American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) vs. YourTravelBiz.com
"ASTA considers YTB a card mill company..."
"...an unlawful pyramid scheme."

Why Does MLM Love Travel Programs? Travel related MLM programs are everywhere. The list of failed MLM travel schemes is a long one and growing longer every year. What is it about travel that makes it such a popular sales product for network marketing? YourTravelBiz.com provides members with: Personal Travel Agent Photo ID Card and Credentials They also state that you will: Earn Commissions, Discounts, and your own personal IATAN Card TRAVEL INDUSTRY PERKS AND BENEFITS Undoubtedly, the vast majority of people who become involved in the travel industry do so, primarily, to take advantage of the travel opportunities. Travel vendors, wholesalers, cruise lines, resorts and tour companies offer various professional courtesies as a means of reaching the travel agent community. These courtesies are never guaranteed, but, depending on various criteria, such as the time of year etc., and at the discretion of the particular vendor, may be offered at extremely reduced prices. They make these attractive prices available as their way of introducing the travel agents to what they have to offer. One of the most popular travel opportunities for travel agents is the "FAM" or familiarization trip. A typical FAM trip might include airfare, lodging, sight seeing, and even meals. This gives the travel vendor the chance to "show off". Expect the "red carpet" treatment when you go, but be prepared to spend some time taking a complete tour of the facilities (resort, cruise ship, etc.). With new cruise ships, theme parks, resorts, etc. being built to meet the rising demands, many more opportunities will become available for travel agents to take advantage of possible discounts and upgrades. Although many travel suppliers are less visible than others, they are, nevertheless, interested in promoting their products and services. They may offer discounts to travel agents as a means of distinguishing themselves from their competition. You may be able to obtain passes to theme parks, dinner theatres, parks, etc. just by identifying yourself as a travel consultant and asking for their special Travel Industry rate. Some suppliers may request an advance notice of your arrival, in writing, while others may simply require that you provide a business card or Photo ID upon arrival. An MSNBC Report entitled "Top 5 Travel Scams" describes one scam this way: 2. Become a travel agent This is a scam that is running rampant now. Once you pay a fee to a company, it will issue “credentials” allowing you access to travel agent freebies and discounts and commissions on selling travel. First off, the days of freebies and discounts are done — trust me, they are few and far between. Secondly, in order to sell travel and be recognized by a supplier, you need to be affiliated with either a travel agency or be registered as an independent seller of travel with either the Cruise Lines International Association or the Airlines Reporting Corporation. Believe me, this is a perfect example of the old axiom, "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is." The American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) has published a paper entitled "Travel Industry Card Mills" in which they state: Introduction It’s easy to see why the allure of travel to exotic destinations at reduced rates and with special levels of service, often accompanied by a promise of actually making money, could appeal to consumers. Ads promise glamour and the high life at a bargain, and the chance to make money with little effort. But the allure is a façade, and the promise an illusion perpetuated by sellers of deceptive travel agent credentials — card mills. What Are Card Mills? Card mills are businesses that sell deceptive identification cards, sometimes accompanied by a package of worthless "training" materials that falsely identify the purchaser as a "travel agent." These offers often say "travel like a travel agent" and are designed to permit buyers of travel services to pass themselves off as sellers of travel services. These cards are represented as enabling the holder to obtain discounts, upgrades and other courtesies reserved by travel suppliers for professional travel agents who actively promote the suppliers' services. What ID Card Is Accepted by Most Industry Suppliers? IATAN provides the travel agency community with the only personnel registration service in the industry. IATAN-accredited agencies periodically provide IATAN with a list of personnel who are eligible to obtain an IATAN ID card. For many airlines, the IATAN ID card is the only form of identification accepted for reduced rate or free transportation. The IATAN ID card is also accepted by many other industry suppliers for discounts and other considerations. In order to obtain an IATAN ID card, travel agents must meet eligibility requirements outlined at http://www.IATAN.org. A list of travel suppliers that accept the IATAN ID card can be found at: http://www.IATAN.org No travel agency can guarantee that it can provide valid IATAN cards or numbers to anyone. Travel Industry Card Mills And when contacted regarding any relationship between ASTA and YTB.com, they responded: It's called "Due Diligence", people. Do your research and get answers to your questions BEFORE getting involved in ANY network marketing opportunity.