Becoming a

Travel Agent
Resources for becoming
a travel agent
Proudly sponsored by Sabre

Copyright 2012
ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents)
1101 King Street, Suite 200
Alexandria, VA 22314, USA
All rights reserved. No part of this report may
be reproduced or utilized in any form or by
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storage and retrieval system, without
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Virtual Travel Agent Training Program

GRO U P

VIRTUAL CAMPUS

The Travel Leaders Group is an

Participants will use a Learning Management System (LMS) for a blended learning

has opportunities in many facets

experience combining independent study with instructor led distance learning,

of the industry in all parts of the

professional presenters, group activities and interactive discussion boards.

country. With over 6,000 travel

award winning Travel Company that

agency locations in the United

MENTORSHIP & CAREER COUNSELING

The opportunity to work with a career counselor to find the best fit for your skills and
abilities, and working with an industry mentor are available for most participants.

States and Canada, Travel Leaders

Groups family of brands serves
millions of individual corporate and
leisure travelers.

PLACEMENT
Travel Leaders Group wholly owned, franchised and member-based agencies
are looking for travel agents and Independent Contractors. Completion of the
program does not guarantee job placement, but it is our intent to place as many
qualified graduates as possible.

TUITION
There are 4 core modules of $450 each for a total of $1800.
Textbooks and Travel Agent Proficiency Testing (TAP) fee are $225.

Enter ASTA discount

code of TLOTVC when
applying to the program
for a $50 savings coupon
applied to Module One!

www.travelleadersoftomorrow.com | info@travelleadersoftomorrow.com | 1.800.206.1638

TV for the Travel Pro

WITH HOST Austin Wright

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Sabre, Sabre Holdings, Sabre Travel and the Sabre Travel Network logo are all trademarks of an affiliate
of Sabre Holdings Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
2012 Sabre Inc. All rights reserved. TN-12-15588 0812

Sabre Travel Network is proud

to partner with ASTA to keep
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Table of Contents
WHATISASTA?..............................................................................................................................................................3
WHATISNACTA?...........................................................................................................................................................3
WHATISATRAVELAGENT?...........................................................................................................................................4
THEROLEOFTHETRAVELAGENT.................................................................................................................................4
WHATMAKESAGOODTRAVELAGENT?.......................................................................................................................4
TRAVELAGENCYINDUSTRYBUSINESSMODELS............................................................................................................6
THERETAIL(TRADITIONAL)TRAVELAGENCY.......................................................................................................6
THETRAVELMANAGEMENTCOMPANY(TMC)..................................................................................................6
THEONLINETRAVELAGENCY(OTA).....................................................................................................................7
THEINDEPENDENTAGENT...................................................................................................................................7
U.S.TRAVELAGENCYINDUSTRY....................................................................................................................................8
MARKETSIZEANDSCOPE....................................................................................................................................8
HOWTRAVELAGENCIESMAKEMONEY........................................................................................................................8
WHATTRAVELAGENTSEARN......................................................................................................................................10
GETTINGSTARTED.......................................................................................................................................................10
FINDINGATRAININGPROGRAM.................................................................................................................................10
FUTURETRAVELPROFESSIONALSCLUB......................................................................................................................11
SCHOLARSHIPS.............................................................................................................................................................11
SEEKINGEMPLOYMENTASATRAVELAGENT.............................................................................................................12
TRAVELAGENTTESTING&CERTIFICATIONS...............................................................................................................12
THETAP(TRAVELAGENTPROFICIENCY)TEST....................................................................................................12
CERTIFIEDTRAVELASSOCIATE(CTA)DESIGNATION...........................................................................................13
CERTIFIEDTRAVELCOUNSELOR(CTC)DESIGNATION.........................................................................................13
TRAVELAGENCYBUSINESSNUMBERS........................................................................................................................13
AIRLINEACCREDITATIONTHEAIRLINESREPORTINGCORPORATION..........................................................14
OBTAININGANARCAIRLINEAPPOINTMENT...................................................................................................14
NONAIRBUSINESSNUMBERS............................................................................................................................14
CREDENTIALS/IDCARDS.............................................................................................................................................15
FRAUDULENTCREDENTIALSCARDMILLS.................................................................................................................15
STATESTHATREGULATETRAVELSELLERS...................................................................................................................16
TRAVELDISTRIBUTIONSYSTEMS.................................................................................................................................16
RESOURCES..................................................................................................................................................................17
ISTHISTHECAREERFORYOU?....................................................................................................................................17
GLOSSARYOFCOMMONTRAVELAGENCYTERMS......................................................................................................18

BecomingaTravelAgent

BECOMING A TRAVEL AGENT

AsegmentonOprahsJanuary26,2011HappiestJobsinAmericashowrevealedthattravelagents
areamongthehappiestprofessionalsinAmerica.Travelagents,alongwithclergy,specialeducation
teachersandfirefighters,weregiventhisspecialdistinction,thanksinparttotheamountofsocial
interactiontheseprofessionsoffer.See:http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/HappiestJobsinAmerica
Video.
Yetsocialinteractionisjustoneaspectofthisprofessionthatmakesthisarewardingindustry.How
manypeoplecansaythatwhiletheywereworkingtheirwaythroughmanagement,theysawthesun
setontheBosphorusorwentonasafariinSouthAfrica,allaspartoftheirprofession?
Yes,acareerasatravelagentcanbeexciting,fastpacedandrewarding.Theopportunitytotravelto
beautifulandexoticdestinationsaspartofyourcareerisamajorreasonwhythetravelindustryisso
appealingtojobseekers.Infact,manyindividualsentertheindustrysimplyforthetravelrewards.
Whilethisisawonderfulperk,beingatravelagenttakesdedication,travelexpertiseandexcellent
interpersonalskills.
Thisdocumentprovidesyouwithinformationaboutthetravelagencyindustryaswellasspecific
informationtohelpyoubeginyourcareerasatravelagent.

WHAT IS ASTA?
TheAmericanSocietyofTravelAgents(ASTA),establishedin1931,istheworldslargest
andmostinfluentialtravelagencytradeassociation,representingmorethan8,000
membersinmorethan140countries.ASTAiscommittedtoupholdingthe
professionalismandprofitabilityofitsmembers.Inaddition,ASTApromotesethicalbusinesspractices
througheffectiverepresentationinindustryandgovernmentaffairs,educationandtraining,andby
identifyingandmeetingtheneedsofthetravelingpublic.Membersincludetravelagenciesandagents,
suppliers,touroperators,hotels,carrentalfirms,travelschoolsandfuturetravelprofessionals.

WHAT IS NACTA?
TheNationalAssociationofCareerTravelAgents(NACTA),establishedin1986,isawholly
ownedsubsidiaryofASTA.NACTAisdedicatedtoprovidingthefinesteducation,training
andnetworkinginsupportoftheindependenttravelprofessional.NACTAsmembers
includeindependenttravelprofessionals,hostagenciesandindustrysuppliers.

BecomingaTravelAgent

WHAT IS A TRAVEL AGENT?

Todaytherearemanydefinitionsforatravelagent.Historicallyatravelagentwasdefinedasaretail
agentofvarioustravelsuppliers,suchasairlinesandthelike.However,theroleofthetravelagent
haschanged.Inmanycases,thetravelagentoftodayisalsoanagentforthecustomer,thebuyer.Asa
result,todaysdefinitionofatravelagentissomeonewhofacilitatesandmanagesthesaleoftravel
productsandservicestoconsumers.

THE ROLE OF THE TRAVEL AGENT

Themainresponsibilityofatravelagentistomaketheprocessoftravelingwhetherforworkor
pleasurebeastressfreeandpositiveexperience.Whileatravelagentperformssomeofthesame
functionsasareservationssalesagentatanairline,hotelorcarrentalcompany,theybringadditional
valuetotheconsumerthatgoeswellbeyondthetransactionprocess.Travelagentsareprofessionals
thataddvaluetotheconsumerbefore,duringandafterthetransactionisprocessed.
Perhapsthemostcriticalaspectofthejobistherelationshiptravelagentsdevelopwiththeircustomer.
Travelagentsmustprovidepersonalizedservicetoeachoftheirclients.Theyshouldunderstandtheir
customerandrecognizetheirtravelneeds.Travelersappreciatethereliabilityandattentiontodetaila
travelagentbringstothewholetravelexperience.ASTAsmottoWithoutaTravelAgent,YoureOn
YourOwn,exemplifiestheimportantroleprofessionaltravelagentsplay.
Overtime,atravelagentsjobhasevolvedtoreflectthechangeswithinthetravelindustryaswellasthe
waypeoplepurchasetravel.TheadventoftheInternethasenabledconsumerstobefarmoreeducated
andsavvyaboutpurchasingtravelthanadecadeago.Buttoomanyoptionscanbelimiting.Many
consumerssufferfrominformationoverloadfromthemillionsofoptionsavailableonlineanditisthe
travelprofessionalsjobtohelpconsumerscutthroughthenoisetocreatetheperfecttravel
experience.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD TRAVEL AGENT?

Youhaveapassionfortravel
Youexperiencepersonalrewardwhenhelpingothers
Youthriveinafastpacedandeverchangingenvironment
Youarecreativeandanalytical
Youlovepeople
Youaredetailoriented
Iftheabovedescribesyou,thenthiscareerpathmayberightforyou.
4

BecomingaTravelAgent

BASICJOBREQUIREMENTS
Everyprofessionrequiresbasiccoreskillsandthetravelagencyprofessionisnoexception.The
followingarethebasicskillseverytravelagentneeds:
SalesandMarketingYoumusthaveanunderstandingoftheprinciplesandmethodsforshowing,
promoting,andsellingproductsandservices.
Reading,WritingandOralComprehensionBeingatravelagentrequiresconstantinteraction
withconsumers;itiscriticalthatyouhavetheabilitytoreceiveandconveyinformationeffectively.
AnalyticalDecisionMakingYoumusthavethecapacitytohelpcustomersunderstandthe
relativecostsandthecomparativebenefitsofvariousproductsandservices.
ComplexProblemSolvingItsimportantthatyoucanidentifyproblems,evaluateoptionsand
implementsolutionswhenthingsgowrong.
CustomerServiceAswithanyconsumerfocusedprofession,youmusthavesuperiorcustomer
serviceskills.
GeographyExtensiveknowledgeofcities,countries,geographicfeaturesandgeopolitical
boundariesiscritical.
TechnologyItisessentialthatyouhaveanunderstandingofbasiccomputerskillsandindustry
tools,suchasaGlobalDistributionSystem(GDS),whichareusedtoreserve,recordandinvoice
traveltransactions.
ProductKnowledgeYoumusthaveasolidunderstandingoftravelsupplierproducts,servicesand
policies.
AdministrativeThesalesprocessoftenrequiresfollowupwithvendorsandcustomers,andalso
requiresthecollectionandprocessingofpayments,thereforeitisimperativethatyouhavestrong
administrativeandclericalskills,suchaswordprocessingandaccountmanagement.

The two things I love the most about being a

travel agent are the personal reward from
seeing my customers dreams come true and
the fact that no two days are alike.
Jason Coleman, CTC, travel agent entrepreneur

BecomingaTravelAgent

TRAVEL AGENCY INDUSTRY BUSINESS MODELS

Notlongagothemajorityoftravelagencieswerebrickandmortarbusinesseslocatedonmainstreets
orinshoppingcenters.Today,variousbusinessmodelsexist,fromtheindependenthomebasedagency
tothebilliondollaronlineagencywithhundredsofemployees.
THERETAIL(TRADITIONAL)TRAVELAGENCY
Aretailtravelagencytypicallyconsistsofastorefrontlocationthatprovideswalkupclientsdirect
accesstoconsultwithatravelagent.Thesetravelagenciesoftenusetheirlocationasamethodof
drivingbusiness.Inaddition,theyoftenuseamixoftraditionalmarketingmethodssuchasdirectmail
andonlinemarketing,includingemailandsocialmedia,toencouragetravelerstocontacttheagencyto
arrangetheirtravel.
Retailtravelagenciesareoftenindependentlyowned,andmanagedeitherbytheowneroranoffice
manager.Individualagentsareemployedbytheagencytoworkwithclients.Agentsarecompensated
byasalary,acommissionontheirsalesoracombinationofthetwo.Largeragenciesalsoemploy
dedicatedmarketingprofessionals,technologymanagersandaccountants.Theseagenciesmayalso
haveagentswhospecializeinaspecifictypeoftravel,whichmayincludeageographicalarea(e.g.,
Europe,Caribbean,Africa,etc.),typeofclient(e.g.,business,leisure,luxury)ortravelexperience(e.g.,
cruises,tours,independenttravel,etc.).
Retailagenciestypicallyemploytravelagentswithstrongsalesandtravelproductskillsandworkin
retaillocations,althoughsometravelagenciesallowsomeemployeestoworkfromhome.
THETRAVELMANAGEMENTCOMPANY(TMC)
TravelManagementCompanies(TMC)aretravelagenciesthatfocusonprovidingtravelmanagement
servicestocorporations.TheTMCsprimaryroleistohelpcompanieseffectivelycontroltravelspending
bybothnegotiatingsavingswithtravelvendorsandmanagingtravelerbehavior.Toaccomplishthese
tasks,TMCsoftenprovidecomprehensivedataandanalyticalreportstotheircorporatecustomers.In
addition,contractedcorporatecustomersareoftengivenaccesstotheTMCscallcenteror,insome
cases;adedicatedagencyofficeismaintainedonsite.TMCsoftenmaintain,orcontracttheservicesfor,
a24/7emergencyhelpdesktoassistcustomersafterhours.
TMCstypicallyhireagentswhoareskilledinoneofthethreeGlobalDistributionSystem(GDS)andwho
alsohavestronginterpersonalskills.

BecomingaTravelAgent

THEONLINETRAVELAGENCY(OTA)
Whileseveralonlinetravelagencieshavecometodominatetheonlinetravelagencyspace,thereare
stillmanysmallertravelagenciesthathavebecomeactiveinthisspace,too.Thisisespeciallytrueof
agentsthatarenichetravelexpertsthatofferspecializedservicesand/orproducts.
Onlineagencieshirearangeofskilledtalent,fromskilledITworkerstoexperttravelagentswhohandle
themorecomplexitinerariesthatrequireamorepersonaltouch.Whileefficienciescanbegainedby
offeringconsumersarobustonlineshoppingexperience,thereoftencomesapointinthebuying
processwhentheonlinebuyerneedspersonalassistancetocompletethetransaction.
THEINDEPENDENTAGENT
Theindependentagentistypicallydefinedasaselfemployedtravelagent.Simplyput,anindependent
agentisaonepersonindependenttravelagency.Andasanindependentbusiness,theseagencieshave
theirownuniquebusinessnamesandcomplywithallapplicablelocalandstateregistration
requirements,similartoatraditionaltravelagency.Itistheselfemployeddesignationthatsetsthe
independentagentapartfromthetraditionalagencymodel.Travelagentswhoworkforatraditional,
TMCorOTAtravelagencyareconsideredemployeesofthebusinesstheyworkfor,eveniftheyare
homebased,whereasindependentagentsareconsideredselfemployed.
Ofallthebusinessmodelsdescribed,theindependentmodelisperhapsthemostdifficultmodeltofully
define,astheseagentsarediverseandtheirsalesaredifficulttoquantifysincenearlyhalfprocesstheir
salesthroughahostagency.Most(87percent)independentagentsworkfromhome,althoughafew
rentdesksfromtheirhostagency.Mostworkparttime.Somehavecorporateclients,yetmost(60
percent)focusoncruises.Therearealsosomewhofocussolelyongroupsornichemarkets.
Therearetwoprimarytypesofindependentagentsthosewhoareaffiliatedwithahostagency(46%),
whicharereferredtoashostedindependentagents,andthosewhoaretrulyindependent.
Theprimarydifferencebetweenthetwoisthatthehostedindependentagentcontractswithahost
travelagency,sometimesreferredtoasahostorhostagency,forcertainservices.Thehosted
independentagentisalsoreferredtoasindependentcontractor.
WhatisaHostAgency?
Ahostagencyisatravelagencythatistypicallyairline(ARC)accredited,andmayalsohaveaCLIA
number.Someindependentagentscontractwithahostagencyforservicesthatmayinclude:1)useof
thehostsbusiness(e.g.ARC,CLIAorIATAN)numberforcommissiontrackingpurposes;2)accesstothe
hostsGlobalDistributionSystem(GDS);3)suppliercommissionoverrides;4)qualitycontrol;and,5)
7

BecomingaTravelAgent

administrativesupport.Inreturnforprovidingtheseservices,theindependentagentpaysafee,either
intheformofamonthlysubscriptionfeeorasapercentageoftheagentscommission.
Itisthehostagencysbusinessnumberthatidentifiestheagencywithanindustrysuppliersothat
commissionpaymentscanbeprocessedandpaid.Sincecommissionsarepaiddirectlytothehost,the
hostisobligatedthroughtheindependentcontractoragreementtoforwardpaymenttothe
independentagentasstipulatedintheagreement.Mostoften,compensationpaidbythehosttothe
independentcontractorisexpressedasapercentageofcommissionsonbasefares.Commonsplits
betweenanindependentcontractorandthehostagencyare70/30,80/20or50/50.So,forexample,if
thesplitis70/30,thehostmayretain30percentofcompensationearnedbytheindependent
contractorandforwardtheremaining70percenttotheagent.Thepercentagesplitanindependent
contractorisabletonegotiatedependsontheexperience,educationandknowledgetheindependent
agentbringstothetable.
Therearealsoindependentagentsthathavetheirownbusinessnumbersanddonotworkthrougha
hostagency.Theseareoftenagentswhohavemovedtheirtraditionaltravelagencybusinessestotheir
homes.Manyoftheseagentshavegivenuptheirairlineaccreditationinlieuofoneofthethreenonair
travelagencybusinessnumbers,whicharediscussedlaterinthispaper.

U.S. TRAVEL AGENCY INDUSTRY

MARKETSIZEANDSCOPE
83,290workersemployedbytravelagencyfirmsBureauofLaborStatistics(BLS)2010
65,720workersidentifiedastravelagentsBLS2010
40,280selfemployedindependenttravelagentsPhoCusWright(PCW)2012
13,818travelagencyretaillocationsARCJune2012
$136billionsales,includingonlinetravelagentsPCW2012
$5.6billiontotalpayrolloutputCensusBureau2011

HOW TRAVEL AGENCIES MAKE MONEY

Today,therearemanydifferenttravelagencybusinessmodels.Yettherearetwoprimaryrevenue
sourcescustomerpaidfees(i.e.transaction,servicefees)andsupplierpaidcompensation(i.e.
commissionsandoverrides).Commissionsareearnedatthetimeofthetransaction,whileoverridesare
paidperiodically,eitherquarterly,semiannuallyorannually,andarebasedontheagencysabilityto
increasesalesbasedonapresetgoal.

BecomingaTravelAgent

Whilealmostallagenciesearnrevenuefrombothsources,itistheagencysbusinessmodelthatoften
dictatestheagencysprimarysourcesofrevenues.Forexample,travelagenciesthatfocusonselling
leisuretraveltypicallyreceivemostoftheirrevenuesfromsuppliersthroughcommissions/overrides.
Travelagenciesthatfocussolelyoncorporatetravelandairlineticketingareverydependenton
customerpaidfees,oftencalledtransactionorservicefees.
Thereisathirdmodel,calledtheconsultancyfeemodel,whichisgainingtraction.Withthismodel,the
agentactsasaconsultant,likeanattorneyoraccountant,andchargesaprofessionalfeeforhis/her
services,andatthesametimemayalsocollectcommissionfromsuppliers.Leisureagentsfocusedon
sellingluxurytravelareoftenattractedtothismodel.
Thefollowingchartsbreakouttravelagencyrevenuesbytypeandsource.Thefirstchartrevealsthat
leisuretravelagenciesaredependentonsupplierpaidrevenue.Thesecondchartshowsthatcorporate
agencies,whichprimarilyprocessairtransactions,receivethebulkoftheirrevenuefromcustomerpaid
transaction/servicefees,althoughcommissionsandoverridesareimportantwithhotelandcarrental
bookings.
LEISURETRAVELAGENCYREVENUESOURCES

%ShareofAverageRevenueByTypeofRevenue

Cruise

Tour

Commissions/Overrides

81%

79%

Transactions/ServiceFees

12%

18%

ConsultingFees

1%

1%

GDSIncentives/Fees

1%

0%

OtherRevenue

5%

1%

Source:ASTA2011FinancialBenchmarkingReport

CORPORATETRAVELAGENCYREVENUESOURCES

%ShareofAverageRevenueByTypeofRevenue

Hotel

Car

Commissions/Overrides

27%

74%

84%

Transactions/ServiceFees

63%

18%

14%

GDSIncentives/Fees

8%

6%

2%

OtherRevenue

2%

2%

0%

Source:ASTA2011FinancialBenchmarkingReport

Air

BecomingaTravelAgent

WHAT TRAVEL AGENTS EARN

AccordingtoASTAs2011LaborandCompensationStudy:
Theaveragetravelagentsalaryis

$43,163corporate

$29,531leisure

$31,457combinedcorporate/leisure

$39,556managerial

$21,080startingwithlimitedexperience

Note:theseareonlyaverages;thehighend
includessomeearningover$100,000

Case Study
After college Ryan McGredy, a
graduate from the University of
California at Davis in 2000 with a
degree in Sociology and
Organizational Studies, became
involved in Moraga Travel
(Moraga, Calif.) as a minority
owner. He later bought a majority
stake in the company and is now

Howagentsarepaid

60%salaryalone

the president and managing

28%salaryandcommission

owner. In addition, seeing an

12%commissiononly

industry need, McGredy went on

to create Contact Beacon, a
successful email marketing

GETTING STARTED
Thereisnorightorwrongwaytostartoutinthisindustry,

system for travel agents.

andthereiscertainlynolimittowhenyoucanstartyour
career.Therearemanytravelagentsthatstartrightoutof
college,yettherearealsomanythatstartlaterinlifeafteroneormorecareers.

FINDING A TRAINING PROGRAM

Becomingatravelagentrequiresextensiveknowledgeofthetravelindustry,aswellasknowledgeof
oneormorecomputerreservationsystems,commonlyreferredtoasGlobalDistributionSystems(GDS).
ASTAandNACTAencourageyoutoenrollinatravelschoolasitisagreatwaytogetaheadstarton
yourcareer.
Ifyoudecidetostartyourcareerwithtravelschool,beitonlineortraditional,itisimportantthatyou
carefullyresearchalltheprofessionaltraveltrainingpossibilities.Theschoolyouchooseshouldbe
approved,registeredorlicensedbytheStatePostsecondaryEducationBureauorarecognized
accreditationassociation.

10

BecomingaTravelAgent

Youshouldalsokeepthesepointsinmindwhenevaluatingapotentialtravelschool:
Doestheschooloffertravelcoursesin:geography,fares/ticketing/tariffs,industryformsand
procedures,automation,sales,marketingandtravelindustryoperations?
Doestheschoolprovideforinternships?
Examinetheavailableairlinecomputertraining.Itshouldteachbothdomesticandinternational
reservationsaswellasaccessingtheairlineavailability,pricing,selling,creatingapassengername
record(PNR)andbookinghotel,carrentalandrailreservations.
Howlonghastheschoolbeeninoperation?
AskiftheschoolisamemberofASTAorNACTA.
Askagenciesinyourareafortheiropinionofthetravelschoolsyouareconsidering.
Doestheschoolofferplacementassistanceforgraduates?Ifso,whatistheirsuccessratio?
Askifthereareanygraduatesoftheschoolwhoareworkingintheareathatyoucancontact.
Askworkinggraduatesfortheirevaluationoftheprogram.
Tofindatravelschoolinyourarea,visitasta.organdselecttheEducation/Careerssectionandthe
headingASTAMemberTravelSchoolorclickon:http://www.asta.org/education/travelschools.

FUTURE TRAVEL PROFESSIONALS CLUB

Ifyougototravelschool,youshouldconsiderenrollinginASTAsFutureTravelProfessional(FTP)
Program.ThiscluballowsyoutonetworkwithASTAmemberswhoarenotonlyleadersintheindustry,
butalsopotentialemployers.ClubmembershipinFTPisaninvestmentinstrengtheningyourfuturein
thetravelindustry.Createdexclusivelyfortravelschoolstudents,theprogramalsoprovidesmembers
accesstoallofouronlineeducationalmaterialstohelpprepareyouforasuccessfulcareer.For
completedetails,gotoASTA.organdsearchonthekeywordsFutureTravelProfessionalClub.

SCHOLARSHIPS
ASTAandASTAChaptersfundmanyundergraduateandgraduatescholarshipsandinternshipstoselect
travelagencystudents.TourismCaresmanagesASTAscholarshipprogram,aswellastheirowngrants,
scholarshipsandinternshipprograms.FormoreinformationabouttheTourismCaresGrantsand
ScholarshipPrograms,visitwww.tourismcares.organdclickontheStudentResourcestab.

11

BecomingaTravelAgent

SEEKING EMPLOYMENT AS A TRAVEL AGENT

Intodaysjobmarket,themostcommonwaytolookforemploymentasatravelagentistouseindustry
websitejobboards.ASTAsjobboardisagreatplacetostartandislocatedintheEducation/Careers
sectionofasta.orgorcanbefoundhere:http://www.hottraveljobs.com/ASTA/.Also,checkoutthe
classifiedsectionsofthesetravelpublications:
TravelStaffingGroupwww.travelstaffingusa.com/ASTA/
BusinessTravelNewswww.btnonline.com
TravelWeeklywww.travelweekly.com
HCareerswww.hcareers.com

Ifyouareconsideringacareerinthetravelindustry,wesuggestyou
setupinformationalinterviewswithtravelagenciesinyourarea.
Whendoingthis,speaktothemanagerofthetravelagencyoffice
andexplaintothemyourinterestinbeginningacareerintravel.
Youwillhavetoaccommodatetheirscheduleandaskthemtocarve
out30to60minutesoftheirtime.Youmightwanttoconsider

93percentoftravelagents
arehappywiththeirchosen
profession.
ASTA2012MemberSurvey

meetingthemforcoffeesoyoucanbeassuredofkeepingtheir
attentionoutsideoftheofficewhileyoudiscusscareeroptionswith
them.
Duringaninformationalinterview,youalsowanttomakesurethatbecomingatravelagentisthe
careerforyou.Asktheagentabouttheirtypicalday,whatkindofhourstheywork,whatperksthey
receiveandwhatthepotentialisforacareerinyourarea.Ifyoufeelthismaybetherightpathforyou,
discusstheoptionsforinterningattheagency.Thisisagreatwaytofindoutifthiscareerisrightfor
you.

TRAVEL AGENT TESTING & CERTIFICATIONS

Therearenofederalorstatecertificationprogramsrequiredofindividualtravelagents.Certificationis
optional.TheindustrysprimarycertificationprogramsaremanagedbyTheTravelInstitute,which
offersseveralprogramsthatrangefromabasicproficiencytesttoindividualtravelagentcertification.
THETAP(TRAVELAGENTPROFICIENCY)TEST
AlthoughitisanticipatedthatmostcandidateswhotakeTheTravelInstitutesTravelAgentProficiency
Testhavecompletedatravelschoolprogramorarealreadyworkinginthetravelindustry,thetestisnot
restrictiveandhasnoeligibilityrequirements.Consequently,anyonemayregistertotakeit.
12

BecomingaTravelAgent

CERTIFIEDTRAVELASSOCIATE(CTA)DESIGNATION
TheTravelInstitutesfirstlevelofprofessionalcertificationfocusesonthecoreknowledgeandpractical
skillsrequiredforsuccess.TheCTAdesignationrepresents40percentofthestudyrequiredtoearnthe
CertifiedTravelCounselor(CTC)designation.Topicsincludecommunications&technology,geography,
sales&serviceandthetravelindustry.
OnceenrolledintheCTAcertificationprocess,youwillhaveoneyeartocompleteyourstudiesand
registerfortheCTAexam.Theexamiscomprisedofasetofobjectivemultiplechoicequestionsforeach
coreskillareaandaseriesofshortessayscoveringelectivesandapplicationofcourseconceptsinthe
workenvironment.AllCTAexamsareadministeredbyaCTC,agencyowner,manager,traineror
supervisor.TheTravelInstitutesponsoredtestsitesarelocatedacrossthecountryandexamsare
scheduledinconjunctionwithindustryeventsthroughouttheyear.
CERTIFIEDTRAVELCOUNSELOR(CTC)DESIGNATION
TheCertifiedTravelCounselor(CTC)programisthepinnacleoftravelindustryprofessionalismformore
than40yearsandisdesignedforseasonedtravelprofessionalswhoareinterestedinadvancingtheir
career.TheCTCcurriculumcovers10topicsofstudy,whichisdesignedtoteachownersandmanagers
howtoanalyzenewbusinessopportunities,developmarketingstrategies,andnegotiate.Increaseyour
knowledge,growyourbusiness,andearnwidelyrecognizedindustrycredentials.
Tolearnmoreaboutthesetestsanddesignations,visitTheTravelInstituteat
www.thetravelinstitute.com.

TRAVEL AGENCY BUSINESS NUMBERS

Ifyouplantoopenyourowntravelagencyorbecomeanonhostedindependenttravelagent,youwill
needyourowntravelindustrybusinessnumber.Therearethreeprimarysourcesofbusiness
identificationnumberswithinthetravelagencyindustrythattravelsuppliersusetoverifyatravel
agency,tracktheagencysreservationsandsendtheagencyearnedcommissionpayments.
Travelagenciescanobtainaunique8digitbusinessidentificationnumberfromeither:1)theAirlines
ReportingCorp.(ARC);2)theCruiseLinesInternationalAssociation(CLIA);or,3)theInternationalAir
TransportAssociationNetwork(IATAN).Onceanagencyappliesforandreceivesabusinessnumber,the
agencysinformation(address,phone,fax,email,etc.)islistedinacentraldatabasemaintainedbythe
issuer(ARC,IATANorCLIA)forsupplierstouse.

13

BecomingaTravelAgent

AIRLINEACCREDITATIONTHEAIRLINESREPORTINGCORPORATION
TheAirlinesReportingCorp.(ARC)isanairlineownedcompanyprovidingthetravelindustrywith
financialservices,dataproductsandservices,ticketdistributionandfinancialsettlementintheUnited
States,PuertoRico,theU.S.VirginIslands,andAmericanSamoa.
ARCcoordinatesthreeprimaryfunctionsthataddefficiencytothemannerinwhichairlinesandtravel
agenciesdealwitheachother.Theseinclude:
1. Accreditation.ARCprovidesamechanismthatairlinesmayusetoaccreditandappointTicket
ReportingAgencies(TRA).
2. TicketIssuance.TRAagenciesareentitledtoissueelectronictrafficdocumentsonairlinesthat
participateinARCsAreaSettlementPlan(ASP).
3. TicketReconciliationandSettlement.TheARCASPisaclearinghouseforweeklyreconciliationof
sales,refunds,exchangesandpaymentofcompensation,includingtravelagencyservicefees(ifthe
agentelectstoprocesstheirfeesthroughARC).TheASPenablesagenciestoreportandremitall
transactionstoallairlineswithoneweeklyreportandcheckdraft.
OBTAININGANARCAIRLINEAPPOINTMENT
RequirementsforestablishinganARCaccreditedTRAagencycanbefoundonlineat:
https://www.arccorp.com/join/applyaccreditation.jsp.Youwillberequiredtoobtainandmaintaina
bondorirrevocableletterofcreditasaconditionforbeingappointedorretainedasanARClistedtravel
agency.Theminimumamountrequiredis$20,000forthefirsttwoyears.Travelagencybondsorletters
ofcreditdonotprotectconsumersmonies.Instead,thesesecurityinstrumentsarepayableonlytoARC
whenanagencydefaultsandhasoutstandingdebts.
IfyoudecidetobecomeanewARCaccreditedagency,youwillfirstneedtoorderanewapplicationkit
fromARC.Thenonrefundablefeeforthekitis$1,600.OnceatravelagencyobtainsanARCTRA
number,itisgenerallyrecognizedbyallotherindustrysuppliers.Nootherbusinessnumberisneeded.
NONAIRBUSINESSNUMBERS
Ifyouplantostartyourowntravelagencybusinessanddonotwanttogothroughthecostandfinancial
obligationofbecomingairlineaccredited,youwillneedtoobtainabusinessnumberfromanother
source.Onceyouhavethisnumber,hotels,cruiselines,tourcompaniesandotherindustrysuppliers
mayallowyoutobooktheirproductforyourclients.Pleasenote:Ifyouplantoworkasanemployeeof
anagency,youwillusethebusinessnumber(s)establishedbyyouremployer.Likewise,ifyouplanto
workasanindependentagentwithahostagency,youwillusethebusinessnumberprovidedtoyouby
yourhostagency.
14

BecomingaTravelAgent

Therearethreetypesofbusinessnumbersfortravelsellersofnonairproducts.TheseareARCVerified
TravelConsultant(VTC),IATANnonairnumber(formerlyreferredtoasaTravelServiceIntermediary
(TSI)number)andCLIA.ObtaininganARCVTC,IATANorCLIAnumberisthefirststepinbuilding
relationshipswithsupplierssothatyourbusinessisrecognizedforyoutoactasanagentor
authorizedrepresentative.
Topreventduplication,ARCandIATANsourcetheirnumbersdirectlyfromasinglepoolofnumbers
controlledbyIATA.Likewise,CLIAusesablockofnumbersthatIATAnolongeruses.Mostsupplierswill
acceptoneofthesenumbers.Youdonotneedtoobtainallthree.
Eachnonairbusinessnumberingprogramhasitsownfinancialandbusinessrequirements.Complete
detailsforeachprogramcanbefoundonlineat:
ARCVTCwww.arccorp.com/joinvtc/
CLIAwww.cruising.org
IATANwww.iatan.org

CREDENTIALS / ID CARDS
IATANprovidestheagencycommunitywiththeprimarypersonnelregistrationserviceintheindustry
forthepurposeofissuingtravelagentIDcardsthatmanysuppliersrecognizeforthepurposeof
providingreducedrateprivileges.CLIAalsoadministeratravelagentIDcardprogram.Toreviewthe
eligibilityrequirements,visitwww.IATAN.organdwww.cruising.org.

FRAUDULENT CREDENTIALS CARD MILLS

Notalltravelagentcredentialsarecreatedequal,soitsimportantthatyouknowthedifference.There
aresomebusinessesthatselldeceptiveidentificationcards,sometimesaccompaniedbyapackageof
worthlesstrainingmaterialsthatfalselyidentifythepurchaserasatravelagent.Thesebusinesses
calledcardmillsoftenmakeclaimstoconsumerssuchastravellikeatravelagentandaredesigned
topermitbuyersoftravelservicestopassthemselvesoffassellersoftravelservices.
Thesecardsarerepresentedasenablingtheholdertoobtaindiscounts,upgradesandothercourtesies
reservedbytravelsuppliersforprofessionaltravelagentswhoactivelypromotethesuppliersservices.
Cardmillsexisttosell,atasubstantialprice(often$495orsomeamountintentionallysetbelowthe
$500thresholdtriggeringapplicationofFTC/statefranchiseandbusinessopportunitydisclosurelaws),
falseidentificationthatplacesintothehandsofpurchasersadevicetheyareledtobelievewilldeceive
travelsuppliers.Thecardmillspromotethemselves(inprintandInternetadvertisingand,often,
15

BecomingaTravelAgent

throughwrittenscriptsandaudiotapesusedinwordofmouthsolicitation)bymakingexaggerated
claimsaboutthediscountsorpriceadvantagesthatsocalledindependentagentsorconsultants
mayobtainthroughuseofthecard.
Inaddition,somecardmillsemphasizethepurchasersopportunityreminiscentofclassicpyramid
andotherillegalmultilevelmarketingschemestorecruitotheragentsandearnfeesforeach
recruitaswellaseachtimetherecruitbookstravel.Inallcases,theprimarythemeandmessageoftheir
promotionsisthatthepurchasercanenjoyallthebenefitsandfinancialrewardsofprofessionaltravel
agentswithnoworry,nohassleand,aboveall,nowork.

STATES THAT REGULATE TRAVEL SELLERS

Somestatesrequireregistrationoftravelagenciesand/orregulatehowtravelissold.Alistofstates
withSellerofTravel(SOT)lawsfollowsbelow.Ifyoudecidetoopenanagencyinoneofthesestates,
orevenifyouplantoselltraveltocustomersinoneofthesestates,youwilllikelyneedtoregister.
Californiahttp://caag.state.ca.us/travel/index.htm
Floridahttp://www.freshfromflorida.com/onestop/cs/travel.html
Hawaiihttp://hawaii.gov/dcca/pvl/programs/travel/
Iowahttp://sos.iowa.gov/business/pdf/register.pdf
Nevadahttp://leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS598.html
Washingtonhttp://www.dol.wa.gov/business/travel/\

OnceyoubecomeamemberofASTA,youcanobtainaccesstodetailedresourcesthatwillguideyou
throughtheregulatoryprocess.

TRAVEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

Ifyouplantoownandoperateafullservicetravelagencywithanairlineappointment,youwilllikely
needtoinstallaGlobalDistributionSystem(GDS).Thesesystemsfacilitatethebookingandsellingof
airlinetickets,aswellasmanyotherproducts,includingcars,hotels,cruises,trainsandtours.
TherearethreemajorGDSvendorsintheUnitedStatesAmadeus,SabreandTravelportthatoperate
fourdifferentsystems.Youwillneedtocontactthemdirectlyforpricequotesandleaserequirements.
VaxVacationAccessisareservationsystemprimarilydesignedforthedistributionofleisurefocused
products.
Amadeushttp://www.amadeus.com/us/us.html
Sabrehttp://www.sabretravelnetwork.com/home
16

BecomingaTravelAgent

 Travelport(WorldspanandGalileo):http://travelport.com
VAXVacationAccesshttp://www.vaxvacationaccess.com/

RESOURCES
ThefollowingWebsitescontainadditionalinformationaboutthetravelagencyindustry.Weencourage
youtoreviewthesesitesfornewsandinformationaboutthecurrentstateoftheindustry.
ASTASmartBriefwww.smartbrief.com/asta/
BusinessTravelNewsOnlinewww.btnmag.com
TravelAgentwww.travelagentcentral.com
TravelWeeklywww.travelweekly.com
TravelMarketReporthttp://travelmarketreport.com

IS THIS THE CAREER FOR YOU?

Thetravelbusinessisoneofthelargestindustriesintheworldandoffersmanybenefitstohardworking
individuals.Itcanbedemandingandrequiresawiderangeofabilitiesforsuccess.However,aloveof
travelattractsmanypeopletothefield.Tosucceed,youmusthaveagenuinedesiretobeofservice.In
addition,youareexpectedtobearticulate,salesfocusedandcustomerserviceoriented.Tohandlethe
technicalaspectsoftheirwork,youmustbeorganized,thoroughandtenacious.
Wehopethisexcitingindustryisamatchforyou.

Regardlessofwhereyoustartyourcareer,rememberASTAand
NACTAofferresourcestohelpsupportyoueverystepofyourcareer.
LearnmoreatASTA.organdNACTA.org.

17

BecomingaTravelAgent

GLOSSARY OF COMMON TRAVEL AGENCY TERMS

A
AddOnAtouroptionnotincludedinthebasicprice.
AdventureTourAtourbuiltaroundanactivity,suchasraftingorbicycling.
Air/SeaPackageApackageofferedbyacruiselinethatincludesthecruise,airfareandtransfers
betweentheairportandtheship
AirlinesReportingCorp.(ARC)TheU.S.airlineindustryorganizationwhichappointstravelagentsin
theUnitedStatesandprocessesairtravelsales.ARCissuestheIDnumberstermedARCnumbersto
accreditedU.S.agents,whichareusedbytravelindustrysupplierstotrackcommissionpayment.
AllInclusiveAtourproductthatincludesalltripcomponents,includingmeals,forasetprice.
AmadeusAmadeusisaGlobalDistributionSystem(GDS),whichhasitsglobalmarketingheadquarters
inMadrid,Spain,operationsfacilitiesinErding,Germany,andcustomersupportofficesinNice,France.
AmadeusNationalMarketingCompany(NMC)fortheUnitedStatesislocatedMiamiandthebulkof
theirsubscriberbasewasconvertedfromtheSystemOneplatformin1997and1998.
AmericanPlan(AP)Hotelstayincludingbreakfast,lunchanddinner.
ARCNumberThe8digitidentificationnumberassignedtoaccreditedtravelagenciesintheUnited
StatesbytheAirlineReportingCorp.TravelagenciessituatedoutsidetheUnitedStatesareaccredited
bytheInternationalAirTransportAssociation(IATA),whichissuesasimilartrackingnumber.
B
BackOfficeAutomationSystemsthatcomputerizenonairbookingfunctionsincludingaccountingand
reporting.Inmanycasesthesesystemsinterfacewiththefrontofficesystemsandareusedbymany
travelagentstoprocesstheweeklyARCsalesreport.
BacktoBackTicketingThepracticeofbookingtworoundtripexcursionticketswithoverlapping
Saturdaynightstaysforthepurposeofcircumventinghigherunrestrictedfares.

18

BecomingaTravelAgent

C
CDW/LDWCollisionDamageWaiver/LossDamageWaiverinsurancefordamagetoarentedvehicle.
ChurningRepetitiveorexcessivebookingandcancelingofareservationinaGDStoachieve
productivitycreditortocircumventticketingrestrictions.
CityguideThetourguideofacitytour,usuallyalocalresident.
CitypairTheoriginanddestinationairports.
CitytourAguidedsightseeingtripthroughacity.
CoachclassOftenusedtodescribethecabinoreconomysectionofanairplane.
CodeSharingAnagreementwherebyoneairlinemarketsandsellstheservicesofanotherairline.The
marketingcarriersnamemayappearontheticket,howevertheserviceisactuallyprovidedbya
separateoperatingcarrier.
ComputerReservationSystem(CRS)seeGlobalDistribution
ComputerReservationTerminal(CRT)Acomputerdisplayterminalusedtomaketravelreservations.
ConsumerProtectionPlan(CPP)Atouroperatorprovidedpolicythatprovidescompensationincase
ofatouroperatorbankruptcy.
ContinentalBreakfastHotelstayincludingbreakfast,typicallyconsistingofbread,rolls,butter,jam
andteaorcoffee.
ContinentalUSAAllareasinthe48contiguousstatesandtheDistrictofColumbia.
CRSPriortothemid1990s,commonlyusedtorefertoairlineownedcomputerreservationsystems
usedbytravelagencies.Today,travelagencycomputerreservationsystemsarereferredtoasGlobal
DistributionSystems(GDS)andtheacronymCRSoftenreferstoavendorshostorCentral
ReservationSystem.
CruiseLineInternationalAssociation(CLIA)Thetradeassociationofthecruiselines.CLIAalsoisa
marketingassociationthatpromotescruisevacationsdistributedthroughtravelagencies.

19

BecomingaTravelAgent

CulturalTourAtourfocusedoninteractingwithandexploringaspecificculture.
CVBConventionandVisitorsBureau.
D
DeregulationAnActofCongresswhichtookeffectin1978throughwhichtheformerCivilAeronautics
Boardlostdirectresponsibilityforoverseeingandassigningroutes,frequenciesandfaresforthe
nationsairlines.
DirectAccessAtermusedbyglobaldistributionsystemstodescribethemodeofreservation
processinginwhichthesuppliersreservationsystemprovidesaconfirmationnumberwithinseven
secondsofcompletionofthebookingrequests,andpriortothetravelagentendingthebooking
transaction.
DoubleOccupancyRateThepricebasedontwopersonssharingaroom.
DRS(DirectReferenceSystem)Thesectionofeachglobaldistributionsystemcontainingspecific
supplierpoliciesandadescriptivelistofsupplierservices.
DynamicPackagingAnonlinebookingtoolthatcancombinemultipletravelcomponents(typicallyair,
carandhotel)inrealtimeintoasingle,fullypricedpackage(hidingthepricingoftheindividual
components).
E
EcotourAtourdesignedtohighlighttheconservationoftheenvironment.
EscortedTourAtourpackagethatisleadbyatourdirector.
F
FamiliarizationTourAcomplimentaryorreducedratetripfortravelagentsand/orairlineemployees
thatisdesignedtoeducatethemonhotelsordestinationswiththepurposeofincreasingsalesforthat
product.ThisisfrequentlyreferredtoasaFAMorfamtrip.
FITFlexibleIndependentTravel(FIT)referstocustomizedindependenttravel,domesticor
international.Historically,FITreferredtoForeignIndependentTravel.
20

BecomingaTravelAgent

Fly/DriveApackagethatincludesanairticketandarentalcar.
FrequentTravelerProgramAplanofferedbysometravelvendorstoawardbonuses,suchasfreeor
upgradedaccommodation,tocustomersinordertoencouragerepeatuseandbuildbrandloyalty.
FrontOfficeSystemsTravelagencyreservationsystemscommonlyreferredtoasGDSorCRS.
FullboardHotelstayincludingthreemeals(breakfast,lunchanddinner).
G
GalileoAGDSundertheTravelportportfolio.
GlobalBusinessTravelAssociation(GBTA)Thetradegrouprepresentingcorporatetravelmanagers.
GlobalDistributionSystem(GDS)Anautomatedreservationssystemthattravelprofessionalsuseto
performavarietyoftravelfunctionsincludingair,hotelandcarrentalreservations.GDSissometimes
referredtoasaComputerReservationsSystem(CRS).SeveralGDSprovidetheirservicestousers
worldwide(e.g.,Amadeus,Travelport,SABRE),whileothersprovideregionalornationalcoverage.
GovernmentTravelRequest(GTR)Aformofpaymentusedbysomegovernmentagenciestopayfor
officialgovernmentairtravel.
H
HalfBoardHotelstayincludingbreakfast,andeitherlunchordinner.
HighSeasonSupplementAdditionalchargethatappliesduringhighseason.
HostedtourAgrouptourmetatthedestinationbyarepresentativeofthetouroperator.
I
IAR(InteractiveAgentReporting)InteractiveAgentReporting(IAR)istheelectronicsalesreporting
systemfromtheAirlinesReportingCorp.(ARC).
IATANumberThemembershipidentificationnumberassignedtoaccreditedtravelagencieslocated
outsideoftheUnitedStates.IATAnumbersidentifyatravelagencytohotelsandcarrentalcompanies

21

BecomingaTravelAgent

sothatapplicablebookingcommissionsarepaid.TravelagenciesintheUnitedStatesareaccreditedby
theAirlinesReportingCorp.,whichissuesasimilarnumber.
InboundOperatorAnoperatorthathandlestravelarrangementsatadestination.Alsoknowasa
receptiveoperator.
InternationalAirTransportAssociation(IATA)Thetradeassociationofdomesticandinternational
airlines.IATAoperatesasasupranationalorganizationproposingrates,conditionofservice,safety
standards,andprovidesthemechanismwhichmakestheunifiedsystemofairtransportationpossible.
IATAappointsretailtravelagentsandoperatestheticketsettlementsystemfortravelagencieslocated
outsidetheUnitedStates.
InternationalAirlinesTravelAgentNetwork(IATAN)AwhollyownedsubsidiaryoftheInternational
AirTransportAssociation.IATANoffersatravelagencyIDcardtoaccreditedtravelagencymembersin
theUnitedStates.
L
LocalHostArepresentativeofthetouroperatorwhoprovidesassistanceatadestination.
M
MCO(MiscellaneousChargesOrder)AnelectronicARCformthatcanbeusedtoprocesstour
paymentswithsometouroperators.MCOsaregenerallyusedtoprocesscashsalesthroughtheagents
ARCreport.
MeetandGreetServiceAservicethatassiststravelersuponarrivalwithentranceformalities,baggage
handling,transportationandorientation.
ModifiedAmericanPlan(MAP)Hotelstayincludingbreakfastanddinner.
N
NegotiatedRateAtermusedtodescriberatesnegotiatedbyahotelcompanywithaspecificclient.
NetRateAwholesalerateexclusiveofcommissions.

22

BecomingaTravelAgent

O
OfficialAirlineGuide(OAG)Alistingofairlineflightsandschedulesproducedandpublishedbythe
ReedTravelGroup.
OpenJawAtriangularitinerarywhereonlytwolegsareticketed.
OtherSupplementalInformation(OSI)APNRfieldusedtoprovideadditionalpassengerinformation
totheairline.
OverbookingAconditionthatexistswhenavendorsellsmoreinventory(e.g.air,hotel,car,etc.)than
isavailable.
OverrideAdditionalcommissionpaidtoagentsasabonusforproductivityand/orvolume.
P
PackageAnycombinationofmorethanonecomponent,suchasahotelroomandanairticket,which
issoldasoneproduct.
PassengerNameRecord(PNR)TheGDSfilethatcontainsinformationaboutapassengerstravelplans,
includingname,contactinformation,flightitinerary,hotelbookingsegments,carrentalbooking
segments,andrelateddetails.
PassengerSpaceRatioThenumberofgrossregisteredtonsofashipdividedbythetotalpassenger
capacity.
PassengerToCrewRatioThenumberofpassengersdividedbythetotalnumberofcrewmembersona
cruise.
PassiveSegmentAsegmentbookingenteredintheGDSforthepurposeofticketingorrecordkeeping
forwhichanidenticalbookinghasalreadybeenmadeinthecarriersreservationsystem.
PAXAtermusedbyairlineemployeestorefertoapassengerorpassengers.
PeriodEndingDate(PED)AnacronymfortheclosingdateoftheARCreportingperiod(alwaysevery
Sunday).

23

BecomingaTravelAgent

PorterageBaggagehandlingservice.
PseudoCityCode(PCC)AGDSidentifierthatdistinguishesonetravelagencylocationfromanother,
generallyathreetofivecharactercode(alpha,numeric,orcombination),dependingupontheGDS.
QueueSystemComputerizedfileoraddressinGDS.GDSusers(travelagents,hotelcompanies,etc.)
areprovidedwithqueues,identifiedbyaqueueaddress,towhichmessagesaredelivered.
R
ReceptiveoperatorCompaniesengagedinthemanagementofreceptivetourservices,suchaslocal
transportation,transfersandtours.
RegionalCarrierAsdefinedbytheDOT,anairlinewithannualrevenuesoflessthan$100million.
Rule240Airlinedefinedrulesregardingpassengerrightsintheeventofascheduleirregularityorforce
majorevent.
S
Sabre(formerlytheSemiAutomatedBusinessResearchEnvironment)AGlobalDistributionSystem
operatedbyTheSABREGroupHoldings,Inc.,basedinDallas/Ft.WorthAirport.
SIFieldThespecialinformationfieldinaGDShotelreservationinwhichatravelagent
communicatesspecialrequestssuchasnonsmokingrooms,corporateratenumberandarrivaltimetoa
hotel.
SingleRoomSupplementTheadditionalamountduefornotsharingahotelroom.
SpecialServiceRequest(SSR)APNRfielddesignedtorequestspecialpassengerservicesfromthe
airlineusingcommonlyacceptedfourcharacterkeywords.
SpecialEventPackageApackagedesignedaroundaspecificevent,suchasasportingevent.These
packagestypicallyincludeatickettotheevent.
SpringBreakPackageApackagespecificallymarketedtobudgetconsciousstudentsfortravelinthe
spring.

24

BecomingaTravelAgent

T
Terms&Conditions(T&C)Thetourcontractthatspecifiesthetermsandconditionsofapurchase.It
typicallycontainsatouroperatorsvoluntarycancellationandchangepolicies.
TourOperatorProgram(TOP)DevelopedbyASTAasamarketingprogramforASTAmembertour
operators.TOPtouroperatorsmustmeetrequirementssetbytheTOPprogram.
TourOperatorAcompanythatdevelops,marketsandoperatesvacationpackagesthatcontaintwoor
morecomponents(e.g.air,hotel,car,transfers,etc.)andaresoldasoneprice.
TransfersArrivalanddeparturetransportationservicethatprovidestransportationbetweenthe
airport,railstation,cruiseterminalandhotel.
TravelAgentServiceFee(TASF)AnARCprogramthattravelagentsusetoprocessservicefeesthrough
ARC.
TravelAgentSellsretailtravelservices,includingtourpackages,toconsumers.
TravelportHeadquarteredinAtlanta,TravelportistheparentcompanyofGalileoandWorldspan.
TripCancellationInsurance/TravelInsuranceOptionalinsurancethatprovidestravelersarefundin
theeventhe/shecancelsthetripforreasonscoveredwithinthepolicy.Insurancepoliciestypically
includecoverageforemergenciessuchasillness,baggageloss,andaccidentaldeath/dismemberment.
V
VoucherAdocumentissuedbythetouroperatortobeexchangedforaspecificservice(e.g.hotel,
transfer,etc.).
W
WorldTourismOrganization(WTO)FormerlytheInternationalUnionofOfficialTravelOrganizations,
nowaUnitedNationsaffiliatedorganizationofgovernmenttouristoffices.
WorldspanNowpartofTravelport,WorldspanistheAtlantabasedGDSformedbythemergerofthe
PARSandDATASIIGDSsinFebruary1991.

25

BecomingaTravelAgent

Y
YieldManagementThepracticeofcontrollingthesupplyandpriceofairline,hotelorcarrental
inventorytoachievemaximumrevenue.

26

BecomingaTravelAgent

100,000 of them are

getting theirs this year.
Are you getting yours?

A global network of over 100,000 travel agencies have been profiting

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The Code >>> Accredited locations receive a unique IATA code that is recognized globally by travel industry suppliers to
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