Even after my meeting the other day, I was solicited again by a YTB agent via email. I engaged them via email (complete with my full signature including the link to this blog--go figure) and asked them to send me some information on the program. I was directed to go to a website that had all the information I needed including all the perks I can reap for traveling like a pro and the tax advantages!Now I am not sure how long these will remain active as it seems YTB has been pretty proactive in removing anything that makes my position stronger, but I will post some excerpts here. You can surf that site and see for yourself as well. As for the documents, I have them on my hard drive.
But, read this post, check out the website, and look at the presentation and then tell me that they are about selling travel. It is about the perks. It is about tax savings. It is about recruiting more people into the pyramid.
This document is an invite to a presentation announcing your new travel business. The headline is:
Travel like the pros never pay full price again travel wholesaleThis document is for a postcard that can be distributed.
Travel first class for pennies on the dollar.This is a very long video presentation, but by 3 minutes and 45 seconds the discussion on the perks and discounts is in full swing. The statement the presenter makes is "Just by becoming an RTA you are now and insider." From there, he launches into the FAM opportunities and quite honestly presents them as discounted vacations which they are not!
You will receive Travel Agent Credentials!
Have access to Familiarization (FAM) Trips!
Significantly, discounted trips around the world!
- Princess Cruise Lines from $25 per day .
- Royal Caribbean from $40 per day
- Celebrity Cruise Lines from $40 per day
- Norwegian Cruise Lines from $35 per day
- Disney Cruise Lines from $80 per day
- Radisson Seven Seas from $125 per day
- Holland America from $60 per day
- Airtran Airways from $55 one way
- Westin Hotels, Sheraton Hotels from $49/day
- Universal Studios Orlando Comp. 1 day/2 park pass
- Crown Plaza Hotels, Holiday Inn, Baymont Inns Comfort = Inns, Clarion Hotels, Omni Hotels,
- -MANY MORE 50% off rack Rate
- Hyatt Resorts, Radisson Resorts special FAM Rates
- Avis Car Rental 20% off lowest rate
- Spirit Airlines $120.00 round trip
- (not counting tax and pfc’s)
- for travel agent and companion on same itinerary
And here is another presentation along similar lines.
To the suppliers our there that are reading this blog (and I know there are many), is this what you want for representation of your product? Yes, they move some market, but at what cost? Do you not realize that YTB and the other MLM companies are discounting your product without your permission? YOU control the product, but YTB has signed up 136,000 people to date on the promises that they will travel for free or close to it.
Does Carnival tell its employees that they can take a 50% discount at WalMart? Does Collette Vacations market their product and offer a discount on Hallmark Cards? Do Apple Vacations, NCL, and the others dictate the level of discounts for OTHER companies? Hell no! So why are you allowing it now?
You can offer the perks and benefits--but that is all they are. YTB is selling them as if they are a guarantee. And when you offer them, you are setting a really dangerous precedent. I cannot tell my clients to call you direct and get a 50% discount. Why are the rules different?
You guys are paying top commissions and your "agent" is selling your perks. So, I ask the following vendors (with their commission levels)...is it worth it to you?
Carnival (16)
Costa (14)
Crystal (13) (and I am absolutely stunned to see Crystal on this based on their rebating/solicitation policy)
Cunard (13)
Disney (15)
Holland America (16)
NCL (16)
Princess (15)
Contiki (10)
Insight (10)
Trafalgar (10)
Apple (14) (are they at least a Platinum Apple Agency?)
Collette (10)
Rockwell (13)
Travel Impressions (15)
Well?
