Highlights From Issue No. 127 •
November 1998
Slash Your Travel Costs Become A Travel Agent Today
by T. K. Hedge, DDS
(Are you listening, profitable dentists?)
A few years ago I came across an article in the Blair McGill
Newsletter that outlined 50 year-end management tips. One of these was
to become a travel agent through Global Travel International and save
on travel costs during the next year. Since my wife and I travel a
great deal recreationally and I take a number of out of town
continuing education trips, we were very interested.
You can become a travel agent and receive all of the travel industry
benefits by joining Global Travel International. Global Travel
International, or GTI, is the umbrella organization for thousands of
independent travel agents who are trained in the basics of being a
travel agent (via information manuals). Agents can save on their own
travel as well as earn commissions on travel booked for others.
It sounded too good to be true and I was very suspicious, but also
very interested. After contacting GTI, I found out that for a one-time
fee of $495 *, they would provide
you with a training manual, and most importantly, a photo ID with
Global's IATAN number. IATAN stands for the International Association
of Travel Agents. This little number earns you discounts on hotels,
car rental agencies, cruises, and commissions on airline travel.
Since anything that
sounds too good to be true usually is, I decided to join just prior to
a vacation that would involve renting a car, traveling by air, and
staying in hotels. I charged my membership to American Express knowing
that I could dispute the charge upon my return if the membership did
not live up to my expectations.
We were not, however, disappointed! Since we were already flying on
frequent flyer miles, we received no commission. We were upgraded to
first class as a result of being travel agents. This decision is
usually up to the gate agent, so GTI recommends that you be dressed in
a jacket and tie or appropriate attire. Not all airlines have this
policy, but Delta and United do. USAir does not, so we usually avoid
flying them.Our car rental was discounted thirty percent (30%) below
the best rate we could find prior to becoming an agent. This saved us
about $100. Hotels generally give about a fifty percent (50%)
discount. As you can see, one vacation worth of savings can easily
recoup the initiation fee.
Our yearly savings usually amount to well over $1,000. GTI sends a
newsletter to all agents every month announcing promotions, special
discounts, and FAM trips. FAM trips are familiarization trips where
resorts offer highly reduced rates to expose agents to their
properties. The September newsletter included… Wyndam Palm Springs
$67 per night including a mid-sized car… Disney Cruise and either 3
or 4 days prior to cruise, theme park tickets and transportation
included - $809 and it's commissionable! Key West from $309 with air.
These deals are truly available.
In addition to saving on your own travel, agents make commissions on
travel booked for others. I attend the Pankey Institute every year
with a colleague. My wife calls GTI and a representative tells her
about available flights, fares, and times, as any travel agent would.
Fares are booked by our respected credit cards and tickets arrive
FedEx in two days.
My wife will receive a commission of about $25 for this phone call
that she would make to a travel agent anyway! Commissions can be quite
large.
My wife's uncles are planning a trip to Disney World and have asked
her to make arrangements for them. The cost of this trip for six
people will approach $10,000. The commission will be $500. We do not
generally book trips for others, but you can see that there is
definitely potential for a cottage business.
The final icing on the cake is that GTI will send you between $100 and
$150 per referral depending upon the current promotion for every new
agent that you refer. We have received over $500 over the last two
years for referrals. If you are interested in slashing your travel
costs, contact GTI at 1-800-716-4440. Happy traveling!
* Highlights selected from The Profitable Dentist, Issue No. 127 •
November 1998
* As of August 2002 Global Travel has
over 40,000 Independent Travel Agents in 50 States and 85 Countries
serviced by a team of over reservationists and support staff in
Florida. The current price for their program is $495 with an annual
renewal of $129.
