No. The VTC Program is a participation program for travel agencies. You do not book your travel through the VTC Program. Because each VTC receives their own ARC Number, they are able to book directly with the supplier themselves; entitling them to 100% of the commissions.

Absolutely. Host-affiliated VTCs value their unique ARC Number, provided by the Program, because it helps forge their own identity with those suppliers (not that of the host), and also allows them to keep their full commission rather than a percentage of a shared commission often distributed by a host.

The VTC Program gives you an identity and the ability to brand your agency from the start of your client engagement, to the end, rather than your host. While marketing yourself to your clients and when distributing documents, VTCs use their own name to brand themselves rather than that of their host agency.

VTCs are included in the ARC Agency List File, which suppliers subscribe to for marketing, sales, and commission distribution purposes.

The average number of days a VTC application is within the accreditation process is 30. The accreditation process has been in place for more than 20 years and is respected by both agents and suppliers alike.

VTC applications grew 20% year-over-year, from 2008 to 2009. This isn't surprising, as VTCs have stated the Program is a welcomed alternative to comparable programs, being the most inclusive and beneficial in the marketplace.

The VTC Program offers travel agencies and travel pros within those agencies the opportunity to do what no other agency program can - generate revenue. The ARC Number is a key element to the VTC Program as it is widely respected and recognized across the industry. What separates the VTC Program from the rest is ARC MarketPlace and Agent's Choice. Both developed with the agency in mind, to boost the bottom line.

Other competing programs have different offerings, some of which may be more appealing. We urge you to do a comparison on what would be best for your business. We are confident you will find that the VTC Program provides the best value to travel agencies - store-front, home-based, relatively new, or established.

Your investment includes:

• The ARC Number
• Access to the Agent's Choice credit card service fee processing program
• ARC MarketPlace commissions
• Inclusion in the ARC Agency List File
• Inclusion in the ARC Check VTC confirmation tool
• The VTC Mark

Remember, your fee includes all of the above. Your agency does not need to belong to ARC before you can apply for the ARC Number; it is inclusive. With the tools and services offered, VTCs can achieve a positive and recordable return on investment.

VTCs have access to the Travel Agent Service Fee (TASF) program through Agent's Choice. VTCs have access to most of the offerings on ARC MarketPlace (they will not be able to issue Greyhound bus line tickets). VTCs have a maximum transaction limit of $2,500 of TASF transactions per week and $250 per transaction.

You would need to complete and submit the New Agent Application and meet certain personnel standards (to include an ARC Specialist), provide a bond, letter of credit or cash deposit in the minimum amount of $20,000. For more, contact us at adm@arccorp.com or review the new agent requirements at the travel agency accreditation page.

You should submit a new VTC application. The reclassification form only applies to ARC-Accredited Travel Agencies who seek to reclassify as VTCs.

You must complete the VTC reclassification application and submit it to ARC along with the application fee. The statement of ownership form must match ARC's current records for your agency. You must also complete the Affidavit for Accountable Traffic Document Destruction/Return Form.

Yes.

No. Because you will be approved as a new VTC participant, you will be assigned a new ARC number for the VTC location.

No. The VTC reclassification program is only available to independent travel agencies.

Each VTC agency will be provided with a new ARC Number, which will replace your RSP Number.

All VTCs are urged to notify their preferred suppliers of their change of status within ARC, which includes introducing the new ARC Number. Consider this effort an extension of your marketing and something comparable to your agency relocating or changing a phone number. Your suppliers should be accommodating, and if required your agency will need to provide a copy of the VTC approval letter. VTCs can also refer suppliers to ARC Check where they (the supplier) can enter an ARC Number and instantly verify a VTC's status online.

VTCs are included on the Agency List File and because of their status, VTC agencies are considered in the upper echelon of ARC participation, which positions them for regular inclusion for Agency List File distribution to suppliers.

The VTC Program's annual investment is less than the RSP investment and the opportunities to capitalize on the VTC investment are more substantial than that of RSP programs. VTCs have enhanced commission opportunities with ARC MarketPlace, and the travel agency service fee credit card processing program, Agent's Choice, is a terrific way for agencies to maximize revenue streams. The VTC Program toolkit is also a strong value proposition.