How to Become a Corporate Travel Agent

So you want to become a corporate travel agent? Fortunately, Corporate travel is still in high demand. As the economy sours companies are taking hard looks at their travel program and policies.

Companies depend on Corporate Travel Management Companies to monitor their travel spend, negotiate supplier contracts and discounts, and most of all, get their travelers to book online and to adhere to their corporate travel policy.

As a Corporate Travel Agent you would have an important job. Sometimes frustrating when you deal with admins that think they know it all, with executives who do not have time to stay on the phone when you try to recap, to the person who has absolutely no idea what they want.

You, as a Corporate Travel Agent, would need to be able to adapt to any phone situation.

You will be judged not only on quality and quantity but also on your phone monitors, fare quoting, customer payouts like airline debit memo's or missed ticketing situations.

Being a corporate travel agent is fast paced unlike that of a leisure travel agent. You will have a headset and most likely sit in a large call center. You will most likely take calls for more than one customer and be expected to know all travel policies.

The good thing is that once you finish the call there is usually not much followup. International reservations might need to be put on hold so they can be sent to the International Rate Desk but most non refundables are booked and issued right away.

Take a look at these tips to help you break into the travel industry.

Things You'll Need

• Computer or access to one
• Geography knowledge
• Attention to detail
• Customer Service Skills

Instructions

1. First - know your geography. Can you name the major continents and their countries? What about the cities?

   Take out a map of the world and start re-learning your geography. You absolutely have to know the United States. Get an outline of the country and try to name all the states and their major cities and airports. This is a great way to get your foot in the door.

2. 

   Second - learn the airport codes. This is a mandatory part of your job. Yes the computer reservation computer can decode and encode but your caller will have no confidence in you if you need to look up every code.

3. 

   Third - Tailor your resume to show your customer service skills. If you have made reservations as part of your job then list that. Patience, detail oriented, computer literate, great people skills.

4. Even if there is no opening - apply with all the major Corporate Travel Management companies - they do hire people to handle corporate travel right from their homes!

   BCD Travel
   American Express Business Travel
   HRG Worldwide
   Carlson
   Travelinc
   Omega

Tips & Warnings

• Have patience - it might take time to break in

• Be flexible - as a new agent you will make around 10 dollars an hour

• If you can relocate make sure you note that on your resume and cover page

• Learn your airport codes and geography - I cannot stress this enough.

Resources

• Click Here to learn how to break into American Express Business Travel