Every bona fide travel agency, or travel agent, must have an identifying number in order to work with travel suppliers such as cruise lines and tour operators. That number is called an IATA number, or International Air Transport Association number. Persons who want to work as travel agents must know what an IATA number is, how to obtain an IATA number with which to work with travel suppliers, what a psuedo-IATA number and TRUE I.D. number are, and when to utilize the IATA number.
Develop a relationship with a host agency and have a written agreement regarding your commission rate, and what the host agency will provide to you, including leads, or advertising.
If you do not want to work with a host agency, obtain a pseudo-IATA number with a travel supplier you intend to do regular business with, or apply for a TRUE I.D. through the Outside Sales Support Network (OSSN).
Apply for an account with each travel supplier you intend to work with, or obtain your host agency's list of preferred suppliers. You will be required to supply your own, or the host agency's, IATA number in your application, whether you apply online, or via telephone.
Have the IATA number you are using handy when you call a travel supplier for a quote, or a reservation. No travel supplier will even talk to you until they know that you are a bona fide travel agent working for yourself, or with a host agency.
Keep track of your sales and the commission amount, which can run anywhere from 7% to 25%. As you receive commission checks directly from the travel supplier, or your host agency, mark the commissions as paid.
