Agent Guide

NDC guide for travel agents who need operational control

NDC gives agents richer airline offers, branded fares, paid seats, bags, and direct order servicing. It also creates more airline-specific workflows. NDCTerm turns those workflows into a familiar command layer.

What changes when agents move to NDC

NDC is not just a new shopping feed. It changes how offers are priced, how orders are created, how seats and services are attached, and how refunds or changes are confirmed after booking.

Agency task	NDC impact	NDCTerm workflow
Search and price	Airline offer responses include branded fares, included services, and offer rules.	Search by city pair, select a line, and price with `WP`.
Book and ticket	The booking becomes an airline order instead of a classic GDS PNR-only workflow.	Use `2ER` to book the selected offer, then ticket according to the airline setup.
Seats and bags	Paid ancillaries often need live availability, pricing, and order updates.	Use `$MAP`, `$P1/12A`, and service commands.
Refunds and changes	The airline must quote penalties, refund value, or collection before the agent commits.	Retrieve with `*ABC123`, quote first, then confirm.
Legacy content	Some trips still belong in EDIFACT or a traditional GDS workflow.	Use NDCTerm for NDC-heavy air while keeping GDS access where it fits.

Core agent workflow

> 15NOVJFKLAX
Search the market

> 1
Select the flight

> -DOE/JOHN MR
Add the traveler

> WP
Compare branded offers

> 2ER
Book the selected offer

What agents should expect

Richer airline offers

NDC exposes fare brands, included bags, seat options, and carrier-controlled offers that may not fit neatly into older fare displays.

More servicing detail

Post-booking work becomes more important because each airline controls how its orders are changed, cancelled, refunded, and updated.

Agent-first commands

NDCTerm keeps the operational layer close to cryptic workflows so experienced agents do not have to work through a separate portal for every carrier.

Honest channel choice

NDC is strongest for airline-controlled air content. EDIFACT and GDS workflows still matter for some itineraries, content, and agency operations.

FAQ

>What is NDC for travel agents?+

NDC is an airline distribution standard that lets agents access airline-controlled offers, branded fares, ancillaries, and order servicing through modern APIs.

>Does NDC replace the GDS?+

Not universally. Some agencies can handle NDC-heavy air workflows without a GDS contract, while others use NDC alongside GDS workflows for content or operational coverage.

>Why use an NDC aggregator instead of airline portals?+

An aggregator can reduce portal switching by putting shopping, booking, seats, ancillaries, and servicing into one operational interface.

Bring NDC into an agent workflow

NDCTerm is in limited release for agents and agencies that want NDC access without portal sprawl.

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