FAM Trips - Travel for Free!

Imagine if you could travel for free?travel professionals on the road.
To go to exotic vacation spots and be pampered likeAirlines don't discount their fares. They will give you a
royalty?free upgrade to business class or even to first class
You don't have to imagine anymore! It happensfor the price of a coach seat, subject to availability.
every day, all around the world. These trips, free andThat can be worth more than $10,000, particularly on
near free, are called FAM or FAMiliarization trips.a foreign trip!
FAM trips are offered to travel professionals byHotels, too will do their part in making you feel like
Tourist Boards, Travel Bureaus, resort owners, etc.royalty when you visit. Often, they will upgrade you
They are charged with promoting tourism to theirto a suite for the price of a regular room!
countries and resorts. Fam trips are a mainstay ofHertz, Avis etc are not to be left out. Recently, a
their marketing arsenal.friend of mine was given a Hummer at the same
What better way to showcase their wares than toprice as a Jeep!
invite a group of travel professionals to party andWhat is required to become a credentialed, home
have a great time at their facilities?based travel agent?
I have a friend that spent Thanksgiving weekYou have to find a host agency that will sign you on
traipsing from resort to resort being wined and dinedas an independent contractor.
in Jamaica, WI, courtesy of the Jamaica touristSome agencies will accept you with no experience,
board, for free!some will not. Commission rates vary from 60-80%
Another friend is going on a 7 day, Transatlanticof the commissions paid to the agency.
journey from New York to England for $499 on oneMost host agencies require their agents to actually
of the newest, most beautiful cruise ships afloat, thework with the clients, one on one, following the now
Queen Mary 2.antiquated client/agent model.
The Dominican Republic is especially keen onThis requires computer skills, time and expertise on
stimulating tourism. Recent promotions included athe part of the agent. Also, most clients now prefer
three day stay at the Sunset Beach resort at Lathe control and freedom afforded them when they
Conesta, all inclusive for free. And a 7 day vacationuse Internet based travel services such as Expedia,
at the exclusive Johnathan Shores Golf resort forOrbitz and Travelocity.
only $55/night, all inclusive, was also available!The new, purely Internet based travel agent merely
As you could imagine, they are practically giving Newmarkets his own, Expedia-like travel site to potential
Orleans away! Recent listings included a 7 day/7 nightclients who book their own travel.
stay in the Latin Quarter, and an all expense paid, 4The agent makes money while he sleeps, works his
day cruise on the Mighty Mississippi.day job, or even while he travels for free!
How do you qualify to be invited to travel for free?Many Internet based agencies are sold as franchises.
You must have the proper travel credentials to travelAmerican Express sells theirs for $10,000. Magic
for free. There are three main travel credentials. TheJohnson, of NBA fame, has just rolled out one for
IATA card, is the easiest to obtain and is the one we$5,000.
will zero in on.Another lesser known entry is YTB, or Your Travel
You get to use the IATA number of your hostBiz, which is the fastest growing company in the field,
travel agency if you are home based. This credentialwith over 135, 000 independent agents.
will qualify you for 60-70% of the FAM tripsThere are many agencies looking for independent
It will also qualify you for the perks showered onagents - YOU can be one too.