Business Travel Glossary

Welcome to the Travel Counsellors for Business glossary — a helpful guide to understanding the key terminology in the world of corporate travel. Our aim is to demystify the jargon and provide you with clear definitions that enhance your travel planning and management experience. 

A 

Ancillaries: Additional services or products offered by airlines or hotels, such as seat selection, extra baggage, or in-flight meals, that aren't included in the base fare. 

B 

Bleisure: A blend of business and leisure travel, where travellers extend their work trips for leisure purposes. 

Business Travel Programme: A structured plan implemented by organisations to manage and optimise business travel activities and expenses. 

C 

Codeshare: An arrangement between two or more airlines to share the same flight, allowing each to sell tickets under its own brand. 

Continuous Pricing: A dynamic pricing strategy that involves constant adjustment of prices based on real-time supply and demand. 

D 

Dynamic Pricing: A flexible pricing model that allows companies to adjust prices based on current market conditions. 

Duty of Care: The responsibility of an organisation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of its travelling employees. 

F 

Fare Class: A category of airline ticket prices determined by factors like refundability, change fees, and seat availability. 

Frequent Flyer Programme: A loyalty programme offered by airlines to reward customers with points or miles for each flight taken. 

G 

GDS (Global Distribution System): A network that enables travel agents and companies to access and book travel-related services such as flights, hotels, and car rentals. 

Group Travel: Organised travel arrangements for a group of people, typically involving ten or more people travelling on a single booking.  

H 

Hotel Loyalty Programme: A rewards system that offers benefits to repeat guests at a hotel or hotel chain. 

I 

IATA (International Air Transport Association): A global trade association representing airlines, responsible for setting industry standards. 

L 

Layover: A temporary stop at an airport between connecting flights. 

LCC (Low-Cost Carrier): An airline that offers low fares but eliminates many traditional passenger services. 

M 

Managed Travel: The practice of organising and controlling a company’s travel activities to maximise efficiency and minimise costs. 

Marine Fares: Special airline fares offered to marine industry personnel. 

MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions): A sector of travel focused on organising and facilitating large-scale events on a domestic or international scale.  

N 

NDC (New Distribution Capability): A travel industry standard that enhances the ability of airlines to sell ancillary services through third-party channels. 

Nett Rate: A discounted rate provided by a supplier to a buyer, excluding commission. 

O 

OBT (Online Booking Tool): A digital platform used by companies to book travel arrangements online. myTC Online is an example of an OBT.  

P 

Pax: Short for passengers. 

PNR (Passenger Name Record): A record in the database of a computer reservation system that contains the itinerary for a passenger or a group of passengers. 

Point to Point: A direct travel route from one location to another without stops. 

R 

RAC (Revenue Accounting Code): A code used in ticketing and reservations to identify a fare's pricing structure. 

Reissue: The process of changing or updating an existing travel ticket with new information, such as a new flight date or time. 

Responsible Travel: Travel that considers its impact on the environment, culture, and economy of the destination. 

RFP (Request for Proposal): A document issued by a company looking for suppliers to submit proposals for a specific service – much like a tender.  

S 

SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel): Eco-friendly fuel made from renewable resources used in aviation to reduce carbon emissions. 

Self-Booker: An individual who arranges their own travel using online tools or platforms. 

SLA (Service Level Agreement): A contract that defines the level of service expected from a service provider. 

T 

T&E (Travel & Expense): Refers to the management of expenses incurred during business travel. 

Travel Booker: The person responsible for making travel arrangements for an organisation or individual. 

Travel Counsellor: A personal travel advisor and independent business owner who manages and books travel arrangements with a focus on customer care. 

Travel Management: The strategic approach to planning and booking travel for a company to control costs and improve efficiency. 

TMC (Travel Management Company): A company that provides travel solutions, including booking, support, and policy management, to businesses. 

Travel Policy: Guidelines set by an organisation to govern employee travel behaviour and expense reimbursement. 

TTV (Total Transaction Value): The total value of all transactions processed by a travel agency or management company. 

W 

Waitlist: A queue for passengers wanting to purchase a ticket on a fully booked flight. 

Y 

Yield Management: A pricing strategy used to maximise revenue by adjusting prices based on demand. 

 

We hope this glossary helps you feel more confident when navigating the intricate world of business travel. For any further clarification or to discuss how we can support your corporate travel needs, please get in touch.  

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