How to Become a Travel Agent for Discounts
Although travel agents generally don't earn as high a salary as other professionals, many people are attracted to the industry because of the great travel discounts. Even in this Internet era, there is still a need for travel agents and the need is expected to continue to grow, albeit at a slow rate due to the economy. Specialization is the key to future success as a travel agent. About 13 percent of travel agents are self-employed and thus able to get discounts on travel. Discounts vary considerably but generally range from 50 percent to 75 percent for working travel agents.
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Instructions
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Look online for vocational schools that offer a travel agent program. Also check with your local community college or look for an online course or a public adult education program. The most important thing you will learn from these programs is how to use the reservations systems.
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Attend one of these programs or get hired by a travel agent and get trained on the job.
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Expand your business clout and receive additional certifications from the National Business Travel Association or the Travel Institute. Some courses offered are at-home self study and they even offer entry level training and certifications.
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Purchase Sabre or other reservation software or use your agent's software.
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Book your trips and inform your transportation and lodging hosts of your travel agent status to receive a discount or free accommodation.
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Tips & Warnings
Be sure to research how much time and money it will take to become a travel agent and consider how many trips you plan to take before deciding whether or not it is worth the travel savings you will receive. Since many at-home study courses are work at your own pace, the amount of time needed to complete coursework varies. But to learn how to use a reservation system, the minimum time required to complete a course is five weeks.
Don't just work for a travel agent to learn the ropes and then quit. The agent will have invested a lot of personal time into training you. You're better off taking a course and purchasing reservation software when you're ready to book travel.
