I love being A Travel Agent - Everyone benefits |
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 12 months ago |
I am a Certified Travel Agent (CTA) and I have a deep respect for the 'brick and mortar' travel agents. I am attending a home-based travel agent Expo in Atlantic City, so I can become more of a master of my craft, and hopefully meet some of them. The thing I am most proud of is that I am involved with a true brick and mortar 26-year old licensed and bonded travel agency. We have built and established long sustaining relationships with our suppliers. We also have relationships in over 30 countries, so we can build a clientele worldwide. As a home based travel agent, not only can I earn money when I book from my site, but when my clients do. I can also build by growing other travel stores and grow my organization of folks who are like myself. BUT, what I love is having clients. I can cater to them and plan according to their needs and budget, not to be limited to group travel, conventions, business, corporate, the whole nine. And we also deal with Consolidators, and help build travel packages for our clients. I am not simply a Referring Travel Agent, where I refer people to my site. If a client wants something that they don't see on my own booking engine, as a CTA, I can go through the suppliers directly, and get paid directly throught the suppliers. We also don't do the card mill thing. We just don't hand out cards for anyone that becomes a travel agent. We have to study and pass an agent's test to even get credentials. We also enjoy perks, such as monthly member trips that our whole family can attend, and we receive heavy discounts that are virtually unbeatable. Being a HOME BASED travel agent as opposed to a STOREFRONT travel agent is definitely the tax breaks. We get more tax breaks than ever imagined. If you are interested in hearing about that, we have a keynote speaker coming to do a training on homebased tax advantages on October 7th at 7pm-8pm EST. Check him out, Ron Mueller: www.homebusinesstaxsavings.com Keisha
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China in Scottsdale, Arizona 12 months ago |
Hi Keisha, It sounds as if you're really happy at your career. How young are you? What kind of school did you go to to become what you are? What were your first steps out of school? How long did you work in the brick & mortar? How do travel agents earn their commission, off the client? What motivated you to work from home now? Any advice you can give me about this career would be great...How much personal discounted travel do you yourself get to do as a result of your job? Thanks! |
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 12 months ago |
Hello Muhammed, Please email me at cater2utravel@gmail.com. So we can talk. Blessings Keisha |
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 12 months ago |
China in Scottsdale, Arizona said: Hi Keisha, China,
I'm 30 yrs old. I'm a military spouse with 3 children. I never worked in a traditional brick and mortar company...I have a lot of admiration for those because they have very extensive knowledge of the travel industry. I learn from them all the time. One of my team mates has been in the travel industry for 15 years, so I learn a lot from her.
Next month they have a travel agent expo in Atlantic City, NJ, so I get to learn more about travel. I am also taking courses to specialize in weddings, cruises, Las Vegas, and eventually Germany.
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Zoey in Palm Bay, Florida 12 months ago |
Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia said: China, I've taken a look at many of these travel sites only to find they are multi level marketing in that you have to get your friends and family to book with you or if you hope to make any money you have to get a number of other people to open a "travel agency" under you. (pyramid!!!) |
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 12 months ago |
Zoey, How are you? I understand your skeptism.
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Cinnamon in Houston, Texas 12 months ago |
Greetings Keisha,
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 12 months ago |
Hi Cinnamon.
We are fairly new, but are breaking industry records. We are also true travel agents. We are our own hosting agency, and can work directly with suppliers. We get constant training on travel itself and building a business. I actually train my team on Thursdays. There are 2 Travel Expos going on...One is at the end of Oct. in NJ, and the other is in Dec. in Las Vegas. This is where traditional, work from home agents, and many suppliers will be hosting and teaching everyone about the travel industry. I plan to go to one or both. I would also like to invite any of you as a guest this coming Sunday. We have a renowned speaker Ron Mueller, who is going to share with us, how we can maximize our tax advantages owning a travel business from home. Please reply or email me at cater2utravel@gmail.com if you would to attend. I like to make sure folks get as much information as possible, especially if they are looking at starting in the travel industry but want to do so from home. Lakeisha M. Ford
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BNTG in District Heights, Maryland 11 months ago |
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 11 months ago |
BNTG, Thank you for that report. I read all of it.
And believe me, we are very aware of the 'trend' on card milling...which is one thing we DO NOT do. Our agents aren't even eligible to receive an IATAN card until they complete training, and must continue to train, and qualify. I am aware of RCCL terminating contracts with travel companies (we are NOT one of them). We have a wonderful company, and we are being trained and given the opportunity to work from home and capatilize on the major shifts: homebased business, travel, and the internet. Again, I have said in the beginning of my posts that I have a lot of respect for traditional travel agents, and will never take anything away from what they are doing. I have friends and people that work(ed) in that field, and I learn a lot from them.
Blessings to all.
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Tiger in Orlando, Florida 11 months ago |
Zoey in Palm Bay, Florida said: I've taken a look at many of these travel sites only to find they are multi level marketing in that you have to get your friends and family to book with you or if you hope to make any money you have to get a number of other people to open a "travel agency" under you. (pyramid!!!) Zoey, a pyramid structure is a pyramid scheme, MLM. They are going to be drive out of the legitimate travel industry. RCI cruise lines have taken the first steps. Work with a legitmate host. do your research and stay clear of the MLM, referral agencies and any publicly held company that has lost 12.5 million year to date. Choose wisely. |
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Tiger in Orlando, Florida 11 months ago |
BNTG in District Heights, Maryland said: homebasedtravelagentsblog.typepad.com/my_weblog/ BNTG, you have hit it on the head. This is an excellent resource for choosing a legitimate host agency, that provides industry training and follows up with service to support your business. |
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 11 months ago |
Tiger in Orlando, Florida said: Zoey, a pyramid structure is a pyramid scheme, MLM. They are going to be drive out of the legitimate travel industry. RCI cruise lines have taken the first steps. Work with a legitmate host. do your research and stay clear of the MLM, referral agencies and any publicly held company that has lost 12.5 million year to date. Choose wisely. Tiger, So are you saying that Real estate brokers, military/government, human resources, sports agents/recruiters, are pyramid schemes? They are structured pyramids. Our company is also privately held, not publicly traded. We got news that we will officially become travel wholesellers, we have a resort being built thru partnership with Karisma Resorts, we have travel camp which will be teach us more about travel, by leaders of major suppliers who will sign off on our aggressive 4-day training sessions we don't push Fam trips, and other things in the works. So Zoey, and anyone else, do your research, I totally agrree. I'm not here to bash, or anything, but to help others understand what I'm doing from home, which is also helping provide for my family and will help me retire my husband eventually. I love travel, and what I'm doing now, I absolutely love working from home. Many folks frown at the word MLM, and like I said before, people don't understand it. That's not to say there aren't any shady folks out there. Here is a video by Robert Kiyosaki, take a look. Very informative. myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=8276826 Blessings to all of your successes, Keisha |
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BNTG in Alexandria, Virginia 11 months ago |
Lakeisha, I must be honest in telling you that TraVerus "looks" suspicious just reading the material. When you have to have a bunch of videos, celebrity spokesperson and compare yourself to all places "YTB" you have to realize what type of company you put yourself among. If you read the vast majority of the marketing material host agencies put out, you will notice a trend, they don't trash another agency, but tell you what they bring to the table versus what out there. If "I" was a host agency, I certainly would not compare myself to YTB when there are better host agencies to do a comparision with |
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BNTG in Alexandria, Virginia 11 months ago |
Let me also say that to me you seem like you take the industry seriously which is a good thing!!!! I suggest that you "might" want to look at a more legitimate host agency to join |
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BNTG in Alexandria, Virginia 11 months ago |
Ok, TraVerus, already just reading their become an agent material makes you think because just like YTB, you can be a "referral agent" then they go on to give you a burb about having celebrity spokepersons on their international radio show to being the "talk of the industry". I'm also very skeptical when someone/thing like TraVersus says they will "certify" you as a travel agent through "their" training program |
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 11 months ago |
BNTG, Thank you, I do take what I do VERY seriously. I have to say, that TraVerus has done well by me, and our CEO makes sure that we are doing everything 'RIGHT', as far as training, no card milling,etc. I wish I could convey it. We are ground floor, and I don't bash companies...I state facts...unfortunately other companies like to use us as bait b/c we are new, and we'll continue to get criticism as we grow. So on some marketing materials you will see Traverus folks comparing the differences between us little guys and others (YTB).(not excusing that) That's not my thing. I promote facts, keep it real, and don't bash companies. However, I do get a lot of people who want to know the difference between us and 'them' when they are searching. So I explain in the most unbiased way possible whether they join me or not. Just like any company starting ground floor, we have growing pains. But it has gotten better, and we have 2 uniform presentations that are approved by TraVerus that will eventually become the standard. Our celebrity is an unpaid spokesperson, and member of TraVerus, and we are endorsed by other celebrities. This does not impress me at all, but it does speak of the credibility of our company. Our travel portal...lol....it is what it is....but we are going to be upgrading to a very high tech portal that traditional travel agents either use or want.
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 11 months ago |
BNTG in Alexandria, Virginia said: Ok, TraVerus, already just reading their become an agent material makes you think because just like YTB, you can be a "referral agent" then they go on to give you a burb about having celebrity spokepersons on their international radio show to being the "talk of the industry". I'm also very skeptical when someone/thing like TraVersus says they will "certify" you as a travel agent through "their" training program The difference between being a referral agent with us as opposed to YTB, is that with us we can ONLY REFER people to our booking engine (similar to if you referred a friend to Expedia to book). BUT they do NOT receive ANY credentials/ID card ABSOLUTELY NADA. Their commissions are also less if they need to book more complex travel because it has to be done through the corp office. Right NOW with YTB, they are giving RTAs ID cards when they join and a letter that can be used to take advantage of savings (I know b/c I used to be in YTB and know people in YTB). Come Jan. 2008 they are going to start implementing they qualify for their credentials. To become Certified with TraVerus, we have to train and take an agent's test and pass. To get our CLIA, we have to go by the regulations CLIA provides. We still have to continue training..but we will receive an IATAN card through corp. We don't get our OWN IATAN card until we continue more training, and book so much in travel to qualify for that. As a Certified Travel agent, AFTER all training is complete, then and only then are we able to book travel directly with vendors in addition to our site, and earn higher commissions. We are not MLM selling travel, that is what YTB is. We are a 26yr old brick and mortar agency that has opened MLM for us to do the same thing from home. Seriously, I have so much training material... and I am trying to specialize in Las Vegas, Cruises, Honeymoons/Weddings, and others...but I tell ya...travel is a HUGE broad industry. |
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 11 months ago |
We also are implementing a travel agent camp in that will offer training by Specialists staffed by Carnival cruises and other major vendors that will be signed off by those specific people to make sure we have the correct training and to authorize us to book travel through them.
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BNTG in Alexandria, Virginia 11 months ago |
It would really help if there wasn't a "referral" program in place...this would help legitimize your business...yes the travel industry is huge but the paragram shift from vendors has been such that agents have had to ride with the waves..you'll find that if you specialize in two or three of those areas, you stand to make more money than if you tried to cover them all |
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Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California 11 months ago |
Hello, I am the CEO & President of the Black Chamber of Commerce of Los Angeles County (www.blackchamberlac.com. We have a travel website at www.blackchambertravel.com. We have a Caribbean American Committee, and we all are YTB Referring Travel Agents. My business travel website is at www.selfbooktravel.com. If you are a credentialed travel agent and would like a website booking engine like ours, the company who we RTA for has a deal for you. For a very short period of time, credential travel agents will be exempt from the $449.95 startup fee. All it will take is proof that you're a credential travel agent with your current agency, and our company will give you your website for only $49.00 a month. Normally our website are $449.00, and $49.00 a month thereafter. But again, for a very short window of opportunity, you will be exempt from the $449.00. Call me at 310-367-2821, and I am authorized to setup for this deal. Carl McGill |
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Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California 11 months ago |
The links for those above mentioned sites are www.selfbooktravel.com and www.blackchambertravel.com which for some reason didn't work in the above blog comment, so I am re-entering them here. Carl McGill |
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Arlenie in New Jersey 11 months ago |
BNTC ~ I dont know if you realize what we have to offer, it seems that the Brick and Mortar Agents feel we are some sort of threat to the Industry. However we are not, we will help expand this 7 Trillion Dollar Industry and hopefully do it from America. We offer it in the form of Networking so what... lets just forget about the Network Marketing end for a sec. Now your Brick/Mortar Agency hires home based agents right, well I would imagine they pay them a commission cut this helps the Home Agent plus the B/M but what if that home based agent actually lived in Europe, China or Canada? and was working for your Agency just like you. Can you now see where the benefit comes in? companies like YTB and Traverus and the others are only able to do this because of the Internet Online bookings have gone up to over 80%. The market success rate of people booking their own travel online will not stop this 7 Trillion Dollar market. But people like you who do not understand what this can do for you pass by the opportunity as if it was worthless. You see it is in fact very powerful it is so powerful that I can not even count how man B/M Agencies have joined YTB in the last year. Many of these small agencies did not even have a website they only dealt with their small communities, now they have a global presence in a huge market place. I am only saying dont limit yourself just because you see the words Network Marketing, yes that option is there if you want it, but you could still expand your business without even using it because we work in a 7 Trillion Dollar Industry and growing... |
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Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California 11 months ago |
I first became a credentialed brick and mortar travel agent in 1993. In 2004, I obtained an YTB business and I see it better for my clients and me. Go the websites I listed, www.selfbooktravel and www.blackchambertravel.com and you'll see that they are comparable to other online price wise, and more accessible. Technology and accessibility go hand in hand to get travel options to the modern client. |
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Arlenie in New Jersey 11 months ago |
Carl,
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Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California 11 months ago |
In the spirit of Darwinism, only the strongest competitor survives. Brick and mortar companies are folding. Especially since 911. I've tried to tell people who at my old co-workers, I was a police officer for 16 years with the Los Angeles Police Department, that nothing beats getting direct deposit on pay day. But many prefer driving 10-15 miles from home on their day off to get that paper check. I tried to tell them that they need not worry about running out of money while on vacation because money will be transfered in through technology. Now, I make my money online with a YTB website, and they are sitting in traffic for 8 hours of physical, draining and dangerous work. What does all the above mean to being a ravel agent. Well, either you are going to evolve into a new paradigm or you're going do die from slow to now grow. That's the same with being a travel professional with an online booking engine and one without. Darwism, only the strongest competitor survives. My posts gave those who are credentialed travel agents an opportunity to get a YTB website $445.95 cheaper than it costed me. Do you think any of the brick and mortar agents that read my post jumped on that offer? Nope! |
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BNTG in District Heights, Maryland 11 months ago |
It amazes you guys you don't have to much of a clue about "brick and mortar"... yes the number of them has shrunk but its not because all the travel agents went into hiding... alot of them have now decided to give up the back office functions to an agency that will perform that function for them... YTB basically fronts all this for you.. the real people behind the scenes are the travel agents... Orbitz/Expedia/Travelocity are travel agencies.. the brick and mortar hasn't disappeared like YTB purports... in fact the largest agency in the world is STILL a brick and motar |
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Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California 11 months ago |
Today, my website booked 34 flights, and it's only 1:00 pm. A few of them called and asked questions. The caribbean is popping since it's the end of hurricane season. |
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BNTG in Alexandria, Virginia 11 months ago |
What was that last statement meant to do? |
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Arlenie in New Jersey 11 months ago |
Wow Carl that is excellent... I am popping too, booking for Dominican Republic are really hot right now too... |
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Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California 11 months ago |
BNTG in Alexandria, Virginia said: What was that last statement meant to do? The last statement was meant to change the subject and say something positive about travel and my success that day. I guess you had nothing to add about your day. I feel for you for not having a similar productive day. Online travel business are exposed to the world via the world wide web. Was the door locked to your brick and mortar? That could prevent folks from accessing your services. |
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Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California 11 months ago |
Arlenie in New Jersey said: Wow Carl that is excellent... I am popping too, booking for Dominican Republic are really hot right now too... Great Arlenie! Have you been to the DR? My folks are Jamaican. I do a lot of work in the caribbean. One of my domain names is www.jamaicanairfares and www.belizeanhoneymoons.com to drive business to my site. |
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Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California 11 months ago |
Arlenie that first link is suppose to be www.jamaicanairfares.com if you tried it. |
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 11 months ago |
Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California said: The last statement was meant to change the subject and say something positive about travel and my success that day. I guess you had nothing to add about your day. I feel for you for not having a similar productive day. Online travel business are exposed to the world via the world wide web. Hi Carl, When I started this discussion, I wanted to start dialogue with B&M folks, but also know of the benefit that we have as a homebased business...and also explain to people who are not familiar with what we do online, and let people know about TraVerus. Lets just try to continue to keep this positive, I think that last comment was unneccessary. I wish you and Arlenie the best of luck....I see you are with YTB. I am NOT with YTB (used to be) I am with TraVerus, and happy to be there. Blessings,
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Arlenie in New Jersey 11 months ago |
Keisha, We are all in this together it is not us that the B/Ms hate it is our Business Model. They work in a Conventional Business Model and we do not, they have limits on their Income and we do not. This is what really scares them and they fear if we have the same ability to do what their bosses are doing, like open up other Travel Franchises we did not have to pay over 500,000.00 for and make even more money they dont like it. It is all good honey I am not mad at ya... You do your thing with TraVerus... I believe all of us are here for a reason and that is a 7 Trillion Dollar reason there is way more then enough money for all of us. I say we got the best deal in Town anyone who is still in a B/M I feel for ya, because you can not work in our arena. Too bad too because I would love for you to experience the power of what it is like to have a business working for you in another Country. I personally can not wait to open up my Canada Markets and bring them on board. That is the power of Network Marketing and the Internet and the B/Ms can not track that. It is simple Keisha, we have something that they can not match, lucky for us we were able to see the opportunity, I wish you much luck with TraVerus also. |
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MAWILL BELLAY in Accra, Ghana 11 months ago |
i WILL LIKE TO KNOW A RELIABLE TRAVEL AGENTS TO WORK WITH.
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 11 months ago |
Hello Bellay, I believe we do business in Ghana...send me an email cater2utravel@gmail.com and let's talk. Blessings, Keisha |
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Julia in Rezekne, Latvia 11 months ago |
I have some positions in travel agency.
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Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California 11 months ago |
try www.blackchambertravel.com because the black chamber of commerce of los angeles county has travel for its foundation. |
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BNTG in Alexandria, Virginia 11 months ago |
Hmmmmm, I DON'T know, since I do leisure and corporate bookings; My flights were 57 direct/non-stop and 12 complex
slow week :-( |
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Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California 11 months ago |
Yikes!! That was slow. Maybe it will pickup for you soon. |
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chris in Linden, New Jersey 11 months ago |
BNTG in District Heights, Maryland said: It amazes you guys you don't have to much of a clue about "brick and mortar"... yes the number of them has shrunk but its not because all the travel agents went into hiding... alot of them have now decided to give up the back office functions to an agency that will perform that function for them... YTB basically fronts all this for you.. the real people behind the scenes are the travel agents... Orbitz/Expedia/Travelocity are travel agencies.. the brick and mortar hasn't disappeared like YTB purports... in fact the largest agency in the world is STILL a brick and motar Another slow day at the office huh BNTG:
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Lakeisha M. Ford in Stockbridge, Georgia 11 months ago |
oK oK Signing off this post....
But anyway, I am signing off of these posts, b/c it's starting to feel kinda tit for tat, and that's not what I came on here for. It's cool to share what you do, learn, and grow, and understand, which is why I started this post in the first place...now it's starting to become 'YTB' is this and..'No We're Not, we're this...ugh...movin on. I am a positive person, and I'm sorry but everytime I go online, and promote my business in a positive manner without bashing, staying as professional as possible, someone from YTB comes along and starts throwing stuff around...I will not go there and start stating things that I know, bringin in negativity...instead, I'm opting out of here. Arlenie, Chris, BNTG and whoever else...good luck. Nothing but blessings and success to you all. Keisha |
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Mawill Bellay in Accra, Ghana 11 months ago |
DEAR SIR/MADAM,
1. GOODING/WILL,
ROUTE : ACC----DUBAI----THAILAND
THE SAME DATE DEPARTURE DATE: 5TH OF NOVEMBER
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Mawill Bellay in Accra, Ghana 11 months ago |
DEAR SIR/MADAM,
1. GOODING/WILL,
ROUTE : ACC----DUBAI----THAILAND
THE SAME DATE DEPARTURE DATE: 5TH OF NOVEMBER
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Julia in Rezekne, Latvia 11 months ago |
Hello!
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Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California 11 months ago |
If you want these tickets you will need to visit www.selfbooktravel.com, search the flights and purchase. If you can't do that then decide to either email or call me with your credit card information for payment processing. |
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Julia in Rezekne, Latvia 11 months ago |
I not need any tickets, probably you done a mistake. My name is Julia. I am working in american travel company'My travel club USA" by bisiness-consultant.
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Carl McGill in Los Angeles, California 11 months ago |
I was replying to the person in Ghana. |
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Mawill Bellay in Accra, Ghana 11 months ago |
Dear Madam, Thanks for your early reply,I will like you to give me the reservation so that I will know the amount involve then I can send you the payment. Kind regards,
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