iata travel agency accreditation

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

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• 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.

• IATA Annual General Meeting

Tourism Remaining relevant to travel agents

Modern Airline Retailing is an active and important initiative for airlines around the world. But though control of the Offer and Order environment is an essential component in a fiercely competitive industry, IATA is aware that not all airlines have the same set of requirements and distribution strategies.

“This is why the Agency Program is still so important,” says Muhammad Albakri, IATA’s SVP for Financial Settlement and Distribution Services. “IATA accredited agents are trusted distribution partners, and our Agency Program allows airlines and agents to come together to solve challenges and ensure this vital channel remains strong.”

Moreover, the Agency Program fits perfectly with the overall objective of giving customers greater choice. The travel agent is still a vital part of the offer to the customer and has become a hub for consolidating the travel experience. Travel agents are also playing an important role in Modern Airline Retailing as IATA continues to see an increase in NDC transactions in the BSP.     “Really, they are travel consultancies now,” says Albakri. “They provide an end-to-end service and are now much more than ticket providers.”

In 2023, the travel and tourism sector contributed 9.1% to global GDP and created 27 million new jobs, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council. Airlines are critical to making that happen. And so are travel agents.

In fact, travel agents are still the industry’s strongest distribution channel. The aim, therefore, is to ensure these agents are robust, reliable partners and the process of engagement—whether it is payment or fulfilling passenger requests—is as seamless and cost-effective as possible.

Keeping the program relevant

The most important step was the development of New Generation IATA Settlement Systems (NewGen ISS) approximately five years ago. This introduced different levels of accreditation:

• Go Global is for large multinational agents and simplifies BSP participation by having a single agreement and a consolidated financial security and Remittance Holding Capacity.
• Go Standard agents are allowed to sell in cash and other forms of payment.
• Go Lite agents benefit from not having to furnish financial securities to participate in BSP and are allowed to sell with IATA EasyPay and Credit Cards.

Airlines in turn gained from enhanced risk management and other tools that made the distribution of tickets through travel agents even safer.

“It is not one-size-fits-all anymore,” says Albakri. “Agents can join at an appropriate level of accreditation for their business but still gain from the trust and reach that being accredited brings.”

Supporting the recovery of the industry

After COVID, IATA focused on revamping the accreditation process and streamlining the requirements. The Go Standard agents do not have to go through a financial assessment for the first two years of operation, for example. All told, the changes have resulted in a 50% reduction in accreditation times and a customer satisfaction of 90%.

“We did all this without compromising the risk management criteria,” says Albakri. “In fact, we have enhanced it by adding different compliance reviews, such as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard), as a requirement for agencies selling in credit cards, and more robust real-time monitoring of agency sales. But we can improve further both on continuing to strengthen the risk environment and on improving IATA’s service to travel agents by reducing our processing times.”

The improvements in the accreditation process together with the resilience shown by the Agency Program during the pandemic has led to strong demand and growth in accreditation numbers.

“We have also been more present in events and different meetings where travel agents approached us to know more about the benefits of the program and the requirements to become IATA accredited,” says Albakri. “In addition, IATA has historically entered into promotional agreements with different parties to increase the number of Participants and we are fully committed to continuing with this best practice.”

As a result, the number of travel agent codes in the BSP has increased from 54,341 in 2022 to 58,923 codes in April 2024.

For Albakri, this proves that as long as there continues to be a commercial relationship between airlines and travel agents, the program will continue to be extremely valuable. “Agents will be even more relevant in the future than they were in the past,” he believes. “The Agency program is at the heart of industry resilience because it is a strong, trusted system for distributing and selling tickets and collecting monies. There is also a very low cost of transaction and IATA will continue to improve the service we provide.”

Credit | dragana991_iStock-1207753513  

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Travel Agency Accreditation Options [+Infographic]

Hello, fearless reader—today, you are about to learn another language: travel agency accreditation acronyms (TAA . . . jk). When I was a newbie to the industry myself, my brain almost exploded trying to learn this language. It’s complex stuff, but it's all broken down here. So even if you're a newbie like me, you'll get the hang of it. We'll look at target markets for different travel agency accreditations, their application requirements, what services they provide, and then some.

Let's not dilly dally.

Travel Agency Accreditation Options [a Flowchart]

Here's what our infographic looks like, below:

If you choose to download our flowchart, the links are fun and interactive so you can easily check out the best options for you. All you need to do is sign in to download it (in all its interactive glory) below!

Psst! If you're unsure whether or not GDS is a good option for your agency, check out HAR's GDS Primer (STAT!) .

⭐️ HAR Article Highlights: ⭐️

• Accreditation 101: What is Travel Agency Accreditation and Who Is It For
• Accreditation 201: Travel Agency Accreditation Options In Depth

Go Directly to the Accreditation Organization You Want to Explore:

Iata & iatan.

• Host Agency

Travel Agency Accreditation 101

What is a travel agency accreditation? At its most basic, accreditation is a unique number assigned to travel professionals so their business is recognized by suppliers as a travel agency . It gives travel agents the ability to book travel, receive commissions, and—with some accreditations—issue airline tickets.

I like to think of travel agency accreditation options like different credit cards — Visa, Discover, AmEx. Some accreditation numbers are more widely accepted than others, but they all do the job. And just like credit cards, accreditation organizations won’t hand out their numbers willy nilly to anyone who wants one; there’s a vetting process and eligibility requirements.

What is Travel Agency Accreditation For?

Short answer: If you want to be recognized as a travel agency, you need an accreditation number. Typically, accreditation organizations market themselves to three different kinds of travel professionals:

1. Independent Agents: For this article, by independent agent I mean an agent that is not hosted—whether they are home-based or storefront. In short, an independent agent can’t sell travel without an accreditation number.

2. Hosted Agents:  These are agents or agencies under a host agency’s umbrella. ( What is a host agency? ) It gets a little trickier here. Because these agents use their host agency’s accreditation number, they do not need to have their own accreditation.

In fact, that’s one of the benefits of using a host agency is you don’t have to worry about the financial and administrative responsibility of applying for and maintaining your accreditation. Also, with many host agencies, you will have access to multiple accreditations. BUT some hosted agents choose to also get their own accreditation in addition to aligning with a host agency. (I'd say this is the exception, not the rule.)

3. Corporate Travel Department (CTD):  Some accreditation agencies (ARC and IATA) have specific programs for CTDs (a wedding planner, for example, or any company that books a significant amount of air for their employees). We're not going to go too deep into this option because if you're on the site, this probably isn't you. But if this IS you, give me a holler in the comments or at [email protected] because I'm happy to provide any extra info you're looking for (if I can!).

There you have it. As a travel professional, you can gain access to accreditation through a host agency and/or apply for your own. So let's dig deeper because that's where the gold is.

Travel Agency Accreditation 201

Wading through accreditation options can make your eyes blur and your head spin. It's like trying to remember the names of your 50 cousins at a family reunion: There are IATA and IATAN. There’s ARC as well as their VTC and CTD programs. There’s CLIA and CCRA’s TRUE#. That's just the beginning.

Some offer air ticketing; some don't. Some accept agents outside the U.S.; some don't. Choosing the right travel accreditation is like finding the right-sized tool for a job. If you’re a leisure agent with a comparatively lower volume of air ticketing, getting an accreditation with ticketing is like chopping carrots with an ax.

So which tool is right for you? Below you can check out info on accreditation options. We include information on eligibility requirements, geographical locations accepted and cost — as well as other details.

ARC Accreditation

(Airlines Reporting Corporation)

Explaining ARC to people outside the industry or who are new to it can be tough. So first things first: ARC is a travel agency accreditation company that only works with U.S. agencies.

That’s their base. ARC is owned by airlines and was created to handle financial transactions between agencies (thousands of them) and airlines (hundreds of them). We’re talking about transactions to the tune of $95.3+ billion in 2023 1 . Whoa.

ARC is like the accounting arm of the airlines: You buy a ticket, that money goes directly to ARC, and then ARC sends the moola to the airlines. And it’s not a one-way street either. If you book a ticket that earns commissions ( more on travel agent commissions here ), the airlines pay the commission to ARC, who sends that money back to you.

And just like with Visa (sorry to harp on the credit card metaphor), if you have a beef with fraudulent activity on your card, you call VISA—not the merchant directly. The same goes for ARC—they broker interactions between agencies and airlines. 

ARC has three accreditation options. We'll walk through their three options, tell you what type of agent each are geared toward, and then you'll get more info on our side-by-side ARC comparison chart below, as well as a sample application.

ARC Accreditation Options: A Comparison Chart

Below is a side-by-side comparison of ARC accreditation options:

1. ARC Accredited Agency

At its most basic, ARC travel agency accreditation is for U.S.-based travel agencies (or host agencies) that book air through the GDS.

Long story short, if you're a travel agency that primarily sells leisure, straight up ARC might be too big a tool (think, trying to use a sledgehammer when what you need is a pickaxe).

While you technically don't need any prior experience, the application process is rigorous and lends itself to independent agencies that are a bit more established. To qualify you'll need:

• A background credit check
• Submission of a tax ID number and required state licenses (such as verifying seller of travel)
• Submission of a Personal History Form for owners and officers
• An established bank account with ARC
• Bond, letter credit, or a cash deposit of $20,000
• An agency office must have an ARC Specialist Qualifier (ASQ), Manager, and administrator for MyARC (Don’t worry! It can be the same person!).
• Onsite interview with agency owners—ARC representatives will run through the Agent Reporting Agreement (ARA) requirements, overview ARC benefits and make sure the application is complete and accurate.

Long story short, if you're a travel agency that primarily sells leisure, straight-up ARC might be too big a tool (think trying to use a sledgehammer when what you need is a pickaxe). If that's the case, check out ARC's VTC as an alternative.

Here's the rest of the details and a sample application below:

Sample of ARC's Accredited Agent Application

Here's a peek behind the curtain of an ARC application!

2. Verified Travel Consultant: ARC's VTC

When you get down to the brass tacks, ARC's VTC is the  non-ticketing alternative to ARC. It's a lower-cost accreditation and is good for independent travel agencies who a.) don't book a lot of air but b.) want supplier recognition and/or to book directly through vendors.

VTC's are allowed a maximum transaction limit of $25,000 in service fee transactions per week and $10,000 per transaction.

Applying for ARC's VTC is less intensive than the ticketing option (read: no $20k financial obligation, phew!). But their application process still has a lot of overlap with ARC's ticketing accreditation. To apply you'll need:

• A background and credit check
• The submission of a tax ID number and required state licenses
• The submission of a Personal History Information form for owners and officers

Aside from no air ticketing, another major difference between VTC and an air-ticketing ARC accreditation is that ARC imposes transaction limits upon VTC-accredited agencies . VTC's are allowed a maximum transaction limit of $25,000 in service fee transactions per week and $10,000 per transaction.

Sample ARC VTC Application

Unlike the ARC accreditation, the VTC application is completed entirely in ARC's portal. Here's what you can expect:

3. Corporate Travel Department, ARC's CTD

If you're here, congrats! You are a diamond in the rough when it comes to our readership! *High five!* I'd love to know who you are!

ARC's CTD is specifically for businesses that regularly issue airline tickets to their employees (and only to their employees).

Why do I say this? Because ARC's CTD is specifically for businesses that regularly issue airline tickets to their employees (and only to their employees). An example may be a pharmaceutical company that sends employees to multiple conferences or a wedding planner that wants to scout destinations. If you're a straight-up travel agency, ARC's CTD is not for you!

A CTD is good for businesses that book a high volume of air for their employees. CTDs can either invest in their own GDS or hire a third party (like a travel management company) for booking tickets.

Beyond that, the CTD operates much like the ARC accreditation in terms of eligibility, application process, and capacities. Here's what you need to apply:

• An IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• A bond, letter of credit, or cash deposit in the minimum amount of $20,000
• The agency office must have an ARC Specialist Qualifier (ASQ) and a Manager Qualifier (MQ). 2 (Don’t worry! The MQ and ASQ can be the same person!)

Insider Info: Primary reason travel agency accreditation is denied? The agency doesn't meet the requirements of the Agent Reporting Agreement (ARA). It's a very very long list with tons of legal mumbo-jumbo—but essentially if you're eligible for accreditation and forthcoming in your application, you should be in good shape.

Sample ARC CTD Application

The ARC CTD application is a doozie. Here's what you can expect:

CLIA Credentials

(Cruise Lines International Association)

There are two quick things I need to mention about a CLIA Industry ID Number (which I'll refer to as a CLIA Number from here on out):

1. CLIA doesn’t consider their CLIA Number an accreditation number. So why are they still in this article? Well, because CLIA still offers unique booking numbers/credentials to travel agencies that function same way accreditation does. An agency gets its CLIA number, makes a booking, and suppliers recognize that number and attach it to total agency sales.

2. Using your host or storefront agency's CLIA# doesn't necessarily mean you're a CLIA member. Weird. I know. If your host or storefront agency has a CLIA number, that’s at the agency level. You’ll need to get your own membership (IAM, or Individual Agent Membership) if you want the perks of: CLIA's coupon book, EMBARC ID cards, access to their professional development, and other goodies that come with CLIA.

While CLIA's agency memberships are geared toward vendor recognition, the IAM will not accredit your agency . Rather, IAM's emphasis is marketing your travel agency to clients and granting access to CLIA's education programs and other perks. So if you're a solo agent who wants the supplier recognition we were talking about earlier, you need to get a Travel Agency Membership (TAM). 

In total, CLIA has accredited approximately 50,000 Travel Agent Members and partnered with over 13,000 Global Travel Agencies.

Read our entire article on the CLIA Industry ID Number here !

CLIA Credentials: A Comparison Chart

Here's a side-by-side comparison of what CLIA offers in terms of credentials and/or membership. It's important to note that, while included, CLIA's IAM is not a booking credential.

Here's a closer look at their options:

1. CLIA's Travel Agency Membership (TAM)

CLIA's TAM is for travel agencies with fewer ICs that focus on selling cruises or for those who are interested in growing the cruise segment of their biz.

There are no requirements set in stone to apply for a Travel Agency Membership, and, because there's no air-ticketing, the application process is quick (when compared to ARC or IATAN).

Rather than submitting piles upon piles of business documentation, the CLIA application requires you to sign an affidavit stating that your business is in good standing, following all your local rules and regulations, and that everything you state in your application is truthful.

SAMPLE OF CLIA's Travel Agency Membership Application

More of a visual learner? Feast your eyes on a sample of CLIA's TAM application. (Note: This application is from 2023): 

2. CLIA's Premier Agency Membership (PAM)

Well, this is going to be a short section, because CLIA's Premier Agency Membership is invite-only. CLIA's PAM is for large agencies with more than 500 ICs.

The other detail I can add (that's not mentioned in the comparison chart) is that CLIA will not accept any MLM travel agencies (or host agencies) as a premier membership.

3. CLIA's Individual Agent Membership (IAM)

CLIA's IAM is the black sheep insofar as it's not a booking credential. So why do I mention it here? Because it's so dang popular and I guarantee someone would write me in about a week there was no info on it. So I'm trying to beat you to the punchline!

We write all about the IAM itself in this overview of CLIA . But at its most basic, an IAM allows advisors to take advantage of their myriad travel agent education and certification opportunities. Not only that but then you can plug into other CLIA fun, like: their travel agent finder, their travel agent coupon book, their Embarc ID card, and more.

If you want an IAM, you'll need to go to your CLIA-credentialed host agency or travel agency. While CLIA recommends IAM's have a history of cruises to the tune of $5k in annual cruise commissions, it's ultimately up to your CLIA-credentialed agency if you can apply or not.

SAMPLE OF CLIA's Individual AGent Membership Application

Here's an IAM application . . . don't forget to alert the CLIA-credentialed agency you're affiliated with that you'd like to apply before you shell out any dough!

(International Air Transport Association & International Airlines Travel Agent Network)

IATA is an abbreviation for "International Air Transport Association." IATAN is an abbreviation for "International Airlines Travel Agent Network." Their full names were so long I couldn't even fit it in a subheading. (Kind of like Daenerys' full title on Game of Thrones.)

Okay. I need to take a deep breath because IATA/IATAN is, quite frankly, the behemoth when it comes to accreditation options. I mean HUGE. They’re the Visa of the travel agency accreditation world, and their accreditation number (known as “the IATA Code”) is accepted globally.

When it comes to accreditation options, they’ve got a little something for everyone:

• IATAN Travel Service Intermediary (U.S.-based, no air-ticketing)
• IATAN Airline Appointed (U.S.-based with air-ticketing capabilities)
• IATA Accredited (International, with air-ticketing capabilities)
• IATA TIDS (International, no air-ticketing)

Wait, wait. Why the ‘N’ after IATA?!? IATAN is essentially a U.S.-branded version of IATA. When you see an ‘N’ in IATA, think United States-based agencies. (It’s a stretch, I know.)

At the end of the day, IATAN comes wrapped up in a different package than IATA, but the contents are essentially the same. Same global recognition, same-looking accreditation numbers, same services. In fact, it's so similar that when it comes to travel agency accreditation numbers, many U.S. agents will use IATA# and IATAN# interchangeably.

For this article, I won't go into as much depth on IATA because eligibility, fees and the application process are all different for EVERY country. Yowzers. So if you have questions about an IATA application for a specific country, the best thing is to contact IATA directly.

Okay. Put on your SCUBA gear folks, we're going fathoms below.

IATAN Accreditation: A Comparison Chart

Below are the barebones of IATAN accreditation options. Take a look to see which one might apply to your agency.

Here are more details!

1. IATAN Non-Ticketing

IATAN non-ticketing is an accrediting option available to any U.S.-based travel agency—home-based, storefront, meeting-planner entity, or Corporate Travel Department—with 2+ years' experience in the industry.

To apply you need:

• Proof of 2 years of experience
• Proof of Business License
• Proof of Business ownership
• Proof of Seller of Travel for agencies based in California, Florida, Hawaii, or Washington
• Proof of Bank Account
• Proof of E&O insurance : This requirement is waived for agents who can document they have 2 years of full-time experience within the last ten years in the travel industry.
• Two letters of recommendation from either:
• An IATAN Accredited Agency (with IATA #)
• A National or International travel industry supplier
• A Certified Travel Associate/Counselor (CTA or CTC), Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certification in Meeting Management (CMM), CSEP (Certified Special Event Professional)

Here's what to expect if/when you want to apply for IATAN's non-ticketing accreditation:

This is a sample of their application, which is actually the exact same one you'll need for the air-ticketing one, which you'll discover below!  

2. IATAN U.S.-Based Ticketing

IATAN's airline-appointed agency application has just a few additional requirements in addition to the ones listed in its non-ticketing application. The air-ticketing application is the same as the non-ticketing application .

But the big difference is that to apply for IATAN air-ticketing you need to complete the application plus provide proof that you are ARC-accredited.

The moral of the story is, if you're already ARC-accredited, it's going to be smooth sailing. If you're not already ARC accredited, then check out ARC's requirements to book air .

IATA Accreditation Overview (for Agencies Outside the United States)

An IATA offers two accreditation options for agencies located outside the United States:

• IATA Accreditation (with Ticketing): An accreditation for any agency located outside the United States that would like to book air and receive global recognition from suppliers.
• IATA's TIDs : IATA's non-air ticketing option for agencies outside the United States.

The tricky thing about IATA is that the application processes, financial requirements, eligibility requirements, and fees vary from country to country. If you want to find more information on your specific location, go to this IATA source .

TRUE Accreditation

(Travel Retailer Universal Enumeration)

I first thought TRUE was the only travel agency accreditation that wasn't an acronym. Alas, I was wrong. TRUE stands for "Travel Retailer Universal Enumeration." (I feel like this knowledge may come in handy during Jeopardy, someday).

Those with a TRUE accreditation are CCRA-accredited. The big distinction is that the TRUE code (an accreditation) is administered by the CCRA (a travel association). 

The majority of TRUE agents sell cruises and traditional tours. A TRUE accreditation is an especially great option for advisors with a travel agent niche that utilizes more boutique suppliers or DMCs. 

Why? TRUE is open to working with smaller boutique tour operators that may not be on other accreditations' supplier lists. TRUE offers the flexibility for agents to work with suppliers using net rates in addition to more common commission structures ).

On its site, TRUE markets itself as an option for hosted advisors who want the flexibility to work with boutique suppliers/ take net rates outside their host’s preferred supplier relationships. (This, of course, is in addition to advisors who want accreditation only).

TRUE is open to working with smaller boutique tour operators that may not be on other accreditations' supplier lists.

As an added bonus, TRUE also offers accreditation to travel advisors outside the U.S. (see a list of included countries below) and seems committed to expanding its services globally. 

On the flip side, it's also important to note that Marriott does not recognize the TRUE number for agents and Disney does not offer a discount to TRUE agents. Here’s a list of suppliers you can book with a TRUE code .

Since this article was last updated, TRUE has consolidated its offerings to a single membership/accreditation level. In its newer incarnation, a TRUE membership covers up to 25 advisors.

TRUE Accreditation Info Chart

TRUE has one accreditation option for travel advisors. Here's a look:

Here’s detailed information on applying for TRUE accreditation.

TRUE Accredited Travel Agency Membership

The majority of TRUE participants are leisure agents. TRUE is also a great option for specialized agents who want to work with suppliers that other accreditation organizations or hosts may not work with. 

The travel agency accreditation level is for smaller outfits and covers agencies with up to 25 travel agents ICs or employees. 

TRUE’s preliminary application (posted below) is relatively simple at first glance. But once you submit your initial application and $399, you’ll need to follow up with supporting documents.

Here’s what’s required:

• You must be a corporation, LLC, or sole proprietor. (Sole proprietors need proof of a registered DBA, Assumed or Fictitious Name)
• 6 months of travel selling experience. 
• 3 business references to support your application. 
• Proof of an active business bank account in good standing.
• Pass a background screening (if necessary).
• Satisfy all seller-of-travel requirements for your state (if necessary).

You may think I’m putting the cart before the horse since you don’t submit this documentation until after you apply. BUT, if you have all these materials handy so they’re ready to go, it could expedite your application. 

TRUE Accredited Travel Agency Sample Application

Here's the TRUE Accredited Travel Agency Application below. After you complete the application, TRUE will ask you for supporting documents to verify you meet their qualifications.

Host Agencies

Usually, host agencies are the star of the HAR show. And if you’re not sure what a host agency is, it’s worth knowing— this article will explain what a host agency is . Even though we’re highlighting accreditation organizations, we can’t overlook the route of getting your travel agency accreditation through a host agency.

A few points of note:

• Host’s Commission Rate: Since host agencies have a whole lot of independent agents under one travel agency accreditation number, agents using a host typically receive a higher commission level with most vendors than they would on their own ( more on travel agent commissions ). At the end of the day, that means more commissions for you.
• Supplier Recognition: The flip side is that because you all share the same accreditation number, you’re technically seen as one agency. In your dealings with vendors, the host acts as an intermediary between you and the vendor.

Host agencies are especially great options for new-to-industry advisors ( see our host agency list ). Newer advisors can work through a host as they build the experience needed to apply for an accreditation down the line if that tickles their fancy. Some agents also opt to go through a host and apply for their own travel agency accreditation number.

At the end of the day, there’s no right or wrong answer, it’s up to you!

Wrapping Up & Major Thank Yous

Do you feel like your brain just ran a marathon? Well, if you've made it this far, it's safe to say that you're pretty fluent in TAAA. But if you have any questions, drop a line in the comments below

In case you were wondering, the people behind these travel agency accreditation organizations are a friendly bunch. And really really smart. I couldn't have learned any of this without their help—they are the brains behind this operation. So please let me express my endless appreciation to Albert Tjoeng, Head of Corporate Communications with IATA, Danielle Haney, Senior Manager, Trade Relations for CLIA; and Randy Spoon, Manager, Content and Media Relations for ARC.

Bridget Lee made the beauteous flowchart and thank goodness because my brain cannot do that! Fearless Abbey  von Gohren, HAR's Admin Assistant who goes way above and beyond her job requirements did the heavy lifting in our latest update of this beast of an article!

And to YOU! Wow, if you read this far drop me an email at [email protected] with "Animals and Accreditation" in the subject and I will reply with an adorable animal video.

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in Nov. 2018. We annually update this article with the most current info on travel accreditation. The publish date above reflects the most recent updates.

• Source: ARC Sales Statistics ↩
• A manager qualifier is a full-time employee who exercises daily supervision of, and responsibility for, the operations of that CTD location and has the authority to make management decisions. ↩

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IATA Endorses ASTA’s Verified Travel Advisor Certification

T he International Airlines Travel Agent Network (IATAN) has adopted the American Society of Travel Advisors ’ (ASTA) Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) certification as an officially recommended option within its agency accreditation process. 

This new endorsement will enable travel advisors holding the VTA designation to bypass the IATAN's Errors and Omissions (E&O) Insurance policy requirement. IATA’s recognition of ASTA’s VTA represents a significant watershed in the program’s evolution. 

“For decades IATAN and ASTA have worked collaboratively in support of airline and travel agency industries,” said Mark Meader, ASTA’s SVP of Industry Affairs and Education. “The VTA certification continues to gain recognition, momentum, and importance. IATAN’s validation of the credential is a vote of confidence and trust, and will ensure the program’s continued success.” 

Dedicated to promoting professionalism, setting equitable business standards and providing economical solutions for the U.S. travel industry, IATAN views this partnership as a strategic alignment with ASTA’s educational objectives. The integration of ASTA’s VTA certification underscores an unwavering commitment to these two organizations’ shared goals and values. 

ASTA’s VTA certification is distinctive for its rigorous focus on upholding ethics, professionalism and trust responsibility. Earlier this year, ASTA streamlined the initial coursework needed for the certification, focusing on ethical standards, judicial issues, and regulatory conformance.

This certification aims to boost the credibility of travel advisors and instill greater consumer confidence by establishing a reference point for reputable, dependable and responsible advisory practices.

Travel advisors are encouraged to pursue the VTA certification to enhance their professional credibility and broaden their expertise. For more information on how to become a verified travel advisor, visit ASTA.org/VTA .