People always ask if I'm a travel agent, and the answer is... I am, and I became one initially for the sole purpose of booking my own travel, especially since I cruise monthly. As I researched becoming an agent and went through the process, I was surprised by how frustrating and confusing the whole process was, so I set out to demystify the industry. In this episode, I cover these travel agent FAQ's: 00:00 Why I became a travel agent and benefits of being a travel agent. 02:40 How do I become a travel agent? 05:06 How do I become a travel agent without joining an MLM? 09:04 Can I become a travel agent without experience? 11:24 How much does it cost to become a travel agent? 12:38 Can I write off becoming a travel agent on my taxes? 13:33 Can I become a travel agent to get discounts? 15:33 Can I work from home as a travel agent? 16:36 Can I quit my job and become a full-time travel agent? 18:37 If I join, what's in it for you and what's in it for me? 20:55 Do I have to sign a contract or is there some obligation? 21:31 Are there any other costs besides the monthly hosting fee? 23:12 Can I still become a travel agent if I don't live in the US? 23:38 What if I live in a state that requires an SOT (CA, FL, HI, and WA)? 24:41 I'm ready to sign up to become a travel agent; what's next? ------------------------------------------------ PODCAST Want this video in audio form? Stream my podcast: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7DnkEqe24Ytgsgvq09ewOU?si=Psra8RmDS5-aKvkyl5yNfQ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/professor-melissas-cruise-pod/id1776258596 ------------------------------------------------ LINKS 🛳️ Want to learn how to become a travel agent, either to book your own travel or as a side hustle? https://www.profmelissa.com/travelagent 🛳️ Need help booking a cruise, or want to take a cruise with me? https://www.profmelissa.com/book 🛳️ Get FREE Port Guides, cruise advice, and more at https://www.profmelissa.com/ 🛳️ Get my FREE Cruise Packing List & Planning Guide at https://www.profmelissa.com/subscribe 🛳️ Find my ridiculous cruise clothes and favorite cruise essentials here: https://urlgeni.us/amazon/profmelissaamazon ------------------------------------------------- CONNECT WITH ME TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@professormelissa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ProfMelissaCruises/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_melissa_newman/ ------------------------------------------------- * Please note that sometimes my posts contain affiliate links. This means I may receive a commission through purchases, but this *does not* affect you as a consumer or cost you more in any way. I appreciate your use of my links, as this helps support my channel. ♥️