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KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: Agentia
An Amadeus hosting solution designed for independent travel agents.
An Amadeus hosting solution designed for independent travel agents.
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KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: agents’ coupon
With electronic air ticketing now standard (and increasingly mirrored in other transport modes), the paper-based coupon system described is becoming obsolete. Historically, tickets had multiple coupons, with the top copy serving accounting/audit functions; the agents’ coupon (issuing office copy) was retained by the agent. The entry explains how fraud could occur through “cardboarding,” inserting cardboard to block carbon transfer so different coupons showed different details, and notes that if matching carbon colors were used the falsification could be hard to detect unless all coupons were compared;
With electronic air ticketing now standard (and increasingly mirrored in other transport modes), the paper-based coupon system described is becoming obsolete. Historically, tickets had multiple coupons, with the top copy serving accounting/audit functions; the agents’ coupon (issuing office copy) was retained by the agent. The entry explains how fraud could occur through “cardboarding,” inserting cardboard to block carbon transfer so different coupons showed different details, and notes that if matching carbon colors were used the falsification could be hard to detect unless all coupons were compared;
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KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: agents’ discount
Travel agents may receive discounts that vary by product—commonly around 50% for hotel offers, and sometimes free travel on coaches (UK) or buses (US) for strong-performing agents. For the 75% reduction available to IATA agents on international air travel,
Travel agents may receive discounts that vary by product—commonly around 50% for hotel offers, and sometimes free travel on coaches (UK) or buses (US) for strong-performing agents. For the 75% reduction available to IATA agents on international air travel,
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KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: agents’ IATA Incentive Scheme
This UK scheme ended at the end of 1978. In autumn 1979, agents received an extra 4% commission on eligible 1978 sales that exceeded 110% of 1977 sales
This UK scheme ended at the end of 1978. In autumn 1979, agents received an extra 4% commission on eligible 1978 sales that exceeded 110% of 1977 sales
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KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: agents’ payment systems
Airline ticket reporting and payment was the first major area to be automated. In the US, the IAR system and direct debit are covered under ARC, while in the UK the Bank Settlement Plan is covered under BSP; the entry notes the UK base cycle is monthly (debit on the 17th of the following month) while the US base cycle is weekly. It describes ABTA’s Single Payments System (SPS) for non-BSP sales and explains that uptake has been limited partly because large UK tour operators run direct debit systems such as Thomson’s TABS and Kuoni’s KAB, while Worldchoice agents use ACAS. The entry explains SPS remains in development toward becoming a standard system, is free for agents but charges operators a small fee, and that system costs are partly supported by interest on funds in transit. It then outlines SPS operations: operators issue weekly deposit/amount-due listings and upcoming 42-day departures; agents can view and amend Monday–Wednesday; changes are reported to operators; agents are debited Friday morning; operators are credited Monday morning. It also notes US agents can process service fees through ARC’s TASF programme, with ASTA members potentially accessing better deals via ASTA/Chase Merchant Services.KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: agents’ payment systems
Airline ticket reporting and payment was the first major area to be automated. In the US, the IAR system and direct debit are covered under ARC, while in the UK the Bank Settlement Plan is covered under BSP; the entry notes the UK base cycle is monthly (debit on the 17th of the following month) while the US base cycle is weekly. It describes ABTA’s Single Payments System (SPS) for non-BSP sales and explains that uptake has been limited partly because large UK tour operators run direct debit systems such as Thomson’s TABS and Kuoni’s KAB, while Worldchoice agents use ACAS. The entry explains SPS remains in development toward becoming a standard system, is free for agents but charges operators a small fee, and that system costs are partly supported by interest on funds in transit. It then outlines SPS operations: operators issue weekly deposit/amount-due listings and upcoming 42-day departures; agents can view and amend Monday–Wednesday; changes are reported to operators; agents are debited Friday morning; operators are credited Monday morning. It also notes US agents can process service fees through ARC’s TASF programme, with ASTA members potentially accessing better deals via ASTA/Chase Merchant Services.KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: agents’ payment systems
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KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: agio
A 17th-century term meaning the percentage commission charged when changing paper money into cash. The entry notes there is no evidence that “agio” is currently used for the commission charged by banks or bureaux de change for currency exchange.
A 17th-century term meaning the percentage commission charged when changing paper money into cash. The entry notes there is no evidence that “agio” is currently used for the commission charged by banks or bureaux de change for currency exchange.
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KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: AGL
Above ground level.
Above ground level.
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KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: AGNIS
Azimuth guidance for nose-in stands (aviation).
Azimuth guidance for nose-in stands (aviation).
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KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: Agreement on the international carriage of passengers by road by means of occasional bus and coach services (ASOR) This agreement was replaced on 1 January 2003 by the EC Interbus Agreement on international occasional carriage of passengers by coach and bus
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KembaraXtra – Travel Terms: agricultural tourism
This descriptor is not precise and can range from simple rural tourism to tourism involving working farms; the entry directs readers to farm tourism.
This descriptor is not precise and can range from simple rural tourism to tourism involving working farms; the entry directs readers to farm tourism.