HOW TO TRAVEL LIKE AN "INSIDER"

In the past, whenever I’ve heard the term, “travel like an insider” I had no idea what this phrase meant. I wondered, “Who are the insiders?” “How do they travel?” and “How can I become an insider?” It wasn’t until I joined my business, the YTB Travel Network, that I fully understood why this is such a sought after status. So what exactly does it mean to travel as an insider, and what are the advantages of doing so? This post is designed to address these questions so that readers will gain an understanding about the rewards of working in and owning a business in the travel industry, and thus making it possible to “travel as an insider.”

When you travel as an insider, pure and simply, you are traveling wholesale instead of retail. The average person booking travel, at best has access to various Internet travel sites, and when trying to make reservations or travel arrangements, will visit these sites in hopes of finding the “best deal”. But travel professionals have access to the best travel deals in the industry. Not only do they have access to travel vendors that the general public may not have access to (such as man air consolidators), but they also have the opportunity to receive discounts travel (up to 90% off retail), but also we are offered upgrades and other perks. And when you are not only the agent but also the travel business owner, the benefits increase.

What are the benefits of working in the travel industry and particularly of owning your own travel business?
As a travel industry professional, the benefits that you can receive are virtually unlimited. Here are some examples:

Travel professionals can receive travel discounts of up to 80% or more off retail. It is no secret that travel agents and other travel professionals have access to information and websites that can benefit both their customers and themselves. One example involves booking airfare through air consolidators. Air consolidators make purchases of large blocks of airfare and sell them primarily to travel agents at significantly reduced prices. Due to the relationships that travel agents or particular agencies may have with a particular travel vendor, agents can secure rates that are much lower than the lowest advertised Internet rates. Travel agents can also request special rates at hotels and car rental agency, for example, that are reserved for industry professionals by showing their travel credential with their personal or agency IATA number. Recently, one of our travel agents traveled to Las Vegas and stayed at Caesar’s Palace. While the standard room rate was more than $200, the agent was offered the $139 travel agent’s rate. When the agent showed her travel credential, she was offered a complimentary upgrade to the hotel’s $1200 suite. Imagine the savings to this agent who stayed eight days at this luxury hotel!

Travel agents are offered fun and exotic FAM trips. FAM (or familiarization trips) to many exotic and premier vacation resorts are offered to travel agents so they will become more familiar with the vendor’s vacation offer in order to sell them to their clients. For the past few years, brick and mortar travel agencies have closed in record numbers and vendors have a vested interest in encouraging travel agents to inspect their properties. For this reason, travel agents are offered opportunities to visit some of the world’s most beautiful resorts and vacation spots and are given the “red carpet” treatment. Recently, Disney Cruise Lines, in appreciation to travel agents, offered a 10-day cruise to travel agents for only $250. This price, compared to over $3000 retail, seems too good to be true. Another example is actually a trip that I will be taking in October. Sandals Resorts offered our travel agents a 5 day/4 night stay at one of many of their luxurious resorts for a total of $99. This all-inclusive resort that includes all your meals, drinks, snacks, water sports, transfers and more, retails for nearly $500 per night. With my airfare included, the total cost of my trip is still less than $400. It’s clear to see that this is an unbeatable price.

Travel agents are paid commissions on the travels of others as well as on their own travels. This is a great part of being a travel agent because until I became one, it didn’t matter how much travel I booked, the only thing I received at the end of every transaction was a confirmation and receipt. Now, no matter whose travel I book, I receive a commission check! Some vendors will only pay a small (maybe 5%) commission, while others will pay a much larger (up to 20%) commission. The actual percentages depend on the travel agency and the vendor.

When you own a travel business, you have many tax advantages. When your business is travel, your travels in general fall into the category of being a tax deduction. As a travel professional, your hotel stays and car rentals can be qualified as “inspections” simply by completing an inspection form at the conclusion of your trip. As a home-business owner, you can also write off items such as your Internet service, cell phone bill, office equipment purchased, travel mileage, the area of your home where you have your office and more. Check with your accountant for more information on how to take advantage of the many tax benefits you can receive as a travel professional.

How Can You Become a Travel Insider?
Becoming a travel insider is simple, especially today because there are so many online travel business opportunities available. If you search the Internet, you’ll see that many notable business people and businesses have jumped on the band wagon because they understand how profitable travel is now and how profitable it is projected to be in the future. Examples include Magic Johnson, Donald Trump, American Express and Walmart to name a few. Prices can range from $50 to $5000 to own a franchise-type online travel business with the booking engine, travel credentials and other benefits. When I joined my agency, the cost for owning was around $500, which is a very low and reasonable cost to pay for being a business owner. In my business, you not only get the basic travel business, but you get seven (7) websites (marketing, travel booking, YTB Flowers, YTB Cars, YTB Golf, Concert & Event Tickets and Honeymoon Wishes Registry) Also, because you don’t have utility bills, payroll, insurance and many other costs, the monthly overhead is extremely low (only $49.95 a month). This fee includes hosting and maintenance, marketing, licensing, fulfillment of all travel booked on your website and more. For more information on my business, visit my website at www.ytb.com/ez4utravels