Question for TAs: Ever seen/booked AKL CL for personal travel?

[Carrie in AZ]

My question is for all my fellow TAs.....

Have you ever seen or been able to book AKL CL for your personal travel? For travel last November, I checked almost daily for months to see if it popped up on the Disney TA site but I never saw it. I'm looking again for travel this November and don't see it. I'm curious if it is ever offered. Please share if you've seen it or been able to book it for your own travel.

Thanks so much!!

 

[dizneydiva2005]

I'm looking to become a travel agent- what kind of discounts do you get from Can you please share a few examples?

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Anyone??? Thanks!

DizneyDiva, I surely don't have all the answers, but my experience has been that TAs possessing the qualified credentials can book rooms for their personal travel at about a 50% discount. Sometimes specials are offered on packages. I've read here that sometimes the 40% pin codes and such equal more savings than the TA discounts.

 

[ga9497]

My question is for all my fellow TAs.....

Have you ever seen or been able to book AKL CL for your personal travel? For travel last November, I checked almost daily for months to see if it popped up on the Disney TA site but I never saw it. I'm looking again for travel this November and don't see it. I'm curious if it is ever offered. Please share if you've seen it or been able to book it for your own travel.

Thanks so much!!

It used to be available all the time before they converted some of the rooms to DVC villas and studios. Now it is almost impossible to get. Just book what you will be happy with and keep trying in case anything pops up. AKL club level is one of our favorites and I am disappointed that I haven't been able to book it any longer.

 

[mattcrimson]

I'm looking to become a travel agent- what kind of discounts do you get from Can you please share a few examples?

THE TA discount is 50% off room only and 50% Park Hopper ticket for yourself only.

 

[dizneydiva2005]

THE TA discount is 50% off room only and 50% Park Hopper ticket for yourself only.

cool- when I worked at the Disney store we got 50% off our room and into the parks free.

I'm going to start training- I wonder how long after I qualify for discounts?
I'm thrilled to get a chance to actually 'make' a little for booking trips. Right now I do it for free! LOL

 

[Miaka]

is being a TA something you can do from home?? I need an at home Job, and was just wondering (I know it's off topic, but it just came to me)

 

[dizneydiva2005]

is being a TA something you can do from home?? I need an at home Job, and was just wondering (I know it's off topic, but it just came to me)

yup, I'm going to do it from home! I get to book Disney trips from home and get paid. How awesome is that?!!

 

[Miaka]

yup, I'm going to do it from home! I get to book Disney trips from home and get paid. How awesome is that?!!

That is awesome! I might have to look into that, where did you find the classes and such

 

[mattcrimson]

cool- when I worked at the Disney store we got 50% off our room and into the parks free.

I'm going to start training- I wonder how long after I qualify for discounts?
I'm thrilled to get a chance to actually 'make' a little for booking trips. Right now I do it for free! LOL

It all depends on what agency you work for and how soon they give you an IATAN card

 

[LindyN]

To be a TA and eligible for travel deals as a TA (and trust me when I say that the general public and pin offers at Disney are usually much better than a TA room), you must be with an accredited agency and possess an IATAN card or CLIA card.

Both IATAN and CLIA have eligibility guidelines. For example, IATAN agents must receive $5000 in commission minimum each year to be eligible to purchase the card. CLIA has training requirements as well. The agency under which you are working must be part of CLIA or IATAN. You can visit CLIA's web site for the training requirements: www.Cruising.org. CLIA cards are easier to get than IATAN, but many travel suppliers do not recognize the CLIA card (such as Marriott.) The IATAN is the "biggie" in the travel industry. If you have an IATAN card it shows the travel supplier that you are an active reseller of travel. Both cards are only valid for one year.

There are many places that claim to be travel agencies however they are just multi-level marketing opportunities so beware of an agency charging a large up front fee. It is a lot of work to sell travel, and it can take years to build up a business. Commissions are usually split between the host agency and the agent, and agents usually pay fees to sell travel. Many things a TA books do not even have a commission associated with them. Sometimes you might work for hours for a $24 commission that needs to be split with your host agency. It is tough to sell WDW and make enough money to support a decent part time job. Agents who actually make money selling travel (especially Disney travel) have been doing it for a while and have a good client base, and many repeaters. (God Bless the repeaters and their friends!) Agents must also continue their education to be credible, and it can get pricey to go to conferences.

Don't decide to sell travel for discounts as travel suppliers don't want to provide discounts for TAs--they want full paying guests. Cruise lines also have eligibility requirements to book a cabin as a TA with their line. An agent who sells tons of one cruise line may not be eligible to book as a TA on another.

FWIW.

 

[Miaka]

To be a TA and eligible for travel deals as a TA (and trust me when I say that the general public and pin offers at Disney are usually much better than a TA room), you must be with an accredited agency and possess an IATAN card or CLIA card.

Both IATAN and CLIA have eligibility guidelines. For example, IATAN agents must receive $5000 in commission minimum each year to be eligible to purchase the card. CLIA has training requirements as well. The agency under which you are working must be part of CLIA or IATAN. You can visit CLIA's web site for the training requirements: www.Cruising.org. CLIA cards are easier to get than IATAN, but many travel suppliers do not recognize the CLIA card (such as Marriott.) The IATAN is the "biggie" in the travel industry. If you have an IATAN card it shows the travel supplier that you are an active reseller of travel. Both cards are only valid for one year.

There are many places that claim to be travel agencies however they are just multi-level marketing opportunities so beware of an agency charging a large up front fee. It is a lot of work to sell travel, and it can take years to build up a business. Commissions are usually split between the host agency and the agent, and agents usually pay fees to sell travel. Many things a TA books do not even have a commission associated with them. Sometimes you might work for hours for a $24 commission that needs to be split with your host agency. It is tough to sell WDW and make enough money to support a decent part time job. Agents who actually make money selling travel (especially Disney travel) have been doing it for a while and have a good client base, and many repeaters. (God Bless the repeaters and their friends!) Agents must also continue their education to be credible, and it can get pricey to go to conferences.

Don't decide to sell travel for discounts as travel suppliers don't want to provide discounts for TAs--they want full paying guests. Cruise lines also have eligibility requirements to book a cabin as a TA with their line. An agent who sells tons of one cruise line may not be eligible to book as a TA on another.

FWIW.

Truthfully, I was looking for a job that I could do from home, and have fun doing while helping other people. turns out , the state I live in has crazy laws for doing at home Travel Agent, and you have to have a 10,000 bond to get started so, just was a job idea, it wasn't for me specifically for "discounts' because I don't get to travel that much, was just looking for a job that i could do mainly from my computer to make some extra money for the family since I am a SAHM with 4 kids.

 

[LindyN]

Miaka - a 10K bond is not that expensive, so call your insurance agent. Most agents are hooked up with a Host Agency of some sort and are self employed. The ones I know (hint hint) are not incorporated, but are insured as part of their agency's Errors and Omissions policy.

It is not that difficult to get set up with a reputable host agency--there are many out there. You just want to avoid the "card mills" and multi-level marketing schemes that promise you can "travel like an agent" for a fee. Fortunately most of the TA requirements now have shut down some of the card mills, but there are still some bad apples out there who are willing to take your money. You should not have to pay a lot of money to an agency to host you.

If you have a lot of friends who travel, or if you are in a more affluent area with people who still have disposable income, it is a feasible way to make money--but its slow to be paid and sometimes you have to chase down what is due you. There is a lot of time spent on the phone though and I can not imagine doing this job with young children. (Its bad enough with older kids who need to be run around.) Many Pampered Chef and Longaberger reps make more than a part time travel agent.

 

[Miaka]

Miaka - a 10K bond is not that expensive, so call your insurance agent. Most agents are hooked up with a Host Agency of some sort and are self employed. The ones I know (hint hint) are not incorporated, but are insured as part of their agency's Errors and Omissions policy.

It is not that difficult to get set up with a reputable host agency--there are many out there. You just want to avoid the "card mills" and multi-level marketing schemes that promise you can "travel like an agent" for a fee. Fortunately most of the TA requirements now have shut down some of the card mills, but there are still some bad apples out there who are willing to take your money. You should not have to pay a lot of money to an agency to host you.

If you have a lot of friends who travel, or if you are in a more affluent area with people who still have disposable income, it is a feasible way to make money--but its slow to be paid and sometimes you have to chase down what is due you. There is a lot of time spent on the phone though and I can not imagine doing this job with young children. (Its bad enough with older kids who need to be run around.) Many Pampered Chef and Longaberger reps make more than a part time travel agent.

Thanks for the info I was looking for something with lots of computer skills needed I have those in spades, just need something to stop from being crazy as my youngest starts preschool this fall after her birthday. and thank you for your candidness, I might look more into it and see what it entails