Become a travel agent and save $ on disney vacations!

[MermaidsMom]

I tried working as a home based agent for a while....paid $100 to start up and then $25 per month...quite after 3 months because I booked 2 vacations and saw nothing from them....commission never came to me. I took the Disney class, became "Disney certified"....the DISers are right, there is nothing on that class that this board cannot tell you.

Also, everyone is right when they say that you can only get your OWN IATAN or CLIA card if you meet a minimum of a few thousand in comission or bookings.....you cannot just get it by taking a class and passport photo.

Disney and all other hotels, resorts, cruises etc will ONLY honor the travel agent discount if you have your OWN card. Not the card or number that belongs to your "host" agency. You have to present your own card upon check in or you do not get the discount.

Being a home based agent takes investment of your time and money. You can be successful at it if you have those things and work hard at it. Check out this website: http://www.homebasedtravelagent.com it's a good site.

Steer clear of those MLM travel agency businesses.....the above website will tell you why.

Let us know how it goes!

Edited to simply say: It would be a very sad start to a vacation to get to the check in desk only to find out you had to pay full price instead of the 50% discount you planned on due to having questionable credentials.

 

[CarolA]

I have another question for you: what about E & O insurance? Does this company supply it for you? I'm an independant at home agent (in my "spare time", I work a full time job too, it's not as easy as it sounds, trust me) and had to pay dues to fall under my host agency's E & O insurance. The cost isn't bad since it's a group rate, but it's outrageous if you have to purchase this on your own. Also, what about business licences in your state, Florida Seller of Travel certification, etc. Does this agency supply you with information on all this? Tax ID numbers? It sounds like you have your mind made up, so all of this will probably fall on deaf ears, but it's more things to consider as well. These "card mill" agencies are exactly the reason why TA discounts are so few and far between these days....

I think most of you are assuming the OP plans to sell ONE vacation to anyone but himself/herself.

I dont' get the feeling that there will ever be a vacation sold. I think the plan is to "become" a TA just to get a deal..... This was a popular "Scheme" on the internet years ago which is why the travel providers clamped down on those discounts... abuse!

 

[MermaidsMom]

I think most of you are assuming the OP plans to sell ONE vacation to anyone but himself/herself.

I dont' get the feeling that there will ever be a vacation sold. I think the plan is to "become" a TA just to get a deal..... This was a popular "Scheme" on the internet years ago which is why the travel providers clamped down on those discounts... abuse!

Wonder if they'd be embarrased to stand at the front desk of a hotel or airline checking in and have a manager come out to tell them their agency isn't actually there and they need to pay full price! You won't REALLY know for sure until you get there. And if you keep calling to ask, it will raise many red flags on your account. Maybe the people will reassure you on the phone that it's OK, but how many times are honest mistakes made, until someone actually see's the documents....what a dilemma! However, I'm done with this thread. I hope I've helped just one person not waste their money. I think the OP must have some to burn.

 

[CarolA]

Well, I once heard a Disney CM deal very patiently with a "travel agent" I say this because he was very unhappy that he wasn't being upgraded to a suite or something at.... All Star Sports! LOL!!!!! He next wanted to know "what features are in the room" CM "TV, Phone" (CM is trying to sell this LOL!) Guest What about Room Service? CM " We have a food court" Guest, what's the daily rate here , CM says something like $119. Guest "Thats MY rate, where's my TA discount" CM says something like "you have to book that in advance"

By this point my CM and I were both trying VERY hard not to burst out laughing... If thiis guy was a TA, he had to be worst informed TA in history.....

 

[PatriciaH]

I have another question for you: what about E & O insurance? Does this company supply it for you?

VERY important to have in this day and age! You could loose your house if someone sues you.

 

[MouseJunkie]

Just revisiting this thread. It sounds like the op has his/her mind made up regardless. I get the feeling all of us industry insiders are wrong. Well, good luck. I just hope the lesson isn't learned the hard way. I find myself wondering if the op has money to blow why are they fighting so hard to get a discount!

 

[jfap]

My gut tells me that the OP is a shill.
If not, I apologize and wish you luck.........you'll need it.

 

[CarolA]

Maybe we should just let this die a natural death so on one else thinks this is a good idea........

Remember what you mother always said. "If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is"

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

I am very surprised at some of your comments...

carry on and question all you want... I've done A LOT of research on this along with other host agencies... and I'll be enjoying my benefits and selling vacations in my spare time.

DID YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID? I was already scammed by these people!!!! I was searching for the same thing, and wanted SOMETHING, anything!! And was already STUPIDLY DUPPED by these same People! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?
I guess if you need to throw your own money away before you realize you are getting ripped off, than go for it. Just trying to help.

 

[C.Ann]

DID YOU HEAR WHAT I SAID? I was already scammed by these people!!!! I was searching for the same thing, and wanted SOMETHING, anything!! And was already STUPIDLY DUPPED by these same People! HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND?
I guess if you need to throw your own money away before you realize you are getting ripped off, than go for it. Just trying to help.

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If the OP doesn't listen to what you are saying, I think it's abundantly clear that this is an attempt to skirt the "advertising" rules here on the DIS..

 

[Dancemom03]

I wondered that too since OP was able to copy and paste directly from wdwtravelagents.com.
Last time I checked (just two days ago actually ) you needed a log-in for that site...

Heading out early in the morning for MCO, just the girls and I. Send some pixie dust for good weather our way please? This is one TA who isn't all that excited to have wings - especially in bad weather.
With gas prices what they are today though few are still driving...

 

[pamouselover]

I want to school in the early 90's to become a travel agent.
I was never able to get a job, so I want to work at a company because the student loan needed to be paid.

About six years ago I looked into trying to get a job being a travel agent again.My youngest child was in school full time and I thought now I could try to get my dream job. I got a job selling cruises and hated it. It was for a tour company and the people were all zombies who worked there. I was on the phone all day and when I came home did not want to speak. I also applied to AAA and apple vacations with out no luck. I still was dreaming about being a travel agent, so I looked into at home selling travel. There are many disney only agency and I thought I would be great at that,but I never looked into much because I had doubt it could be real. So if disers are telling you to beware, you really should listen.
I teach preschool now, so having the summers off is a real nice perk. But still wonder and dream about being a travel agent.

 

[tasha99]

I want to school in the early 90's to become a travel agent.
I was never able to get a job, so I want to work at a company because the student loan needed to be paid.

About six years ago I looked into trying to get a job being a travel agent again.My youngest child was in school full time and I thought now I could try to get my dream job. I got a job selling cruises and hated it. It was for a tour company and the people were all zombies who worked there. I was on the phone all day and when I came home did not want to speak. I also applied to AAA and apple vacations with out no luck. I still was dreaming about being a travel agent, so I looked into at home selling travel. There are many disney only agency and I thought I would be great at that,but I never looked into much because I had doubt it could be real. So if disers are telling you to beware, you really should listen.
I teach preschool now, so having the summers off is a real nice perk. But still wonder and dream about being a travel agent.

I sold cruises for Royal Caribbean for a year. I found call center work frustrating and I hated sitting down all day. Now I work in a law office, and if there's ever an errand, it's "me, me, me--I'll go to the post office! I'll go to Office Depot!" Sitting all day will really make you appreciate being able to walk around.