Originally Posted by VagabondetteVA
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Do any of you have this as something you offer? I do this for several people already (because I *LOVE* travel planning) but I'm looking to step it up a notch. I've heard about lots of "independent travel agent" programs out there and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with them.
VVA
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I think you're thinking of companies like YTB (Your Travel Business) which is a multi level marketing company. You pay $500 to join and $50 a month to get a web site so that you or your friends and family can book travel on. Personally I wouldn't touch them. If you Google "YTB" and "Issues", there are stories about people who have had problems with travel booked through this service - like getting to the airport and no ticket there.
I do travel as I would if I were working in an office - if it's local - i.e. Canada or the US, I'm comfortable booking the flights and hotels myself. I use Expedia to get the best rates and then deal directly with the airport. If it is like a request I had in February, when a client needed to travel to India, I put that in the hands of an expert - a real travel agent.
My clients are too important to me to risk using one of these MLM travel services. I would never want a client to get to the airport and not have a seat on a plane. Lots of VAs are getting into these businesses, but not me. Besides, I think they way you really make money on these things is by selling the business to others.