Recently on our blog, we explored how NDC airfares compare to GDS and highlighted some of the benefits of NCD. However, unlike GDS, which is built on 50 years of technology, NDC airfares are still a ‘work in progress’.
So, does that mean you should think twice about booking an NDC fare? Not necessarily. But you have to be confident that it’s the right choice for your business and your travellers.
As we touched upon in our recent blog, NDC fares offer lower price points and increasing personalisation opportunities, which is advantageous for the end SME customer. After all, lower prices and personalised offers is something which is becoming increasingly important for the modern-day business traveller.
Whether it’s knowing a colleague’s preferred seat to sit in on a particular aircraft, providing bespoke offers and SME loyalty programmes, or offering seat-inclusive fares which often come with perks like checked baggage or extra legroom, the opportunities to enhance the traveller experience - and build loyalty to your travel programme - through NDC airfares is unrivalled. Sounds great, right?
NDC fares are also important for price-driven businesses who want to keep an eye on the purse strings or have a strict budget to adhere to. But, as we’re about to explain, sometimes it pays to spend a little more for that added flexibility and peace of mind.
One of the drawbacks of NDC airfares is the fragmentation of service channels. This means that in the event of a crisis – whether it’s circumstances beyond your control such as strike action, a natural disaster, or extreme weather, or changes within your business (such as additional travellers needing to take a trip, or a last-minute change of location), getting people to where they need to be can be hugely challenging.
That’s because with NDC airfares, complex changes to the original booking can be a huge challenge due to the differing pace of development of each carrier. And it’s even more stressful if you’ve booked it yourself. Rather than being able to self-serve online, you’ll need to get in touch with their airline directly. We’re all familiar with the frustrations of calling up a business to resolve an issue and trying to get put through to the right department. Imagine how stressful this is when you need to sort alternative travel arrangements at pace for multiple travellers. It’s not uncommon for customers to spend upwards of three hours on the phone trying to get everything sorted – by which point, it’s often too late to get your travellers where they need to be.
Corporate Travel Counsellor, Mark Buckley, said; “Some NDC phone numbers are manned for less hours than regular call centre lines, which can be tricky when clients are across different time zones. There’s much less support available for NDC customers.”
No business owner or travel manager needs that kind of stress – and that’s where Travel Counsellors for Business is ready to step in.
Our high-touch, concierge-style service makes us perfectly placed to navigate the complex skies of NDC airfares on behalf of your business. Because for some organisations, NDC fares are the ideal choice.
Your dedicated Travel Counsellor will get to know the needs of your business, as well as your individual travellers, so they can best advise on which type of airfare is going to be right for any given trip. Whether you’re going for a purely cost-led approach, or want to adopt a more care-led business travel strategy, put your trust in your dedicated business travel expert to book what’s best for your organisation and its employees.
The great thing about using us is that your dedicated Travel Counsellor – and our 24/7 duty office – will be on-hand if anything goes wrong. We’ll never leave anyone stranded or left to fend for themselves. If something goes wrong – whether with a GDS or NDC airfare, we’ll work around the clock to sort alternative arrangements, keeping you informed every step of the way.
Despite carriers NDC offerings still being a work in progress, NDC airfares are a great choice for price-conscious organisations, and businesses who value the care-centric approach that personalisation and targeted travel solutions can bring.
However, given the complexities around amendments or crisis management, GDS fares are best left in the hands of an expert.
Ready to experience a new level of care in business travel. Speak to us today and find out how Travel Counsellors for Business can take the hassle out of your next business trip.
From ensuring athlete wellbeing to safeguarding against disruptions, duty of care underpins every aspect of planning team travel. Let’s explore why it’s so important for sports teams and how Travel Counsellors for Business can help create seamless, care-led travel experiences.
This blog explores the key benefits of traveller-centric policies and how businesses can implement strategies that meet the needs of both their bottom line and their most valuable asset — their people.
Looking to reward your employees in 2025? Incentive trips are the perfect way to do just that. In this blog, we explore all the things you should consider when planning the perfect reward getaway.