NDCTerm vs Amadeus

Amadeus Selling Platform Connect is a GDS workspace built around the 1A travel platform. NDCTerm is a cryptic terminal built around NDC content with direct GDS access for EDIFACT content. Here's how they compare for agents who already know Amadeus cryptic.

At a glance

Capability Amadeus Selling Platform NDCTerm
Cryptic command syntax Native (1A cryptic) Native
NDC content Layered on GDS Core focus — 30+ carriers
GDS content Core focus Via EDIFACT
Hotel / car / rail Yes Air-only today
Interface Web GUI + cryptic Terminal-first — web
GDS contract required Yes No for NDC bookings
Setup Enterprise sales Invitation / partnership
Audience Agencies of all sizes (EMEA-strong) Cryptic-fluent agents wanting NDC speed

Syntax side-by-side

Amadeus 1A and NDCTerm don't share verbs the way Sabre and NDCTerm do, but the shape of the workflow is the same.

Search flights

Amadeus AN15NOVJFKLAX
NDCTerm 15NOVJFKLAX

Drop the AN prefix. NDCTerm assumes search by default.

Add passenger

Amadeus NM1DOE/JOHN MR
NDCTerm -DOE/JOHN MR

Sabre-style dash prefix. Same surname/given-name format.

Sell from results

Amadeus SS1Y1
NDCTerm 1

Just the line number. Cabin/booking class is handled at the offer step.

Price the offer

Amadeus FXP
NDCTerm WP

Returns NDC fare brands directly from the airline.

End record / book

Amadeus ER
NDCTerm 2ER

Prefix with the offer line number to book in one shot.

Retrieve PNR

Amadeus RT ABC123
NDCTerm *ABC123

Asterisk + record locator, no space.

Seat map

Amadeus SM1
NDCTerm $MAP

Seat select is $P1/12A (passenger 1, seat 12A).

Cancel

Amadeus XE
NDCTerm CANCEL

Spelled out for clarity. Less risk of accidental keystroke disasters.

When to use which

Amadeus is the right tool when…

  • Your business runs on EMEA carriers and complex international itineraries Amadeus handles best.
  • You need deep hotel, car, rail, and tour content alongside air.
  • You're already on a 1A contract with mature mid- and back-office integration.
  • You book a lot of multi-stop fares that haven't been NDC'd yet.

NDCTerm is the right tool when…

  • Your bookings are mostly NDC-eligible carriers and you want the shortest path to an offer.
  • You think in cryptic and don't want to click through a GUI for every fare comparison.
  • You want fare-brand transparency — baggage, changes, lounge — from the airline directly.
  • You don't want a long GDS contract or segment commitment for NDC volume.

Many agents use both. NDCTerm is built so it sits next to an Amadeus session without forcing a migration.

FAQ

>Can I use NDCTerm alongside Amadeus?+

Yes. NDCTerm is built so an agent can keep an Amadeus session open for legacy workflows while using NDCTerm for NDC content. The cryptic syntax is different in places but the workflow shape is familiar.

>Does my Amadeus 1A cryptic translate?+

Some patterns translate cleanly, others differ. NDCTerm drops the AN prefix on search, uses dashes for name entries instead of NM, uses WP for pricing instead of FXP, and CANCEL instead of XE. Date formats and city pairs are identical.

>Why not just use Amadeus's NDC support?+

Amadeus supports NDC, but the agent flow is layered on top of a GDS workflow. NDCTerm is NDC-first by design — every command goes directly to the airline's offer/order system. For agents whose volume is mostly NDC-eligible, that means cleaner offers and fewer steps.

>Does NDCTerm cover everything Amadeus does?+

No. Amadeus's depth in hotel, car, rail, and complex multi-segment international itineraries is substantial, especially in EMEA. NDCTerm focuses on air — NDC content from 30+ carriers plus direct GDS access for EDIFACT content.

See if NDCTerm fits the way you book

NDCTerm is in limited release. Tell us how you'd use it and we'll be in touch.

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Compare with: Sabre · Travelport · Duffel