Preventing Point of Commencement Violations: A Game-Changer in Corporate Travel
In the fast-paced Travel Management Company (TMC) world, compliance with airline regulations is a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of airline booking management. One particularly thorny issue is the rules around airline Point of Commencement (POC) violations - a breach of an airline's booking guidelines can result in hefty penalty charges to TMCs.
These airline rules, whilst hidden from corporate clients, play a large role in the daily lives of TMCs, and impact how frontline travel consultants sell and manage their customers’ airline bookings.
Global Travel Management Ltd has recently unveiled a groundbreaking product designed to prevent POC violations, thereby ensuring a smoother, more effective reservations process for airline bookings for our clients.
Understanding the POC Violation Problem
At its core, a POC violation occurs when a booking contravenes airline rules governing the point of origin of travel. They are designed to maintain pricing integrity.
For instance, flight sectors booked in a non-sequential manner may trigger a violation. Airlines are well within their rights to impose penalties, which can range from several hundred to thousands of pounds per incident PNR or ticket.
For TMCs, this creates a dual challenge: navigating a labyrinth of rules while protecting customers from the financial repercussions of violations. Failure to manage these intricacies can strain client relationships and damage a TMC’s reputation.
How POC Violations Occur
A prime example involves a passenger rebooking due to a change in travel plans. Imagine a passenger has an itinerary with an outbound flight from New York to London and a return flight from London to New York. If the passenger needs to change their travel dates and the rebooked flights are inadvertently processed in the wrong order - with the inbound flight (London to New York) ticketed before the outbound flight (New York to London) - this may result in a POC violation, depending on the airline’s specific rules. Such errors can be costly to TMCs and, potentially, disruptive, highlighting the need for rigorous compliance mechanisms.
The financial implications of these violations are compounded by their frequency. Airlines have sophisticated auditing systems to identify breaches, and as global business travel rebounds post-pandemic, the scrutiny on compliance has intensified. For companies managing hundreds or thousands of bookings monthly, the potential exposure is immense.
Global Travel Management’s Innovative Solution
Recognising the need for a proactive approach, Global Travel Management has developed a comprehensive process workflow to mitigate POC violations. Our solution leverages advanced technology and robust quality control measures to ensure bookings comply with airline guidelines from the outset.
Key features of Global Travel Management’s workflow include:
Automated Rule Checking The system cross-references airline-specific POC guidelines with booking details in real time. Any discrepancies are flagged before the ticket is issued, allowing travel bookers to make necessary adjustments.
Staff Training and Awareness Global Travel Management ensures its team is well-versed in the nuances of POC compliance. Regular training sessions keep staff updated on evolving airline policies, reducing the likelihood of human error.
Customer Education Beyond internal safeguards, Global Travel Management actively educates clients about the importance of POC compliance. By fostering awareness, businesses can make more informed decisions about their travel policies and booking practices.
Audit Trails and Reporting Comprehensive audit trails provide transparency and accountability, allowing both Global Travel Management and its clients to review bookings and identify areas for improvement.
Looking Ahead
The launch of GTM’s POC compliance workflow represents a significant milestone in the evolution of corporate travel management. As airlines continue to refine their audit policies and capabilities, the stakes for compliance will only grow higher. Our proactive approach not only addresses a pressing issue but also sets a new standard for the industry.
In an increasingly complex travel landscape, preventing POC violations is no longer a luxury - it’s a necessity. With this pioneering solution, we reaffirm our commitment to delivering value, innovation and peace of mind to our clients.
The result? A smarter, more efficient way to navigate the intricacies of global travel.
