Before you can be recognized by suppliers as a credible agency to book travel, earn certain commissions and access other travel incentives, you must meet the qualifications established by the accrediting entities.
Here are the five most common from which to choose:
- The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is an association of airlines whose goal is to create stability in international aviation. The International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN)—an IATA subsidiary—uses a screening program to appoint U.S. travel agencies to sell tickets for its member international airlines serving the United States. IATAN also sponsors the IATAN ID Card. To read more about the IATAN ID Card, click here.
- CCRA Travel Commerce Network (CCRA) is a network that facilitates commerce between travel professionals and suppliers. CCRA uses a Travel Retailer Universal Enumeration (TRUE) code that was designed for independent agents who wanted a way to receive payments directly from some suppliers without sharing commissions. Because travel suppliers accept and recognize this universal code, the travel agent or agency can book travel products and services directly with thousands of suppliers. For more information on CCRA and its requirements for the TRUE ID Card, click here.
- The Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) is a group owned by major U.S. airlines that regulates the distribution of airline tickets. It accredits agencies that sell tickets; supplies documents used in selling airline tickets, rail transportation, and related services; and provides a central sales-processing system. Any non-airline company that issues airline tickets must have ARC accreditation. To read more about the requirements, click here.
- American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA) is a trade association that lobbies governments, presents educational programs and speaks to the public on behalf of its members, including travel counselors and others in the travel industry. For more information, click here.
- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is an association that promotes cruising to the selling agents and the buying public. It offers membership to both travel agencies and to individual agents. Travel sellers or departments of a travel seller actively engaged in the business of selling cruise travel can be CLIA agency members if they attest that they are meeting all federal, state, and local ordinances relative to conducting such sales. For more information, click here.
BONUS:
- Host Agencies. It is important to note that independent contractors can choose not to seek their own accreditations. Many travel professionals work with host agencies that already are accredited, saving ICs the time and money of becoming accredited. You can find a list at The Travel Institute’s website. You also may seek out other resources, such as FindaHostTravelAgency.com, which offers a cumulative list of host agencies with an easy-to-use filter to narrow your search by criteria. The Host Agency Checklist can be a great resource to stay organized with researching host agencies.
