In this document there are many terms and references
Aggregator – a company who combines multiple suppliers into a normalised single feed to be consumed by OTA, or online booking tool(s)
Ancillaries – Additional services added to the base fare for up-sell purposes, for an airline these are often paying for a specific seat, checked bags, and in flight meals. For OTA ancillaries are often transfers, lounge access, and insurance.
B2C – Business to Consumer (consumer facing web site)
B2B – Business to Business (an agent portal providing product to other agents for re-sale).
Back Office – A system which holds inventory, and accounting information
Bed Bank – A company who contracts with accommodation providers bed nights, to make them available for distribution.
CPA – cost per acquisition – a fee applicable for acquiring a customer (a new lead)
CPC – cost per click, a fee applicable when passing a customer through to a website.
Channel Manager – a technology solution for maintaining availability states between PMS and its agents. A channel manager reduces the overhead for a PMS to individually update each retailer.
CRS – Computer Reservation System (which in my context tends to be a local aggregator). Examples of CRS are; Pyton, Multicom, TravelFusion.
DCS – Departure control system – the system an airline uses to manage the manifest of a flight and the regulatory requirements with airlines and destinations.
DMO – Destination Marketing Organisation – a company who is responsible for brining people to a destination.
DMC – Destination Marketing Company – a company to aid travel agencies and tour operators with local products to provide a seamless travel experience.
Dynamic Package – A package holiday, where components based upon the users requirement(s) are combined together as a package holiday usually show a a price including flights and accommodation.
FIT – This is a term usually used by DMOs – Free Independent Traveller, used to represent individual or small group (usually less than 5) who want to plan and manage (and buy) their own itineraries.
Front-Office – A system which presents information usually for internal call centre or B2B or B2C channels.
FSC – Full Service Carrier, an airline offering in flight entertainment, inclusive baggage, meals, drinks and often a seat with recline within the ticket priced.
GDS – Global Distribution System. A company who distributes travel product to agencies for resale. Examples of GDS are Amadeus, Travelport, Sabre, and Sita.
GIT – Group Inclusive Tour – A tour arranged by a tour operator or travel agent which has a pre-defined itinerary. Aimed at groups of more than 5.
IBE – Internet booking engine.
KPI – Key Performance Indicator
LCC – Low cost carrier, an airline offering a low cost model, where your ticketed price includes the seat only, and all ancillaries are additional.
MetaSearch Engine – A meta search engine is a travel engine which provides pre-configured offered made available along side other providers, meta search companies usually charge on a CPA or CPC model. Examples include skyscanner.com, and travelsupermarket.com
Mid-Office – A system which manipulates pricing, and stores bookings.
Opaque booking journey – An opaque journey is similar to a dynamic package, however the components will not be uncoupled, this allows NET/IT fares to be included without showing the consumer the price for the flight or accommodation.
OTA – Online Travel Agency. Examples include Expedia, Orbitz, Makemytrip
Package Holiday – A holiday which publishes a hotel, flight, transfer option according to a schedule.
PAN – Personal Account Number (traditionally the 16 digital card number used on a credit or debit card)
PCI-DSS, Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, the standards required by merchants and consumers to handle card payments.
PMS – Property Management System – the reserveration system used by hotels to manage, market and sell property stays.
PSS – Passenger Service System, the reservation system using by airlines to manage inventory. Examples include Amadeus Altea, Sabre Sonic.
PSP – Payment Service Provider, a 3rd party who handles card payments and interacts with banks to handle card payments. Examples includes SagePay, Worldpay, SecureTrading, Strike
SLA – Service Level Agreement, usually setting performance targets.
UAT – User Acceptance Testing, usually a release of software for the purpose of testing.
UI – User Interface
UX – User Experience.
VCC – A Virtual Credit Card, a non-physical set of card details. VCC’s are used to pay for
VCN – Virtual Card Number, a PAN supplied by a VCC.