Submit one of the following to IATA to prove you have a legal business: a copy of your business license; documentation disclosing the business' federal tax ID number; a copy of your certificate of registration; or a copy of your incorporation or partnership agreement.
Submit either a letter from your bank confirming that you have a business bank account or a copy of a bank statement in the name of the business to IATA. This is to prove that your business is making a profit.
Submit a copy of your Errors and Omissions insurance to IATA. If you do not have this type of insurance, you can be waived from the requirement if you can prove that you have worked as a full-time travel professional for five of the past 10 years and have completed the Travel Institute's Certified Travel Associate (CTA) program (see Resources). You will need to send IATA a copy of your certificate.
Send IATA two letters of recommendation from either national or international travel associations.
Send IATA copies of any agreements with airlines that you have, if you plan to sell airline tickets.
Submit proof that your agency has earned at least $25,000 in sales or is worth at least $30,000 if you would like to sell airline tickets. Have a certified public accountant prepare a financial statement that you can submit.
Read through and complete the IATAN Accreditation Application (see Resources). You will need this application to become accredited. The application confirms business information and must be notarized.
Make a copy of your application. Send the original to IATA. You will become accredited within four to six weeks if you meet all of the requirements. You will then receive your IATA number.
Fill out the CLIA Agency Member Application if your agency is not a CLIA member yet (see Resources). As of February 2011, the application fee is $89 and the annual fee is $319.
Mail the completed agency application form to the CLIA address listed on the form. If your agency is granted membership, it will be eligible to receive up to four CLIA identification cards and numbers for $29 each after an application process.
Use your CLIA Agency Membership ID promo codes (included in your membership kit) to apply for your four employee CLIA identification cards.
Fill out the CLIA Agent Application form if your agency did not issue you a CLIA identification card. This can happen if your agency did not apply for its identification cards when becoming a CLIA member, or if your agency has issued the identification cards to other travel agents. You can still become a CLIA member and get an identification card by submitting the application form. The form asks for information about your agency. As of February 2011, you will need to pay $99 to enroll, plus an annual fee of $99.
Mail the completed agent application form to the CLIA address listed on the form. You will need to wait about four weeks for your CLIA Agent membership kit. With this, you will get a CLIA identification card and number.
