For most, this is the first venture
into owning your own business.
Selling travel can be the highest-paid, easiest work or the lowest-paid, hardest work that you can do. The choice is up to you. You must apply yourself, learn your product, develop the necessary skills, believe in yourself, and provide the best customer service you possibly can.
Organize yourself
Be persistent
Produce results
Be honest with yourself and your client
Computer with access to the Internet
Dedicated Fax machine
Local license (if required by your locality)
Errors and Omission insurance
Host Liquor Legal Liability Coverage
Supplier Bankruptcy Legal Liability
Acquire Sabre software and maintain Service Contract with Sabre.
**The cost for all three is $125 for the first year and $100 per year thereafter.
Note: Your insurance coverage is only effective with business run through Atlas
Tour and Travel. Limits of liability: $1,000,000.
First, you make a list of all your relatives, friends, business associates, and
acquaintances. Tell them you are now a travel agent and would appreciate it if they
would book their travel through you.
Everyone has made reservations for themselves
before whether it’s been for a hotel, car, cruise, or a tour. You called the supplier,
told them what you wanted, and found out the cost and availability. This is exactly
what you will do as a travel agent except you’ll do it for your clients.
Standard Travel Industry Procedures are followed. You call the supplier, for example
a cruise line. Tell them who you are and what you want. They tell you what is available
and how much it costs. You decide which sailing and which cabin your client wants
and then tell the reservationist to book it for you. Or you can book electronically
through SABRE.
When making a reservation please get the total gross price
of the sale including commission. This is the amount that you will quote to your
client. If the booking is one that the supplier sells to you as a "net rate",
meaning that there is no commission paid by the supplier on the package, then you
must add a minimum 12% commission to the package before you quote it to your client.
For example: if a tour operator quotes you a price for a tour to Mexico at a net
rate of $1600.00 for two people, then the minimum amount you must quote to your client
is $1792.00. You can always add more than 12% but that is the minimum amount. If
you fail to add at least 12% then you will be liable to Atlas Tour And Travel for
our portion of the 12% commission BEFORE documents will be released to you. Due to
our overhead as a host travel agency there can be NO EXCEPTIONS to this policy.
REMEMBER: It is your responsibility as an Independent Agent and Owner
of Your own Travel Agency to follow up on all bookings made by Your Agency to ensure
their accuracy. After you have requested the booking through Atlas please follow
up in SABRE to determine that the booking is correct. Changes can NOT be made to
bookings that are older than 24 hours without risk of penalties imposed by the Supplier.
If you see a mistake please contact (eMail, telephone, or fax) Atlas immediately.
If it is our mistake we will fix it, if it is your mistake then we will assist you
in correcting it.
This Information Packet is not intended to be a tutorial,
but rather an overview of methods and procedures used by Atlas Tour and Travel’s
Independent Travel Agency Owners.
All regularly scheduled airline reservations are booked through the State of the
Art, Sabre Reservation System. We use the latest Sabre product TurboSabre.
All
manner of travel can be booked through Sabre: Air, Cars, Hotels, Cruises, Tours,
Show Tickets, Insurance and more.
All reservations queued to us are completed
the same day.
Note: This is due to commissions can only be paid to Agencies with the
Industry Accepted Credentials. They could easily take your booking but later refuse
payment on your earned commission. Neither You nor Atlas Tour and Travel likes when
that happens. Since most airlines no longer pay a commission to travel agents it
has become necessary to implement service fees on airline tickets issued through
Atlas. Atlas requires that an independent contractor charge a minimum of $10.00 per
airline ticket issued. We believe this fee to be very low and will only cover the
expenses associated with issuing airline tickets. We know that if you check around
with other travel agencies in your home area you will find that they charge much
higher fees for issuing airline tickets. Most travel agencies charge between $20
and $35 per airline ticket. You are allowed to set your service fees as you see fit
but they must be a minimum of $10.00 per ticket. This service fee is then split between
you and Atlas as a commission..
Call the Supplier
Ask the name of the reservation agent. Log this information for later follow-up if needed.
Identify yourself as a travel agent. Make sure you give the reservationist YOUR NAME.
They may ask you for your phone number --- (504)483-0607---- or ARC number------ or IATA number.
Be prepared to give the following information:
Level of accommodations (Deluxe,
moderate, inexpensive, inside or outside for cruises, size of car, etc., name of
hotel, Tour number, if from a brochure).
Supplier may ask for or tell you the following, but not necessarily in this order:
1)
Passengers names.
2) Passengers phone contact.
3) Passengers phone or hotel
in destination city (in case of a change or cancellation of flight).
4) Form of
payment required.
5) Frequent flyer numbers(s) for tours or cruises that include
air.
6) Your ARC or IATA number.
7) Be sure to tell res agent to put your name
in as the contact person.
8) Get res agent name or sine, his/her ID (usually a
2 alpha-numeric designation)
9) Get seating for passengers.
10) Get: Deposit
date, how much, how to be paid, by what date payment must be in their office, where
to send, and if an MCO or Tour Order, airline to be plated on (MCO/TO must be validated
on a specific Airline).
Suppliers do not accept clients’ checks. We will accept cashier checks or money orders and will send the funds on the company check to the supplier. Most credit cards are accepted.
ALWAYS: When booking ALL Cruise or Vacation Packages it is "REQUIRED" that you complete the "Advanced Guest Registration Information" Form and submit it to the Supplier. This is a mandatory requirement imposed by all Suppliers due to recently invoked government regulations regarding "Travel Industry Safety". It is ultimately the responsibility of the traveling Client but your assistance in ensuring this is completed for your traveling Client is sound Travel Industry practice.
Reminder: ask reservation agent to put your Agent Number (which Atlas will provide You) in the remarks section as booking agent for possible future contact should a problem or change in time of flights occur. NEVER give your address, phone or fax number. You are an Agent of Atlas Tour and Travel.
NEVER make any payment directly to supplier other than by credit card over the phone. Then fax a Request for Deposit or Request for Final Payment Form to us.
For reservations that require no action on our part, for example domestic car
and hotel bookings (no confirmation is sent - the booking confirmation number is
all you get), you will notify us by including the booking on your Weekly
Sales Report Form. There is no need to notify us in advance. No forms
to fill out and fax.
There is a requirement to submit a Weekly
Sales Report to Atlas for ONLY confirmed Sales of all Non-Sabre bookings.
This is required to properly invoice your Non-Sabre sales for tracking purposes to
ensure timely and accurate payment of your earned commissions.
Any reservation
that does require Atlas action, (make payments, notify supplier, receive and send
documents, etc) must be reported to us on the appropriate fax form, Request
for Deposit, or Request for Final
Payment, even if booked in Sabre, except for air which never requires
any paperwork.
Reminder: Whenever monies are to be sent to a supplier,
use the Request for Deposit or
Request for Final Payment Form.
Find out how the supplier wants to be paid, (Check, MCO-Miscellaneous Charges Order,
TO-Tour Order, UCC-Universal Charge Card
form, or direct call in of Credit Card) and when payment must be in their office.
If
direct call in of Credit Card is allowed, you can call it in yourself and report
it to us on the Request for Final Payment
Form by checking off the appropriate box.
If any other payment method is needed,
including check, it is done by us... again, on the appropriate form, indicate whether
a check is needed (you send us your company check or money order-never your clients
check unless it is certified), MCO, TO or UCC. We will prepare the documents and
in the case of an MCO or Tour Order, will fax the MCO or Tour Order number to you.
You then will call it in to the supplier.
Very Important: Suppliers
make mistakes. You must follow up the next day with the supplier to be sure that
the MCO, TO, CC or whatever was needed, has been recorded and that nothing more is
required. It is also very strongly recommended that two weeks prior to the travel
date, another call to the supplier be made to again reaffirm that all is in order.
Be sure to note the name of the res agent who tells you "all is well".
Supplier mistakes could cost you a valuable client.
Reminder: Always
call the supplier just before your client travels to make sure there are no schedule
changes. We advise you of all schedule changes received by us. Mistakes happen. Don't
risk a disappointed client (translates to a lost client). This is part of the service
you give to build and keep your business.
Waitlist Clearance: Again,
some suppliers are very good about notifying of waitlist clearance. Others are not.
It is good practice to frequently contact the supplier. DO NOT RELY ON THEM! Often,
if you call, though your turn hasn't come for clearance, because you were concerned
enough to call, they will give it to you before others.
Note: All reservations of any kind must be canceled if not used.
Any
reservations you want Atlas Tour and Travel to book for your client must be sent
to us by either e-mail or fax.
Any mistakes you make, we expect you
to fix with our help, and any that we make, we will fix.
Methods of Transmitting Reservation Information to Atlas:
1.
Fax (even if done directly in Sabre-except for Air)-Call the cruise line, tour
operator, etc and book the reservation. Fill out a Request
for Deposit and/or Request for Final
Payment (depending on the requirements) form completely for each reservation
that requires action by Atlas. Fax to 504 482 7617.
Example: No Form
- Domestic Cars and Hotels usually do not require deposits nor do they send documents
- you only need to fill out a Weekly Sales
Report if you did not book in Sabre; Form Required - Cruise, Tour,
etc, even where you call in the credit card when documents come in we send them to
you or your client. Without you notifying us, we will not be able to identify you
with the documents nor know where and how to send them.
2. Air Reservations
are automatically completed when queued to us.
We will accommodate new agents
by allowing the use of Atlas's "Online Reservations
System" until they install Sabre on their own Agency system. We will
pay commissions when using this booking engine, however, Sabre does impose a $3 Service
Charge on each booking PNR for which the Agency making the booking is responsible.
***All final payments whether called in to the supplier or sent to
Atlas are to be the full amount of sale. Do not deduct commission in advance and
be sure to itemize what and for whom the payment is being made***
All
Air and Amtrak reservations must be paid for by cash, certified funds or credit card.
If other than credit card, funds must be in our office by 3PM the day following the
day of booking or the reservation will need to be canceled. You must send a copy
of the check or certified funds along with the tracking number of the overnight package.
We accept only certified checks or credit cards for air bookings. Your check
or credit card will be accepted for all other bookings that are over 30 days prior
to departure. Closer than 30 days, only credit card or certified funds please. This
is not a hard and fast rule. Many exceptions are made. We trust the agents that we
know. New agents should call when an exception is needed. For security reasons, we
do not keep credit card numbers "on file". Write it on the Request
for Final Payment form as well as the exact name and billing address of the
card holder. We cannot get approval unless the address is exactly as it is on the
card holders "billing statement", including the Zip code. Be sure the credit
card number is correct and include exact expiration date.
We will not assume
responsibility for errors when Air reservations are made in any manner other than
through Sabre.
We do not accept your client's checks unless certified.
Please deposit their checks into your account and then send us your personal, company
check or certified funds. Payments other than by credit card over $500 must be certified
funds.
All support documents (i.e. discount coupons, travel vouchers, payment,
etc) must be received before tickets can be delivered. These support documents must
be in our office no later than 10 AM, the Monday following the reservation date.
If you have discount coupons that you use regularly, we will keep them in your file
for your use on demand. Again, many exceptions are made. Please ask.
Each
supplier specifies how they are to be paid and which credit cards they will accept.
We accept cash, wire transfers, money orders and your company check for reservations.
We will convert this to the form of payment required by the supplier, such as our
company check, Tour Order, MCO, etc. Never send your company check to any supplier.
Call the supplier for their requirements. Some suppliers do not accept all credit
cards (airlines, tour operators, cruise lines, etc). Unless it is a Master Card,
American Express or Visa, ask if the card in question is accepted. We can not accept
a credit card and convert it to cash. ***The form in which the payment comes
to us is the way we must transmit it to the supplier (check for check, credit card
for credit card)*** Many foreign carriers and some domestic carriers require
you to call in ticket numbers, without which, the reservation will be canceled, even
when made through the reservation system (American Trans Air, etc). Be sure to check
with the carrier.
WARNING: All reservations, of any kind, must be canceled
if not used. The airlines are installing very sophisticated software to track abuse
in this area and will charge agents who do not comply.
It is the agent's responsibility
to track when final payments are due on all bookings. You must notify us in advance
how payment is to be made i.e. MCO, UCC, Check, etc. by filling out the Request
for Final Payment Form.
Please keep track of commissions paid
to you. Researching commissions previously paid to you is very costly in lost time.
We will charge to research previously paid commissions. It is also not possible to
research commissions past 6 months. Suppliers, as a rule, will not entertain research
requests over six months old. Please submit your Weekly
Sales Report Form for all non-Sabre bookings only and your completed Sales
Report Form monthly.
Hand Written Tickets: We subscribe to the new
ARC IAR settlement plan. This sophisticated Electronic Reporting system exacts a
heavy penalty in labor to accommodate hand written tickets. We ask a $10 fee for
any hand written ticket request. Fortunately, we rarely get the request for any.
Instructions
or Changes to Instructions: Any instructions pertaining to any reservation or
reservation related matter, or a change to instructions already given, must be
faxed. We will not accept any verbal changes or instructions due to possible
miscommunication.
Caution: FOR YOUR PROTECTION AND ATLAS we provide
a useful Credit Card Charge Authorization
form that your use. This form is REQUIRED when you are having a third
party pay for any travel your Agency books. Example: If your client "Jane Doe"
would like to travel using her friends "Bill Smith's" credit card then
you must have a signed Credit Card Charge Authorization
form faxed to Atlas PRIOR to any tickets being issued for "Ms. Doe". You
should maintain this form for Your records.
Reminder: If you call in
a credit card, you must still send us a Request
for Deposit or Request for Final Payment
form. Always call the supplier to make sure the credit card was approved and credited
to the proper account. MISTAKES HAPPEN. Don't lose a client because their
credit card was declined and the Reservation canceled.
A Prepaid Ticket Advice, referred to as PTA, is used when a client needs an immediate
ticket anywhere in the world. The airlines charge a fee ranging from $25-$75, depending
on the airline. The airlines require 4 hours to process a PTA. We have gotten it
through in as little as 2 hours, but that is not guaranteed.
Domestically
and on several international routes, virtually all domestic airlines are Electronic
or Ticketless, thereby eliminating the need for PTA's and their associated extra
expense. PTA's are primarily used for travel on International routes, though Electronic
Ticketing on most routes is promised in the near future.
PTA's are accountable
ARC documents, and as such have to be carefully safeguarded against fraud. There
is more fraud associated with PTA's than with ticket stock. We will issue PTA's on
your request but the following procedure must be strictly adhered to.
Procedure:
Book reservation by phone.
Fax us a completed PTA Request form.
We will fax back the form with PTA number and Check Digit (a security number) after we get credit card approval.
Call the airline back immediately giving the number and check digit. Do not identify yourself as an Independent Sales Agent. Some airlines do not respect Independent agents as the professionals they are because of all the scamming going on with "Card Mill" agents. To avoid a problem, identify yourself, using your first name. Call reservations and ask for the PTA desk. Then say "This is “Your First Name” with Atlas Tour and Travel. Please pull up Record Locator....I would like to set this up as a PTA." If asked, you are calling from (504 483-0607). They might call to verify your authorization to set up the PTA. If it is after hours, we will take our voice mail off for 30 minutes to receive the call. If the airline calls and there is no live authorization, they will cancel the PTA, so if there is any delay in your calling in the number after business hours, be sure to let us know by fax so that we can again make arrangements to "answer" the PTA call. Be sure to know the airline's 3 digit code; i.e.Continental is 005.
Double check by calling the Airline 30 minutes later to be sure all is in order.
USE TICKETLESS AND ELECTRONIC TICKETING WHENEVER POSSIBLE ELIMINATING THE PTA
CHARGE!
MCO/TO (MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES ORDER/TOUR ORDER)
MCO's and
TO's are used as a form of payment. Some suppliers insist on using MCO's or TO's.
They are ARC accountable documents, and as such assure the supplier that they will
be paid. (Some suppliers will give you a choice of payment methods. Ask if there
is a penalty for using one over another Example: GOGO reduces their Preferred Supplier
commission of by 2% if an MCO is used, so you choose either credit card or check).
When
an MCO number is needed for a supplier, fax us a completed Request
for Final Payment form. We will fax the number back to you after we get credit
card approval.
Any special handling of tickets issued in a given week (exchanges, voids, dollars
off coupons-the ORIGINALS-NOT COPIES, etc) must be physically in our office no later
than 10:00 AM on the Monday after the week's end in which the reservation was made
(week ends midnight-Sunday) to be included in that week's ARC submission. Tuesday
for reservations made on the weekend. Please call so that we can note the Tuesday
extension.
Exchanges: When exchanges are needed, use the Request
for Ticket Exchange form. ARC and airline regulations will not allow an agency
to exchange a ticket that was originally issued by another agency or from an airline
without airline permission..
An exchange can be one ticket for another with
a change of date or itinerary, or an exchange of a discount coupon to be used as
partial payment for a ticket. We will process the exchange when the Request
for Ticket Exchange form is received, but must have the old tickets, if paper
tickets were originally issued, in our office by 10:00 AM the Monday following the
day the new reservation is made. If not received, the exchange will be canceled.
The old tickets are required to be submitted to ARC with the exchange. This is another
good reason to use Electronic/Ticketless (E-Tickets). There are no coupons to return.
If paper tickets are being exchanged, be sure to fax a copy of the ticket(s) to be
exchanged so that we can save the fare.
For return of paper tickets, we suggest
shipping by a traceable delivery service, such as UPS. If you choose to have us send
you valuable documents by regular US mail, which is non-traceable, you must assume
complete responsibility in the event the documents are either lost, or delayed in
delivery. You must specify First Class Mail, US Mail, Regular Mail or 33 cent stamp
so that there is no misunderstanding.
With SABRE, you have the ability to
print itineraries in "traveler friendly" format. Print client itineraries
for Electronic Tickets on your letterhead to maximize your agency publicity.
To
check on where your tickets (paper tickets) or documents are, first retrieve your
PNR. Twenty-four (24) hours after printing, a remark will be entered at the end of
the PNR indicating when and how shipped.
Errors: We strive for 100%
accuracy in the work we do for you. Travel is a very complex operation, with many
opportunities for error, mis-communication or misinterpretation. If you follow these
guidelines, the incidences or errors will approach "zero".
If an
error is found, notify us immediately. If the error was ours, we will rectify
the problem at our expense and expeditiously as is possible. Always check your documents
upon receipt. Report any error immediately.
If the error was yours,
we will do all possible to help you correct the situation, but any expense incurred
will also be yours.
Receipt of Payment: Any coupons required for ticketing
which has not been received by us by the Monday following ticketing will not be processed
through ARC. The airlines will not pay commission on late submissions. (Call
for unusual circumstances)
All tickets will be shipped no later than Monday
following ticketing if asked to be held for bundling. Bundling will save shipping
costs. For one UPS charge, an entire week's ticketing and documents can be sent,
reducing the cost to pennies per ticket, even more if you utilize Electronic and
Ticketless travel.
All mailing expenses associated with tickets are at
your expense. If you have a bundle to be mailed or need tickets sent overnight
priority you should consider setting up an account with a carrier. If you use an
American Express card - Federal Express allows for a 10% discount. Mailing expenses
are deducted from your monthly commissions if you have no account setup with a carrier.
ACCEPTANCE
OF AGENT BUSINESS CHECKS: We will accept your business check in payment of deposits
and final payments for all manner of travel products, except airline tickets, where
delivery of service is more than 30 days out, and payment is under $500. If payment
must be made within 30 days or is for more than $500, only certified funds will be
accepted. Acceptable certified funds are Money Orders, Bank Certified Checks, Wired
funds through Western Union or Bank Transfers. (Call for exceptions)
When booking a preferred supplier always give our IATA number and phone
number (504-483-0607). The override may be lost if booked and you do not state that
you are an agent of Atlas Tour and Travel. Always ask about methods of payment and
commissions. Check our Consolidators and Suppliers
list. Many suppliers will pay ½ % to 5% more if booked on Sabre. They also run promotions
where the Sabre booking will qualify for bonus commissions as high as $100 extra.
Sabre is the smart, profitable and time saving way to book Air, Cruise, Tour, Hotel,
Insurance, Consolidators, Car, Hotel, Sporting events, Theater Tickets and much more.
We
encouraged You to use the Preferred Suppliers listed by the consortium VACATION.COM
(formerly known as: CruiseLink), of which we are an active member. A consortium is
like a grocery co-op where several agencies form an alliance for greater buying power
and therefore can demand higher commission rates. Others are booked directly under
our own contracts. Check our Consolidators and
Suppliers list.
There are bad payment choices with some operators.
For example, GOGO Tours will deduct the 2% override if payment is made with an MCO
as opposed to credit card or check. There is no way of claiming an override retroactively.
You must inform us of any special payment procedures or requirements since the supplier
will often change their procedures without advance notice. Be careful. It is your
earnings you will be losing.
When you book Preferred Suppliers, be sure to
identify yourself as an agent of Atlas Tour and Travel with our ARC/IATA/CLIA
number and telephone number, (504-483-0607). It is very important that at the time
of booking you confirm your commission amount and that the reservationist noted that
you are a member of the particular consortium involved. Document the reservationists
name or agent sine who confirmed the override rate. Overrides are subject to change
without notice, so verify.
All commissions will be paid by Atlas Tour and
Travel and will be applied to your IATA requirement.
Note: Preferred
Suppliers are the suppliers of choice (Cruise, Hotel, Car, Air, etc), because they
give us increased commissions (due to the volume business we do with them) but most
importantly, for their willingness to correct a situation in which a client is dissatisfied.
But...you are free to book your travel arrangements with any supplier, anywhere in
the world as an agent of Atlas Tour and Travel. We have a working relationship with
every supplier, without exception. They will pay their normal commission.
We do not encourage the use of consolidators. Many are financially unstable. Choose
wisely. The travel industry is rife with horror stories of clients being refused
boarding by the airline due to non-payment by the consolidator. Worse, when the boarding
is denied on the return and your client is left stranded in a foreign country and
forced to purchased a very expensive last minute one-way ticket home.
Agents
will choose to use them out of necessity. We try to monitor the industry, and if
asked, will recommend several to you. We provide contact information for those we
recommend via the Consolidators and Suppliers
list. This is done as a courtesy to our agents, but we must be held harmless for
any problems that might arise out of such recommendation.
PROTECT YOURSELF
AND YOU CLIENT:
Do not use any consolidator that will not accept a credit card. With payment by credit card, your client will receive a refund from the card company should the service not be performed.
Do not work with consolidators that will sell to non IATA affiliated agents. They will sell to anyone, even directly to your clients and are the least reliable.
Consolidators work with "net fares". The price quoted is the price you pay. To this amount you must add your profit. There is no "profit" guideline. Add what you think is fair, but at least 15%.
Send us a Request for Final Payment form so that should a problem arise, we can intervene on your behalf. Be sure and tell us how and when the supplier wants to be paid and the amount you are adding to cost of the ticket (commission).
Protect yourself by booking through our recommended Consolidators
and Suppliers list or on line in Sabre. The fares are excellent, the commission
outstanding and the security of the Supplier is safer.
What is the one thing that causes a new or experienced agent the worst of nightmares?
A law suit. It makes no difference whether the suit is justified or not. It still
has to be defended...in court...with the aid and expense of an attorney.
Exactly
what would prompt a client to sue his or her travel agent? Some areas of concern
are real errors and/or omissions. We are human and do make mistakes. On a busy day,
selling a honeymoon to Europe to a client that has never traveled abroad, we might
not emphasize the need for a passport. The bride, when faced with a ticket agent
telling her that this once in a lifetime event will not take place, might very well
file a suit for "mental distress", and if proven, could collect a substantial
jury award. This is an example of a legitimate claim.
Then there are the frivolous
ones, like the client you booked into the Presidential Suite at the Uptown Plaza
to impress a sales lead, who is told that the hotel is over-booked and he will be
accommodated at the Days Inn 3 miles away. Surely you should not be held responsible
for an hotel over-booking problem, but everyone in entitled to sue for virtually
any reason. Again, you must defend yourself with an attorney.
We have not
even touched on the major catastrophes like cruise ships on fire, air crashes, even
rental car accidents. Or less physically damaging, but potentially very costly events
like a client checking in at a hotel while on tour and being told that the tour operator
went bankrupt and never paid them and he will have to pay again for his accommodations.
Or a supplier that goes bankrupt after accepting your clients money, and the tour
never even starts. When these tragedies occur, everyone connected with the event
is sometimes named and must defend.
No matter how careful and conscientious
you are, errors and omissions do happen. Most can be corrected by working with the
supplier. But...when that very irate, or truly damaged client sues, what a comfort
to know that you are insured for both your legal fees and any award that could conceivably
financially harm you.
Coverage: $1,000,000 for:
Bodily Injury and Property Damage (except automobile)
Professional Errors and Omissions
Certain Forms of Non-Owned/Hired Auto, Aircraft and Watercraft Liability
Personal Injury
Host Liquor Legal Liability
Bankruptcy Legal Liability
WorldWide Occurrence
First Dollar Defense
Principals, Employees, Tour Conductors and Guides covered
Coverage of this quality is very expensive. Especially when individual policies
are based on experience and history in travel. Atlas Tour and Travel has negotiated
extremely impressive rates in a group coverage program. Your cost is only $100 annually
for Travel Agents' Professional Liability Policy insurance underwritten by Atlantic
Insurance Company through Atlas Tour and Travel.
NOTE: This insurance
is only effective for Travel Business you book with Atlas Tour and Travel.
You, the productive Independent Contractor, are entitled to all the benefits the
Travel Industry has to offer. The industry, "ARC, IATA AND CLIA" have set
down guidelines of minimum standards of productivity which must be met to qualify
for these valuable benefits.
Atlas Tour and Travel is in the business of selling
travel through Independent Outside Sales Agents that own their own Home Based Travel
Agencies, YOU. Since we charge no fee to work with us, we succeed only when your
Agency succeeds. Your 60% commission split, including overrides is among the most
generous in the industry. Therefore, we want to work with agents who want to make
a success of travel.
Atlas Tour and Travel does not sell or give away benefits.
The industry is very well regulated in this regard, and we abide by the rules that
govern us. If you are serious about making money, we will help, support and guide
You. We want to work with You. But...if you only want benefits, and there are many,
and do not intend to make travel at least a part time rewarding and fun "business",
then there are other alternatives we suggest you pursue.
As you know, the
Travel Industry has gone through some very difficult times including tremendous media
coverage of the abuses that have so scandalized this industry. Consequently, some
important changes have come about that you should be aware of.
ARC, of which
Atlas is an active member, is the regulating body for airlines and agencies operating
in the US, and IATA, of which Atlas is also an active member, regulates the rest
of the world. IATA now regulates the reduced rate program for North America as well
as the rest of the world, applying the same standards to all. All Airlines and most
Hotels and Tour Operators have already adopted the policy that the IATAN card must
be produced for any discount applied for, and the entire industry appears to be following
suite.
The regulations state that on a yearly basis, the dollar amount paid
to you in commission must be $5000. This is only $86.00 per week, on average, in
commission earned. With our generous commission split with you, there should be no
obstacles to you successfully achieving this measure.
Travel is fun, exciting
and necessary for you to sell more by learning first hand of the many travel products.
It is definitely a benefit you are entitled to, but to take full advantage of ALL
the industry has to offer, you must have the card.
Getting Your IATAN Card is a two step process.
l). You must first
be on the IATAN "List". You will qualify after only 2 commission checks
(the IATAN regulations state you must devote at least 5 hours per week to the sale
of travel). Fill out the IATAN Personnel Listing application that Atlas will provide,
provide copies of your canceled checks from Atlas and mail this documentation to
us. We will provide your documentation to IATAN on your behalf. Do not fax. An original
signature is required. Currently, this listing process has been taking about 2 months,
so do it as soon as you qualify!
2). After you are on the "list"
and have earned the required amount of paid commission, fill out the IATAN card application
that Atlas will provide. Request copies of your canceled checks from Atlas and send
the filled out original signature application to IATAN with a passport size photo
and a check for $15.00 made out to IATAN. This is also taking about 2 months.
Commissions are paid on the 25th of each month for all travel completed and paid
for in the previous month i.e., we will pay you in August for all travel completed
by your client in July and for which commission has been received by us.
Fill
out a Sales Report form listing all commissions due
for that time period and Fax it to us before the 3rd of each month. This Sales
Report form will be used to insure payment to you for all travel completed
in the previous month. Very often suppliers send us an unidentifiable check with
no indication as to who the agent or client is. This is most often the case with
hotels that are run by a management company, but also happens with car companies
that cut one check covering 50 agent's activity for that period. It is frequently
a job monumental effort to find out who the commission belongs to. The monthly Sales
Report form helps us pay you accurately and timely for all your sales. Likewise,
the Weekly Sales Report Form helps
us pay you accurately and timely for all your non-Sabre travel bookings.
Please
keep in mind that payment is made on two criteria:
1. That travel has been completed.
2. That commission from the supplier has been received by us.
Please supply Record Locator or Confirmation numbers, ticket #'s if ticket has been processed by us, Record Locator if from a Ticketless airline, not the Sabre Record Locator as in the case of Southwest Airlines. Without them, tracking is at best difficult and often impossible. Airlines always pay within 10 days of our ARC due date, but commissions from hotels, cars and tours and some cruise lines are paid to us as far out as 90 days after completion of the travel. When you receive your commission statement and check, we will note if a commission you are expecting has not been received by us. Resubmit the commission due on the following month’s Sales Report. If they say the check was sent, have them send a copy of the canceled check to you and send it to us with your next month's Sales Report form. If they will not do this, the minimum we will need is:
Amount of Check (not necessarily your commission amount-suppliers often pay a gross amount covering dozens of agents without a breakdown)
Check number
Date of check
If they say the check has not been sent, then professionally demand that the check
be sent.
Commission is paid on the net.
Keep track of all confirmation
and ticket numbers. We need these to be able to track a missing commission.
Ticket
numbers can be seen after we run your tickets by retrieving the reservation, in SABRE.
All
commissions due must be claimed within 3 months of the clients return of travel.
We cannot trace commissions past this time limit. Please allow sufficient delivery
time, which varies at certain times of the year, before you inquire about your check.
If it necessary to inquire, please inquire via E-Mail.
We encourage our agents to attend as many seminars, conventions, trade shows,
and fams as they can. This is the best way to gain product knowledge and network
with fellow agents.
There are certain guidelines of professionalism, that
as an agent of Atlas Tour and Travel, we insist upon.
When an RSVP is required, Please do so.
If you have RSVP'd and find that you cannot attend, be sure to call and cancel.
Business attire is always in order at seminars, and conventions.
Do nothing that will cause embarrassment to yourself or Atlas. Inappropriate behavior will be reported to us and you will find that future RSVP's will be denied by the supplier. Word travels fast in this Travel Industry.
When things go wrong at an industry event, do not become too vocal. Suppliers are trying their best to make things right and do not appreciate agents who incite other agents to action.
Do show interest in the product spot lighted.
Do not miss any scheduled event or site inspection. The suppliers have gone through considerable expense to expose their product and want you to see it all. Remember a Fam is a business trip.
Do have fun and enjoy. Though a business trip, it does not preclude you from enjoying where you are and the hospitality shown.
**Seminars always require business attire.**
800 service is now practical for any size agency. Call Greg Schneider at 1-888-900-6515,
and tell him Marsha Cropper at Atlas Tour and Travel referred you to him about 800
numbers. CHECK OUT THE GREAT RATES.
Official Tour Directory $25
Hotel and Travel Index Book $30
Sabre Tutorial $35
Destination Videos $10ea.
Professional Selling Videos $10ea.
Travel Agent Manuals $35-$95ea.
You receive 60% commission on all bookings plus 60% of all overrides.
We charge no fees. We only charge you for your insurance which is $100 annually
We will be here to support you to grow your Travel business.
We provide you with valuable information required to help you succeed quickly.
Information
like the following:
Consolidators & Suppliers
Cruise
Lines
Airlines
Hotel
Chains
Car Rental Companies
European
Tourist Offices
Names of Cruise Lines and
Ships
We provide you with uptodate information on Specials, Seminars, Fams, etc. This information is provided via our "Agents eMail Distribution List". You become part of this distribution once you have joined the Atlas Travel Team.
Access to the AgentNET area - One central source for promotional details, exclusive specials and industry news. Featuring vast amounts of uptodate information on Cruises, Tour Packages, Destinations, etc.
We use the latest SABRE Reservation System providing unlimited usage with no long distance or usage time charges. TurboSABRE combined with WebTop are now available which greatly enhances the user friendliness of the system.
Free SABRE Training by SABRE's Professional Instructors.
SABRE Training on Self-Paced CD-ROM tutorial.
Travel benefits such as reduced air, Fam trips, discounted hotels and cars are available when you join the Atlas Travel Team and are placed on the Atlas IATAN list. Even greater benefits are available once you earn your IATAN card. IATAN currently requires $5000 in commissions during any 12 month period.
Your name and company contact information will be listed on our World Wide Web (internet) Site.
Provide you with great business opportunities.
Give you the opportunity to network with other agents.
Advertisements
Access to Travel Industry training
We succeed ONLY as Your Travel Business grows.
Credentials
REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AND ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR YOURSELF. YOU OWN YOUR OWN BUSINESS AND ARE ONLY USING OUR CREDENTIALS.
ARC (Airlines Reporting Corporation)
IATA (International Air Transport Association)
ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents)
CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)
NACTA (National Association of Commissioned Travel Agents)
Member of VACATION.COM (formally known as Cruise Link)
The commission split we offer our Travel
Agency Owners, 60% of all commissions, including overrides, is among the fairest
and most generous in the Travel Industry. You will have no quotas, levels or tiers
to attain to earn your 60% commission and no penalties will ever be imposed for not
bookings Travel. You will work at your pace, your hours, your chosen intensity and
your chosen areas of interest within the Travel Industry. Everything this entire
Travel Industry has to offer you is at your disposal.
Should you decide to
join our Atlas Travel Team, please request that we mail or fax you the Independent
Contractor's Contract found at the end of this Information Packet. We will
be happy to answer any questions you may have about the Atlas program. Please don’t
hesitate emailing or calling us at any time that is most convenient for you.
"While
you are free to do business with any Host Travel Agency or any Supplier that you
wish to, should you do so and not use the name Atlas Tour and Travel, LLC or cause
any compensation not to be channeled through Atlas' normal procedures, then Atlas
Tour and Travel, LLC reserves the right to remove your listing from the Atlas Tour
and Travel, LLC email distribution list, Atlas Tour and Travel, LLC contact section
of website, Atlas Tour and Travel, LLC Agents Only Forum or any other area Atlas
Tour and Travel, LLC deems appropriate using their own discretion."
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