Why does TPI have an elaborate approval process for an IC to gain access to a GDS? TPI is all about protecting our ARC number and our fellow professional IC's from the possible threat of a few scrupulous agents that could gain access to the GDS and ultimately create sizeable debit memos with our partner airlines that could jeopardize our ability to issue future airline tickets.
How does an IC receive ticketing capabilities? In order to obtain ticketing capabilities the following must be completed: An IC must be able to submit 50 completed PNR’s to the HelpDesk for quality control review and the ticketing capability request form located on the AgentRC must be submitted. It is at TPI’s discretion to authorize an IC for self-ticketing capabilities as well as TPI has the right to terminate self-ticketing capabilities at anytime for any reason without notice to the IC.
What are TPI’s fees for issuing tickets, exchanges, refunds, voids, mail, etc.? For a current list of all ticketing fees, see link on left column of this page.
How much and why does TPI charge a setup fee for GDS software? The setup fee for GDS software is $49.95 for each software/license or terminal that you request access for. We charge this because there is a considerable amount of time invested on our end in configuring your access.
Can I have my own pseudo city / office I.D.? Yes, please contact your TPI Account Sales Representative for pricing. Pricing is based on the GDS as there are different fees imposed by each GDS for setup and configuration. These fees would be in addition to our setup fee. Additionally, please allow additional time for this request.
Can I install the one GDS software license on multiple computers? Amadeus – no, Galileo - yes, Sabre – yes, Worldspan – yes.
If I am not an approved self-ticketing IC with TPI and I rely on TPI for ticketing, what is the procedure “after hours ticketing” – outside TPI’s normal operating hours? For after-hours support on air/car/hotel bookings, TPI is contracted with Reservation Center, Inc. based in Agoura Hills, CA. Reservation Center is intended to give your client a "security blanket" no matter where in the world they travel as well as ticketing services for you outside of our normal operating hours. It is not a tool for you to use for researching or checking prices. They will book your client’s air reservations, make changes to existing reservations, book cars, hotels and assist in any way possible. The fees for this service are listed in the TPI’s Fee Schedule document. These fees are deducted from your monthly commission. Reservation Center is open 24-hours-a-day and you are provided with our exclusive toll-free 800 number that you can give to your clients. If you have demanding corporate accounts, this is the service that will keep them loyal to your agency. Think of the selling advantage this gives you over the competition with corporate, experienced or timid clients. What a comfort for you to know that when you are too busy to do your own bookings, you have a professional service to do it for you, and to know that when on the road, your client will have all his last minute changes or problems taken care of...Toll-Free!
Does TPI mail passenger receipts and or invoices? No, only with paper tickets (additional paper ticket fees may apply).
Does TPI accept passenger or airline certificates? No, the certificate must be in-house to process the ticket and ticketing time limits do not allow this.
Does TPI process residual values? Yes. TPI processes residuals only over $100.00. Self ticketing IC’s can process residual values for a lesser amount.
How does TPI handle manual approval codes? IC’s are not allowed to call and obtain manual approval codes from the credit card company to process airline tickets. Manual approval codes increase our chances in receiving debit memos. TPI will call Credit Card Company when a manual approval code is required.
How does TPI handle schedule changes? Schedule changes less than 15 minutes are accepted by TPI and the IC is not notified whatsoever. For schedule changes more than 15 minutes, we automatically do not accept the change, the IC is notified via email and the PNR is queued to IC for handling (as long as the IC has a personal queue with TPI). Additionally, the airline can issue a debit memo if the change is not accepted within the allotted time per the fare rules.
How does TPI handle HX segment status PNR’s (this is when an IC creates a PNR but does not ticket or cancel within allotted time limit, the airline changes status to HX)? HX segments received from the airline for holding a reservation over the ticketing time limit, the IC is notified via email and charged per the TPI Fee Schedule. Additionally, the airline can issue a debit memo.
How does TPI handle seat assignments for IC’s without self-ticketing capabilities? For PNR’s received by TPI ready for ticketing without seat assignments, TPI will randomly assign seats.
How does TPI handle debit memos? When TPI receives an airline debit memo concerning an IC’s PNR, we provide the IC with all details of the memo (a copy by fax is available upon request). TPI will deduct the full amount of the debit memo from IC’s earned commission. If IC wishes to dispute the memo, IC must do so within 10 days of receipt of the email notification sent by TPI. TPI must be copied on all communication between IC and the airline to verify the dispute. If TPI is not aware of any communication with the airline to dispute the debit memo after 10 days, TPI will pay the debit memo and impose a $15.00 fee to the IC’s earned commission (debit memo processing fee). If IC is communicating with the airline in dispute of the memo, TPI will hold off payment to the airline until further notification of the outcome from the airline. It is the IC’s responsibility to copy the HelpDesk with all communication regarding the dispute. If the airline waives the memo, TPI will reimburse IC’s earned commission for the total amount of the memo.
How many logins do you receive with GDS software? You will receive one (1). Additional logins are available by obtaining additional GDS software.
Can an IC obtain a personal TPI queue and can an IC have more than 1? Yes, you can request up to 2 queues through the TPI HelpDesk.
If an IC has an airline contract, does the IC have to advise TPI? Absolutely yes, and a copy of the contract must be in-house at TPI to process and validate for all tickets.
What is TPI’s procedure for selling tickets to military and/or government personnel using a military or government fare? The IC must obtain a front and back copy of the ID and fax a copy over to TPI before or at time of ticketing.
Does TPI have car rental corporate I.D. numbers? Yes, and the rate depends on car type and location of rental.
How does TPI ticket group air bookings? All groups must be issued in-house by TPI. No exceptions. Prior to TPI issuing tickets, the entire group air contract information must be received by TPI. See detailed group air instructions located in the TPI-AgentRC.
What is TPI’s credit card acceptance policy? As an IC with TPI, you are ultimately responsible for any chargeback’s due to credit card fraud. Please use due diligence when working with NEW customers paying by credit card. The fraud usually originates with a NEW customer, not a loyal past customer. TPI does not accept cash, checks or commission deductions for airline tickets – only credit cards.
Required Credit Card Information for all Airline Tickets (must be documented and contained inside the PNR):
- Credit Card Number
- Expiration Date
- Cardholder Billing Address
- Passenger Phone Number
- Cardholder Phone Number (if different from Passenger)
- CVV Number (Amex – 4 digits on front of card, MC/Visa/Disc. – 3 digits on back of card)
- Issuing Bank Phone Number (located on the back of card)
For 3rd Party Credit Cards:
Individual Travel - TPI will accept a 3rd party credit card from IC’s individual customer with the following conditions: Prior to ticketing, TPI must have a Credit Card Authorization Form (one-time use) along with a front/back copy of the credit card.
Corporate Travel - TPI will accept corporate 3rd party credit cards from IC’s corporate customers with the following conditions: Prior to ticketing, TPI must have a Credit Card Authorization Form (continuous use) along with a front/back copy of the credit card.
IC’s Personal or Business Credit Card – TPI must have a Credit Card Authorization Form (continuous use) along with a front/back copy of the credit card.
How often does TPI issue tickets during normal business hours? Every 60 minutes.
How late does TPI process voids, refunds and exchanges? Thirty minutes prior to closing.
Can an IC call TPI for GDS formats? No, TPI does not provide GDS training. Formats can be received from the GDS helpdesk. All GDS phone numbers are located on the TPI-AgentRC.
What is an Inconvenience/PNR Rejection Fee? This fee will be imposed to IC’s who place an incomplete PNR on queue for ticketing. This fee also applies to IC’s who process their own exchanges, voids and/or refunds but fail to complete and submit the necessary form within 24 hours.
Do a car and or hotel booking need to be queued over for invoicing to track commission? Yes, TPI provides all the necessary formats to invoice car & hotels through the GDS.
Can an IC invoice cruises, tours and service fees through the GDS? Yes, TPI provides all the necessary formats to invoice any sale through the GDS.
Is there a website for an IC to view their sales and pending commissions? Yes, our TPI-AgentRC has a tool called Commission Manager which is live connected to our TRAMS back-office system where an IC can view all pending (unpaid) commissions as well as all incoming commission received by TPI. This great tool allows an IC to know the exact amount of their next commission payment from TPI which is direct deposited bi-monthly on the 10th and 25th of each month.
Can an IC charge service fees through the GDS? Yes, an IC can charge a service fee up to $250.00 per transaction. Any fee over $250.00 must be submitted in increments of $250.00 and approved by a manager. The TPI HelpDesk will not process any service fees over $250.00 without the approval of a manager. Any service fee over $250.00 issued by a self ticketing IC without approval from a TPI manager will be voided.
Can I charge a service fee and have TPI pay the supplier? No, this is using TPI as a merchant and it is against company policy. An IC should pay the supplier via credit card or a company check from TPI.
How does TPI process instant purchase or ticketless carrier transactions? When these reservations are made, a follow up phone call must be made to the TPI HelpDesk to have the reservation processed immediately to obtain the original fare stored for ticketing.
Does TPI have airline contracts? Yes, TPI has airline contracts with many International carriers. Please ask your TPI Account Sales Representative for the latest list of our preferred suppliers.
Can I negotiate a contract with a carrier I use on a regular basis? Yes. If you do, a copy of the contract must be submitted to the TPI HelpDesk prior to issuing any tickets using the contract.
How does TPI process the ARC report? TPI processes the weekly ARC report through the IAR (Interactive Airline Reporting) system.
Can an IC use the DRS within the GDS for updated carrier information? No, it is not kept up to date by the airlines. A call should be placed to the airline for any questions.
Can the form of payment be changed on a ticketed PNR? No, once a PNR is ticketed, it cannot be changed. |
