CheckATrueCode.com: OSSN's
Latest Benefit
by Melody Fee

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Now, I'm pleased to introduce you to one of the newest benefits for TRUE agents: our new verification site at CheckATrueCode.com!

We've gone through the entire supplier community at large - company by company, it feels like! - to teach these vendors about the TRUE system and to help them revise their booking procedures to recognize and accept the TRUE numeric codes from home-based agencies booking travel products and services. The TRUE code eliminates your need to set up the old-fashioned "band aid" of a long list of multiple pseudo ID numbers for different suppliers.

If you now have your own TRUE code, you can direct your suppliers - both your preferred vendors and any "new to you" suppliers - to the new www.checkatruecode.com site, where they can enter your TRUE code and receive instant verification that (a) your TRUE code is current and (b) the TRUE code belongs to you.

By verifying your TRUE code, these suppliers will also know that you're an active Agency member of OSSN, you've given us documented proof that you're complying with state "seller of travel" laws, and that you've also provided proof of a business checking account. OSSN requires these steps when agents apply for TRUE codes to demonstrate that you're an established, professional travel agent.

There's another BIG BENEFIT you'll find on the CheckATrueCode.com site: a comprehensive listing of the steps you must follow to set up a new account with suppliers who support TRUE. How many times have you tried to work with a new-to-you supplier, and you've gone to that company's web site, but you've searched in vain to figure out how to set up an agent account with that supplier? Many suppliers have really hidden those travel agent links on their sites where you must sign up or submit information before you can submit deposits and bookings!

Now, you can simply go to www.checkatruecode.com and click on the "Supporting Suppliers" link on the left-hand side of the site. The next page shows categories of different suppliers, and when you click on a category like "Cruise Lines," the next page will display a grid with links for each supplier that go STRAIGHT to that company's Web page for agents to set up accounts!

As you might imagine, tracking down these links and putting together these grids took an enormous amount of time at OSSN HQ - but, we felt that these listings would be a huge benefit for both brand-new OSSN members who're just starting to work with suppliers and longtime agents who're adding one more vendor based on a client's request.

If you see any suppliers that we've left out, please send us an email and we'll try to add them to these lists!

Also we have put out a VERY SPECIAL OFFER to OSSN Allied Supplier member who displays the “TRUE ACCEPTED LOGO” on their site. We are sending out a complimentary HTML marketing advertisement to over 30,000 agents for each supplier that places this logo on their website by their AGENCY sign-up information page or link.

Thanks again for supporting OSSN and TRUE! For more details about TRUE, go to the TRUE page on OSSN.com for more details!

Melody Fee serves as vice president of the Outside Sales Support Network. You may reach her at melodyfee@ossn.com.

(Credits: Melody Fee; OSSN)