I remember being in high school when Prodigy and CompuServe were all the rage. The SABRE travel service turned me into my family’s de factor travel agent. Anytime anyone needed to go anywhere, I knew how to dial up the best deals. Of course, the tools that were exotic twenty years ago are commonplace now. Most of us can get Orbitz or Expedia over our cell phones.

On the flip side, it’s getting tough to be a full time travel agent unless you specialize in something really remarkable in your market. Cruise specialists still do well, as do bucket shops and travel consolidators. But very few folks are asking travel agencies to handle routine Memorial Day or Thanksgiving plane reservations.

Thus, a huge opportunity for hobbypreneurs. Registered travel agents enjoy perks like discounted room nights and standby airline travel. A growing number of part-time travel experts have popped up online, offering added value through guided tours, recommended trips, and special group rates. While becoming a full-time travel agent might not be as lucrative a deal as it was three decades ago, part-timers looking for perks instead of income can turn their hobby into profit.

Be careful, however, if you shop online for travel agent certifications. Some unscrupulous vendors offer travel agent opportunities that turn out to be little more than Ponzi schemes tied to a specific reservation system. Travel agents, travel writers, and tour guides who operate respectable practices are often happy to share information about joining their ranks without getting ripped off.