It looks like another MLM is going down and they will be going down fast. On the eve of their convention, the California Attorney General sued YTB for $25 million for being a pyramid scheme. Our AG, Jerry Brown, wants YTB "shut down." Bravo to our former governor and now AG.
It is quite amusing to read the other blogs and listen to what the RTAs and Reps from YTB have to say. Sometimes you have to wonder if these sheep are just plain stupid or in denial. I'm convinced they're not too bright of a bunch.
My comments are short on this subject as it has been covered on other blogs quite well. If you haven't already, check out this blog with the most information: http://notravelmlms.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 8, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
What is this blog all about?
It's about anything and everything. Rants, raves, advice, and opinions. Unlike some blogs that are moderated, this blog won't be unless you violate the Blogspot rules. Not my rules, Blogspot rules. I am open to your suggestions, all comments, and opposing views.
I'm a pretty tough old bag, so tell it like it is. I do. Just because I state my own opinion does not mean I'm always right. Please have a sense of humor! Some people take all of life so seriously. You may be passionate about something, but if someone makes a joke, don't become all offended. If you insult someone, please do not bring their family members into it. Even for me, that's below the belt. I doubt any children are going to be reading this blog (if anyone), so adult language is allowed. If you're offended or thin-skinned, well tough. You can leave and never be forced to return. Is that fair?
This blog is also not a bash YTB site, although that would be an added pleasure. It is not a copycat blog of John's MLMs and Travel: A Bad Mix.
This blog does not and will not contain any side ads, me trying to sell my services (unless you're a hot sailor or Marine and then it's free, Baby), or any clutter junk.
Please have fun and express yourself, good, bad or indifferent. And me? I remain magnificent!
I'm a pretty tough old bag, so tell it like it is. I do. Just because I state my own opinion does not mean I'm always right. Please have a sense of humor! Some people take all of life so seriously. You may be passionate about something, but if someone makes a joke, don't become all offended. If you insult someone, please do not bring their family members into it. Even for me, that's below the belt. I doubt any children are going to be reading this blog (if anyone), so adult language is allowed. If you're offended or thin-skinned, well tough. You can leave and never be forced to return. Is that fair?
This blog is also not a bash YTB site, although that would be an added pleasure. It is not a copycat blog of John's MLMs and Travel: A Bad Mix.
This blog does not and will not contain any side ads, me trying to sell my services (unless you're a hot sailor or Marine and then it's free, Baby), or any clutter junk.
Please have fun and express yourself, good, bad or indifferent. And me? I remain magnificent!
Can You Really Travel for FREE?
Yes. You don't have to be in an MLM, you don't have to do much of anything except work with a travel agent, you can fly free using frequent flyer miles, and that's about the only way. Forget all the nonsense you read about getting paid to travel, etc. Here is how you can travel for free:
The most common way is to apply for a credit card affiliated with an airline. Currently Citibank and American Airlines have one of the best offers going. Go to the AA.com site and sign up for an Advantage Citibank Mastercard. You will get 25,000 miles after you make $500 in purchases. There is no fee for the first year on this card and it's enough miles for a domestic round trip ticket. There are a lot of other airline miles offers with credit cards out there. Just do a search and you'll come across the sites. Pay attention to the fees. If you don't pay your credit card off each month, pay particular attention to the interest rate. Nothing is really totally free in the long run.
Free cruises and vacations: If you are able to put together a group, it's possible to go free. With cruises, you usually have to sell 10 cabins for one free cabin and that can be you. It's really not difficult. If you belong to a church, get a group together at work, or any organization, make up a flier with the help of an agent and you collect the money and have them sign the contracts. It's really that simple as your travel agent will process the rest of the booking and send in the money. It's getting your passengers to commit that is difficult.
Same goes for a land and air tour. Say you want to go to London for a week. You get a group of 20 people, 10 rooms with air and you can go free. It's handled the same way. Sometimes the amount of the group will depend upon the tour company, but that is currently the standard. Just about all destinations are included.
It is important that you have a clear contract with your travel agent and that agency. The agency must be IATAN accredited, willing to do a contract, and it meets both party's needs. Do not cut corners and I suggest you do not tell anyone you're going for free. You are responsible for providing information on the passengers, collect the money, make sure they know the travel rules, passport requirements, and you may be asked to be the leader. You should also have a contract with each passenger with everything spelled out including the cancellation penalties, insurance offered, etc. This is your compensation for your "free" trip.
The most common way is to apply for a credit card affiliated with an airline. Currently Citibank and American Airlines have one of the best offers going. Go to the AA.com site and sign up for an Advantage Citibank Mastercard. You will get 25,000 miles after you make $500 in purchases. There is no fee for the first year on this card and it's enough miles for a domestic round trip ticket. There are a lot of other airline miles offers with credit cards out there. Just do a search and you'll come across the sites. Pay attention to the fees. If you don't pay your credit card off each month, pay particular attention to the interest rate. Nothing is really totally free in the long run.
Free cruises and vacations: If you are able to put together a group, it's possible to go free. With cruises, you usually have to sell 10 cabins for one free cabin and that can be you. It's really not difficult. If you belong to a church, get a group together at work, or any organization, make up a flier with the help of an agent and you collect the money and have them sign the contracts. It's really that simple as your travel agent will process the rest of the booking and send in the money. It's getting your passengers to commit that is difficult.
Same goes for a land and air tour. Say you want to go to London for a week. You get a group of 20 people, 10 rooms with air and you can go free. It's handled the same way. Sometimes the amount of the group will depend upon the tour company, but that is currently the standard. Just about all destinations are included.
It is important that you have a clear contract with your travel agent and that agency. The agency must be IATAN accredited, willing to do a contract, and it meets both party's needs. Do not cut corners and I suggest you do not tell anyone you're going for free. You are responsible for providing information on the passengers, collect the money, make sure they know the travel rules, passport requirements, and you may be asked to be the leader. You should also have a contract with each passenger with everything spelled out including the cancellation penalties, insurance offered, etc. This is your compensation for your "free" trip.
Martha's Handy Tips for Buying a CRUISE
Love, exciting and new,
Come aboard.
We're expecting you.
Love, life's sweetest reward.
Let it flow,
it floats back to you.
The Love Boat
soon will be making another run.
The Love Boat promises something for everyone.
Set a course for adventure,
Your mind on a new romance.
Love won't hurt anymore
It's an open smile on a friendly shore.
It's Looooove!
Welcome aboard - It's Looooove!
OK, do you remember that junk? Cruises aren't exactly like the Love Boat, has-been stars and all. But cruises have become cheap, cheap, and are getting cheaper by the day. Our economy stinks and they need to sell cabins. Supply and demand, however, they're going to nickel and dime you to death. Is it worth it? If you like cruising, it is.
As with just about everything, you pretty much get what you pay for with a cruise, but sometimes you get a lot more. No, I'm not talking about the norovirus either. You have your cheap cruises and cruise lines, your medium priced, and then your luxury. Anyone reading this is probably opting for a cheap or mid-priced cruise. Don't be fooled though, some of the cheap cruises are pure junk and are like going on a tug. Then you have your mid-priced cruises like Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL, and a few others. So how do you decide? First determine what you want to see or what type of weather you want. Then call your local travel agent. I strongly suggest NOT booking a cruise online. Travel agents have specials, incentives, and shipboard credits not available to the general online sites and you get white glove service from a travel agent at no additional charge.
Which cruise line should you choose? In my opinion, Carnival is at the bottom of the heap, next in line is NCL. Some of the newer Carnival fleet are nicer, but the older ships are simply tugs. The food isn't great, the service is adequate at best, and speaking of being nickel and dimed to death, they do. NCL isn't so fantastic either, but better than Carnival. My clients prefer Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean. Remember that it also depends on the ship and it's staff. Your travel agent can and will give you the best advice and recommend what is best for you based on location and price.
Check out the online reviews at cruise-addicts.com or any of the others but keep in mind that a lot of those sites are biased because travel agencies or cruise agencies own them. Stick with the ones that are opinion based from real people and not professional.
Come aboard.
We're expecting you.
Love, life's sweetest reward.
Let it flow,
it floats back to you.
The Love Boat
soon will be making another run.
The Love Boat promises something for everyone.
Set a course for adventure,
Your mind on a new romance.
Love won't hurt anymore
It's an open smile on a friendly shore.
It's Looooove!
Welcome aboard - It's Looooove!
OK, do you remember that junk? Cruises aren't exactly like the Love Boat, has-been stars and all. But cruises have become cheap, cheap, and are getting cheaper by the day. Our economy stinks and they need to sell cabins. Supply and demand, however, they're going to nickel and dime you to death. Is it worth it? If you like cruising, it is.
As with just about everything, you pretty much get what you pay for with a cruise, but sometimes you get a lot more. No, I'm not talking about the norovirus either. You have your cheap cruises and cruise lines, your medium priced, and then your luxury. Anyone reading this is probably opting for a cheap or mid-priced cruise. Don't be fooled though, some of the cheap cruises are pure junk and are like going on a tug. Then you have your mid-priced cruises like Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, NCL, and a few others. So how do you decide? First determine what you want to see or what type of weather you want. Then call your local travel agent. I strongly suggest NOT booking a cruise online. Travel agents have specials, incentives, and shipboard credits not available to the general online sites and you get white glove service from a travel agent at no additional charge.
Which cruise line should you choose? In my opinion, Carnival is at the bottom of the heap, next in line is NCL. Some of the newer Carnival fleet are nicer, but the older ships are simply tugs. The food isn't great, the service is adequate at best, and speaking of being nickel and dimed to death, they do. NCL isn't so fantastic either, but better than Carnival. My clients prefer Holland America, Princess, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean. Remember that it also depends on the ship and it's staff. Your travel agent can and will give you the best advice and recommend what is best for you based on location and price.
Check out the online reviews at cruise-addicts.com or any of the others but keep in mind that a lot of those sites are biased because travel agencies or cruise agencies own them. Stick with the ones that are opinion based from real people and not professional.
Martha's Handy Tips for Buying AIRLINE Tickets
Yes, we travel agents have to charge for tickets. The airlines cut us off from commissions and actually charge us to do a ticket. They even call us their "partners." If I had a partner that treated me like that, I'd cut off their whatchie which is exactly what they did to us. Here are some handy tips in getting the best price for a ticket:
I do recommend that you use a travel agent if you're flying on business, fly frequently, or need an international ticket. Other than that, I recommend that you buy online. Do not use Orbitz, Travelocity, or any of those type of online travel agencies. They charge a fee too. However, you can use their search engines and find what you want or use my favorite, Kayak.com. Once you do a search by date, price, or however you want to do it, go directly to the airline's own site and book it. Not only will you usually get bonus miles, but some are even letting you hold the ticket and giving you a price guarantee for 24 hours, plus there is no fee. If you have to change your ticket, it's easier for them to deal with also.
For international tickets, you should check with a travel agent first or even after you've checked the prices online. Travel agents have access to consolidators that often sell the tickets at net (the agent adds a fee) which is lower than published rates. If the agent's ticket is less, buy it. If not, book it online directly with an airline of your choice. If you are going on a vacation, that's a totally different ballgame and in most cases, you can get the air with the hotel and transfers or car for less in a combo. That should be taken care of by a travel agent.
Last minute travel: Oh no, my uncle's dog died and I have to go to the memorial tomorrow! Yikes! We're talking huge amounts of dollars here. So what do you do if you have to go some where at the very last minute and you can't find a fare for under your mortgage payment? Go directly to your newspaper and look in the classifieds, pick up a Reader if it's published in your city, and look under travel or tickets. You will often find Southwest Airlines reward vouchers from private parties for about $300 to $350 on any round trip. These are not assigned to a certain passenger and are transferable. Make sure SWA has the seats available before you buy the voucher. Coach is coach to them and you can use them for last minute travel, saving yourself hundreds of dollars. You owe me for this one!
You have enough frequent flyer miles for a free ticket but need it for last minute? Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. Try out the airline's site first and see if a seat is available for FFs. You would be surprised at the amount of seats that magically appear 2 days before departure. If it doesn't show one but a regular paying seat is available, call the airline and ask them for help on this problem. Don't count on anything, but I've seen it happen. Don't call a reservations agent, call the FF dedicated number.
I do recommend that you use a travel agent if you're flying on business, fly frequently, or need an international ticket. Other than that, I recommend that you buy online. Do not use Orbitz, Travelocity, or any of those type of online travel agencies. They charge a fee too. However, you can use their search engines and find what you want or use my favorite, Kayak.com. Once you do a search by date, price, or however you want to do it, go directly to the airline's own site and book it. Not only will you usually get bonus miles, but some are even letting you hold the ticket and giving you a price guarantee for 24 hours, plus there is no fee. If you have to change your ticket, it's easier for them to deal with also.
For international tickets, you should check with a travel agent first or even after you've checked the prices online. Travel agents have access to consolidators that often sell the tickets at net (the agent adds a fee) which is lower than published rates. If the agent's ticket is less, buy it. If not, book it online directly with an airline of your choice. If you are going on a vacation, that's a totally different ballgame and in most cases, you can get the air with the hotel and transfers or car for less in a combo. That should be taken care of by a travel agent.
Last minute travel: Oh no, my uncle's dog died and I have to go to the memorial tomorrow! Yikes! We're talking huge amounts of dollars here. So what do you do if you have to go some where at the very last minute and you can't find a fare for under your mortgage payment? Go directly to your newspaper and look in the classifieds, pick up a Reader if it's published in your city, and look under travel or tickets. You will often find Southwest Airlines reward vouchers from private parties for about $300 to $350 on any round trip. These are not assigned to a certain passenger and are transferable. Make sure SWA has the seats available before you buy the voucher. Coach is coach to them and you can use them for last minute travel, saving yourself hundreds of dollars. You owe me for this one!
You have enough frequent flyer miles for a free ticket but need it for last minute? Sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't. Try out the airline's site first and see if a seat is available for FFs. You would be surprised at the amount of seats that magically appear 2 days before departure. If it doesn't show one but a regular paying seat is available, call the airline and ask them for help on this problem. Don't count on anything, but I've seen it happen. Don't call a reservations agent, call the FF dedicated number.
Marth's Handy Tips for CAR Rentals
You need a rental car? Here are a few of my handy tips for getting a good car or van at a decent price:
Believe it or not, I'm not going to tell you to contact your local travel agent. You can most likely get one for less on your own. Forget the Entertainment, the AAA, the AARP, and all those discounts. Your best bet is to use Hotwire. If you want to shop around, then go to a discount coupon code site and choose your coupons. Some you can even stack for a greater discount, but searching is time consuming and you will not save that much over the Hotwire price. www.slickdeals.net has an entire thread with all of the codes for every car rental company out there.
What is the downside to Hotwire? You don't know which company you will be getting the car from, but it will be from the Big 5. I have yet to have a friend or client have a problem using Hotwire and neither have I. Their prices are even lower than I can get at an agent rate. You can try and negotiate a price lower than Priceline's published price and see if they accept, but it's not worth it to save a dime or two. Stick with Hotwire and you'll be happy.
Be aware that a standard, mid-size, and full-size are the same price. Sometimes you can even get a great deal on your rental car and a lot of bonus miles by using an airline site. You do not have to fly that airline to get the miles. Say you are flying on Continental but want to get American Airline miles. Just book the car on the AA site and you get the miles and the discounts. Cool, huh?
You know the print coupons you get in nearly all travel magazines and in the AAA and Entertainment books? You can't use the upgrade coupon online, but once you get to the counter, they will honor it 99% of the time. So make sure you book a full-size to upgrade to a premium car. If you book a mid-size, they will only upgrade you to a full-size a lot of times. That's not a bargain being that it's the same price.
Believe it or not, I'm not going to tell you to contact your local travel agent. You can most likely get one for less on your own. Forget the Entertainment, the AAA, the AARP, and all those discounts. Your best bet is to use Hotwire. If you want to shop around, then go to a discount coupon code site and choose your coupons. Some you can even stack for a greater discount, but searching is time consuming and you will not save that much over the Hotwire price. www.slickdeals.net has an entire thread with all of the codes for every car rental company out there.
What is the downside to Hotwire? You don't know which company you will be getting the car from, but it will be from the Big 5. I have yet to have a friend or client have a problem using Hotwire and neither have I. Their prices are even lower than I can get at an agent rate. You can try and negotiate a price lower than Priceline's published price and see if they accept, but it's not worth it to save a dime or two. Stick with Hotwire and you'll be happy.
Be aware that a standard, mid-size, and full-size are the same price. Sometimes you can even get a great deal on your rental car and a lot of bonus miles by using an airline site. You do not have to fly that airline to get the miles. Say you are flying on Continental but want to get American Airline miles. Just book the car on the AA site and you get the miles and the discounts. Cool, huh?
You know the print coupons you get in nearly all travel magazines and in the AAA and Entertainment books? You can't use the upgrade coupon online, but once you get to the counter, they will honor it 99% of the time. So make sure you book a full-size to upgrade to a premium car. If you book a mid-size, they will only upgrade you to a full-size a lot of times. That's not a bargain being that it's the same price.
Martha's Handy BUS Travel Tips
Don't do it! I swear, don't do it. Every stigma attached to traveling by bus is true. Blue haired old ladies, axe murders, grumpy old men continually passing some obnoxious rotten egg-like gas, huge oil marks left on the headrest, and general weirdos are the norm on a bus. Remember the old Twilight Zone series? There you go. I'm not referring to a tour bus, I'm referring to the Greyhound type. And speaking of dogs....oh never mind.
If you simply must take the bus, I suggest you visit your nearest hamburger or meat processing plant first. Once you see how they process beef and other assorted animal parts into hamburger, you will be ready for the bus passenger ride because it's similar. I only use this comparison because I would rather jump into one of those giant stainless steel grinders and have them hit the ON button than ride a bus again. I'm sorry, but I won't book one either. I just can't bring myself to put someone, anyone, in that situation. Next time you find a button or zipper in your burger, I was given 2 options.....take the bus or the grinder. Now you know which one I chose.
If you simply must take the bus, I suggest you visit your nearest hamburger or meat processing plant first. Once you see how they process beef and other assorted animal parts into hamburger, you will be ready for the bus passenger ride because it's similar. I only use this comparison because I would rather jump into one of those giant stainless steel grinders and have them hit the ON button than ride a bus again. I'm sorry, but I won't book one either. I just can't bring myself to put someone, anyone, in that situation. Next time you find a button or zipper in your burger, I was given 2 options.....take the bus or the grinder. Now you know which one I chose.
Martha's Handy AIRLINE Travel Tips
In dealing with airlines, I can offer you the following handy tips from my years of experience:
Are you encountering a problem? Throw up your arms and run screaming out of the terminal, toss yourself in front of a Hertz shuttle, and hope it crushes your head. If that's not an option, try finding an employee that looks downtrodden and broken. You can plead your case, but don't expect much in these trying times.
First, check your bags curbside if possible and make sure they have the right city they're to end up. It will be on your claim tag that you must have. If you don't have them, don't leave! Kick the skycap in the shins until they give you your claim checks. Now you can give him his 50 cent tip.
Security clearance is a pain for everyone, especially on international flights. Just schlep through and keep your mouth shut and your shoes off. Do not challenge the TSA people. Remember that they are trained government sanctioned law enforcement officials making slightly more than a teenager asking if you want fries with that. If they give you much guff, you can always pull out your concealed weapon and either shoot or stab them and then run to your gate.
Bumped from a flight? Don't settle for the first thing they offer. They usually start with peanuts and work their way up to a round trip flight. You might even want to hit them up for some cash and a meal voucher. If they still won't let you on, they must reschedule you on another airline or their next flight. Here is my favorite airline tip: Always carry with you the DOT list of what an airline must comply with if they bump you. Still having problems with them not getting you on a convenient flight? Call their 800 number and talk to an agent. Forget the customer service counters because that is the last thing you'll get. These rules do NOT apply to Southwest Airlines and a couple of others. When you fly SWA, you're on your own.
Once you finally make it to your center seat with a heifer on one side and a screaming child on the other, my suggestion is not to suffer. If the child is misbehaving, reach in your carry-on and whip out a wad of cheesecloth to stuff in their little gullet and use the duct tape to adhere the child to the seat. For the large cow on your right, engulf yourself in Jungle Gardenia and Jovan Musk until she moves or passes out. If she does pass out, gently push her in the aisle and roll her to the lavatory. Personally, I find that taking 12 Valium and consuming a quart of vodka I've smuggled aboard helps me sleep through the flight. End of that problem!
What? My luggage is missing! Big deal, it happens every day and more than once. Immediately go stand in the line that wraps around the terminal at least 3 times and make your way to the front, whining all the while. Once you reach the counter, don't forget to scream at the agent and call them naughty names. After all, it is THAT PERSON'S fault. I like to slip in my pair of tiger eye cosmetic contact lenses for that extra intimidating look. Demand that they find your luggage right now! That always works. If for some reason it doesn't, make sure you fill out the all of the forms and contact information. Don't forget to ask for your free RON kit. If and when they locate your bags, they will probably ask that you come down and pick them up yourself. Not only do you laugh hysterically at this remark, but you tell them to deliver them and ASAP. They will, they have to, but they don't want to. If it's beyond 24 hours from your arrival, you are entitled to some hard cash. Don't pass that up.
Repeat this process upon your return flight and everything should go smoothly. If not, take the train.
Seriously, if you do encounter problems always remember to treat the employees with respect, try to reason another solution, and never lose your temper. If you've tried all of these recommendations, you may resort to my final advice and that is to shoot them until they're dead. Then run.
Are you encountering a problem? Throw up your arms and run screaming out of the terminal, toss yourself in front of a Hertz shuttle, and hope it crushes your head. If that's not an option, try finding an employee that looks downtrodden and broken. You can plead your case, but don't expect much in these trying times.
First, check your bags curbside if possible and make sure they have the right city they're to end up. It will be on your claim tag that you must have. If you don't have them, don't leave! Kick the skycap in the shins until they give you your claim checks. Now you can give him his 50 cent tip.
Security clearance is a pain for everyone, especially on international flights. Just schlep through and keep your mouth shut and your shoes off. Do not challenge the TSA people. Remember that they are trained government sanctioned law enforcement officials making slightly more than a teenager asking if you want fries with that. If they give you much guff, you can always pull out your concealed weapon and either shoot or stab them and then run to your gate.
Bumped from a flight? Don't settle for the first thing they offer. They usually start with peanuts and work their way up to a round trip flight. You might even want to hit them up for some cash and a meal voucher. If they still won't let you on, they must reschedule you on another airline or their next flight. Here is my favorite airline tip: Always carry with you the DOT list of what an airline must comply with if they bump you. Still having problems with them not getting you on a convenient flight? Call their 800 number and talk to an agent. Forget the customer service counters because that is the last thing you'll get. These rules do NOT apply to Southwest Airlines and a couple of others. When you fly SWA, you're on your own.
Once you finally make it to your center seat with a heifer on one side and a screaming child on the other, my suggestion is not to suffer. If the child is misbehaving, reach in your carry-on and whip out a wad of cheesecloth to stuff in their little gullet and use the duct tape to adhere the child to the seat. For the large cow on your right, engulf yourself in Jungle Gardenia and Jovan Musk until she moves or passes out. If she does pass out, gently push her in the aisle and roll her to the lavatory. Personally, I find that taking 12 Valium and consuming a quart of vodka I've smuggled aboard helps me sleep through the flight. End of that problem!
What? My luggage is missing! Big deal, it happens every day and more than once. Immediately go stand in the line that wraps around the terminal at least 3 times and make your way to the front, whining all the while. Once you reach the counter, don't forget to scream at the agent and call them naughty names. After all, it is THAT PERSON'S fault. I like to slip in my pair of tiger eye cosmetic contact lenses for that extra intimidating look. Demand that they find your luggage right now! That always works. If for some reason it doesn't, make sure you fill out the all of the forms and contact information. Don't forget to ask for your free RON kit. If and when they locate your bags, they will probably ask that you come down and pick them up yourself. Not only do you laugh hysterically at this remark, but you tell them to deliver them and ASAP. They will, they have to, but they don't want to. If it's beyond 24 hours from your arrival, you are entitled to some hard cash. Don't pass that up.
Repeat this process upon your return flight and everything should go smoothly. If not, take the train.
Seriously, if you do encounter problems always remember to treat the employees with respect, try to reason another solution, and never lose your temper. If you've tried all of these recommendations, you may resort to my final advice and that is to shoot them until they're dead. Then run.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Would you like to make millions?
Have you ever heard of a MLM travel company? You know the ones where they say you can travel for free, take paycations, get paid to travel, get industry perks, and become a travel agent. Ain't a gonna happen. These network marketing companies are nothing more than bloodsucking leeches upon society, much like most MLMS. They do not really promote the sale of travel, they concentrate on recruiting new idiots into the organization to make even more money and stay afloat.
Let's take the biggest, but certainly not the best, YTB. The promote everything mentioned above except even more. Earn hundreds of thousands of dollars by being a travel agent. Right. How do you get people to visit your site? Fliers? Postcards? Banners? Balloons? You can't advertise because that costs money. So here sits this $500 website you just purchased and no one is visiting it. No money is generated, but they don't mind that. You see, they will collect another $50 each and every month to let you keep that website operating. Do you need training? How about brochures? Do you want to attend a YTB seminar? How about having a YTB portfolio? You have to pay extra for all of those things. Do you need some support? No toll free number. But let's get back to money. Will you earn any money from these MLMS? Maybe, but only if you recruit some poor sap into doing the same thing you did. And then recruit another and another until you've built up a downline. Sounds fantastic, doesn't it? But where does travel enter into the picture? Right! You get it now. You buy a website that is pretty close to the Big 3, Travelocity, Orbitz, or Expedia. You know they told you that you would be a travel agent, didn't they? Well, sort of. You see, now you'll be a referring travel agent. What the hell is that? It's where you don't have to know the difference between a fare and a fair. You cannot talk to suppliers or deal with them and you're also not really supposed to sell that travel directly because after all, you don't know anything about travel. Don't let that stop you though because you paid to be a travel agent and dammit, a travel agent you are.
Have you ever seen a red flag being raised right before your own eyes? Most in YTB do each day but continue to believe everything they hear. Whether in print or word of mouth, if it came from YTB, it must be true. Here are a few common things that should prevent you from considering YTB as as an honest and reliable company. They lost their IATAN. Is that like losing my cherry? No, it's worse. IATAN stands for International Airlines Travel Agent Network and is the top creditial for a legitimate travel agency. YTB appealed this ban and was denied. In the industry, this is bad. Compare it to having your bank removed from the FDIC. What else you wonder? Several large suppliers have denied them access to their inventory and banned them from selling their products. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and it's subsidiaries was the trendsetter for this with others followed. If more suppliers took this moral stand, these card mill, promise the world, and unethical business MLMS would be gone in a New York minute. There are a lot of other examples of things gone wrong with YTB, but there are much better blogs and articles explaining it all.
Is it just YTB? Unfortunately, no. There are a lot of these travel MLMS popping up each day, but no other travel MLM has been proven to be as bad as deal as YTB. That's probably due to the fact that the others don't report their earnings and losses.
Why does this concern me so much, you ask? It's simple. You have someone out there that is not trained, has no idea of how to handle a problem which happens all too often in this business because of changes, delays, cancellations, etc. That leaves the consumer to fend for themselves when they paid for a service. It cheapens the take on the real travel agent and agencies. I worked very hard for a good reputation of providing an honorable service, honest recommendations, and client satisfaction. When anyone can label themselves a travel agent and pretend to be one, I suffer if they screw up.
Who do I hold responsible for this? First the founders and then the recruiters trying to take advantage of people. These recruiters know what they're promising isn't going to come true for the majority. Have you seen those men on TV late at night that have the 30 minute infomercials selling everything from car wax to real estate investing programs? Do they all look like they just emerged from a swim in the cargo hold of a supertanker? Oily! They are fast talking, lying, ferrets selling you some cheap junk merchandise or a questionable program that isn't going to work either.
The following is from the Better Business Bureau:
Does an ID Card Make You a Travel Agent?
It certainly sounds tempting. You’ve been invited to a seminar or social gathering that promises you a free vacation for listening to a presentation on discount travel services. The enticement is that you can become a “travel agent,” with “credentials” that will permit you to travel at free or reduced fares. Is that true? Can the right ID card convince airlines, hotels and other travel services to give you a discount?
The Better Business Bureau and the American Society of Travel Agents warn consumers not to be misled by travel card “mills” and other questionable discount travel service operations. The travel industry has become more vigilant in clamping down on those using card mill credentials. Furthermore, promises of “industry insider” travel discounts do not always materialize. Some of the advertised prices are widely available to all travelers and there are hotels and airlines that will not honor the card when presented for a discount or upgrade.
True travel agents sell travel to the general public, a fact conveniently ignored by card mill operators and other discount travel services. Many discount travel businesses promise “huge earnings” but neglect to mention that in order to make money, you must recruit other people to become “travel agents.”
The BBB offers tips to consumers interested in discount travel services:
Do not be fooled by promises of glamour and wealth, with little or no effort.
Be skeptical of offers that require you to purchase an identification card and claim that, by doing so, you will be a “travel agent” in good standing who is “official,” “certified,” “accredited,” or “endorsed” by the travel industry.
If the business promises huge earnings, ask what you will be paid for. Will you actually be selling travel to the general public? Or are you being asked to recruit others into the business?
Before buying a “travel agent” card, comparison shop for several trips using traditional travel agencies, online travel sites and other information sources. Will the additional cost of the card be offset by savings on travel services of comparable value?
Ask if the hotel, airline or other travel provider you want to use will accept the card as the basis for a discount.
Obtain all promises in writing, and check with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org for a report before you agree to anything.
glb ctc
Let's take the biggest, but certainly not the best, YTB. The promote everything mentioned above except even more. Earn hundreds of thousands of dollars by being a travel agent. Right. How do you get people to visit your site? Fliers? Postcards? Banners? Balloons? You can't advertise because that costs money. So here sits this $500 website you just purchased and no one is visiting it. No money is generated, but they don't mind that. You see, they will collect another $50 each and every month to let you keep that website operating. Do you need training? How about brochures? Do you want to attend a YTB seminar? How about having a YTB portfolio? You have to pay extra for all of those things. Do you need some support? No toll free number. But let's get back to money. Will you earn any money from these MLMS? Maybe, but only if you recruit some poor sap into doing the same thing you did. And then recruit another and another until you've built up a downline. Sounds fantastic, doesn't it? But where does travel enter into the picture? Right! You get it now. You buy a website that is pretty close to the Big 3, Travelocity, Orbitz, or Expedia. You know they told you that you would be a travel agent, didn't they? Well, sort of. You see, now you'll be a referring travel agent. What the hell is that? It's where you don't have to know the difference between a fare and a fair. You cannot talk to suppliers or deal with them and you're also not really supposed to sell that travel directly because after all, you don't know anything about travel. Don't let that stop you though because you paid to be a travel agent and dammit, a travel agent you are.
Have you ever seen a red flag being raised right before your own eyes? Most in YTB do each day but continue to believe everything they hear. Whether in print or word of mouth, if it came from YTB, it must be true. Here are a few common things that should prevent you from considering YTB as as an honest and reliable company. They lost their IATAN. Is that like losing my cherry? No, it's worse. IATAN stands for International Airlines Travel Agent Network and is the top creditial for a legitimate travel agency. YTB appealed this ban and was denied. In the industry, this is bad. Compare it to having your bank removed from the FDIC. What else you wonder? Several large suppliers have denied them access to their inventory and banned them from selling their products. Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and it's subsidiaries was the trendsetter for this with others followed. If more suppliers took this moral stand, these card mill, promise the world, and unethical business MLMS would be gone in a New York minute. There are a lot of other examples of things gone wrong with YTB, but there are much better blogs and articles explaining it all.
Is it just YTB? Unfortunately, no. There are a lot of these travel MLMS popping up each day, but no other travel MLM has been proven to be as bad as deal as YTB. That's probably due to the fact that the others don't report their earnings and losses.
Why does this concern me so much, you ask? It's simple. You have someone out there that is not trained, has no idea of how to handle a problem which happens all too often in this business because of changes, delays, cancellations, etc. That leaves the consumer to fend for themselves when they paid for a service. It cheapens the take on the real travel agent and agencies. I worked very hard for a good reputation of providing an honorable service, honest recommendations, and client satisfaction. When anyone can label themselves a travel agent and pretend to be one, I suffer if they screw up.
Who do I hold responsible for this? First the founders and then the recruiters trying to take advantage of people. These recruiters know what they're promising isn't going to come true for the majority. Have you seen those men on TV late at night that have the 30 minute infomercials selling everything from car wax to real estate investing programs? Do they all look like they just emerged from a swim in the cargo hold of a supertanker? Oily! They are fast talking, lying, ferrets selling you some cheap junk merchandise or a questionable program that isn't going to work either.
The following is from the Better Business Bureau:
Does an ID Card Make You a Travel Agent?
It certainly sounds tempting. You’ve been invited to a seminar or social gathering that promises you a free vacation for listening to a presentation on discount travel services. The enticement is that you can become a “travel agent,” with “credentials” that will permit you to travel at free or reduced fares. Is that true? Can the right ID card convince airlines, hotels and other travel services to give you a discount?
The Better Business Bureau and the American Society of Travel Agents warn consumers not to be misled by travel card “mills” and other questionable discount travel service operations. The travel industry has become more vigilant in clamping down on those using card mill credentials. Furthermore, promises of “industry insider” travel discounts do not always materialize. Some of the advertised prices are widely available to all travelers and there are hotels and airlines that will not honor the card when presented for a discount or upgrade.
True travel agents sell travel to the general public, a fact conveniently ignored by card mill operators and other discount travel services. Many discount travel businesses promise “huge earnings” but neglect to mention that in order to make money, you must recruit other people to become “travel agents.”
The BBB offers tips to consumers interested in discount travel services:
Do not be fooled by promises of glamour and wealth, with little or no effort.
Be skeptical of offers that require you to purchase an identification card and claim that, by doing so, you will be a “travel agent” in good standing who is “official,” “certified,” “accredited,” or “endorsed” by the travel industry.
If the business promises huge earnings, ask what you will be paid for. Will you actually be selling travel to the general public? Or are you being asked to recruit others into the business?
Before buying a “travel agent” card, comparison shop for several trips using traditional travel agencies, online travel sites and other information sources. Will the additional cost of the card be offset by savings on travel services of comparable value?
Ask if the hotel, airline or other travel provider you want to use will accept the card as the basis for a discount.
Obtain all promises in writing, and check with the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.org for a report before you agree to anything.
glb ctc
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