An excellent method of contacting prospects is through the Internet. Internet marketing is one of the fastest growing methods in the history of advertising. Although powerful, the Internet must be used properly in order for it to be effective. More importantly this is where you can distinguish yourself from your competition. Combining Internet technology with personalized customer service will provide you with this edge.
The following is a list of ways you can use the Internet as a marketing tool for your business.
Your Personalized GTI ResMax™ Website The possibilities are endless for marketing your ResMax website. In addition to providing all of your friends, family members, and business associates with your domain name, you can list this domain name on your GTI business cards, add it to the electronic signature on your email, and even have it listed on a car magnet. Did you know that you can advertise your website on the Internet? By submitting your site to search engines you can advertise on the worldwide web.
Search Engine Submission Have you ever wanted to go to a website but did not know the exact domain name? Search engines have come to our rescue countless times by providing a directory of sites containing the key words that we typed in. This technology can get online traffic to visit your website.
While it can be a little time consuming, it might be well worth the effort of submitting your site to search engines. By logging on to sites like Yahoo, Google, and other major search engines, you can have your site listed in their directories for little or no charge. Using Key Words is the key to success in this venture. Having a catchy domain name helps too. Simply log on and follow the search engine’s directions to submit your site. Be sure to read the terms and conditions for each search engine as many have maximum submission requests and exceeding these maximums could disqualify your submission and even get you listed as a spammer (one who continuously sends out unsolicited internet junk mail).
Online Newsgroups There are thousands of newsgroups on the Internet with millions of daily users. This can be an excellent source of increased traffic if done properly. Look to post an ad, article or link to your ResMax site in these newsgroups that cover travel-related topics. For a list of newsgroups and their descriptions, visit http://tile.net/news. Please be sure to follow the newsgroups’ rules and restrictions for commercial postings. Abuse of newsgroups can lead to the discontinuance of your ResMax site.
Paid Advertising While the ability to use paid advertising on the Internet is abundant, you may wish to simply use the free methods of site submission. Advertising on Internet sites such as Google, Bing and Yahoo can be costly. Although the exposure you will receive using these mediums have the potential to be huge, the cost can also be quite extensive.
Banner Advertising Do you have another Website other than your ResMax website? Do you know anyone who has a website that will allow you to add a banner to it? If so, Banner Advertising can be another way for you to generate business.
By simply adding a banner to that website, visitors can click through to your ResMax website and book travel, or click on your Referral link and learn about all that GTI has to offer. When they enroll using your referral link, you earn a referral bonus.
Blogging is a great way to spread the word about your travel services as well as upcoming deals or promotions.
Below are some blogging communities that are free and provide the perfect opportunity to get your name / travel niche out on the web and in the blogging community. Setting up your blog takes less than five minutes with their easy step-by-step tutorials.
Proper presentation matters. To present yourself in a professional manner you need the right tools. Business cards and stationery not only secure your professional image, but they also are crucial to marketing your travel business. Order them today by clicking here!
Note: For first time registration when ordering business cards or stationery be sure to enter 748 in the Account Code.
Chose the Redemption form that matches the promo that was offered to you and complete the form with the information requested. Please only complete the form that applies to you as submitting multiple forms will delay fulfillment of your promotion offer.
Commission Tracking
A Commission Tracking Form must be completed within 30 days prior to travel through 30 days after completion of travel for each reservation booked.
To receive commission payments, please select the “Track Commission” option below and complete the form in full before submitting. Please allow a minimum of 60 to 90 days from the last day of travel for delivery of all commissions.
Prior to applying for a Global Travel Membership Card online, please ensure that:
There are more ways to save money with our program than we can count!
In addition to our everyday low rates from our negotiations with the top travel vendors, GTI offers many other avenues for saving you money, including:
There are three ways to earn money with GTI.
The primary benefit to being an Independent Travel Agent with GTI is earning commissions on your travel sales and your own personal travel. When you book travel, the vendor pays a portion of that travel back to GTI as the Agency of record and GTI splits that commission with you. Tell your friends, family and business associates that you are now an Independent Travel Agent and that you can book all of their travel for them. You can earn money from each of these bookings. Remember, the more you sell, the more money you earn!
GTI offers a progressive path of increasing commission percentages as your earned commissions increase. Each of our Independent Agents can earn up to 7.5% of the base commission. By way of example; this means if you book a cruise cabin at a base fare of $2,000, you can earn up to $150.
Booking Groups is the fastest way to increase your commission percentages, as the earnings are multiplied by the number of cabins you book. So gather together the PTA, Church Retreat Groups and Family Reunions and start multiplying your earnings today!
Surely you have friends and family who love to travel as much as you do. Maybe the travel business is the right fit for them too! Refer a friend to GTI who enrolls in our Independent Travel Agent program and earn 20% of their enrollment fee just for referring them.
GTI is not a multi-level organization, so you will not earn anything additional for their bookings, but what a great way to help your friends while you help yourself earn!
Check out this quick example of potential earnings, using travel options from our current newsletter, reflecting great savings for your friends, family or clients and great earnings for you:
TRAVEL | BASE TRAVEL COST | COMMISSION PAID TO AGENTS |
---|---|---|
7-Night Cruise/Tour Package 2 guests per cabin/room at base rate of $1,250pp | $2,500 | 5% x $2,500 = $125.00 |
Hotel/Resort One room for 3-nights at base rate of $100/NT | $300 | 5% x $300 = $15 |
Car Rental 3-Day car rental for base rate of $50 per day | $150 | 2.5% x $150 = $3.75 |
*Base commission is paid on the cost of travel less non-commissionable taxes and fees. Some vendors may pay less than the commission percent listed above. |
Once you enroll with GTI, you’ll need to visit the Agent Only website go to the Reference Center and complete and submit the ID Card Request form. Please allow 7-10 business days.
If 10 business days have passed, please visit your Agent only website to make sure we have the correct mailing address on file. If incorrect please update and resubmit the ID request form. If all the information is correct, please send an email to idcard@gticorporate.com and be sure to include your Pin#. Please note that the ID card will be mailed to the address on file.
To personalize your ResMax website:
You have the option of adding a logo, business phone number and email to your ResMax booking engine. These options are also on the ‘My Account’ page.
In most instances, you will only need the Commission Tracking form. The Missing Commissions option is for instances where more than ninety (90) days have elapsed since from your last date of travel and you have still not received your commission payment. Once your Commission Tracking Form is received, GTI will attempt to collect commissions from the vendor up through 6 months from the last date of travel, but will be unable to continue this effort once 6 months have elapsed since the last date of travel.
Below is a quick reference guide to help you know when to complete the form as well as step by step instructions on how to submit a Commission Tracking Form.
If you book travel through your ResMax website, our Travel Reservation Center, through a vendor’s website or via telephone, it will be necessary for you to submit the Commission Tracking Form so we can match up the payment from the vendor to your booking.
Commission Tracking Forms are completed electronically from your Agent-Only website.
Once you’ve booked your travel, log on to the Agent-Only website, go to the “Reference Center” page, select the Commission Tracking tab.
Next, it’s just a matter of filling in the blanks. Each type of travel is a simple format to fill out. When you’re done, click “Submit”. A message will appear that the form has been submitted.
Commission Tracking Forms can be submitted to GTI as soon as your travel has been booked. However, they can only be submitted up to 90 days after travel has been completed. Commission Tracking Forms submitted more than 90 days since the last date of travel are not accepted because once a certain number of days have passed after travel, the travel vendor is no longer willing to research the outstanding commissions. This guideline ensures that we can provide service in the collection efforts of your commissions.
Commissions are paid to the Agent once a series of events have occurred:
If all of the above pertain to your booking and you still have not received your commission check, please contact Member Services via Live Chat, Contact us ticket, or by telephone.
Airlines do not pay commissions. Airline tickets can be booked via Resmax or directly through the vendor website.
Consolidators should be used for flights to Europe, South America, South Pacific, Asia etc. They can also be used by those trying to find a savings on Domestic First Class or Business Class. The best savings to Europe, South America, South Pacific, Asia etc would be during low season for each of these destinations.
Consolidator’s allow you the potential to create higher commissions by adding a Mark-Up to a Net Rate.
A Consolidator may quote you commissionable and or Net Rates you can take advantage of either. On Net Rates a Mark-Up can be added which is then considered commission and you would receive your regular commission as an ITA.
All commissions must be sent to GTI you may not have a Consolidator or any other vendor send monies directly to you as an ITA on mark-ups or commissions per your membership agreement.
Consolidator Net Rate = $1,200.00
Published Rate same flights or city pair = $1,600.00
Mark Up = $150.00
Savings to Client = $250.00
Commission = Amount received based on membership.
* All Inclusive Resorts should be booked through the GTI Travel Call Center. An all-inclusive resort is a holiday resort that includes all meals, soft drinks, and most alcoholic drinks in the price. Many also offer a selection of sports and other activities included in the price as well. They are often located in warmer regions
Vacation Packages are typically for 3 nights or longer and would include Air & Hotel, Transfers or a Car Rental as the basic inclusions. These can also include Attraction tickets and or show tickets. This would also be booked through a Vacation Package Vendor who has pre-packaged all components.
ResMax offers Funjet Vacations and Travel Impressions Packages. All Others should be booked by one of the following methods:
These procedures do not apply to Group Bookings.
Group Bookings must be processed by our Reservation Centers Group Department.
For Group Bookings please call 1-800-715-4440.
If you book an individual Cruise or a Vacation Package directly with a supplier, there are some very important procedures to follow to ensure that your travel reservation is processed properly and you receive your commission. GTI’s Direct Booking Department receives notification from our Independent Travel Agents who have confirmed travel arrangements directly with a supplier, either by phone, email, or receipt of a Commission Tracking Form.
Confirm your reservation under Global Travel International
When booking travel directly with a supplier, please provide the supplier with the following information:
Please ask the supplier to fax a confirmation of your booking to GTI to the attention of “Direct Bookings”.
If you have already confirmed your reservation with the supplier and have not provided any of the information above, you must contact the supplier and provide them with the required information. Then, please request that the supplier release the reservation to Global Travel International so our in-house sales staff can service the booking and your commission can be properly processed.
In some cases, the supplier may require that a request to release a booking be in writing and faxed to them. Some suppliers will not release a booking to a travel agency if it is already paid in full. So it’s best to provide the supplier with the correct information when you initially confirm the reservation.
keep Global Travel International informed
GTI receives fax confirmations, travel documents, and even commission checks from suppliers on a daily basis. Frequently, these items are received for reservations we are not aware of.
Often the information received does not provide enough information to identify the Independent Travel Agent that the reservation belongs to. This makes it difficult to service the reservation (answering questions, mailing documents) and impossible to process commission for the reservation.
The inability to identify the GTI Agent also makes it difficult to verify the pricing, payments, and commissions to ensure you or your clients are receiving GTI’s negotiated prices.
When making a reservation directly with a supplier, contact GTI’s Direct Booking Department by email at directbookings@gticorporate.com and provide all of the following details:
Once your reservation has been verified and confirmed in GTI’s system, you may contact our Travel Service Department with questions by calling 1-800-715-4440 Monday – Friday from 9am – 6pm Eastern time
All commissions must be sent to GTI you may not have vendor send monies directly to you as an ITA on mark-ups or commissions per your membership agreement
Deposit requirements will vary, based upon your proximity to travel, cost of the trip and the cruise line your vacation is booked through. At a minimum, deposits are generally at least $200 per person. In many cases, greater amounts may be required at time of purchase, which will be disclosed during the booking process. Final payment requirements also vary depending on the package selected. Due dates range anywhere from 60 days prior to departure to 150 days prior.
Your e-invoice or invoice confirmation will advise when your final payment is due. In addition, you will receive a final payment reminder approximately 7 days before the final payment date. Please keep in mind that GTI has an auto bill policy meaning that we will charge your final payment to the credit card provided for your deposit on the final payment due date unless you provide us with another form of payment. In all cases, the cruise lines reserve the right to cancel any reservation that has not been paid in full by the specified date.
We recommend protecting your vacation investment by purchasing travel insurance. While you may think there’s nothing that could prevent you from departing on your dream vacation, the reality is that life is simply unpredictable. Travel protection provides coverage if you have to cancel due to injury, sickness, or death to you, a traveling companion or family member. However, it does not cover unstable, pre-existing conditions. It will also cover you if you have a medical emergency during your trip, or if your baggage is lost or damaged, among other things. GTI’s preferred insurance carrier is Allianz Global Assistance.
The port charges include taxes and fees assessed by governmental and other agencies, costs incident to entering and leaving ports such as pilotage, costs incurred while in port such as stevedoring, waste removal, and payroll for port-related functions. Taxes associated with flights, if you have purchased any, would also be included.
In most cases, documents are electronic and you will need to register on the Cruise Line Website and print out your documents. For those vendors who still print paper documents they are typically delivered within 10 days of departure date. Once you have secured your reservation, you will receive further details as to how your documents will arrive
Global Travel strongly recommends that all guests travel with a valid passport during their cruise. This greatly assists guests who may need to fly out of the United States to meet their ship at the next available port should they miss their scheduled embarkation in a U.S. port; guests entering the U.S. at the end of their cruise; and guests needing to fly to the U.S. before their cruise ends, because of medical, family, personal or business emergencies, missing a ship’s departure from a port of call, involuntary disembarkation from a ship due to misconduct, or other reasons.
Guests who need to fly to the United States before their cruise ends will likely experience significant delays and complications related to booking airline tickets and entering the United States if they do not have a valid U.S. passport with them. For additional passport information visit www.travel.state.gov
The cruise lines require all guests with special medical needs to submit this information to them prior to travel. This is to ensure that they have the necessary information to give you the proper care in the event of an emergency. Passengers who carry syringes for medical use must also carry a letter from their physicians indicating this.
While the demographic will potentially vary with each sailing, there are some general patterns. Carnival Cruise Line – 0-35 years of age, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line – 25-54 years of age, Celebrity Cruise Line – 35-64 years of age, Crystal Cruise Line – 60+ years of age. Holland America Line- Mixed, 40-60 generally, with some younger guests. Norwegian Cruise Line- 25-54 years of age, Princess Cruise Line- 35-64 years of age, Windstar Cruise Line- 40-50 years of age, with some honeymooners as well. Keep in mind that the above information involves rough averages. Typically, on any cruise, you will find a mix of all age groups.
Most cruise lines offer pre-night packages that you can purchase at an additional cost. The space is limited for these, so it is best to book them early. Should you not be able to book a pre-night through the cruise line, you may also reserve a room on your own and customize your flight schedule with an Air Deviation. There is a non-refundable fee to do this, in addition to any increased airfare cost. Purchasing a pre-night benefits you since it will provide you with extra time to make it to the cruise if you experience flight delays or inclement weather.
An Air Deviation, also referred to as customizing your flights, allows you to request specific dates, times, airlines, air cities, or nonstop flights. The cruise lines charges a fee per person, plus any additional airfare costs to make this request. The benefit of an Air Deviation is that it confirms you on a preferred flight schedule. Without an air deviation, we are unable to guarantee specific flight times, schedules, or nonstop flights. In addition, if people from two or more staterooms are traveling together, we are unable to guarantee that they will all share the same flight schedule unless an Air Deviation is requested. Also, without an Air Deviation, you will not know your flight schedule until approximately 21-30 days prior to your departure.
All rates are based on the present occupancy and availability. While in most cases, it is possible to add an extra person, providing the room permits this, your present rate will not be protected and could possibly change. The person you are adding could pay a different rate as well, and there may be change fees involved. In addition, in some cases, changes will not be permitted particularly in the case of cruises where they sometimes reach their maximum passenger capacity.
This guarantees you to have at least the category that you have purchased, with the possibility of an upgrade. If you have chosen this option, you will not receive an exact stateroom number at the time of booking. Typically, the stateroom assignment is made at the pier. However, you may occasionally find out a couple of weeks in advance.
Follow the suggested guidelines provided by each Cruise Line.
Depending on whether or not you can obtain a copy of your marriage certificate prior to departure, you may do one of two things: You may reserve your vacation in your maiden name and carry Proof of Citizenship that reflects your maiden name, OR you may reserve your vacation in your married name and carry Proof of Citizenship that reflects your married name. Please note that if you carry several types of identification reflecting your married and maiden names, it is suggested that you also carry a copy of your marriage certificate to document your name change
Cancellation policies vary between cruise lines and they typically increase incrementally as the travel date approaches. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to be familiar with the penalties assessed for cancellation. In addition to any fees assessed by the cruise line or tour operator, we will apply a $50.00 administrative fee for all cancellations. To protect yourself from penalties for canceling due to medical reasons, we encourage you to purchase a Travel Protection plan. Our Travel Service Department is always available to answer any questions regarding these policies and can be reached at 1-800-270-3007 Mon-Fri 9a-6p Eastern time.
Yes you can with Funjet Vacations, Travel Impressions and Apple Vacations. All other Tour vendors should be booked by calling the Travel Reservation Call Center at 1-866-332-8091 Mon-Fri from 9a-6p eastern or by contacting the vendor directly. If you make your reservation directly with the vendor please be sure to follow the Direct Booking Procedures.
When traveling outside the United States, a valid passport is required for US citizens. Some countries require Visas. It is the responsibility of the traveler to confirm these additional requirements. Please visit www.travel.state.gov to review all current requirements.
We recommend protecting your vacation investment by purchasing travel insurance. While you may think there’s nothing that could prevent you from departing on your dream vacation, the reality is that life is simply unpredictable. Travel protection provides coverage if you have to cancel due to injury, sickness, or death to you, a traveling companion or family member. However, it does not cover unstable, pre-existing conditions. It will also cover you if you have a medical emergency during your trip, or if your baggage is lost or damaged, among other things. GTI’s preferred insurance carrier is Allianz Global Assistance.
Deposit requirements will vary based upon your proximity to travel, cost of the trip and the tour operator your vacation is booked through. At a minimum, deposits are generally at least $200 per person. In many cases, greater amounts may be required at time of purchase, which will be disclosed during the booking process. Final payment requirements also vary depending on the package selected. Due dates range anywhere from 60 days prior to departure to 150 days prior.
Your e-invoice or invoice confirmation will advise when your final payment is due. In addition, you will receive a final payment reminder approximately 7 days before the final payment date. Please keep in mind that GTI has an auto bill policy meaning that we will charge your final payment to the credit card provided for your deposit on the final payment due date unless you provide us with another form of payment. In all cases, the cruise lines and tour operators reserve the right to cancel any reservation that has not been paid in full by the specified date.
Cancellation policies tour operators and they typically increase incrementally as the travel date approaches. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to be familiar with the penalties assessed for cancellation. In addition to any fees assessed by tour operator, we will apply a $50.00 administrative fee for all cancellations. To protect yourself from penalties for canceling due to medical reasons, we encourage you to purchase a Travel Protection plan. Our Travel Service Department is always available to answer any questions regarding these policies and can be reached at 1-800-270-3007 Mon-Fri 9a-6p Eastern time.
It depends on the options selected. Resort accommodations, meals, beverages and gratuities are included with all inclusive options. Consult with your travel agent for the specifics on your reservation.
Health and vaccination requirements vary depending on your destination. Travelers should consult with their expert healthcare provider. You may also want to consult the Center for Disease Control’s website who posts extensive information for Travelers. www.cdc.gov/travel.
Visit www.weather.com and enter the destination you are traveling to for accurate information.
In most cases, documents are electronic and you will need to register on the Vendor Website and print out your documents. For those vendors who still print paper documents they are typically delivered within 10 days of departure date. Once you have secured your reservation, you will receive further details as to how your documents will arrive.
Global Travel International, Inc. (“GTI”) offers its members a “Lowest Price Guarantee.” In the unlikely event that you find a lower rate on another U.S.-based website within 24 hours of booking with Global Travel, we will credit or refund to you the difference. This Best Price Guarantee is subject to the terms and conditions
In order to be eligible for consideration for GTI’s “Lowest Price Guarantee,” the member must meet GTI’s
eligibility requirements and applicable terms and conditions.
In order to be eligible for consideration for GTI’s “Lowest Price Guarantee,” the member must fax to the GTI Customer Service Department at (407) 875-2553, Attention: “LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE”, prior to departure and within 14 days after booking and placing a deposit with GTI, the following: (1) a true and accurate original of the advertisement or invoice specifying the rate available for booking for the identical cruise or tour and land product; (2) booking confirmation number; (3) member’s name; (4) member’s email address; (5) member’s telephone number (including area code); and (6) a description of cruise or tour and land vacation. In addition, in order to qualify for the “Lowest Price Guarantee”, the member must meet the applicable Terms and Conditions set forth below.
If the lower advertised rate cannot be verified, GTI will request additional information and documentation from the member for the purposes of verifying the lower rate.
In order to qualify for the “Lowest Price Guarantee” for a cruise, the member must meet the following terms and conditions:
In order to qualify for the “Lowest Price Guarantee” for a tour and land package, the member must meet the following terms and conditions:
Call Center Fees: GTI Call Center Fees of $19.95 per reservation will be assessed for all travel reservations made through the call center that could have otherwise been booked through Resmax.
Cancellation Fees: Any cancellation on deposited or paid in full reservation will result in a cancellation fee of $50 per reservation. This fee will be in addition to any cancellation penalties of fees assessed by the travel supplier.
All of the acronyms ARC #, CLIA #, IATA #, etc are accreditations that are referencing our travel agency account number (which is 8 digits and begins with 106) with all of the travel vendors (airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, etc.). 99% of the vendors buy their Travel Agent lists primarily from ARC and CLIA which we are on. If on occasion we find that a vendor does not have us in their system we reach out to them and update their records with our information. The number you are supposed to use is the 10623900. There are occasions specifically with Hyatt and Best Western that we require you to book that through our call center or our online booking engine since we do use an internal number that is not made public to our agents in order for you to receive commission.
Redeeming your certificate is easy.
Please allow 7-10 business days for processing once the form has been submitted.