About Elaine Ktistes

Hi There,

I am Elaine Ktistes, CTC, The Discount Travel Lady, and author of Discount Travel Wisdom, Your Travel Planning and Discount Guide . I am trying to “brand myself” as the Discount Travel Lady because I have a last name few people can pronounce. Go ahead now, give it a shot…

It’s pronounced: kis tis. No jokes please.

Now, my history: I grew up in a small town in New England . After attending some college and a travel trade school I moved to the big city to seek adventure and opportunity. I found a career as a travel agent.

I've been a travel agent for over 30 years. I didn't make a lot of money but I did manage to travel--always on a tight budget. I researched and planned my trips so I could see as much as possible for the limited amount of money that I had. Combined with what I learned as a travel agent and as a frugal traveler I am uniquely qualified to offer travel strategies as a true Travel Expert.

Throughout my 30 + year career I enhanced my travel knowledge and computer skills by taking training courses and attending seminars. (I’m a seminar junk.ie!) Along the way I became a "Sabre Master" and a "CTC". The "Sabre Master" was a person extremely versed in using the SABRE GDS--the travel agent computer. I was one of the top 10 people in the United States with proficiency and knowledge of the SABRE system! I'm a CTC—a Certified Travel Counselor, a designation awarded by The Travel Institute. This distinguished certification is given to those travel agents that have been through extensive training and testing in travel and business management.

30 years of travel computer experience made it an easy transition to the Internet. Like other travel agents, I too, went into a panic when the airlines decided in 1995 to stop paying us. The internet was the new way to sell travel. The airlines felt they didn’t need us. (Ha, now they’ve learned what a mistake that was!) Instead of fighting this transition and begging clients to now pay service fees I chose to focus on where the travel business was going—online for cheaper prices. I did tons of research and then wrote my book, " Discount Travel Wisdom, Your Travel Planning and Discount Guide ". You can buy a copy from this website.

I am still a travel agent but with a different spin. Instead of you buying travel packages or airline tickets from me, I am now a " Travel Coach ". For an upfront fee, I give you travel advice and advise you where to go online to buy your travel. You have complete control over the process with the added benefit of professional advice. And, if you don't want to book your own travel, I am available to do this as well.

My journey with book publishing pulled me into the world of news media--radio, TV, newspapers and the Internet. I've had to learn about book publishing and promoting, how to be a great radio or TV guest and how to drive traffic to this website (still working on this!). How I love the different HATS I wear!