Skip to main content
IATA

IATA GDS Fares and Ticketing

This interactive e-learning course will teach you how to price journeys for all types of fares using the Global Distribution Systems (GDS). You will have hands-on practice using the interactive GDS simulation tool, which will help you analyze GDS displays relevant to mileage system pricing; read, interpret, and apply mileage and routing fare rules; and issue tickets. The simulation training is supported by an interactive workbook and reference notes on GDS commands, maps and key journey pricing terms and definitions. 

Price

€ 350.00

The cost price varies per course. Under 'register' you will get the overview of the prices of the different courses. 

Location

Online

Register

When registering, always note carefully your own e-mail address. Whoever registers pays for the course materials, regardless of the reason for non-participation. 

About the course

Objectives

Upon completion of this course you will be able to: 

  • Analyze GDS displays relevant to mileage system pricing 
  • Identify and price different journey types 
  • Read, interpret, and apply mileage and routing fare rules 
  • Issue tickets     

Key topics

  • Introduction to air fares, analyzing itineraries and retrieving fares from a GDS 
  • Limitations on indirect travel, side trips and surface sectors 
  • Return trips in different classes of service and alternative fare break points 
  • Lowest combinations, round-the-world journeys and class differentials 
  • Prerequisites
  • Learners must already be familiar with GDS system functionality, basic commands, and have the ability to interpret booked itineraries. 

Course format

This course requires approximately 50 hours of study to be completed in 12 months from the purchase date (enrollment validity). You have a maximum of 100 login hours to complete the course study. After the enrollment validity expires, or the 100 login hours are consumed, you will not have access to the course content and will not be able to take the exam. Student performance will be based on an examination.  Recommended learning environment with desktop computer.

Exam information

You may choose to take your exam online (with remote supervision) home or at Thomas More Mechelen, official ATC for Belgium. 

You will be given 3 hours to complete 100 multiple choice questions. (open text book)
Passing grade is 60% correct answers; 85% correct answers are needed for a distinction 
You will be given 2 attempts to successfully complete the final exam. 

Table of contents

  • Introduction to airfares, retrieving fares 
  • The anatomy of a journey 
  • Introduction to the mileage system 
  • Worksheets and drawing map diagrams 
  • Fare Formula      
  • Fare Construction Point (FCP) 
  • Fares in Neutral Unit of 
  • Construction (NUC)s 
  • Rules and conditions of the fare 
  • Maximum Permitted Mileage (MPM), Ticketed Point Mileage (TPM) and Excess Mileage Allowance (EMA) 
  • Excess Mileage Surcharge (EMS) 
  • Higher Intermediate Point (HIP) 
  • Applicable Fare (AF) 
  • Limitations on indirect travel 
  • Side trips 
  • Surface sectors 
  • Alternative fare construction points 
  • Mixed-class travel 
  • Open-jaw journeys 
  • Lowest Combination Principle (LCP) and Pricing units 
  • Round-the-world fares 
  • The passenger ticket 
  • Linear fare construction (I and II) 
  • Currency conversion 
  • Taxes, fees and charges on the ticket 
  • Ticket record and ticket issuance 

Target audience

  • Airline fares desk agents 
  • Travel agents 
  • Airline ticket agents 
  • Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and call center agents
  • Students Bachelor & Master in Tourism

Practical information

Self-study

The Covid period has taught us how comfortable it can be to work from home and we are happy to build on this momentum. So no travelling, taking leave or endless evenings attending classes: the IATA course is offered to you completely online. This allows you to learn the course at your own pace and rhythm, wherever and whenever you want. No group lessons are organised, either physically or online. For any practical questions, you can of course always contact us.  Good to know: the courses are very clearly structured, which makes self-study much easier. After each theoretical chapter, you immediately get the chance to put this into practice by simulating your chosen GDS. All learning material is described in great detail and each chapter ends with numerous repetitions.

Start

You start whenever you wish and choose your own exam time. Note: from the moment you are enrolled, you have one year for all this. Keep that deadline in mind!

Exam

IATA provides 6 exam moments per year specifically: in January, March, May, July, September and November. Usually, the exam is scheduled in the last week of these months and always takes place digitally. This can be done at our Mechelen campus or from home.

Cost price

The cost price varies per course. Under 'how to register' you will find the link to register online. When you do this, you will get the overview of the prices of the different courses.
Thomas More students and Thomas More alumni (max 2 years after graduation) enjoy a discount. This has already been taken into account in the registration link.  Each time, you can opt for an e-book or for a printed version, in which case shipping costs will be charged. The price also includes 2 exam moments each time.

Organized by Vormingscentrum IATA
Theme

Toerisme en recreatie