Travel Tourism Glossary
Add-on
A selection, typically at an increased price, added to a travel reservation.
Adjoining rooms
Bordering hotel rooms that do not share a common door.
Advance purchase requirement
Ticket must be purchased a minimum number of days before the flight departs.
ARC
The Airlines Reporting Corporation - is responsible for supervising payments from travel agencies to airlines along with the manner in which tickets are issued to consumers.
Airport access fee
A fee paid to the airport authority by car rental companies for the use of shuttle vehicles. This often appears in customer's car rental bills.
Availability
The total number of seats allowed to be sold at a particular rate.
Base fare
The cost of an airfare prior to addition of fees, taxes or surcharges.
Blackout dates
Specific dates in which special fares or promotions do not apply. Typically exist around holidays or special events.
Blocked space
Seats reserved to be sold to third party companies at a discounted group rate
Boarding pass
A ticket issued at airport check-in that authorizes airplane boarding.
Bulk fare
A reduced fare for purchases of a large number of tickets.
Business class
While amenities vary based on the airline, business class generally falls between first class and coach.
Corporate agency
A travel agency that usually caters to medium-large sized businesses.
Consolidator
A business that has contracts with airlines to sell tickets in bulk, generally at a discounted rate
Cancellation penalty
A fee to charged to customers that cancel flights after booking reservations. Fees typically vary based on the agency or carrier.
Corporate agency
A travel agency that usually caters to medium-large sized businesses.
Domestic fare
An additional fare added to national flights.
Electronic ticket
A paperless ticket that allows traveller's to fly with only a photo ID. Commonly referred to as "E-ticket's", they cannot be lost or stolen because it is an electronic reservation.
Exclusive fare
Discounted airfares offered by travel consolidators.
Fare basis (code)
The code that determines the price of an airline ticket.
First class
The class which offers the most premium service. Enhanced seating, meal selection, and drink offerings staples of this services.
Global distribution system (GDS)
An international computer reservation system that accesses many databases of suppliers, airlines,
Hub
A city in which an airline has a major presence. Often, it is the city in which the airline was formed.
IATAN
International Airlines Travel Agent Network - Administers the IATAN card, the only widely accepted form of legitimate travel agent identification.
Interline connection
A trip with a connection flight from a different airline
Land arrangements
All non-flying reservations upon arrival such as car rental, hotel, and tourist reservations.
Layover
The period of time spent between connecting flights.
LDW - loss damage waiver
Supplementary car rental insurance that covers theft, vandalism, and accident damage.
Limited service hotel
A hotel without a restaurant on the premises.
Lowest available fare
The most inexpensive flight currently available
Maximum stay
Th longest period of time a traveller can stay at a particular destination and still qualify for the promotion or discounted fare.
Minimum connect time
The shortest time required in order to successfully transfer to a connecting flight. It is recommended to select a connecting flight that exceeds the minimum connection time.
Modified American plan (MAP)
Meal plan that includes two daily meals, usually breakfast and dinner
Net fare, net rate
Implies the commission has already been added to the price of the fare.
No show
A traveller that doesn't appear for their flight, hotel, or car rental reservation.
Non-refundable
A ticket in which no money will be returned if the customer no longer intends to use the ticket.
Non-transferable
A ticket that can only be used by the person who was originally scheduled to fly at the time of purchase.
Nonstop
A flight that travels directly to its destination without connections or layovers
Occupancy rate
The proportion of reservations expected during any given period.
Off-peak
A less expensive time to travel as result of lower consumer volume during these periods.
Operator
Any company that provides any transportation service. Not just limited to flights, it also includes trains, buses, and cruise ships.
Overbooking
When a carrier books more reservations than available seats
Passenger facility charge (PFC)
an additional fee for the use of the airport.
Passenger name record (PNR)
The official name of one's reservation in a computer reservation system (CRS).
Point-to-point
Refers to the fares between two cities.
Published fare
A fare immediately offered for purchase by the airline. This does not include heavily discounted flights usually offered to consolidators.
Rack rate
The price of a hotel prior to discount.
Reconfirm
to double-check a reservation.
Record locator
The number assigned to a reservation in the airlines number. This number is unique, as it will never be assigned again.
Reissue
When a new ticket is issued as a result of a change of plans. This can often require fees or penalties from the airport.
Round trip
Two flights: the destination flight and its return trip
Saturday night stay
In order to receive a specialty fare, a Saturday stay over is sometimes required.
Scheduled carrier
An airline that offers regularly scheduled flights between destinations.
Shoulder season
The period of time between busy and quiet seasons in which prices are typically at a midpoint.
Suite
A hotel room that usually offers a living room and kitchenette in addition to the bedroom.
Supplier
A company that offer travel services to the general public
Through passenger
A passenger who remains on the plane at a connecting stop on the way to his/her final destination.
Ticket stock
Blank airline tickets.
Travel agent-
An individual or company that sell travel services on a commission basis.
Travel agency
Usually used in the travel industry to refer to an ARC-appointed storefront retailer
Unlimited mileage
Signifies there are no mileage restrictions for renters.
Unrestricted fare
An airfare with no limitations. It is typically refundable and has no blackout days
Waiver
A written acknowledgement that a passenger has been released of set conditions
For further information on how to book your venue please contact Business Meetings Malta, the free conference venue finding agency and DMC
email: theresa@businessmeetingsmalta.com