BOOKING VIOLATIONS - FAQS

Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about booking policy violations.

Booking Policy

  • Where is the Delta Booking Policy published?

    The Delta Booking Policy is available on WorldAgent Direct.

  • Does the enforcement of the Booking Policy apply to all GDS subscribers?

    Yes. The Booking Policy covers all GDS subscribers regardless of location. For Delta, enforcement will initially be focused on GDS bookings bookings made within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico , and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

  • Is there a way for a GDS user to avoid these fees?

    Yes. GDS users can ensure they are not engaging in any booking activities that violate the Delta Booking Policy available for viewing on the WorldAgent Direct website.

  • Are bookings made on Farelogix included in this policy?

    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.

  • 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.

  • How will the fees be calculated?

    Booking Policy Violations

    Fees

    Administrative Fees for Debit Memo Issued

    $50.00 administrative fee

    Inactive Segments

    $3.50 per passenger, per segment

    Passives

    $3.50 per passenger, per segment

    Duplicate Segments

    $10.00 per segment

    Fraudulent, Fictitious or Speculative Bookings

    $15.00 per segment

    Invalid Name Changes

    $15.00 per segment

    Churning

    $3.50 per segment

    Missing Secure Flight Passenger Data

    $50.00 per name per PNR
  • Does the Booking Policy and its enforcement apply to bookings in all fare classes?

    Yes.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • When did Delta begin assessing fees under this policy? 

    Delta began assessing fees on bookings made on or after June 1, 2008.

  • When did Delta begin assessing the revised fees under this policy?

    Delta began assessing the revised fees for Booking Policy violations incurred within all bookings on/after February 1, 2010.

  • What do I do if I have a question or wish to dispute a debit memo?           

    Debit Memos will be distributed through the ARC Memo Manager Productopens in a new window. This product contains the ability to question and/or dispute a debit memo in the website.

  • Does the Booking Policy and Enforcement apply to codeshare or interline itineraries?

    Yes. The policy applies to all segments which contain Delta’s “DL” or “DL*” flight designator code.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. Please contact your GDS regarding non billable booking practices.

  • What about reservations made for fares that require 24-hour ticketing and the passenger is not ready to 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.

  • 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).

  • 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 excludes from churning calculations all activity generated the same date the initial booking for a segment was created.

  • 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’s Global Service Center or Reservation Center.