ADR
Average Daily Rate. A hotel industry term used to
calculate average hotel room rate. Equal to room
revenue divided by rooms sold.
advance purchase
The advance time before travel that a fare requires a
ticket to be issued, normally 3,7,14 or 21 days.
AE
Agent Error. An incorrect entry made by a consultant
during the reservation process.
AEA (see “Association of European Airlines”)
affiliate
A US based travel agency that has entered into an
agreement with BCD Travel to use the BCD Travel
trademarks and provide travel services to customers
in the affiliate’s territory.
Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC)
An independent corporation jointly owned by most
of the major United States airlines; ARC collects
payments for tickets sold by travel agencies and
distributes the monies to the airlines; ARC also
governs appointment of travel agencies to sell
domestic air transportation.
airport code
The three-letter code used by airlines and the air
travel industry to identify airports around the world,
e.g. LHR=London Heathrow, JFK=New York John F.
Kennedy. http://www.world-airport-codes.com/
airport security check
Airport security checks are procedures and
measures for screening passengers and baggage to
ensure security against terrorist threats and other
dangers. Find out how to get through quickly
airport tax
Tax levied by certain airports throughout the world.
In many cases this can be built into the total ticket
price, although some airlines will not co-operate,
thus making payable locally by the passenger.
airside
On outbound journey’s, airside includes all those
areas of the airport terminal after you have passed
through passport control. On inbound journey’s,
airside includes all those areas of the terminal
before you pass through passport control.
air taxi
A short-hop aircraft for up to 20 passengers, usually
flying unscheduled services with a 200 / 500-mile
range.
all-inclusive
A hotel program which usually includes all meals,
snacks, beverages and activities.
alliance
A joint partnership between specified carriers which
may include, but not limited to, interlining, code-
sharing, joint frequent flyer program participation,
and even equity participation of stock ownership.
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, a
government-subsidized corporation that operates all
passenger train service in the United States.
ANI
Automatic Number Identification. A contact center
term for a telephone network feature that passes
that number of the phone the caller is using to the
contact center, real-time.
AP
American Plan. A hotel rate that includes breakfast
and dinner, sometimes lunch.
APAC
Asia Pacific. A geographical term used
interchangeably with ASPAC and often used in
reference to the entire Asian market.
APEX
Advance Purchase Excursion Fare
applicable fare
The fare to be applied.
AR
Accounts Receivable. Money which is owed by a
customer to a company for products or services
provided on credit.
ARC (see “Airlines Reporting Corporation”)
ARC number
An eight-digit identification number issued by ARC to
travel agencies who have met accreditation
standards.
ARNK
Arrival Unknown. An ARNK is added to a reservation
when there is a break in the itinerary and continuity
is not recognized; it does count as a segment when
ticketing.
Around-the-world
A continuous journey circumnavigating the globe in
one general west-to-east or east-to-west direction in
which both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans are
crossed not more than once each.
ARR (see “Average room rate”)
ASPAC
Asia South Pacific. A geographic term used
interchangeably with APAC.
ATB
Automated Ticket & Boarding Pass. IATA standard
transportation ticket and combined boarding pass
which features a magnetic strip containing
passenger and journey details.
ATP
Average Ticket Price. The average price of all tickets
purchased; domestic and international are
sometimes calculated separately.
availability
The total number of seats allowed to be sold at a
particular rate.
average room rate (ARR)
Ratio of hotel’s sales revenue to the number of
occupied rooms.
B
back-to-back ticketing
An against-the-rules practice whereby a traveler
books a return ticket nested inside another return
ticket to avoid minimum stay requirements for the
purpose of saving money. For example, the traveler
uses the first ticket to fly from origin to destination
on Monday in week 1, then he uses the second ticket
to fly from destination to origin on Friday in week 1
and back to destination on Monday in week 2, and
then he uses the first ticket again to fly back to origin
on Friday in week 2. The normal Saturday night stay
requirement is then avoided. While this will
sometimes save money, most airlines do not allow
this practice and doing so might result in penalties.
backtracking
Having to return to your original airport of entry in a
country to make the return trip home. A time-
consuming and costly procedure to overcome by
arranging an op-jaw itinerary, which allows you to fly
out to one point and return from another.
baggage
Carry-on-baggage and checked baggage have many
restrictions. Most notable are the number and size of
the baggage. Many airlines allow only 1 carry-on bag,
plus one personal item (purse, back-pack, computer
bag). For checked baggage restrictions and fees,
refer to the carrier’s website for details.
banker’s buying rate (BBR)
Exchange rate used to convert from one currency to
another; called the ‘buying rate’ because it is the
rate used when banks purchase currency from an
individual
banker’s selling rate (BSR)
Exchange rate used to convert from one currency to
another; called the ‘buying rate’ because it is the
rate used when banks sell currency to an individual
BAR
Best Available Rate. A hotel industry pricing method
for yielding room rates (floating) based on demand
while ensuring the best rate is presented for sale to
agents, consumers.
base fare
A fare without tax.
bed-nights
Measurement of hotel occupency.
blackout dates
Certain dates or periods when travel on specific
fares is not permitted (usually holidays).
blocked space
Multiple reservations, often subject to deposit
forfeiture, which wholesalers or travel agents make
with a supplier in anticipation of resale.
boarding pass
A permit to board a ship, plane, or other form of
transportation. In the case of air travel, the card
indicates boarding gate and aircraft seat number.
booking code
A letter code used to make an airline reservation at a
particular fare level in a computerized reservation
system. (CRS/GDS)
BSP
Bank Settlement Plan. Outside the USA, a system by
which the travel agent community pays carriers for
tickets it issues.
BTA
Business Travel Account. If a company has a
corporate credit card program where certain
purchases such as air, rail, and associated
transaction fees are centrally billed to one “master”
credit card number, this is referred to as the
Business Travel Account (BTA). This account allows
for the purchase of certain air travel expenses for
corporate employees without the need to issue
individual credit cards to each traveler for the
designated expenses. Because the account has no
physical card, it’s often called a “ghost card.”
BTC (see “Business Travel Center”)
BTN
Business Travel News. A travel industry publication
that delivers news and research to the corporate
travel population.
bucket shop
An unlicensed, unbonded travel agency used by
some airlines to dispose of excess capacity seats
that are available on certain flights.
buffer zone
For taxation purposes, an extension of the US border
225 miles north into Canada and 225 miles south
into Mexico border; all cities within this area are
assessed the 7.5% US domestic tax when tickets are
purchased and sold in the US.
bulk fare
A net fare contract for certain number of seats.
Similar to blocked space except that the tour
operator, wholesaler, or travel agent usually
contracts for airline seats at a low, non-
commissioned price without the option of releasing
space back to the airline.
bulkhead
A partition (usually a wall) on an airplane separating
compartments.
bumped
Travel slang for the removal of a passenger from a
flight through overbooking; usually applied to those
holding concessionary tickets.
bundled pricing
A pricing proposal, always a transaction fee, where
elements other than air (e.g. car hire, hotel, rail) are
included in the fee with the air transaction.
business class
Level of airline service between First class and
Economy class. On European routes business class
has now replaced first class as premier service level.
Most airlines have their own brand names. (e.g.
British Airways – Club World and Club Europe: Air
France – Le Club etc.)
Business Travel Center (BTC)
Standard full service and online service in a local
call center, undedicated, team environment.
Business Travel Management
Business travel management is the process of
planning, organizing, and overseeing business travel
for an organization. This includes booking travel
arrangements, managing expenses, and developing
policies and procedures for business travel.
C
cancellation policy
The advance time a hotel requires a booking to be
canceled by to avoid being billed for the room
carrier (CXR)
Another term for airline.
CC
Credit Card. A system of payment whereby the
issuer of the card grants a line of credit to the
cardholder, to be used to make payment to a
merchant or to withdraw cash.
CDW
Collision Damage Waiver. An industry term for
optional insurance provided by car rental companies
that eliminates all responsibility of the driver in an
accident.
centralized billing
System under which a travel supplier, credit card
company, agency or other supplier consolidates all
costs/charges incurred by different employees or
departments into one total invoice.
change of equipment
Also known as “change of gauge”. A single flight
number used to represent flights on two different
aircraft; usually on international destinations.
check-in
Notification to an airline or hotel that a traveler has
arrived to take a flight or stay at a hotel; some
airlines provide curbside check-in while others only
allow check-in at the ticket counter.
check-out
Advice to a hotel that a guest is leaving the property
and usually includes payment for the stay.
child
A traveler who has had his/her second birthday, but
not yet his/her twelfth birthday (this definition may
vary by carrier).
churning
Churning refers to any repeated booking or
canceling of the same itinerary in the same class or
different classes of service in one or more PNRs or
GDS.
circle pacific
Travel from IATA Area 1 (North and/or South
America) to IATA Area 3 (Asia, Australia, South
Pacific) by way of the North Pacific Ocean in one
direction, via the South Pacific Ocean in the
opposite direction, and at least one flight within IATA
Area 3 that crosses the Equator.
circle trip (CT)
A journey from origin to destination with a return to
origin in a continuous, circuitous route using two or
more fare components
city pair
The orgin (from) and arrival (to) points of a trip,
usually by air or train.
city terminal
Airline office, usually city center, where passengers
may check-in, receive seating details and board
special bus/ taxi/ helicopter/ rail/ shuttle services to
the airport.
class of service
The interior of an aircraft is divided into sections,
each with a different level of service and amenities;
common classes of service are first, business, and
economy.
CLIA
Cruise Lines International Association. An
association dedicated to the promotion and growth
of the cruise industry.
club floor
Section of a hotel offering higher security and
special facilities either for a premium payment or as
an incentive/ privilege for frequent users.
club ticket combination

Fully flexible, redeemable business class ticket valid Two or more fares shown separately in a fare
one year from date of issue. Phrase used primarily in calculation.
the U.K.
Computerized Reservation System
coach
System used to book and process travel
Another term for bus. reservations, also known as a Global Distribution
System (GDS).
COB
concierge
Close of Business. A term meaning the end of the
business day. A hotel employee who attends to guests’ needs for
special information, theater and restaurant
code-share reservations, and any other special requests.

A marketing agreement between two airlines (very connecting flight

common amongst airlines that have an alliance)
where a seat is purchased on one airline (the selling A flight which the passenger must change aircraft.
carrier), but the flight is actually operated by a
different airline (the operating carrier).
connection
A stop in a given city for less than 4 hours (domestic
US); less than 12 hours (domestic US as part of an
international journey); less than 24 hours
(international); continuing on the next applicable
flight to an onward destination; designated by X/ in a
linear fare construction line.
conjunction ticket
Two or more tickets concurrently issued to a
passenger and which together constitute a single
contract of carriage.
connecting rooms
Two rooms that are side-by-side that have a
common connecting interior door.
consolidation fare
A group inclusive tour fare available to travel agents
and other operators to construct packages to
destinations which are inclusive of accomodation.
Consolidation fares, although group fares, are for
sale to individual passengers.
consolidator
A person or company which forms groups to travel
on charter or at group fares on scheduled flights to
increase sales, earn override commissions or
reduce the chance of tour cancellations.
consortium
A group of independent companies that join together
to gain greater profits.
construction point
A city through which fares have been combined for
the purpose of pricing an itinerary; a destination city
or a turnaround point; a fare break shown on the
ticket.
contact
A contact center term for an individual who is calling
or visiting your company by phone or through the
website, and who is requesting an interaction with
an agent.
contact center
An umbrella term that generally refers to
reservations centers, help desks, information lines
or customer service centers, regardless of how they
are organized or what types of transactions they
handle.
continental breakfast
A light breakfast of such things as coffee, pastry and
sometimes juice.
contract fare / contract discount
A discounted fare agreed upon by the client and a
carrier; contract fares require a client give the carrier
a certain percentage of its business in all markets.
corporate fare
A discounted airfare for business travelers.
corporate rate
A special rate negotiated between a supplier (hotel
or car for example) and a company.
corporate hotel rate
Learn how to get corporate hotel rates.
Corporate Travel Department (CTD)
A CTD (Corporate Travel Department) establishes a
direct purchasing relationship between the company
and its travel suppliers. The accrediting body, ARC
(Airline Reporting Corporation) authorizes the CPM
company to function as its own “travel agency” and
control it’s financial settlement. Cost Per Mile. A calculation of the average price paid
per mile.
co-terminals
CPT
A group of cities/airports considered to be the same
point; example: JFK/LGA/EWR. Cost Per Transaction. A calculation of the total cost
a company incurs for generating a customer
country of commencement (COC) transaction.

The country in which a journey begins; the base fare CRM

is converted from NUCs into the currency of the
Country of Commencement by using the IATA ROE. Customer Relationship Management. A term used
for a database that is used to house and maintain
country of payment (COP) customer information.

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.
CRS (see “Computerized Reservation
System”)
CSR (1)
Corporate Social Responsibility. A concept
whereby companies consider the impact to society
and the environment of their actions.
CSR (2)
Central Security Record. A hotel industry term for
the name of the Viewership Management Table used
to maintain a list of offices authorized to access a
client’s negotiated hotel rates.
CST
Central Standard Time. A time zone in the US, also
known as Central Time or CT.
CTD
Corporate Travel Department. A company’s in-
house travel agency that purchases air
transportation and related travel services on behalf
of its own employees.
CTI
Computer Telephony Integration. A contact center
term for the software, hardware, and programming
necessary to integrate computers and telephones so
they can work together seamlessly and intelligently.
customs
A checkpoint at which imported goods are verified
for legality and value.
D delegate rate
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.
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 direct fare

Originally applied to American air travel: in 1978, The fare for one-way or half round-trip travel visa the
federal law phased out the civil Aeronautics Board shortest route operated between two cities.
and stopped government intervention or regulation
of airline routes and fares. direct flight

destination A flight from origin to destination that makes one or

more intermediate stops, but passengers do not
The final stopping place as shown on the ticket; the change planes.
furthest point on a fare component used to price an
itinerary. directional fare

Destination Management Company Fare valid only in a specified direction of travel.

Company, possibly an incoming tour operator, who discount fare

organizes local ground services at destination.
Transportation fare lower than the full published
differential tariff for an airline’s route. A discount fare usually
entails certain stipulations regarding purchase or
The difference between the fares for two different travel (space availbility).
classes of service between two cities; this fare
construction principle is only used internationally.
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 electronic ticket (eticket)
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.
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.

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