Corporate Booking Tool Fares Explained

Selective Travel Management’s Online Booking Tool allows clients to take their bookings into their own hands. With our proprietary technology, users can search from thousands of travel providers to find the best rates and widest choice on multi-modal travel, making it a one-stop shop for all their business travel needs.

Clients who book online benefit from a range of factors including reduced transaction fees, 24/7 availability, instant bookings, and access on the go. Users have access to the same travel fares as our corporate bookers and a built-in price comparison system will ensure you are getting the most competitive rates available.

What fare types are available?

Negotiated

Negotiated fares are special, discounted rates that companies arrange with travel service providers (like airlines, hotels, or car rental companies) through agreements or contracts. These fares are more customised to the needs of the specific business, often including perks. These fares are typically not available to the general public but are tailored for specific organisations, allowing them to save on travel expenses.

Agency

Agency fares refer to special discounted rates offered by airlines, hotels, or car rental companies to Selective Travel Management, which are then passed on to our clients for cost savings. These fares are negotiated based on booking volumes and the strength of our supplier relationships. Agency fares are exclusive to Selective Travel Management and our clients. They are not available to the general public.

Published

Published fares refer to standard, publicly available rates set by airlines, hotels, car rental companies, and other travel service providers. These fares are openly accessible to anyone and are usually listed on the service providers' websites and GDS (Global Distribution System). While published fares are often more expensive, they tend to be more flexible when it comes to changes or cancellations.

Low Cost Airline

Low Cost Airline fares offer cheaper base prices by stripping out extras like luggage, meals, and seat selection, which are available for additional fees. While the upfront cost is low, the total price can rise once add-ons are included, and flexibility is often limited. These fares are available to the public on the airline’s website.

Where are our fares sourced from?

GDS

A Global Distribution System (GDS) is a centralised computer network used by travel agencies and corporate travel managers to access real-time availability, pricing, and booking for flights, hotels, car rentals, and other travel services.

Direct Connect

Direct Connect refers to a direct link between Selective Travel Management and a travel supplier, such as an airline or hotel. Instead of going through a third-party system like a GDS, we connect straight to the supplier’s reservation platform, usually through an API.

Aggregator

An Aggregator is a platform that pulls together travel content—such as fares and availability—from multiple sources, including GDS, direct connections, NDC channels, and even low cost airline fares. It presents this information in a single interface.

NDC

NDC, or New Distribution Capability, is a technology standard developed by IATA to modernise how airlines distribute content to travel agencies. Through NDC APIs, we can access richer, more personalised airline offers that may include dynamic pricing, bundled services, or ancillaries like seat upgrades. These offers often aren’t available through traditional GDS channels.

Why NDC is Important

NDC allows us to access exclusive content and richer fare options that are often not available through traditional GDS channels. Airlines are increasingly using NDC to offer tailored fares, dynamic pricing, bundled services (like seat selection, baggage, and meals), and personalised promotions. By using direct NDC connections, we can ensure our corporate clients are seeing the full breadth of available options, including cost-saving or value-added bundles.

NDC also offers greater control and flexibility. With direct API connections integrated into our Online Booking Tool, we can enable faster updates, real-time pricing, and a more seamless experience for corporate travellers. It also improves transparency around ancillary costs, helping businesses better manage travel spend.

Lastly, direct NDC connections can support future-proofing. As more airlines invest in and prioritise NDC distribution, we can provide a competitive edge in both technology and service quality. This technology enables us to respond faster to evolving airline offerings and align better with the expectations of modern corporate travellers.

If you would like more information on our Corporate Booking Tool or would like to arrange a demonstration, please contact us today.