how to become iata travel agent

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Cars & Other Vehicles
• Aviation Careers

How to Become IATA Certified

Last Updated: September 19, 2022

This article was co-authored by Shannon O'Brien, MA, EdM . Shannon O'Brien is the Founder and Principal Advisor of Whole U. (a career and life strategy consultancy based in Boston, MA). Through advising, workshops and e-learning Whole U. empowers people to pursue their life's work and live a balanced, purposeful life. Shannon has been ranked as the #1 Career Coach and #1 Life Coach in Boston, MA by Yelp reviewers. She has been featured on Boston.com, Boldfacers, and the UR Business Network. She received a Master's of Technology, Innovation, & Education from Harvard University. This article has been viewed 89,090 times.

As a travel agent, International Air Transport Association (IATA) accreditation is one of the best ways to take your career to the next level. To secure your IATA certification, we’ll show you how to complete the initial application, answer the questionnaire, and provide documentation of your experience. Although the application process can feel quite overwhelming, rest assured that we’ve got your back. You’ll have your certification in no time!

Starting the Application Process

• If you have questions for IATA or need to check the status of your application, you can do so through your personal portal.

• You can also download the application packet at http://www.iatan.org/accreditation/Pages/application-forms.aspx .

• Your application will be assessed by the local AIP on the basis of the following criteria: financial record and standing; staff qualifications and experience; identification and accessibility of premises; and security and procedures.
• Do not embellish or lie on a resume. For example, say you have five years of experience when you have only five months of experience.
• Do not say you went to a school, college, or prestigious high school if you did not go to it. The systems and teams can research and find out the truth.
• Do not try to bulk up a resume with a bunch of fillers. It's okay if it's a half-page resume if that's all you have at that time. People have short attention spans. So make the content clear.

Meeting IATA Evidence Standards

• If you are not part of a branch, then you'll need to provide documentation showing that you are a solo operator and provide only inclusive tour offerings.

• For example, training courses can count towards showing a minimal level of experience and training required to become certified, as long as they were offered by the IATA. Scan in and submit copies of any training certifications.

• The IATA is particularly interested in experience that shows a prior knowledge of airline operations and ticketing procedures.
• You could even submit a copy of a prior business card as proof of travel employment experience.

• Put these materials in chronological order, so that the AIP can browse through them quickly.
• Include the full bank account records showing both deposits and withdrawals for the prior year.

Submitting Your Application

• The IATA mailing address for applications is: 703 Waterford Way, Suite 600 Miami, Florida USA 33126.
• Your notarized evidentiary documents must be submitted at the same time as your application. Scan them in and submit them as pdfs via the portal or email. Or, keep them in print form and mail them in.

• The fee is usually around $165 for self-employed agents and over $300 for full or corporate travel agencies.

• For example, they might ask that you send along a particular financial statement that might have been left out from the prior packet.

Finalizing and Maintaining Your IATA Certification

• It will take at least 2 weeks for your application to be approved.

• These periodic and random reviews are required of all IATA members.

Community Q&A

• Make sure to safeguard your personal IATA code. It holds the same power as any of your other personal identification numbers. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

• You must have a clean financial standing in order to apply for IATA certification. Filing for bankruptcy or holding large debts can disqualify your application. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ http://www.iata.org/services/accreditation/travel-tourism/Pages/tah.aspx
• ↑ https://bizfluent.com/how-6079802-become-licensed-iata-travel-agent.html

About This Article

The International Air Transport Association or the IATA regulates the aviation travel industry around the world, and travel agencies apply for IATA certifications to demonstrate their qualifications. To become IATA certified, you’ll need to answer a questionnaire and provide documentation of your experience and financial standing. Download the application packet from their website and complete it to get started. You can then prove your regular business operations by submitting your business license and copies of other certifications you’ve received. After that, you can provide your financial and bank statements from the previous year. To learn how to submit your application, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Krishna Sharma

Apr 24, 2020

Did this article help you?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

Travel Agent Resources

How to become an iata-certified travel agent.

• X (Twitter)

By Courtney Eisen

March 15, 2023

Are you dreaming of a career in the travel industry? Becoming an IATA-certified travel agent is a great way to turn your passion for travel into a rewarding profession. In this blog post, we will guide you through the steps to become an IATA-certified travel agent and provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions along the way.

Join a host agency with a valid iata.

When starting your journey to become an IATA-certified travel agent, it's crucial to align yourself with a reputable host agency that holds a valid IATA. While most major host agencies have this travel agent certification , it's important to be vigilant about their credentials. Unfortunately, there are some travel agencies out there selling travel illegally. By choosing a host agency with a valid IATA, you can ensure that you are operating within the legal boundaries of the industry.

To double-check the validity of the host agency's IATA, you can use the official IATA Look Up . If the agency does not provide its IATA for you to validate, consider it a major red flag. Transparency is key when it comes to choosing the right host agency.

Suggested Article: What is a Host Travel Agency?

Consider Additional Licensing Requirements

While obtaining an IATA certification is essential, it's important to note that certain states in America have additional licensing requirements for travel agents. These states include Florida, California, Washington State, and Hawaii. If you plan on selling travel to residents of these states, you must hold the appropriate Seller of Travel License.

For example, if you join a host travel agency without a Seller of Travel License in Hawaii, you can still sell trips to Hawaii but cannot sell to people living in Hawaii. It's crucial to understand and comply with these state-specific regulations to avoid any legal complications. Additionally, being aware of other certifications like ARC (Airlines Reporting Corporation) can enhance your ability to book air travel for your clients.

Suggested Article: Unapologetically The Best Host Travel Agency

Your Host Agency Determines Your Credibility

By joining a host agency with a valid IATA, you automatically become an IATA-certified travel agent. This certification is a testament to your credibility within the industry. An IATA allows you to track bookings across all travel vendors, from hotels to airlines. Without a valid IATA, you may face difficulties in getting paid for the trips you book. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that your host agency meets this bare minimum requirement.

Suggested Article: How to Select the Best Host Travel Agency For Your Business

Beyond the IATA

However, remember that there is so much more a host agency can provide you with besides just an IATA certification. By choosing the right host agency, you gain access to valuable resources, training programs, and support systems that can propel your career as a travel agent.

Now that you understand the importance of becoming an IATA-certified travel agent and aligning yourself with a reputable host agency, let us introduce ourselves. At LuxRally Travel, we are confident that we have the most competitive value proposition for prospective agents. Our comprehensive support system, extensive industry knowledge, and commitment to your success make us the ideal partner on your journey to becoming an IATA-certified travel agent.

Ready to take the next step? Let's dive into the world of travel and turn your dreams into reality!

Suggested Article: Our Host Agency Reviews

What is the significance of joining a host agency with a valid IATA?

Joining a host agency with a valid IATA ensures that you are operating legally and within industry standards. It also allows you to track bookings across various travel vendors and ensures you get paid for the trips you book.

Are there any additional licensing requirements for travel agents?

Yes, certain states like Florida, California, Washington State, and Hawaii have specific licensing requirements for travel agents. It's crucial to comply with these regulations if you plan on selling travel to residents of these states.

What benefits can a host agency provide besides an IATA certification?

A reputable host agency can offer valuable resources, training programs, and support systems to enhance your career as a travel agent. They can provide you with the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed in the industry.

A Closer Look at LuxRally Travel's IATA-Certified, Free Travel Agent Training

Are you looking to become a certified travel agent? Look no further than LuxRally Travel — a fully accredited travel agency registered with IATA, offering a certified travel agent course that produces fully licensed travel agents.

LuxRally is well-equipped to offer comprehensive courses that provide certification and the tools necessary for success in the industry. As an IATA-accredited agency, our courses ensure trainees can sell legally worldwide upon completion. This gives graduates of the program an advantage compared to those enrolled in unlicensed programs.

In addition to providing certification from its training program, LuxRally also offers its students access to an array of resources and services that are essential in the field of travel. This includes exclusive discounts on services and goods, and tools for booking hotels, rental cars, tours, and package holidays. Furthermore, LuxRally also offers information about various destinations and attractions around the world.

The course provided by LuxRally is designed with busy professionals in mind. Students can participate in self-directed online classes and one-on-one workshops depending on their schedule and preference - making it ideal for people working full time or having other commitments such as family obligations. The course duration varies according to individual needs; however, those seeking accelerated learning can finish the course within a few days.

Upon completing the training program, students receive full travel agent status and access to additional LuxRally Travel resources and mentorship. Trainees gain comprehensive knowledge about different cultures and destinations worldwide while developing essential transferable skills — everything from hospitality essentials to optimizing bookings processes.

LuxRally Travel's Travel Agent Training Course is free, online, and self-directed so that students can learn in their own time and on their terms. The course includes comprehensive modules which cover all of the necessary skills and knowledge required for individuals to become certified travel agents — from planning and making reservations to gaining clients and closing deals. Furthermore, once a student has completed the course, they will have access to continued mentorship from LuxRally Travel agents as well as group chats with other agents, which provide valuable tips like hotel recommendations and advice about various aspects of the job.

So if you're looking for an accredited and reliable institution with excellent customer service dedicated to providing exceptional training in the field of travel – enroll today in the LuxRally Travel Agent Training Program .

More Resources

Why You Should Be a 24 Hour Travel Agent

How Do Travel Agents Make Money?

How to Start a Travel Agency From Home

How to Get IATA Accreditation for Travel Business: Options, Steps, IATA Certification Cost

• 12 min read
• Business ,   Travel
• 27 Jul, 2023
• 2 Comments Share

Every industry has its own regulator – an authority that sets standards and improves cooperation inside. The air travel industry is no exception.

IATA stands for International Air Transport Association . Its main goal is to regulate distribution-related activities for airlines and commercial aviation. These activities include fare calculations, revenue allocation, and baggage rules.

But how are IATA and travel agencies connected? Why do travel businesses that issue airline tickets have to be IATA-accredited? What are the options for businesses of different sizes and how is IATA-accreditation accomplished? Let’s explore the possibilities.

What is IATA? IATA numbers for travel agencies

Today, IATA decides who should distribute air travel products and how they should go about it. It supervises travel businesses by suggesting standards. For instance, IATA codes (numbers) are used everywhere traveling and aviation intersect. Think airline designator codes for reservations, ticketing, scheduling, and documentation; a prefix code to classify passengers and cargo; a baggage tag issuer code to simplify baggage handling; and a location code for easier package handling. These codes are even relevant to those airlines that haven’t signed an agreement with IATA.

Back in the 1920s when the mushrooming travel agencies started distributing flight tickets, they acted as clearinghouses or a middleman between travelers and airlines. In addition to spreading vouchers, travel agencies were responsible for smooth money transactions. When IATA emerged in 1945, it took over these processes and became a mediator between travel agencies and airlines.

That is how IATA accreditation (sometimes referred to as IATA certification) was introduced. It exists to safeguard airlines and monitor the revenue flow. So, in order to get access to airline inventories, a travel agency is supposed to undergo verification by IATA. In this case, an airline won’t have to check an agency over again every time an agent connects to the carrier’s reservation system. If a distributor is IATA-accredited, it’s a reliable partner.

On top of that, IATA processes all sales reports between an airline and an agency through its Billing and Settlement Plan ( BSP ) – a system created to streamline selling, reporting, and transferring operations for IATA-accredited agents.

If you want to do a deeper dive into IATA’s history and how it works today, watch our video.

What IATA certification can give travel businesses?

That said, let’s outline the main benefits that IATA gives its accredited agents.

Airline ticketing

Being IATA-certified, travel agencies can issue airline tickets on behalf of airlines. This is the main advantage that eliminates the need for other middlemen, simplifies booking processes, and cuts expenses for both agents and airlines. With access to IATA’s billing systems — the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) and the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) — the accredited agents can complete the booking process by accepting payments and issuing tickets, which are basically contracts confirming payment settlement.

Industry recognition

IATA-certified agents must commit to industry ethics codes and meet general industry procedure standards. Working as an IATA agent also means including the IATA logo and branding on travel agents’ premises and websites. All these factors combined enhance travel businesses’ public image and give it a high-reliability score.

Credibility

As we mentioned, IATA thoroughly verifies a travel agency’s business activity, its revenues, and the annual flow of customers. Once in possession of that stamp of approval, a business is no longer examined by an airline or a hotel chain supplier. Hence, suppliers and agents can communicate directly. This significantly simplifies booking, confirmation, and payment processing procedures and eliminates extra effort for both sides.

Access to financial control

The access to almost 300 airlines opens up a gateway to a wide range of options to choose from. The Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) enables agents to see the air flight distribution in real-time. Above that, with a discount on each ticket sold, every IATA-accredited agent can handle their own markup, earn a reasonable commission, or sell tickets on special conditions, attracting even more customers.

Now let’s find out which accreditation options are available for travel agencies of different types and sizes, and even for self-employed agents.

Full IATA accreditation

The full IATA accreditation package is for travel businesses worldwide that support airline ticket issuing on behalf of suppliers. Additionally, the IATA agent number introduces the travel business to other IATA airline members with a single Sales Agency Agreement and provides access to IATA’s BSP. As we touched on earlier, BSP is an invoicing and payment interface between the agent, airlines, and transportation suppliers.

The full accreditation also means that the agent follows standard ethics and behavior codes.

There are three types of full IATA accreditation:

• GoLite — a more limited model for agents with no cash transaction (only using IATA EasyPay and cards), offering a simplified accreditation process with minimal financial requirements,
• GoStandard – a default type that gives access to all payment methods, and
• GoGlobal — a multi-country accreditation model for agencies present in several BSPs that requires such agencies to comply with a single international set of requirements and criteria and accredit all the locations under a single agreement.

Full IATA accreditation types

To get it, you must submit a stack of documents and jump through a few hoops. Let’s have a look.

• Learn about the basics. Read through the Travel Agent Handbook (TAH) . It’s a thoughtful guide for IATA members and applicants. Here you’ll discover general standards, rules, and regulations applicable worldwide. Also, examine the local criteria adjusted to each country individually.

To apply for an IATA number, prepare these documents in the following order :

• Proof of general business operations. If you’re a branch operator, the documents should include hours of dedicated services or a copy of the agreement to serve as such. For instance, you may attach records about offering a particular kind of tour. The same works for solo operators.
• Proof of your qualifications. Regardless of whether you have multiple agents or you are a solo operator, you must submit a business license or copies of any certifications, such as agent training courses. Here you must indicate that your agents meet the professional criteria, according to local business standards.
• Confirmation of prior travel agent experience. If you’ve previously collaborated with an IATA accredited agent or airline, then include this record in your documents. If possible, attach a recommendation letter from that company or documentation of employment. Documents indicating a basic knowledge of airline and ticketing operations may be also attached.
• Proof of financial viability. Attach copies of all of the travel-business-related bank transactions for the past year. Include loan or insurance documentation if you have any. All these records should be placed in chronological order. Detailed bank account records with deposits and withdrawals for the previous fiscal year are also required.

Please note that all documents should fall in line with local criteria for your country as stated in the TAH.

2. Be ready to obtain a bond. If your accounts show that your present assets are below your liabilities, you may be required to present a financial security/bank guarantee to insure your financial credibility (the amount varies for different countries). If you choose the GoLite model with no cash facilities, there are no risks related to cash operations, so you’ll only have to provide minimal financial security to cover credit card sales risk.

3. Register an EasyPay account (optional) . IATA Easy Pay is a voluntary payment method based on the pay-as-you-go e-wallet concept for faster, cheaper, and more secure transactions. Open an EasyPay account via the IATA customer portal and register your bank account.

4. Register at the Customer Support Portal. Use the registration page and proceed with the registration process. You must submit the personal contact information and set up a password.

5. Submit the IATA application form. Complete the application following the guidelines and submit it with other documents via the Customer Portal. Include the letters of recommendation, following the form instructions.

6. Pay the registration fee and wait.  Accreditation and registration fees depend on your accreditation type and will be 250 CHF (~$280) to 1500 CHF (~$1,700) and 2500 CHF (~$2,800). There’s also an annual fee that will be based on your gross annual sales through the BSP. Find the whole distribution of fees in Attachment B of Resolution 800 .

Travel industry designator services (TIDS) – booking without flight ticketing

This option is suggested to travel sales intermediaries such as travel meeting planners or travel agencies that don’t plan on doing airline ticketing. Travel Industry Designator Service (TIDS) is an individual code that enables reservations to be recognized by airlines, cruise lines, hotel chains, car-rental companies, railway suppliers, and other travel suppliers. TIDS accelerates reservation processing and makes your travel business visible via addition to all IATA Global Data Products. However, to complete the ticketing process, the TIDS-certified agency would have to partner with a mediator such as a consolidator or host agency . Read on to learn more about these alternative options or check our article dedicated to the booking and ticketing process for non-IATA agencies .

The appliance for TIDS also requires a set of documents and a series of steps.

• Prepare a government-issued license for travel agents (where relevant) or a copy of business registration.
• Provide evidence of a bank account in the name of the company.
• Present National Travel Agent Association proof of membership if you already have it.
• If you’re not a member of the National Travel Agent Association , submit one of the following recommendation records:
• a letter of recommendation from an IATA Airline or Global Distribution System (GDS) or
• two letters of recommendation from travel and tourism industry suppliers such as hotel chains, car rental companies, or other entertainment industry representatives.

The letters should be provided on the recommending party’s letterhead. If needed, refer to a recommendation letter sample . To check on whether you have all that is required, you can consult with application requirements.

5. Register at the customer support portal. Use the registration page to submit personal contact information and set up a password.

6. Submit the TIDS application form and wait. Complete the TIDS Application form and submit it with documents via the customer portal, including the letters of recommendation, following the instructions in the form. Since the TIDS is free of charge after September 2020, you don’t pay any fee and just have to wait for your TIDS Code.

You can also check the TIDS FAQ page for more details on the application process.

IATAN – full package for US-based travel businesses only

IATAN stands for International Airlines Travel Agent Network. Basically, it’s identical to what IATA provides, but it’s used for US-based travel businesses only. It enables any travel business or representative to issue flight tickets. The difference is only about the US-based location of the travel business and a predefined set of documents. IATAN works for any US travel business with over 2 years of experience.

To apply for an IATAN number, check the following documents and procedures:

• Provide ARC (Airline Reporting Corporation) Approval. In the USA, all payment transactions from ticketing are processed via ARC (check how to get the ARC accreditation here). Basically, its function is similar to IATA’s BSP.
• Provide proof of a Current Business License. It should show the legal name of the entity and say that the business is “active” or “in good standing” with the state, county, or city.
• Submit proof of Ownership and Legal Form of Business Corporation. Please note that different forms of ownership require different business licenses and agreements. For more detailed information, you may check the accreditation package (it’s a direct downloadable link).
• Include proof of Seller of Travel Registration for states of California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, and Washington.
• Provide Proof of two years of experience for QMP/QTA (Managerial Qualifier and Ticketing Qualifier). Here, the documented evidence of your travel activity experience is required. These may include letters of recommendation from your previous employers or partners, travel industry suppliers, or certifications indicating you are a travel industry expert.

To check out a complete list of valid documents and certifications, please refer to the IATAN requirements webpage or the Requirement Section of the Accreditation Kit.

6. Download the Application Kit. Visit the IATAN Accreditation Page and download a package of documents that you are required to fill in and submit.

7. Submit the documents. Once you’ve filled in and notarized all the documents and added them to business activities proofs, submit all of them directly to IATAN submission email.

8. Pay registration fees online and wait. Once all application documents are received and processed by IATAN, you will get instructions on registration fees by email. IATAN accreditation costs $247 for a head office or branch and $410 for a corporate travel department. Annual service fees are $103 and $184 respectively. The average period of application consideration is 30 days.

IATAN Non-ticketing accreditation

IATAN non-ticketing is the most suitable option for any US-based travel agency including home-based, storefront, meeting-planner entity, or corporate travel department. It requires over two years of experience in the industry. Basically, the opportunities are similar to what TIDS provides, meaning that you won’t be able to issue tickets on behalf of an airline but will still get access to their inventory.

To get an IATAN non-ticketing accreditation, the travel business must prepare the following documents.

• Show your financial benchmarks. Here the document kit varies by the type and size of business: for home-based and new business, for travel business or meeting planner entities, and for corporate travel departments. These may include a financial statement or expense report of the business, the previous year’s income tax return (for long-term businesses), sales reports from travel industry suppliers, or letters from travel industry suppliers indicating the volume of sales.

The most complete information is available in the same Application Kit in the corresponding Non-ticketing section.

2. Submit proof of Errors and Omissions or Professional Liability Insurance. Include a copy of a valid insurance policy or errors and omissions waiver with proof of two years’ experience for the owner or the legal representative.

Once you are ready, follow the steps mentioned in the IATAN full accreditation section that we described above. For more information, you can rely on the Accreditation Kit or IATAN FAQ section .

IATA accreditation challenges to watch out for

Like with many other industry regulations, IATA has its own drawbacks to be aware of.

Time- and resource-consuming

Applying, collecting documents, and waiting for approval usually takes months. And it requires a lot of paperwork. In addition to completing the application kit, a travel agency or an individual agent usually has to gather business licenses, insurance records, tax forms, bank statements, and even photos of the location. Beyond that, a travel agent or owner has to check their annual and monthly revenues to meet IATA financial standards. And then you have to be bonded for a minimum of $50,000 (for 2-years or less activity) or an amount of money calculated to cover the Amount at Risk as noted in the TAH. There are extra obstacles to get accredited by IATA.

Requires annual reviews

Even after an agent or an agency is accredited, IATA verification doesn’t stop. The thing is, IATA conducts interim annual financial reviews. This means that all agents must submit their audited accounts no later than 4 months after each financial year-end, or as required by legislation, during the first two years of accreditation to be evaluated according to financial criteria. By the way, IATA also elaborated on local evaluation criteria for each country. All agents must present a financial security document during the first two years as an agent. It must meet Section 4 of Resolution 800f. If IATA notices financial instability during the financial evaluation, it initiates a trial period to prove financial and business viability.

No guarantee for sales boost

All that said and done, being IATA-accredited doesn’t ensure skyrocketing sales and revenue growth. Although it gives you the freedom to play around with your margin, the revenues don’t directly depend on your accreditation. Unfortunately, all the financial requirements and application-related costs may exceed your revenues.

If not IATA Accreditation, then what?

As you see, accreditation by IATA is very time- and effort-consuming with many pitfalls.

The fact is that not each and every travel business has the resources to submit to the accreditation process. So, how can you avoid this procedure but still sell flights? There are several ways.

Connect to a consolidator

Consolidators are third-party technology providers that have you covered. Providing services by individual negotiation, fixed price, or through an affiliate program, such solutions offer technical integrations on a turnkey basis. In addition to IATA accreditation, these usually include services such as connections to three main GDSs , travel APIs , separate integration of rail APIs , and many more.

This option usually suits those agencies that have sufficient funds but lack the time and interest to dive deep into accreditation details.

Choose a hosting agency

A hosting agency is a thriving travel business with stable revenues and ongoing customer flow. Usually, these are mature operators with worldwide coverage.

Due to their well-established and long-term presence on the market, big travel agencies have already obtained all required travel agency accreditation , including IATA, ARC (for the USA), and CLIA (for cruises). And smaller agencies can use the host agency accreditation number.

When sharing the IATA number, both sides usually sign a contract on mutually agreed terms. Splitting the commission from ticket sales is the most common practice.

This opportunity is most reasonable for small travel agencies or self-employed agents who have only started their path and lack the capacity, experience, and resources to take on the full accreditation procedure.

Consider other niches

Sometimes chasing big volumes of travel sales with flight tickets is not feasible. If a travel business is not yet well-established, or the market is saturated with offers like yours, think of moving to specific segments.

For instance, you may sell only tours to specific destinations. Or sell trips without issuing airline tickets. Here, a business owner has to examine their market, find a particular niche, and thoroughly plan further marketing activities . Thoughtfully planned execution should provide revenue from different distribution channels.

• Get the Job
• Resumes and CVs
• Applications
• Cover Letters
• Professional References

Professional Licenses and Exams

• Get a Promotion
• Negotiation
• Professional Ethics
• Professionalism
• Dealing with Coworkers
• Dealing with Bosses

Communication Skills

Managing the office, disabilities, harassment and discrimination, unemployment.

• Career Paths
• Compare Careers
• Switching Careers
• Training and Certifications
• Start a Company
• Internships and Apprenticeships
• Entry Level Jobs
• College Degrees

Growth Trends for Related Jobs

How to become a licensed iata travel agent.

If you are interested in becoming a travel agent , or you are already working in the field, it is worthwhile to get accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). As a licensed IATA travel agent, you gain immediate recognition as holding to the highest industry standards for travel professionals. In order to gain accreditation from the IATA, you must first meet the requirements.

Produce proof that you are working for a legally registered travel agency, or if you work independently, that your business is legal. Submit all relevant business licenses, tax forms and insurance records. Include documentation of all local and state licensing.

Provide financial records showing the fiscal solvency of your travel agency. Bring a copy of all bank transactions, organized neatly and in chronological order. Make a copy of your business plan and include it to show that you are adhering to your budget plans.

Show evidence of your commitment to the travel industry. Present your sales records showing your achievements in selling airline tickets, hotel arrangements, individual and group tours. Enter all your sales totals into a spreadsheet and present the information in a clear and understandable format.

Prepare copies of all insurance policies covering your work as a travel agent, including errors and omissions insurance. This requirement may be waived if you have five years experience as a travel agent. If you wish to waive this insurance requirement, you must provide proof of your five years of work experience.

Pay the required accreditation fee, which is $165 if you are self-employed or work for a private agency. The fee is $360 if you work for a corporate travel department. Pay the accreditation fee in U.S. dollars.

Receive your full accreditation as a licensed IATA travel agent. Get a letter with the date you received accreditation, an official IATA Certificate of Accreditation, an IATA window decal to display at your agency, and your unique IATA numeric code, which gives you international recognition as a licensed IATA travel agent.

When preparing documentation for IATA licensing, make an extra copy of all relevant documents to keep in your personal files.

When you receive your IATA numeric code, guard it carefully as you would any personal ID number.

Related Articles

How to obtain your travel agent certification →, how to become a travel agent in bc →, how to become a travel agent in ontario, canada →, how to start a travel agency business in canada →.

How to Become a Travel Agent in Georgia →

What kind of license is needed to write burial insurance →.

Tzvi Raphael has worked with Fortune 500 companies helping them to maximize their online brand exposure through innovative Web design, content, and marketing. Additionally, Raphael is a writer for multiple high-traffic blogs and websites including eHow and Weight Ladder.

careertrend

• Job Descriptions
• Law Enforcement Job Descriptions
• Administrative Job Descriptions
• Healthcare Job Descriptions
• Sales Job Descriptions
• Fashion Job Descriptions
• Education Job Descriptions
• Salary Insights
• Journalism Salaries
• Healthcare Salaries
• Military Salaries
• Engineering Salaries
• Teaching Salaries
• Accessibility
• Privacy Notice
• Cookie Notice
• Copyright Policy
• Contact Us
• Find a Job
• Manage Preferences
• California Notice of Collection
• Terms of Use

• Credit cards
• View all credit cards
• Banking guide
• Loans guide
• Insurance guide
• Personal finance
• View all personal finance
• Small business
• Small business guide
• View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

How to Become a Travel Agent: Turn Your Passion Into Perks and Cash

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Raise your hand if you love to travel. Whether you’re often on the road or take a vacation just once a year, you’ve probably heard of travel agents. These folks help plan and book itineraries for you, eliminating a lot of the pain points when it comes to traveling.

These days many people skip out on a travel agent in lieu of booking their trip online, but if you’re a frequent traveler, you may want to become a travel agent yourself. Why? Because it can save you a lot of money — and may even earn you some in the process.

Let’s take a look at how to become a travel agent, why it’s something you may want to consider and the ways it can work for you.

Why become a travel agent?

Have you ever obsessively researched the best hotels in a city you’re planning to visit? How about checking seat maps on an airplane? If getting into the nitty-gritty of travel logistics is something you do in your spare time, you might also enjoy becoming a travel agent.

Not only do you get to plan trips for others, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of special discounts on many facets of travel.

This is true for your clients, but also for yourself. Travel agents have access to a variety of discounted rates on both airlines and hotels, even when booking travel for themselves.

» Learn more: How to get a refund from a travel agency

How to become a travel agent

Find a program.

Becoming a travel agent isn’t as simple as declaring yourself one. Typically, the first step is to sign up for a program that’ll teach you the basics of running your own travel business.

There are a variety of programs to choose from, depending on your interests and career goals. Most programs will teach you about the business side of being a travel agent as well as how to plan trips, so your courses in itinerary planning and travel insurance will be coupled with business ethics and customer service.

If you’re wondering how to become a travel agent from home, don’t worry. Many of these courses don’t have to be done in person; there are online programs that will teach you everything you need to know from the comfort of your living room.

Apply for certification

Once you’ve completed your coursework, you’ll want to apply for certification. Although there is no single standard that designates you a travel agent, there are a number of different identifiers that you can acquire. Some of the more common ones are:

International Air Transport Association, or IATA, which allows you to book travel on domestic and international airlines.

Travel Industry Designator Service, or TIDS, which allows agents to book trips with a variety of travel suppliers and receive commissions.

Cruise Lines International Association, or CLIA, which provides agents the ability to book trips on cruises around the world.

In order to access Marriott’s travel advisor rates, for example, you can use any three of these designations, along with a variety of others.

Each of these associations and identifiers have different implications for your business, so you’ll want to be sure you’ve fully researched them before applying for membership.

» Learn more: Do travel agents really save you money?

Save money as a travel agent

Once you’ve qualified as a travel agent, what comes next? If you travel frequently, becoming a travel agent can be a huge benefit to you, as it offers discounted rates and access to luxury travel options.

Discounted rates

Travel agents have access to negotiated rates that aren’t available to the general public. The exact amount will vary depending on the business. Hilton, for example, will give personal travel discounts of 50% off at newly-opened hotels and up to 25% off at the remainder of hotels within Hilton’s portfolio.

Hyatt, meanwhile, will give you a discount on personal travel of up to 50%, but only during select dates of the year. And although not all airlines give discounts to travel agents, many do.

Regardless, these are some pretty spectacular savings, and if you’re looking to save money on your vacations, being a travel agent can help.

Luxury programs

Becoming a travel agent isn’t only about saving money, however. It also grants you access to many hotel chains’ luxury travel programs.

If you’re big into elite status benefits, this is definitely something you’ll want to consider — especially since you don’t need any status at all to receive these perks, as long as you book through the hotel’s agent portal.

Most major hotel chains have these programs, including Hyatt Privé, Hilton Impresario, Marriott STARS & Luminous, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Belmond Bellini Club, Rosewood Elite, Mandarin Oriental Fan Club and Shangri-La Luxury Circle.

While benefits vary by brand, many of these offers include things like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, early check-in or late checkout and credits for expenses like dining or spa services. General consumers aren’t eligible for these programs, but once you’ve become a registered travel agent, they become accessible to you; however, some programs — such as Hyatt Privé — are invitation only.

For the most part, booking rooms through these programs shouldn’t cost more than the standard rate you’d be paying anyway, so you have the potential to get big benefits without shelling out any additional money.

However, note that these numbers don’t take into account any other discounted rates for which you may be eligible, such as those offered to American Automobile Association members and veterans .

» Learn more: Uncommon tips for saving money on travel

Earn money as a travel agent

Of course, becoming a travel agent isn’t all about scoring discounts for yourself. If you’re looking to earn some money, being a travel agent can be a good way to do so.

Note that travel agents operate in a customer-facing role, so you’ll also need to be able to build client relationships and be comfortable with sales. Courses such as those mentioned above can help train you to do this and run a successful business.

If booking travel and organizing trips for others is something that appeals to you, there’s definitely money to be earned. Marriott, for example, gives agents a commission of between 8% and 10% for all eligible stays booked.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of booking through online travel agencies

If you’d like to become a travel agent

There are a few good reasons to become a travel agent, especially if you travel a lot. Although it takes time and effort to complete training and apply for accreditation, the benefits you’ll receive as a travel advisor can be significant. This is true whether you’re booking personal travel or have built yourself a client base. Either way, there’s money to be had — and saved.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-6.5% Enjoy 6.5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel; 4.5% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 3% on all other purchases (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year). After your first year or $20,000 spent, enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

$300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

How to Become a Travel Agent: Everything You Need to Know

A re you great at finding reasonably priced flights and hotel rooms? Does making itineraries and solving booking issues come naturally to you? If your answer is yes, you might want to consider becoming a travel agent. And if you're the designated "trip-planning friend," you're already halfway there.

You might think the the profession is outdated, but that's not what the data shows: According to the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), 50 percent of travelers are more likely to use a travel agent now than they were in the past. Not only are travel agents needed, but the career's earning potential can be impressive, depending on the type of agent you choose to be. Use this guide to learn how to become a travel agent and kickstart your journey into a unique career.

RELATED: 26 Best Trip-Planning Hacks Straight From Travel Agents .

What do travel agents do?

A travel agent's job is to ensure their clients have the best travel arrangements. Using their expertise, they offer advice and essential details about your trip, make your reservations, book flights and hotels, and manage your travel plans overall. Any hiccups regarding your accommodations are handled by them, and they are the best at finding money-saving deals. Travel agents prioritize your needs, like your vacation schedule and budget.

Their goal is to provide peace of mind throughout the trip-planning process so you can get the most out of your vacation.

What credentials do you need to be a travel agent?

You don't necessarily need a degree to become a travel agent, but getting some training within the field could be in your best interest. This not only makes you an attractive candidate to employers and agencies who may require a form of certification , but also helps you appear more qualified, which can help further your career in the long run.

Even though there might not be a degree in "travel agency" per se, you can opt for a related program like business, economics, or hospitality instead.

What do you need to become a travel agent?

There are different ways to become a travel agent, but anyone hoping to break into the field should definitely keep the following three points in mind.

Decide what kind of travel agent you want to be.

Having a specific focus on the kind of travel experience you want to provide allows you to build the knowledge and resources to best help those specific clients. Suppose you want to work in corporate travel: Building your skills according to your niche clientele and field will help you sharpen the skills you need to develop your expertise.

Learn about the travel industry and its trends.

The travel agency field is constantly shifting, so it's important to stay up-to-date on industry changes and trends to know what you should be offering clients. People's preferences are ever-changing, so knowing what's hot and what's not is crucial. Spend time learning which places are popular and unpopular based on the season, or which restaurants are staple visits. This shows a solid and up-to-date understanding your clients will appreciate.

Build your communication and interpersonal skills.

A large part of being a travel agent is advising your clients and earning their trust, which doesn't happen overnight. Presenting yourself as knowledgeable and approachable can encourage them to trust your judgment and recommendations. This is especially important if you're not working with a travel agency, because you'll have to rely more on your brand and relationships instead of leaning on a company's reputation.

Maintaining a healthy balance of communication between you and your clients is also essential, which means scheduling phone calls, in-person meetings, keeping up with emails, and any other form of communication your client prefers.

RELATED: 9 Ways Flying First Class Can Actually Save You Money, Travel Experts Say .

Get certified if you can

Getting a certificate can be pricey and cost hundreds of dollars . So, if this option is not feasible for you, that's understandable. However, while certification isn't a requirement to become a travel agent, it can certainly help you throughout your career. Here are a few certificate programs to consider.

Certified Travel Counselor

This Travel Institute certificate requires at least five years of experience and a Certified Travel Association certification. This course focuses on marketing and building consumer relationships. CTC costs $550 to complete the course and $600 for the CTC Fast Track.

Certified Travel Industry Executive

CTIE is also backed by the Travel Institute and requires at least five years of field experience. This $550 program includes courses on travel business, marketing management, bookkeeping, and travel law.

ASTA Verified Travel Advisor

This certificate is given by the American Society of Travel Advisors and teaches applicants about the legalities of travel and how to solidify relationships with consumers. The nine-course program also focuses on ethical travel advising, agency law, and travel agency compliance.

For ASTA members, the course is $399, and for nonmember independent contractors, it's $598. Travel Advisor nonmembers pay the steepest price, which is $729, and $179 for recertification.

RELATED: 7 Hacks for Flying With Just a Carry-On—No Matter How Long Your Trip Is .

How much do travel agents make?

According to Indeed , travel agents make an average of $53,924, and salaries can range between $30,131 and $96,506, depending on where you live. But other factors can affect an agent's earning potential, like working independently instead of for a travel agency.

A travel agent's income also depends on their area of travel. The Hotel Agency Review 2023 report revealed that corporate and luxury travel agents earn much more than agents who focus on Disney and cruise trips.

Your experience level can also impact your earning potential, as agents who have worked in the field longer are typically viewed as more qualified.

RELATED:  The 7 Best Cruises to Book If You're Over 60 .

Do travel agents get discounts on flights?

Being a travel agent doesn't automatically mean you get tons of discounts and deals, but they do have access to perks that can help make planning trips easier and less expensive. Travel agents have the inside scoop on reduced rates because of their relationships with hotels and airlines. As a result, agents share these negotiated prices with their clients to help them save. Agents can, of course, also benefit from this insider knowledge and save money on their own trips.

Thanks to their agents, clients can enjoy luxury accommodations at high-end hotels like Hyatt Privé, Hilton Impresario, Marriott STARS&Luminous, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, and Mandarin Oriental Fan Club, to name a few. These perks range from spa services and later checkout times to room upgrades and complimentary breakfast.

How do you make money as a travel agent?

There are several ways a travel agent can make money in their field beyond selling travel packages or working for an agency.

Travel agents can charge a service fee, which is a base pay clients cover along with any other charges.

Travel agents can also make commissions from their contracts with hotels, tour/excursion companies, cruises, car rental services, and airlines. Add-ons like insurance can also help boost an agent's income, if their client wants it.

Booking group tours can increase a travel agent's earnings because their commission is based on how much their clients purchase, so more people means more accommodations. For example, booking travel for destination weddings or family reunions is an excellent way to book multiple hotel rooms. It's such a lucrative strategy that some agents make group booking their niche, because managing just a few a year can bring in a substantial profit.

RELATED: The Best Day to Book Flights for Your Next Getaway .

Being a travel agent comes with many perks, but ultimately, becoming one takes a lot of dedicated effort. Taking the time to learn about the travel industry is a great way to expand your tourism knowledge and consumer communication techniques. Refining your skills and becoming certified is one of the best ways to attract and retain clients.

So, if becoming a travel agent sounds like the career for you, join this community of globetrotters and combine your love for adventure, great deals, and helping others plan impressive getaways.

In the meantime, you can sign up for our newsletter to enjoy similar career-building content, as well as the latest in wellness, entertainment, and travel.

• Request a Demo
• Signup Free

• Travel Portals
• B2B Travel Booking Portal
• B2C Travel Booking Portal
• Airline Reservation System
• Cruise Booking System
• Hotel Extranet
• Travel Agency Software
• Arabic Travel Booking System
• Flight Reservation System
• Hotel Reservation System
• Car Rental Reservation System
• Cruise Reservation System
• Travel APIs
• Hotel + Flight API
• Excursion Management
• Financial Accounting
• Fleet Management
• Mice Solutions
• Online Reservation System
• Travel Booking Engine
• Flight Booking Engine
• Hotel Booking Engine
• Trade Shows
• Central Reservation System
• Amadeus GDS
• Galileo GDS

Become an IATA Travel Agent

How to become an iata agent travel agent accreditation application forms, local criteria and application guide. full accreditation authorizes travel agents to sell international and/or domestic tickets on behalf of iata member airlines., clients and partners.

Trusted by 1000+ companies around the world

At Travelopro, we believe that Latest technology strengthens all successful, modern travel agencies. Traditional approach of people resources and quality does not work any longer. Travelopro is here to Digitally Transform your Business. Travel Agencies now increasingly expect technology to be the agent of change and expect us to devise strategies that are driven by ideas. Every one of our customer’s portal is built on a strong, dynamic and innovative technology stack ensuring that our clients receive excellent service around the clock.

TRUST IS EARNED

The First & Only Company to offer Worldwide Flight, Hotels, Car, Transfers, Tours APIs on a Single Platform. Don’t settle for the same thing everyone else is doing.

We’ll help you bring more vibrant Travel Products and colorful digital marketing. Hire Travelopro to Transform your Business to make Digital Real for your Customers .

Awarded #1 Travel Software for the Online Travel Industry

Our service never stops with the sales of our softwares or API Solutions. It goes on in the form of after-sales service since we understand that our products are designed to satisfy your requirements for many years to come.We’ve an established and efficient system in place to deal with all of your after sale support needs.

Exceptional Commitment to Customer Success

Every project we take on starts with the aim of being our 'best yet', so you can be assured that our attention to detail and high quality work is present in every job we craft. We want our customers to be as excited and proud of the end product as we are, and we strive towards that goal every day.

Cloud based Technology fueling for High Performance

Let us put the #1 managed cloud based travel technology solution work for you.

Whatever your Business requirement, Travelopro offers completely managed best fit travel technology solution.

Generate more bookings & delight travelers through a powerful mobile engagement platform

With travelopro’s online platform you can grow your revenues, streamline your operations and extend your digital reach.

• Configure credit limit and deposits
• Multilingual travel websites
• Add offline travel bookings
• Distribute white labels
• Dynamic fare caching
• Commissions and markup control
• Advanced Reports
• Manage multiple branches
• Sub Agents can create and manage multiple branches and users
• Optional cross selling platform
• SMS gateway
• Multi currency transactions for agents and suppliers
• Business intelligence reports
• Online travel booking engine
• Multiple sales channels - B2B, B2B2B, B2B2C
• Centralised mid-office
• Ability to connect multiple GDS, LCC, and third party APIs
• Complete Reservation Management
• Travel Agent Management
• Transactional Accounting
• Accounting System Integration
• Comprehensive system to manage rates, discounts and allocation
• Payment Gateway Integration
• Multiple Supplier APIs
• Add direct contracts
• Redistribution API

Become an IATA Travel Agent- IATA Registration

IATA accreditation is a seal of approval recognized worldwide. Travelopro is committed to working with all travel agencies to improve customer service and choice

IATA accreditation is a seal of confirmation recognized worldwide. IATA is committed to working with all travel agencies to improve customer service and choice. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) supports aviation with global standards for airline safety, security, efficiency and sustainability.

IATA Member Benefits

• Capability to issue e-tickets on behalf of airlines                       

IATA certification gives you connection to the all the inventory of airlines that are members of IATA, with a single sales agency accord through which you can sell domestic/international air tickets to your customers.

• Clear - cut training for the travel agents

Exhaustive training in various development services helps the travel agents to be grateful of the upcoming trends and challenges. It adds to the face value as well as commercial integrity if a travel agent acquiesces with the latest arrangement and prepares for the next business move accordingly. 

• Drivers of new industry standards

Key initiatives such as New Distribution Capability (NDC), Clarify the Business and Smart Security help to bring in new changes in the travel industry . A new standard, NDC has been introduced which empower the travel industry to modify the way the products are retailed out to business, leisure and corporation travelers.

• Participation in key Industry Events

IATA’s members can attend and compete in the best of the events and conferences from airline and industry partners. 

IATA Travel Agent Accreditation features:

Access to IATA airline members with a single Sales Agency Agreement which empower the sale of international and/or domestic tickets.

Approach to IATA’s Billing and Settlement Plan an efficient interface for invoicing and payment between the agent, airlines and transport providers.

Exclusive identification throughout the global travel industry with the IATA Numeric Code.

Use of the IATA Accredited Agent logo providing visibility and integrity on premises and website.

Professional recognition - acceptable agency employees can apply for the IATA Id card - giving approach to travel suppliers' concessionary offers.

Standardized procedures to establish fair dealings with the airlines.

IATA Membership Requirements

IATA Accreditation is open for each business that is enrolled as a travel agency. Depending upon the region and country of the travel agent, there is a set of minimum benchmark which needs to be realized.

General criteria, staff capability criteria, financial criteria and Safety & Security criteria are the four major sections which are needed to fill up the application form. It’s beneficial to get accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) if you are an actual travel agent selling air. 

Being a licensed IATA travel agent, it will boost to gain immediate recognition in the aviation industry while holding on to the highest industry standards. The documentation needed for an eager IATA agent varies geographically but typically includes:

• Concluded application form
• Authentic documents supporting the legality of the travel agency
• Analyses Financial Statements 
• Bank assurance 

How to become an IATA Agent

Assure you meet the local criteria as specified in the Travel agent Hand Book

Select your country of application below and read anxiously the Application Guide

Submit your Application as stated in the Application Guide for your country

Pay the Accreditation fee as stated in the Application Guide

Ready to become an IATA Travel Agent?

The Travel Agent accessible is the basic guide which any aspiring IATA member should go through. After meeting all the local criteria stated in that book, the agent should select the country of application and acknowledge it as per the guidelines specified in the Application Guide for that particular company. 

The accreditation fee alters from region to region. For applicants in the Europe, Middle East and Africa, IATA will contact them for payment once the application has been approved. IATA’s avowal of adherence towards the aviation industry is taken for what it is worth.

If you are interested in becoming a travel agent, or you are previously working in the field, it is beneficial to get accredited by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). As a licensed IATA travel agent, you gain prompt acceptance as holding to the highest industry standards for travel professionals. In order to gain accreditation from the IATA, you must first meet the requirements. 

Produce argument that you are working for a legally registered travel agency, or if you work independently, that your business is legal. Submit all admissible business licenses, tax forms and insurance records. Include documentation of all local and state licensing.

Contribute financial records showing the budgetary solvency of your travel agency. Bring a copy of all bank transactions, organized neatly and in sequential order. Make a copy of your business plan and include it to show that you are adhering to your budget plans.

Show confirmation of your commitment to the travel industry. Present your sales records showing your accomplishment in selling airline tickets, hotel arrangements, individual and group tours. Enter all your sales totals into a spreadsheet and present the information in a clear and intelligible format.

Requirements of IATA Registration 

Financial record and standing Agent.

Staff adequacy.

Identification and convenience of premises.

Preservation and procedures.

Role and Contribution of IATA

IATA stands for the International Air Transport Association and is the official trade organization for the world’s airlines .For air carriers, IATA provides a polled resource for scheduling, traffic and routes, standardizing services and the establishment of a worldwide public service for the air industry.

For consumers, IATA sets the international ideal for services and business practices among member airlines. As a case, the three-digit airport codes used internationally are an IATA convention. Additionally, IATA aims to accomplish the following mandate:

• To advertise safe, regular and economic air transport
• To foster air commerce
• To study problems connected with airline industry
• To afford a means of conspire between air transport companies and agencies

To co-operate with other international air transportation organizations necessarily , IATA is airlines working together to standardize and boost service internationally Due to the vital role played by IATA in air transportation issues, it is recommended that you assure that your carrier/forwarder is an IATA agent.

IATA plays an important role in the travel trade and civil air transportation. Some main and important role and improvement of IATA are following as:

IATA contributes a common platform to solve many travel trade problems.

IATA helps travel agencies and tour operators to authorize their professionalism and integrity in the field of tourism.

IATA helps to clarify the traveling process.

IATA advice in the promotion and development of tourism.

IATA advice the government to formulate civil aviation policy, paid tourism policy.

It lays down rules and conditions for the confirmation of a travel trade organization.

Why become an IATA Accredited Agent?

With the mission to represent, serve and lead the airline industry, IATA accreditation distribute as the seal of confirmation all over the world. For travel agents and entrepreneurs that want to rise and shine in the travel industry, an IATA accreditation can work wonders. 

It is clearly not mandatory to be accredited with IATA to start a travel agency, but it helps in encourage revenue for the travel agency. Moreover, if you are an IATA registered travel agent, it works as a strong commit factor in turning your hidden vendors and anticipation into valuable and strong customers. Simply put, IATA accreditation adds to the integrity and value as a travel agent.

IATA and Travel Agencies

Today, IATA chooses who should distribute air travel products and how they should go about it. It deals with travel businesses by suggesting standards. For instance, IATA codes are used everywhere traveling and aviation converge. 

Assume airline designation codes for reservations, ticketing, appoint, and documentation; a prefix code to analyze passengers and cargo; a baggage tag issuer code to simplify baggage handling; and a location code for easier package handling. These codes are even admissible to those airlines that haven’t signed an agreement with IATA.

What IATA can give Travel Businesses?

• Airline ticketing

Being IATA-certified, travel agencies can issue airline tickets on behalf of airlines, which adds adherence from the customers’ point of view. This is the main advantage that defeats the need for other middlemen, simplifies booking processes, and cuts expenses for both agents and airlines.

• Industry recognition

IATA-certified agents must execute to industry ethics codes and meet general industry procedure standards. Working as an IATA agent likewise means including the IATA logo and branding on travel agents’ premises and websites. All these factors combined enhance travel businesses public image and give it a high-accuracy score.

Get your travel business online

If there is one thing you do today, get your travel business online. everyone are talking of going online. provide yourself and your agents with their own b2b/b2c booking engine. travelopro platform consist of many components assembled to get your one stop travel software and travel technology, to automate travel business process and configured in many ways to meet your business goals. here's what you'll get (its affordable, easy and profitable)..

Destination

Fetaures of Online Reservation System:

• Fast and Flexible booking engine
• Secure, scalable and robust reservation architecture
• Fully customized booking engine
• Cost-effective solutions
• User friendly interface
• Integrated Payment Gateway
• Multi-language support

Travel Technology Platform You can trust

Powered by our Industry Leading Travel Technology – Including complete inventory and Global Fares – Travelopro gives you the highest quality travel technology solution to power your brand.