Yes, being in the travel business does offer me more insight, than the average consumer, basically because I’m right in the middle of all the action ! I see all the different deals ! And yes, since I eat-drink-sleep travel, my eyes/ears are more in tune to opportunities that jump out at me !
The average consumer has equal chances, as I do, in earning credits in travel or free travel … Or instead, ask me how you can just put this money in your pocket, and forfeit the travel for yourself !
Please know, I am NOT, in any way, about to suggest next, that YOU come join me in the travel business, nor asking you to work for me, like a travel referee, on the side ! No way !
To be or not to be a travel agent, is a story for a whole other day. For now, just trust me (if you can reap the benefits and avoid the headaches, why not !) and opt to keep YOUR sanity and leave the behind the closed doors work to an agent, while YOU just climb onboard for the “benefits” !
Back to what it essentially takes for YOU to qualify:
* Desire/goal to travel
- Note, I’m talking cruises or land tour packages, like All-Inclusives
* Know people
- Whether it be people you personally know or an agent who can help you
Whether you answered YES or NO to knowing people, think for a moment, of the people you would actually know, even if indirectly, from this list of ideas below …
Have family ?
Have some friends ?
Do your friends have friends ?
Does your family have friends ?
Do you work outside the home ?
Does your job have a shut down week ?
Do you speak to or meet new people, in the different places you go ?
Do you belong to clubs or organizations or even a church ?
Do you have regular people that provide services, such as grocer, mechanic, post person, dentist (etc) ?
This can actually add up to a lot of people !
Now what, you ask ?
It’s these people who help YOU receive the amenities, travel credits or even a FREE vacation.
How, you ask ?
It’s as simple as inviting them to join you on YOUR VACATION !
Why so simple, you ask ?
The travel industry specifically knows 2 main concepts about people …
* People LOVE to travel with family and friends !
* People are waiting for someone, like YOU, to tell them where “to go” !
The travel industry is aware of this and they choose to reward, what they call, the “Leader”, for it’s “Followers” ! You invite friends, they follow, every one is off to their vacation, and YOU are rewarded ! BOOM, that simple !
* In broad sence, "Where” do YOU want to travel to ?
* Next, “when” could YOU travel ?
- Make that time frame, 9mo-15 mo’s ahead (followers need time to put their money together).
- Think about whether children will be traveling too, and if you must choose the summer or holidays to travel. If you must, honestly, if you want, especially the cruise lines to “still” have space for your group, you need to have them committed with a deposit, before January !
* "How long" can you be gone for ?
- Seriously, trust me, to fully “reap the travel benefits“, like me, choose no less than 5 nights, however, preferably, minimum of 7 nights !
* And, will you be willing to fly ?
* And, travel out of the US ?
Now … Deeper than broadly, for “Where” are you going ?
The World of destinations is endless. However, it’s possible, that YOUR “when” you’re going and YOUR “where” you’re going, may have play hand-in-hand, as a team. Your destination may have rainy season, or hurricane season. And if talking a cruise, there may actually only be certain seasons, that ships sail.
Remember, you're not looking for an agent to tell you want to do (that's what YOU plan to do with your followers); It's expertise you're seeking ! Have your ideas and plans, then seek advice, when you're READY to truly move foward into confirming plans/ideas (till then, you don't need anyone to just "look".
Sometimes friends can help, especially if you’re talking “cruising” and you have folks who may already know which cruise line “they like”; so just ask where they’ve been; where they would want to go next if they could; and which cruise line to choose or avoid ! However, being the leader, YOU want to stay in control; YOU want to earn the perks !
Check out something I recently saw … Land packages ... Collette Vacations - Organize a Group and free travel: https://www.collettevacations.com/group-tours.cfm
Here's more of my cheat sheets of Land Tour Operator names: www.HelpFindLandTour.com
OK, now it’s time to pick an agent (agency) !
If you thought, the next step was, to continue all the coordination on your own. NO.
To do it yourself through the cruise line. NO.
To buy off the net. NO.
PLEASE KNOW, UPFRONT …. When you do a “group“, all agents are given the same rate by the cruise lines ! Same rates ! So calling every agent in town, or even the cruise line, or thinking you’ll get better rates off the net is a waste of YOUR time and theirs ! It is possible, that a “larger” cruise specialist agency, “might” be running an Exclusive opportunity, however, many promos are for non-group cruisers only !
Your job is to now find the right agent/agency in supporting YOU, as well as, your invited guest … To entrust them …
* Provide you protection of your money/cruise (a high tech computer system helps)
* Make sure you receive what you “think” you’re buying (helps to speak in details)
* Provide loads of insight once your guest are booked
* They have personal cruising experience, even to your destination
* Years of experience working in this industry with the cruise lines.
In no way, am I suggested you get a bunch of info or contracts in writing ! Honestly, don’t expect anything like this, till you put down a deposit. You need to commit first, for a return agent/agency commitment, of their time (which is most often, complimentary to you) ! No rates, no space, nor is anything bound, till YOU and your guest commit with a deposit. Know, having fore-front info in writing, prior to a deposit, means absolutely nothing for the general consumer !
And know, you can get out of a commitment after putting down your deposit, as long as (however, the agency may have a cancel fee) …
* You are booking in advance, more than 90 days prior (before final payment is due at the cruise line/before penalty begins)
* And …You are NOT buying a non-refundable rate/program (not buying Carnival Early Saver Rate)
* Paying with credit (NEVER give cash or check if you’re wanting to be better protected - That‘s a story for a different day))
* Your agent gives the credit card directly to the cruise lines (ask them).
Expect from your agent …
* Why not a link of info, to share with your friends, of their upcoming adventure, so that you can send out an email blast
* Loads of cruising tips
* Reminders, such as final payment, do the online registration, or buy your tours
* Opportunity to buy Trip Cancellation other than at the cruise line (Many cruise lines do NOT offer pre-existing medical conditions nor bankruptcy of a carrier, and their emergency evacuation coverage is often low than other policies) with a 24 hour travel emergency telephone #.
* Insight and needed advice from personal experiences
You know what’s even better ? And agency who can do all this without YOU or your guest ever having to come into their office … Everything handled from the comfort of your home or office !
Happy group sailing !
Everyone is doing it ... Why not You !
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