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. I don't want to be an official travel agent, but if I can work with a system that gives me more information and support than Orbitz, etc. does that would make me a very happy woman.

So I'm wondering if you provide travel services to your clients, how do you do it?

Thanks!

VVA

This isn't something I offer - although I've done it at times for clients in a pinch I really prefer to leave that up to the specialist (for the reasons you mentioned, namely that Orbitz is my own 'best' resource )
I think it could be a very lucrative move on your part to vest yourself in a travel agent program of sorts but honestly am not sure how you'd start to go about doing that.

I'm now curious to see if anyone else jumps in here with their own experience/suggestions!

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Thanks for the response Tess. From most of what I've read, most people do it as kind of a one-off thing. I got the idea because my main client right now is a travel maniac, traveling about 3 weeks a month to about 7 different countries. It takes hours to organize his trips - which he doesn't have (which is where I come in). If I had better access to info I could get him on better flights (meaning ones where he's more likely to get upgraded, etc.) and it wouldn't take nearly as long to plan.

I actually went to travel agent school many, many moons ago (like about 15 years) but never really did anything with it because the pay was so dismal. I think it could be an interesting market to tap into particularly since one of my core target groups is independent consultants who travel a lot. It might also have the added benefit of commissions and perks for myself when I travel.

Thanks again,
VVA

Originally Posted by VagabondetteVA

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. I don't want to be an official travel agent, but if I can work with a system that gives me more information and support than Orbitz, etc. does that would make me a very happy woman. So I'm wondering if you provide travel services to your clients, how do you do it? Thanks! VVA

I do this now for a client, but not all the time. I use Orbitz or Expedia, but what exactly is a travel agent program? Is that a tool or a training program? I used to do a lot of travel while I worked in corporate, but I have no real foram training. I'm wondering if I am missing out?

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Doreen R. Patrick, MVA, ACS, CIVA
www.virtualbusinesspartners.net

When you use a real booking system like Apollo or Sabre you can see more about the flights that you're booking (how many seat available in which fare code, etc.) as well as alternative routing strategies that can be *really* hard to find on leisure travel sites.

For example, when I book a trip for my client it is typically along the lines of this:

Amsterdam -> Doha -> Dubai -> Muscat -> Amman -> Amsterdam

With better info I could get better, more useful, connections and layovers. I would also be able to tell if flight A has no seats available in First Class while Flight B (which leave 45 minutes later) has 12 which means I'd likely book him on flight B so he'll have a better shot at an upgrade.

I'd also like to use it for my own personal travel as I like to do Mileage Runs and those can be next to impossible to plan well without a back-end system.

ETA - there's nothing wrong with Orbitz, etc. and they're great for 99.9% of things. But sometimes the extra info is great.

Originally Posted by VagabondetteVA

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

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.

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Julia

I have been in the travel industry for over 10 years. I love the industry. Be careful when you begin to offer these services to business professionals and booking their tickets from inline booking engines. They (internet booking engines) do not allow their tickets to be exchanged. If the flight needs to be changed, the passenger will have to purchase a new ticket or be at the mercy of an airline employee that more than likely will not change the ticket mainly because they aren't supposed to.

If I can be of more help to you, just submit a post.

Before I made the decision to become a VA I dabbled in the travel business. I signed up with joystar.com. They have a mentoring program, which I admit, I didn't use to it's full potential. I think that it was like $26/mt or something. I have very few issues with them and they give you access to any travel sites that any travel agent can gain access to.

Also, if you google "ITA Matrix" the first option is for ITA Software. Go to that and sign in as a guest. It gives you prices for the main airlines and some of the discounters too. It give you long layovers, red eye, 2+ layovers and such and show you which ones are the cheapest. You can't book through them, but it shows you where to go. I always check there and then a couple discounter airlines to see which one to travel on. Then I typically book through the airline's website. Also, most airlines don't offer commissions anymore.

If you would like anymore information on joystar just let me know. Also, on their website they have a forum that is open to the public. It is where the travel agents within the company ask a lot of questions and is quite informative.

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Kellie Stotsky
The Essential Virtual Assistant
www.theessentialva.com

I hope I can help a little here. I have been working in the travel industry for over 8 years, with experience as a travel agent and as an airline reservations agent. I also have a diploma in travel and tourism.

First, it's difficult to have access to a CRS system (like Sabre, Galileo, Amadeus) without proper training and a position with a travel agency. If you do have some training, you may be able to work as an outside agent, with access to the real-time booking systems, and online wholesale sites.

Second, I agree with DionneS...be careful with online booking engines. I've had to help many past clients who have run into issues with their bookings, especially when it comes to making changes or having cancellations. Of course, these sites can be a great tool to VAs, but just be careful!

If you are seriously interested in specializing in travel planning, I would suggest taking travel courses, or a full travel/tourism program, available at many colleges. Just be sure to do your research...there are lots of scams & MLM's out there.

Hope that helps! Please contact me if you have any other questions!

Carla

If you choose to add travel services to your business, be careful. I have worked part time as a agent for the last 4 years and there are a lot of scams out there (YTB major..My state (CA) is currently suing them for being a MLM

It can be great and sometimes added a wonderful commission to your bottom line but it does take some work so be prepared.