How to Become an Air Travel Agent

If you love airlines, airports, and all things air travel, you might be considering a career as an air travel agent. While the introduction of online travel shopping comparison sites has added challenges to this career path, that doesn't mean you don't have options. With some ingenuity and the proper accreditation, you can become an air travel agent.

Instructions

1

Have your high school diploma in hand, which is usually considered the minimum requirement for an air travel agent. You can also have a GED certificate.

2

Get your foot in the door at travel agencies. While many will only hire those with experience, you can apply to become a receptionist or assistant to gain knowledge in the field with your high school diploma, previous work experience in customer service, and interest in travel. While working as an entry-level assistant at the travel company, consider pursuing a two or four-year degree in a related field such as Travel & Tourism.

3

Plan to expand your knowledge for more competitive positions in the industry. Pursue specialized courses or outside study to become well-versed in worldly subjects, international travel destinations, and other languages. These can be self taught merely by accessing world news sites, popular destination cities' websites, and listening to language podcasts online. Brushing up on your computer skills will also make a difference in your productivity.

4

Enroll in travel agency courses either online or through distance education plans. You can find a list of travel schools at the American Society of Travel Agents (see Resources), or you can enroll in colleges that offer distance education courses in tourism like Penn Foster Career School and Pima Community College.

5

Look into more demanding positions as an air travel agent. If you already have an associate's degree or higher, specialized travel industry knowledge through certificate programs, or entry-level experience as a receptionist in an air travel agency, you can plan on the next step. Submit your resume and cover letter detailing these qualifications to companies currently offering jobs, as well as query letters to those that are not.

6

Consider signing up with a travel agency that has been accredited and bonded. You can access a list of these host agencies at places like the National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents (see Resources). By working as a member of a host agency, you can set up an office at home.

7

Get registered with the state in which you live, if necessary, as well as the states to where you'll be selling air travel tickets and travel packages. To determine if your state requires registration, you will need to check with the Attorney General or Department of Consumer Affairs.