Flights

GDS Simulation

• Agency users can either use the flight booking module alongside their GDS, or they can use a GDS simulator that mimics the functionality of the GDS within the system.
• The GDS simulation will allow users to validate any PNR’s created against any stored fares that are not available through CAT35.
• The simulator will also allow queues and messages to be managed from within the system.
• Any bookings made will also seamlessly integrate with the holiday builder module and the back office system.

Published Fares

• Published fares will be extracted from the GDS and updated within the flight system so that agency users can see static fares and rules alongside seat sale and IT fares.
• The published fares can also be used in special offer promotions and as part of packaged itineraries where relevant.
• The system will also allow users to build hybrid fares that combine net and published fares.

Net & IT Fares

• Store all net and IT fares within the fares database.
• Whilst CAT35 offers allows travel organisers to store and search most net fares, CAT35 does not sometimes cater for very niche or specialist fares- the fares database caters for this
• Complex fares include those that are to be used in conjunction with certain hotels, companion fares for specific holidays and kids go free fares used in combination with specific package holidays.
• Deal with the most complex fare rules, and also provide more scalable and dynamic pricing when searching for fares than available via CAT35.
• Enhanced client self-service options by allowing clients to change or cancel reservations and present them with all costs and penalties whilst allowing them to auto re-issue their tickets

Low Cost Airlines and Charter Flights

Somehow cost carriers and charter providers do not provide their content through a GDS.

• View in pricing, availability and schedules from most of the leading low cost and charter flight providers
• Aggregate low cost and charter flight results with availability and pricing from scheduled airlines
• Use on front end websites and back end reservations systems for call centre and agency staff

NDC

The IATA New Distribution Capability is a method of allowing airlines to distribute content, pricing and availability traditionally provided through a GDS directly to an agency using XML.

• Airlines such as British Airways and Lufthansa already charge extra for bookings made through a GDSs
• We are connected to numerous airline NDC platforms saving you money on every booking with them

Consolidator Fares

Not every travel agent/consolidator will have the best deal with every airline. Sometimes, airlines will offer exclusive rates on specific routes to a single consolidator because of their specialisation on that route.

• Consolidators can distribute their fares and availability using the travel platform
• Provide XML or API outputs to travel retailers
• Provide XML or API outputs to aggregators such as Kayak, Momondo, Skyscanner, Travel SuperMarket and Deal Checker.
• Travel agents and Tour Operators can access pricing and availability from consolidators using a B2B login we will provide you
• Access consolidator fares, book in your GDS and then Queue to the consolidator for issuing.
• The consolidators XML feeds search other supplier fares alongside your own special fares and aggregate into one set of results.

Allocation

Tour operators that have commitments on charter seats or even those that have non committed or committed allotment on scheduled airlines will be able to store this information within the flights module.

• Set pricing manually per flight or automate using the yield management functionality.
• All allocated air inventory will be visible to travel organisers alongside scheduled, charter and low-cost pricing and availability.
• Pricing and availability for committed or allocated seats can also be displayed to the public on website searches for flight only or as part of package holidays.

Airline and airport content manager

The flight module will allow content, images, guides and maps relating to airlines and airports to be stored within the database. This information can be used on public facing websites for customers to see and within the back office system for travel organisers to refer to when planning travel itineraries or talking to customers.

Round the world

Complex round the world fare information is handled easily and efficiently within the flights module.

• Use interactive world maps to view options when building round the world itineraries.
• Automated calculation of hybrid fares using a mix of net & published fares on scheduled airlines as well as charters and low cost carriers

Validation of bookings

Any PNR created can be validated against any fares stored within the system.

• Validate all defined criteria such as routing, booking class and flight number restrictions to minimise the risk of ADMs.
• Validate any flight itinerary against a pre-defined set of rules.
• For example, there may be a particular hotel that insists guests booked on FIT rates that arrive before 9am must have a room booked from the night before. In such cases, if hotel room was not booked from the night before and the flight was arriving at 5am, the system would alert the travel organiser to allow the issue to be remedied.

Add-on, Triangular and code share fares

Add on fares, triangular fares and code shares have always presented a particular challenge to travel organisers.

• These fares can offer exceptional value, but unfortunately, most systems simply cannot handle them.
• Currently, to benefit from these fares requires human intervention
• Reservations staff must have an in-depth knowledge of these fares, requires product and destination specialists
• Seamlessly calculate triangular, add on and code share fares.
• Allow travel staff from any background to ensure that clients always have access to best deals on the most convenient itineraries.

Auto search and rebook lower priced fares and make a higher margin

Although churning itineraries, or cancelling segments within an itinerary to book a lower fare class is a strict no-no, many travel organisers simply book clients onto a new PNR when lower classes become available.

• Increase profit margins on bookings by hundreds of pounds.
• Eliminate the need for resource intensive human intervention
• Automated and constant availability screening of existing PNRs which identifies lower booking class availability as soon as it comes up
• Automated re-booking clients onto a new PNR at the lower price.
• Higher margins are more frequently achieved at a much lower cost!