Australian carrier Qantas has today launched a new platform for travel management companies and travel agencies to access its NDC content.
TMCs can now register to access the Qantas Distribution Platform, however these companies must have an existing commercial agreement with the carrier as registered members of its Qantas Channel network and also be connected to one of its certified technology partners – including the like of Amadeus, Travelport, Sabre and Serko.
According to the carrier’s website, the platform is a “new option” to access Qantas NDC content, which houses “a sophisticated pricing and merchandising engine” to book and service flights and ancillaries. Agents will also receive direct access to a range of special offers, according to the carrier.
The new platform is currently available in 60 countries – including 27 in Europe, such as France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK – with more countries to be added “in the coming months”.
Itinerary capabilities within the portal are similar to those available via traditional EDIFACT channels however interline and multi-city bookings of up to eight segments are “coming soon” and are not currently available.
Lower pricing on Australian domestic and trans-Tasman fares are no longer available on EDIFACT channels and shopping capabilities have also been restricted. For example, the ability to shop by a Qantas Corporate Identifier or Frequent Flyer number is now only available via NDC channels, as is the ability to view the allowable commission level (if applicable) at the time of pricing.
Access to special offers, such as Frequent Flyer discounts, companion fare offers and additional discounts for members of its SME loyalty programme, Qantas Business Rewards, is now reserved for NDC-powered platforms, however the latter is ‘not delivered’ via the Qantas Distribution Platform. Instead, the carrier in late 2023 launched a dedicated travel management tool for SMEs, powered by Spotnana.
The carrier said on its website that the portal is “best suited for simple bookings”, with complex customer and system requirements “best supported” by its certified tech partners.