How to Be a Work-at-Home Travel Agent

While online bookings and comparison sites might cut out the middle man when it comes to travel planning, the old-fashioned travel agent continues to play a valuable role. Travel agents help travelers to avoid the often-confusing and time-consuming process of researching and reserving trips online. Travel agents are able to provide insider know-how and personal experience and handle all the gory details so the traveler is free to travel. While anyone can sell travel from home, certain requirements are necessary for becoming a full-service independent travel agent.

Instructions

1

Join an established travel company as an at-home agent. A variety of companies across the country hire skilled and unskilled travel professionals to sell products and manage customers from home. You will essentially be working for a larger travel company as an agent and will be paid a commission or salary on each sale made.

2

Create a travel agency business by forming an limited liability corporation or a sole proprietorship if you wish to establish yourself as an at-home independent agent. Do so though an accountant, attorney or an online legal services company. Creating a company allows you to separate your personal and business taxes and expenses. If you decide to become an agent in California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Nevada or Washington, you will have to register the business with the state as a seller of travel. The other 44 states don't require registration but might have other restrictions. For example, in New York and Massachusetts you will have to disclose your business status, while in Illinois you might need an escrow account for financial eventualities.

3

Enter a travel agent certification program such as the Certified Travel Associate Program, Certified Meeting Professional, Certification in Meeting Management or Certified Special Events Professional programs offered throughout the U.S. Any of these certifications along with five years of experience, error and omissions insurance, and a good financial background will make you eligible for entry into the International Air Transport Association database as a travel agent.

4

Join IATA and obtain an IATAN travel agency number. IATAN numbers are issued to travel sellers who wish to sell and issue airline tickets to their customers. IATAN numbers are the industry standard for agents who wish to secure agency status with any supplier such as hotels, airlines, tour or rental car companies. If you wish to book air travel but not to issue tickets, an Electronic Reservation Services Provider number, also issued by IATA, will suffice.

5

Contact any suppliers you wish to work with and feature in your travel product line. Hotels and hotel chains, airlines and other travel product suppliers will request your agency IATAN number to verify you are a travel agency and you are entitled to the agency rates and commissions they provide. Once registered with the company as an agent, you will be granted access to agency rates that include a built in commission. This commission will be paid to your agency after each client's trip has been paid for and completed.

6

Market your new company to friends and throughout your local area. Attend trade shows to get your brand out there and to keep on pace with travel industry trends and updates. Create a website and market your company online to reach the largest audience possible. Establish your area of expertise and focus on it to create a demand for your services and the insider knowledge you can provide.