Apparently the misunderstanding between IATAN and YTB has been resolved! It just took some time. From the YTB Biz Report:
NEW CLIA NUMBER: 00632144
YTB has obtained a new CLIA number for ALL travel reservations. RTAs who book travel directly with a vendor MUST use the new CLIA number as it has replaced the old number in the suppliers' database. The new CLIA number is 00632144. Some suppliers may not accept cards with the old number, but may accept a copy of the agency CLIA certificate in conjunction with your ID card. Please contact RTA Support for the agency CLIA certificate to be faxed directly to the supplier. This certificate is available ONLY to suppliers and must be sent from the Home Office.
Seems that CLIA stuck to their policy of issuing a new number for companies that have had their IATAN number revoked. So it looks like there was no misunderstanding at all. YTB apparently violated the IATAN regulations that cover the "improper lending, subcontracting or hiring to a third party of an IATA numeric code by agencies." their number. And now, that number is gone for good.
I am glad someone in the industry has a spine!
So, let me get this straight...YTB is complying with CLIA because YTB had its IATAN number revoked and you have an issue?
ReplyDeleteJudging by the title of this particluar article I would venture to guess that you are trying to use this CLIA thing as a statement that IATAN and YTB will not be fixing things with each other.
Genius, it doesn't say that, it merely states that AT THIS MOMENT with IATAN having revoked YTB's number, that YTB is in compliance with CLIA.
John, how many more straws do you see?
Where does it say "at this moment". And yes, the title is saying that the IATAN/YTB issue will not be "fixed".
ReplyDeleteThe issue was not YTB being in compliance with CLIA. It is CLIAs policy that stated if the IATAN is revoked, CLIA issues a new number.
So yes, it does seem that YTB will not be getting its US IATAN number back again.
I also like the way the quoted paragraph talks about suppliers no longer accepting the YTB card. When you sell travel, you usually give them the number--not present a card, so apparently YTB is talking about the perks here.
I also like the use of the word "MAY". When recruiting, YTB likes to say that if you join them, you can travel like an insider, but evidently once you join, and have access to all the pertinent information, it becomes you MAY be able to travel like an insider, if the supplier will accept the certificate! LOL....too funny!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the RTA has been cut off from direct booings with their own CLIA number? They MUST use headquarters CLIA? Is this to control the RTAs taking full commission?
ReplyDeleteCan a consumer call the cruise lines and get a discount using that number?
ReplyDeleteGive it a shot...just let the cruise line know that you want to pay the net amount on the credit card.
ReplyDeleteEddie asked, "It looks like the RTA has been cut off from direct bookings with their own CLIA number? They MUST use headquarters CLIA? Is this to control the RTAs taking full commission?"
ReplyDeleteRTA's have never had their own CLIA number. They may have had a CLIA ID card, but that does not let them book anything. This does not stop someone from using the number to make a booking, and then paying only the net amount. Only back office quality control can stop that.
Anon asked, "Can a consumer call the cruise lines and get a discount using that number?"
ReplyDeleteWell someone could call and pose as TA, make a booking, and pay only the net. This is why CLIA, IATA, TRUE, and any other booking numbers should not be posted on a publically accessible web page.
Now, if YTB is smart, they would have it setup that nobody could get docs except from the home office. Then the home office could view the booking and see what happened. They could then contact the consumer that made the booking using that number, and ask for the balance before sending the docs to them. Since the consumer would not have been authorized to use that number, they wouldn't have a lot of choice. On the other hand, if it is a cruise that was booked, they could probably just show up at the pier with ID and their confirmation number and still get onboard.
Is this the "GREAT" news we have been hearing about that was supposed to appear in USA Today last month? Doug? Tom? The unknown third party? So Douggy what did your insider tell you about it? You tend to ignore something else once again. First Phil, The Fake DR, and now the USA Today news.
ReplyDeleteDoug has mentioned that he sometimes books directly with the supplier and not thru his RTA website. Do these bookings then go to HQ, the comm goes to HQ and then Doug gets his cut? Any why are RTAs paying 149.00 for CLIA if the CLIA number they must use HQs? Is this for control? Something does not sound right.
ReplyDeleteSweet, so the cruise lines will take my credit card as long as I have that number and I can save some money!
ReplyDeleteCLIA will accept IATAN and ARC numbers as CLIA numbers.
ReplyDeleteThe 00 designates it is a CLIA generated number.
I wonder why YTB did not use their ARC number? Did they lose that too? Did they ever have one since they book their air through Travelocity?
Eddie said, "Any why are RTAs paying 149.00 for CLIA?"
ReplyDeleteEddie, RTAs pay $50 for the CLIA card which is issued by CLIA. RTAs must attend CRTA training which costs $149 before we can apply for a CLIA card.
Eddie said, "Doug has mentioned that he sometimes books directly with the supplier and not thru his RTA website. Do these bookings then go to HQ, the comm goes to HQ and then Doug gets his cut?" Yes to both questions.
an insider said: Did they ever have one since they book their air through Travelocity?
ReplyDeleteAnd that is a question which was never answered way back when. I'm still waiting to hear that lie. I suspect the truth is that the YTB'ers truly don't know the answer or it's not something to their liking so they're ignoring the question. Typical YTB
Yes, YTB has an ARC number.
ReplyDelete"Still waiting to hear that lie"
Typical Luanne
Then why the need for the CLIA generated number. Thousands of agencies use their ARC number for the CLIA number.
ReplyDeleteWhy not YTB?
Sorry to disappoint Anon, but any direct booking I do with cruise lines is normally does not verify via a CLIA number. Carnival, Royal, Holland, NCL, Uniworld, Majestic America who I’ve dealt with in the past directly all us anther number from an entirely different source.
ReplyDeleteAnd no, your not getting that posted here. (Sorry)
Lluanne;
I answered the ARC question directly this week on my blog. If you would like to believe that YTB booked $52.1 Million in ARC sales outside of Travelocity, be my guest. I’ve heard stranger spins from you traditionalists. Like how $38.6 Million in “fees” turns into $171.2 Million.
Eddie,
Yes, I book direct, and yes I send it through HQ using what ever number they have on file. When I book I am an "Outside Agent with YTB". I then submit a "commission claim form" to get my cut.
In regards to this particular issue and the IATA, I also posted this week that I believe YTB needs to take blame for IATAN.
YTB RTA’s were trying to book direct with a vendor as “ABC Travel” and when asked the IATA number, they were giving YTB’s IATA.
Our fault, our problem.
I’m still able to book travel directly with vendors using other numbers, I’m still booking travel on my booking engine and I’m still being paid on this travel, and YTB has expanded into International Markets.
Royal terminated it's relationship before IATA, and since then all other suppliers have enabled other means to book directly and allow YTB to get credit.
Also bought another Agency in Canada I see.
Yep…loosing IATA has been a real heal. ;-P
"Then why the need for the CLIA generated number. Thousands of agencies use their ARC number for the CLIA number.
ReplyDeleteWhy not YTB?"
While ARC and IATA numbes are usually the same (though issued by two different entities) one can not represent the ARC as an IATA (code check enables to Vendor to see that the IATA is "not valid"). CLIA only allows you to use the same number as your IATA as a CLIA number IF the IATA is valid - in this case, it is not. Many, many Vendors will not accept CLIA for discounts/commissions/FAMs ... thus the difficulty.
CTA in MD
Okay John, I've watched your blog for about 4 days now and I think you should change the name to "YTB and Travel: A Bad Mix". I haven't seen you get any licks in on any other MLM Travel companies. Also, I would appreciate the exposure more directly. Your blog helps tell me that YTB is as great as it is, you seem to spend a lot of time thinking about us. I appreciate your blog and I have been successful at showing others how fearful traditional travel agencies are of what is really happening in the world of travel. This has been an eye-opener for most. We all know how important the anatomy of buzz is and that exposure and word of mouth is vital to success.
ReplyDeleteAnd on your article today - there are a lot of credentials in the world that people don't have but it doesn't prevent them from doing business. I don't carry a PGA Tour card but I still golf and spend money on it. I don't think you need one to build a golf course or sell memberships either.
Good Day.
MD CTA---the CLIA application asks for an ARC or IATAN number. I would suspect you can enter either or and LIA would use that number. I dunno.
ReplyDeleteSD--thanks so much for your sage advice. If you took the time reading the blog you might realize that why YTB is so out front. They are the loudest and most egregious. The others are sitting back and watching. But please don;t feel like it is all about you. Hey even when I did take a "swipe" at Traverus, all the YTB people clamored in and turned it into a YTB fest.
Hey right after you are done showing all those prospects of yours this blog...make sure you show them the stock charts. $9.50 to under a buck in less than 6 months!
Great point, SD.
ReplyDeleteJohn really is obsessed with YTB.
Doug, I'm not sure I understand this response:
ReplyDelete'Sorry to disappoint Anon, but any direct booking I do with cruise lines is normally does not verify via a CLIA number. Carnival, Royal, Holland, NCL, Uniworld, Majestic America who I’ve dealt with in the past directly all us anther number from an entirely different source.'
are you bypassing YTB?
SD and ID - you are simply silly. Have you noticed that the number of people here who identify themselves (to the right) as "supplier" has increased weekly? hey are getting a pretty good view of how YTBers present themselves .... also, those who may not have known that your IATA was pulled, do now - and that does make a difference. AND those who may have forgotten have now been reminded. Remember, these are the "guys" who decide what "accreditation" to honor for discounts/FAMs - they are pretty uniform in insisting upon IATA (except for cruise lines)....
ReplyDeleteOh, was I not supposed to click "supplier" on the poll? I apologize. Since when did you begin trusting polls?
ReplyDeleteI realize the importance of IATA and do not dispute it. My point is, in order to do my business, it's not necessarily needed.
It's all about money. I don't think the suppliers really care who's selling the products as long as they are selling. God forbid a highjacker would ever book a flight on travelwithfred?
Eddie;
ReplyDeleteI do not bypass YTB.
When I call a supplier the first thing I mention is that I am an "Outside Agent with YTB". They ask for the “Agency Identifier” which could be any number of things and based on the information I give them, they confirm that this booking belongs to YTB Travel Network in Wood River.
I give them all the information required to make the booking and when done I ask them to put my Agent ID number in the notes section of the booking so the home office will be better equipped to recognize who it belongs to when this information is sent from the supplier to the home office. (Fax, electronic, snail mail who knows how each supplier does it.)
I then go into my back office and submit a “Commission Claim Form” with Supplier Name, Booking Number, Client Information, Travel Dates, Gross amount and Net Amount if it’s available.
When the commission arrive at the home office, YTB keeps 30%, my Sponsor who is also my Power Team Leader gets 10%, and I am send the remaining 60%.
I am also registered with a number of suppliers such as BookCCL.com, in which I can book directly with Carnival, and all Host and IC information is already in the system based on my user name and password. I am still required to submit a “Commission Claim Form” when booking direct in this manor as well.
Does that clear it up for you?
Anon said:
ReplyDeleteRemember, these are the "guys" who decide what "accreditation" to honor for discounts/FAMs - they are pretty uniform in insisting upon IATA (except for cruise lines)....
You obviously have no idea how many "non cruise" suppliers recongnize CLIA.
I wonder why no other suppliers have actually pulled YTB based on loosing our IATA?
They may not have to give us a FAM, but none seem to have been as boneheaded as RCCL and Perillo to cut out actual revenue.
Have they?
lbtravel said...
ReplyDelete"Great point, SD.
John really is obsessed with YTB."
Here's the best part. Coach doesn't pay him a dime for all his efforts! He works for FREE!!!! ;>)
olescorekeeper
Not yet....
ReplyDeleteOlescorekeeper and LB and SD....I realize that Coach does not value my service as much as he values yours. That is why you were paid $297 last year.
ReplyDeleteBut if I decided to pick up a part time job at the local 7-11, I could be making as much as you guys in a week or so.
Sorry to dispel another one of your myths, John.
ReplyDeleteMy YTB income is on its way to equaling the income of my career of 25 years. My 1099 for 2008 will have an extra digit in it (as in 6)
Not bad for a home business.
Thanks for explaining. It's more convoluted than I realized. Thank heavens all i have to deal with is the supplier and 100% commission.
ReplyDeleteCongrats LB... So with your six figure income, which are you closer to?
ReplyDelete1000.00
or
9999.99
?
TravelPro said...
ReplyDelete"When I call a supplier the first thing I mention is that I am an "Outside Agent with YTB"."
You mean they don't laugh and then slam down the phone?
No, but they roll their eyes...and ask the boss for a raise!
ReplyDeleteThanks Doug. I'll go right over and check it out ;-)
ReplyDeleteIATAN is a non issue now with our purchase of the agency in Canada. You see, they already have the IATAN number, so the RTAs will all be getting the ability to qualify for the credential once again.
ReplyDeleteIf it's such a 'non issue' why didn't coach buy an agency in the US? There may be one in Plano TX up for grabs.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's me. I'm still around. I've been extremely busy so I haven't been posting on here lately. I see John is still trying hard to discredit YTB. LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteKnowing the CLIA number alone won't get a client the net rate. Sorry to dissapoint you. To start, I identify myself as an outside agent wuth YTB. You would also need the RTA's ID number as well as the RTA's name. One more thing... The supplier will also ask for an agent's password. I know I have set up one with my suppliers. When I call to book directly, they ask me this all the time. They are prompted to do so. Nobody can fraudulantly use my numbers to make a direct booking. Also, even if they did find a way, I would get the commission (after submitting a commission claim form into YTB)... not them.
To Eddie, YTB DOES have an agency in the US. As far as i knoe, Illinois is a U.S State and Wood River is in that state. YTB also has a Canada office. Since we are now in Canada, it makes sense to have an office there as well.
Excuse me. I have work to do.
Proud--just tested the theory out and you are wrong. I called CCL and said I wanted to reserve and they asked for the agency number and I gave them the CLIA number and they took the booking. Asked for the deposit and I said I wanted to pay in full and I was asked if I wanted to pay the gross or net amount?
ReplyDeleteNice try!