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hsimpsonjr
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 603
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# Posted: 15 Apr 2007 17:00
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Terri,
I noticed with the free program that Joystar offers you have to be a travel agent with 2 years experience. Is that the one that you joined? Also, if there is a special way we are supposed to join since we are Coastal members how do we go about doing that?
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cgmom
Member
Joined: 30 Mar 2007
Posts: 147
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# Posted: 15 Apr 2007 18:52
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Terri,
I don't feel comfortable posting the actual web address just because I would hate for someone that is not with coastal to go in and sign up under coastal but if anyone wants to email for the address, I will be more than happy to give you all the address. Sorry bout that.
Nicole
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cgmom
Member
Joined: 30 Mar 2007
Posts: 147
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# Posted: 16 Apr 2007 13:37
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Hey, just wanted to let everyone know that I got an email today from the travel agent company and we, as Coastal members are not eliglible for the free agent program. Sorry about the confusion. I think someone mentioned that earlier on this board. I received an email from them today. If you have any questions, please let me know!
Nicole
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dawnmo
Member
Joined: 4 Jan 2007
Posts: 181
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# Posted: 16 Apr 2007 20:22
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Really? I thought a few people had already signed up for the free program with no problems.
Hmmm...I hope something will be posted on the training site soon.
I'm confused....
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Shelby
Member
Joined: 8 Feb 2007
Posts: 28
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# Posted: 16 Apr 2007 20:41
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It's true--I signed up yesterday, but got an email today saying that as Coastal members we are not eligible for free.. Must have 2 years travel experience.
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luvtravel
Member
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 807
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# Posted: 17 Apr 2007 08:42
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I have over 12 years travel experience with the Hyatt Corp, Forlow Tours, Budget car rental I guess thats why I was able to have the free program. So which one is the Coastal one??
Whichever one is Coastal's program get it, this is truly one of the best HOST agencies I ever seen and well worth whatever the cost.
I have seen the training videos, the vendors they are associated with, trust me this one beats the ones I seen in the past.
Coastal really needs to clarify all this for everyone!!
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hsimpsonjr
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 603
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# Posted: 17 Apr 2007 14:46 · Edited by: hsimpsonjr
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OK, folks, I just talked to a lady named Emily at Joystar. If you want the particulars of signing up just email but I will share with you a couple of things I learned. They do NOT give you an IATA card like InteleTravel does. You can only get an IATAN or CLIA card after you have booked $5,000 worth of travel with them and that is a per year number. She said that companies that do give you the IATA card are "card mills" and are not respected by the travel industry. Personally, that is the main reason I joined Inteletravel is to have the IATA card and to be able to get the FAM trips if I want them. Plus, it's $26.00 a month where I am paying $7.50 a month right now for a site and membership with Inteletravel. I do not book travel for anyone and I don't really plan on spending money on advertising to start booking travel so, at this moment, I see no reason to sign up with Joystar because it's almost like stepping back a step to not have the IATA card. Even if my "card mill" IATA card gets me a littel discount it's worth it to me. What do you guys think?
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luvtravel
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Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 807
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# Posted: 17 Apr 2007 15:38
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Thanks Harold but I prefer staying with JoyStar because I do want to sell travel and they have better deals than Intele for the general public AND fam trips for agents.
Some of their vacations start at $99, you can get better air fares with them because of all of their consolidators and their training videos, marketing training, leads etc are fantastic.
I guess you can say I am sold on JoyStar.
Unlike you that only has to pay $7.50 because you are grandfathered in I believe Intele is more for the rest of us for less.
And I knew about their reputation as a card mill, reputation is everything in this industry. They don't give you the card but they allow you to use their IATAN number and CLIA number when booking which is all the "card" is, it is actually using the host agencies IATA number. You get your own card with your own number when you sell $5,000 BUT actually all you need is the number, and Joystar allows you to book using their number just as Intele does.
Again just my humble opinion.
Terri
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hsimpsonjr
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 603
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# Posted: 17 Apr 2007 16:42
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I understan, Terri. I agree with you. For you Joystar is a great option. The site is WAY nicer that inteletravel and it's obvious that they are more professional. Let us know how it goes. If I ever get to the point I want to book travel I will DEFINATELY go with them. It's nice to have a real travel agent like you to ask questions to also. Thanks for all your tips and I know I'm not the only one on this forum that feels that way.
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jnapier
Member
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 647
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# Posted: 14 May 2007 14:14
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I've chosen to stick with inteletravel.
Jay NaPier
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matiasmommy
Joined: 12 Mar 2007
Posts: 346
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# Posted: 17 May 2007 03:54
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Hmm.. I don't know about this paying a monthly fee for inteletravel? I don't pay anything for websites, (yet) and from what I can tell all they do is pay ME!!
My understanding is that onsite, self service booking is on its way too!
I like them, got another cheque the other day! Who doesn't like getting paid and not knowing why or what for?? I think intele is a Martha Stewart "good thing"!!!
Cheers
Jani Teeter
L3 Director, CSG
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CoastalToday
Member
Joined: 2 Apr 2007
Posts: 150
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# Posted: 17 May 2007 09:27
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Hi Jani,
I pay a monthly fee for the Inteletravel service, and have since I joined over a year ago. It's just $9.00 per month, and of course I do make commissions when I book travel through them. I think it's a great value!
Tonya Kopp
Platinum Director
Coastal Vacations
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dawnmo
Member
Joined: 4 Jan 2007
Posts: 181
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# Posted: 17 May 2007 10:49
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I see that it is now $199 to join and $9.95 per month...still worth it? Do you get significant travel discounts for yourself through this site?
We have timeshares but do stay overnight frequently at hotels as we are traveling (Hampton Inns, etc.) - would I get discounts on this? Can someone check a rate for a Hampton Inn in Midland MI for any random date so I can compare that rate to another travel site?
What other discounts have you seen? (airfare? car rentals?)
Thanks,
Dawn
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hsimpsonjr
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 603
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# Posted: 17 May 2007 11:11
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Dawn,
The main benefit of being with Inteletravel is having the IATA card. That classifies you as a Travel Professional and gets you special rates at Hotels and car rental places and other things like that. That is why I didn't go with Joystar, the company that the BOD are pushing right now. They consider companies that basically let you buy an IATA card as "card Mills" and it degrades the degrades the travel agent community because typically you must sell at least $5,000 a year in travel to get your own IATAN card which is one level over the IATA card you get from Inteletravel. Inteletravel has the IATAN card and they let you use their IATAN number on your IATA card. Some places don't honor the IATA card like I have from Inteletravel but LOTS do honor it also. When I joined it was only $69 and $7 a month so it has gone way up.
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dawnmo
Member
Joined: 4 Jan 2007
Posts: 181
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# Posted: 17 May 2007 11:42
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Thanks, Harold. Can you use the IATA card number online to get discounts?
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hsimpsonjr
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 603
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# Posted: 17 May 2007 11:52
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I'm not sure about that. I know when you go to Hotels they want to see the card and sometimes want to see a letter from the host agency that says you are an actual agent with them. I know I went to the Disney website and entered the Travel Agent area and entered my IATA number and went through the process of booking a room without actually booking it and there was no difference in the price with or without the card so it might be that Disney doesn't honor Inteletravel because they are a "card mill". I don't know that for sure but it's a possibility.
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CoastalToday
Member
Joined: 2 Apr 2007
Posts: 150
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# Posted: 17 May 2007 12:08
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Hi Dawn and Harold,
When I use Inteletravel, I book through their site, which is where I get the discounts. Site booking is also how Inteletravel keeps track of your commissions.
The last time I used it was a few weeks ago. A friend of mine wanted to see if I could match a price on a Royal Caribbean cruise that she was taking with a friend. The Inteletravel price did match the best she was able to find with her travel agent, so she booked through me and I will receive the commission after she takes her cruise.
What I have found using the site is that they give you multiple options to look at for the best discount - ie, if you have a AAA membership, or if you want the lowest rate available, AARP, that kind of thing.
So, if you think you'll use it a lot, I would recommend it as another very good tool in the Coastal resource box...
Tonya Kopp
Platinum Director
Coastal Vacations
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CoastalToday
Member
Joined: 2 Apr 2007
Posts: 150
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# Posted: 17 May 2007 12:11
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That's funny!
I just checked my email and Inteletravel is offering a "companion agent" for free deal until the end of May. So, you and a friend or family member could both sign up and get the benefits.
Tonya Kopp
Platinum Director
Coastal Vacations
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matiasmommy
Joined: 12 Mar 2007
Posts: 346
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# Posted: 17 May 2007 19:02
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Hi Dawn!
The answer to that question, in my experience is "yes"!
I booked online directly through a hotel's website- major chain. I just plugged in my IATA number and boom, was able to book a room for my Dad- I just got the check the other day from Intele for my commission portion!
Cheers
Jani Teeter
L3 Director, CSG
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goldmills
Member
Joined: 3 Apr 2007
Posts: 184
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# Posted: 17 May 2007 21:09
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For all the WCYS'ers
We are negotiation with Jerry D, one of the owners to bring Inteletravel under the WCYS team. The CSG has done this with private agreement with CSG leaders.
Our team is working on an idea, but it is not a done deal, it is something we are working on.
I have not seen an advantage to go with Joystar myself, other than if I book stuff, I suppose Stephanie get's the override, or who ever has the master account at Joystar.
In America, IATA is not that big a deal, but internationally if you are an agent, you'll be a king and they roll out the red carpet.
My wife booked a multi-cabin cruise with Inteletravel and earned about $380 per cabin for 6 cabins, and we got a good cruise rate.
I have talked with Jerry D at Inteletravel many times, he is aware of site deficiencies and is trying to get issues resolved to make Inteletravel a better place for booking and stay competative, plus they always have some fun promos and bonuses.
One of our group members earned 42 inch plasma tv, gps system, plus a ton of other things!
So I am sticking it out with Inteletravel.
Jeff
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PT Dude
Member
Joined: 18 Feb 2007
Posts: 66
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# Posted: 17 May 2007 23:36
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Ok im a bit confused here. I know what coastals packages are about. Why would you need a site like intelitravel if you are a coastal member?
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hsimpsonjr
Joined: 16 Dec 2006
Posts: 603
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# Posted: 18 May 2007 09:12
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You don't "Need" it but it's nice to be able to tell people who talk to you about Coastal that you are a certified travel agent with an IATA card. The best part is the discounts you get with the card and the commissions from the website you will have if you book any travel.
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luvtravel
Member
Joined: 11 Dec 2006
Posts: 807
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# Posted: 18 May 2007 09:28
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People who accuse Stephanie of getting a kickback from JOYSTAR are also getting a kickback from Intelle!
Pot calling the kettle black??
I really don't care which travel agency you all choose but remember one thing, the commission mentioned that the person received for booking a cruise , you would get that plus more with any agency including JOYSTAR!
Google both Intelle plus JOYSTAR and see what you get.
I had strongly considered intelle til I saw the joke of a website and booking engine, maybe one day I may even consider them but at the moment I am more than thrilled with the training, the Consolidators and the vendors with JOYSTAR!
Plus I want respect as a travel agent in the field not be known as a card mill. I want to earn my way to be a bona fide agent .
But again one day I may change my mind and I always leave my options open but as of today i am happy with the agency I am with, and if Stephanie gets a kickback more power to her just as some get a kickback with Intelle!
Just my humble opinion!
Take it for what its worth.
Terri
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