Become a travel agent and save $ on disney vacations!

[Piecey]

For those that said you are TAs and talking about the IATAN card, did you have to be with the agency for a certain amount of time before you were eligible?

I used to work for Expedia as customer service (and amazingly, after a year, we were eligible for IATAN cards) but I ended up leaving them to go to school full-time. I didn't know if that was the norm or Expedia's way of kinda encouraging people to stay with them.

 

[Dancemom03]

I just got some info back from them..

you can get a clia card after an online class and use their travel agent id for disney discounts as you are considered an independent agent under them.

you get your very own login to disneytravelagents.com too can take disney training free and get up to 50% off resorts

I'm another bricks and mortar TA who'll tell you this isn't really a deal if you have to pay for. We have outside agents working out of our office. I have myself.
If the agency has paid their CLIA dues for the year and you sign up, pay for & complete a CLIA online course AND pay another fee for the id card, then you too can own a CLIA card which may or not be accepted as proof that you are a TA when you request agent benefits.
Assuming that you jump thru the appropiate hoops and have paid for everything - including the additional expenses you'll have to pay CLIA, the CLIA card will not be issued until the agency owner approves it when CLIA emails them to confirm before issuing your card, it will also be mailed to the agency address even though you paid for it and not directly to you.

That's a lot of trust and money to put into someone who doesn't even list their address just so that you might potentially save a few dollars on your vacation.
If you'd really like to do that, contact a few local agencies about working as an outside agent in your town. From what I've seen, I'm fairly sure you could come to some arrangement locally without paying $200.

Anybody with an address and an IATAN or CLIA number can register for their "very own login to disneytravelagents.com" too & can take disney's online training free. It isn't a big course and it covers mostly what the folks on this board already know anyway.
There's nothing special about the site, in fact, it is very similar to the normal Disney Travel site's booking engine but a bit more frustrating and convoluted to use. Rates and availability are the same as shown on the site the public can access with the exception of the TA benefits and collaterial/sales brochures.
No matter how much you love disney, nobody needs 300 WDW travel brochures cluttering up the house so that's not a plus if you're not selling travel each day.

CLIA is much less widely accepted these days specifically because of companies like this. It will not get you discounts everywhere and in my 25+ years in travel has been honored more off than on.
You'll also need to show wdw a copy of the CLIA certificate, in addition to your card. The certs are sent to the agency after yearly CLIA fees are paid. They belong to the agency, not the agent so, there again, you're counting on that company to pay their dues each year - and in time for you to take the required courses and pay the fees for your id card before you book your discounted vacation.
WDW passes are also mailed to the agency, after they are approved by both disney and your agency owner, but they are paid for by you first. You are only able to order one slightly discounted pass per year that you must use yourself. I haven't done all the math this year but it's roughly only $100 off the one premium non-upgradable pass, if that, making an annual or standard MYW with upgradable options a better deal in many cases.

With an IATAN Card, you also need to have a copy of the IATA list that shows you as a full time agent to qualify for benefits. When you apply for any benefits - assuming they are available for your travel dates - you certify that you are indeed a working full time agent for many of them. That means you'd have to also decide how much you wanted to "embelish" your work/sales history each time to qualify for more limited availability to rates very close to what is available to annual passholders anyway. In March 2007, there were no TA rates available at all. We stayed like we do many times using AP rates instead as did other TA friends who traveled at the same time.

Whew, all that said, I can't believe that people could charge so much for so little just by holding out the promise of possible discounts which can, and do often, change substantially at any time.
If I had an extra $300 or so to give away, I'd be booking an extra couple of nights with an AP or free dining code instead - at least that's a sure thing...

 

[Dancemom03]

I called a sales person for Disney Travel Agents and they confirmed the discount for resorts. The percentage is based on the time of year....for Dec. I checked on is 50%

Me again... not trying to rain on your parade but had you realized that even if you did this today, you'd still need to complete at least one CLIA course and pass the test before applying for your CLIA card?
You might be able to complete the course in one day but processing could take another 4-8 weeks before the card is in your hands for you to be able to book with that 50% discount - assuming that it available for your choice of travel dates and hotel.

I point this out because I had booked the Poly with the discount for this summer. It was dec 2006 so I faxed my 2006 card within 48 hours as required. Because it was a 2006 card for a 2007 stay, it was not accepted and my rate reverted back up to rack until I faxed the new card. By the time, the 2007 card arrived, there were no discounts at the Poly at all. In fact, there were very few discounts still available.

I checked holiday dates for myself out of curiousity a month or two ago and availabilty looked pretty limited then.
I'd worry about what will still be available in another 8 weeks when your card arrives and you can finally reserve a room if you do this counting on discounts for December...

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

Please don't do this!!

In a despret attempt to do something with my life last year (been a sahm for about 5 years and was feeling like i needed to accomplish something carrer wise) I took the class this website offers. IT IS A RIP OFF. Don't do it!! =0).
I know thats not what you wanted to hear..but hopefully you check back in time to see what i wrote, before you sign up.
It's all tricks.

 

[travlnman1]

but to get an IATAN card you have to make at least $5k in commission EVERY YEAR to qualify to keep that card, Disney won't give you that discount just because you're on a list with an agency.

This is important!
I know the lure of the discount makes everyone think they want to be a TA but..YOU must make $5,000.00 in commissions (not sales) in order to qualify for an IATAN card.

 

[dcibrando]

this is not true... Disney requires either a IATAN or CLIA card to get the discounts. You can get the CLIA card after taking an online class and getting a passport photo make to go on your membership card.

I've done my research on this... and I know the price to begin sounds high... but after doing the math on 1 trip to disney, and a few other perks here and there...it pays off quickly and anyone else I book (family, friends, coworkers) is just icing on the cake

 

[dsnymoners]

I wish you would reconsider....i am at work right now at AAA i will price the travel agent discount for you for when you are wanting to go and then the regular price so you can see what exactley you may be saving that is if you get your card. You can check out www.iatan.org to see what the requirements are

 

[dcibrando]

Travel Agent Discounted Room Offers

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The Walt Disney World® Resort extends discounted room offers periodically throughout the year for qualified travel agents to enable personal familiarization of Select Walt Disney World® Resorts. The 2007 offers are a discounted Walt Disney Travel Company, Travel Agent Basic Plan.

NOTE: Travel Agent discounted room reservations will only be accepted as online bookings made in the travel agent’s name. No telephone calls will be accepted for reservations.


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Booking Reminders
To guarantee the reduced rate, travel agents must fax a copy of their valid IATAN or CLIA I.D. card to 407/354-1951 within 48 hours of booking or the reservation will convert to rack rate.

The use of the discounted package offer is restricted to retail travel agents who must occupy the room with their guests. The offer is non-commissionable and non-transferable. Rooms must be booked a minimum of 6 days prior to arrival. Agents are required to show their valid IATAN or CLIA ID card at check-in at the confirmed Select Disney Resort Hotel upon check-in.


Here are some examples I just got:

Saratoga Springs
Dec. 15-22 2007
1 bedroom
w/o travel agent discount: $2,919.00
with travel agent discount: $1,456.98
difference/savings of: $1,462.02

Pop Century
Dec. 15-22 2007
w/o travel agent discount: $749.00
with travel agent discount: $378.84
difference/savings of: $370.16


so tell me why this isn't worth it? and again if I book anything else for anyone... it's just a little more income here and there. this is a hobby/side-job from home... not a full time job to live off of

 

[momof2intx]

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!

 

[dsnymoners]

No one is doubing the ta discount. All any of us are saying is there is NO guarantee from this company that you will even get the IATAN card or your CLIA card. Do you know where there office is that you can actually go in and talk to them if something goes wrong and you dont get your card? You should go to your local agencies and see if they would hire you as outside sales and go from there.

The rates at pop century for room only on the aaa discount is only $520.00. It is a $1000.00 savings at saratoga springs but what if you have no card...you have to send it to them in a time frame after you make the reservation.

We are all telling you things because we know how it works and have been there and know a little more than what a website only wants you to know. Thats all not to make you not want to fail but to prevent you from failing.
















































































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Booking Reminders
To guarantee the reduced rate, travel agents must fax a copy of their valid IATAN or CLIA I.D. card to 407/354-1951 within 48 hours of booking or the reservation will convert to rack rate.

The use of the discounted package offer is restricted to retail travel agents who must occupy the room with their guests. The offer is non-commissionable and non-transferable. Rooms must be booked a minimum of 6 days prior to arrival. Agents are required to show their valid IATAN or CLIA ID card at check-in at the confirmed Select Disney Resort Hotel upon check-in.


Here are some examples I just got:

Saratoga Springs
Dec. 15-22 2007
1 bedroom
w/o travel agent discount: $2,919.00
with travel agent discount: $1,456.98
difference/savings of: $1,462.02

Pop Century
Dec. 15-22 2007
w/o travel agent discount: $749.00
with travel agent discount: $378.84
difference/savings of: $370.16


so tell me why this isn't worth it? and again if I book anything else for anyone... it's just a little more income here and there. this is a hobby/side-job from home... not a full time job to live off of[/QUOTE]

 

[dcibrando]

a CLIA card you get by taking an online course on CLIA website... this does not go through the host agency other than you showing proof you are an independent agent which they provide the forms and ID for.


question it and doubt it all you want...but if you want specifics... just email ******************** like I did and they tell you all you want to know.

 

[dsnymoners]

well good luck to you....things aren't usually as good as they seem. if it's to good to be true it usually is and don't you think if it was that easy then everyeone would be a travel agent and not use my services?

 

[ldb1030]

well good luck to you....things aren't usually as good as they seem. if it's to good to be true it usually is and don't you think if it was that easy then everyeone would be a travel agent and not use my services?

Exactly!!

Gee, I wonder why I'm so busy at my office if it's so easy for everyone to become a TA??!!

 

[CarolA]

well good luck to you....things aren't usually as good as they seem. if it's to good to be true it usually is and don't you think if it was that easy then everyeone would be a travel agent and not use my services?

Lots of us have made this point. OP is convinced we are all wrong. One of a few options come to mind, we are wrong (which I really doubt), OP is a shill for the vacation company (which I am actually beginning to think may be true, when I FIRST saw this I nearly clicked to report as advertising ) or OP has just wasted a few hundered. Wonder if we will ever find out what the truth is?

 

[twinklebug]

Lots of us have made this point. OP is convinced we are all wrong. One of a few options come to mind, we are wrong (which I really doubt), OP is a shill for the vacation company (which I am actually beginning to think may be true, when I FIRST saw this I nearly clicked to report as advertising ) or OP has just wasted a few hundered. Wonder if we will ever find out what the truth is?

It is either a scam, advertising, referral bonuses or some combo of the above. I am however glad this thread has been allowed to stay alive so that it can educate other DISsers who might otherwise get caught into such a trap.

 

[dcibrando]

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.

 

[MermaidsMom]

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.

Since this is such an awesome, wonderful and above board situation, why is it so important to YOU that WE all know about it? I think you would be happy to just book travel and go on trips. I can't imagine why you would be arguing this point so strongly when so many people are making it very clear they believe are wrong. I notice the site you mentioned earlier want referrals from it's agents for new people to sign on. Maybe you can get friends and neighbors to sign on with you instead. Apparently the rest of us here are pretty dumb.

 

[Youarehere]

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.

 

[Dancemom03]

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.

I still have just one question and I mean no disrespect by it...

Why will you pay money to sign up for something that's available to you free from so many other sources?

More than one person has told you that you can do this exact same thing for free by contacting local travel agencies and working as an "independant" consultant or, what we call in our office "an outside agent".
It would be quicker and there wouldn't be a fee. When your CLIA card/faxes or documents came in for yourself, or for your future clients, you could just pop down to your local office and pick them up in person, ensuring that you have them in a timely fashion and are not reliant on a third party to forward them to you.
It will also be helpful to friends and those you might meet at school or on the soccer field to be able to name a local office that you work out of if asked. As a TA who's done both, I know that having a local connection will lend you immense credibility when booking new clients.

If getting the CLIA card and using it for a discount is the main reason, I'd think that doing it in your own community would be much faster before those rooms you are looking at right now fill up by the time your card arrives and is faxed in. And free - can't say it enough so others can hear it - local affliation also equals no sign up fees!

I've had my TA rates reversed in the past by faxing the wrong card, another TA in our office lost hers because she didn't realize the fax was unreadable when she sent it.
In that case the rates revert to rack rate and are rarely able to reinstated.
I found that when I went to rebook mine for March nothing discounted was available on property at all.

Just because you see it there today doesn't mean it will be available tomorrow. Just like availability with any other codes, TA rate codes/categories also sell out. There are times when even the value resorts have no discounted rates available.

I'm glad that you've found a way to do something you'll enjoy and get discounts at the same time. I just don't understand paying to do it.
Sending pixie dust your way & wishing you all the best in your endeavor!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

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....