Most people that enter the travel industry typically have a passion to travel! What better way to spend your day than researching and planning trips for your clients. It is very hard work but the travel industry does offer its rewards to dedicated and hard working travel professionals.

In order to use the many benefits available to travel professionals, you must have the Travel Agent ID card from IATAN. This card is issued only to bona fide travel agents who have worked in an agency for a minimum of six months. The travel agency manager will add the employee's name to the IATAN list and when their six month anniversary has arrived, the employee will be given the IATAN application to apply for the card.  The IATAN card must be renewed yearly for a nominal fee. The IATAN card is property of the travel agency and upon the termination of employment, this card must be returned back to the agency. You can shorten the waiting period to apply for the card from six months to three months by taking and successfully passing the TAP Test.

Another form of identification for the travel industry is CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association). This is a membership organization consisting of cruise lines, travel agencies and travel agents.  Travel Agents that join CLIA and become a member will receive the CLIA identification card.  This card is also renewed on a yearly basis. CLIA does verify your travel sales yearly to determine if you are eligible for the card.  This card will also allow you to access the benefits available to travel professionals.

So what are the travel benefits?

The cruise lines offer travel industry rates for bona fide travel agents. The rates can vary from $35.00 - $50.00 per person per day.  The travel professional is allowed to bring one companion at the same rate.

Hotels and car rental firms offer discounts to travel industry personnel. The discounts can vary from 10% up to 50% off normal rates. These discounts are subject to availability and offered at the discretion of the supplier.

Many escorted tour companies will offer substantial discounts on their tours. These discounts will also vary but are typically 10% - 50% off the retail price.

One of the most appealing benefits to travel agents is the opportunities to go on a FAM Trip! FAM is short for familiarization.  Special trips are organized specifically with the travel professional in mind. They are offered by tour companies, hotels, convention and visitor bureaus, airlines and cruise lines. The purpose of these trips are to familiarize the agent with the products so they can in turn sell these products to their clients.  By experiencing the products first hand, agents can sell them more effectively. These trips can be totally free of charge or have a nominal fee to cover the expenses of the trip.  Either way, the price will beat the retail rate sold to the public.  Most travel agencies have a FAM trip policy and will allow an agent to participate in one FAM Trip a year.  Home based Travel Agents can participate in these trips as well. FAM Trips do require agent identification (IATAN or CLIA ID Card.)

The Travel Agent Training Center offers student and travel agent FAM Trips.  It is our belief that in order to be the best travel agent, experiencing destinations and products will make you a better selling agent.  Student FAM trips are offered several times throughout the year. Check out the FAM Trip page to learn more about upcoming trips!

Suppliers offer many booking incentive programs to travel agents which can also allow you to earn travel benefits.  These vary from company to company and are offered randomly. Many larger travel agencies offer their own incentive programs to their employees and offer travel benefits for the top producing agents.  Travel industry professionals have a passion for the industry and love to travel! A travel agent has many opportunities to actually sell and see the world!