Travel Agency IATA Accreditation

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Travel Agency IATA Accreditation

Are you a travel agency charting your course in the competitive world of tourism? While non-IATA agencies can still hold their own, achieving Travel Agency IATA accreditation opens doors to exclusive opportunities and simplifies your flight toward success. The IATA accreditation is a globally recognized symbol of authenticity. In order to increase choice and customer service, IATA is dedicated to collaborating with all travel agents. Global standards for airline efficiency, sustainability, safety, and security are provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in support of aviation. Let's explore the benefits of joining this prestigious club as an IATA-accredited agency and demystify the different accreditation levels: IATA GoLite, IATA GoStandard, and IATA GoGlobal.

travel agency iata

The Pitfalls of Travel Agency Flying Non-IATA:

Operating without Travel Agency IATA accreditation comes with limitations for a non-IATA Travel agency:

  • Invisibility to Airlines: Travel Agency sales are masked without an IATA accreditation, hindering recognition and potential partnerships.
  • GDS Reliance: Ticket issuance relies on intermediaries, limiting access and adding complexity as non-IATA Travel Agencies need to depend on tools like RTS(Remote Ticketing Solution) from Amadeus GDS or similar products from alternate GDS providers.
  • Financial Hurdles: Airlines may require cash deposits or guarantees, impacting cash flow.
  • Reduced Credibility: Lacking the IATA stamp of approval can make trust-building harder.

Taking Flight with IATA: Advantages non-IATA Travel Agencies Can’t Ignore

By becoming IATA-accredited, Travel agencies unlock a world of benefits: In today’s competitive travel landscape, standing out from the crowd is crucial. Earning the prestigious IATA accreditation is a powerful way for your travel agency to do just that. It’s not just a badge of honor – it’s a passport to a world of benefits that can propel your business to new heights.

Open Doors to Stronger Airline Partnerships:

Forget juggling individual airline agreements. IATA accreditation streamlines everything with a single multilateral contract. This grants you:
  • Simplified payment solutions: Enjoy flexible options tailored to your needs.
  • Frictionless ticketing and settlement: Access a unified platform for efficient booking and financial transactions.
  • Standardized procedures: Ensure smooth operations and build trust with airlines. 

Unleash Your Business Potential:

The IATA stamp of approval unlocks exclusive doors:
  • Direct Ticketing Power: Issue tickets directly through the IATA Billing and Settlement Plan (BSP), saving time and resources.
  • Competitive Edge: Offer your clients discounted fares, travel insurance, and other attractive deals.
  • Broader Visibility: Become a recognized player in the global travel network, attracting partnerships and airlines eager to collaborate.

Financial Security and Global Recognition:

With IATA accreditation, you gain peace of mind and expand your reach:

  • Guaranteed Financial Standing: Choose options like IATA GoStandard and IATA GoGlobal for secure financial operations, building trust with airlines and ensuring smooth business continuity.
  • Attract Clients Worldwide: The IATA logo is a globally recognized symbol of professionalism and reliability, attracting customers from across the globe.

Investing in IATA accreditation is an investment in your future. It’s a commitment to excellence, customer satisfaction, and sustainable growth. Take the leap and watch your travel agency soar to new heights.

travel agency iata accreditation

Understanding IATA Accreditations for Travel Agencies: Finding Your Perfect IATA Accreditation Level

IATA offers tiered options to suit diverse agency needs:
  • IATA GoLite: Ideal for small agencies, offering BSP access without a bank guarantee.
  • IATA GoStandard: Recommended for wider payment options and enhanced financial security.
  • IATA GoGlobal: Designed for multi-location travel agencies, with streamlined operations and single criteria for all locations.

Choosing the Right Path: Expert Guidance Recommended

Deciding on the right IATA accreditation level requires careful consideration of your Travel agency’s size, growth plans, and financial standing. Consulting a Travel Agency consulting company can be highly beneficial. They offer expert guidance to:
  • Analyze non-IATA Travel agency’s specific needs and goals.
  • Explain the nuances of each IATA accreditation level.
  • Assist in navigating complex financial requirements.
  • Develop a customized recommendation for your non-IATA Travel agency.
By partnering with a consulting company, your Travel Agency gains valuable insights and makes an informed decision that propels your Travel agency toward success in the global travel market.

Soar Above the Competition with Confidence:

Joining the IATA network empowers your Travel Agency to simplify operations, enhance credibility, and access a world of opportunities. Choose your IATA Accreditation with expert guidance, take flight with IATA, and watch your Travel business soar above the competition in the vast blue sky of the travel industry!

Boost your Travel Agency’s credibility with IATA accreditation 

Benefits: Open up a world of business To maintain and grow your revenue, good relationships with airlines are essential. Concluding and administrating individual agreements with each carrier can, however, be difficult and time-consuming. Convincing each airline they can trust your ability to pay, negotiating beneficial terms, and managing multiple accords can challenge your cost-efficiency and limit your ability to grow. Get the key to stronger partnerships with airlines With IATA accreditation, your travel agency will
  • Increase the strength of its relationships with airlines through standard payment solutions and supplementary revenue opportunities
  • Streamline interaction with airlines through a single multilateral contract, single access to ticketing and payment, and standardized procedures
  • Boost its reputation with travel customers through the IATA Travel Agent identifier
  • Connect more easily with a wide range of travel industry partners who require accreditation
travel agency iata accreditation

IATA and Travel Agencies

These days, IATA makes the decisions on how and how to distribute travel-related items. By recommending norms, it addresses the travel industry. IATA codes, for example, are utilized anywhere aviation and travel come together. 

Prefix codes are used to assess people and goods; baggage tag issuer codes are used to streamline baggage processing; and location codes are assumed to facilitate package handling. Assumed are airline designation codes for reservations, ticketing, appointment, and paperwork. Even carriers without an agreement with IATA are permitted to use these codes.

IATA’s Travel Agent Services Offer

  • Simplified airline payments with options to suit your travel business
  • Security-free airline payments
  • Commission collection capabilities

Why IATA BSP?

The International Air Transport Association – IATA – is an essential component of the travel industry:
  • Trusted by 74,000 of the world’s largest travel brands, including over 400 airlines worldwide
  • Over $250 billion in global sales settled in 2021
  • Operating in 207+ countries

Select the IATA accreditation level that best suits your business

Once accredited, agents can change the accreditation level at any time. IATA GoLite will streamline your interaction with airlines and strengthen your relationship with them through pay-as-you-go ticketing and supplementary revenue opportunities. IATA GoStandard provides maximum flexibility for agents, with access to all payment methods to optimize your financial performance. IATA GoGlobal is a “one-stop-shop” for multinational agents that eliminates the need for multiple BSP applications and removes the complexity of meeting different financial requirements across markets.
Features IATA GoLite  IATA GoStandard  IATA GoGlobal 
Multi-country coverage No No Yes
Unique IATA identifying code recognized by all IATA member airlines Yes Yes Yes
Single Passenger Sales Agency Agreement (PSAA) → Ticket booking → Ticket issue → Multiple airlines Yes Yes Yes
BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan) access → Streamlined invoicing → Streamlined payment → Easy reconciliation  Yes Yes Yes
Access to BSPLink Services Yes Yes Yes
Access to Standard Package of data outputs and reports  Yes Yes Yes
Standardized procedures  → Fair dealings with airlines Yes Yes Yes
IATA Accredited Logo → Increased visibility among clients → Improved credibility Yes Yes Yes
Access to concessionary offers from travel suppliers through IATA/IATAN Travel Agent ID Card → Enhanced quality of service to customers → Better advice → Increased trust  Yes Yes Yes
Access to payment flexibility through standard payment solutions Yes Yes Yes
IATA EasyPay   Yes Yes Yes
Customer credit card Yes Yes Yes
Travel agency credit card (subject to airline consent)  Yes Yes Yes
PCI certification for credit card sales  Yes Yes Yes
Cash (payment on the invoice)  No Yes Yes
Electronic funds transfer and check  No Yes Yes
Financial securities and statements  No Yes Yes

IATA Accreditation Fees 

Application and registration fees*  250 CHF  1,500 CHF 2,500 CHF
Annual fee **  200 / 350 / 500 CHF 200 / 350 / 500 CHF 48,000 CHF
*Accreditation fees are determined by the Passenger Agency Conference and established in Swiss Francs (CHF). Fees shown are valid as of January 2020 for an agency’s main entity only; associate entities are subject to additional fees.

**Annual fees are based on gross annual sales through the BSP: < USD200K / >USD200K <USD2M/> USD2M — for the agency’s main entity only; additional fees apply per associate entity.

Important Note: All legal rights associated with IATA Accreditation remain with the International Air Transport Association. 

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