Travel Technology & Systems Flashcards

What does 'interoperability' mean in the context of travel distribution technology?

Answer: The capability of different systems and platforms to exchange and use data seamlessly

Interoperability in travel technology refers to the ability of different systems—GDS, airline CRS, hotel PMS, TMC tools—to exchange and interpret data without friction.

Which of the following best describes 'fare basis codes' in airline ticketing?

Answer: Alphanumeric codes that define the rules and restrictions attached to a specific fare

Fare basis codes are alphanumeric identifiers (e.g., YOWUS, QXAP21) that encode the booking class, seasonality, advance purchase requirements, and other fare rules.

A corporate travel manager wants to track all bookings made outside approved channels. What technology solution addresses this need?

Answer: A travel data aggregation and reporting platform (such as Concur Insights or Cytric Analytics)

Travel data aggregation platforms consolidate booking data from multiple sources to provide visibility into off-channel spend and policy compliance metrics.

What is 'real-time inventory' access in a hotel booking system, and why does it matter?

Answer: Live, up-to-the-moment availability and pricing that reflects actual bookings as they occur

Real-time inventory shows actual available rooms and current rates as they exist at that exact moment, preventing double-bookings and ensuring pricing accuracy.

In the context of GDS technology, what is 'availability display' (or 'AVAIL')?

Answer: A screen showing flight options with current seat availability by booking class for a requested route and date

An availability display shows agents the flights available for a route/date combination along with the number of seats remaining in each booking class (e.g., Y9, B7, Q2).

What role does an 'API' (Application Programming Interface) play in modern travel technology ecosystems?

Answer: It allows different software systems to communicate and share data programmatically

APIs define how software systems communicate, enabling travel platforms to pull live inventory, pricing, and availability from airlines, hotels, and other suppliers in real time.

Which of the following is an example of 'ancillary revenue' technology that airlines have increasingly integrated into booking platforms?

Answer: Seat upgrade upsells, baggage fee calculators, and lounge pass offers presented during the booking flow

Ancillary revenue technology enables airlines to offer and collect payment for add-on products like seat selection, extra baggage, priority boarding, and upgrades within the booking path.