WICHITA, Kansas, Nov. 1, 2007 – Being a travel agent doesn't pay a ton of money, but it does have perks: namely, discounted travel.  For example, half off on hotels.

"I went to Toronto yesterday," Ray Colaiacovo, travel agent, said.  "A call-in rate, regular rate: $109 a night.  A YTB (Your Travel Biz) travel agent rate: $49 a night."

Ray also pointed to savings for his family trips.  On a trip to the Nickelodeon Resort in Orlando, he said he paid $167 a night rather than the normal $300.

You can do what he did: go to a website, pay $450 and $50 a month, and instantly become a card-carrying travel agent.

You save on personal travel, make money by booking travel for your friends, and make more by getting your friends to join your network.

Sounds great. But is it?

It depends on who you talk to. The part time agent we met loved it.  But career travel agents often aren't so positive.

"I think it's a rip-off," one travel agent said.  “I don't think that you can get... we have tried before to get upgraded to first class on airlines. They don't do it anymore. It just doesn't happen."

Does that mean instant travel agent deals are a scam? No.

But for many people, they may not be worth $500 either.

If you travel a lot or want to book travel for friends? Maybe.

But read some complaint sites before you decide.

Related Link:
YTB Source