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Cruising to Success with CLIA Cards

What Is A CLIA Card?

CLIA cards verify cruise line expertise of travel agents. The Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) distributes these cards. They are the largest industry trade association for the cruise line industry. CLIA has representation almost everywhere in the world! CLIA cards are physical proof of industry knowledge to potential clients and vendors. As a travel agent, they are also your ticket to a wealth of insight about the cruise line industry. Cruises are a booming, in-demand travel method. Clients want your expertise. CLIA cards demonstrate your expert ability to book what your clients want.

• Establish yourself as an expert at booking cruises
• Gain exclusive access to industry insights, professional development, and more
• Help your travel business grow and succeed

How Can You Get One?

CLIA doesn’t assign CLIA cards to just anyone. You have to prove your industry knowledge before you can gain access. If you are a travel agent working alone, you have to earn a minimum of $5,000 in commissions before you can apply. Once you earn your commissions, you can apply on the CLIA website. However, it is important to know enrollment for your area may vary.

There are fees associated with obtaining a CLIA card. However, the fees are a worthwhile investment in your small business as a travel advisor. These cards require CLIA membership. Once you are a member, you can receive your card. Cards are valid for a full calendar year. It’s important to renew your card to maintain your credentials. CLIA cards contain a unique EMBARC ID number. This is your personal number to provide clients and vendors to certify you sell travel. The card also proves your skills to the industry! With your CLIA card, you have exclusive access to industry training and events.

How TPI Can Help

As you build your small business as a travel advisor, you don’t want to go at it alone. Learning the ins and outs of the travel industry can be daunting. However, with a host agency like Travel Planners International, you’re never alone. You have a built-in support system of travel experts and agents. Our staff obsesses over your success, and we do everything we can to train and prepare you. You have access to a multitude of resources and insights. We set you up for success with the knowledge you need to begin your career as a cruise expert.

TPI helps our Rockstars obtain their CLIA cards. We know everyone has a unique path as a travel agent. That’s why we waive the commission requirement for earning your CLIA card! However, you do need to register on the CLIA website . Make sure to enroll in the Individual Agent Membership program! You can do this by clicking the “Travel Professional” tab and following the link.

This isn’t all we do to help our Rockstars! TPI makes every effort for you to earn the highest commissions. We want you to be successful as you grow your small business. As a Premium CLIA-affiliated host agency, we offer discounts on CLIA cards. In fact, TPI agents save $50 on their CLIA cards. This nearly slashes the price in half! We share our credibility with you because we believe in you. Our Rockstars are the reason we are successful, and you deserve a slice of that success!

Benefits You Get From a CLIA Card

Working with a host agency like us gives you a partner in running your successful travel business. CLIA cards take this to the next level! When you obtain your card, you let your clients and travel partners alike know that you know your stuff. CLIA cards reinforce your specialty knowledge of the cruise industry specifically. Cruises are one of the most popular types of travel, and the industry keeps growing! Set yourself apart from the rest with a CLIA card to show off your skills. Benefits of CLIA cards include:

• Ability to earn bonus commissions
• Ability to expand your cruise line knowledge
• Access to exclusive areas of the CLIA website
• Access to marketing and sales tools
• Cruise line training and education resources
• Inside updates on any potential legislative updates that impact travel
• Membership to the world’s largest cruise industry trade association
• Priority access to FAM trip invites
• Professional development courses
• Proof you sell travel to attend industry events
• Special product training

Rockstar Success Stories

My name is Anastasia and I have been working in the restaurant Industry for over 10 years. During my career I have always wanted to learn something new but didn't really know what. After some time had passed, I learned that I can turn my love for travel planning into something lucrative.

Anastasia Sabapathy Goulds Travel

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i get a clia card.

You must be a member of the Cruise Line International Association to get a CLIA card. With TPI as your host agency, we simplify this process.

How do you book a cruise with a CLIA card?

CLIA cards open up a world of cruise opportunities for you. When you book a cruise with your card, provide the vendor with your CLIA identification number. They can verify your credentials.

How long does it take to receive a CLIA card?

Most groups require you to earn a minimum of $5,000 in commissions before travel agents receive CLIA cards. However, at TPI, we waive this! Once you apply with CLIA, the average turnaround time to receive your card is four to six weeks.

What is the CLIA card used for?

CLIA cards have many uses! For travel partners, a card verifies your expertise. For you, as a travel advisor, they grant you access to industry training, marketing and sales materials, special pricing, and more!

What is a CLIA card?

A CLIA card is from the Cruise Line International Association. It is a physical verification of your travel credentials and expertise.

How much does a CLIA card cost?

The annual cost is $115. However, TPI gives its agents a $50 discount! We bring your cost down of cards to just $65.

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How to Get a CLIA Card: Requirements for KHM Travel Agents

Written by: Guest on April 16, 2017

Just as travel agents and host agencies use IATA (International Air Transport Association) numbers, for air travel, CLIA provides membership to travel agents who are planning to book cruise travel.

Obtaining a CLIA number will provide vendors with a way to confirm and identify you or your host agency as a seller of travel, and being part of CLIA provides you with opportunities for cruise line training and education

What is a CLIA Card?

Now that you’re familiar with Cruise Lines International Association, you might be wondering how to obtain a CLIA card. As part of working with an established host agency like KHM Travel Group, you do not have to obtain your own CLIA number to obtain the card. Issued by Cruise Lines International Association, the CLIA card is your travel agent identification card showing your membership with CLIA. It allows you to identify yourself to travel suppliers as being a part of CLIA.

A CLIA card is often used as proof that you’re a seller of travel for industry events such as trainings, seminars at sea, or FAM (familiarization trips ).

How Do I Get a CLIA Card?

KHM Travel Group is a Premier Agency Member with CLIA, based on our number of agents and now pays a memberships fee annually to CLIA on behalf of its agents to participate in the program.

As a Premier Agency Member, all KHM Travel Group agents who qualify are eligible to apply for an individual CLIA membership under KHM Travel Group, and can also receive a discount on their annual membership fee.

CLIA recommends that agents generate a minimum of $5,000 in total agency commissions from cruise bookings within the 12 months prior to enrollment. Realizing that it might be difficult for some agents to meet that criteria, KHM Travel Group has been given the ability to waive that requirement in the first year for our agents that meet the following qualifications:

• Must have completed CLIA’s  State of the Industry Course  located on the CLIA site under the “My Training” tab and click on “Online Learning Courses”
• Must have completed KHM Travel Group’s Agent Orientation – Destination 1:  Getting Started on Your Journey
• Be in good standing with KHM Travel Group (Your membership with KHM Travel Group has not been in decline for the past 6 months)

New annual training requirements from CLIA as well as renewals for existing CLIA card agents can be found on their website and are subject to change. Current KHM Travel Group agents can learn more about joining CLIA in the Portal .

KHM Travel Group offers professional support and education for travel agents , and part of that support is devoted to assisting our independent agents in obtaining a CLIA card.

If you want to learn more about becoming a travel agent with KHM Travel Group ? Fill out the form on the right side of the screen or call 1-888-611-1220 to receive our free Travel Agent Information Guide.

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• How do I obtain a CLIA Card?

How Can We Help?

As a member of Travel Advisors Global Network, you are eligible to obtain a CLIA card each year. Your membership must be active and in good standing.

First time obtaining a CLIA card?

If this is your first time obtaining a CLIA card, you will need to first establish an account. Use the instructions below to set up your account.

If you have had a CLIA card in the past, you’ll need to log in to your existing account and update your host affiliation before you can order a new card as part of Travel Advisors Global Network.

Visit https://cruising.org/en/travel-agent-center/become-a-member .

Select the Individual Agent Membership .

Then, click the Join/Renew button.

Now it’s time to create your account. Click Create a new account .

Enter your information to establish your account and set up your password.

Once your account is created, simply log in to your new account to continue.

To continue your Individual Agent Membership application, you’ll need to affiliate with Travel Advisors Global Network.

To do that scroll down to Company Affiliation section and select ADD .

Enter our IATAN/CLIA number found on your membership dashboard. Then click Search .

You’ll see CCRA come up. Simply click, ADD next to it.

This will affiliate you with Travel Advisors Global Network. You should see us listed as your new host agency affiliation. The next step is to complete your application and order your CLIA Card.

Click Join/Renew under Individual Agent Member Application.

Your final step is to complete the application, upload a current business headshot and pay for your new CLIA card. If you have any trouble completing the process, please contact CLIA directly.

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Privacy Overview

Travel Agent Benefits

As a TPI agent, there is no limit to your earning potential. Save on personal travel by earning commission or by using special agent rates when available.

TPI Travel Services is not a travel club. We are a network of Independent Travel Agents. You can be eligible for travel agent discounts with all TPI memberships.

Once you become an Independent Travel Agent with TPI and you meet the eligibility requirements, you can book hotels, cruises, car rentals, and other services with travel agent discounts. Discounted travel agent rates are subject to availability and at the sole discretion of each individual travel vendor/supplier. When travel agent rates are not available or if you are not eligible for a particular rate, you can still make reservations using TPI’s IATA number to receive commission on your personal travel.

When using Travel Agent rates, proof of travel agent status may be required.

There Are Two Primary Types of Travel Agent ID Cards

**Please note that ID cards are not included with TPI memberships**

One type of ID card is the IATAN card , which will allow you to get many types of discounts. The IATAN card is issued by the International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN), upon request by TPI. There are additional fees and requirements for the IATAN card that are not included with a TPI membership. The following requirements have been established by IATAN in order to obtain this card:

• $5,000 in commissions paid to you by TPI within a consecutive twelve-month period. This income consists of commissions and other income earned from the sale of travel.
• You must work at least 20 hours per week as an Independent Travel Agent.

Another type of ID card is the CLIA card (called the Embarc ID). The Embarc ID card is issued by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA), upon request by TPI and is valid for one calendar year. The agent must have a CLIA Individual Agent Membership through our agency to receive an Embarc ID card. There are additional fees for the CLIA Embarc ID that are not included with the TPI membership.

The following are requirements in order to obtain this card:

• All applicants must be actively earning commission for our agency and meet our earnings requirements. (TPI Requirement).
• Each agent must have an active and up to date file with TPI Travel Services and be in full compliance with membership requirements.
• CLIA charges $119 for a 2022 CLIA Individual Agent Membership. The $119 fee will be paid directly to CLIA from their website. TPI will also charge a $20 service fee for administration of CLIA Individual Agent Memberships.

Some of the discounts you may receive:

• Participation in FAM trips.  Familiarization trips are often referred to as “FAM Trips” in the travel industry. FAM trips are highly discounted vacations that industry professionals experience to familiarize themselves with resort destinations, specific tour operators, and other services. FAM trips can be as low as $100 for an all-inclusive vacation. Discounts from 40 to 80 percent of the full value of the travel services provided are typically offered.
• Free hotel room upgrades including concierge floor rooms or suites are sometimes available for the price of a discounted room.
• You may participate in travel agency trade shows and seminars.
• You can get discounts at hotels, car rental reservations, museums, airport shuttles, airport parking, theme parks, IMAX theaters, water parks, and other types of attractions. 

Once you obtain the CLIA or IATAN card you will be eligible for additional discounts*:

• 50 percent off on standard rates at select hotels.
• Reduced air travel rates through some ticketless airlines (with an IATAN card only).
• All-inclusive cruises as low as $35 per day per person.
• Additional tour operator discounts.
• Complimentary one day ticket per year to select theme parks.

*All discounts are subject to availablity and subject to the discretion of the suppliers and may carry certain restrictions and procedures to obtain them.

Taking advantage of just one of these discounts or giveaways can more than pay for your TPI membership!

Not only will you be receive great discounts when you travel, but you may be able to deduct your travel as an business expense since you are now operating your own in-home travel agency. In addition you may be able to deduct such items as your computer, internet service, your business phone line, the space in your home used to operate your business, and more.

For complete details on available tax deductions, please consult your tax advisor.

Travel Agency Accreditation, Explained: IATA, IATAN, ARC, CLIA, and TRUE

• 14 min read
• Published: 29 May, 2023
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As if the world of travel distribution wasn’t complicated enough, the topic of the travel agency accreditation is another maze to navigate. Organizations like IATA, ARC, CLIA, or CCRA issue special codes to travel agencies that grant access to special capabilities and perks. And it can be confusing to know which ones do what. Should you get accredited, and if so, why? Is it worth the trouble, and can you succeed without an accreditation? Also, which among many accreditation acronyms to choose, and how are they different? Here, we will cover all the accreditation types, their application processes, and benefits to help you make an educated choice.

What is travel agency accreditation? Why do you need it?

In the air travel space, there are many more companies selling travel services than the ones providing them. For example, there are about 5,000 airlines but over 80,000 travel agencies in the US alone. So it makes sense that suppliers want to make sure that parties selling their tickets can be trusted and provide professional service. And how do you know which agency to trust? You need some form of verification. That’s what accreditation is for. IATA , ARC, CLIA, or CCRA control the business of distributing travel services and accredit travel sellers that adhere to certain requirements. They assess potential partners before giving them the tools to sell flights, hotels, and cruises. When you’re accredited, it typically means that you have a personal code or a number that allows other industry players (mostly, suppliers) to recognize you as a legitimate partner. It’s almost like an exclusive membership club, and you want to become a part of it if you want to succeed. You don’t always need to obtain the accreditation yourself. If you’re a smaller business, you can join a hosting agency – a big, thriving business with a strong market presence and customer base. A host agency has accreditation and shares their membership with you for a commission on your sales. Many start-up travel agencies or individual agents join a host agency for access to booking capabilities. But not all want to do this. So who needs accreditation? There are three main groups. Independent agents and agencies. Either home-based or storefront agencies that don’t want to share their sales with a middleman might choose to be accredited themselves instead of using the services of a host agency. Hosted agencies . At the same time, some agencies that are already using the accreditation of their host might choose to get accredited for a specific reason. For example, they want direct access to suppliers but still want a host agency to manage ticketing for them. So they might obtain accreditation without ticketing, which is often cheaper and less cumbersome. We will talk about ticketing a bit further in the article. Corporate Travel Departments . There are special programs not for agencies but for organizations that regularly book travel for their employees’ business trips . They can be accredited to book with suppliers directly and save money on travel expenses.

In this article, we will cover the following accreditation paths.

• IATA accreditation for selling air travel worldwide
• ARC accreditation for selling air travel in the US
• CLIA accreditation for cruise booking
• TRUE accreditation for cruise and tours booking

Each of these options covers different travel niches, some provide ticketing capabilities while others don’t, and some accept international agents. Which should you choose? Let’s cover them one by one.

IATA accreditation for air travel: IATA vs IATAN vs TIDS

International Air Transport Association or IATA is a global trade association of airlines that develops standards and practices for the aviation industry. IATA accreditation exists to verify travel agencies and control the revenue flow. It’s accepted worldwide.

Watch our expert explain all about IATA Accreditation

There’s also  IATAN or International Airlines Travel Agent Network that is basically the same thing but specifically for US-based travel agencies. We have a dedicated article about obtaining all types of IATA accreditation , but here we will give a few main points for easy comparison. So what does having that IATA Numeric Code mean for travel agents? Airline ticketing capability. An IATA-certified travel agency can do airline ticketing on behalf of an airline. Ticketing is the process of confirming a transaction, which is done via special billing software – IATA’s BSP or US-only ARC . Agencies get access to that software only with accreditation that includes ticketing. Without it, an agency must do ticketing via middlemen, which creates extra expenses and takes longer. There are, however, options for accreditation without ticketing capabilities. Credibility and industry recognition. With the IATA logo on your website, you don’t have to gain additional trust or prove your legitimacy to airlines or hotels. When suppliers see that IATA has already checked that your procedures adhere to industry standards, you can build strong relationships with them or even directly negotiate exclusive rates. Financial control. With IATA accreditation, agencies have access to their billing software called the Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP) and can process and report payments and issue tickets easier. IATA has a flexible accreditation program with four options depending on your needs and region. For non-US travel agencies, there’s

• full IATA accreditation – a standard approach for international businesses that want to support ticketing and
• a TIDS (travel industry designator services) code – a non-ticketing IATA accreditation. A TIDS code is simply an identification that helps your supplier network grow. It’s also used to grant commissions.

For US-based agencies, there are similar programs:

• IATAN accreditation – the same as the full IATA accreditation but for US businesses only and
• IATAN non-ticketing accreditation that provides the same opportunities a TIDS code does.

Overview of IATA accreditation options

Full IATA accreditation

This is one of the main travel agency accreditation options. Who is it for? This option is for any non-US based agency (home-based or storefront) that sells a lot of air tickets and wants to do their own ticketing. How to apply? This is how to apply for IATA accreditation.

• proof of general business operations,
• proof of your qualifications,
• confirmation of travel agent experience,
• proof of financial viability.
• Register at the Customer Portal .
• Submit the application form with required documents.
• Pay the registration fee.

How much does it cost? Within the IATA accreditation program, there are three levels that you can change any time: GoLite, GoStandard, and GoGlobal. They’re all very similar in capabilities, except that GoLite doesn’t have some payment capabilities, and only the GoGlobal option has multi-country coverage. The application fee ranges accordingly from 250 CHF (~$280) to 1500 CHF (~$1700) and 2500 CHF (~$2800). There’s also an annual fee if you’re accepted that will be based on your gross annual sales through the BSP. IATA might also request proof of financial security from you, which you must provide within 30 days. Once they receive all documents, the evaluation will start and usually takes around 2 weeks.

TIDS accreditation

Travel Industry Designator Service is an IATA program that provides travel agents with a unique code known as the IATA code or the TIDS code without the need for full accreditation. It’s used to identify sellers in global reservation systems and allows travel suppliers such as airlines, hotels, and car rentals to identify points of sale. If you’re an IATA accredited agent, you already have an IATA code, so you don’t need to apply for TIDS. Who is it for? Basically, any company that provides travel booking services, such as air, hotel, car, cruises, etc., can apply for TIDS. TIDS is not available in the US, where this service is covered by IATAN. How to apply? This is how to apply for TIDS.

• confirmation of business ownership,
• copy of business registration,
• bank statement,
• one letter of recommendation from an IATA Airline, GDS, or other major industry supplier,
• travel agency license,
• signed copy of the TIDS Terms and Conditions .
• Select TIDS.
• Submit your application for review.

How much does it cost? The TIDS registration is free of charge. There are also no annual fees, but you will need to complete the Annual Revalidation. Learn more about the application process at this page and on the TIDS FAQ section .

Full IATAN accreditation

Although the idea behind IATA and IATAN accreditation is the same, there are a few differences between them:

• IATAN is used only for US-based travel businesses with over 2 years of experience and
• in the US, all payment transactions are processed not in BSP, but via the Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC) .

Who is it for? IATAN is for US-based travel businesses who want to book and issue flight tickets. How to apply? This is how to apply for IATAN accreditation.

• ARC approval,
• business license,
• proof of ownership,
• proof of Seller of Travel Registration for states of California, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, and Washington,
• proof of two years of experience.
• Fill out the required forms ( click to download .zip file ).
• Submit the documents and forms at [email protected].
• Pay registration fees.

How much does it cost? IATAN accreditation costs $247 for a head office or branch and $410 for a corporate travel department. Annual service fees are $103 and $184 respectively. The response/wait time is typically 4 to 6 weeks.

Non-ticketing IATAN accreditation

This option is similar to what TIDS offers to global travel agents – booking capabilities, recognition, and credibility, but no ticketing capabilities. Who is it for? This option is suitable for organizations that don’t plan to issue flight tickets but want to book flights directly from airlines. For example, home-based, storefront, meeting-planner businesses, or corporate travel departments. How to apply? The process is similar to that of a standard IATAN application, but you don’t have to prepare the ARC approval. Check out the file we shared above ( click to download .zip file ) for the breakdown of the financial documents your type of business will need to provide. How much does it cost? The fees are the same as above in the full IATAN accreditation section. Read more about the process and requirements here .

ARC accreditation for airline booking in the US

Airline Reporting Corporation or ARC regulates transactions between airlines and travel agencies registered in the United States, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and/or American Samoa. Basically, it receives all money from agencies and sends it to airlines. At the same time, it pays agencies commissions on behalf of airlines. As we mentioned before, you can call it the US alternative to IATA BSP. ARC also issues accreditation to agencies that want to sell and issue flight tickets. Basically, the benefits are the same provided by IATA: ticketing capabilities, credibility, and access to reporting tools. So what’s the difference between IATAN and ARC in terms of accreditation, then? Well, ARC was the first to assign travel agency codes in the US, and then IATAN was introduced to mimic the ARC codes, so that international air carriers recognize them. You can have one or both. It doesn’t really matter since they replicate one another, but different ID cards can have different discounts. ARC has three types of accreditation.

• ARC-Accredited Agency – the most complete option that enables ticketing for you.
• Verified Travel Consultant (VLC) – the same but without ticketing capabilities.
• Corporate Travel Department (CTD) – option for businesses not in the travel industry.

Let’s cover which one you might need. Also, check out our separate article on ARC accreditation , where we cover ARC’s role and the accreditation process in more detail.

ARC-Accredited Agency for issuing flight tickets

Who is it for? This is a standard option for US-based agencies wanting to sell airline tickets. How to apply? This is how to become an ARC-Accredited agency.

• confirmation of an established bank account with ARC,
• a bond or a bank statement for $20,000.
• Designate an ARC Specialist in your office who must pass the certification.
• Complete the application form .
• Pay the fee and submit your application form with required documents.
• Pass an interview.

How much does it cost? The application fee is $2,300, and the annual location fee is $228. The application process must take around 90 days. You can read more about it in the Industry Agents’ Handbook and in the FAQ section .

Verified Travel Consultant for non-ticketing agents

Who is it for? This option is for you if you’re a US-based agency and don’t plan to issue airline tickets. For example, when you don’t book many flights but still want access to supplier inventory and the recognition that comes with ARC. How to apply? To apply for a Verified Travel Consultant:

• Review the VTC Agreement and Handbook .
• Fill the application form .
• Pay an application fee.

How much does it cost? This is a fairly low-cost option since you don’t need a $20,000 bond or bank statement, and the application fee is only $195. Verification takes on average 30 days. You can find out more about the program in the FAQ section or on the dedicated landing page .

Corporate Travel Department for non-travel businesses

Who is it for? This option is specifically created for US-based non-travel organizations that regularly book travel for their employees and would benefit from direct relationships with travel suppliers. This allows corporations to act as their own travel agents and eliminate commissions paid to middlemen. How to apply? This is how to apply for a Corporate Travel Department.

• an IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• Assign an ARC Specialist Qualifier and a Manager Qualifier (they can be the same person).
• Meet the ticketing security standards.
• Submit the form, payment, and the required documents.

How much does it cost? The CTD application fee is $3,000 with a $206 annual fee. For more details, review the Corporate Travel Department Reporting Agreement ( CTDRA ) and visit the FAQ section .

CLIA credentials for cruise booking

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, representing 95 percent of the ocean-going cruise capacity. Their members include 50+ cruise lines, 54,000 travel agents, and 15,000 travel agencies. Although CLIA is capable of influencing the industry, it doesn’t have any power to enforce rules or regulations, so it’s not unusual for cruising companies to operate outside of CLIA membership. For example, CLIA has no representation across the continent of Africa. Still, CLIA offers the only industry-recognized credential program, which might benefit those who are selling cruises and seeking to grow in the cruise segment. It’s called a CLIA card or number . A CLIA card is a unique ID number that identifies you as a seller of cruises to vendors and suppliers and allows you to book cruises and receive commissions. It serves the same purpose as the IATA agency code. Also, every agent in your agency can apply for an individual CLIA ID. Let’s review these options.

Travel Agency Membership (TAM)

The Travel Agency Membership is CLIA’s main credential. The TAM program provides you with a CLIA Industry ID number, which you can use to directly book with CLIA’s member cruise lines and partners. You can view the whole list of their affiliates here , and you will find that they include Carnival, Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line, and many more industry leaders. At the same time, vendors and suppliers can check your ID on CLIA’s website to verify that you’re in good standing in the industry. Other than that, it includes such benefits as:

• Special commissions and discounts – in your membership welcome package, you get a coupon booklet for special commissions, and the program itself provides bonus commissions, special discounts, as well as discounts on office supplies and technology.
• Members-only information – access to special webinars, news digests, and other latest information on the cruise industry.
• Promotion – a listing on CLIA’s Agent Finder platform, where vacationers can find your agency by postal code, promoting you as a credible professional.
• Ability to join CLIA as Individual Agent Members – Only agents affiliated with CLIA’s TAM can get an Individual Agent Membership, which comes with its own set of benefits. We will cover this option below.

Who is it for? Any host or storefront travel agency that wants to book cruises directly. How to apply? The application is fairly simple. Just provide proof that you’re meeting all federal, state, and local ordinances relative to making such sales. How much does it cost? The TAM verification costs $399, and the annual renewal fee is also $399. If you want to have a listing with Agent Finder, it costs $19.95. Create an account on CLIA to access more information and apply for TAM. There’s also a Premier Agency Membership (PAM) – an exclusive partnership of select agencies, which is invitation-only.

Individual Agent Membership (IAM)

Any travel agent working with a TAM-verified agency can apply for Individual Agent Membership with CLIA. The main benefit is obtaining a CLIA EMBARC ID – a personal card, which, just as CLIA agency ID, gives industry recognition, exclusive partner commissions, and other member benefits. Apart from that, CLIA is very focused on education and professional certification, so the membership gives you access to training and certificate programs to develop your professional skills. What’s important is that you don’t need IAM to book with your agency’s CLIA number. So it’s not a booking credential but rather a special program with extra perks. Who is it for? Travel agents selling a lot of cruises who are affiliated with a TAM agency and want access to CLIA’s certification program or an EMBARC ID. How to apply? Agents are approved through their TAM agency, not CLIA, so let them know that you want to apply. Though CLIA recommends that an agent have a history of sales and at least $5,000 in commissions annually. How much does it cost? The application and the annual fee are $119 if you’re affiliated with a TAM agency and $69 for PAM. Suffice it to say, IAM is very popular among cruise agents for its training programs and the promo via the Agent Finder platform, especially considering that the application process is very simple.

CCRA TRUE accreditation for niche travel booking

CCRA originally stood for Computerized Corporate Rate Association, but throughout its history forged into a different meaning. Today, it’s a travel association that facilitates commerce between travel professionals and suppliers. Their accreditation program called TRUE (Travel Retailers Universal Enumeration) does the same thing IATA, CLIA, and ARC do – provides verification for agencies and opens access for direct booking of travel services via TRUE codes. So what benefits does it offer? Direct booking from travel suppliers. The way a TRUE code is different from all of the previously mentioned accreditations is that it gives access to more types of travel service providers: tour operators , car rental companies, hotels, insurance providers, air consolidators , amusement parks, and cruise lines. Among their vast network of suppliers are hotel groups Accor, Hilton, and IHG, tour operator Contiki, a car rental brand Hertz, and tour booking platform GetYourGuide – overall, over 150 big and smaller suppliers to partner with. Dashboard with useful tools. Members get access to the dashboard, helping them run their businesses. It comprises resources and tools for agencies, such as templates, training and education webinars, supplier training, etc. There are two options for obtaining a TRUE code: a regular TRUE accreditation and TRUE Host. The difference is in how many employees are working for you, and the cost is different, too. The application process is the same for both options.

Who is it for? TRUE accreditation is suitable for niche agents and agencies, so they can build valuable relationships with suppliers that won’t be accessible directly otherwise. How to apply? These are the steps to becoming a TRUE-accredited agency or agent.

• proof that you’re a sole proprietor,
• proof that you’re meeting your state’s requirements as a seller of travel,
• proof that you have at least 6 months of travel selling experience,
• 3 business references,
• proof of an active bank account in good standing.
• Submit a form and payment.

How much does it cost? The regular TRUE accreditation costs $399 for the first year and $240 for each additional year, while the TRUE Host accreditation is $595 for the first year and $495 for each additional year. You have 30 days after the payment to submit all required documents. Read more about the TRUE program here .

Accreditation overview: IATA vs ARC vs CLIA vs TRUE

Let’s sum it all up. What accreditation should you choose? Answer a few questions to decide. If you want to book air and ticket  on your own, your options are

• full IATA accreditation (if you’re outside of the US),
• full IATAN accreditation (if you’re in the US),
• ARC Accredited Agency (if you’re in the US).

If you want to book air and have ticketing managed by someone else , you can apply for

• TIDS (if you’re outside of the US),
• IATAN non-ticketing (if you’re in the US),
• ARC Verified Travel Consultant (if you’re in the US).

If you want to book flights for your organization (Corporate Travel Department), choose these programs:

• IATAN non-ticketing,
• ARC Corporate Travel Department.

If you want to book cruises , you have one choice – CLIA. If you’re a niche travel agency booking hotels, tours, car rentals, etc., apply for TRUE. Also, remember that if you’re not using the services of a host agency yet but don’t want to go through the ordeal of applying for ticketing options, you can join a host agency or an airline consolidator for an easier route. Check out our article on host travel agencies to learn more. We also have a guest post written by Amadeus about ticketing without accreditation . You may want to check that out, too. We hope this clears things up for you. Let us know in the comments what you want us to explain next.

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Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

• Trans-Siberian Railway Tickets
• Trans-Siberian Railway Ticket Booking
• Trans-Siberian Railway Car Classes
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Home » Prices and Trans-Siberian Tickets » Trans-Siberian Railway Prices

Ticket prices for the Trans-Siberian Railway also depend on the current ruble exchange rate.

Is the Trans-Siberian Railway expensive?

Before starting on your Trans-Siberian Railway adventure you naturally want to know what the entire trip will cost. Although this sounds like a simple question, it is pretty difficult to answer. The Trans-Siberian Railway price of travel depends on the following factors:

• Which travel class do I want to use? The price for a first class ticket is about three times the price of a 3rd class ticket
• Am I willing to buy the tickets myself and assume responsibility for the organisation of the trip?
• How many stopovers do I want to make? The more breaks, the higher the total price.
• What sort of accommodation do I want? Will it be a luxury hotel or will a hostel dormitory be sufficient?
• What tours and excursions would I like to go on?
• What is the current exchange rate for rubles?

Basically, everything from a luxury to a budget holiday is available. If you buy yourself a 3rd Class nonstop ticket at the counter, a few hundred Euros will cover the price. All you will experience is a week on the Trans-Siberian train and will see nothing of the cities on the way. There is, however, any amount of room for upward expansion. Everyone makes different choices about which aspects they are willing to spend money on. I personally prefer to save money on accommodation and railcar class, visit as many cities and do as many trips as possible. To enable better classification of your travel expenses I have contrasted two typical traveler types. In the third column you can calculate the total cost of your own journey on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that these are only rough estimations and not exact prices.

The all-in costs seem fairly high at first. However, they cover everything and it is quite a long journey taking four weeks. Many people forget to consider that when looking at the list. We should also deduct the running costs for food and leisure at home. I think most visitors to this page will classify themselves somewhere between the two categories, that is around the € 2,000 – € 2,500 range. When comparing these prices with other travel packages, you get the impression that it is hardly worthwhile travelling individually on the Trans-Siberian Railway. Please keep in mind that most packages last no more than 14 days and you are herded like cattle through the most beautiful locations.

If you spend less time on the Trans-Siberian Railway you will, of course, pay less. I chose this particular travel length because I prefer not to do things by halves. If you fulfill your dream of travelling on the Trans-Siberian Railway, enjoy it and don’t rush things. But it’s up to you, of course. Try playing around with the form a bit to find the appropriate price for your trip.

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The Appaloosa Horse Club

The Appalossa Horse Club (ApHC) is an international breed registry located in town called Moscow, in Idaho, USA. The club is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Appaloosa breed. Among all the Appaloosa horse registries, the ApHC is by far the largest one.

Today, Appaloosa organizations affiliated with ApHC exist in many countries.

Registration

According to ApHC rules, the Appaloosa is “ a breed defined by ApHC bloodline requirements and preferred characteristics, including coat pattern ”.

To register a horse as Appaloosa with the ApHC, the horse must have two registered Appaloosa parents, or one registered Appaloosa parent + one parent that is registered in one of the other approved breed registries. These approved breed registries are limited to Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses and Arabian Horses.

Exception: If a gelding or spayed mare with unknown pedigree is Appaloosa colored, the owner of the horse can apply to have it registered with the ApHC under the Hardship Registration clause.

Additional rules

• A horse that meets the bloodline requirements without displaying the recognized color pattern can still register with the ApHC. It will be registered as a non-characteristic Appaloosa. Non-characteristic Appaloosas can only be shown at ApHC events if a DNA test has proven that it has the required parentage, and the owner pays an extra fee to enter the horse into the ApHC Performance Permit Program (PPP).
• The ApHC size requirement for a mature Appaloosa is at least 14 hands unshod. Sufficiently young horses can be registered even if they are smaller than this (even though it is impossible to know if they will fulfill the requirement as they mature).
• A horse with excessive white markings not associated with the Appaloosa pattern (e.g. the markings associated with a pinto horse) can only be registered if DNA testing proves that both parents are ApHC registered.

ApHC horse shows

Every year, the ApHC holds three nationally recognized horse shows:

• The National Appaloosa Show
• The World Championship Appaloosa Show
• The Youth World Championship Appaloosa Show

Appaloosa racing

Horses that perform well in Appaloosa races can earn various awards from the ApHC, such as regional ApHC awards and year-end awards. There is also the Racing Register of Merit.

The ApHC records world records and track records for Appaloosa racehorses.

The Appaloosa Competitive All-breed Activities Program (ACAAP)

The Appaloosa Competitive All-breed Activities Program (ACAAP) was created to make it possible for the ApHC to recognize achievements in all-breed competitions where Appaloosas partake.

The National Color Breeding Racing Council

Since 1994, the National Color Breeding Racing Council has promoted Appaloosa racing and Paint racing as a joint venture.

The Appaloosa Breeders’ Trust

The use of Furosemide and Acetazolamide

Since 2007, the ApHC allows Appaloosas to show even if they are being treated with the drugs furosemide and acetazolamide.

Furosemide (trade name: Lasix) is used to prevent bleeding in horses that are inclined to bleed from the nose when carrying out strenuous work, e.g. during a race.

Acetazolamide is used to prevent seizures in horses who suffer from a genetic condition known as Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis (HYPP). According to ApHC rules, only a horse tested positive for HYPP is allowed to show while being treated with acetazolamide.

Permitting these two drugs are controversial, since they can be used as drug maskers and make it more difficult to detect the presence of other drugs in the horse. Both the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) and the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), which governs international and Olympic equestrian competitions, ban the use of furosemide.

The American Appaloosa Association

In 1983, The American Appaloosa Association was formed as a reaction against a rule change that made it possible for certain plain-colored horses to be included in the ApHC registry. The American Appaloosa Association is based in Missouri.

This article was last updated on: November 20, 2017