Yes!
Professional Privileges
No doubt that the opportunity to travel has always been a primary attraction in the decision to become a travel professional. Who can resist the prospect of discounts on hotel rooms, upgrades to suites, and special VIP attention? Yet, these travel benefits carry with them important professional responsibilities.
A Privilege: Any offer from a Travel Partner for discounts or other recognition of your professional status in the travel industry is a privilege that can be denied or made unavailable at the discretion of the provider. Travel Agents accept this condition with appreciation for even the consideration of a benefit.
To Educate And Sell: Travel Partners make industry rates and privileges available in order to make their products and services more accessible to Travel Agents. These offers are meant to further educate Agents in the hope that they can more effectively recommend and sell to their clients. Any agent who makes use of a professional and service without the sincere intention to sell the Travel Partners product is in violation of their agreement with InteleTravel.com.
Credentials & Security: Whenever you are traveling as a travel professional (with professional rates, or requesting professional courtesies), you are required to show identification to the Travel Partners. When making reservations be sure to confirm the type of identification requir ed at check-in. Travel Partner policies differ, but be prepared to show an Agent business card, and, occasionally, a letter of agent verification on InteleTravel.com agency letterhead. E-mail customerservice@inteletravel.com to have a verification letter sent to you. Always have your InteleTravel numeric industry codes with you (NOT your PIN – which is only for use within InteleTravel, but the ARC, CLIA or other Agency identifiers provided in your Welcome Email).
Appearance & Attitude: When you are traveling in your role as a professional Independent Travel Agent (requesting any professional privilege or discount from a Travel Partner), you are required to appear and act in a professional manner. You’re more likely to be recognized with a Travel Partner's generosity, and you will help to maintain the professional image of your fellow lnteleTravel.com Agents. Always remember that you and the hotel clerk or other Travel Partner’s representative are both professionals working in the same industry.
Dress Suggestions:
- Men - Suit; sport jacket with slacks and shirt, sweater or turtleneck; dress shirt with tie and slacks.
- Women - Dress suit; skirt or dress slacks with blouse or sweater. Children (under 16) - Neatly attired.
Unacceptable Attire: Jeans, shorts, jogging tops, T-shirts, sweatshirts, tank tops, bare midriffs or bare feet. There is no need to sacrifice comfort. However, if you prefer to travel dressed in an extremely casual way (in a warm-up suit, for example), then you should not request or expect professional treatment.
Other Requirements: In some instances, a Travel Partner may present certain requests or requirements in order to grant you a discount or other privilege. Maybe there is a maximum number of nights that the discount is available, or you are asked to take a 15-minute tour of the property; perhaps an introduction to the Manager on duty, or some other simple offer. It is your professional obligation to accept any such opportunity with gratitude and interest - they are usually fun, short and informative. Remember that the more you learn, the more you will sell and enjoy travel yourself.
Travel Partners are encouraged to comment on the performance of InteleTravel.com Independent Travel Agents. For the protection of all InteleTravel.com Agents, reports of unprofessional Agent behavior are thoroughly investigated and may result in forfeiture of privileges and/or Agent termination.
Hotels
Most hotels offer significant discounts to Travel Agents, when space is available. In general, expect 50% off the rate offered to the public ("rack rate"), unless there’s a special offer, called a "Familiarization," "FAM," "educational" or "introductory" rate, for Agents making their first trip to the property. This rate can be as uch as 80% off, but may be limited to a number of nights or subject to "black-out" dates.
How To Book: Contact online or call the 800 number for large chain hotels and ask for the number of the specific
location you are interested in. (Try not to request Agent rates online from a large chain’s main website or from the
800 service. These reservationists are probably not as interested as the local staff in promoting the hotel to Agents.) Just before you make the direct call, place in front of you your InteleTravel.com Independent Travel business card or letter of verification (for the official Agency address and telephone numbers), your Agency numeric industry codes (NOT your PIN – which is only for use within InteleTravel, but the ARC, CLIA or other Agency identifiers provided in your Welcome Email), a pen and paper, and your credit card.
- (Hotel receptionist answers.)
- "May I have the reservations department, please?”
- (Call connected. Reservations representative introduces himself/herself.)
- "Hello, this is (YOUR NAME). I am a Travel Agent with lnteleTravel.com. Could you check availability arriving (DAY OF WEEK), (MONTH & DAY) for (NUMBER) nights, departing (DAY OF WEEK), (MONTH & DAY)? This is for me and my spouse, so I was interested in the Travel Agent rate."
- (Reservations representative will check and, if the hotel is not sold out or in the middle of a special season, he or she may offer the standard 50% discoun)
- You may also ask, "Is an introductory or FAM rate available?"
Remember that you are a certified professional Independent Travel Agent, and InteleTravel.com is not a club.
Never use the words "member" or "membership."
At some point, you will be asked for information about your agency. Use your InteleTravel business card for accurate response. If you are asked for the agency's ARC or CLIA number, be sure to read carefully the codes which apply to you from your Welcome Email. Do not confuse it with your PIN.
Once you have confirmed your reservation and provided billing information, ask for a confirmation number and confirm exactly what identification you will need when you check in: A business card, a letter of verification on agency letterhead (if a letter of verification is required e-mail customerservice@inteletravel.com).
Check-In and Upgrades: When you arrive at the hotel, be sensitive to crowded registration counters and overworked clerks. A word of sympathy or a special gesture, like being willing to wait, can go a long way toward creating a friendly, professional image for you and InteleTravel.com. It also may earn you some extra attention, like an upgrade to a superior room or suite. You may request an upgrade and, if available, you will often receive one. Be certain that you have the required identification and your confirmation number (write it on the back of your business card).
NOs: Hotels and other Travel Partners have developed many ways to say "no" to Travel Agents without sounding impolite or ungrateful. Whatever the reason for either not offering a special rate, or providing an upgrade, you must accept it graciously and offer thanks for the consideration. Always remember, we are Agents for hotel, cruise line, or other Travel Partner (who is likely to offer some benefit in the future, if we protect our relationship).
Car Rentals
Car rentals for Agents can be booked in much the same way as hotels, though you will more often have to call a central reservations 800 number. Check availability and ask to what class of car the Agent rate applies. Expect 10% to 30% off regular rates (car rental prices and profit margins are much lower than hotels). Some rental companies offer a flat daily rate for Agents. Again, it is a good idea to reserve ahead of time and get a confirmation number. (Travel Agent discounts at hotels and on rental cars may be offered at the last minute, in person, but there is a risk that nothing will be available.) Remember to ask what credentials you’ll need. When you pick up your car, you may be offered an upgrade to a premium or luxury class at no extra charge if availability allows. Some agencies may also waive one-way rental drop-off charges (which can amount to hundreds of dollars).
Theme Parks, Shows & Tourist Attractions
Free or discount admission is offered to Travel Agents by many theme parks. Call ahead to check policy and credential requirements, though reservations are not necessary. Discounts range from 10% to 50% or more, and some may be extended to others traveling with you. Otherwise, a smaller courtesy discount may be offered to the members of your party. When you arrive, proceed to the Guest Relations, Group or Administration office or window. Do not stand in public lines. (Please note: Disney properties, due to overwhelming popularity, require you to complete advanced brand education and have significant proven sales ability. No exceptioins.)
Wax museums, stage shows and other tourist attractions have similar policies. Call in advance.
Airlines
With the advent of Frequent Flyer Programs, Gold and Platinum levels, and other promotions, upgrades have become an often-requested commodity in the airline industry. With that understanding, you should not expect any upgrades due to your Travel Agent status. Some Agents report better results. Keep in mind the suggestions for dress and manner - you will probably not be upgraded if you do not follow them.
At the gate check-in counter, offer your tickets and Travel Agent business card to the gate agent, say you would appreciate an upgrade if space allows. Be sure to add that if no room is available, you understand and thank them for the consideration. Make your request discreetly if others are around you, speaking softly and cheerfully. Offer to take a seat quietly and wait for them to determine if there is space. Of course, when the answer comes, accept it graciously, no matter what it is.
Cruises & Other Industry FAMs
When space allows, cruise lines, tour operators and package companies offer open discounts only to those
Agents who qualify by meeting sales or educational criteria. However, most of these Travel Partners offer 50-
80% discounts on selected specific sailings or dates that are available to even beginning Travel Agents. Spouses are usually welcome at the same rate, and seminars may be offered on topics such as "How To Sell and Promote Cruises." Contact travel Travel Partners directly for available FAMs or reference the FAM section of our website for a full range of choices, which changes constantly. Most industry FAMs are offered with advance notice of at least a month or two, but space is filled quickly. On occasion, when space is overbooked, Travel Partners sponsoring these FAMs reserve the right to cancel Travel Agent reservations and refund payments. (Inquire about cancellation insurance for any added arrangements, such as airfare.)
No Combinations
Of course, Agent discounts or other privileges may not be combined with any other offer to the public, such as discount coupons, advertised specials, senior citizen rates, etc.