Add-on
An option, usually at extra cost, added to travel arrangements
Advance purchase requirement
An airfare that must be purchased a certain number of days ahead of departure, usually 7, 14, or 21 days, for the best fare
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 actual inventory of seats that are available to be sold at a certain fare. Just because a fare is presented as “available” between two cities does not mean seats at that rate are available. This causes much confusion when airfare ads are published, so you must read the “fine print” before calling your agent and asking them to get that fare for you.
A la Carte
Referring to meals, an indication that each dish is priced separately; also that a choice of meals may be available.
Aft
Toward the rear of a ship
Air mile
A distance of approx. 6076 feet
Airport transfer
A transport service to/from an airport to hotel, etc, normally prepaid as part of a package tour, but available separately as well.
Air/sea
A term referring to tickets, trips, fares, etc. that include both air and land-based travel arrangements, such as a cruise package with air included
AMEX
American Express (AX)
Amidships
Toward the middle of a ship - usually the most stable part of the vessel
APEX
An airline term meaning " advance purchase excursion fare " - normally the least expensive fares
ATO
Airline Ticket Office - becoming rarer these days, as carriers continue to reduce customer service
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 around holidays or special events.
Blocked space
Seats reserved to be sold to third party companies at a discounted group rate.
Boarding pass
A receipt with a seat number, now issued only at check-in at the airport. A ticket is not valid unless a boarding pass has been issued.
Bulk contract
An agreement whereby an airline sells large blocks of seats at a discount price for resale by a third party.
Bulk fare
A fare only available when buying blocks of airline seats, usually lower than the published fares.
Business class
While amenities vary based on the airline, business class generally falls between first class and coach.
Back-to-back ticket(ing)
An against-the-rules practice whereby an air ticket is issued round-trip with only one portion to be used. Another is then issued roundtrip, again with only one portion to be used. In effect, this amounts to using one ticket for the outbound part of a trip, and the other for the return. The normal Saturday night stay requirement is then avoided - useful only when two roundtrip tickets are LESS than the cost of a single ticket with no Saturday night stay over. Most agents will not issue such tickets, as they can be severely penalized - please DO NOT ask for them!
Bridge
The navigational centre of a ship
Bumping
The airline practice of denying boarding to confirmed passengers who hold tickets on a specific flight, due to an oversold condition. The carrier will ask for volunteers to take later flights, and will normally provide some sort of compensation in the form of vouchers or tickets for future travel. Rules for when compensation must be provided are complicated; ask the ticket agent for a copy of that carrier's rules, as each has their own set of guidelines.
Cancellation penalty
A fee to charged to customers that cancel flights after booking reservations. Fees typically vary based on the agency or carrier.
Consolidator
A business that has contracts with airlines to sell tickets in bulk, generally at a discounted rate.
Corporate agency
A travel agency that usually caters to medium-large sized businesses.
Cabin
The passenger area on an aircraft; the stateroom aboard a cruise ship
Cabin steward
The person responsible for maintaining/cleaning the cabins aboard ship
Card mill
A " business " that sells potentially fake travel agent ID cards, usually in a sort of pyramid scheme, whereby the buyer intends only to partake of any legitimate agent benefits. Please do NOT get involved with these - there is no such thing as a " free lunch! "
Carrier
Generic term for any company that transports passengers and/or freight
Carry-on
Currently, there are no uniformly enforced airline restrictions concerning carry-on luggage. Most carriers state that the bag must fit in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you. The usual maximum measurements are said to be 22 X 14 X 9 inches, but many passengers continue to exceed that and are allowed to do so. At most airports, there are bag checking " frames " that you can insert your carry-on into to see if it meets these requirements.
Change of equipment
When a flight, with a single flight number, lands and changes the type of airplane used before continuing on to its destination
Change of gauge
When a flight, with a single flight number, lands and changes the type of airplane used before continuing onto its destination
Circle/Round trip
Any trip that involves more than a single destination, but which returns to the initial point of departure
City pair
The departure and arrival cities on an airline booking
Coach
The " economy " section of an aircraft, which may have literally scores of different fares for the same flight
Commission cap
The limit placed on commissions paid to travel agents for the sale of air tickets, regardless of their price; designed to allow airlines to increase their profits at the expense of their primary distribution system - the travel agents
Commuter
Term referring to the small, regional airlines.
Connecting flight
An air journey that requires changing planes at an intermediate city along the way
Debark
To get off an airplane
Denied-boarding compensation
That payment and/or voucher given those bumped from a flight. See " bumping "
Direct access
Refers to a travel agent's ability to get directly into an airlines database to get true last-seat availability and correct pricing.
Direct flight
A flight to another city that stops at least once en route, but does not involve a change of equipment (you do not have to change planes)
Disclaimer
A legal document that advises clients that a travel agent acts only as a middleman in the sale of travel products; any liability ultimately lies with the supplier, i.e. airline.
Domestic fare
A fare charged for travel within a country
Double booking
A not-nice practice of holding reservations to the same destination for the same times/days, on the same carriers but through different travel agencies, when only one reservation will ultimately be used
Duty-free
Being exempt from any import tax
Electronic ticket
A paperless ticket that allows travellers 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.
Embark
To board a plane.
ETA
Estimated time of arrival
ETD
Estimated time of departure
Fare basis (code)
The code that determines the price of an airline ticket. Some itineraries contain many different codes. Most will indicate whether a fare is refundable or not. If even one fare code contained in a ticket in non-refundable, then the entire ticket becomes non-refundable. Even some first class fares are now non-refundable.
First class
Most aircraft have at least some first class seats up front, which offer more room and upgraded cabin service, meals, etc. Worth the price on some long, international destinations, if you can afford it.
Fly-drive package
A travel package featuring airfare, car rental, and perhaps hotels. Usually less expensive than booking each separately
Funnel flight
A flight, such as on a regional or commuter carrier, that "feeds" larger planes which continue on to other destinations. Also, the use of a single flight number for an itinerary that really involves a connection with two separate flight numbers, thus making the itinerary appear to be a direct flight with a change of aircraft as opposed to a connection.
Global distribution system (GDS)
An international computer reservation system that accesses many databases of suppliers, airlines, etc. in different countries.
Gateway city
A city that operates as an arrival or departure point for international flights
Global positioning system (GPS)
System of satellites that allows miniature radio receivers on earth to pinpoint one's location within a few feet.
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
Solar based time in Greenwich, England, on which time in all other time zones in the world is based
Hub
A city in which an airline has a major presence. Often, it is the city in which the airline was formed.
Hard-copy
A printed version of a document, such as an airline ticket.
Hidden-city ticketing
Another airline no-no; buying a ticket from A to C with a stop in B. The passenger gets off at B, which was the intended destination anyway. The ticket is purchased because the fare from A to C is LESS than A to B! Please do not ask a travel agent to do hidden-city tickets; he can be seriously penalized for it
High season
The time of year when a destination gets the greatest crowds, and thus can increase hotel and rental car rates, etc. As an example, summertime is high season for travel to Europe (just check the airfares!)
IATAN
International Airlines Travel Agent Network - Administers the IATAN card, the only widely accepted form of legitimate travel agent identification.
Interline connection
A flight on one airline that connects to a flight on another carrier. These tickets are usually more expensive than flying all on one carrier but may be the only way to get to a destination in some cases. Also unless an interline agreement for baggage handling exists, you may have to claim your luggage from the first flight and recheck it on the next carrier’s flight.
In season
Meaning only available at certain times of the year
In transit
En route; in the process of travelling
Incentive travel
Travel as a reward for an employee's outstanding performance
International Date Line
At 180 degrees longitude, the date on one side of this imaginary line, running from the north to the South Pole, is different from the other. The line runs through the Pacific Ocean, and because of it, it is possible to leave one destination on one day, and arrive in another the day before!
Jet lag
An upset of one's biological clock, due to travel across many time zones; not all passengers are affected by it
Layover
The period of time spent between connecting flights.
Leisure travel
Usually signifies travelling for relaxation, vacation, or to visit friends/family.
Lowest available fare
The most inexpensive flight currently available
Maximum stay
The 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. 30 minutes domestically, usually - ideally, at least an hour.
Midship
Same as "amidships"
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.
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.
Non-stop
A flight that travels directly to its destination without connections or layovers
Nautical mile
Air distance measurement of approx. 1.1 statute miles
Occupancy rate
The proportion of reservations expected during any given period.
Offline connection
A connection that requires switching to both a new aircraft and carrier.
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
Open return
An air ticket with no return date specified. Rarely done these days, usually quite expensive and not allowed on most discounted fares
Option date
Drop dead date on which a reservation must be deposited or cancellation will result
Outbound
The departure leg of a journey
Passenger facility charge (PFC)
A fee for the use of many airports, added in to the cost of an air ticker.
Passenger name record (PNR)
The official name of one's reservation in a computer reservation system (CRS).
Published fare
A fare immediately offered for purchase by the airline. This does not include heavily discounted flights usually offered to consolidators.
Passport/visa service
A service that will take your passport and hand carry, if necessary, to the appropriate embassy in order to expedite a visa. Can be expensive if you have waited until the last minute to obtain a travel visa
Positive space
Space aboard an aircraft that can be confirmed ahead of time
Prepaid ticket advice
A form used when purchasing an air ticket to be picked up and used by someone else at another airport. E-tickets have reduced the need for this greatly
Prop
Referring to propeller-driven aircraft
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.
Red-eye flight
A flight in which the travel takes place between the hours of
9pm and 7am.
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
Rate desk
The office of an air carrier that calculates fares for passengers and travel agents
Rebate(ing)
The practice of returning part of an agency's commission on a sale back to the client in the form of a rebate or "discount." The trade-off is usually little or no personal/customer service. This is practiced often by " 800 " number travel sellers and others who deal in huge volume.
Referral agent/agency
An " agent " that refers business to a travel agency in return for a commission or fee - often as part of a card mill operation. Knows little about the travel industry - be sure you know who you are dealing with!
Res
Short for " reservation "
Scheduled carrier
An airline that offers regularly scheduled flights between destinations.
Special fare
Any fare that deviates from normal pricing (typically discounted).
Shoulder season
The period of time between busy and quiet seasons in which prices are typically at a midpoint.
Segment
A "leg" or part of a journey, usually in reference to an air itinerary. One take-off and landing during air travel constitutes a " segment "
Stopover
A planned stay over in a city for a day or more, while enroute to another destination. Sometimes adds significantly to the cost of an air ticket
Student visa
Permission to enter a country, issued to a student, normally for the purpose of attending school in that country
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.
Tariff
A schedule of prices/fares
Unrestricted fare
An airfare that has no special advance purchase, Saturday stay or certain days to travel requirements, and is usually refundable. Many full coach and most first-class fares are unrestricted
Value added tax (VAT)
A tax on goods, which under certain circumstances can be refunded
Value season
Similar to shoulder or low season, when pricing is lower
Visa
Usually a stamp in a passport allowing entry into a country for a specific purpose and a finite amount of time
Visa service
A service that can expedite the processing of a visa, sometimes even at the last minute. A fee is charged that varies, depending on the nature of the service needed. Visas are usually stamped into the pages of a valid passport and are issued for varying reasons and periods of time. Not all countries require them, especially for United States Citizens. Be sure to allow enough time for them if you travelling to a destination that requires one!
Waiver
A written acknowledgement that a passenger has declined something, such as insurance coverage for a trip, for example. Also, the formal acknowledgement of the waiving or dismissal of a requirement, such as a waiver of a penalty for late booking, etc
Walk-up
One who purchases an air ticket at the last moment, usually at the airport ticket counter.
