1. What is CRS & GDS?
CRS stands for Computer Reservation System. Examples are: Galileo, Sabre, Amadeus & Worldspan. A computer reservations system is a computerized system used to store and retrieve information and conduct transactions related to air travel. Originally designed and operated by airlines, CRS's were later extended for the use of travel agents; major CRS operations that book and sell tickets for multiple airlines are known as global distribution systems (GDS). Airlines have divested most of their direct holdings to dedicated GDS companies, who make their systems accessible to consumers through Internet gateways. Modern GDS's typically allow users to book hotel rooms and rental cars as well as airline tickets. Viewdata is also a computer system used in travel but is not commonly referred to as a CRS system. Viewdata remains the tool used for booking the majority of package holidays and charter flights in the UK. It is also used to book cruises and skiing. The technology was introduced by Thomson Holidays in the 1970s and had a revolutionary impact on the industry. The system allows travel agents to check availability, late deals, free child places amongst other things and then make the booking easily and securely. Many Leisure/Retail companies using viewdata include First Choice, Thomson, Thomas Cook, Libra, Crystal, Unijet, Panorama and JMC
2. Why should I learn a GDS?
Most travel companies are computerised and use a GDS to book flights, hotels and car hire. Many travel companies demand that people know at least one GDS in job adverts. Travel companies are always very busy and often need people to know a CRS from day 1 and hit the ground running. So learning a GDS has many benefits, it could mean the difference to you securing your ideal travel job!
3. Which CRS should I learn... Galileo, Sabre, Amadeus, Worldspan or Viewdata?
We offer training in all 4 CRS/GDS systems; Galileo, Sabre, Amadeus & Worldspan PLUS Viewdata. We do not promote or favour any particular system. If you learn GDS system, say Galileo and you later need to learn Sabre, its quite easy to cross-train from one to another. Galileo, Sabre, Amadeus & Worldspan all work the same really but just have different commands & inputs.
Viewdata is general term which describes a type of reservation system used to book package holidays. Each tour operator has their own viewdata system which they use to allow travel agents to book package holidays. If you can use one tour operator’s system you can use them all. The vast majority of travel agents in the UK today use viewdata to book package holidays for their customers.
If you cannot decide which one to learn call us on 0845 643 2533 and we will listen to your requirements and suggest the best course for you.
Here is a overview of each system:
Galileo is a computer reservations system owned by Travelport. It was developed in 1971 by United Airlines. Galileo enjoys around 25% of the global market and it very strong in Europe.
Companies using the Galileo system include:
|
Airlines
United Airlines
Air Canada
Aer Lingus
Alitalia
Swiss Air
TA P Portugal
|
Other Companies
eBookers
HRG
Carlson WagonLit
FCm
Uniglobe
Portman Travel
P&O
| |
|
Sabre was developed by American Airlines in the 1960s and now boasts a huge worldwide usage. Sabre has around 30% of the global market and has a very strong presence in the USA.
Companies using Sabre include:
| |
Airlines
American Airlines
All Nippon
Cathay Pacific
China Airlines
Singapore Airlines
|
Other Companies
American Express
Expedia
Travelocity
Kayak
Reed & Mackay
Hillgate
Omega | |
| |
|
|
Amadeus was formed in 1987 by an alliance between Air France, Lufthansa, Iberia Airlines and Scandinavian Airlines System. Today, it is the leader in terms of number of bookings worldwide with around 35% of the global market. Very strong in Europe & Asia, weak in the Americas.
Companies using Amadeus include:
|
Airlines
British Airways
Air France
Iberia
Lufthansa
SAS |
Other Companies
eBookers
Expedia
Opodo
Ian Allen
Eden Travel
Flightline | |
|
Worldspan was formed in early 1990 by Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlines, and Trans World Airlines to operate and provide its GDS services to travel agencies worldwide. It was bought by Travelport in 2007. Travelport who also own Galileo. Worldspans market share is around 10%.
Companies using Worldspan include:
| |
Airlines
Delta
NorthWest
|
Other Companies
Orbitz
Expotel
|
|
Viewdata remains the tool used for booking the majority of leisure / package holidays and charter flights in the UK. It is also used to book cruises and skiing. The technology was introduced by Thomson Holidays in the 1970s and had a revolutionary impact on the industry. The system allows travel agents to check availability, late deals, free child places amongst other things and then make the booking easily and securely.
Companies using Viewdata include:
First Choice
Thomson / TUI
Thomas Cook
Libra Holidays
Crystal
Unijet
Panorama
JMC
|
|
4. How do I train?
For Galileo, Sabre, Amadeus & Worldspan: Once we process your course you will get a login and password for the training system. Simply type your password into a special training site on the internet. You will be able to save where you are up to and go directly back to it when you wish to train again. There is no software to install nor is there any configuring required. Click here to see a short video showing you the how it works.
Note: our 'Expert' courses are a package of 4 seperate modules (Airlines, Fares, Cars & Hotels) you will need to complete 4 seperate modules to complete your training.
For Viewdata: Viewdata training is provided by a 3rd party company called Mondrago, the system is called Learn2Book. Once payment is made Mondrago will be in touch within 24 hours to provide you with your login details. For this courses there is softward to download, fully instructions will be provided.
5. Where does training take place?
All the training is online and can be done in your own time, at your own pace and at your convenience. And as all the GDS training (and indeed the free product training) is done online, you can access it from anywhere you have a computer and can use the internet. So you can start your training in South Africa and finish in London if you like!
6. Do you guarantee to beat any online price?
Yes, we are confident that we have the best prices online. We check competitor prices regularly. However we can't always be sure as things change fast on the internet. If you spot that there is the same course offered by another company for a cheaper price that we are offering we will beat that price by 10%. Simply email info@onlinetraveltraining.co.uk with details of the course and we'll be in touch. Note: this offer does not apply where companies offer courses free of charge.
We're good but we can't beat £0! :)
7. What happens once I purchase a course?
Access to course is not immediate. Once you purchase any course you will receive an email from PAYPAL to confirm your payment. We will also be sent an email from PAYPAL to confirm your purchase. We will then process your course. Courses are processed during working hours (9am-5:30pm Monday - Friday). If you bought your course before noon on a working day we will set you up by the end of the same working day. If you bought your course after noon on a working day we will set you up by noon on the next working day. All courses bought over the weekend will be set up by noon on Monday.
8. Do I have a certain number of training hours to use?
Yes for Galileo, Sabre, Amadeus & Worldspan courses: All such courses is alloted an amount of time to complete the training. Longer courses such as the Expert courses are allocated 70 hours. It is up to you to managed your training hours effectively. After 10+ years of offering these courses we know how long it takes people to complete each course and the total number of hours is quite generous.
It is your responsibilty to make sure you are using your hours effectivliey. Please take care to log out of the system when you are not using it. Please also allow for 2-3 hours for your exams.
You can check how much time you have left by clicking on the CLOCK icon within the training.
If you require extra hours you can contact us. We can sell you extra hours at £2 per hour.
9. Have you got to complete the training by a certain date?
You have 6 months to use your training hours. So please make sure that you complete your course in that time. If you are unable to complete within 6 months please let us know. After 6 months have passed, Online Travel Training will 'pause' your account. We will then delete all training accounts if unused for more than 1 year.
!! You also need to know that your course's time includes the lessons, quizzes and the final exam !!
10. When & Where does the training take place ?
The exams is also taken online. It takes between 1 & 2 hours. You need to get 85% or more to pass. It is not possible to submit your exam by post.
11. Can I get a certificate once I pass?
Yes, you can request a FREE certificate to confirm that you have passed. We are an approved reseller of the Viasinc GDS training programme and therefore we are authorised to issue certificates for Galileo, Sabre, Amadeus & Worldspan. You will need to contact us to request a certificate and we will send one to you within 28 days of your request. Viewdata training is provided by a 3rd party company called Mondrago, the system is called Learn2Book. Mondrago will issue certificates for Viewdata training All certificates are provided on request.
12. Are the courses accredited and recognised internationally?
For Galileo, Sabre, Amadeus & Worldspan: Yes we are an approved reseller of the respected VIASINC training system. These courses are recognised all over the world and are fully compliant with IATA's GDS requirements.
For Viewdata - Yes this training is already widely used by travel companies & colleges. The training can even complement academic courses such as HND & Diplomas. For more information click here
13. Can I get IATA points?
The IATA points system has been dismantled as from 1st of Jan 2006, when the accreditation criteria for the UK had been changed and training points are no longer a requirement for a travel agency to obtain IATA accreditation. Beware: some training companies still offer courses with IATA points - this is false advertising on their part.
14. How do I get a workbook & what are the costs?
Workbooks are only included on 3 courses: Introduction to Galileo (50 hours), Introduction to Sabre (50 hours) & Introduction to Amadeus (50 hours). These workbooks are included in the cost of these courses. Postage is free to addresses in UK & Europe. A supplementary cost of £ will be charged to addresses outside of Europe. Workbooks can bought be seperately for £23.
For Viewdata courses, the materials are delivered by a .pdf document which is emailed to you.
15. Can I get a refund after I've booked a GDS course?
For Galileo, Sabre, Amadeus & Worldspan: If for whatever reason you cannot complete/continue with a GDS course that you've booked and paid for then you can get a refund. You will be charged an administration fee, currently £30, plus you will be charged for every hour that has been used, currently £5 per hour used.
This amount would be deducted from the amount you are refunded. Part hours will be rounded up to a full hour used. You would need to e-mail usinfo@onlinetraveltraining.co.uk to confirm that you would like to cancel your course and get a refund - once we receive your e-mail we will process the refund and will e-mail you back to confirm.
Please note that if you have bought a course that comes with a book, we do not accept the return of books - therefore the total that will be deducted from your refund will be £60 (including the admin charge). This is just to cover the costs of us having ordered the book specially plus the costs of posting it to you. Of course, you then get to keep the book
For Viewdata Courses: if you wish to cancel your Viewdata course for whatever reason we will refund you £30 for each unused month, minus an admin. fee of £30.
16. What if I don't have a PC linked to the Internet?
You can go to an internet cafe where you can hire a PC for a small charge. You can talk to your local college, library or business centre. Online Travel Training have PC's available at their London offices.
17. What if I get stuck?
Although the computer programme has help functions and is very self explanatory, if you feel you would like something explained more fully, you can email your query to your personal assistant at Online Travel Training. They will reply to your query by the end of the day.
18. Can I pay by instalments ?
Yes, many people may find it difficult to pay the full amount for our courses up-front so we have developed a special option to allow you to pay by 3 instalments of £72 each. Once you sign up for this option you will be charged £72 immediately (month 1), then £72 in month 2 & a final £72 in month 3. This option is only currently available on Full Introduction (50 hour) courses.
Paypal will take this money from your account automatically, you do not need to do anything. It will only charge you 3 x £72 installments - it will automatially cancel the installment plan after 3 payments.
Once you sign up to this arrangement you are not able to cancel the subscription.
Once you pay your first £72 we will issue you with your workbook and 15 hours of training. On receipt of your 2nd payment will be issue you with a further 15 hours and on receipt of your final payment will provide you with your remaining 20 hours.
19. Can I pay by any other method (not PayPal) ?
We'd prefer you to pay by paypal as its quick, easy & secure. However we can accept payment by cheque, bank transfer or even cash (if you are passing the office!). Contact us on info@onlinetraveltraining.co.uk to arrange payment this way. 
