FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
At MIT Travel Club, we want you to be informed so you can truly hit the ground running with your new travel business. Below are some of our most frequently asked questions.
How long does it take to get started? Once we receive your application, we will contact you via email informing you of the steps to register with the various vendors. This usually takes less than 12 hours to process. Online applications sent on holidays and weekends are typically processed by the end of the next business day.
How and where do I get customers? While we do not give customers or “leads” to new agents, we teach you, (as part of our marketing information) how to develop your own clientele. In our webinars, we go in-depth on how to find and build a clientele with little to no expenses. Most new agents begin by selling to their friends and family, building out from there to their warm markets. This includes neighbors, co-workers, associates, and alumni.
How do I make money as a travel agent? When you make travel bookings for yourself or your clients, our travel suppliers will pay a commission on the travel sale amount. The exact commission percentage can vary between 3% and 20%, with the average being around 14%. Whatever commission we receive, we pay you 80% of that amount.
Will I be able to compete with Internet travel companies? Usually this question is phrased “Are your prices competitive?” and the answer is “of course!” Our company and business model is one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry. In fact, according to the American Society of Travel Agents, the share of home-based agencies has grown over the past decade and surpassed the share of retail location agencies. Our agents have access to everything that any other agent or company would have, plus much more. Many of our travel suppliers will price match and you will have access to rates that are not available to the public. While our prices are definitely competitive, we encourage our agents to sell the personal service and expert guidance aspect of their business.
Can I get discounts on my own travel? As a travel agent with MIT Travel Club, you will have access to information that is not necessarily available to the general public. If you are flexible on your dates and destinations, you can travel at very affordable rates. These types of savings are generally associated with FAM trips and are made available to agents for the purpose of learning and networking. In order to receive some discounts and participate in certain FAMs, you need to have either a CLIA or TRUE identification card. Both cards are available to MIT Travel Club Agents who qualify.
While discounted travel is one of the many perks of being a travel agent, MIT Travel Club does not permit individuals to participate in our program solely for the purpose of obtaining discounts on personal travel.
While discounted travel is one of the many perks of being a travel agent, MIT Travel Club does not permit individuals to participate in our program solely for the purpose of obtaining discounts on personal travel.
Do I receive an ID card from MIT Travel Club? We DO NOT issue a “travel agent” ID card because these cards are not recognized by travel suppliers. Instead, we work closely with each agent to help them obtain their TRUE and CLIA ID cards. These are recognized ID cards in the industry. Keep in mind that an ID card is not necessary to sell travel as a travel agent.
How do I get a CLIA card? The Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) is the industry identifier for agencies booking cruise lines. MIT Travel Club is a Premier Agency Member. To qualify for a CLIA membership and the EMBARC ID you must have completed CLIA’s State of the Industry Course located on the CLIA site under the “My Training” tab and “Online Learning Courses,” You also must be in good standing with MIT Travel Club (Your membership with MIT Travel Club has not been in decline for the past 6 months.)
How do I get prices and make reservations? Once you are on board with us, our team will immediately help you get registered with our various suppliers. Unlike other companies, we encourage you to establish relationships with these travel suppliers. There is no additional cost to get registered; however, we do have procedures to follow. This registration will give you access to the suppliers’ travel agent-only websites where you can research prices, specials and promotions. Many of these suppliers allow you to book your clients’ travel directly through their websites. In addition, you will have access to many third-party booking engines like VAX VacationAccess or Expedia TAAP.
Are there any additional costs that I will incur other than my membership fee? We realize that many of our new agents are joining our company to earn additional income, so we don’t want our agents to spend any more than is absolutely necessary. As such, we have designed our system to include everything that you will need to start and run your business. Other than the monthly (or annual if you choose that option) membership fee and your $30 registration fee, there are no other costs to join our program. Additionally, all of our online education is included in our program at no additional cost. Certain items like business cards, Internet access, and long distance telephone charges are the responsibility of our agents.
Why do I need to pay a membership fee to own an independent travel agency? As a MIT Travel Club Agent, your membership fee covers all the education, tools, and technology that we provide to help you start and run your travel agency. We are constantly providing our agents with updated technology and new agent support resources that you can use to be profitable. As with owning any business, you need to invest time and money in order to be successful, and your membership fee allows us to build, maintain, and enhance what we can offer you as a travel agent.
When do you pay commissions? MIT Travel Club pays out commissions on the last Friday of each month . Once we receive the commission from the supplier (which is generally after the client has traveled), we find the booking you have entered in the Commission Form and mail the cheques directly to our Agents.
Does MIT Travel Club require any type of training or education? We do not have any formal education qualifications to join MIT Travel Club. However,MIT Travel Club has developed an extensive schedule of bi-weekly webinars. Our webinars feature some of the best destination and supplier trainings in the industry. And if you can’t make the webinar live, we provide you with a link to watch it on-demand at your convenience.
MIT Travel Club Agents are encouraged to continue their education through programs offered by CLIA, ASTA, and CCRA.
MIT Travel Club Agents are encouraged to continue their education through programs offered by CLIA, ASTA, and CCRA.
Why would people use me as their travel agent instead of just going to the Internet? We get asked this all the time. Our business model is growing for a reason. Unlike travel booking websites, home-based travel agents are able to connect clients with the best vacation experiences and provide personal customer service from start to finish. This is especially true on more profitable, complex travel like cruises and vacation packages.
