Advanced Ticketing Training
Different Between Travel agencies:
The main difference between non-IATA (International Air Transport Association) and IATA
travel agencies lies in their ability to issue airline tickets. IATA travel agencies have the
authority to issue tickets directly from airlines, access to exclusive deals, and other benefits.
Non-IATA agencies typically rely on third-party platforms or other means to book tickets, and
they may not have the same level of access or perks offered by airlines.
BSP:
BSP stands for Billing and Settlement Plan. It's a system used by IATA (International Air
Transport Association) to facilitate and simplify the selling, reporting, and remitting of airline
tickets by travel agencies. BSP allows travel agencies to issue tickets, report sales, and settle
payments with the airline through a centralized platform, streamlining the process for both
parties involved
ARC:
ARC stands for Airlines Reporting Corporation. It's a company based in the United States
that acts as a financial intermediary between airlines and travel agencies. ARC provides
ticket distribution, settlement, and data information services to facilitate transactions
between airlines and travel agencies operating in the U.S. ARC helps streamline ticket sales,
reporting, and financial reconciliation processes, ensuring compliance with industry
standards and regulations.
ADM and ACM:
ADM stands for Agency Debit Memo, while ACM stands for Agency Credit Memo.
ADM (Agency Debit Memo) is a notice issued by airlines to travel agencies when
there's a discrepancy or error in the ticketing or booking process, resulting in the
agency owing money to the airline. This could be due to various reasons such as
incorrect fare calculation, ticketing errors, or failure to comply with airline rules and
policies.
ACM (Agency Credit Memo), on the other hand, is a notice issued by airlines to
travel agencies when the agency is owed money by the airline. This could occur due
to reasons such as fare adjustments, refunds, or compensation for service
disruptions or overcharges.
Both ADMs and ACMs are important tools for maintaining financial accuracy and
accountability between airlines and travel agencies.
1. *Minimum and Maximum Stay Requirements:* these refer to the minimum and
maximum duration a traveler must stay at the destination before returning. Airlines may
impose these requirements to ensure that travelers are using the fare in a manner
consistent with its intended purpose and to manage revenue and capacity effectively.
Validity of Fare:* The validity of the fare refers to the period during which the fare is
available for purchase and travel. This can vary depending on the fare rules set by the airline
or the fare type purchased. It may be valid for a specific travel period, such as travel
between certain dates, or for a certain booking period, such as tickets purchased by a
certain date.
While minimum and maximum stay requirements are part of the fare rules, they are
separate from the validity period of the fare. However, both factors contribute to
determining the flexibility and restrictions associated with a particular fare.
YQ and YR are two types of taxes or surcharges commonly found on airline tickets.
*YQ*: This code typically refers to fuel surcharge or carrier-imposed surcharge. It's an
additional fee that airlines may add to ticket prices to offset fluctuations in fuel prices or
other operational costs. YQ charges can vary depending on the route, airline, and market
conditions.
*YR*: This code usually represents other miscellaneous taxes or fees not included in the
base fare or separately itemized. It may include various taxes, airport fees, or charges
imposed by government authorities or airport operators. YR charges can vary based on
factors such as the departure and arrival airports, government regulations, and local taxes.
Same penalty for same classes:
The route and transit time can influence fare rules and penalty fees, airlines often prioritize
simplicity, revenue management, competitiveness, and operational efficiency when
determining their penalty fee structures.
Uplift: customer didn't use a flight sector on their itinerary but the system shows it as flown.
Illegal class: typically refers to a situation where a passenger attempts to use a fare class or
ticket that does not comply with the rules and regulations set by the airline or relevant
authorities. This could occur due to various reasons, such as:
*Ticket Violations:* The passenger may be attempting to use a ticket that has been obtained
through fraudulent means, such as ticket scalping, counterfeiting, or using stolen credit
cards.
*Fare Violations:* The passenger may be attempting to use a fare class that is not valid for
their specific itinerary, such as using a discounted fare intended for a different passenger
category or route.
*Regulatory Violations:* The passenger may be attempting to use a ticket that violates
regulatory requirements or restrictions imposed by aviation authorities, such as using a
ticket purchased from an unauthorized reseller or using a ticket issued in violation of
aviation regulations.
In any case, using an "illegal class" can lead to consequences such as denial of boarding,
cancellation of the ticket, fines, or legal action, depending on the severity of the violation
and the policies of the airline or authorities involved.
When a flight segment is marked with the "GX" status in the Reservation History (RHI) of
Amadeus for a travel agency booking, it typically indicates that the flight has been canceled
by the airline, but the ticket associated with that segment has already been checked in.
This situation can occur when a flight is canceled after passengers have already checked in
for their flights. In such cases, the ticket status remains as "checked in" even though the
flight itself has been canceled.
For passengers affected by such cancellations, it's crucial to contact the airline or travel
agency to make alternative arrangements, such as rebooking on another flight or seeking a
refund for the canceled segment.
*SITI (Sell, Input, Ticket, and Invoice):* This refers to a booking made directly with the airline
by a travel agent or through the airline's own reservation system. The travel agent sells the
ticket, inputs the booking details into the system, issues the ticket, and generates an invoice
for the transaction. No Qs charges
*SOTO (Sell, Other, Ticket, and Other):* This refers to a booking made indirectly through a
third-party distribution channel, such as a global distribution system (GDS), online travel
agency (OTA), or other intermediaries. The booking is sold by the third-party provider, and
the ticket is issued through their system. No Qs charges
*SOTI (Sell, Other, Ticket, and Invoice):* Similar to SOTO, this refers to a booking made
through a third-party distribution channel, but in this case, the ticket is issued by the airline.
The invoice for the transaction is typically generated by the airline rather than the third-
party provider. Qs Charges
*SITO (Sell, Input, Ticket, and Other):* This refers to a booking made directly with the airline
by a travel agent or through the airline's reservation system, but the ticket is issued through
a third-party provider. The booking details are input into the airline's system, but the ticket
is issued by the third-party provider.
These codes help categorize bookings based on the method of sale, ticket issuance, and
invoice generation, providing insight into how the booking was processed and by whom.
Qs Charges
There is not availability:
We understand that customers may occasionally wish to make reservations outside of the
standard booking window, which is typically set to a maximum of 361 days in advance. In
such cases, if a customer contacts us to make a reservation beyond this period, we can offer
them the option to make a special reservation on a day close to their desired date, subject to
availability in our reservations program. Once the ticket is issued, and they can contact us
again once the program has been updated to make their reservation on the desired date.
When assisting customers with special reservations, we will amend our standard reservation
rules to accommodate their needs. For example, if a customer is entitled to one free change
according to our fare rules, but they need to make changes due to the delay caused by our
system update, we will honor that change free of charge. However if there is any diff of fare
will be apply. Our goal is to ensure customer satisfaction and provide flexibility in the
booking process, especially when errors or delays occur on our part. We will always strive to
uphold the customer's original reservation rules issued before the system error, and we will
only calculate fare differences if the reservation class originally booked is not available for
the desired date. We value our customers' loyalty and appreciate their understanding and
cooperation in such situations.
In Amadeus, there are typically three main ways to find fare base information, display fare
rules, and access refund options:
1. *Fare Display:* To find fare information, we can use the "Fare Display" command, which
allows them to view fare options based on specific criteria such as airline, fare basis, routing,
and travel dates. This command provides details on fare amounts, fare rules, restrictions,
and conditions associated with each fare. ҉ Nego option
Or Upsell and public fare
2. *Refund Options:* we can access refund options through the "Refund Application"
command, which allows them to initiate refund requests for tickets issued through the
Amadeus system. This command guides agents through the refund process, providing
options for full or partial refunds based on the fare rules and conditions associated with the
ticket.
3. *History:* we can access booking history and transaction records through the "Queue
Display" command, which allows them to view a list of past bookings, changes, and other
actions performed within the Amadeus system. This command provides a chronological
record of transactions, including ticketing, changes, cancellations, and refunds, allowing
agents to track the history of a booking and any related actions taken.
The "FQD" command in Amadeus allows travel agents to find the same base fare for a
specific route, class, and date of departure.
FQD from to/ class N/ Departure day/ r,u-net, Date of issue
To view the same base fare across different GDSs (Global Distribution Systems), include the
"R,U-NET" entry in your command. This ensures that the fare displayed is the same across
different systems.
Fqn Number of line*pe
Refund
When processing a refund for a travel agency in Amadeus, it's important to ensure several
factors align to avoid complications and ensure the refund is processed accurately:
1. *Same Office ID:* The refund should be processed using the same office ID that was used
for the original ticket issuance. This ensures that the refund is credited to the correct agency
and account.
2. *Same Currency:* The refund should be issued in the same currency as the original
payment. This helps maintain consistency and avoids currency conversion issues or
discrepancies.
3. *Same Form of Payment:* Whenever possible, the refund should be issued using the
same form of payment that was used for the original ticket purchase. This could be a credit
card, or other payment method accepted by the airline.
4. *Same MRN (Master Reference Number):* The refund transaction should be linked to the
same MRN that was used for the original ticket issuance. This helps track the refund
transaction and ensures it is associated with the correct booking.
Before proceeding with a refund for a ticket or EMD (Electronic Miscellaneous Document),
it's important for travel agencies to check several factors, including the coupon status,
validity of the ticket or EMD, and where the ticket was issued. Here's why each of these
factors is important:
1. *Coupon Status:* we should ensure that all flight coupons (segments) of the ticket are in
the correct status for refund processing. Typically, unused or partially used coupons are
eligible for refund, while fully flown coupons are not refundable. Checking the status of each
coupon ensures that only eligible segments are included in the refund request.
2. *Validity of Ticket or EMD:* It's essential to verify the validity period of the ticket or EMD
to ensure that it is still within the refundable timeframe. Tickets or EMDs that have expired
or are outside the refundable period may not be eligible for a refund.
3. *Location of Ticket Issuance:* Knowing where the ticket was issued is important for
several reasons. It helps determine which office ID and currency were used for ticket
issuance, ensuring consistency in processing the refund. Additionally, it may also affect
refund policies and procedures based on local regulations.
In addition to checking the coupon status, validity of the ticket or EMD, and where the ticket
was issued, travel agencies should also consider the following factors before proceeding with
a refund:
4-Fare Rules and Penalties:* Review the fare rules associated with the ticket to determine
any applicable penalties or fees for refunding the ticket. Some fares may have specific
refund conditions, such as non-refundable or partially refundable tickets, which may impact
the refund amount.
5. *Refund Eligibility:* Confirm that the ticket or EMD is eligible for a refund based on the
applicable fare rules, conditions, and any exceptions or waivers provided by the airline or
travel agency. This helps ensure that the refund request meets the necessary criteria for
approval.
6. *Documentation and Authorization:* Gather all required documentation and obtain any
necessary authorizations or approvals before initiating the refund request. This may include
completing refund forms, obtaining customer consent, and complying with internal
procedures and policies.
7. *System Updates and Reporting:* Ensure that the refund transaction is accurately
recorded in the booking system and relevant reporting tools. Update the booking status,
issue any necessary refund vouchers or documents, and maintain proper documentation for
audit and tracking purposes.
The policy ensures that if a customer purchased a ticket through multiple
platforms (e.g., IBE and CTO) and requests a refund, the amount refunded will be
based on the platform where the ticket was last purchased. If the amount paid
from IBE is higher, the refund will be processed through that platform, even if the
last reservation was made through a different channel. This is because the IBE
reflects the total amount paid, which can cover the desired refund value.
If a customer booked a ticket through a travel agency and we, the airline, made
changes to the flight, resulting in the ticket being under our control, and the
customer wishes to refund their ticket, we need to provide a voucher to the travel
agency. This voucher enables the customer to initiate the refund process through
their travel agency.
Delete the open Sector in partially utilized TKT in order to make the refund
Calculation/keep the flow one to check the one way taxes and base fare.