An hour just wasn't enough time for our subject-matter experts to cover all of our participants' questions during last week's live webinar, NDC- The Truth Through a TMC Lens. We recognize the heavy impact that NDC is having on the industry and the varying complexities that can make NDC difficult to comprehend. We feel that it is our obligation to answer all questions and guide our customers through ongoing education and support. We are in this together.
Here is a compiled list of the NDC questions from our webinar along with our experts' responses. To view the recording of the full session, click here.
How will the NDC rates be accessible through the GDS?
The GDS is built directly to the Airline technology providers via APIs (Application Program Interface). The airlines use various partners to develop their API connections.
What is the new Technology or system that American Airlines is trying to implement with this change?
The technology is not necessarily new, although additional functionality has been added throughout the last 18 months. This is critical in servicing business travel, and development continues to move at a rapid pace.
How does this affect travel booked via corporate booking platforms such as Concur?
Concur continuously is enhancing its connections to what the GDSs are developing. They are offering Sabre NDC content, as well as third party applications, for GDSs that are not fully developed at this time. They have anticipated initial completion of connectivity to remaining GDSs by the end of 2024. Effective immediately, you may opt-in to receive full NDC and EDIFACT content.
How long should we expect to be checking prices on the American Airlines website compared to Concur to get the NDC rate?
You may opt-in to having access to ALL content, both for NDC and EDIFACT. This would eliminate the need to check any website. As your TMC, we are ready to manage and service your preference. We want you to be confident in the content that is being presented to you at the point of sale. We encourage our customers to work with their Account Manager to assess the best configuration for policy compliance.
I recently read that American Airlines will limit FQTV accrual to bookings made on their site. Will the NDC integrations with Concur/World Travel combat that? Is this something that other airlines will follow?
On May 1st, American Airlines will change how AAdvantage members can earn miles and loyalty points, limiting mileage accruals to bookings via a direct channel or through a preferred agency, or enrolling for an American Airlines business extra account through your TMC. World Travel, Inc. is a preferred American Airlines TMC. Other airlines have not followed suit.
Is World Travel part of or driving a consortium on the booking side on behalf of travel clients with other travel management firms and platforms (SABRE, Concur, etc.) to define a standard for exchanging data which might accommodate airlines goals and also provide a simplified path forward?
World Travel, Inc. serves on many advisory boards about NDC and how to streamline the exchanging of data. These boards include airlines, GDS, cruise lines, etc. Conversations are active and we are hopeful for more standardization in the future.
Has American Airlines' shift impacted your phone wait times?
Servicing American Airlines' orders may take longer; however, we are optimistic as the technology integrations between the airline and the different booking tools continuously improve, so will the servicing times.
What is NDC? Is this something new with World Travel or airlines? How will this change booking travel?
This is strictly an initiative of the airlines and their desire for retail presentation of their goods and services. This has/will change many aspects of how travel is booked, and the changes are happening rapidly. World Travel, Inc. works directly with the airlines and third-party technology companies to ensure service levels remain constant and we keep our customers informed.
Is World Travel, Inc. ready to support NDC so that companies can show NDC related flights in Concur?
Yes, NDC is supported in Concur through Travelfusion or T2.
Can you explain the difference between how American Airlines and United are rolling out NDC?
American Airlines made the decision to only offer specific content in NDC, causing some disparity within the distribution booking channels. United Airlines has kept the content, with the exception of basic economy, in both the legacy and NDC channels.
You speak about one version of the truth, but my understanding is if we deploy the NDC connector via Travelfusion, we will no longer have access to GDS fares. Therefore, we will still have the risk of not being able to access 100% of content. Once we get the Concur T2 rollout for Apollo concluded, will this resolve this disparity of content?
Correct, once Concur T2 is rolled out in Apollo it will resolve the disparity of content.
Is there a downside to turning on NDC for our account?
This depends on the specifics of the account. Your Account Manager will review the risk-to-benefit based on the account needs.
You talked about where NDC is going, but can you talk about what the main issues are TODAY? I think someone needs to discuss the actual issues and what American Airlines has done to jump this NDC forward.
The actual issue is that all the service aspects of travel have not been completely built out by American Airlines. This implies that workflows and functionality do have gaps today. World Travel, Inc. has services and processes in place to address those gaps that are hopefully temporary.
Will we be able to load corporate discounts to the United Airlines rates that come through the NDC? Also, can we switch on the NDC for certain airlines and not others?
Our understanding is that corporate discounts are available on United Airlines NDC. This should always be validated, as changes are happening quickly. Customers can have NDC for one airline and not for another. This is true for full-service and the booking tools.
How does this differ online vs. offline? There are Concur integrations through T2, but what will the agents see offline?
All of our agents have the ability to view legacy EDIFACT and NDC content at the point of sale.
So, NDC is optional?
We highly recommend NDC for American Airlines to avoid the risk of forfeiting the loyalty program.
Is there a target date to implement NDC or will it be generated based on the SOW or Addendum?
The target date is based upon the account specific review. We encourage our customers to work with their Account Manager to assess the best configuration for policy compliance. The SOW or addendum will be drafted upon the findings.
Is there something we should do to prep our travelers?
Please work with your Account Manager to obtain the appropriate collateral.
How does NDC effect code share bookings? Plated on American Airlines but operated by Qatar?
Interline agreements do not work in NDC as of today.
Will Concur only allow American Airlines to be booked in the PNR? Will Concur (NDC enabled) advise travelers that other airlines are not permitted in American’s PNRs?
Concur does not support the ability to combine NDC and legacy EDIFCT in the same reservation. However, this capability is not a limitation of Concur. It is a limitation of the early stages of NDC driven by each airline and their technology.
Is there not a way to keep track of NDC tickets that are canceled? How will we know the true expiration of the ticket? Will the ET in the record reflect the validity?
As of today, the best way to keep track of the cancelled NDC ticket is for the traveler to cancel the ticket through World Travel, Inc. Our commitment to service and customer satisfaction continues to make the difference for you. The development of unused ticket tracking functionality is in an advanced state and will be live in the near future.
If the traveler does not want to sign up for an advantage number, is it best to book the American Airlines flight in the GDS?
We highly recommend that all travelers signup for an AA frequent flyer number, as properly servicing is dependent on having one. This is true for Edifact and NDC.
Can you explain the 30% and 50% compliance to be considered a preferred agency?
In order to maintain status, preferred agencies must book/ticket at least 30% of American Airlines through the NDC channel by April 21st. That percentage increases to 50% on October 31st.
To submit a NDC question for our experts contact your Account Manager or email NDC@worldtravelinc.com.
Click here for World Travel, Inc.'s curated ongoing educational content on NDC.
*Information regarding NDC and content accessibility is continuously evolving. Information cited by World Travel, Inc. is subject to change at any time in accordance to the changing policies and conditions of NDC beyond our control.
