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INSIGHTS

Questions to ask airlines and TMCs about NDC

 

When you’re building an RFP or thinking about your travel programme strategy, questions come up about New Distribution Capability (NDC).  

Your travel management company, airline partners and online booking tool provider/s can all help you get the most comprehensive answer.  

Here’s the questions we advise you ask these particular stakeholders. 

Travel Management Company (TMC) 

Access, control, processes. These are the best NDC questions to direct at your TMC. 

How do you access NDC content? 

Why you should ask this question: It means you’ll know what your TMC’s NDC approach and their strategy is, as it continues to develop. 

Can I book NDC content in the same way as traditional (EDIFACT), with my full policy and approval process? 

Why you should ask this question: NDC requires different processes behind the scenes, and you need to understand if those processes could impact how your programme currently runs.

Are you reliant on GDS developments to access NDC content?

Why you should ask this question: You’ll discover if your TMC has any additional means of providing access to NDC content, offline or online, that works for your business. 

How are you helping your customers avoid GDS surcharges some airlines are applying to traditional (non-NDC) content? 

Why you should ask this question: Understand how your TMC can help you navigate the complexity of airline fees, especially before all NDC options are fully mature. 

Airlines 

Each airline sets its own distribution strategy, so they are best placed to answer questions about how your contracts might be impacted. You could work with your TMC to get these questions answered.  

What is your content strategy for NDC? 

Why you should ask this question: You’ll find out whether an airline’s NDC content is actually going to be any different than what you’re used to booking.

Does my existing deal with your partner airlines still work properly in NDC? 

Why you should ask this question: You can understand whether your existing deals still stands, or what you need to do if NDC changes your deal. 

Can I negotiate a corporate bundle with you? 

Why you should ask this question: You’ll find out if there is any NDC bundled content that you may want to include. 

Online booking tools

As your OBT/s needs to display and manage NDC bookings, it’s vital they are aligned to your content strategy and requirements.   

Can I book NDC content in the same way as traditional (EDIFACT), with my full policy and approval process? 

Why you should ask this question: NDC requires different processes behind the scenes, and you need to understand if those processes could impact how your programme currently runs. 

Will my travel bookers be able to service NDC bookings themselves online? 

Why you should ask this question: Not all NDC content can be self-serviced, so you need to find out if the way you make changes could be different. 

Do you make NDC content available to book alongside traditional (non-NDC) airfares in a single display? 

Why you should ask this question: You want confidence that by including NDC in the OBT, you’re able to see all options in one display, not either-or. 

Need more information on NDC?