How can you improve your GDS booking efficiency?

The only way to "improve" is to actually know the basics. Learn and practice the basic commands. The basic commands includes checking availability, seat selection according to number of travelers, insert name, insert ticketed time limit, insert email and phone number. There's an acronym to help easily master these basics - INPRT. Where I- itinerary, N - Name, P-Phone number/Email, R- Received From (The consultant making the booking), T-Ticketed time limit and then ER- End Reservation. Aside that, the basics also include being able to retrieve, modify, cancel, & fare a booking. Master airline codes, destination codes as well as the aviation phonetics. Also learn the basics of encoding and decoding cities, airlines, airports etc.

It's important to always stay informed about the latest prices, which is not provided by commands like FXD. Small details like break fares and one-way journeys can contribute to finding the best deals.

Enhance your GDS booking efficiency by establishing a strong foundation through understanding the basics: 1. System Navigation: Master the essential commands and navigation within the GDS platform to swiftly access information and functionalities. 2. Booking Procedures: Familiarize yourself with the standardized booking processes, ensuring accurate and efficient reservation handling. 3. Code Knowledge: Learn the key codes and abbreviations used in the GDS, facilitating quicker entry of commands and information. 4. Policy Understanding: Understand the policies and rules governing bookings within the GDS, minimizing errors and ensuring compliance.

> Learn keyboard shortcuts, macros, and search filters to navigate quickly and automate repetitive tasks. > Update your profile and preferences for a personalized experience. > Utilize data import/export features, pre-built templates, and booking automation tools to minimize manual input and streamline workflows.

1. Keyboard Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with GDS-specific keyboard shortcuts to execute commands swiftly and minimize manual input. 2. Macro Automation: Create macros for repetitive sequences of commands, automating tasks like fare searches or itinerary modifications for faster processing. 3. Command Scripting: Utilize scripting capabilities within the GDS to customize and automate complex booking processes, enhancing efficiency. 4. Personalized Shortcuts: Customize your own shortcuts for frequently used commands, tailoring the GDS interface to your workflow and preferences.

To be realistic, I see by 2025 lasted the end of GDS As Google Travel is live today, definitely a game changing is happening Sharing economy, friendly user interface, connecting directly to the hotels for direct Booking. Same business model for flights One stop shop travel.google.com for the final user. Predictive and real time pricings What else to expect from GDS to compete?

1. Continuous Learning: Regularly engage in training and educational opportunities to understand evolving industry standards, such as NDC and One Order. 2. Stay Informed: Follow industry publications, attend webinars, and participate in forums to stay updated on GDS developments, ensuring you leverage the latest features. 3. Adapt Processes: Modify booking processes in alignment with new standards like NDC and One Order, maximizing efficiency and taking advantage of enhanced functionalities. 4. Update Software: Ensure your GDS software is consistently updated to the latest version, incorporating improvements and features introduced by the provider.

Explore automation features within the GDS system or integrate third-party tools to automate repetitive tasks such as fare calculations, itinerary generation, and ticket issuance. This frees up time for more complex bookings and customer interactions. Keep your workspace tidy and organized to minimize distractions and maximize productivity. Use folders, labels, or color-coding techniques to categorize bookings and easily locate relevant information when needed.

Consider adopting dual-monitor setups or utilizing multiple windows within your GDS interface to efficiently compare and cross-reference information. Explore advanced search functionalities within the GDS to quickly filter and locate specific options. Regularly review and optimize your personal workflow within the GDS, identifying areas for improvement and efficiency gains. Collaborate with colleagues and industry peers to share tips and best practices, fostering a collective approach to improving GDS booking efficiency. Lastly, seek feedback from users and analyze booking data to identify patterns and areas for further enhancement in the booking process.

I would say Practice is the best way to learn. Everything else will come with time. You will learn what to avoid and what to do for the issues you will encountered, that were not mentioned in the books. One other advice in the topic is "visualisation". You need to visualise the whole process: from proposal of alternatives( another subadvice: have more than one alt.), to the ending and homecoming.