All bookings on Delta travel documents must comply with Delta’s contract of carriage, and with all applicable fare rules. Delta's GDS Booking Policy guidelines are designed to set clear expectations for subscribers concerning the use of a GDS for reserving, booking and ticketing Delta air transportation. Emphasis has been placed on the importance of adherence to tariff rules as they are designed to allow pricing and travel flexibility for all customers. Enforcing these rules benefits customers as this allows us to offer passengers a greater number of discounted seats while reserving last seat availability for business customers.

We will continue to provide information to our Agency Partners to ensure that all GDS users take a consistent approach when using GDS services to reserve space and issue tickets for Delta customers. GDS practices that are considered a violation of Delta's policies will be addressed appropriately.

To prevent such violations, please review the below links that encompasses booking rules and abusive type ticketing practices. Under no circumstances should Delta personnel or Delta-appointed travel agents suggest or solicit any type of abusive ticketing practice that would violate Delta's tariff rules.

Definitions

Admin Fees for Debit Memo

Delta/KLM will each assess a $50 administrative fee for each debit memo issued.

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Back-To-Back Ticketing

Delta's policy as stated in tariff rule 100 specifically prohibits the practice of back-to-back ticketing, which is defined as follows: The issuance or use of coupons from two or more tickets issued at round-trip fares or the combination of two or more round-trip fares end to end on the same ticket, for the purpose of circumventing applicable tariff rules such as advance purchase and minimum stay requirements.

Agents engaging in this practice are held accountable for these violations and appropriate action is taken, including issuing debit memos, and where appropriate, terminating their Delta appointment.

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Canceling Reservations

Segments must be canceled and inventory released immediately when a ticket has not been purchased in accordance with the fare rule, or when notified by a customer that travel is no longer needed, whichever comes first. Canceled space for one passenger shall not be used for another customer even if that customer desires an identical itinerary.

TSA Secure Flight Passenger Data – Industry Mandate

Secure Flight Passenger Data is required for each passenger and segment. PNRs without complete SFPD may be subject to cancellation shortly before the 72 hour TSA deadline for providing this information.

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Churning

Churning refers to any repeated booking or canceling of the same itinerary in the same class or different classes of service across one or more passenger name records or GDSs including, without limitation, to circumvent or extend ticketing time limits, hold inventory or to meet GDS productivity requirements. DL exclude from churning calculations all activity generated the same date the initial booking for a segment was created.

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Claim PNR

Claim PNR allows travel agencies to programmatically take control of Delta created bookings for ticketing purposes in markets that are not e-ticket eligible. Delta created bookings that are wholly e-ticket eligible will be secured and unavailable for automated transfer of control (Claim) by travel agencies via their GDS.

Delta bookings such as those with more than 9 passengers or those booked in SkyMiles award classes are secured and continue to be excluded from Claim functionality.

If you have additional questions, please contact your GDS Help Desk.

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Dual Automation

A GDS subscriber that uses more than one GDS in its business must book and ticket a specific passenger itinerary within the same GDS.

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Duplicate Bookings

All duplicate bookings generated by a single GDS subscriber are prohibited, including:

• Multiple itineraries for any number of passengers with the same passenger name, whether identical itineraries or not

• Reserving one or more seats on the same flight or different flights for the same time frame, regardless of the class of service or format used to make the reservations

Additionally, creating a reservation where it is logically impossible to be used on each segment created across one or more PNRs or GDSs is not permitted. You can see examples of fee application related to Duplicate Segments by clicking on that link in the previous table.

Please note: In order to ensure the most accurate availability is accessible to all of our customers, effective February 14, 2011, Delta will cancel all duplicate bookings as soon as they are identified; the inventory in these bookings will be returned to availability.

SkyMiles Number Required to Prevent Cancellation

Delta recognizes there are situations where two passengers with the same name could be traveling on the same itinerary (i.e. father/son with same name) in a different reservation. Even if the reservations are ticketed, please ensure that both passengers are enrolled in SkyMiles and enter each passenger’s respective SkyMiles number in the PNR to prevent cancellation.  

Policy Violation Charges 

Violations at $10 will now be billed at the per segment level and not at the passenger per segment level. A segment will be billed at $10 per segment regardless of whether there are 1 or more passengers in the segment.

Examples below detail how the $10 per segment fee is calculated:

• PNR Examples of duplicate segments within the same PNR

• PNR Examples of duplicate segments across PNRs within the same IATA number

The bold CANCELLED indicates segments cancelled by Delta while the bold KEPT indicates segments that remain active in the PNR.

All duplicate bookings generated by a single GDS subscriber are prohibited, including:

• Multiple itineraries for any number of passengers with the same passenger name, whether identical itineraries or not

• Reserving one or more seats on the same flight or different flights for the same time frame, regardless of the class of service or format used to make the reservations

• Creating bogus reservations where it is logically impossible for travel to take place

• Duplicates created within the same PNR or through the creation of multiple PNRs

PNR Examples of Duplicate Segments within the Same PNR: 

Multi Airport City

1 DL5070Y 02JAN5 ATLJFK HK1 830A 1045A - CANCELLED
2 DL 904Y 02JAN5 ATLLGA HK1 840A 1108A - KEPT
** Passenger may not be confirmed to both JFK and LGA
** Results in a fee of $10 for one duplicated segment 

Multiple Flight Dates 

1 DL5070Y 02JAN5 ATLJFK HK2 830A 1045A - CANCELLED
1 DL5070Y 03JAN5 ATLJFK HK2 830A 1045A - KEPT
** Passenger may not be confirmed on multiple flight days
** Results in a fee of $10 for one duplicated segment 

Different Connect Point  

1 DL1094Y 2JAN5 ATLCVG HK4 650A 815A - CANCELLED
2 DL1743Y 2JAN5 CVGLAX HK4 855A 1032A - CANCELLED
3 DL 935Y 2JAN5 ATLLAX HK4 715A 846A - KEPT
** Passenger may not be confirmed on both direct and connecting flights
** Results in a fee of $20 for two duplicated segments (ATL-CVG and CVG-LAX)

Overlapping Segments

1 DL4630Y 02JAN5 STLATL HK1 948A 1225P - CANCELLED
2 DL4675Y 02JAN5 STLATL HK1 1155A 237P - KEPT
3 DL 82Y 02JAN5 ATLJFK HK1 230P 456P
** Passenger may not be confirmed on multiple flights to the same destination
** Results in a fee of $10 for one duplicated segment (STL-ATL) 

Different Classes of Service

1 DL 904Y 02JAN5 ATLLGA HK1 840A 1108A - CANCELLED
2 DL 904B 02JAN5 ATLLGA HK1 840A 1108A - KEPT
** Passenger may not be confirmed in multiple classes of service on the same or different flights
** Results in a fee of $10 for one duplicated segment (ATL-LGA)
 

PNR Examples of Duplicate Segments across PNRs within the Same IATA Number:

Passenger Smith is booked round-trip AMS-JFK in record locator ABCDEF. Passenger may not be confirmed in any other PNRs for surrounding time periods.

Original Booking

DL RECORD LOCATOR ABCDEF
1. 1SMITH/JOHNMR
SWI1GGHIJKL/XXXX/12345678/AMS
1 DL 81U 09JUN1 AMSJFK HK1 1240P 255P - CANCELLED
2 DL 80U 16JUN1 JFKAMS HK1 900P 1045A¥1 - CANCELLED
HA FAX-OSIDL CTCT Delta Travel Agency 404-123-4567

Alternate Travel Dates

DL RECORD LOCATOR GHIJKL
1. 1SMITH/JOHNMR
SWI1GLMNOPQ/XXXX/12345678/AMS
1 DL 81U 10JUN3 AMSJFK SS1 1240P 255P - KEPT
2 DL 80U 17JUN1 JFKAMS SS1 900P 1045A¥1 - KEPT
HA FAX-OSIDL CTCT Delta Travel Agency 404-123-4567
** Passenger may not be confirmed on alternate dates of travel while holding the original booking
** Results in a fee of $20 for two duplicated segment (AMS-JFK and JFK-AMS) 

OR

Alternate Itinerary

DL RECORD LOCATOR MNOPQR ETKT ELIGIBLE
1. 1SMITH/JOHNMR
SWI1GRSTUVW/XXXX/12345678/AMS
1 DL 81U 09JUN1 AMSJFK HK1 1240P 255P - KEPT
2 ARNK
3 DL 141Y 17JUN3 BRUJFK SS1 1145A 200P - KEPT
** Passenger may not be confirmed on an alternate itinerary while holding the original booking
** Results in a fee of $20 for two duplicated segment (AMS-JFK and JFK-AMS)

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Fraudulent/Fictitious Bookings

Fraudulent, fictitious, or speculative bookings are forbidden. These are defined as reservations where a booking is entered into a GDS regardless of input codes, using fictional or fabricated names, with no intent for travel and is not directly related to a request from a passenger to purchase a ticket.

Examples of such bookings include reservations that list the following in the PNR:

• Schedule A/B/C

• Mouse/Mickey

• Smith/A/B/C

• Test/Delta

Additionally, creating such PNRs to hold or block reservations due to expected demand, customer indecision, or for any reason including, without limitation, to circumvent any of Delta Air Line's fare rules or policies is not permitted.

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Group Bookings

An acceptable group booking may include segments entered passively into a GDS. These passive segments must match segments already existing in Delta's Reservation System. Passive segments may only be entered at the time, and for the purpose, of ticket issuance.

Group bookings entered into a GDS that are not directly related to a customer request and are subsequently canceled prior to ticketing are considered speculative. Groups booked in a manner designed to circumvent these procedures are subject to penalties and/or cancellation by Delta Air Lines. This includes, without limitation, creating hidden groups by making multiple, small bookings which are intended as a group. Delta prohibits creating speculative and hidden group bookings.

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Inactive Segments

All inactive segments must be removed from the GDS PNR at least 24 hours before departure. Inactive segments include those with the status codes of HX, NO, UN, UC, SC, TK, US or WK. Inactive segments that are not cancelled 24 hours prior to departure are subject to Cost Recovery Fee charges from Delta.

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Inventory Circumvention

Delta manages inventory on an origin and destination (O&D) basis. Inventory that is available on a particular segment for one O&D may not be available for other O&Ds including the same segment. Delta's booking policy prohibits the creation of reservations with the intent to circumvent inventory management controls (e.g., married segment logic or journey controls) and/or to obtain inventory for ticket sales which Delta does not intend to offer for the passenger's actual O&D itinerary. Agents engaging in circumvention of Delta, Air France and KLM inventory controls will be held accountable for these violations.

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Off-Shore/Cross Border Ticketing

Delta's base commission structure varies by country. Delta-appointed travel agents shall not, directly or indirectly, circumvent the Delta base commission rate structure applicable to sales in one country by collecting base commissions at rates applicable in other countries, which encompasses the following:

• Through the establishment or use of an international branch office, satellite ticket printer or electronic transfer of ticketing data

• Through a commission sharing or referral arrangement with a travel agency in another country, or otherwise

Delta reserves the right to collect any amount of inappropriately retained base commissions and terminate the Delta ticketing authority of any Delta-appointed travel agents who participates in practices contrary to Delta's rules regarding its base commission structure.

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Passive Segments

An acceptable passive segment is a segment entered into a GDS for the purpose of ticketing. It must match an existing booking.

GDS subscribers must use claim PNR functionality when it is available and can be used for ticketing instead of passive segments. The creation of passive segments when it is possible to claim a Delta created PNR instead is not permitted.

In order to better control costs and eliminate abuse associated with the use of passive segments Delta participates in passive segment notification in GDSs which offer this enhancement. This means that whenever a travel agent passively books a Delta segment, Delta receives a passive segment notification (PK, PL, PU, PX) message at end transaction.

1.       Delta will automatically validate each passive segment notification message to determine that a matching segment exists in our internal reservations systems.

2.       If an identical segment does not exist within Delta’s internal system a message will be sent back to the GDS PNR, changing the status code of the passive segment to "NO" (No Action Taken).

3.       An SSR will also accompany the rejected segment stating that the segment containing the passive is not valid. Passive segment(s) may be rejected by Delta for one or more of the following reasons:

• Matching itinerary not found

• Matching name not found

• Matching number of passengers not found

• Matching class of service not found

• Segment actively waitlisted by Delta; passive waitlist not allowed

• Matching passive segment previously received

• Agency does not have ticketing authority or is on Delta’s denied sales table

• Segment cannot be ticketed as booked or segment is already ticketed

4.       Industry standards require that passive segments be used "for the purpose of ticketing" only after a booking has been made in an airline's inventory system. Delta does not allow passive segments to be used for other reasons, including the following:

• To satisfy GDS productivity requirements

• To circumvent fare rules

• To fulfill administrative functions

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Premium Group Process

For all U.S.and exit U.S. point-of-sale locations (domestic and U.S. to international), when booking a premium group, follow the ticketing rules below:

• Group minimum – 10 passengers

• No discounts

• Tour Conductors can be negotiated - Valid for agencies only

• Customer contact – official agency only

• Booking inventory for Delta: Delta mainline

• Full payment will include taxes and surcharges applicable at the time of the fare quote and is non-refundable

• Equity cannot be used for future travel

• Feeder space will be allowed for domestic and international destinations  

• One free name change is permitted per ticket, 48 hours prior to departure. Agency must reissue the ticket. 

Premium Group Process

1. Agency (acting on behalf of the customer) contacts the Groups Specialty Sales Center (GSSC) Customer Experience Specialist for blocked domestic and International space via e-mail: GroupPrem@delta.com.
   
   
2. Full payment is required within 7 business days of booking. If payment is not received the blocked space will be canceled.
   
   
3. Confirmation letter, along with two forms describing Electronic Payment and Equity Card procedures, will be sent to the agency via e-mail.
   
   
4. Upon receipt of payment, Equity account will be credited.
   
   
5. Agency will control ticket issuance and use FOP DL Equity card.
   
   
6. Tickets must be issued at least 7 days prior to departure. When ticket issuance is complete, agency must send e-mail notification to the GSSC Customer Experience Supervisor (CES).

Post Booking

Additional information:

• Group questions and follow-up will be handled by the GSSC Customer Experience Supervisor (CES).

• Adding additional passengers to the group will be confirmed subject to availability using applicable fares at the time of booking.

• Agency will issue their own tickets with FOP DL Equity card (additional taxes and surcharges will be the responsibility of the agency).

• Agency will issue their own approved tour conductors.

• Once all tickets for the group have been issued (minimum of 7 days before departure), it is the agency’s responsibility to inform the Group Customer Service Coordinator desk that ticketing is complete.

• Group tickets are non refundable but can be reissued for future travel. Applicable penalties will apply.

• International feeder space is allowed based on available inventory at the time of booking.
• Once feeder space has been added for the entire group, the agency will be notified to make a deposit in the amount equal to the additional collection.

• One free name change is permitted per ticket, 48 hours prior to departure. Agency must reissue the ticket.

Payment Option

Electronic Payment Option (Preferred Method) - accounts will wire payment directly to the Delta Air Lines, Inc. account with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.. Specific instructions will be provided via e-mail from the CES desk. Non-U.S. agency/customer accounts cannot wire payments to pay for their groups.

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Secure Flight Passenger Data Required

The TSA Secure Flight Program requires Travel Agents to enter the passenger’s legal name, date of birth and gender and allows for an optional redress number against government watch lists for domestic and international flights. PNRs without complete Secure Flight Passenger information may be subject to cancellation, tickets inhibited, and the potential for booking violation fees.

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Special Service Request

When changing itineraries in a passenger name record (PNR), it is necessary to re-request any special service requests from the original booking. When a name is changed in a PNR the SSR documents will be removed from the PNR. This includes unaccompanied minors, special meal requests and Secure Flight Passenger Data. When an SSR message is needed for only part of the itinerary, the special service request must be flight specific and not requested for all Delta flights.

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Test or Training PNRs

The training mode or non-billable segment status codes provided by the GDS must be used when testing situations or training personnel. Creating PNRs for training purposes using active sell segment status codes is prohibited.

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Valid Name Required

All Delta Air Lines reservations require a passenger name be provided which matches the government travel document being traveled on. 

Invalid Name Changes  

Name changes are not permitted on reservations unless entered for the purpose of correcting a misspelling of the passenger's name. Contact the Sales Support Center or a local Delta Reservation Office for assistance with misspellings to avoid cancellation of space.

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Wait Listing

Wait listing B, M, H, Q, K, L, S, U, T, X, V and E classes of service on Delta Air Lines is not permitted.

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Where is the Delta booking policy published?

The Delta Booking Policy is available on the Delta Professional Travel Agency website.

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How does policy enforcement affect my agency

All agencies are required to comply with all Delta Booking Policies and Procedures. Delta will audit booking activity, evaluating the results and take appropriate action when violations are identified.

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How will the fees be calculated?

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Does the booking policy and enforcement apply to bookings in all fare classes?

Yes.

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When did Delta begin assessing fees under this policy?

Delta began assessing fees on bookings made on or after June 1, 2008. However, Delta recently expanded the scope of the booking policy to include Inventory Circumvention which is effective for segments booked on or after October 1, 2012.  

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Is enforcement of the Booking Policy applied to booked or ticketed segments?

The Policy applies to booked segments, regardless of whether the itinerary is ultimately ticketed.

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How will itineraries that are booked but never ticketed or canceled be treated?

The Booking Policy and Enforcement applies regardless of whether the itinerary is ultimately ticketed or not. Any “DL” and “DL*” (i.e. Delta or Delta codeshare) segment booked and not canceled or not traveled is a direct loss to Delta not only in GDS fees but also lost inventory. 

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Does the booking policy and its enforcement apply to codeshare or interline itineraries?

Yes. The policy applies to all segments which contain Delta’s “DL” or “DL*” flight designator code. However, Delta reserves the right to enforce booking violations on Air France and KLM inventory ticketed on Delta ticket stock if appropriate.

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How does Delta monitor agency booking practices in regard to GDS activity?

Delta maintains auditing systems that provide the ability to review all GDS bookings and identify Booking Policy violations.

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What types of transactions generate GDS segment fees to Delta?

The GDSs charge Delta for almost all booking activity including, without limitation, sell, passive, cancel, waitlist, inactive and schedule change transactions.

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Is it appropriate for GDS users who maintain more than one GDS to copy PNR’s between GDS systems but ticket in only one system?

No; PNR’s are not to be copied between GDS’s for any reason.

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What about automation systems that continually look for lower fares and seats? If a lower fare is found the system will cancel and rebook to the lower fare. Does this impact Delta’s costs?

We are aware of software programs that search for lower fares or alternative seats. This practice adversely impacts Delta’s costs and Delta will assess fees in such instances.

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If the passenger does not provide a full first name, is the PNR subject to cancellation?

Yes, GDS Users must use the passenger’s full first name. The use of initials in lieu of the passenger’s full first name will subject the PNR to scrutiny and ultimately cancellation.

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Can GDS users create a PNR with passive segments to issue a client itinerary or invoice?

No, creating a PNR with Passive Segments to issue a client itinerary or invoice is a violation of Delta’s Booking Policy and violations of this nature will result in violation fees discussed above. Please contact your GDS regarding non billable booking practices.

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What about reservations made for fares that require 24-hour ticketing and the passenger is not ready to purchase the ticket?

If the passenger is not ready to purchase before expiration of the 24-hour ticketing period, the PNR must be canceled. This releases the inventory for sale to other customers who are ready to make their ticket purchases. Holding inventory beyond the 24-hour ticketing period is a violation of Delta’s booking policies and directly harms the airlines and other customers by preventing the sale of these seats to customers who are ready to purchase.

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What if a passenger is unable to provide a final itinerary for their trip?

Passengers may hold a single reservation under the terms of the published fare rules (e.g. 24 hour ticketing rules). Passengers may not hold duplicate, overlapping space for the purpose of shopping or firming an itinerary (e.g. alternate city/flight/date/class of service).

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What is Churning? 

Churning refers to any repeated booking or canceling of the same itinerary in the same class or different classes of service across one or more passenger name records or GDSs including, without limitation, to circumvent or extend ticketing time limits, hold inventory or to meet GDS productivity requirements. DL exclude from churning calculations all activity generated the same date the initial booking for a segment was created. 

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Can a name be changed on an already booked PNR?

In general, Delta does not allow a name to be changed on an existing PNR. The PNR would need to be canceled and a new reservation made using the current availability. In instances where a name change is authorized, it should be done through Delta Sales Support or Delta Reservations.

Click here to view the Notice of Booking Policy Enforcement.

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Cost Recovery Fee & FAQs

Notice of Cost-Recovery Fee For Delta Bookings On Amadeus, Travelport/Galileo, Sabre and WorldSpan

To: All users of the Amadeus, Travelport/Galileo & Worldspan, and Sabre Global Distribution Systems (GDS), including, but not limited to, all Delta Air Lines appointed Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC) Accredited Travel Agencies, all Non-ARC Accredited Agencies and Travel Service Providers, all agency affiliates, travel service providers and corporations with a CTD designation, and all Non-Delta appointed Subscribers to or Users of the Amadeus, Travelport/Galileo & Worldspan, and Sabre GDS, located within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (all such users collectively referred to herein as the “GDS Users” and all such GDS's collectively referred to herein as the “Distribution Providers”).
From: Delta Air Lines, Inc.

Re: Cost Recovery Fee Effective August 1, 2007 

Effective August 1, 2007, Delta is implementing a Cost Recovery Fee for all GDS Users (as defined above) who choose to use higher cost Distribution Products of the Distribution Providers (as defined above) to make Delta bookings. These GDS Users will be required to share in Delta’s increased distribution costs for such use. Delta bookings include all bookings utilizing the “DL” designator code.

One of Delta’s objectives is to cost-effectively provide its content across all distribution channels to its travel agency partners and corporate customers so that they may use the vehicle of their choice to sell Delta. Travel agencies and other GDS Users using Delta’s ‘Preferred Booking Products’ will have access to Delta’s content and will be exempt from the Cost Recovery Fee.

Delta recognizes that some travel agencies and other GDS Users may elect to access Delta content through a product of a Distribution Provider that is not considered a Preferred Booking Product. These ‘Other Booking Products’ are more expensive to Delta and, as such, GDS Users who elect to use these channels to book Delta content will be assessed a Cost Recovery fee in order to help defray these higher costs. Also, at a later date, Delta may elect to withhold content from GDS Users using one or more of these Other Booking Products.

Outlined below are Delta’s new policies and procedures

1. Eligible Agencies and Travel Service Providers

These policies and procedures apply to all Delta bookings made on or after August 1, 2007 and originating by GDS Users located in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

2. Cost-Recovery Fee

The following fee is effective August 1, 2007 (last update November 5, 2007)

3. Invoicing and Settlement

A. Invoicing

a. Eligible Bookings. GDS Users will be invoiced based upon their net passenger segments (including billable passive segments) booked through an Other Booking Product, using the booking data provided to Delta by the applicable Distribution Provider. For example, if a GDS User uses the Other Booking Product of a Distribution Provider to create a 2-segment PNR for a single passenger to travel from ATL-LGA-ATL, this booking counts as two gross passenger segments. If the Travel Agency cancels the final flight segment (LGA-ATL), the Travel Agency would be charged only for creating one net booked passenger segment.

b. Billing Periods. Billing periods begin on the first calendar day of the month and end on the last calendar day of the month. Relevant periods for purposes of the Cost-Recovery fees are: the "transaction month" (i.e. the calendar month for which Cost-Recovery fees are being assessed); the "reporting month" (i.e. the calendar month following the transaction month) and the "collection month" (i.e. the calendar month during which settlement of the Cost-Recovery fees shall be due from the GDS User).

c. Process. Normally, invoices for Cost-Recovery fees resulting from the use of the Other Booking Product of a Distribution Provider will be provided to the GDS User within 30 days after the conclusion of the transaction month, generally on or about the last day of the reporting month. For example, the invoice for the August transaction month will be sent on or about the beginning of October.

B. Settlement

a. Payment Terms. The GDS User will have 30 days from the invoice date to make full payment to Delta.

b. Enforcement. If payment is not received within 30 days from the date of invoice, Delta will deduct the unpaid amount from any payments due from Delta to the GDS User, including any incentive or override payments. Additionally, failure to pay will constitute a violation of this Booking Rule. If Cost-Recovery fees from Delta Air Lines Appointed Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC) Accredited Travel Agencies remain unpaid or unresolved, Delta may (pursuant to the ARC Agent Reporting Agreement and this Booking Rule), upon written notice to the GDS User, immediately terminate the Delta appointment of such GDS User and/or any agency location of such GDS User. If Cost-Recovery fees from Non-Delta Appointed Subscribers. Non-ARC Accredited Agencies, or other GDS Users remain unpaid or unresolved, Delta may direct the Distribution Providers to turn off such GDS User’s ability to make Delta bookings. In addition, Delta may also pursue any other remedies available.

c. Credits and Exceptions. Credits may be issued only when Delta determines that a billing error has occurred. Credit memos will be issued to GDS Users and such credit memos may be remitted to pay all or a portion of the next invoice. No other exceptions are recognized.

C. Support

a. Invoices will include contact information for assistance with GDS User questions about billing details and potential billing errors.

4. Subscriber Acceptance

Each GDS User’s acceptance of and agreement to these new terms and conditions is a requirement for the continuation of such GDS User’s appointment as a Delta travel agent, and or continuation of such GDS User’s ability to make Delta bookings through the GDS, as the case may be.

The continued booking of Delta air transportation services and products will be deemed to constitute each GDS User’s acceptance of and agreement to these new terms and conditions, and each GDS User’s first Delta booking on or after August 1, 2007, shall constitute such acceptance and agreement.

Delta reserves the right to modify or amend any of the terms and conditions set forth herein at any time upon notice from Delta.

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Which GDS users are subject to the Cost Recovery Fee?

All users of the Amadeus, Travelport/Galileo & Worldspan, and Sabre Global Distribution Systems (GDS), including, but not limited to, all Delta Air Lines Appointed Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC) Accredited Travel Agencies, all Non-ARC Accredited Agencies and Travel Service Providers, all agency affiliates, travel service providers and corporations with a CTD designation, and all Non-Delta Appointed Subscribers to or Users of the Amadeus, Travelport/Galileo & Worldspan, and Sabre GDS, located within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (all such users collectively referred to herein as the “GDS Users.”

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Which GDS's are subject to the Cost Recovery Fee?

The GDS's are Amadeus, Travelport/Galileo & Worldspan, and Sabre (all such GDS's collectively referred to herein as the “Distribution Providers”).

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Is there a way for a GDS user to avoid the $3.50 per segment Cost Recovery Fee?

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If I pay the $3.50 per segment Cost Recovery Fee, does that mean that I will have access to Delta’s "full content"?

Delta reserves the right to withhold content from these 'Other Booking Products.

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How will my Cost Recovery Fee invoice be calculated?

The total Cost Recovery Fee invoice will be calculated by multiplying the number of net passenger segments booked by the GDS User through the Distribution Provider during the month by $3.50.

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How are "net segments" calculated?

Net segments are the sum of all segments (including billable passive segments) created during the billing period, less all segments canceled prior to the applicable flight departure.

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Does the Cost Recovery Fee apply to bookings in all fare classes?

Yes.

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Is the Cost Recovery Fee applied to booked or ticketed segments?

The fee applies to booked segments, regardless of whether the itinerary is ultimately ticketed.

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Does the Cost Recovery Fee apply to changes in itineraries?

Yes. The Cost Recovery Fee will apply to all net segments, whether through an originated or changed itinerary. If an agency books two segments, then cancels one, the Cost Recovery Fee charged to the agency would be based on one net segment. If the agent subsequently books two more segments, the Cost Recovery Fee charged to the agency would be based on three net booked segments.

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How will itineraries that are booked but never ticketed or canceled be treated?

The Cost Recovery Fee is based on bookings, not ticketed segments; therefore, the GDS User will be assessed a Cost Recovery Fee on such unticketed and non-canceled bookings.

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Will the Cost Recovery Fee apply to codeshare or interline itineraries?

Yes. The Distribution Provider charges Delta for any segments which contain Delta’s “DL” flight designator code; therefore, GDS Users will be assessed a Cost Recovery Fee on those segments.

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If a booking is made in August and canceled in September, does the agency receive a credit?

Yes. The booking made in August would be included in the number of net segments billed for the month of August, however, the cancellation in September would decrease the number of net segments billed for the month of September by the same amount.

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Questions?

For questions concerning the Delta Booking Policy or debit memos issued by Delta please submit questions by email to Bookingpolicy.dl@delta.com.

Click here to view the Notice of Booking Policy Enforcement

For questions concerning GDS booking entries please contact your GDS provider

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