The Home Based Travel Agent is a proven result of the “cultural” changes occurring in the travel industry during the last 3 years. This new group of Agents has reinvented the Counselor process by shedding all the non-profitable “amenities” that used to “make” a travel agent and concentrated on the core of the profession: Getting the best information available out there using their skills to provide the best possible advice, at the best possible price…and making money by doing it!
Because home based agents depend heavily on technology, SkyLink is well placed to be their supplier of choice since we have been leaders in the travel distribution technology for the past 15 years. In addition to a price display system we call Quick Fare Quote, available on our website, that puts at their fingertips 30 million net fares in a fast and easy way, SkyLink also offers a choice of white label B2C booking engines which they can easily install on their own websites. These engines allow them to setup the markups they want and offer different levels of management tools. We offer an override commission program on 30 of our 61 airlines so they still can sell published fares and make good money. We provide access to CRS’ at home for those who prefer to use that medium and we are in the process of releasing a secured credit card approval program directly on our website.
Additionally, SkyLink offers the most comprehensive communications program in the industry to keep our agents informed of the changes in the market place, as close as possible to real time. Many home based agents use these communications as the basis for their own promotional efforts, taking the leadership in their client relationship rather than waiting for requests to fulfill.
Take Advantage Of SkyLink’s Air Programs
With 61 airlines available from the USA and a similar number available from Canada, we offer the best combination of airlines to any continent. Our major strength is international travel but we also have some domestic and trans-border net fares. In all, we have over 30 million net fares, international and domestic for 170,000 city pairs from all USA/Canada gateways to points all over the world.
We also would like to underscore that we offer net Business and First class fares and an override commission program with no caps with 30 of our airlines. In certain cases we can provide Upgrade Certificates and passengers buying our fares earn mileage credit on most airlines. We accept major credit cards and our commission checks are promptly mailed every Thursday.
Plans For The Future
First, we are very confident that the travel industry will make the necessary conversion to the 21st century with the Travel Agent function reinforced by the need to filter the unbelievable amounts of global information available on all media. Its function as a Counselor will be underlined and travelers will pay for the advice because leisure time will become more and more important in the “New Economy” society and people will be looking for value; value, not a synonym of cheap, but its traditional meaning of real worth. SkyLink is betting on this vision and will continue to support the Travel Agent community as we have in the past. The only difference will in the efficiency of our deals with our customers, the quality of our communication and the new tools that technology will allow us to develop. Our Web will probably evolve into a complete mall of travel tools and, as the airlines will evolve to a ticketless environment, so will our administrative process. Whatever the shape of the future SkyLink will continue at the front edge of technology and service quality and our trade mark will continue to be “For Travel Agents Only”!