Mobile check-in is now available nationwide
These three steps can take you from check-in to boarding, wherever you are:
Enter mobile.united.com into the browser of your mobile device to check in for any flight within the U.S. starting 24 hours before scheduled departure.
If you are flying through one of the airports listed below, you can select to receive your boarding pass via email.** Otherwise, visit any EasyCheck-in® kiosk to print your boarding pass at the airport.
To use your device as your boarding pass, scan the barcode on your screen at security and at the gate when boarding.
You’ll also be able to check flight status and get up-to-the-minute arrival and departure information, including times and gate information.

Where can I use a mobile boarding pass?
You can use your mobile device as your mobile boarding pass at these airports:
Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
Dallas – Fort Worth (DFW)
Denver (DEN)
Las Vegas (LAS)
Los Angeles (LAX)
New York LaGuardia (LGA)
San Francisco (SFO)
Washington Dulles (IAD)
We’ll soon be expanding mobile boarding passes to other airports around the country. And, we’re working to add more mobile capabilities. Visit united.com/mobileservices for more information and updates.

This does not replace your ability or need to book directly with preferred vendors or providers. This option does not maximize saving for your customers or maximize your commissions.  It also does not eliminate issues or drawbacks of booking with an online agency.  I must remind you of the increased flexibility and ability to resolve issues by booking directly with travel provider or through our preferred vendors.

This is a tool to put in your travel agent toolbox for use when a client brings you a package put together by Orbitz utilizing multiple vendors.  I am recommending that you sign up but be very familiar with the terms of use, rules and restrictions BEFORE utilizing the site.

Three rules that stand out:

1) Orbitz for Agents^SM rates, information, and taxes are subject to change without notice. PRICES ARE NOT GUARANTEED UNTIL THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE HAS BEEN PAID IN FULL, AND YOU RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION E-MAIL MESSAGE THAT THE RESERVATION HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

2) Orbitz for Agents^SM packages are NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-CHANGEABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE. For hotel reservations, suppliers may charge fees when you change or cancel a hotel reservation. Trip Insurance may be available and is NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-CHANGEABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE

3) All airline tickets will be issued as electronic tickets. Name changes are not allowed. All passenger air transportation is subject to the terms and conditions of the tariffs, contracts of carriage, regulations, polices, terms and conditions (including Warsaw Convention notices) of the operating airline. Minimum check in times may apply. In the event of a delay or cancellation, the airline is solely responsible for determining and providing compensation, if any, to the passenger(s).

The new site does allow agents to book and assembly custom packages for clients and add a service fee and mark ups.  Where this tool may prove valuable is combining air and car or hotel and car packages with vendors that do not have an existing partnership.

The one tool that is missing is the ability to search and book air only.  The ability to book air and add a service fee would add value to this site as a tool for agents.  I have requested such an option from Orbitz for Agents.

The Epic has 128 solo cabins designated for your single cruisers.  The rates are comparable to the rate for the second berth in a standard cabin.

The “single supplement” has prevented many of the 100 million singles from taking a cruise in the past.  35 million of those singles travel every year, but only 5 % have cruised.  Here is a brand new market for you with 100 million people.

Cruise West and Oceania Cruises have waived the single supplement recently as a means of increasing sales, but NCL hits the mainstream first.

If you are not enrolled at NCLUniversity, you should be.  You can get a username and password by request from New York.

Costa is the fifth largest cruise line in the world and the #1 Cruise Line in Europe. What sets Costa apart from other cruise lines is its Italian Style of cruising, offering guests a true international experience no matter where in the world they are.

This seven-chapter course introduces you to all that Costa offers, from its La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) and Days and Nights of Amore (Love), to more on its innovative spa and wellness program and its 375 year-round sailings to the Caribbean, Mediterranean, North Cape/Fjords, Baltic & Russia, South America, the Far East, Dubai, Indian Ocean and the Transatlantic. You will also discover more on the 12 ships that currently make up Costa’s fleet, and find out about the ships to come, that will bring the fleet to 17 by 2012.

Upon completing the seven seminars and receiving a passing grade for all the exams, you will become a  Costa’s Sales Specialist. You will be able to immediately download your diploma. Other graduate benefits include:

This site offers resources specially designed to provide you with the necessary tools and knowledge to give you the edge in selling the Black Hills & Badlands to your clients.

Just go and register at Black Hills Agent, complete the training and earn the exclusive commissions.  This area is great to recommend when people are looking for vacation ideas within the continental US.

In addition to the valuable destination knowledge you will gain through the study session, certified Black Hills Specialists will enjoy a variety of graduate benefits, including:

• 24/7 Password-protected access to the travel resources on BlackHillsAgent.com (the News & Announcements, Resources and Vacation Packages Sections of this site);
• Exclusive commissions on packages and air
• Ongoing communication from the Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Association on destination news, events and upcoming promotions
• Maps; Videos; Press Releases
• Continuing Education Credits* and so much more…

Home to six national parks, time-honored monuments, mountain carved masterpieces, and the largest herd of free range bison in the world, the Black Hills & Badlands is the quintessential American vacation destination. Put yourself at the leading edge of travel sales by learning and staying informed about its many attractions, its unique blend of pre-historic, Native American, Old West and military history, outdoor recreation, year-round vacation fun, memorable events and activities. The stories of legends like Lakota Chief Crazy Horse, General Custer, Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane mingle with today’s family friendly attractions, museums, monuments and parkland to create a place like no other… a place that is definitely beyond all expectations.

I can tell you first hand that there are many things from this region of the country that a young child will see and never forget.  I traveled across the country from Florida to Washington State when I was about 10 years old and the Black Hills are the things that stand out in my mind.  Buffalo Herds, Mount Rushmore, the Petrified Gardens, Wounded Knee, Crazy Horse, and even Bedrock City.

This place prompted my fascination with our American Indian Heritage and my older sister Connie’s home decor reflects her fascination today.  Her entire home is decorated with Indian artifacts, books, and collectibles.

These exclusive commissions will be paid only on bookings made through Black Hills Central Reservations by May 1, 2010 and are valid for travel any time during 2010.

To qualify for these commissions, you must be a certified Black Hills Specialist. Not valid for Bookings during August 6th through August 15, 2010.

This promotion also excludes commissions during Sturgis Rally.  For other questions or to make a reservation for this fantastic vacation destination, call Black Hills Central Reservations at 800.344.7095

There are in my opinion three types of people marketing on the internet:

a) The ethical marketer selling the products he believes in and avoiding the hype.

b) The unethical marketer who will do anything for the buck and disregards the FTC and other regulator entities.

c) The third is the person trying to learn how to market on the internet and inadvertently crossing the ethical line.

As of December 1, 2009,  all three will be scrutinized because of the unethical marketer.

Below is an interview you should listen to if you are advertising on the internet in any capacity.

It is an interview between a mentor of mine, Jim Edwards and a representative of the FTC.  The link is here and it is free.  Thanks Jim Edwards!

Below is what I have done!

But First, we’re talking Legal Stuff here right? so here’s MY disclaimer…

Nothing said in this article, on this or any other site, or anywhere else, should ever be construed as legal advice. My comments are and always have been my opinions, nothing more nothing less. If you have legal questions, you should always consult your own attorney for advice pertaining to your own situation.

I purchased this product, recommend this product, and I will receive an affiliate commission if you choose to purchase this product, AutoWebLaw , from my site.

And Yes, I personally receive commissions from any affiliate links that I promote on this site and probably received promotional copies of the products being promoted, as is the custom in this industry. But that does not mean I do not believe in those products. I would never promote anything I hadn’t tried first and believed in.

I would have thought all that would be obvious, but these disclaimers are part of the guidelines.

If you are unable to make this purchase, you may be able to find pre-made or auto-generating disclaimers for little or no cost. A search of Google will yield many sites and resources on the subject. Here is one such generator: http://disclosurepolicy.org/ It’s very easy to use.

If you are not familiar with Turks and Caicos, welcome to the British West Indies. This is not technically the Caribbean, but The Sands of Grace Bay and Turks and Caicos are only 80 minutes by air from Miami and wonderful place to be. The beaches are white powdered sand and the transparent turquoise waters are amazing.

The regular rates for just the studio are $185 to $345 per night. This resort was featured in the New York Times in April 2009 and has a state of the art spa and one of the most popular restaurants in Hemingway’s on the Beach.

Every computer connected to the internet, has its own distinguishing identity as does every unique domain.  This sequence of numbers, is known as the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the particular site.

It is very important to have a very different and distinguishing name, obviously the shorter the better.  In some cases a memorible long tail keyword can be used as the domain, but the longer the domain name, the higher the chance of someone not entering it correctly during a search.  Catchy names make the domain more attractive and memorable, which actually helps the clients to remember the sites and thus brings in more business.

The sole organization, responsible for maintaining and coordinating the entire domain name system is called ICAAN. You can only registrar a domain name with a registrar that is ICAAN accredited.

Register a domain name as follows-

a) Decide on a domain name which is precise and relevant to the site. Check for availability and create a list of alternative names, according to the preference, just in case the domain name chosen matches an already existing web address. You first preference should be to register a .com site . This is very important, since it affects the popularity of the site and the price that has to be paid for that.  If you cannot get a .com site, you may consider a .org site as they rank very well as authority sites.  Very few people are teaching this alternative.

b) The next thing to be done is to obtain an IP address, as this is actually the identity of the server.

c) For registering the domain name, visit www.godaddy.com or www.namecheap.com.

If you’re tired of the costly price tags, consider these very good  alternatives:

Internet Browser
- Fire Fox 3
http://mozilla.com/

Email
- Thunderbird 2
http://mozilla.com/

Anti-Virus
- AVG Anti-virus Free Edition
http://www.avg.com/product-avg-anti-virus-free-edition

Office Suite
- Open Office 3
http://www.openoffice.org/

Webpage Editor
- Kompozer (formerly Nvu)
http://kompozer.net/

Image Editing
- GIMP
http://www.gimp.org/

Audio Editing
- Audacity
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Backup Software
- Amanda
http://amanda.zmanda.com/

Give the above titles a try. I’ve used all of them at different times and I highly recommend them.

If you need an alternative to software that you have, go to Google or your favorite search engine. Then search for ‘open
source’ software.

You will be amazed at the amount of information on the site.  Want to book more Vegas, become “Vegas Certified”.

“Vegas Certified” travel professionals are automatically registered to receive LVCVA electronic newsletters and other information about Las Vegas and Clark County, Nevada. This material features commissionable packages, opportunities and other ways to earn more money booking Las Vegas. You can customize your e-mail and newsletter preferences by logging into LVCVA.com at any time.

Explore the Interactive maps and use them as a tool to assist your clients with bookings.

Not everything that happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.  Lets look at the variety of commissions you can bring home.

Attractions such as the Las Vegas Explorer Pass pays 10 % commission which includes admission to shows, clubs, restaurants and attractions for one low price.  Adventure photo Tours pays 25% commission and is a 4-time recipient of the Governors Tourism Award.

Commissions on dining include 20% for the Bite Card and 20% commission at Pampas Brazilian Steakhouse.  This is a meat lovers delight.  If your clients have never tried this experience, they will never forget the endless array of meats being offered.

ClubVivaLasVegas.com pays 15% commission to Travel Agents, while Allstate ticketing pays a whopping 30% commission.

Lets not forget golf as the Bali Hai pays $10 to $50 per round while most of the others are paying 10% on Golf packages and 20 % on golf alone.

ATV action Tours and Bugsy’s Tour of Las Vegas both pay 20% commission.

Your Clients want to travel in style, APT Limousine pays 10 -20% while Grand Canyon Coachs and Grand Canyon Airlines pay 20 to 30% commission to Pulaski Travel Agents.

Last but certainly not least, wedding packages are pay 10 to 25%.

Don’t forget  that ccratravel.com has just announce that they will be paying 15% on lodging very soon.

Think you can’t make money in Vegas, think again. Become Vegas Certified!