Travel card scams

Here’s the travel professor’s response to the person asking about getting a travel agent id card and then traveling free.

Yes I’ve received those slick advertisements promising free or discounted travel offers. All you need to do is complete their application and return it along with a fee; generally a fairly substantial one and you are a qualified agent. Or so the marketing materials state! They will send you an “official” travel agent identification card that is a very good look alike item but not the real deal. This credential while looking official only qualifies you as the recipient of having been scammed.

There are some very legitimate programs for home based and/or part time travel agents but rewards are based on your productivity and actual travel sales. We actually are offering a class this spring term on “becoming a home based travel agent” so contact me at the university for additional information.

Now back to the scams and some things to look for:

Claims that you will receive discount or free travel are almost always scams. Think about it. If all anyone had to do is buy a phony travel agent ID card to travel at a discount, why would anyone pay full fare? Suppliers just aren't that stupid.

A reward program (cash) for recruiting other people into the scheme. Once again, if you make money recruiting people, it is probably not something you want to get involved with unless you want to recruit people.

Outrageous claims like "We are doing so much cruise business, we are going to buy our own ships", "We are revolutionizing the travel industry" or "We are growing so fast we are going to become the largest travel organization in the world". If the company is new (less than 2 or 3 years old), be very cautious.

The person that you are talking to sounds somewhat like they are involved in a cult situation where some person involved in the organization is the "industry guru" or somehow perceived to be the most important person in the travel industry.

Remember there is no free lunch but there are travel rewards out there for people who want to earn them.