B2B Bookings is Bridged by Using Import PNR Option in a Cloud-Based Self-Booking Tool

Yes, travel agencies can now use the “Import PNR” option to integrate the bookings between wholesale travel agencies and their sub agents within just a few clicks. Typically, after large travel agencies enter into a ticketing partnership with their sub agents, the following scenario will happen

• The number of bookings will be higher
• Different types of travel agencies will have different conditions

IATA or airlines may impose certain ticketing agreements or industry standard procedures followed across the industries.

1. Managing Ticket Caps: Airlines set ticket caps to control the number of tickets that travel agencies can issue for their flights. These caps can vary based on factors such as the agency’s size, performance, and agreement with the airline. Tracking involves how many tickets are issued against the quota with the airline’s policy compliance.
2. IATA BSP Credit Limits: Travel agencies are assigned credit limits based on their financial stability and history which dictates the maximum amount of money they can owe to airlines at any given time. Credit limits require constant monitoring to avoid exceeding them, which could result in financial penalties or suspension from the BSP.
3. GDS-Limited Access: Some airlines restrict access to their ticketing systems through Global Distribution Systems (GDS). When an airline limits its presence in certain GDS or completely withdraws from them, it restricts the ability of travel agencies using those GDS to book tickets for that airline.
4. Contractual Agreements: Airlines often have specific agreements and contracts with travel agencies. These agreements can dictate which services the agency can offer, including access to ticketing systems. If an agency’s contract with an airline doesn’t include ticketing privileges, they may not be able to issue tickets for that airline.
5. Financial Considerations: Airlines may base access to their ticketing systems on financial factors, such as creditworthiness or payment history. Agencies with lower credit limits or unsettled payments may find their access to certain airlines restricted.
6. Business Strategies: Airlines may have business strategies that involve selective distribution. This means they choose to work with specific travel agencies or limit access to their services to maintain control over their brand, pricing, or customer experience. Travel agencies not included in these strategies may lack access to certain airlines.

High value tickets are difficult to manage and it will usually have a tedious process. The day-to-day activities of the travel agents in the higher IATA BSP credit limit travel agencies will look like this –

• Give GDS inventory access to the sub agencies
• They need to give issuance PCC to their sub agents to issue tickets on their behalf
• Periodical updates on all available flight tickets to the sub agencies
• Reply to emails and messages for updates, payment confirmation, booking confirmation, rescheduling, and cancellations.
• 24/7 customer support for booking inquiries and resolving issues

Current workflow of bookings between travel agencies To overcome the challenge of limited access to certain airlines, many travel agencies use a practice known as sharing the “Issuance PCC” (Pseudo City Code) with their agents. The Issuance PCC is a unique identifier or authorization code provided by an airline to authorized entities (such as travel agencies) to issue tickets on their behalf. Here’s how this process works: The travel agency that has direct access to the airline’s ticketing system and holds the Issuance PCC shares this authorization code with its affiliated or partner agents. These affiliated agents can then use the shared Issuance PCC to issue tickets for the airline, even though they don’t have direct access themselves. It essentially allows them to act as if they were the primary agency in terms of ticket issuance. This practice enables a broader network of travel agencies to provide tickets for a wider range of airlines, enhancing customer choice and service.

Higher credit travel agencies			Lower credit travel agencies
Agents		⇔	Agents
Flight booking	Flight cancellation/reschedules		Flight booking	Flight cancellation/reschedules
Payment Confirmation	Booking Confirmation	Emails and calls	Payment Confirmation	Booking Confirmation

Almost 60% of the communication will be via email! This makes it difficult to satisfy high-paying travel customers leading to loss in revenue opportunities. Let’s delve into the pain points of the B2B Travel Agencies:

1. Security Concerns – All the agents will have only one login or shared login system where one cannot detect any malpractices or frauds. Security concerns are one of the biggest issues potentially leading to mismatched data and communication.
2. Larger Workforce – Both the B2B Travel Agencies and the Sub-Agencies/Independant Travel Consultants have to employ a lot of human resources for issuing tickets, processing payments, booking confirmation, rescheduling, and cancellations.
3. Lengthy Commission Process – Ticketing partnerships come with complex calculations, varied partnerships, commission reconciliation, delayed payments, and various other administrative burdens.
4. Policy Violations and High Penalties – As the ticketing volume is high, travel agencies cannot monitor all the tickets raised by sub-agencies.This results in contract termination or high Agency Debit Memos (ADMs) from airlines. This is one of the main concerns.

Automated workflow for bookings between travel agencies A travel agency software like AgencyAuto will synchronize the booking details by importing PNR details. This will act as a digital bridge as shown below – 

Higher credit travel agencies			Lower credit travel agencies
Agents		⇔	Agents
AgencyAuto
All-in-one online interface

If the higher credit travel agencies have a travel automation solution, the process will be as follows –

• A travel agent from the lower credit travel agency will request booking from the customer, get the booking confirmation, and proceed with the PNR process.
• To synchronize the booking details, it can then be stored in an Excel sheet and be uploaded the same to the “Import PNR” option. Or, they can enter the details individually as well.
• From there onwards, the upload bookings will be synchronized acting as an all-in-one interface.
• Sub-agencies can be charged an import fee for using this feature, creating an additional revenue stream.

With travel agency software, the steps are much easier and synchronized. All the pain points of both parties that we talked about can be significantly reduced. The B2B Travel Agencies just need to give portal access with AgencyAuto and everything will be set. No more long-threaded emails and follow-ups. Agents can automate bookings from their trusted sub-agencies. This feature allows for seamless integration and processing of bookings received from sub-agencies Agents can automate trusted sub agencies’ bookings and monitor others for policy violations. Notable benefits for higher credit travel agencies B2B Travel Agencies that use AgencyAuto, a travel agency software, can enjoy a range of benefits that enhance their operational efficiency, customer service, and overall business growth.

1. Streamlined workflow management
2. Real-time data availability and synchronization
3. Handles the bookings within just a few clicks
4. Automated markup and commission
5. Easily gain global recognition and brand expansion
6. Detailed reports and analytics
7. Increases brand visibility and global reach
8. Reduces the human workforce Policy and Security
9. Compliance

AgencyAuto empowers B2B Travel Agencies with the tools they need to excel in a competitive travel industry. It enhances customer service, increases operational efficiency, and drives business growth, ultimately leading to improved profitability and success. Conclusion With AgencyAuto, the partnership between travel agencies that is usually fought with cumbersome communication and security concerns can now transform into a seamless digital platform that brings results. Travel agency software can offer synchronized workflows, simplified ticketing processes, and seamless data sharing. This subagency solution will bring a lot of business value and you will get everything connected with AgencyAuto!