IATA Accreditation and TIDS programs allow travel agencies to be identified and recognized globally. IATA Accreditation allows agencies to issue airline tickets through the Billing Settlement Plan (BSP) under a single sales agreement. There are three accreditation models - GoLite, GoStandard, and GoGlobal - which determine an agency's access and payment options in the BSP. TIDS provides travel agencies a global identifier but does not authorize BSP ticket issuance. Requirements like financial standards, application costs, and ongoing fees vary between the programs.
IATA Accreditation and TIDS programs allow travel agencies to be identified and recognized globally. IATA Accreditation allows agencies to issue airline tickets through the Billing Settlement Plan (BSP) under a single sales agreement. There are three accreditation models - GoLite, GoStandard, and GoGlobal - which determine an agency's access and payment options in the BSP. TIDS provides travel agencies a global identifier but does not authorize BSP ticket issuance. Requirements like financial standards, application costs, and ongoing fees vary between the programs.
IATA Accreditation and TIDS programs allow travel agencies to be identified and recognized globally. IATA Accreditation allows agencies to issue airline tickets through the Billing Settlement Plan (BSP) under a single sales agreement. There are three accreditation models - GoLite, GoStandard, and GoGlobal - which determine an agency's access and payment options in the BSP. TIDS provides travel agencies a global identifier but does not authorize BSP ticket issuance. Requirements like financial standards, application costs, and ongoing fees vary between the programs.
IATA Accreditation and TIDS programs allow travel agencies to be identified and recognized globally. IATA Accreditation allows agencies to issue airline tickets through the Billing Settlement Plan (BSP) under a single sales agreement. There are three accreditation models - GoLite, GoStandard, and GoGlobal - which determine an agency's access and payment options in the BSP. TIDS provides travel agencies a global identifier but does not authorize BSP ticket issuance. Requirements like financial standards, application costs, and ongoing fees vary between the programs.
IATA Accreditation & the Travel Industry Designator Service (TIDS) in
Canada
1. IATA Accreditation
IATA Accreditation is an industry program developed to simplify the relationship between airlines and qualifying travel agents. Accredited Agents are eligible to ticket international and domestic travel on behalf of airlines under one single sales agreement.
All Accredited Agents obtain an IATA Code, a unique numerical identifier, which allows them to be recognized by travel suppliers from across the globe. Additionally, Accredited Agents participate in the BSP (Billing Settlement Plan), a service which facilitates the billing, reporting and settlement of airline tickets issued via the GDSs and some airlines’ direct channels.
Under NewGen ISS, travel agencies may choose from one of three accreditation models: • GoLite Accreditation: For Agents in a market seeking to transact in the BSP with minimal financial requirements. GoLite Agents do not have access to a Cash facility (payment on invoice) but can ticket using IATA EasyPay (a pay-as- you-go e-wallet), and Customer Cards. Agents can also use Alternative Transfer Methods (ATMs), subject to airline consent.
• GoStandard Accreditation: For Agents in a single market seeking to transact in the BSP using forms of payment including Cash (payment on invoice), IATA EasyPay (a pay-as-you-go e-wallet), and Customer Cards. Agents can also use Alternative Transfer Methods (ATMs), subject to airline consent. GoStandard Agents must meet defined Local Financial Criteria as recommended by the local Agency Program Joint Council – an industry appointed group of equal constituents of BSP participating airlines and Accredited Travel Agents and adopted by the Passenger Agency Conference. • GoGlobal Accreditation: A streamlined Accreditation for Agents operating across several markets seeking to transact in multiple BSPs using various forms of payment including Cash, IATA EasyPay (a pay-as-you-go e-wallet), and Customer Cards. Agents can also use Alternative Transfer Methods (ATMs), subject to airline consent.
All Accredited Agents must comply with the requirements established in the IATA Travel Agent Handbook which establishes the binding conditions that enables Agents to sell air tickets through IATA’s BSP.
2. IATA’s Travel Industry Designator Service (TIDS)
IATA’s TIDS program is an alternative to IATA Accreditation for travel agencies seeking to be identified and recognized by global industry suppliers via the IATA numeric code, but they are not authorized to issue airline tickets via the BSP.
The TIDS program was originally established for sales intermediaries not focused on air travel. TIDS Agents that wish to issue airline tickets on a range of carriers via the BSP may want to consider applying for IATA Accreditation. 3. Program Comparison – Canada Only New Applications TIDS GoLite GoStandard Accreditation GoGlobal Accreditation Accreditation IATA Code (identification) Yes Access to the IATA Yes Accreditation Logo No BSP Participation BSP Payment BSP Cash Facility (Payment No on Invoice) Yes Customer Cards (CC) N/A Yes IATA EasyPay Agent–Own Cards Subject to Airline Consent
Application Process 1. Download & 1. Log in to IATA Customer Portal Complete Form 2. Select “New Accreditation Application” under the “IATA Accreditation & Changes” service 2. Submit via IATA 3. Select desired Accreditation Type Application form Customer Portal with 4. Complete Application form online via the IATA Customer Portal, and attach applicable supporting applicable documentation documentation 1. License (BC, ON, QC) Subject to local requirements 2. Tax Number 1. License (BC, ON, QC) applicable in the markets in which 3. Ownership details 2. Tax Number Accreditation is sought. Key Information 4. Letter(s) of Reference 3. Ownership details Requested* from Industry Suppliers or 4. Copies of Owner/Manager IDs GoGlobal Agents must maintain Travel Agency 5. Competent & Qualified Staff accredited locations in multiple Association 6. GDS (or Airline’s NDC Endorsement) BSPs. 1. Financial Statements (Review 1. Audited Financial Statements Engagement Report or 2. Review per Multi-Country Audited Statements) Assessment Framework Financial Requirements N/A 3. Financial Security per Multi- (New Applicants) 2. Financial Security for Country Criteria minimum of CAD 35K (minimum of 2 years) PCI DSS Compliance Not requested Requested for access to Requested for access to CC Requested for access to CC CC Application Cost CAD 165 CHF 450 CHF 1,700 CHF 50,500 (including 1st annual fee)** Ongoing Requirements (existing TIDS / Accredited Agencies)
To retain their Accreditation, Agents must continue to meet the applicable requirements. Additionally, Agents pay the applicable annual fee and validate their Agency details once per year (annual revalidation process). For TIDS, Agents must pay their annual fee.
Any changes to the Agency information (address, ownership, contacts) should be submitted to IATA.
Access to the IATA Yes Accreditation Logo No BSP Participation BSP Payment Methods
BSP Cash Facility (Payment
No on Invoice) N/A Yes Customer Cards (CC) Yes IATA EasyPay Agent–Own Cards Subject to Airline Consent
Annual Fees
Annual Fee*** CAD 165 Depending on Agent’s previous BSP sales CHF 48,000 + fees for additional Lowest tier: CHF 200 Association Entities Financial Requirements Yes: Remittance Holding Capacity (RHC) will be calculated per the Agent’s Risk Status and historical cash sales. N/A No Quarterly Review (Audited Financial Statements Financials required) (Review Engagement Report Review Opt-Out: A Financial Security or Audited Statements) is required. Agent’s RHC will equal the amount of Security provided.
No minimum Financial Security.
Financial Security Based on Agents’ Risk Status (B, C) May be requested if ADMs Calculation based on historical sales exceed USD 5K in 3 months.
PCI DSS Compliance Not requested by IATA Requested for access to CC
* Please refer to Resolution 812 Section 2 for additional requirements and the information requested for IATA Accreditation. ** Taxes not included. *** Accreditation prices are determined by the Passenger Agency Conference and established in Swiss Francs (CHF). An Agent’s Annual Accreditation fee varies depending on the Agent’s previous sales in the BSP: • CHF 200 - Agents with gross annual sales through the BSP of less than USD 200k • CHF 350 – Agents with gross annual sales through the BSP from USD 200,001- USD 2M • CHF 500 – Agents with gross annual sales through the BSP greater than USD 2M
Fees shown only take into consideration the Head Entity/Head Office location. For each Associate Entity/Branch, additional fees apply.
Legend • ADM: Agency Debit Memo, an accounting tool that airlines use to collect adjustments for Tickets and other accountable documents issued by Agents. • BSP: Billing & Settlement Plan, a system which facilitates the selling, reporting and remitting procedures between accredited travel agents and participating airlines. • CHF: Swiss Francs • Financial Security: Acceptable forms of Financial Security are defined in Resolution 850p. For GoStandard Agents, the Financial Security required is calculated in accordance with the Local Financial Criteria for Canada & Bermuda, as published in the Travel Agent Handbook, and may not be less than CAD 35K. • IATA EasyPay: A virtual wallet available to Agents for payment of tickets issued through the BSP. This payment method is an alternative to Cash and Card, and optional for Agents to use with accepting Airlines. • NDC: New Distribution Capability, a travel industry-supported program (NDC Program) launched by IATA for the development and market adoption of a new, XML-based data transmission standard (NDC Standard). The NDC Standard enhances the capability of communications between airlines and travel agents.
• PCI DSS: Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard. The PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) applies to all entities that store, process, and/or transmit cardholder data. It covers technical and operational practices for system components included in or connected to environments with cardholder data. If an Agency accepts or processes payment cards, PCI DSS applies. • Remittance Holding Capacity (RHC): A key feature of the risk management framework, the RHC is a monetary threshold for Agents’ outstanding BSP Cash sales. All Agents with access to the BSP Cash payment method are assigned a RHC. Changing Models / Programmes
1. Moving from TIDS to GoLite/GoStandard
A TIDS Agent interested in moving to the GoLite or GoStandard Accreditation will need to submit an application via the IATA Customer Portal. Once approved as an Accredited Agent, the Agent can relinquish their TIDS code if no longer required.
An IATA code will be assigned once the application is finalized.
Note: As a promotion, during 2020, existing TIDS Agents may apply for GoLite Accreditation at no cost.
2. Moving from GoLite/GoStandard to TIDS
A GoLite or GoStandard Agent interested in moving to TIDS will need to submit a TIDS application via the IATA Customer Portal, and voluntarily relinquish their Accreditation. Note, the Agent will remain responsible to settle any amounts owing for its BSP billings prior to the relinquishment taking effect.
A TIDS code will be assigned once the application is finalized.
3. Changing from GoStandard Accreditation to GoLite Accreditation
A GoStandard Agent may change its Accreditation type to GoLite by completing a Notice of Change via the IATA Customer Portal. Under “My Services > Accreditation and Changes”, the Agent will select “Other Changes”.
There is no associated fee and the Agent’s IATA code will remain the same.
4. Changing from GoLite Accreditation to GoStandard Accreditation
A GoLite Agent may change its Accreditation type to GoStandard by completing a Notice of Change via the IATA Customer Portal. Under “My Services > Accreditation and Changes”, the Agent will select “Other Changes”. As part of the process, the Agent will be required to also submit Financial Statements and a minimum Financial Security in the amount of CAD 35,000. A fee equivalent to CHF 1250 will also apply.
The Agent’s IATA code will remain the same following the change.
For more details, applications and changes, Agents can contact us through the IATA Customer Portal.
