Question about accepting credit cards for a business

I have an idea for a business, but I would need to be able to accept credit cards. How does one go about this?

My idea is to be a Disney World Vacation Planner (like a wedding planner, only for DW). I would only plan DW vacations, no other vacations. I have been to DW many many times, I have eaten in most of their restaurants, I have stayed in many hotels, I know just about everything there is to know about DW, and I love to plan vacations. I am retired, live an hour away from Disney World, and have a Florida Resident annual pass. It would be very easy for me to go to DW anytime I want to check things out. I wouldn’t be doing this so much for the money, but for the fun of it (and a little extra money wouldn’t hurt).

I would like to plan entire Disney World vacations for folks, including their airline reservations, rental car, hotel reservations, park tickets, meal reservations, as well as planning what they will do every day. This would be helpful for first-timers who don’t know anything about DW, as well as for busy executives who want to take the family on vacation but don’t want the hassle of planning all the details.

All they would have to do is give me the dates they want to go, the ages of their children, what sort of things they like to do, what kind of food they like, and their budget requirements, and I would take care of the rest. I would have a short questionnaire for them to fill out giving me the information I need.

However, I would have to use their credit card in order to make all the various reservations.

Naturally, they would have to trust me to do that, but since I am not affiliated with any travel agency, how do I obtain that trust? How would I charge for my services? A percentage of their total package price? A separate charge for each thing they want me to do?

I would need to reach people from all over the country, if not the world, so advertising in a newspaper would not be productive. The best and least expensive way to advertise would probably be to start a website, but how in the world would I get enough of the right kind of people to look at my website? Any ideas?

Honestly?  I can't imagine handing my credit card # over to someone who was an amateur travel agent (or trip planner) and a stranger to boot.  No matter how honest you are, most people aren't going to be comfortable doing what you propose.  Hey, I wouldn't even let most of my family members have access to my credit cards.

Have you considered actually becoming a real travel agent?  Your community college should offer the necessary classes.

Or perhaps, you could find a travel agency in your area to work for?   

What about applying to actually work in DW if you're nearby?  As you know, there are so many different kinds of employees needed.  A friend's daughter is spending the summer there as an atheletic trainer intern, for example.  They have so many different disciplines--animal care, hospitality, education, transportation, horticulture, athelics, child care--pretty much anything you might want to do and you'd be right in the thick of things. 

I really hate to toss cold water on your idea--but I just don't see how one would make it work, without a strong background in actual being a travel agent.  You need those skills to be able to book travel and hospitality, and do so at a price that will allow you to make money.  Remember, too--as you've already found out--much of the fun of a trip to Disney IS in the planning.  Most families enjoy months of reading, watching videos and other research.  It's an integral part of the experience.  One most families truly ENJOY doing for themselves.  I know you like doing it, and would love to help  others, but I'm not sure there's a big need for that service, since it's part of the fun for most.

I wonder if--if you were willing to do the proper background stuff (getting bonded, criminal background check, first aid certification, etc)--if you might not be able to offer to be a companion to a family's children, if the parents wanted a day or evening on their own?  You could accompany the children to the park(s) and see that they're safe and having a good time?

If there is a Small Business Administration office in your area, I suggest that you make an appointment, and take your written business plan.  They have counselors available that can help you with organization, finances, web sites etc.   

Char63:

If there is a Small Business Administration office in your area, I suggest that you make an appointment, and take your written business plan.  They have counselors available that can help you with organization, finances, web sites etc.   

i thinks the concept is great

i'm in the process of planning a trip there now and know what a pain it can be

good luck  

Well do not know what the rules are where you are, but here where I am from, I also wanted to be a travel agent afew years ago. #1 I was told I would have to go to school to learn everything travel wise and business wise, and then upon completing it would have to register my name etc with the Travel Agency organization. I would never book or give my credit card number out to anyone. Especially a single individual, who has no previous schooling or experience in arrangeing my hotel, etc. Sounds fishy to me.

You have a great idea but after reading the replies so far, I can see that it might not go over. Maybe you could contact a travel agent and get them to let you work from their office as a "department". They could handle the money and pay you a commission.  Another thought is to talk to a bonding company and see if you could get bonded to handle those credit cards. Might  give the customer a more secure feeling about their credit card number.

This website had some good info (I think they are selling their own system but still good info).

http://www.hometravelagency.com/index.html 

The idea is great, one thing to keep in mind..is you might be infringing on Disney's rights of some sort.  You might have to watch how you advertise to make sure you're very clear that you're not affiliated with Disney in any way.  Besides....you could do some research and expand into "family trips" regardless of where they are.  Consult an attorney to cover your butt!

Good luck!