Travel agents can receive discounts on transportation, accommodations, and attractions, as well as free or low-cost “fam” trips. Providers offer discounts and upgrades to ensure loyalty. Agents must have industry-recognized credentials to qualify. Fam trips involve workshops and tours of local attractions. Obtaining credentials varies by jurisdiction and issuing organization. IATAN requires $5000 in commission or salary within 12 months before issuing credentials.
Different types of travel agent discounts include high-percentage discounts on transportation, accommodations, and attractions. Additionally, travel agents may qualify for free or low-cost “fam” or “familiarization” travel. Due to the abuse of travel agent discounts by shady “independent travel agencies”, travel industry organizations, as well as travel providers, have established strict policies in many jurisdictions so that only legitimate travel can earn these discounts. Travel agents who want to take advantage of industry discounts typically need to provide industry-recognized credentials before they can take advantage of special travel agent discounts.
Many travel providers, such as hotels, transportation providers, and travel companies, offer travel agent discounts and upgrades both as a courtesy and as a way to ensure the loyalty of travel vendors. Each travel vendor sets their own discount policies, but these discounts can offer travel agents and their family members discounts of 50% or more off standard prices. Furthermore, the providers can also upgrade the services they provide to travel agencies. For example, a travel agent who books a standard room at a hotel may be upgraded to a suite upon check-in. Other perks may include free tours, meals, or tickets to various attractions or entertainment venues.
Familiarization trips are another type of discount for those working in travel services. These are organized trips to destinations that welcome tourists. Travel agents, and sometimes friends and family, are welcome to join these trips for free or at very low cost. The travel agent should typically participate in workshops and tours of local accommodations and attractions, although you may also have significant free time to relax and explore independently.
Travel agency discounts can be obtained in several ways. Travel providers may choose to offer discounts to all travel agents who have legitimate industry credentials, while others may offer discounts and familiarization trips to travel agents who have a strong track record of selling travel products and services of that industry. supplier. The process for obtaining the travel industry credential varies by jurisdiction and by the issuing organization. For example, many travel providers require a travel agent to hold International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN) credentials to take advantage of discount programs or family travel. To prevent abuse of this program, as of 2011, IATAN requires a travel agent to earn $5000 United States Dollars (USD) in commission or salary within a 12-month period before issuing credentials to travel agents.
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