GLOSARIO DE VIAJES – TÉRMINOS, DEFINICIONES Y ACRÓNIMOS

Términos, definiciones y acrónimos del sector de los viajes de la A a la Z. Haga clic en una letra para ver los términos y descripciones en nuestro glosario.

A   B   C   D   E   F   G   H   I   J   K   L   M   N   O   P   Q   R   S   T   U   V   W   X   Y   Z

A

ACTE

(Association of Corporate Travel Executives). Asociación de Ejecutivos de Viajes Corporativos

add-collect

La diferencia de tarifas que se cobra al revisar un billete.

add-on

Un trayecto añadido a una reserva de viaje, normalmente a un precio mayor.

adjoining room

Habitación contigua. Dos habitaciones que están una al lado de la otra, pero que no tienen una puerta interior de conexión común.

ADR

Average Daily Rate. Tarifa media diaria. Término de la industria hotelera utilizado para calcular la tarifa media de las habitaciones de hotel. Equivale a los ingresos por habitación divididos por las habitaciones vendidas.

advance purchase

Compra Anticipada. El tiempo de antelación antes del viaje que requiere la emisión de un billete, normalmente 3,7,14 o 21 días.

AE

Agent Error. Error de agente. Una entrada incorrecta realizada por un asesor durante el proceso de reserva.

affiliate

afiliado. Una agencia de viajes con sede en EE.UU. que ha llegado a un acuerdo con BCD Travel para utilizar las marcas de BCD Travel y prestar servicios de viaje a los clientes en el territorio de la filial.

AEA (vea «Association of European Airlines»)

Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC)

Una corporación independiente que es propiedad conjunta de la mayoría de las principales aerolíneas de Estados Unidos; la ARC recauda los pagos de los billetes vendidos por las agencias de viajes y distribuye el dinero a las aerolíneas; la ARC también regula la designación de las agencias de viajes para vender transporte aéreo nacional.

airport code

código del aeropuerto. Código del Aeropuerto. Código de tres letras utilizado por las compañías aéreas y el sector del transporte aéreo para identificar los aeropuertos de todo el mundo; por ejemplo, LHR = London Heathrow, JFK=New York John F. Kennedy. https://www.world-airport-codes.com/

airport tax

impuesto portuario. Tasa recaudada por algunos aeropuertos de todo el mundo. En muchos casos se puede incluir en el precio total del billete, aunque algunas aerolíneas no cooperan, por lo que el pasajero debe pagarla localmente.

airside

En el aire. En los viajes de ida, la zona de operaciones incluye todas las áreas de la terminal del aeropuerto después de pasar el control de pasaportes. En los viajes de entrada, la zona de operaciones incluye todas las áreas de la terminal antes de pasar el control de pasaportes.

air taxi

Taxi Aéreo. Un avión de corto alcance para hasta 20 pasajeros, que suele volar en servicios no programados con una autonomía de 200 / 500 millas.

all-inclusive

Todo incluido. Un programa de hotel que suele incluir todas las comidas, aperitivos, bebidas y actividades.

alliance

Alianza. Una asociación conjunta entre determinadas compañías aéreas que puede incluir, entre otras cosas, interlíneas, códigos compartidos, participación conjunta en programas de viajeros frecuentes e incluso participación en el capital social.

Amtrak

National Railroad Passenger Corporation, una corporación subvencionada por el gobierno que opera todo el servicio de trenes de pasajeros en los Estados Unidos.

ANI (Automatic Number Identification)

Identificación automática del número. Término del centro de contacto que designa una función de la red telefónica que transmite al centro de contacto, en tiempo real, el número del teléfono que está utilizando la persona que llama.

AP

American Plan. Plan americano. Una tarifa de hotel que incluye el desayuno y la cena, a veces el almuerzo

APAC

Asia Pacífico. Término geográfico que se utiliza indistintamente con ASPAC y que a menudo se usa en referencia a todo el mercado asiático.

APEX (Advance Purchase Excursion Fare)

Tarifa de excursión de compra anticipada

applicable fare

Tarifa aplicable. The fare to be applied.

AR

Accounts Receivable. Cuentas por cobrar. Dinero que debe un cliente a una empresa por productos o servicios prestados a crédito.

ARC (vea «Airlines Reporting Corporation»)

ARC number

Número ARC. Un número de identificación de ocho dígitos emitido por la ARC a las agencias de viajes que han cumplido las normas de acreditación.

ARNK

Arrival Unknown. Llegada desconocida. Un ARNK se añade a una reserva cuando hay una interrupción en el itinerario y no se reconoce la continuidad; sí cuenta como un segmento al emitir el billete.

Around-the-world

Vuelta al mundo. Un viaje continuo que circunnavega el globo en una dirección general de oeste a este o de este a oeste en el que se cruzan los océanos Pacífico y Atlántico no más de una vez cada uno..

ARR (see «Average room rate»)

ASPAC

Asia SouAsia Pacífico Sur. Término geográfico utilizado indistintamente con APAC.

ATB

Automated Ticket & Boarding Pass. Billete y tarjeta de embarque automáticos. Billete de transporte estándar de la IATA y tarjeta de embarque combinada que cuenta con una banda magnética que contiene los datos del pasajero y del viaje.

ATP

Average Ticket Price. Precio medio de los billetes. El precio medio de todos los billetes comprados; los nacionales e internacionales se calculan a veces por separado.

availability

Disponibilidad. El número total de asientos que se pueden vender a una tarifa determinada.

average room rate (ARR)

Tarifa media por habitación (ARR). Relación entre los ingresos por ventas del hotel y el número de habitaciones ocupadas.

B

back-to-back ticketing

Venta de Entradas Consecutivas. Práctica contraria a las normas por la que un viajero reserva un billete de vuelta anidado dentro de otro billete de vuelta para evitar los requisitos de estancia mínima con el fin de ahorrar dinero. Por ejemplo, el viajero utiliza el primer billete para volar de origen a destino el lunes de la semana 1, luego utiliza el segundo billete para volar de destino a origen el viernes de la semana 1 y de vuelta a destino el lunes de la semana 2, y luego utiliza el primer billete de nuevo para volar de vuelta a origen el viernes de la semana 2. Así se evita el requisito de la estancia normal del sábado por la noche. Aunque a veces se ahorra dinero, la mayoría de las compañías aéreas no permiten esta práctica y hacerlo puede dar lugar a sanciones..

backtracking

Retroceso. Tener que regresar al aeropuerto original de entrada en un país para hacer el viaje de vuelta a casa. Un procedimiento largo y costoso que hay que superar organizando un itinerario op-jaw, que permite volar a un punto y volver desde otro

baggage

El equipaje. El equipaje de mano y el equipaje facturado tienen muchas restricciones. Las más notables son el número y el tamaño del equipaje. Muchas compañías aéreas sólo permiten una bolsa de mano, más un artículo personal (bolso, mochila, bolsa de ordenador). Para conocer las restricciones y tarifas del equipaje facturado, consulte el sitio web de la compañía aérea para obtener más detalles.

banker’s buying rate (BBR)

tasa de compra bancaria. Tipo de cambio utilizado para convertir de una moneda a otra; se llama «tipo de compra» porque es el tipo utilizado cuando los bancos compran moneda a un particular

banker’s selling rate (BSR)

tasa de venta bancaria. Tipo de cambio utilizado para convertir de una moneda a otra; se llama «tasa de compra» porque es la tasa utilizada cuando los bancos venden moneda a un particular.

BAR (Best Available Rate)

Best Available Rate. Mejor tarifa disponible. Un método de fijación de precios de la industria hotelera para obtener tarifas de habitaciones (flotantes) en función de la demanda, asegurando al mismo tiempo que se presenta la mejor tarifa para la venta a los agentes, los consumidores.

base fare

tarifa base. Una tarifa sin impuestos.

bed-nights

Noches-Cama. Medición de la ocupación hotelera.

blackout dates

Fechas de Suspensión. Ciertas fechas o periodos en los que no se permite viajar con determinadas tarifas (normalmente días festivos).

blocked space

Espacio bloqueado. Reservas múltiples, a menudo sujetas a la pérdida del depósito, que los mayoristas o las agencias de viajes realizan con un proveedor en previsión de la reventa.

boarding pass

tarjeta de embarque. Un permiso para embarcar en un barco, avión u otro medio de transporte. En el caso del transporte aéreo, la tarjeta indica la puerta de embarque y el número de asiento del avión.

booking code

código de reserva. Un código de letras utilizado para hacer una reserva de aerolínea a un nivel de tarifa particular en un sistema de reserva computarizado. (CRS/GDS)

BSP (Bank Settlement Plan)

Plan de liquidación bancaria. Fuera de los Estados Unidos, sistema por el cual la comunidad de agentes de viajes paga a los transportistas por los billetes que emite.

BTA (Business Travel Account)

Cuenta de viaje de negocios. Si una empresa cuenta con un programa de tarjetas de crédito corporativas en el que ciertas compras, como el transporte aéreo o ferroviario, y las tasas de transacción asociadas se facturan de forma centralizada a un número de tarjeta de crédito «maestro», esto se denomina cuenta de viajes de negocios (BTA). Esta cuenta permite la compra de ciertos gastos de viajes aéreos para los empleados de la empresa sin necesidad de emitir tarjetas de crédito individuales a cada viajero para los gastos designados. Como la cuenta no tiene una tarjeta física, suele llamarse «tarjeta fantasma».

BTC (vea «Business Travel Center»)

BTN (Business Travel News)

Una publicación del sector de los viajes que ofrece noticias e investigaciones a la población de viajes corporativos.

bucket shop

tienda de cubos. Agencia de viajes sin licencia y sin fianza que utilizan algunas aerolíneas para disponer de los asientos con exceso de capacidad que están disponibles en determinados vuelos.

buffer zone

A efectos fiscales, se trata de una extensión de la frontera de EE.UU. de 225 millas hacia el norte en Canadá y 225 millas hacia el sur en la frontera con México; todas las ciudades dentro de esta zona están gravadas con el impuesto nacional de EE.UU. del 7,5% cuando los billetes se compran y venden en EE.UU.

bulk fare

Un contrato de tarifa neta para un determinado número de asientos. Similar al espacio bloqueado, salvo que el operador turístico, el mayorista o la agencia de viajes suelen contratar los asientos de la aerolínea a un precio bajo y sin comisión, sin la opción de devolver el espacio a la aerolínea.

bulkhead

mamparo. Tabique (normalmente una pared) en un avión que separa los compartimentos.

bumped

Eliminado. En el argot de los viajes, la expulsión de un pasajero de un vuelo por exceso de reservas; suele aplicarse a los titulares de billetes con descuento.

bundled pricing

Precio combinado. Una propuesta de precios, siempre una tarifa de transacción, en la que los elementos distintos del avión (por ejemplo, el alquiler de coches, el hotel, el tren) se incluyen en la tarifa con la transacción aérea.

business class

Nivel de servicio de la aerolínea entre la primera clase y la clase económica. En las rutas europeas, la clase business ha sustituido a la primera clase como nivel de servicio principal. La mayoría de las compañías aéreas tienen sus propias marcas. (por ejemplo, British Airways – Club World y Club Europe: Air France – Le Club, etc.)

Business Travel Center (BTC)

Centro de viajes de negocios. Servicio completo estándar y servicio en línea en un centro de llamadas local, sin dedicación a un solo cliente en un ambiente de equipo.

C

cancellation policy

política de cancelación. La antelación con la que un hotel exige que se cancele una reserva para evitar que se le facture la habitación.

carrier (CXR)

Otro término para aerolínea.

CC (Credit Card)

Tarjeta de crédito. Sistema de pago por el que el emisor de la tarjeta concede una línea de crédito al titular de la misma, que se utiliza para realizar pagos a un comerciante o para retirar efectivo.

CDW (Collision Damage Waiver)

Exención de daños por colisión. Término de la industria para el seguro opcional proporcionado por las compañías de alquiler de coches que elimina toda la responsabilidad del conductor en un accidente.

centralized billing

Facturación centralizada. Sistema por el que un proveedor de viajes, una compañía de tarjetas de crédito, una agencia u otro proveedor consolida todos los costos/cargos incurridos por diferentes empleados o departamentos en una sola factura total.

change of equipment

Cambio de equipo. Cambio de aeronave respecto a la prevista inicialmente para operar un vuelo confirmado

check-in

Notificación a una compañía aérea o a un hotel de que un viajero ha llegado para tomar un vuelo o alojarse en un hotel; algunas compañías aéreas ofrecen la posibilidad de facturar en la acera, mientras que otras sólo permiten facturar en el mostrador.

check-out

Aviso a un hotel de que un huésped abandona la propiedad, suele ser el momento del pago de la estancia.

child

Niño. Un viajero que ha cumplido dos años, pero aún no ha cumplido doce (esta definición puede variar según la compañía aérea).

churning

Churning se refiere a cualquier reserva o cancelación repetida del mismo itinerario en la misma clase o en diferentes clases de servicio en uno o más PNR o GDS.

circle pacific

círculo pacífico. Viajes desde la zona IATA 1 (América del Norte y/o del Sur) a la zona IATA 3 (Asia, Australia, Pacífico Sur) a través del Océano Pacífico Norte en una dirección, a través del Océano Pacífico Sur en la dirección opuesta, y al menos un vuelo dentro de la zona IATA 3 que cruce el Ecuador.

circle trip (CT)

viaje en círculo. viaje de origen a destino con regreso al origen en una ruta continua y circular que utiliza dos o más componentes de la tarifa

city pair

par de ciudades. Los puntos de origen (de) y de llegada (a) de un viaje, generalmente en avión o en tren.

city terminal

terminal urbana. Oficina de la compañía aérea, normalmente en el centro de la ciudad, donde los pasajeros pueden facturar, recibir información sobre los asientos y embarcar en servicios especiales de autobús/taxi/helicóptero/ferrocarril/transporte al aeropuerto.

class of service

clase de servicio. El interior de un avión está dividido en secciones, cada una con un nivel diferente de servicio y comodidades; las clases de servicio más comunes son primera, business y económica.

CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association)

Asociación Internacional de Líneas de Cruceros. Una asociación dedicada a la promoción y el crecimiento de la industria de los cruceros.

club floor

Piso club. seguridad e instalaciones especiales, ya sea por un pago adicional o como incentivo/privilegio para los usuarios frecuentes.

club ticket

Billete de clase business totalmente flexible y canjeable, válido durante un año a partir de la fecha de emisión. Frase utilizada principalmente en el Reino Unido.

coach

Otro término para autobús.

COB (Close of Business)

Cierre de los negocios. Término que significa el final del día de negocios.

code-share

código compartido. Un acuerdo de comercialización entre dos aerolíneas (muy común entre las aerolíneas que tienen una alianza) en el que se compra un asiento en una aerolínea (la aerolínea vendedora), pero el vuelo es operado en realidad por una aerolínea diferente (la aerolínea operadora).

combination

combinación. Dos o más tarifas mostradas por separado en un cálculo de tarifas.

Computerized Reservation System

Sistema informático de reservas. Sistema utilizado para reservar y procesar las reservas de viajes, también conocido como Sistema de Distribución Global (GDS).

concierge

Empleado del hotel que atiende las necesidades de los huéspedes en cuanto a información especial, reservas en teatros y restaurantes, y cualquier otra petición especial.

connecting flight

vuelo de conexión. Un vuelo en el que el pasajero debe cambiar de avión.

connection

conexión. Una parada en una ciudad determinada durante menos de 4 horas (nacional en EE.UU.); menos de 12 horas (nacional en EE.UU. como parte de un viaje internacional); menos de 24 horas (internacional); continuando en el siguiente vuelo aplicable a un destino posterior; designado por X/ en una línea de construcción de tarifa lineal.

conjunction ticket

boleto de conjunción. Dos o más billetes emitidos simultáneamente a un pasajero y que juntos constituyen un único contrato de transporte.

connecting rooms

Dos habitaciones que están una al lado de la otra y que tienen una puerta interior común de conexión.

consolidation fare

tarifa de consolidación. Una tarifa de viaje de grupo disponible para las agencias de viajes y otros operadores para construir paquetes a destinos que incluyen el alojamiento. Las tarifas de consolidación, aunque son de grupo, se venden a pasajeros individuales.

consolidator

consolidador. Persona o empresa que forma grupos para que viajen en vuelos chárter o con tarifas de grupo en vuelos regulares para aumentar las ventas, ganar comisiones por exceso o reducir la posibilidad de cancelaciones de viajes.

consortium

consorcio. Un grupo de empresas independientes que se unen para obtener mayores beneficios.

construction point

punto de construcción. Una ciudad a través de la cual se han combinado las tarifas con el fin de fijar el precio de un itinerario; una ciudad de destino o un punto de giro; un corte de tarifa que aparece en el billete.

contact

contacto. Término del centro de contacto para una persona que llama o visita su empresa por teléfono o a través del sitio web, y que solicita una interacción con un agente.

contact center

centro de contacto. Término genérico que se refiere a los centros de reservas, los mostradores de ayuda, las líneas de información o los centros de atención al cliente, independientemente de cómo estén organizados o del tipo de transacciones que gestionen.

continental breakfast

desayuno continental. Un desayuno ligero compuesto por café, bollería y, a veces, zumo.

contract fare / contract discount

tarifa de contrato / descuento de contrato. Tarifa con descuento acordada por el cliente y el transportista; las tarifas contractuales exigen que el cliente ceda al transportista un determinado porcentaje de su negocio en todos los mercados.

corporate fare

tarifa corporativa. Una tarifa aérea con descuento para los viajeros de negocios.

corporate rate

tasa corporativa. Tarifa especial negociada entre un proveedor (hotel o coche, por ejemplo) y una empresa.

Corporate Travel Department (CTD)

Departamento de Viajes Corporativos (CTD). Un CTD (Corporate Travel Department) establece una relación de compra directa entre la empresa y sus proveedores de viajes. El organismo de acreditación, ARC (Airline Reporting Corporation), autoriza a la empresa a funcionar como su propia «agencia de viajes» y a controlar su liquidez

co-terminals

co-terminales. Un grupo de ciudades/aeropuertos considerados como el mismo punto; ejemplo: JFK/LGA/EWR.

country of commencement (COC)

País de inicio (COC). El país en el que se inicia un viaje; la tarifa base se convierte de NUC a la moneda del país de inicio utilizando el ROE de la IATA.

country of payment (COP)

country of payment (COP). The country in which a ticket is being purchased; the base fare is converted from the currency of the Country of Commencement into the currency of the country of payment using the Bank Rate if the countries are not the same.

CPM (Cost per Mile)

Cost Per Mile. A calculation of the average price paid per mile.

CPT (Cost Per Transaction)

Coste por transacción. Cálculo del coste total en que incurre una empresa por generar una transacción de un cliente.

CRM (Customer Relationship Management)

Gestión de la relación con el cliente. Término utilizado para una base de datos que se utiliza para albergar y mantener la información de los clientes.

CRS (ver «Computerized Reservation System»)

CSR (1) (Corporate Social Responsibility)

Responsabilidad social de las empresas. Concepto por el que las empresas tienen en cuenta el impacto de sus acciones en la sociedad y el medio ambiente.

CSR (2) (Central Security Record)

Registro Central de Seguridad. Término de la industria hotelera para el nombre de la tabla de gestión de la audiencia utilizada para mantener una lista de oficinas autorizadas para acceder a las tarifas hoteleras negociadas de un cliente.

CST (Central Standard Time)

Hora central estándar. Zona horaria de Estados Unidos, también conocida como hora central o CT.

CTD (Corporate Travel Department)

Departamento de viajes corporativos. Agencia de viajes interna de una empresa que compra transporte aéreo y servicios de viaje relacionados en nombre de sus propios empleados.

CTI (Computer Telephony Integration)

Integración de la telefonía informática. Término del centro de contacto para el software, el hardware y la programación necesarios para integrar los ordenadores y los teléfonos de manera que puedan trabajar juntos de forma perfecta e inteligente.

customs

Aduana. Punto de control en el que se verifica la legalidad y el valor de las mercancías importadas.

D

Data Release Authorization (DRA)

Under a DRA, Client instructs, as of the date specified, BCD Travel to receive, process, and/or transfer certain personal travel data from Client’s travelers, including, but not limited to, transactional ticket-level, segment-level, and traveler-level information, which may include, without limitation, traveler name and address, origination and destination, corporate and/or personal credit card number, passport number, drivers license, travel preferences, and other special needs or any other sensitive data as may be provided by or behalf of the travelers (“Travel Data”).

Decision Source (DS)

A BCD Travel product that allows our customers to interact with their reservation data.

delegate rate

An inclusive rate for meetings on a daily basis. Twenty-four hour delegate rate also includes accommodation. Phrase primarily used in the U.K.

denied boarding compensation (DBC)

Commonly called «bumping,» – When more passengers arrive to take a flight than can actually fit on the plane; although legal, the carrier is only responsible for providing compensation to a traveler if he/she has a confirmed reservation and is checked in and has arrived at the departure gate within a pre-determined time period; compensation may be in cash or in a voucher for future travel; passengers who voluntarily relinquish their seats are compensated with a cash payment or voucher towards a future trip and are then accommodated on the next available flight; if an airline delivers a bumped passenger to his/her destination within an hour of the originally-scheduled time, no compensation is required.

deregulation

Originally applied to American air travel: in 1978, federal law phased out the civil Aeronautics Board and stopped government intervention or regulation of airline routes and fares.

destination

The final stopping place as shown on the ticket; the furthest point on a fare component used to price an itinerary.

Destination Management Company

Company, possibly an incoming tour operator, who organizes local ground services at destination.

differential

The difference between the fares for two different classes of service between two cities; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

direct fare

The fare for one-way or half round-trip travel visa the shortest route operated between two cities.

direct flight

A flight from origin to destination that makes one or more intermediate stops, but passengers do not change planes.

directional fare

Fare valid only in a specified direction of travel.

discount fare

Transportation fare lower than the full published tariff for an airline’s route. A discount fare usually entails certain stipulations regarding purchase or travel (space availbility).

DMC (see «Destination Management Company»)

domestic travel

Travel wholly within any one country; typically used to designate intra-US travel.

double

A hotel room with two double beds and/or accommodating 2-4 people.

double booking

The practice of making reservations for two or more flights, cars or hotels as a type of backup; considered to be unethical.

double occupancy

The way in which almost all cruise fares and tour packages are quoted, that is, based on two people traveling together. Most hotel rooms are quoted based on two adults to a room, as well.

double open jaw (DOJ)

Travel in which the outbound departure point and arrival and the inbound point of departure and arrival are not the same.

down grade

To move a passenger to a lower class of service or accommodation.

drop-off charge

A fee charged for dropping a rental car at a different location from where it was picked up.

duty-free

Being exempt from any import tax.

E

economy class

The rear area of the aircraft in which passengers having paid one of the lower fare types are seated.

electronic miscellaneous document – Associated (EMD-A)

Document that allows for the fulfillment of all flight related services and fees (such as bags, seats, meals, etc.). An EMD or EMD-A is linked to a specific eticket coupon in the airline’s database.

electronic miscellaneous document – Standalone (EMD-S)

Non-flight related services (such as lounge access or change fee collection) a stand alone EMD, a EMD-S is issued. To issue an EMD-S a manually created service segment must be in the PNR. Specific services that can be charged on an EMD-S is dependent on the airline’s own requirements.

electronic ticket (eticket)

An airline transportation ticket that is entirely in a GDS; no physical ticket is required for travel.

EMD (see «electronic miscellaneous document»)

endorsement

Permission from the plating carrier, the ticketed carrier or the carrier losing air space for the traveler to use the flight coupon(s) for travel on another airline at no additional cost; usually only required for international tickets.

end-on-end combination

A special type of combination in which two round trip fares are combined to produce a complete itinerary.

In this example, the passenger buys a round trip ticket from AAA to BBB (Rule 1), and a separate round trip fare from BBB to CCC (Rule 2). The net effect is to travel from AAA to CCC, but breaking the fare at BBB, which may in some cases be less expensive than the round trip (through) fare from AAA to CCC.

equivalent fare paid

An amount converted into the currency of the country of payment when the published fare is in a currency other than that of the country of payment.

ERA (see «European Regions Airline Association»)

EST

Eastern Standard Time. A time zone in the US, also known as Eastern Time or ET.

ESTA

Electronic System for Travel Authorization. ESTA is a free, automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. The ESTA application collects the same information collected on Form I-94W. ESTA applications may be submitted at anytime prior to travel, though it is recommended travelers apply when they begin preparing travel plans.

ETA

Estimated Time of Arrival. A measure of when an object is expected to arrive at a certain place.

ETD

Estimated Time of Departure or Delivery. The expected start time of a particular journey or the expected delivery of a good or service.

e-ticket (see «electronic ticket»)

ETR

Electronic Ticket Record.

European Regions Airline Association

Association which aims to identify, protect and promote the interests of regional air transport in Europe. Over 170 memebers including airlines, aircraft manufacturers and airports. www.eraa.org

excess baggage

Baggage in excess of the allowable number, size or weight.

exchange

The process of reissuing a ticket due to a change of flight, fare basis, dates or routing.

excursion fare

Round-trip fare with restrictions, such as minimun and maximum stays and the need to purchase well in advance.

executive card

Types of privilege cards available to frequent users of airlines, hotel chains, car rental companies, etc. Most carry benefits and have their own brand names, e.g. British Airways Executive Blue, Executive Silver, Executive Gold and Premier.

executive room

Higher grade than standard room and usually slightly larger, the executive room often has additional facilities for the business traveler such as trouser press, desk etc. and may be located on a separate Executive Club Floor.

Expatriot (or expat)

An expatriate (in abbreviated form, expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person’s upbringing or legal residence.

explant/ outplant/ offsite

Branch office dedicated to serving a single client that is not located on the client’s premises, but rather operates as a separate part of a BTC.

F

familiarization tour

A complimentary or reduced-rate travel program for travel agents, airline or rail employees, which is designed to acquaint participants with specific destinations. Often known as «Fam-Trips».

family plan

A hotel rate that allows children to stay free with adults in the same room.

fare basis

A combination of letters and numbers used to identify a fare type which may also indicate the rules of the fare

Fare Basis Code Example	Definition
A or AP	Advance Purchase
D	Fare valid on a specified day(s)
E	Excursion
FLT	Flight
H	High season/high traffic
HOL	Holiday
L	Low season
N or NR	Non-refundable
P	Penalty for change/cancel
R	Round trip
SALE	«SALE»
SAT	Saturday
W	Weekend
X	Except
Z	Fare valid on a specified day(s)
1234567	Day of the week; 1= Mon, 2= Tue, etc.
1,3,7,14,21,30	Number of days in advance of travel the ticket must be purchased

fare component

A fare between two points.

fare ladder

A vertically-written fare construction that includes fare components, surcharges and additional amounts collected.

fee

• fee – bundled air transaction fee
  An air transaction fee that includes the costs associated with servicing air, hotel and car transactions. Therefore, hotel and car only bookings (not to exceed XX% of air bookings) are not charged a transaction fee.
• fee – management fee
  Fee assessed in addition to direct costs. Covers primarily overhead and profit. Can be assessed as % of sales, per transaction or fixed amount.
• fee – management fee structure (formerly cost plus offering)
  Client fee arrangement whereby direct expenses are passed through to the client in addition to management fee. Management fee could be % of sales, fixed fee, or per transaction.
• fee – online booking tool fee (PNR fee)
  Charged per unique reserved PNR. Additional fees may be assessed for transactions booked on a website accessed via the online booking tool.
• fee – online transaction fee (e-fulfillment fee)
  Charged per online transaction – that excludes any ‘flow through costs’ charged by the online booking tool provider.
• fee – transaction fee structure
  Client fee arrangement whereby client is billed per transaction for all major program costs including direct expenses and contribution to overhead and profit, usually at POS.
• fee – unbundled (menu) transaction fee
  Separately charged per each type of transaction, e.g. hotel, car, rail and air. AM and MIS costs might also be charged separately.

final destination

The last point on an itinerary/fare component.

first class

The cabin on an aircraft where there are fewer seats, more elaborate service and amenities.

FIT (see «Fully Independent Traveler»)

flag carrier

The airline that internationally represents a given country; sometimes financed or owned by the government.

flight coupon

A section of an airline ticket; one flight coupon is required to take each flight.

flight/time specific

A fare rule that requires a to fly on a specific flight or at a specific time of day.

FOI (see «Form of Indemnity»)

FOP

Form of Payment. The method of payment for a transaction.

form of indemnity

A form that needs to be completed by the passenger in order to claim refund in respect of an air ticket that has been misplaced or stolen.

frequent flyer program

An airline loyalty program that provides awards to travelers who use an airline or its partners.

frequent guest program

A hotel loyalty program that provides awards to guests who use a hotel chain.

frequent renter program

A car rental loyalty program that provides services (such as fast pickup) to those who use a car rental vendor.

front office (FO)

An industry term used for products associated with customer-facing activities. The GDS is a front office system.

fuel surcharge

A surcharge assessed for fuel use applicable for travel between specified points and/or for departure from a specified city.

full board

Hotel rate with accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

full economy

This is a fully flexible, fully refundable ticket which is valid for one year from date of issue in economy class.

full exchange

Change an already ticketed reservation, with no flown flight segments.

full to full exchange

Change to a ticketed reservation when no segments are flown and the change is to any segment other than the outbound flights. Or when a segment has been flown and there is a change to a remaining flight segment. In either of these instances, the FULL value of the original ticket must be exchanged for the ‘combined’ FULL value of the new ticket.

fully independent traveler

A traveler / tourist not part of a tour group.

G

Galileo

One of the world’s CRSs (GDSs).

gate

Area in an airport where passengers for a flight gather before boarding their flight or deplane on arrival.

gateway city

The last domestic city from which a passenger departs prior to arriving at an international destination; the first point of arrival in a given country (e.g., on the journey SFO-CHI-FRA-MUC, CHI and FRA are gateway cities).

GDS (see «Global Distribution System»)

GDS Operations (GDSO)

An industry term for computer reservation systems that book and sell tickets for multiple airlines.

GEBTA (see «Guild of European Business Travel Agents)

ghost card

In the credit card industry a system used by corporations whereby travel related charges made through designated travel agencies are centrally billed but no plastic card actually exists. Often referred to as «Lodge card» in Europe.

global distribution system

An industry term for computer reservation systems that book and sell tickets for multiple airlines.

global indicator

Two-letter code used to identify the direction of travel applicable to a given fare.

governing carrier

The airline whose fares and rules are used on a given itinerary.

Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)

Solar based time in Greenwich, England, from which time in all other time zones in the world is based.

ground time

The time not flying.

GroundRes

A booking solution that allows the booking and managing of all ground transportation services, such as limousines, executive sedans, taxis, vans and parking services.

group fare

A fare that offers discounts to groups of varying minimum sizes in selected markets, with various conditions, and usually require round trip travel within a specified time limit.

guaranteed hotel reservations

This means that the hotel will hold the room all night. However if the room is not required, failure to cancel will result in a charge. Where reservations are made on an ad hoc basis, rather than through a regular account arrangement, a credit card number will be required to effect this guaranteed reservation.

H

half board

Hotel rate for accommodation, breakfast and one other meal.

half round trip fare

Half of a fare designated for use on round-trip journeys.

head tax

Fee or tax some countries or cities levy on arriving or departing travelers.

hemisphere

Half of the globe; the North and South hemispheres are divided by the Equator; the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans divide the East and West hemispheres.

higher intermediate point (HIP)

A pair of cities within a one-way or half round-trip fare component that has a direct fare higher than the direct fare between the origin and destination of the fare component; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

hub

An airport at which an airline centers many of its schedules, particularly connecting flights to smaller destinations.

I

IATA

(see «International Air Transport Association»)*

IATA Number (see «ARC Number»)

IATA Rate of Exchange (ROE)

Rates of exchange designated by IATA to convert local currency to NUCs and to convert NUCs into the currency of commencement of travel.

ICAO (see «International Civil Aviation Organization»)

IET

Interline e-ticket. An interline agreement between airlines that allow e-ticketing on each other’s flights. Interline agreement between airlines permitting travel service cooperation in areas such as: baggage transfer services, guaranteed connection times.

IGK (see «International Gatekeeper»)

immigration

Area at which a traveler’s documentation (e.g., Passport and Visa) are verified to ensure the traveler may enter the country.

implant (on-site)

Dedication operational team, based within an office of the client.

implementation

Phase of launching a new relationship, including e.g. opening a new location, training staff, installing technical equipment, and informing clients, travelers and travel arrangers.

inbound travelers

Travelers coming into a specified location are considered inbound. Travelers departing from the location are considered outbound.

infant

A traveler who has not yet reached his/her second birthday.

in-house

Term used in the U.S. to describe an implant.

international departure taxes

Taxes levied on all travelers departing a country on an international journey that are, typically collected at the airport at the time of departure.

interline

Between two airlines; TUS-HP-DEN-UA-LON is an interline journey.

interline baggage agreement

An agreement between two air carriers that a carrier will transfer baggage to the other carrier.

interline connection

When a passenger changes airlines as well as aircraft during a journey (same as off-line connection).

interline ticketing agreement

An agreement between two air carriers that permits air travel of one carrier to be on a ticket issued and/or ‘plated’ on another carrier.

intermediate point

A ticketed point of an international journey at which there is no fare break; an intermediate point may be a stopover or connection.

intermediate stop

An enroute stop at a city between the origin and destination (see also Direct Flight).

International Air Transport Association

The world trade association of international air carriers; appoints travel agencies to sell tickets; determines rules and regulations for international carriers. www.iata.org

International Civil Aviation Organization

Specialed agency of the United Nations with responsibility for civil aviation action in standardization, technical co-operation and the formulation of international aviation law. www.iaco.int

itinerary

A chronological plan showing a traveler’s booked arrangement.

J

joint fare

A special through fare (usually only internationally) that permits travel on two or more different airlines.

journey

The origin to final destination of a fare construction.

K

KDS

BCD Travel provides support for KDS. KDS provides an online booking platform for the confirmation of air, car, hotel and rail itineraries.

L

landside

On outbound journeys, landside includes all those areas of the terminal before you arrive at passport control. On inbound journeys, landside includes all those areas of the terminal after you’re through passport control.

last date of purchase

The date by which a ticket must be issued – fares are not guaranteed until tickets are issued.

last room availability (LRA)

A hotel industry term for ensuring a negotiated rate is always available when standard inventory is available or when the room type negotiated is available.

LDW (see «Loss Damage Waiver»)

leg

One flight; one part of an entire journey.

LFR

Lowest Fare Routing. The least expensive airfare available to a destination.

local currency fare (LCF)

See Country Of Payment (COP).

locator reference

Unique identifying booking number used within a computer reservations system as part of a booking file.

lodge card

In the credit card industry a system used by corporations whereby travel related charges made through designated travel agencies are centrally billed but no plastic card actually exists. Often referred to as «Ghost Card» in the U.S.

Loss Damage Waiver

Additional insurance pertaining to car rentals, covering theft and vandalism in addition to accident damage.

low cost carrier (LCC)

An airline that offers generally low fares in exchange for eliminating many traditional passenger services.

lowest combination principle

Construction of a fare using a particular combination of sector fares to provide the lowest fare when there is no published fare between two points.

M

Marine Travel

Specialized travel services, available 24/7, provides travel arrangements (including helicopters and charter aircraft) for marine personnel.

Market Number (MK)

A code all online booking tools (OBTs) add at the time each reservation is made, as a way to track PNRs for online adoption and fulfillment purposes. It should never be removed once added to the PNR.

Married Segments

Two or more connecting flight segments joined, or «married,» meaning that these segments are inseparable and the subsequent rebooking or cancellation of any one flight segment must, at the same time, be applied to the connecting flight segment.

maximum permitted mileage (MPM)

The number of miles that may be flown on a published direct fare between origin and destination; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

maximum stay

The maximum amount of time a traveler may stay at a destination before return is required.

MCO (see «Miscellaneous Change Order»)

MICE

Meetings, Incentives and Corporate Events. An industry term for a department within a company that offers meeting planning services to customers. BCD Travel’s department is called BCD M&E

midoffice (MO)

An industry term for the management information (MIS) portion of a travel agency’s system.

mileage fare

A fare based on the total miles flown from the origin to destination; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

mileage surcharge

A percentage of fare increase applied to a fare because the routing exceeds the maximum permitted mileage; the percentage is in 5% increments to a maximum of 25%; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

minimum connection time

The amount of time required to change planes; varies by airport and often varies by carrier.

minimum stay

The minimum time a travel traveler must stay at a destination (or be gone ‘away from home’ internationally) before return travel can commence.

miscellaneous charge order (MCO)

An accountable document issued by a travel agency or airline as proof of payment for a specific fee (such as pet service fee) or as residual amount of an exchange (higher priced ticket exchanged for a lower priced ticket) to be used on a future purchase.

MST

Mountain Standard Time. A time zone in the US, also known as Mountain Time or MT.

N

National Business Travel Association

U.S. business travel association which is a member of IBTA. www.nbta.org

NBTA (see «National Business Travel Association»)

NDC

New distribution capability. Read more

negotiated fare/rate

This is a term used by travel agents to descibe reduced airfares that have been negotiated by their air fare specialists on behalf of clients.

neutral units of construction (NUC)

An imaginary currency established by IATA that allows fares of different currencies to be added together; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

NLRA

Non Last Room Availability. A hotel industry term for restricting availability of a negotiated rate when occupancy levels are high. Negotiated room rate is not guaranteed to be available.

NOI

Net Operating Income. A financial term for the amount by which operating revenue exceeds operating expenses in a specific accounting period.

non-endorsable

This expression often appears in the endorsements box of an airline ticket and it means that the flight coupon on which the worlds appear may be used only on the services of the airline indicated.

non-refundable(NR)

A ticket issued on a fare that does not allow for a refund; most non-refundable tickets can be changed for a fee and any difference in fare.

normal fares

The full fare established for first, business, economy or an intermediate class and any other fares published designated as normal fares.

normal open jaw (NOJ)

Travel from a country and return to the same country with a surface sector at either the origin or turnaround point (single open jaw – SOJ) or at both the origin and the turnaround point (double open jaw – DOJ).

no-show

An airline passenger or hotel guest who fails to use and/or cancel a reservation.

NTSB

National Transportation Safety Board. An independent US government agency that investigates accidents including aviation, highway, marine, pipelines and railroads.

O

OBT and OBLT (see Online Booking Tool»)

off-airport location

Usually a car rental office serving an airport but physically located off the airport site (and often picking up renters at the airport in buses or taxis). When the office is located on-site, the term used is on airport location.

offline

A destination that a carrier does not serve; see also Interline.

off-line connections

When a traveler changes airlines as well as aircraft during a journey (may also be referred to as interline connection). Changes of aircraft with the same airline are known as on-line connections.

offline transaction (traditional transaction)

A transaction that initated by an agent following a call/email request by a client.

off-peak

Time of year or day of the week when travel is less common.

off-line point

Airline term to describe points (areas or cities) they do not serve.

off-loading

This occurs when an airline has over-booked: that is, it has sold more seats on a particular flight than the aircraft has to offer. The passengers to be off-loaded are usually those who have paid the lowest fares. Off-loaded passengers will normally qualify for denied boarding compensation. Passengers may also be off-loaded at the captain’s discretion if they are unfit to travel due to drink, drugs, illness or for bad behavior.

onesto

BCD Travel is a re-seller of onesto. On-esto provides an online booking platform for the confirmation of air, car, hotel and rail itineraries.

Online Booking Tool

A web-based platform allowing travelers to make self-service reservations (e.g. Cliqbook, GetThere).

operating carrier

In a codeshare, the airline providing the plane, crew and ground handling services.

online or online point

On the same carrier; TUS-UA-DEN-UA-LON is an online journey.

online adoption

An account’s use of their predetermined online booking tool.

online high touch transaction

A transaction that originates via an online booking tool, but then requires more than one agent intervention (one touch).

online low touch transaction

A transacion that originates via an online booking tool, and then requires agent intervention or manual review/processing that is initated by the customer.

online transaction fee

(E-fulfillment fee)
A fulfillment fee canged per online trasaction – that excludes any ‘flow through costs’ charged by the online booking tool provider.

onsite

A BCD Travel office located at/on/in a client’s location.

open book

Term used to describe the principle of showing a client the complete cash-flow cycle, including commissions and overrides.

open date sector

Part of a journey for which no firm reservation has been made (usually owing to changeable plans on the part of the traveler) but for which the fare has been paid.

open jaw ticket

Where passengers fly out to one destination and return from another. Open jaw arrangements save backtracking and make a trip more cost effective.

open skies

Much-used term for unrestricted air services between several countries.

open ticket

A ticket valid for transportation between two points but has no specific flight reservation.

originating carrier

The first airline of a passenger’s journey and/or portion of a trip.

OSI

Other Service Information. A GDS entry that provides information to a carrier that does not require action for traveler action such as contract discount code, record locators of additional family members traveling together (TCP), age information for children/infants, etc.

outbound

Travel from the point of origin to the farthest destination.

outplant (off-site)

Dedication operational team, based within a BTC office.

overbooking

Also known as bumping. Airlines and hotels can predict, with some accuracy, how many travelers/guests will show up for previously made reservations; when more people show up than what is expected, travelers/guests are re-accommodated; see also Denied Boarding Compensation.

P

P&V

Abbreviations for ‘passport and visa’ used in the U.K. Some affliates have a specialist team which advises on and acquires passports/visa on behalf of their clients.

Pacific Asia Travel Association

Association which aims to promote travel to Asia Pacific. www.pata.org

PAR (see «Passenger Account Record»)

passenger account record

In Galileo, the profile showing passenger information.

passenger facility charges

An airport-designated surcharge to raise funds for airport expansion, renovation, operating costs, etc.

passenger name record

Record held within a CRS/GDS which gives the personal details associated with a particular booking.

passport

An official document issued by a government to its citizens that establishes an individual’s identity and nationality and enables travel abroad.

PATA (see «Pacific Asia Travel Association»)

PAX

Abbreviation for passengers.

PCI

Payment Card Industry. Security standards set to help protect account data information.

peak

Time of year or day of the week when travel is most common.

penalty

A fee charged by a carrier or vendor for changing and/or canceling a reservation or ticket.

PEX

Penalty excursion fare. Public excursion fare are within minimum stay requirements, but which has no advanced purchase requirements.

PIR (see «Property Irregularity Report»)

plate / plated

See Validating Carrier.

PMS (see «Property Management System»)

PNR (see «Passenger Name Record»)

PO

Purchase Order. A commercial document issued by a buyer to a seller that indicates the quantities and agreed upon prices for products / services.

point-to-point fares

De-regulation has led to a growing number of these on routes throughout the world. They are low fares in first, business, or economy class between two points by direct flights. Stopovers are usually, but not always, prohibited.

POS

Point of Service or Point of Sale. The time and place in which a transaction is made.

prepaid ticket advice (PTA)

A form used when a person is buying a ticket that will be issued at the airport of the same or a different city. Example: A ticket purchased in Chicago to be picked up by the traveler in and for a departure from Buenos Aires.

pre-trip auditing

A product offered by travel management companies that allows for the review of travel itineries before departure to identify savings or prevent unnecessary expenditure.

pricing unit (PU)

A journey, or part of a journey which can be priced and ticketed as a separate entity; a round-trip, circle trip, one-way, normal open jaw or special open jaw; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

pricing unit concept (PUC)

An alternative method of fare construction for multiple-stopover journeys that uses pricing units; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

primary carrier

Airline flying the governing sector (prime segment).

prime segment

The first «true» international journey; often called the «over-the-water» segment; see also Gateway.

profile

A computerized file containing company and traveler information.

promotional fare

A fare designed to attract passengers who would not otherwise travel.

proof of citizenship

Documentation that establishes nationality.

property irregularity report

Form submitted by passengers to ground handling agents at airports in the event of loss or damaged baggage.

property management system

Computer-based system for controlling hotel inventory, check-in and -out and billing.

PST

Pacific Standard Time. A time zone in the US, also known as Pacific Time or PT.

PTA (see «Pre-paid Ticket Advice»)

public fares (air)

Fares that anyone can obtain and is available in a regular fare display.

Q

QSI

Quality of Service Index. An index developed by the Civil Aeronautics Board to provide a comparative rating of service offered by individual airlines.

queue

A computer’s electronic filing system. Also a contact center term for the holding point for a number of calls or interactions that are waiting to be answered by an agent. The calls or interactions are usually assigned to available agents in a first-arrived, first-answered basis, but may also be assigned based on a company’s routing strategies.

queue group

A contact center term for a group of virtual queues. Also referred to as a DN Group or Group of Queues.

R

rack rate

The official posted rate for each hotel room.

rate desk (see «International Rate Desk»)

rate of exchange (ROE) (see «IATA Rate of Exchange»)

Rearden Commerce

BCD Travel is a referrer for Rearden. Rearden provides an online booking platform for the confirmation of air, car, hotel and rail itineraries.

reason codes (RC)

An industry term for codes used to document and report on traveler decisions and behavior.

reconfirmation

Particularly on international flights, passengers are required to indicate their intention of using the next leg of their itinerary by contacting the appropriate carrier before departure; internationally, reconfirmation is requested 72 hours prior to departure.

record locator

A computerized number that identifies a Passenger Name Record – PNR or other reservation; when speaking to travelers, usually called a confirmation number.

red-eye flight

Usually an overnight flight that arrives early in the morning – great when you don’t want to lose precious sightseeing time at your destination.

reissue

If necessary for a passenger to change journey en route, the ticket must be reissued. The value of the original ticket will be offset against the new fare and any extra or refund, calculated. Settlement can be direct with airline or with referral to the issuing agent.

ResX

BCD Travel is a re-seller for ResX. ResX provides an online booking platform for the confirmation of air, car, hotel and rail itineraries.

return journey

A journey for which the fare is assessed as a single pricing unit using half round-trip fares.

revalidation

If the passenger’s travel date or flight needs to be changed, without affecting the route, there is not always a need to reissue the ticket. The relevant flight coupon is simply revalidated by means of a revalidation sticker.

RevPAR

Revenue Per Available Room. A hotel industry measure that calculates room revenue divided by rooms available (occupancy times average room rate will closely approximate RevPAR.)

RLI

Rate Loading Instructions. A hotel industry term for the instructions provided to hotel properties for loading client-specific or TMC-specific rate codes as displayed in the GDS.

room with facilities

Describes a hotel room which has a bathroom en-suite. In some smaller two-star or three-star hotels facilities may refer to toilet and washbasin only.

round-the-world (RTW) (see «Around-the-World»)

round trip

A trip that begins and ends in the same city with no un-flown portions; internationally, with the same dollar amount on both portions .

route deal / route incentive

An agreement between a corporate customer and an airline. The agreement allows for an incentive payment to be made to the cient by the airline as a reward for loyalty.

routing

The carrier and/or cities and/or class of service and/or aircraft type via which transportation is provided between two points.

routing fare

A fare based on a specified routing.

run-of-the-house (ROH)

A flat rate for which a hotel offers any of its available rooms.

S

Schengen Visa

A special visa that permits holders to travel to any of the 25 Schengen member countries on a single visa (rather than obtaining a visa for each country. It is only issued to citizens of countries who are required to obtain a visa before entering Europe for leisure, tourism or business travel. Schengen Visa holders are not permitted to live permanently or work in Europe. The following countries are currently active Schengen Visa members: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

season

A specific time of year for a fare; High Season is the most popular time of year to travel to a specific destination and fares are more expensive at that time; Low Season is the least popular time of year to travel to a specific destination and fares are less expensive at that time; Fares affected by seasonality are usually indicated as such by fare basis coding and/or seasonality details listed in the fare’s rules.

seat pitch

The distance between aircraft seats, measured in inches and commonly used to show a passenger’s legroom.

security surcharge

Surcharge assessed by a carrier to cover costs of airport and in-flight security.

secondary carrier

Airline(s) flying the sectors preceding and/or succeeding the prime segment.

sector

A journey from one point to another.

segment

A flight; see Leg.

self-service reservations

Situation where the traveler makes his/her own reservations. A reservation generated by the customer using an online booking tool.

selling carrier

In a codeshare, the airline offering the flight for sale, under their vendor code

service fee

A fee charged by a travel agency to a company/individual for travel services.

Service Level Agreement

An agreement stating measurable performance commitments made to our customers.

shuttle

Regular or schedulable bus/van transportation such as from an airport to a downtown location; regular air service on heavily-traveled routes (e.g., BOS-LGA).

side trip

A journey from and/or to an enroute point of a fare component.

single

Accommodations designed for one person.

SLA (see «Service Level Agreement»)

slots

Designated take-off and landing times allocated to airlines at certain airports.

soft opening

Period when new hotel is open for business although not entirely finished – some services of facilities may not yet operate.

SOP

Standard Operating Procedure. A set of instructions that define the official standard for a specific process or situation.

SOS

Scope of Services. A document that defines the number, type, and intensity or complixity of services to be provided.

space available

Confirmation of a reservation subject to availability at the last moment.

special needs

Atypical traveler needs such as a special meal or wheelchair service.

split ticket(ing)

Issuance of two or more tickets usually for the purpose of obtaining a lower fare; usually applied to international itineraries to take advantage of fare and/or currency conversion differences.

Spouse fare

This type of are applies to selected destinations on a round-trip only basis and offers a discount of 50% to the spouse of a full first class or business class passenger. Economy passengers also qualify where there is no business fare.

SSR (see «Self Service Reservation»)

SSR

Special Service Request. A GDS request for a carrier to provide additional action for a traveler such as special meal, ticket number transmission, wheelchair, etc.

standard room

The normal hotel room type, generally with television, and en-suite bathroom.

standby

A passenger on waitlist or one prepared to travel if space becomes available at the last moment.

stopover

Interruption of travel for more than domestic US – 4 hours; domestic US as part of an international journey – 12 hours; international – 24 hours .

stopover charge

An additional fee assessed for making a stopover.

STP (see «Satellite Ticket Printer»)

stuffer

Any extra literature included with the delivery of travel documents.

sub-journey

A self-contained pricing unit that is combined end-on-end with another self-contained pricing unit on the same ticket; this fare construction principle is only used internationally.

surcharge (Q)

An airline-imposed fee included in fare calculations; see also Excess Mileage Surcharge, Fuel Surcharge, and Security Surcharge.

surface sector

Travel from one point or another not by air (ARNK – which stands for Arrival Not Known).

T

T24

Travel 24. A BCD Travel department that services customers 24 hours a day when their normal business office is closed.

TFL

Ticket Fulfillment Location. An industry term for a virtual ticket printer that is shared by various BCD Travel ARC ticketing locations on the same GDS.

through fare

A fare applicable for transportation via an enroute city(ies) between the origin and destination of the fare that allows for intermediate points of travel.

ticket

A contract of carriage for an airline to transport a passenger from one point to another.

ticket on departure

Transportation ticket collected at the point of departure such as an airline ticket counter at an airport.

ticketed point

A city for which a flight coupon has been issued.

time and mileage rate

Car rental rate based on fixed charge for the rental period plus a charge for each kilometer or mile driven during the period of the rental.

TOD (see «Ticket on Departure»)

tourist card

A registration form required by certain countries indicating a traveler’s intended stay; used in lieu of a Visa and common in Latin America.

transaction

A Ticket issued; defined as all airline and rail tickets (electronic and paper) issued by BCD Travel or reserved by BCD Travel through a third party, regardless of whether the ticket is subsequently used, refunded, or voided in whole or in part. Cancellation of a reservation before a ticket is issued is not considered a transaction. Optional: Hotel and car booking made, regardless of whether or not the traveler uses the hotel or car reservation.

transaction – domestic air

Domestic – travel between two destinations that are within the same country. e.g. Frankfurt to Berlin

transaction – regional air

Regional – Travel within the same continent. e.g. Madrid to London

transaction – international air

International – Travel between two continents. e.g. New York to London

transaction – offline – traditional

A transaction that is initiated by an agent following a call/email request by a
client

transaction – online high touch

A transaction that originates via an online booking tool, but then requires more than one agent intervention (one touch).

transaction – online low touch

A transaction that originates via an online booking tool and then requires agent intervention or manual review/processing that is initiated by the customer.

transaction – online no touch

«Touchless E-fulfillment transaction» An electronic transaction entirely processed through an online booking tool and BCD central fulfillment service, without any agent intervention and where invoicing is provided via email.

transfer

A point at which the passenger changes aircraft; if the change is to/from the same carrier, it is an online transfer; if the change is to/from different carriers, it is an interline transfer.

transit lounge

An area within an airport for the sole purpose of international flight connections; travelers do not clear immigration or customs to enter the transit lounge as it is considered to be an international point.

transit point

Any stop at an intermediate point which does not fall into the definition of a stopover whether or not a change of planes is involved.

TripSource

A BCD Travel umbrella brand name for our technology suite, which includes a variety of products listed below. read more

• TripSource:Active Itinerary
  A single point of access for traveler and travel arrangers for active and historical travel detail, including real time flight status, itinerary details, destination information and invoicing, billing and expense information.
• TripSource:Flight Alert
  Keeps travelers informed & productive while on the road by providing flight status information, including delays and real-time gate changes, for BCD Travel bookings.
• TripSource:Fulfillment
  Drive touch-less transactions with as little human intervention as possible while driving traveler contact behavior to minimize touches.
• TripSource:Portal (TSP)
  A comprehensive global solution to address traveler needs, travel program and corporation objectives. Arming travelers with rich content, productivity tools and critical safeguards for business travel, TripSource:Portal empowers travel programs as a centralized communications vehicle to deliver relevant, timely information and critical alerts to targeted audiences.
  The Portal expands traveler services while aligning program needs to drive savings, support business objectives and avoid corporate travel program risks.
• TripSource:Profile Manager (TSPM)
  Drives optimal data management by integrating profile management and online booking, and promoting secure web-based self-service maintenance of traveler-level detail.
• TripSource:Quality Measurement (TSQM)
  Ensures a means to track and manage supplier & transaction quality in addition to resolution of client concerns.
• TripSource:Rail Search (TSRS)
  BCD own rail booking tool for Deutsche Bahn only.
• TripSource:Ticket Tracker
  BCD manages and recovers committed travel dollars. Based on markets and supplier rules, BCD communicates with travelers to prevent loss of committed funds and when to apply unused funds toward future travel.
• TripSource:Trip Authorizer
  In response to growing concern for compliance, this module enables clients to implement pre-trip authorization requirements as well as post-ticketing compliance reporting.

TSA

Transportation Security Administration

twin for sole use

A twin-bedded reserved for sole occupency and charged out at a rate that falls between the single and double room price.

Two Factor Authentication

Also known as 2FA. Method of accessing a secure environment where a person proves their identity with two of three methods

U

UDID

User-Defined Interface Data. UDID remarks are standard and contain predefined reporting information such as lost hotel night reason codes, merchant billing codes or additional traveler data fields.

unlimited mileage rate

Car rental rate that covers all costs, other than insurance and petrol, for the duration of the rental, regardless of the distance driven.

upgrade

Move to a better class of airline service, larger rental car or more luxurious hotel room.

V

validating carrier

Airline designated as the «owning» ticketed carrier; the carrier on whose «plate» the ticket is issued. The validating carrier is the carrier to which payment is submitted and is usually the first carrier on the itinerary (domestic) or the carrier on the first international flight (international). If a ticket is issued on multiple carriers or is validated on a carrier not on the itinerary, the validating carrier is responsible for payment to the other airlines on the ticket.

validation

The process of stamping an air ticket or other airline document, at the time of issue, with the issue date, name and location of the issuing office and its IATA code number. Tickets not bearing such a stamp re invalid and will not be accepted by airlines.

value-added tax (VAT)

A general tax that applies, in principle, to all commercial activities involving the production and distribution of goods and the provision of services.

VAT reclaim

Value-added tax, or VAT, is included in hotel, dining and car rental bills and more when travelers go to countries that assess the tax. It can be a significant expense: VAT rates can be as high as 25%. The good news is most T&E-related VAT is eligible for reclaim. The bad news: In the past, it’s been hard to collect. But automation has made VAT reclaim for European Union transactions much easier. BCD Travel has partnered with VAT-recovery firm Taxeo to automate the process.

virtual credit card (VCC)

A VCC isn’t a physical card, but it has many of the same features as plastic corporate cards.

virtual payment

A virtual payment is a terminal-based payment method where the payment is delivered through a virtual card (VCC) instead of by check or cash.

visa

An endorsement or stamp placed into a passport by officials of a foreign government giving a traveler permission to visit; not all countries require visas.

VCC (Virtual Call Center)

A network of call centers where the client calls one phone number, regardless of where they are based, that will be routed through to an available agent. For multi-national accounts this service would be multi-lingual as appropriate.

VMPD

Virtual Multiple Purpose Document. A document issued by a travel agency or airline, working with BSP, as proof of payment for transactions and services, either related to an eticket already issued (example: rebooking fees) or for services other than flights (for items like surface transportation, transfers, and excess luggage charges).

void

A traffic document which has been spoiled or canceled.

voucher

Documents issued to confirm arrangements or used to be exchanged for services.

W

waitlist

A list of people seeking a travel service that is sold out; generally, as other travelers cancel, waitlisted individuals are confirmed in the order in which their waitlist request was received – sometimes prioritized by frequent traveler membership.

walk

When a hotel is sold out and there are no rooms available for a person who has a confirmed reservation, the hotel provide alternate accommodations at a different hotel.

wet lease

an agreement to pay to use an aircraft with a crew, fuel, and insurance

wide-body aircraft

Aircraft with wide passenger cabins and seating configurations that require more than one aisle. Current models include Boeing 747, 777 or Airbus A380, A350

X

X-ray

system that checks hand luggage at an airport, without damaging, for example, light-sensitive film material or laptops.

Y

Yield Management

is a variable pricing strategy, based on understanding, anticipating and influencing consumer behavior in order to maximize revenue or profits from a fixed, time-limited resource (such as airline seats or hotel room reservations).

Z

Zulu Time

Zulu Time Zone (Z) has no offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Zulu Time Zone is often used in aviation and the military as another name for UTC +0.

2FA

Two Factor Authentication. Method of accessing a secure environment where a person proves their identity with two of three methods.