FareStar Ticket Window Product Functionality Guide To: GlobalStar, Peter Klebanow, Martin Metzler From: Paul Flight, TelMe Farebase Date: 11 August 2006 Version: Five Contact: paulf@telme.com Tel: +44 (0) 151 348 8096 Support Tel: +44 (0) 8700 104 373 Email: techsupport@telme.com A F F O R D A B L E, P O W E R F U L A G E N C Y S O F T W A R E S h a r e o u r S e c r e t S h a r e o u r S u c c e s s
Share our Secret Share our Success Contents 1 User Login 2 Flight Search 3 Searching in Progress 4 Fare Search Results search by Lowest fare 5 Contact and Payment Detail 6 Fare Search Results Just Fare Search
1 User Login After accessing the required URL, the user is presented with the Splash Screen containing the following elements Element Name ID Password Terms and Conditions Acceptance Description This is a two part login comprising a Company ID followed by a Booker ID. User Login details are supplied by and created by the TelMe Account Manager. (Not case sensitive.) Created by the TelMe Account Manager. A mandatory tick box is provided. Acceptance is required in order to proceed. Associated with the logon are the Booker s profile details containing:- Booker contact details Ticketing agency and associated GDS relationships Inter Agency Distribution Agreements End Booking Options queue management and associated distribution charges Pricing Levels agency servicing fees Note: When a user fails to enter correct details, they will be advised to repeat the logon procedure.
2 Flight Search The User can search live scheduled flight and fare availability by: Lowest Fare Search presents the user with the sum of the lowest published and agency special contract fares route deal fares are displayed where applicable. Fares quoted are fully available and inclusive of all taxes and agency mark-up. Fares are shown in price ascending order. (Flight availability and pricing is undertaken in one stage in a search that may take up to 90 seconds to complete) Just Fare Search allows the Booker to research an itinerary from a list of applicable fares. Fare rules can also be viewed. Typically, this search takes around 5 seconds and is used where only basic fare information is required. Fares to Source users are also able to direct the search to source the fare type and partner ticketing agent through a contiguous selection within a combination drop down menu
Flight Search - Itinerary Input The Booker enters details of the required itinerary. Itinerary Input Screen Note:- Results are determined by interrogation of the airline submissions to the participating partner agents Central Reservation System Search Tip:- Search times are not infinite. Users will appreciate the calculation of flight and fare options between busy city pairs will involve complex calculations involving multiple carriers and fare types. For example requests for searches by Lowest Fare between LON and NYC involves up to 16 airlines and 7 airports in combination with millions of fares. Whereas flights between specific airports with reduced schedules are easier to calculate please be as specific in your searches as possible to ensure optimum results Documentation is based upon Return Trip requests
Element Flight Search > Itinerary Input Type of Trip Return Trip One Way Trip Travellers Departure City Airport Description The user can determine the search results by altering the following parameters:- The user selects the trip type that serves the travellers requirements For journey types between frequently used cities. The User is presented with the option to enter a departure and arrival city. Flight Options and Fares are calculated on a return fare basis. For one-way journeys only. The User is presented with the option to enter a departure and arrival city. Flight Options and Fares are calculated on one-way basis only. Note Open Jaw itineraries are available functionality is described below The user enters the number and composition of passengers. The number of Adults, Children and Infants are entered. The minimum number of Adults is set to 1 Note details entered here influence the fare calculation, application of associated pricing levels and the appearance of associated request for name details later in the booking process Enter the first boarding point for the required journey. Users may enter the standard three letter city code, if known, (eg LON = London, LGW = London Gatwick, YPL = Summer Beaver etc) Where a shortcode is not known, users can enter their airport name suggestion and select from the list of alternatives provided after the page is submitted Destination City Airport Enter the destination for the required journey. Return TO a A tick box is provided where the itinerary requires return TO a different airport different airport Return FROM a A tick box is provided where the itinerary requires return FROM a different airport different airport Note:- where an Open Jaw itinerary is requested, the Booker is only permitted to search by Lowest Fare Departure Time Selection is available from:- and Date / Time - From the drop down menu select the approximate time of departure / arrival. Exact times will be shown in Scheduled Flights > Results. (Anytime assumes from Return Time and 0001 hours on the required date) Date Date select the exact date of departure / arrival from the drop down list Month / Year - select the Month / Year of departure / arrival from the drop down list. Bookings are permissible up to 330 days in advance Calendar A calendar is provided to aid date selection. Direct Flights Only An optional tick box is provided to structure search without airport changes selecting No may find cheaper fares when searching by Lowest Fare Travel Dates An optional tick box is provided. Flight Options and Fares are calculated up to three Flexible days in advance subject to availability. In the case of Lowest Fare Searches, the lowest fare will be calculated from within the extended search period. Selecting Yes may find lower fares when searching by Lowest Fare This option can be used to research flight availability where an airline flies to an infrequent timetable Preferred Airline If known, the required two letter carrier code is entered. Where carriers are sought in combination, their respective two letter codes may be entered separated by a comma. Eg KU, AA, BA Class of Ticket Fares to Source The default condition is blank and availability from all plated carriers will be sought See Search Tip below:- Select the class of ticket required from the drop down menu:- Economy only (searches for only economy cabin) Economy if available (searches commence at Economy) Premium Economy Business / Club First Bookers can indicate the intended source of Fare Itinerary results through the selection of associated GDS partners. A contiguous selection of fare types can be made using combination click and cntrl to select multiple items.
3 Searching in Progress The Booker is able to view and influence the parameters of Search by Lowest Fare The following dialogue is displayed and incrementally updated during the search process: - Search Progress Bar indicates the % complete Number of Valid fares Found Total Fares Searched Fares Obtained The Booker can opt to stop or extend the search according to the progress of the incremental search progress.
4 Fare Search Results Search by Lowest Fare Return Flight Search Results An itinerary summary is shown. Outbound and Inbound fare itinerary results are grouped in price ascending order. Fares shown are inclusive of taxes and associated agency servicing charges. (Ticketing distribution charges, where applicable, are added during final quotation.) Results displayed under the following column headings:- Departure - airport departure name Destination - airport arrival name Date departure date Depart - departure time Arrive - arrival time (+ sign followed by a number indicates flight arrives a number of days later) Airline - Airline name Class - Booking class and cabin class are shown Flight no - Carrier code and Flight Number Book - radio button to mark required flight Proceed with flight booking Cancel and return to flight enquiry Fare type and Supplier is distinguished by the appropriate company logo in the Sourced From section in the upper part of the itinerary fare display The user proceeds to confirm the requested fare itinerary. The user is returned to Flight Search > Itinerary Input
Scheduled Flight Lowest Fare search results Fare Sourced From:- 1G = Galileo 1S = Sabre 1A = Amadeus 1P = Worldspan Fare Type Category 35 Fare Agency Special Fare Published Fare
Quotation and Booking Information Element Current Flight Itinerary Description The current flight itinerary is displayed reflecting individual segment details containing:- Check in time, carrier and flight number Departure time, airport location and terminal Arrival time, airport location and location Class of service Aircraft type Flight duration, distance and operating carrier Fare Quotation A fare quotation is presented including:- Passenger type Currency Fare per person Taxes Total Fare Agency Transaction Fees (Optional) Grand Total The following variations will appear: - Special Fare From a Search by Lowest Fare and selection of a Special Fare, the Quotation user is presented with a Special Fare Quotation based upon the selected supplier Consolidated or the Client s contracted nett fare or route deals. Cancellation and Refund Rules I understand this ticket may not be refundable ** Quotation Higher / Lower than expected Ticketing A rollover hyperlink is presented. This displays the cancellation and refund rules applicable to the ticket as determined by:- the airline via the Central Reservation System in the case of published fares or the Agency s Nett fare or client s route deal agreements A mandatory check box is applied. The user MUST tick this box to indicate acceptance of their liability in respect of ticketing rules and restrictions. (Additional mandatory check boxes may be applied.) In exceptional circumstances the user is presented with a variation to the initial quotation. This occurs as the Ticket Window engine makes an additional call directly to the carrier s reservation system immediately after the initial quotation when the user selects the option to proceed. The variation occurs when the carrier s direct system is more up to date than the airline Central Reservation System. Users are invited to Proceed with quotation or cancel and return to Scheduled Flights > Passenger Selection For all Search Types users are presented with a range of ticketing fulfilment (delivery) options. The range and extent of these options are dynamically assigned, Booker profile specific and calculated according to:- the proximity of departure relative to time of booking. The servicing agency s ability to issue the ticket (opening hours) The airport / carrier ability to issue E-Tickets, TOD s etc Specific airline charges for ticket types Agency charges for specific ticketing types Users are required to select the appropriate radio button for their preferred fulfilment option. Note:- where a booking falls beyond the parameters of the calculations for Ticketing, the user will receive an advisory notice in lieu of Ticketing Options. Users are then advised to contact the ticketing agent from the details at the foot of the page. Bookers are invited to:- return to the previous screen, Book Online proceed to Contact and Payment Details
Quotation Page showing confirmed quotation and end book options E-Ticket is the preferred delivery option and will conditionally appear, subject to the following parameters:- a) bookings with departures within 24 hours Monday to Friday and 48 hours at weekends. The end book option will read:- "As your fulfillment partner may be closed and the date of travel is imminent, you are advised to contact the ticketing agent directly and arrange for dispatch. This booking cannot be completed online." b) bookings not supporting e-ticketing. The booker may complete the itinerary on the basis of paper based fulfillment. The statement to the booker will read:- "This itinerary requires paper based fulfillment as one of the segments or carriers does not support e-ticketing. Upon completion of the booking you must contact the fulfillment partner to arrange ticket dispatch, which is likely to involve extra charges."
5 Contact and Payment Detail Element Contact Details Passenger(s) Travelling Passport and Visa Requirements Description The Booker s contact details are displayed based upon the Booker Profile. Your name Telephone number Email Passenger names are displayed, based upon the selection made at Flight Search > Passenger Selection Passenger (reference number assigned in Booking File) Group Title First Name Surname Date of Birth (children and infants only) For International itineraries the user is prompted for confirmation for traveller s passport and visa status. Passport and Visa Information Payment Details Payment Method Card Holder s Address Booking Notes Purchase Flight Tickets A rollover Hyperlink is provided. This directs the Booker to relevant passport and visa information supplied in the airline Central Reservation System applicable to the itinerary requested. The grand total price, inclusive of tax and agency charges, is reconfirmed. Additional Ticketing charges are also shown. A number of payment methods will be displayed, based upon information created in Booker Profile > Setup. Each option is distinguished and selected by activating the relevant radio button Card number to be entered Credit Card - select from drop down option Card number - enter correct card number Expiry date - select from drop down option Stored card number Payment to account this is the preferred payment method for FareStar Details are displayed as per Booker Profile > Setup. Separate Billing and Delivery address options are presented A free text note pad is provided for the Booker to communicate with the ticketing agent The user proceeds to purchase the requested itinerary. Print Page a summary of the requested itinerary is printable appears in a separate window and does not automatically confirm the booking. Cancel The user is returned to Flight Search > Passenger Selection
Contact and Payment Details (Bottom of Page) Contact and Payment Details (Top of page)
6 Fare Search Results Just Fare Search Users are provided with an option to overview applicable fares and ticketing rules for a requested itinerary. Full availability is not checked at this stage. From Just Fare Search > Results, the user progresses either to Specific Fare Search or Lowest Fare Search Just Fare Search Results Element Dep-Arr CX Description Departure and Arrival Points are confirmed by airport short code Carrier is confirmed by Airline short code Airline Fare Nett / Gross MW Nett and Gross mid week fares are shown. Fare Nett / Gross WE Nett and gross weekend fares are shown. Fare Bk Airline booking class code AP Advance purchase requirement Stay Minimum / Maximum stay requirement Seasons Period of validity, based upon outbound leg may include Inbound and Outbound requirements Database Source Fare results are colour coded according to source and database:- Published Fares Agency Consolidated Rates PUBSPEC GDS loaded Special Fares PUBNETT - GDS loaded Special Fares PUBACCT GDS Loaded Client Route Deal Notes A rollover hyperlink is presented. This displays the cancellation and refund rules applicable to the ticket as determined by:- the airline via the Central Reservation System in the case of published fares or the Agency s Nett fare or client s route deal agreements Note:- fares are returned are rule applicable fares and listed in price ascending order before tax and agency servicing fees. A line number indicates the fares ranking numerical discontinuity indicates the position of fares that have failed rule applicability eg where the line number starts at 3, this indicates there are two lower fares requiring alternative rule / stay criteria.