How To Find The Best Travel Agents to Save Time and Money
May 30, 2009 by Matt Harris
Filed under Flights
The only way to keep up with the latest about travel agents is to constantly stay on the lookout for new information. If you read everything you find about travel agents, it won’t take long for you to become an influential authority.
Travel agents must be well-organized, accurate, and meticulous to compile information from various sources and plan and organize their clients’ travel itineraries. Other desirable qualifications include good writing, computer, and sales skills. Travel agents need to pay for itineraries with company check or company credit card in order to receive commission from AMHS. For payment over the phone, we only accept credit cards.
Travel agents must work at least 20 hours per week and earn a minimum of $5,000 per year in commissions as a travel agent to qualify for an IATAN card. Travel agents provide customers with information and advice about travel destinations. They make transportation and accommodation arrangements. Travel agents are in a unique position to influence this burden as the most common and most serious problems are preventable with simple advice and/or immunisation. This study, using covert researchers, suggests this potential is not being fully utilised.
Travel agents are also concerned that the proposal may eliminate bonuses and other incentives that airlines provide to travel agencies. Finally, travel agents want assurance that they will have flexibility in their contracts while maintaining a commercially reasonable relationship.
If you find yourself confused by what you’ve read to this point, don’t despair. Everything should be crystal clear by the time you finish.
Travel agents aren’t going the way of the eight-track tape just yet. Most travel agents are continually learning about destinations and suppliers; who to work with and who not to work with. They are there and they work for you. Travel agents no longer make commissions once offered by all airlines, therefore they must charge for their professional services. Large companies usually have in-house travel specialists who have travel agent backgrounds, though up-and-coming companies can still benefit from using outside travel agencies. Travel agents are not rip-off artists, but it is part of their job to “mark it up”.
Business travel comprised 21 percent of outbound travel, unchanged from 2005. Business travellers often change their plans on a moment’s notice, making the process even more complicated. And ticket prices are constantly changing. Travel agents, although they need a license to sell it, don’t understand insurance (as a general rule). They just know they get paid more when they sell the travel insurance.
Roughly 80% of airline sales, 30% of hotel sales, 50% of rental car sales and 95% of cruise line sales in the United States are made through travel agents. Travel Agents working in travel agencies may advance to managerial positions or start their own businesses. Travel clerks or trainees can advance to Travel Agent, department manager or travel agency manager, or owner.
Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in travel agents. When people start looking for more information about travel agents, you’ll be in a position to meet their needs.