I've HAD IT! How to get GDS access and do my own travel bookings?
Aug 24, 2007, 7:30 am
#61
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: TPA / FL
Programs: AA: PLT SPG:Gold -> Working on EXP ;)
Posts: 39
Aug 26, 2007, 10:15 pm
#62
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DFW
Programs: DL PM, .6MM; AA Plat; Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 4,891
Could somebody please PM or email me the info about becoming a home-based TA? Mrs. nd_eric_77 is quite keen to become one. TIA.
-Eric
-Eric
Aug 26, 2007, 11:22 pm
#63
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: IAD
Programs: UA 1K 2MM, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 565
Google is your friend. There are any number of outfits out there that will tell you how to do this. And as always, buyer beware.
Aug 27, 2007, 8:11 am
#64
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DFW
Programs: DL PM, .6MM; AA Plat; Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 4,891
This is exactly why I requested info from fellow FTers... Most google results are likely to be scams; advise from FTers who have had success so far is more likely to be legit!
Sep 11, 2007, 2:29 pm
#65
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 984
somewhere someone posted that nexion rejected them as they didnt have an established travel agency business.
Does nexion allow you to access and add notes to your own pnr?
Does nexion allow you to access and add notes to your own pnr?
Nov 9, 2007, 12:59 pm
#66
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: A Southern locale that ain't the South.
Programs: Bah, HUMBUG!
Posts: 8,014
Yes they do. And honestly you can register for Nexion as a "corporate travel agent" for your company if you're in a position to do so. Or simply do a DBA as a sole proprietor. It's very inexpensive and POOF, you're a travel agent! Nexion don't require any sort of certifications. The reason they're around is to keep you from having to get those. They're IATAN members so you don't have to be. I've missed this thread the past few times through here. My apologies! I highly recommend Nexion and have been thrilled with them.
Last edited by kanebear; Nov 9, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Jan 9, 2008, 3:35 pm
#67
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,826
I was setup with one of these agencies in the early 1990's to sell travel. They were a decent outfit. I had access to SystemOne and was pretty competent at it. Unfortunately, there was only long-distance dial-up access back then so the expense of using it was high. Only being a part-timer, I eventually gave it up.
I can see now that it would be fairly easy to break even on it just selling your own travel. I especially liked being able to void tickets if I changed my mind before the end of week ARC report went in.
Never got any debit memos, but I wasn't at all aggressive in ticketing.
Traveler
I can see now that it would be fairly easy to break even on it just selling your own travel. I especially liked being able to void tickets if I changed my mind before the end of week ARC report went in.
Never got any debit memos, but I wasn't at all aggressive in ticketing.
Traveler
Jan 24, 2008, 12:14 pm
#68
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BHM, MAN (blue not red)(city not united)
Programs: Delta PM, HH, CRC
Posts: 1,014
I'm very interested in this Nexio bit. How much on general does one save on a cosolidation fare & can you mark this up to make more profit for yourself?
Jan 24, 2008, 2:31 pm
#69
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,826
Consolidator fares are sold 'net' and either have no price on them or you the agent can specify a price that includes your markup. You mark it up however much you want.
Reliable consolidators only sell to agents. You will need to give them your IATA number for access.
Traveler
Reliable consolidators only sell to agents. You will need to give them your IATA number for access.
Traveler
Jan 25, 2008, 6:52 am
#70
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BHM, MAN (blue not red)(city not united)
Programs: Delta PM, HH, CRC
Posts: 1,014
So I need to get an IATA #, ARC Cert & a few training classes online, then join this Nexio
Jan 25, 2008, 6:55 am
#71
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: Haven't been flying for a while... :(
Posts: 478
No, you'll likely only need Nexion, some training, and a Seller of Travel license. Nexion maintains their IATA and ARC credentials; you piggy-back on them.
Jan 25, 2008, 7:33 am
#72
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BHM, MAN (blue not red)(city not united)
Programs: Delta PM, HH, CRC
Posts: 1,014
sweet, any news on how to get the "seller of travel" lisence?
Jan 25, 2008, 10:15 am
#73
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: DFW
Programs: DL PM, .6MM; AA Plat; Marriott Platinum Premier
Posts: 4,891
Consolidator fares are sold 'net' and either have no price on them or you the agent can specify a price that includes your markup. You mark it up however much you want.
Reliable consolidators only sell to agents. You will need to give them your IATA number for access.
Traveler
Reliable consolidators only sell to agents. You will need to give them your IATA number for access.
Traveler
(Important question for FT!)
Jan 25, 2008, 10:30 am
#74
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Israel
Programs: BA Gold, LY PL, PC Platinum, RCCL Diamond
Posts: 259
Is there no middle way? I.e. to find a fare in ITA and then go to your travel agent and get the same price?
What is the advantage of using GDS+TA directly over ITA+TA?
Thanks!
What is the advantage of using GDS+TA directly over ITA+TA?
Thanks!
Jan 25, 2008, 10:40 am
#75
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: Haven't been flying for a while... :(
Posts: 478
Ticketing fees charged by the travel agent won't be incurred if you're booking yourself. Also, if you're booking published fares for yourself, you may get commissions depending on carrier/route. And there'll be no travel agents looking at you strange for trying to fly SFO-DFW-RDU-ORD-JFK.
