Travel Agent Verification

How do you know your travel agent is licensed to sell travel?

If your travel agent is in Florida, they are required to be registered with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. They are also required to list the Florida Seller of Travel number given to them by the state in any contracts or advertisements. Mine is ST15578 and is listed under Cruises & Tours Unlimited (CTU). Effortless Travel is an independent agent of CTU but still separately registered with the state.

Florida closely regulates all registered sellers of travel. The problem is a lot of agents don’t bother to research the requirements and don’t register. This leaves you in a pickle should you have a problem with a booking through an unscrupulous agent.

Different states have different requirements but a little due diligence will keep you from getting scammed. I belong to a large forum of travel agents where everything is discussed. In addition to all of the things we learn from each other, we find that some agents just don’t know what the requirements are for their business. Most are working from home, low on funds, learning as they go and lacking the time to research the law.

You are your best advocate. Using your friend’s agent without checking them out, may turn out to be a huge mistake, too costly to imagine. Know your options. Review the laws of your state. Invest in your vacation or other travel with someone you can trust.

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
http://www.800helpfla.com/sot.html

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VERONICA WOLD IS A CLIA ACCREDITED CRUISE COUNSELOR, A LICENSED FLORIDA SELLER OF TRAVEL, AND A DISNEY DESTINATIONS SPECIALIST. SHE HAS TRAVELED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD AND IS THE CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL. CONTACT HER AT 850-321-5477 OR VERONICA@MAKINGTRAVELEFFORTLESS.COM.


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