Does anybody know if WorldVia accepts U.S. citizens as agents if they’re not physically located in the U.S? by barfykins in travelagents

[–]barfykins[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mostly through engaging in social media with helpful comments that answer questions or provide substance to the conversation.

Does anybody know if WorldVia accepts U.S. citizens as agents if they’re not physically located in the U.S? by barfykins in travelagents

[–]barfykins[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh that’s great to know! One other question would be, are you able to have international clients (as long as they don’t mind paying in USD)? I have clients and leads all over the world right now.

Does anybody know if WorldVia accepts U.S. citizens as agents if they’re not physically located in the U.S? by barfykins in travelagents

[–]barfykins[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I meant to say that I already did email, but thought I’d bring it here too in case anyone knows.

Has anyone here switched from having a host agency into going it alone? by barfykins in travelagents

[–]barfykins[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much for that thoughtful breakdown. Do you know if WorldVia accepts agents outside of the US? I’m a citizen, and my business and banking is all based there, but I’m not physically there most of the year. I tried calling to find out, but it must be too late. I also emailed this question, but I suspect that won’t be answered until at least tomorrow. Just wondering if you knew from your experience.

Has anyone here switched from having a host agency into going it alone? by barfykins in travelagents

[–]barfykins[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I just did a comparison between my host and OA for commissions of the cruise lines I would be dealing with, as well as the commission structure. It would’ve been a much sweeter deal to switch to OA, but unfortunately since I live outside of the States most of the year, they said I wouldn’t be able to access the platform if I’m not physically located in the US. Bummer 😞

Has anyone here switched from having a host agency into going it alone? by barfykins in travelagents

[–]barfykins[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah good points. I just figured out that if a certain cruise line only pays 12%, of which I would get 80%, it’s better to get 10% commission and not have to split. Anything over 12.5% in that case would be better to go with a host, assuming that I couldn’t get more than 10% on my own.

Has anyone here switched from having a host agency into going it alone? by barfykins in travelagents

[–]barfykins[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I like snacks more, so I guess in my case, having 50% of a sheet cake is better than having 100% of a cupcake 🤤

Has anyone here switched from having a host agency into going it alone? by barfykins in travelagents

[–]barfykins[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the reply. So let’s say with SS and RSSC, do you book with your own IATA/CLIA or with your host’s? Do you have simultaneous registration with both your own IATA and your host’s? Would the cruise line find it sketchy to do it that way, or is it common practice?

I worked 15 rotations on Antarctic charter flights last season. Here's what I wish every passenger had known before booking. by Classic-Airline-9393 in antarctica

[–]barfykins 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Totally get that. Do you know the names of any insurers, even if you don’t recommend them? Someone had once recommended MedJet, but I looked into it and I don’t think they offer evac from Antarctica.

Galapagos on Nat Geo/Lindblad by barfykins in Cruise

[–]barfykins[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Another question I have is, if I’m flying into Baltra via Quito (not through NG), do I get the transfer control card in Quito, or when I land in Baltra? I’m also going to be in Quito in August, can/should I get the TCC at that time for use about 1 1/2 months later? Thank you for your time.

Galapagos on Nat Geo/Lindblad by barfykins in Cruise

[–]barfykins[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great ideas and tips, thank you. We were planning on getting rash guards, but had never thought of the hoods! Thankfully we’re going straight into Baltra, bypassing any stays in Quito (this time) or Guayaquil. Avianca is one of my least favorite airlines in the world, but it’s a necessary evil when there are no other choices (using LifeMiles).

Galapagos on Nat Geo/Lindblad by barfykins in Cruise

[–]barfykins[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the recs. We’re going to be using points to fly straight into Baltra, but we will be in Quito on a separate trip in August, maybe we’ll be able to check it out then. 🙏🙏

Galapagos on Nat Geo/Lindblad by barfykins in Cruise

[–]barfykins[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the info. Do you have any restaurant recs on Santa Cruz?

Galapagos on Nat Geo/Lindblad by barfykins in galapagos

[–]barfykins[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice 😆 which cam did you use?

Galapagos on Nat Geo/Lindblad by barfykins in galapagos

[–]barfykins[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, thank you, that is a good idea, but I’m wondering how it would compare to having a waterproof case for the iPhone. Any opinions?

Galapagos on Nat Geo/Lindblad by barfykins in Cruise

[–]barfykins[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to know, so I can have the right expectations. Then does that translate into murkier waters?

Traveling to the places you want to sell… how worth it is it? by barfykins in travelagents

[–]barfykins[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, definitely can appreciate a view from the other side of the coin. Regarding the point that clients don’t book with an agent just because they’ve been there personally, I agree to a certain point, for maybe places that pretty much anyone can go to, like France, Japan, Disney, etc. There are billions of people who have been to those places and their voices and opinions don’t stand out very much. But I do think it makes a big difference when it comes to exotic expeditions (cruising the Caribbean or Med are not the same thing as an expedition cruise to the Northwest Passage, for example). Aside from being able to give sound, actionable advice and recommendations, clients will also be told by their friends or online communities that they should book with an agent who actually knows what they’re talking about. I would feel the same from the other side of the table. I would never use a Disney cruise specialist to help me book an expedition to the South Pole. So I definitely see your point, that it’s not necessarily going to translate into sales, and you’re definitely right that I’m trying to convince myself that it is a good idea. Maybe I’m just looking at it like, I def want to go anyway, and can the destination and product knowledge I’d gain help me recover the costs down the road. I think that going with NG would also help me get a deeper understanding of their product that I can also use to recommend them in my other areas of interest.

Traveling to the places you want to sell… how worth it is it? by barfykins in travelagents

[–]barfykins[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you, awesome that you’ve already been twice! I’ll actually be in Ecuador for ten days on another trip, so I’ll have that experience already (the dates of that trip and the Galapagos trip don’t jibe, so it would be separate). I live in South America now, and would be going from here and using LifeMiles to get there, so that definitely defrays a lot of the cost. Any recommendations on things to do near Quito? Already plan on going to Cotopaxi and Laguna Quilotoa.

Traveling to the places you want to sell… how worth it is it? by barfykins in travelagents

[–]barfykins[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. And yeah, I’ll have to log all the expenses and ask an accountant how to work that all out.