- Q.) How do I get my business cards and letterhead?
- A.) After you complete the application we will send you a form with instructions for receiving your personal business cards. These cards are essential in networking and building your business. You will also receive a template for your letter head and personal email address (jim@cruisingagents.com).
- Q.) How much will it cost to design my website if I choose to have one?
- A.) We want our CruisingAgents to succeed and will try and keep your overhead as low as possible. That is why we will build and host your personal website for FREE! You make only a small, one-time payment to maintain your site with specials and updates.
- Q.) Can I get a CLIA card?
- A.)In order to obtain a CLIA card you must complete one continuing education class through CLIA. These classes are offered online for $25 and take about four hours to complete. You are then required to complete an application and submit a $25 processing fee and two passport photos. CRUISINGAGENTS.COM is devoted to assisting our agents get the CLIA identification card as fast as possible. With this card you may be able to go on special Family trips when available.
- Q.) Can I get an IATAN card?
- A.) All agents are eligible to qualify for IATAN cards. You must follow the IATAN guidelines for issuance of the ID cards. IATAN requires that you be "IATAN Listed" for a minimum of six months. To get listed, we require that you have earned at least one commission check from CRUISINGAGENTS.COM. The second requirement is that you have earned a minimum of $5,000 in gross commissions in the previous twelve (12) months. Since our agents earn some of the highest commissions in the industry, they are able to earn their IATAN card much faster.
- Q.) I've never sold travel before, is there training to teach me what I need to know?
- A.) Training is a big factor to becoming a successful travel agent, especially if you have never worked in this industry before. CruisingAgents.com provides training via our Manuel, DVD's, Webinars, telephone, conference calls , and training directly by affiliate groups such as ASTA, CLIA, ICTA, and more. Each cruise line will have continues free training that we will make available to you. YOU DON'T NEED EXPERIENCE TO BE SUCCESSFUL, WE WILL TRAIN YOU FROM THE START!
- Q.) How do I make money selling airline tickets? Do they pay commission anymore?
- A.) Most airlines have cut out the commission altogether. You may need to book airline tickets for your clients but don't spend time and effort trying to sell airline tickets. There's just no money in doing it with adding fee's. You'll earn more money (with less effort) booking group vacations and cruises. With a client who wants an airline ticket, you may add on a small agency-booking fee to the cost of the ticket.
- Q.) Do I need a fax machine?
- A.) A lot of business you may do is done by fax, you will need at least the ability to send and receive faxes through your computer (www.eFax.com). It's free to download, you don't have to purchase a plan to get faxes sent to you. There are fax services available if you don't want to invest in a fax machine, but a good multi-use machine that will serve as your fax machine and printer, scanner, and more, have become very affordable.
- Q.) Do I use YOUR name or MINE for my business?
- A.) You will use YOUR business name on your business cards, not ours. You do not work for us... this is YOUR business. You are an independent contractor affiliated with us. If you need help in coming up with a name for your business, VIP Travel Team can offer suggestions. Most people have no problem thinking of a name for their business. Just be absolutely sure the name you choose is not already in use by someone else.
- Q.) Will I need any special software on my computer to book travel?
- A.) No, you will have everything you need is online. You will be able to book travel through your computer's web browser.
- Q.) What is my start up cost, other than the initial and monthly fee?
- A.) Very Little! Agents get personal CruisingAgents.com email addresses and letterhead templates. You are ready to go and book travel. As a Travel Agent, your enrollment and yearly fees are tax deductible. (Please consult your tax accountant to learn about additional advantages.)
- Q.) How do I find my Customers?
- A.) Believe me once the word gets out that you sell travel people come out of the wood work. Start with family, friends, church, sport organizations, business associates, neighbors, teachers and clubs. CruisingAgents.com has a great list of flyers for all occasions. CruisingAgents.com will provide you with a personalized web page that you can market on the Internet for a one time setup and maintenance fee.
Each week we host a Question & Answer Training Teleconferences. These are informal conferences designed to get new travel agents comfortable selling travel. We will show you how to use our reservation system to locate and book your first vacation packages.
- Q.) Can I get discounts on my own travel?
- A.) As a CRUISINGAGENTS.com agent you will have access to prices not available to the general public. If you are flexible on your dates and destinations, you can travel at amazing rates.
(EX: We just got an agent promotion for a seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise for just $215 per person.) These are generally associated with FAM (Familiarization) trips and are made available to agents for the purpose of training. In order to participate in some FAMs, you need to have either a CLIA or IATAN identification card. Both cards are available to CRUISINGAGENTS.com agents who qualify for the respective cards.
We do not permit individuals to participate in our program solely for the purpose of obtaining discounts on personal travel. If that is what you want our program is not for you.
- Q.) How do I get BROCHURES and other promotional materials?
- A.) Suppliers will send you brochures once you are established with them at no cost to you. You may order them free online. We will show you how.
- Q.) How long does my membership last and are there any monthly fees?
- A.) Your CRUISINGAGENT membership is a one-year term. There are no other fees to be a member unless you choose to build your business with our optional features (website, etc.). After 1 (one) full year you will pay a $99 yearly maintenance fee to keep your membership current.
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