Ships.

<edit> This edit provides a direct link to the GTI homepage. The previous link was to a page which contained my member number. Although it is possible for GTI members to sign up new members and receive $100, I'd rather remove the appearance of having a vested interest, and provide just the information </edit>.

The Agency is Global Travel International (out of Florida.)

 

[scubakat]

Wow Natasha, that is the same giant sucking sound I heard when I uttered the word "Leisurepro" to the manager of my LDS...

-kate

Originally posted by Natasha
Stone,
All my years of hard work, time, and money, and all I had to do was meet you first, and pay 300.00. I feel like a fool.
:sunny:

 

[syruss32]

Originally posted by scubakat
Wow Natasha, that is the same giant sucking sound I heard when I uttered the word "Leisurepro" to the manager of my LDS...

-kate

LOL Scubakat! hehehehe

I would be interested in hearing more stone as I have used a couple of travel agents that aren't worth a hill of beans and a few that I really like, but it would be nice to have another option.

DISCLAIMER: Though I am POSITIVE that should I use Natashas skills that I would be happy and booking through her for life as well as sending her my first-born. But since she is not in Flower Mound, TX please give us some more information!

 

[Stone]

Dave and Syruss,

<edit> This edit provides a direct link to the GTI homepage. The previous link was to a page which contained my member number. Although it is possible for GTI members to sign up new members and receive $100, I'd rather remove the appearance of having a vested interest, and provide just the information </edit>.

The Agency is Global Travel International (out of Florida.)

<edit> GTI has changed their webpage, so the following is no longer valid </edit>

At the bottom right of the page is a "become a travel agent" .gif. Clicking on that will let you browse for more information. I only go to the site when I'm about to travel so I don't know what's new. I did see that the "free companion ticket" I mention on my web page is no longer available, so I'll have to fix that tonight.

 

[bottom_sucker]

Thanks, will check it out!

Dave

 

[NJDiver_34]

Hey this is right up my alley. I'll take all the info I can get

Thanks
NJDiver_34