Become a Home Based Travel Agent

6 Essential Tips - Card Mill to Travel Agent
By Tom Ogg

Card mills or companies that sell “instant travel agent” credentials have been on the scene for over two-decades now. Usually set up as a MLM (Multi Level Marketing) organization, card mills make their money selling travel agent credentials, rather than selling travel. They usually start small and grow to tens of thousands of “travel agents” before they either go broke or are shut down by federal authorities. One such card mill was raided by the FTC and had their assets seized. Of course, this left their some 70,000 “travel agents” without any hope of reclaiming their investment.

The pitch is always the same. “Why pay full price when you can travel like a travel agent?” “Get practically free hotels and resorts by paying the “travel agent” rate” “Cruise for $25.00 a day” “Get free upgrades to suites and first class airfares like travel agents do”. “Best of all, you will not only save tens of thousands of dollars when you travel, but you can make tens of thousands of dollars by introducing your friends and neighbors to this fantastic opportunity!” And, so it goes. Of course, as the people that fall prey to this nonsense quickly find out, it is all just a great sales pitch with no substance.

It is sad because many of the folks that buy into card mills have no idea what they are doing. They may well be interested in gaining experience as a travel agent and just don’t know how to do it. In fact, if there has been a benefit from the card mill phenomenon, it has been that hundreds, maybe thousands of new agents have found their way from card mills into becoming real travel agents. Making the transition from being a referral agent or other type of card mill agent to entering the travel industry as a professional travel agent is one that should be encouraged by everyone. We were all new at one point and discouraging folks that may have made a bad decision initially just doesn’t make sense.

Here are the 6 most essential things to remember when making the transition:

1. Travel Professionals Do Not Consider Card Mill Agents as Real Travel Agents: I know this is difficult for card mill agents to understand, but imagine if you went to a doctor and instead of diplomas hanging on the wall you found out that he purchase a doctor’s license from an “Instant Doctor” program and had no real training as a doctor whatsoever. Would you have the same faith in the doctor’s abilities? You probably would not. Travel professionals have decades of experience and training to practice their profession and see card mill agents to be much less than they are. If you are making the transition into the industry, leave all of your history behind you. Don’t use a card mill as a reference for why someone would work with you. It will backfire and cause more damage than it will good.

2. Suppliers Are Not Stupid: The often promoted idea that suppliers have special fares and discounts for anyone calling themselves a travel agent is complete nonsense. Thirty years ago, before airline deregulation, there used to be a structure for agents to access discounts from various suppliers. That structure has not been around for decades. Yet, it makes a great sales pitch for card mills. Get over the idea that you are going to get travel at a substantial discount just because you call yourself a travel agent. If you are interviewing with a host agency, brick and mortar agency or supplier, forget the entire “travel agent discount” conversation. If you ask, you will be immediately downgraded by the interviewer.

3. Travel is a Business for Professionals: Take that “I Travel For Free, Ask Me How” tee shirt and burn it. Selling travel is a serious business. Imagine turning over tens of thousands of dollars to an attorney wearing an “I Make Millions Being an Attorney, Ask Me How You Can Too” tee shirt. I am sure that you can see the point. Professional travel agents dress appropriately and act professionally.

4. Start Your Travel Agent Training Immediately: Take advantage of the various supplier certification courses that are available free of charge to travel agents. Consider attending one of the premier trade shows in the travel industry such as Travel Weekly’s Home Based Travel Agent Show. Just visit www.TravelWeekly.com to find out more and while you are there, why not subscribe?

5. Consider Associating with a Professional Host Agency: There is a world of difference between a card mill and a professional host agency. To find a list of the most professional click on “Host Agencies” in this website. A reputable and professional host agency will do wonders to help you establish yourself in the travel industry. Again, I wouldn’t tout your experience at being with a card mill, as this will most likely turn the professional host agency off.

6. Become Involved in the Travel Industry: Join the Travel Professional Community at www.HBTACommunity.com (once you have established your business) Start attending seminars, presentations and other travel agent training events in your area. Get involved! The travel industry is one of the most fun occupations that you can pursue, enjoy your involvement and immerse yourself to allow your passion for travel to flourish.