NEW 01 September 2007
For those of you working in the hotel, tourism, hospitality related field, we are proud to present you a dictionary of terms used everyday in your field of work but that you may not fully understand.
We hope through this dictionary to narrow the communication gap at all levels - use it as much as you can, tell your boss, tell your employees, your colleagues, your subordinates, your business relations so that you all speak the same language.
You can go through the pages one by one or search the term you are looking for with the built-in search engine just below 3P Hospitality Resources Logo on the top left hand side of the screen.
A, a
A.CRS. 1. Availability; will display flights with seats available. 2. An arunk (qv) or surface segment of a trip. 3. American plan (qv). 4. Code for a class of service, usually superior.
a la carte. Fr. Literally, "from the menu." Indicates that each dish ordered will have a separate price. Also, used in tour literature to indicate a choice of dishes will be available.
AA. 1. American Airlines. 2. Alcoholics Anonymous.
AAA. American Automobile Association.
AAAE. American Association of Airport Executives.
AAD. CRS. Agent automated deduction.
AAR. Association of American Railroads.
AARP. American Association of Retired Persons.
AATTA. African-American Travel and Tourism Association.
ABA. American Bus Association.
abaft. adj. On a ship, behind. For example, "abaft the bridge."
ABC. 1. CRS. Advanced booking charters. 2. Slang. The islands of the Netherlands Antilles -- Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao.
abeam. Off to the side of a ship or at right angles to its length.
above board. On a cruise ship, cabins above water level.
ABTA. Association of British Travel Agents.
AC. 1. Abr. Alternating current. 2. CRS. Access card.
ACAP. Aviation Consumer Action Project.
a/c. Abr. 1. Air conditioned. 2. Additional collection.
acceleration clause. A provision in a promissory note (qv) calling for the immediate payment of the balance in the event of a default (qv) by the borrower.
access code. Password to gain entry into a computer or a computer file.
ACCL. American Canadian Caribbean Line.
accommodation. Any seat, berth, room, or service sold to a passenger.
accommodation ladder. A portable, external ladder on the side of a ship, used for shore or tender (qv) access.
accountable document. Any piece of paper that, when validated by a travel agency, has a monetary value and which must be accounted for to the ARC (qv).
accountable manual documents. Blank ARC (qv) ticket stock used to hand-write tickets.
accreditation. Approval given by various trade associations to a travel agency allowing the sale of tickets and other accommodations.
accrual method. An accounting system in which the recording of income and expenses is adjusted to reflect the time periods to which they apply, as opposed to the time monies were received or disbursed. See also cash method.
ACI. Assist Card International.
ACI-NA. Airports Council International, North America.
ACK. CRS. Acknowledge.
ACON. CRS. Air conditioned.
ACRA. American Car Rental Association.
acrophobia. Fear of heights.
act of God. A meteorological or seismic event over which a travel provider has no control and, hence, no legal responsibility. See also, force majeure.
ACTA. Alliance of Canadian Travel Associations.
ACTE. Association of Corporate Travel Executives.
actual flying time. Total time spent in the air, as opposed to scheduled flight time or time spent waiting on the ground.
ACV. Abr. Air cushioned vehicle. Hovercraft (qv).
AD. 1. CRS. Agent's discount. When followed by a number, indicates the percentage amount of the discount. For example: AD75 indicates a discount to travel agents of 75% off unrestricted coach fares. 2. Abr. Lat. Anno Domini, "year of our Lord."
ADA room. A hotel room that complies with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
ad hoc. Lat. Of tours, put together on a customized or one-time basis, usually from existing options.
ADB. CRS. 1. Advise if duplicate booking. 2. Air discount bulletin.
add/coll. Abr. Additional collection. add-on fare. Amount added to a gateway fare (qv) to arrive at a through fare (qv). Sometimes called a proportional fare.
add-on(s). Anything optional purchased by a passenger, as in tour arrangements.
adiabatic rate. Rule of thumb which holds that temperature decreases as altitude increases (3.5¡F per 1,000 ft.).
adjoining rooms. Hotel rooms which, while next to each other, have no connecting doors. See also connecting rooms.
ADNO. CRS. Advise if not okay.
ADOA. CRS. Advise on arrival.
ADR. CRS. Average daily rate.
ADS. Alternate distribution system.
ADT. Abr. Atlantic Daylight Time; Alaska Daylight Time.
ADTK. CRS. Advise if ticketed.
aduane. Customs.
ADV. CRS. Advise.
advertised tour. Specifically, a travel package meeting the airline requirements needed to be assigned an IT (inclusive tour) number.
advance purchase rate. Price for a product or service purchased or guaranteed a specified number of days prior to arrival or use.
ADVN. CRS. Advise as to names.
ADVR. CRS. Advise as to rate.
aerospace. Concerning the earth's atmosphere and its immediate environs, as in "Aerospace Museum."
AF. CRS. Added phone.
AFA. Association of Flight Attendants.
affinity card. A credit card marketed by a company, charity, or other group in association with the credit card company.
affinity charter. A charter (of an airplane, ship, etc.) arranged by or for an affinity group.
affinity group. A group of people linked by a common bond, such as ethnicity or membership in an organization.
affinity group airfare. A fare set aside specifically for affinity groups.
AFT. CRS. Actual flying time (qv).
aft. Toward the rear of a ship.
agency. 1. A legal relationship in which one person acts for another in a business dealing with a third party. 2. A travel agency.
Agency Agreement, The. The contract used by IATAN (qv) to govern its dealings with travel agencies.
agency check. A check drawn on the business account of a travel agency and bearing the agency's name.
agency list. The list maintained by ARC (qv) and IATAN (qv) of appointed travel agencies.
agency manager. The person in a travel agency who holds appointment from ARC (qv), IATA (qv), etc. The person who runs an agency's day-to-day affairs.
agent. 1. A person who represents another to a third party. 2. A travel agent.
agent bypass. The practice of suppliers dealing directly with the public See also agentless booking.
agent eligibility list. A list prepared by the travel agency and submitted to ARC (qv) or IATAN (qv) of agency employees eligible for travel benefits. Also referred to as "the ARC list."
Agent Reporting Agreement, The. The contract used by ARC (qv) to govern its dealings with travel agencies.
agent sine. CRS. An agent's two-letter personal identification code.
agentless booking. A booking made by a consumer using an automated system and bypassing a travel agent.
agoraphobia. Fear of open spaces or public places.
agritourism.
AGT. CRS. Agent. ahead. In front of the ship's bow.
AHMA. American Hotel and Motel Association.
air courier. A person who accompanies time-sensitive cargo being shipped as passengers' baggage, usually in exchange for a deep discount on the air fare.
air mile. A unit of distance measuring approximately 6,076 feet.
air piracy. The forcible appropriation or hijacking of an aircraft.
air rage. A phenomenon in which airline passengers become unruly or violent toward crew members or fellow travelers.
air taxi. An aircraft with a limited seating capacity (19 or fewer), operating within a limited range (250 miles).
air traffic controller. Person in the control tower of an airport charged with monitoring and directing the takeoff and landing of planes.
Air Travel Card. An airline-sponsored credit card, good for airline tickets only. Also known as the Universal Air Travel Plan Card.
air walls. Moveable panels used to subdivide a larger area, such as a hotel ballroom, into smaller rooms.
airdrome. Airport, now generally obsolete.
AIRIMP. CRS. ARC/IATAN reservations interline message procedures/passenger.
airline appointed agency.
airline codes.
airline designator.
airline plate. A metal plate given to travel agencies by airlines for the purpose of imprinting and thereby validating tickets. See also plates.
Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC). An autonomous corporation created by the domestic airlines. Appoints travel agencies to sell airline tickets and oversees the financial details of tracking payments to airlines and the disbursement of commissions to travel agencies.
airport access fee. The fee paid to an airport management by a car rental company for the privilege of operating its vans and buses on the airport grounds, usually passed on to the consumer.
airport codes. Three-letter codes used to uniquely identify all airports.
airport tax. A local tax imposed on air tickets and passed along to passengers, ostensibly used to fund airport maintenance, expansion, and similar expenditures.
airport transfer. Transportation provided by a tour operator to a passenger to/from an airport, usually to/from a hotel.
air/sea. Trips, tickets, or fares that include both air and sea components, as in a cruise package.
airsickness. Nausea or other discomfort caused by the motion of an aircraft.
airway. See jetway.
airworthy. Capable of being flown. Safe, of an aircraft.
aka. Abr. Also known as.
Alberta clipper.
alcove. A small section of a room, indented into the wall or otherwise set apart.
alfresco. It. In the open air, as in alfresco dining.
all inclusive. One price covers all listed elements of the package.
alleyway. A corridor or passage on a ship.
alliance fare. A round-the-world fare offered by a group of airlines (an "alliance"). See also construction fare.
all-in. Slang. All inclusive, as a tour.
allotment. The number of seats, cabins, berths, etc. available for sale by a supplier or agent.
all-suite. Adj. Describing a hotel in which all rooms have a separate living room and/or kitchen facilities.
all-terrain vehicle. A one- or two-person motorized vehicle with large wheels designed for recreational use on uneven ground or sand.
aloha. The Hawaiian word for both "hello" and "good-bye."
alongside. Describing a ship when next to a pier or another vessel.
ALPA. Airline Pilots Association. alphanumeric. Composed of both letters and numbers, as in a record locator number (qv).
alternate distribution system.
alternate restaurant. On a cruise ship, a restaurant at which the passenger must pay either the full cost of the meal or a service charge, as opposed to those dining rooms whose meals are included in the price of the cruise.
altiport. An airport or airstrip in a high, mountainous region.
altitude.
alumni rates. Fares reserved for passenger who have previously sailed with a cruise line.
a.m. Abr. Lat. Ante meridian. Morning; between midnight and noon.
Amadeus. A computerized reservations system (qv).
ambassador. The highest ranking diplomatic representative of one country to the government of another. The executive in charge of an embassy, typically located in the capitol city.
ambiance. n. The overall look and feel of a restaurant, hotel, destination, or the mood or atmosphere it creates.
amenities. The facilities and features of a property, usually a hotel.
American plan. A meal plan at a hotel or resort in which three meals a day are included in the price. Sometimes referred to as Full American Plan.
AMEX, AMEXCO. American Express.
amidships. Toward the middle of a ship; the imaginary line that runs down the center of a ship.
amphibious. Capable of operating on land as well as sea.
Amtrak. Trade name of the U. S. National Railroad Passenger Corporation.
amusement park. A recreational attraction featuring mechanical rides and other forms of active entertainment. See also theme park.
AN. CRS. Added name.
anchor ball. A black ball hoisted over a ship's bow to indicate that it is anchored.
Anglophone.
Anglosphere.
antebellum. Built or in existence prior to the American Civil War. Used primarily to describe historic buildings.
antipode.
antipodean day. The day gained by crossing the International Date Line (qv). Also, called meridian day.
AP. Abr. American plan (qv).
apartheid. The former racist policy of South Africa, mandating the rigid separation of peoples by race.
APEX. CRS. Advance purchase excursion fare.
APHIS. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Apollo. A computerized reservation system owned by United Airlines and the Covia Corp.
appointment. The process whereby an air carrier or other supplier certifies a travel agency to act as its agent.
apres-ski. Fr. Any activity that is scheduled after skiing.
APS.
APT. CRS. Airline passenger tariff.
aqueduct. A bridge-like structure, usually raised, designed to carry water or a canal.
arbiter, travel agent. An individual selected by a committee representing travel agents and air carriers and charged with the responsibility of settling disputes between travel agents and ARC (qv) and enforcing terms of the Agent Reporting Agreement (qv).
arbitrary fare. See add-on fare.
arbitration. A method of dispute resolution intended to avoid the high costs of legal action, typically conducted under rules established by the American Arbitration Association.
arbitration clause. A provision in a contract requiring any disputes between the parties involved to be submitted to arbitration, typically under rules established by the American Arbitration Association.
ARC. Airlines Reporting Corporation (qv).
ARC list. A list prepared by a travel agency and submitted to ARC (qv) or IATAN (qv) of agency employees eligible for travel benefits. Also referred to as "the agent eligibility list."
archipelago. A string of islands.
architectural bias. The tendency of a CRS (qv) to make it easier to find and book the flights of its sponsor by virtue of the way the system is designed.
archive. 1. v. To store in computerized form, as travel records. 2. n. A repository for documents or records.
area bank. See Area Settlement Plan.
Area Settlement Plan.
ARINC. An airline-owned corporation providing communications and other services to the airline industry. Originally called Aeronautical Radio, Inc.
ARNK. CRS. (Pronounced "arunk.") Arrival unknown. Used to indicate the land portion of an air itinerary. ARR. CRS. Arrival.
ARTA. Association of Retail Travel Agents.
articles of incorporation. The formal legal description of a business' activities required for registration by the state.
arunk. Pronunciation of the acronym, ARNK (qv).
AS. CRS. Added segment.
ASAP. Abr. As soon as possible.
ASC. CRS. Advising schedule change.
ASP. Abr. Area Settlement Plan.
asset. Any property, real (i.e. real estate), personal, or intellectual (e.g. a trademark or copyright), which has a cash value.
AST. Abr. 1. Atlantic Standard Time (qv). 2. Alaska Standard Time.
ASTA. American Society of Travel Agents.
ASTAPAC. ASTA Political Action Committee.
astern. Toward the back of a ship.
asylum. See political asylum.
AT. CRS. Travel to be via the Atlantic Ocean.
ATA. Air Transport Association.
ATB. Abr. Automated ticket/boarding pass. An electronically generated ticket which also includes the boarding pass.
ATC. Air Traffic Conference of America, the predecessor to ARC.
ATFDS. Abr. Automated ticket and fare determination system.
athwart. adj. At right angles to a ship's keel.
Atlantic Standard Time. A Canadian time zone. Also called Provincial Standard Time.
ATM. Automated teller machine.
ATME. Association of Travel Marketing Executives.
ATO. Abr. Airport ticket office.
atoll. A ring-shaped tropical island or coral reef with a lagoon in the middle.
ATP. Airline Tariff Publishing Company.
atrium. A large open space in a building, usually topped by a glass roof, sometimes containing elaborate landscaping and ponds. A popular style of hotel lobby.
ATV. Abr. All-terrain vehicle (qv).
ATW. Around the world.
au pair. Fr. A young person, usually foreign, hired to provide child care and household help in exchange for room, board, a modest salary, and a chance to learn a new language.
audit. 1. v. To examine financial or performance records. 2. n. Any such examination.
auditorium style. In a meeting, a configuration in which seats are arranged in rows, facing front, as in a theater
aurora australis. "The Southern Lights." A colorful geomagnetic and electric display visible near the South Pole.
aurora borealis. "The Northern Lights." The Northern hemisphere's equivalent of the aurora australis.
Australasia. The region including Australia, New Zealand, and the major South Pacific islands.
auto drop PNR. A passenger name record (PNR) that has been flagged for automatic queuing on a CRS.
Autobahn. A network of high-speed superhighways in Germany and other German speaking European countries.
automated reservation system. Computerized reservation system (qv).
avail. Slang. Availability.
availability. The current inventory of seats, rooms, cabins, etc that can be sold or reserved.
available rooms. In a hotel, the number of rooms actually available for use on a given day, eliminating rooms not available due to damage, repairs, and so forth.
available seat miles. One seat, occupied or not, moved one mile. Used as a measure of airline capacity.
average daily rate. Statistical unit used to measure a hotel's pricing scale. Figure derived by dividing actual daily revenue by the total number of available rooms (qv).
Aviation Trust Fund. A federal reserve of tax monies levied on airline tickets and operations and set aside to improve the U.S. air transportation system.
AVIH. CRS. Animal in hold.
AVS. CRS. Availability status messages.
AWOL. Abr. Absent without leave. Pronounced both as individual letters and as an acronym. Term used to indicate the unauthorized absence of a crew member, as on a cruise ship.
AX. CRS. American Express.
B, b
B&B. n. Bed and breakfast. Traditionally, a private home which takes in guests, with breakfast included in the price of lodging. B&Bs can range from modest homes with one spare room to elaborately restored historic houses with luxury prices. Used increasingly to describe any lodging arrangement that includes breakfast, even in a hotel.
BA. CRS. BankAmericard.
back of the house. Support and service areas usually not seen by guests of a hotel or theme park.
back office. adj. Describing business activities, such as accounting, that typically take place out of the view of customers.
back to back. Sequential booking of two different tours, so that the traveler has a continuous journey. Also used to describe arrangements in which one group arrives as another departs.
back to back ticketing. A strategy used to reduce the cost of a round trip involving no Saturday stay when the cost of two excursions is less than the cost of one unrestricted fare. For example, if a traveler wants to fly from New York to Denver on Monday and return Thursday, he would purchase two excursions, one from New York to Denver beginning on the Monday and the other from Denver to New York departing on the Thursday. The traveler then uses only the outbound portion of each excursion. The itinerary can be designed in such a way that the return portions of each excursion can be used on another trip. A technically illegal practice discouraged by the airlines. Also called "nested excursions."
backhaul. 1. The movement of an airliner, or other vehicle, from a destination to the point of origin. 2. The shipment of cargo on a returning vehicle.
backwash. 1. A disturbance of the water caused by a ship's propellers turning in reverse. 2. The turbulence caused by the exhaust of a jet plane.
Baedecker.
baggage. All of a passenger's or traveler's personal belongings, whether checked or unchecked. See also checked baggage and unchecked baggage.
baggage check. The claim check (qv) or receipt, usually numbered, issued to a passenger for his or her luggage.
baggage claim. The area at an airport or other terminal where passengers retrieve their checked luggage.
bagonize. Slang. To wait in agony at the airport luggage carousel for your luggage to appear.
bait and switch. An illegal sales tactic in which a consumer is lured by a low price only to be told that the "special offer" is no longer available and steered to a higher priced product.
baksheesh. Arabic. Literally, "gift." A constant refrain of street beggars, the word is also used to refer to "gifts" or bribes paid to facilitate business.
balance sheet. A financial report detailing a company's assets and liabilities as of a specific date.
balcony. An open-air space or platform off a room. The uppermost level of a theater.
ballast. Any weight placed in a ship's hold, or other special compartment, to increase stability or reduce motion. Weight used in a hot air balloon to control altitude.
bank rate. The official rate at which currency trades between banks. Usually more favorable that the rate that can be obtained by the traveler from the bank.
Bank Settlement Plan.
bankruptcy. A legal proceeding in which a company seeks protection from its creditors while it either reorganizes in the hope of surviving or liquidates its assets. Thus, a bankrupt company may or may not still be conducting business.
banquet event order. A document providing complete and precise instructions to a hotel for the running of a banquet, meeting, or other event to be held in the hotel. Also called a function sheet.
banqueting room. A room, typically at a hotel, available for rent for a public function at which food may or may not be served.
bar. 1. A retail establishment or a counter in a restaurant which sells or dispenses alcohol. 2. In navigation, a sandbar.
bareboat charter. A charter of a boat or yacht which does not include supplies or crew.
barge. A low draft (qv) vessel, often towed or pushed, used to transport cargo. A vessel designed for use on inland waterways and canals.
barge cruising. Pleasure cruises along canal systems, using converted commercial barges or new vessels built to resemble them.
barometer. A instrument which measures air pressure. Used to forecast weather.
barometric pressure. The density of the atmosphere, which varies according to altitude and weather conditions.
barrier island. A narrow strip of land lying just offshore that protects the main coastline from high waves.
barrier reef. A line of coral that protects the main shore line, usually of an island, from high waves.
barter. Buying and selling without the exchange of money. Purchasing by means of the exchange of goods or services. Typically, airlines will exchange airline seats for goods or services rendered by various suppliers.
base fare. The fare, as of an airline ticket, before tax has been added. Commissions are calculated on the base fare.
basis two. Another term for double occupancy.
bassinet. A small, portable crib for an infant.
batch mode. A computer operation in which a specific task, ticketing, for example, is performed on a group of records.
BB. CRS. Buffet breakfast.
BBML. CRS. Baby meal.
BBR. CRS. Bank buying rate.
BCHFT. CRS. Beachfront.
beam. A measurement of a ship's width at its widest point. bearing. The compass direction in which a vessel is traveling.
Beaufort Scale. A scientific scale from zero to seventeen measuring wind force.
bed and breakfast. See B&B.
bed night. In the hotel industry, a measurement of occupancy. One person for one night.
bedienung. Ger. Gratuity included.
bedroom. A railway compartment for two, with toilet and sink.
beeper. A paging device which alerts the user that a telephone message has been received.
bell captain. The person in charge of a shift of a hotel's bellhops (qv).
bellhop. In a hotel, the person who carries a guest's luggage to or from the room and performs sundry other services. The term, short for "bell-hopper," derives from the bell used in hotels to summon someone to carry a guest's luggage.
bellman and bellstaff. See "bellhop."
below. n. On a ship, any area underneath the main deck.
benchmarking. The practice of studying the methods of an acknowledged leader in an industry as a way of setting standards for one's own operation.
Benelux. Nickname for the area comprised by Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.
BEO. Abr. Banquet event order (qv).
bereavement fare. A lower airline fare offered to those traveling due to a death or illness in their immediate family.
Bermuda Plan. A hotel arrangement which includes a full breakfast with the room rate.
Bermuda Triangle. A triangular area of the Atlantic whose apices are Bermuda, Miami, and the Lesser Antilles. Reputed to be the site of numerous mysterious disappearances of planes and ships.
berth. 1. A bed on a ship, usually attached to the bulkhead (qv). 2. By extension, a passenger's stateroom. 3. The space on a dock at which a ship or boat is moored. See also slip.
beyond rights. See freedom rights.
BG. Abr. Business group.
BHC. CRS. Backhaul check (qv).
BIC.
bicentenary. The 200th anniversary.
bidet. A porcelain bathroom fixture, common in European hotels, designed to bathe a woman's external genitalia and for douching.
BIKE. CRS. Bicycle.
bike lane.
bikeway.
bilateral agreement. A treaty or other agreement, usually between sovereign nations, detailing their mutual understanding, policies, and obligations on a particular matter, such as trade or airline landing rights.
bilge. The bottommost part of a ship's interior. In seaman's slang, worthless talk.
bilingual. Written in or speaking two languages.
bill of fare. A menu.
bimini.
binnacle. On a ship, the holder for the compass.
biodegradable. Capable of being broken down into its constituent elements by natural processes. Used to describe "environmentally friendly" products.
biodiversity.
biorhythms. The natural cycles of the human body, said to vary from person to person and to be affected by travel. See also jet lag.
bioterrorism.
bird dog. n. A person who drums up or brings in business for a travel agency.
birdcage. Slang. Air traffic control term for the airspace in the immediate vicinity of an airport.
bistro. Fr. A small restaurant, featuring simple fare, sometimes with entertainment.
black market. Illegal trade, commerce, or currency exchange which evades taxes, governmental oversight, or both.
black-water rafting.
blacked out. Not available. See also blackout dates.
blackout dates, blackout periods. Dates on which tickets or certain fares are not available. Blackout dates usually coincide with holidays and peak travel seasons.
BLCY. CRS. Balcony (qv).
blimp. A lighter-than-air airship. Used primarily as an advertising vehicle or a camera platform for sporting events; occasionally used for tourist excursions.
BLND. CRS. Passenger is blind.
block(ed) space. n. Seats, berths, or rooms set aside for group sale. Also, v., to reserve such space.
board. 1. To get on a plane, train, or ship. 2. Meals, as in a hotel stay.
board of directors setup. Configuration of a meeting room in which chairs are placed around rectangular or oval conference tables.
boarding pass. A ticket-like form or stub, usually containing a seat assignment, issued to a boarding passenger. Serves as an additional check in the boarding process.
boat bite.
boat deck. The deck on a cruise ship on which the lifeboats are located.
boat station. A ship's passenger's assigned space during lifeboat drills or an actual emergency.
boatel. Combining "boat" and "hotel." A motel for boaters.
bodega. Sp. A wine cellar. By extension, a winery. In some Spanish speaking countries, a bar or grocery store.
bon voyage. Fr. Literally, "good voyage." The traditional farewell for those departing by ship.
bond. A sum of money held in escrow to assure full payment or to indemnify a party against financial loss. An insurance agreement that accomplishes the same ends.
bonded. Protected or guaranteed by a bond.
bonnet. Brit. The hood of a car.
booking. A reservation. booking code. The code used to make a booking on a CRS (qv) for a specific fare. Also called a fare code (qv).
booking fee. The charge levied by a CRS on a supplier for handling a reservation.
boot. Brit. The trunk of a car.
booth. An exhibit area at a trade show. A covered-over stall in a market.
bottom line. The net profit or result in a transaction. By extension, the final word or the outcome.
boutique hotel. A small property, typically offering an enhanced level of service and marketed to the affluent.
boutique operation. Any business venture that seeks to provide an enhanced level of service, at a premium price, to a select clientele.
bow. The front of a ship.
BP. CRS. Breakfast plan or Bermuda Plan (qv).
BPR. CRS. Boarding Pass Reserved or Boarding Pre-Reserved. A boarding pass with seating assignment arranged at the time of booking.
brasserie. Fr. A restaurant serving hearty fare, usually with a liquor and coffee bar.
breakage. A budget line item for items that will be broken and have to be replaced during a specific time period, for example glasses in a restaurant.
breakdown. The process of clearing and cleaning a meeting room, as in a hotel, after a function.
break-even point. The dollar figure at which an enterprise begins to show a profit. The amount of sales that must be reached for a project to become worthwhile.
break-out room. A smaller room, near a larger meeting room, for use when a larger group breaks into sections.
brewpub. A bar or restaurant that brews its own beer and ale on the premises.
bridge. On a ship, the navigational center. Where the captain stands.
bridge officers. On a cruise ship, the personnel charged with the navigation of the ship.
briefing. An informational talk, usually given to those with a professional need to know the information being dispensed.
briefing tour. A tour, usually for travel agents and other industry personnel, intended to acquaint them with a new destination or new procedures.
brioche. Fr. A type of breakfast roll.
Brit. Slang. A Briton. A citizen of the British Isles.
Britannia. The mythical female personification of Britain.
BritRail. British Railways.
brochure. Any piece of promotional literature.
brown bagging. Bringing one's own food. In a restaurant, bringing wine or liquor when the restaurant is not licensed to serve alcohol.
browser. A software program enabling users to navigate the World Wide Web and the Internet.
BSI. CRS. Basic Sine In.
BSO. CRS. Basic Sine Out.
BSP. CRS. Bank Settlement Plan. See Area Settlement Plan.
BTD. Business Travel Department, usually of a large corporation.
BTH. CRS. Bath.
BTS. Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
bubble car. A train car with a domed plexiglass top for sightseeing. Also called a dome car (qv).
bucket shop. Brit. slang. A consolidator (qv). Any retail outlet dealing in discounted airfares.
budget. 1. adj. Accommodations, tours, restaurants, etc. which are low in price and appeal to the frugal traveler. 2. n. A written plan outlining limits on expenditures. 3. v. To cost out an itinerary or trip.
budget fare. Any of a number of heavily restricted airline fares offering a substantial discount off the normal fare (qv).
buffer zone. 1. A demilitarized zone between two countries, intended to decrease the likelihood of hostilities. 2. An imaginary area extending 225 miles north and south of the United States border. Flights within this area are subject to US tax.
buffet. A serve-yourself meal featuring several choices in each course.
bug. A defect or malfunction in a computer program. By extension, any glitch in a system.
Buginese schooner. A two-masted sailing vessel or schooner of Indonesian design, accommodating 12 to 18 passengers, used by some soft-adventure tour operators.
bulk contract. An agreement whereby an airline sells large blocks of seats at a discount for resale by a third party.
bulk fare. A fare available only when buying blocks of seats.
bulk mail. A US Post Office category of presorted third-class mail mailed at a special low rate.
bulkhead. The walls on a ship or airplane, dividing the vessel into sections or compartments.
bulkhead seats. On an airplane, the seats immediately aft (qv) of a bulkhead, usually with limited legroom.
bullet train.
bumping. The practice of denying seats, usually on an airline, to ticketed passengers due to overbooking or in favor of other passengers with a higher priority.
bundling. The practice of combining a number of different products or services for sale at a single price.
bungaloft.
bungalow. A cottage. A small house. In hotels, a room or suite that is a separate building.
bunker. On a ship, a storage place for fuel.
buoy. A floating navigational marker, used to mark channels or warn of danger.
burg. Ger. suffix. A fortified place. A medieval city.
burgher. A resident of a town. A solid citizen.
burgomaster. In several European countries, a mayor or chief magistrate of a town.
burro. A small pack animal, a donkey.
bush, the bush. Wild, unsettled land; by extension, any rural locale. Frequently used in Australia and other former colonial countries to indicate "the country" as opposed to "the city."
bus. 1. n. A multi-seated vehicle used for inter- and intracity transportation. Sometimes called a "motorcoach," especially when specially designed for carrying tourists. 2. v. To transport by bus. 3. v. To clear tables, as in a restaurant.
busboy. A low-level restaurant employee who clears tables, serves water, etc. Sometimes "busman" or "busperson."
Bushman. 1. A member of a nomadic tribe in Southern Africa. 2. In Australia, one who lives in "the bush," the rural areas of the country.
business class. A relatively new class of airline service, positioned in marketing as between first-class and coach. Designed to appeal to the business traveler. The amenities provided in business class vary from carrier to carrier.
business mix. In a travel agency, the percentage of corporate to leisure travel booked.
bust-out, bust-out operation. A scheme in which an ARC-appointed agency sells large numbers of airline tickets in a short period but does not deposit the funds with ARC. The agency then goes out of business and the owners abscond with the funds.
buy forward. Enter into a forward transaction (qv).
buyback agreement. In the rental car industry, a practice in which automobile companies repurchase their cars at a set price after a negotiated period of time.
buyer's market. An economic condition in which supply exceeds demand, resulting in very favorable prices for buyers.
buyer's remorse. A tendency to have second thoughts about a purchase, which often leads to cancelling the sale.
buying market share. A practice in which a company offers goods or services at extremely low prices or at a loss to attract large numbers of customers, in the expectation that many of these customers will remain loyal even when prices move upwards in the future.
BVI. British Virgin Islands.
BWI. British West Indies. Sometimes pronounced "BeeWee."
bypass. 1. A route that goes around a city or other congested area. 2. v. To skip or avoid a destination on a trip. 3. The practice of marketing or selling direct to the public, without travel agents. See also agent bypass.
C, c
C. Abr. Celsius. See Celsius scale.
CAA. Civil Aeronautics Authority.
CAB. Civil Aeronautics Board. Absorbed into the DOT (Department of Transportation) in 1985.
cab. 1. A taxi (qv). 2. The driver's compartment of a vehicle.
cabana. Sp. 1. A hotel room which is a separate building, typically near the beach or a pool. 2. A private changing room near a hotel beach or pool.
cabaret. 1. A type of entertainment performed in a club or restaurant, usually small-scale featuring singing and/or comedy sketches. 2. A club or restaurant offering such entertainment.
cabin. 1. The passenger compartment of an airplane. 2. A ship's stateroom. 3. A rustic hotel room separate from the main building.
cabin attendant. 1. A flight attendant (qv). 2. A cabin steward (qv).
cabin steward. A ship's employee responsible for cleaning staterooms.
cable. 1. The heavy metal anchor chain on a ship. 2. Any thick rope used aboard a ship. 3. A text message sent by wire. A telegram.
cable car. 1. A trolley operated by underground cables. 2. An aerial tramway.
cable length. On ships, a distance of 600 feet (100 fathoms).
cablegram. An overseas telegram, specifically one transmitted by undersea cables.
cabotage. 1. Trade between two points in a country, usually prohibited to carriers of another nation. 2. The right to engage in such trade. See also freedom rights.
cabriolet. A one-seat, horse-drawn carriage.
cache. 1. A hiding place for supplies, as on a hiking trip, or any supplies so hidden. 2. Supplies suspended in the air to prevent animals from getting to them.
cachet. Fr. adj. Possessed of charm, allure, or attraction. Enjoying a good reputation.
caddy. A person who carries a golfer's clubs.
cafe. 1. Fr. and Sp. Coffee. 2. A small restaurant serving coffee. Sometimes with outdoor seating, as in "sidewalk cafe."
cafe au lait. Fr. Coffee with milk.
cafe noir. Fr. Black coffee.
CAI. Computer-assisted instruction.
call brand. Any brand of liquor that a customer must ask for by name in a restaurant; as opposed to more generic, less expensive house brands (qv).
call sign. A code identifying a ship's radio.
cambio. Sp. Literally, "change." By extension, a currency exchange bureau.
canal. An artificial inland waterway originally built to connect one body of water with another and allow commercial barge traffic. Now also used for recreational purposes.
canal barge. A vessel designed to carry freight on a canal, now often converted to passenger use for leisure cruising.
cancel. 1. To void, as a reservation. 2. To indicate an item has been processed, as a check.
cancellation clause. In a contract, a provision which allows for cancellation by one of the parties, usually upon payment of a penalty.
cancellation penalty. An amount deducted by a supplier from a refund of prepaid funds when a reservation is cancelled.
canoe. 1. n. A slender oared vessel of Native American origin. 2. v. To travel by or navigate a canoe.
canton. An administrative district in Switzerland or France.
capacity controlled. With limited space or seating at a specific price.
capacity dumping. The airline strategy of adding additional flights to a route in an attempt to drive a competitor out of business or off the route.
capital. The seat of government of a state, province, or country.
capitol. 1. A building housing and symbolizing a seat of government. 2. The decorative portion surmounting a column.
caps. See commission cap.
capstan. A device used aboard ships for winding ropes used in lifting cargo and other heavy weights.
capsule hotel. A Japanese lodging featuring small, coffin-like sleeping compartments. Often found near railway stations and usually accepting men only. Pronounced "capseru hoteru" in Japanese.
captain. 1. The commanding officer on a ship. 2. The pilot of an airplane.
car class. The specific size, style, and rental price of a rental car.
car ferry. A ship transporting automobiles and passengers.
car for hire. Brit. A rental car.
caravan. 1. Brit. A mobile home or van. 2. A group traveling together. Typically, Arab merchants and their camels. 3. By extension, a convoy of vehicles traveling together, especially military vehicles.
card mill. Derogatory term for a travel agency that recruits outside salespeople with the lure of instant travel benefits said to be obtainable with the photo ID card the agency issues.
card-not-present transaction. Payment with a credit card when the customer and merchant are not in the same physical location, such as by mail, fax, or through a web site.
carfare. 1. Money given, as to an employee, to cover the cost of local transportation. 2. The fare charged on a municipal transportation system.
cargo. Freight carried by a ship or airplane.
cargo liner. A ship which transports freight. See also freighter.
carhop. A waiter or waitress at a drive-in restaurant, where people eat in their cars.
Caribbean Basin Initiative. A U.S. government program established in 1983 to promote economic growth in the region through lower tariffs.
carnet. A customs document authorizing the transport of a car or other motor vehicle from one country to another.
carnival. 1. U.S. A traveling show featuring rides, games of chance, and displays of oddities. 2. A celebration preceding Lent, celebrated most prominently in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro. 3. By extension, any large party-like outdoor celebration.
carousel. 1. A circular amusement park ride, typically with wooden horses which go up and down. 2. A mechanized device at airports to which passenger baggage is delivered and on which it is displayed while awaiting pickup.
carrier. Any company which transports passengers or freight.
carrying capacity. The maximum number of people a destination can accommodate without endangering the ecology or the supporting infrastructure.
carry-on. A piece of luggage designed to be taken aboard an airplane and fit into the space allotted for such luggage.
carry-on baggage or luggage. Baggage which is carried aboard an airplane by the passenger, as opposed to being checked and carried in the hold.
cartographer. A person who creates maps.
cartography. The art and science of map-making.
CAS. Abr. Computer-assisted selling.
casbah. Traditionally, the old (or "native") quarter of a North African city.
cash advance. An amount given to an employee prior to a trip to cover anticipated cash outlays.
cash bar. An arrangement at a party where guests must pay for their drinks.
cash method. An accounting system in which income and expenses are recorded at the actual time received or disbursed. See also accrual method.
cash stipend. An amount paid by some educational tour operators to tour organizers as compensation for signing up passengers over and above those needed to qualify for a free ticket for the organizer.
cashless cruising. A system in which all purchases made on a cruise ship are signed for, with the bill presented for payment, by cash or credit card, at the end of the cruise.
casino. A gambling establishment offering a variety of gaming choices.
castaway. A person who has been shipwrecked.
casual courier. A person serving as an air courier (qv) on a one-time basis.
category. On a cruise ship, a class of cabin or fare level.
caveat emptor. Lat. Literally, let the buyer beware.
cay. A small island. A term used primarily in the Caribbean and pronounced "key."
CBBG. CRS. Cabin baggage.
CBI. Abr. Computer-based instruction.
CBN. CRS. Cabin (qv).
CCAR. CRS. Compact car.
CCRN. CRS. Credit card return notice.
CCS. CRS. Change segment status.
CCTE. Abr. Certified Corporate Travel Executive.
CCTV. Closed circuit television.
CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CD-ROM. Abr. Compact disc, read-only memory. A high-density storage medium for computer programs and data.
CDT. Central Daylight Time.
CDW. Collision Damage Waiver (qv).
ceiling. 1. The altitude of the lowest clouds. 2. The upper limit of operation of an aircraft. 3. By extension, any limit, as on expenditures.
Celsius scale. The metric scale for measuring temperature in which zero is the freezing point of water and 100 is the boiling point. Used in most countries of the world instead of the Fahrenheit scale (qv).
central reservation office. Location at which reservations are taken for a chain or group of hotels, car rental agencies, etc.
centralization. The process of consolidating certain types of activities or decision making in one place, as opposed to spreading them across corporate divisions or geographical locations.
centralized billing. A system in which a travel agent sends a single bill for travel by several or many people, as when a corporation is billed once for travel by all its employees.
centralized commissions. A system in which a supplier such as a hotel chain sends commission payments from a central office, rather than having individual properties pay commissions separately.
centralized payment plan. See centralized commissions.
CEO. Chief Executive Officer.
certification. A document attesting that a person or organization meets minimum standards or qualifications in a specified area. Usually issued by an organization with recognized expertise in the area.
certified mail. A premium category of mail delivery which provides proof of receipt by the addressee. Notifications required by contract are often sent certified mail, as are airline tickets.
Certified Niche Specialist (CNS). One who has taken a course in the areas of either Mature Adult, Family, or Special Interest Travel administered by the American Society of Travel Agents.
Certified Travel Counselor (CTC). One who has passed a series of rigorous tests of professional competency administered by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents.
CFCs. Chlorofluorocarbons, chemical compounds found in aerosol spray cans, refrigerators, air conditioners, and styrofoam cups among other products. In their gaseous forms they are said to be responsible for the depletion of the ozone layer (qv).
CFMD. CRS. Confirmed.
CFO. Chief Financial Officer.
CFY. CRS. Clarify.
CH. 1. CRS. Child. 2. Abr. Charter.
CHA. Caribbean Hotel Association.
chain. 1. A group of hotels, or other businesses, sharing a common name and ownership. 2. A group of islands.
chair. 1. n. The gender-neutral version of "chairman." The head of a committee or similar group. 2. v. To head such a group.
chair lift. A motor-driven cable from which hang chair-like seats for passengers. Typically found at ski resorts and used to transport people up steep inclines.
chalet. 1. A style of house associated with the ski regions of Europe. 2. By extension, any accommodation at a ski or mountain resort, especially if detached from the main building.
Chamber of Commerce. An association of businesses in a city, region, or state, devoted in part to promoting the business interests of its members. Chambers of commerce are often active in promoting tourism to their areas.
chambermaid.c In hotels, a woman who cleans the rooms.
change of equipment. A change of aircraft that occurs without a change in the flight number.
change of gauge. See change of equipment.
channel. 1. A designated passage in a harbor, often dredged to allow safe passage of ships. Any navigable ship route. 2. A relatively narrow sea lane between two land masses.
channel-based pricing. A system in which the amount charged for a product or service differs according to the means of delivery. For example, a CRS company might charge airlines a lower per-segment fee to encourage use of a specific electronic booking tool.
charge d'affaires. Fr. A diplomatic rank below ambassador but accredited to the host government. The charge d'affaires often handles embassy business in the ambassador's absence.
chargeback. An amount of money deducted from monies otherwise due a merchant from a credit card company to cover the amount of disallowed charges.
chart. 1. n. A "map" of coastal or open waters, showing depths and hazards, used for navigation. 2. v. To plan, as to chart a course. 3. n. A graphical display of information or statistics.
charter. 1. v. To lease an aircraft or other mode of transport for the use of a group. 2. n. Any craft so used or any trip taken by such means. 3. n. A written document setting forth the governing principles of a group or organization.
chateau. A palatial European residence, sometimes remodeled as a hotel. Sometimes used of a hotel that is built in such a style.
chauffeur. A hired driver, usually of a limousine.
CHD. CRS. Child.
check. v. To place in the care of another, usually a carrier (qv), for retrieval at a later time upon presentation of a receipt, as in "to check luggage."
checked baggage. Baggage which a traveler has given over to the care of the carrier or other responsible party. An important distinction when liability for loss or damage is to be determined. See also unchecked baggage.
checker. 1. A person who receives baggage, coats, or other items to be checked. 2. Cap. A roomy make of New York taxicab, now obsolete.
check-in. A procedure whereby a hotel guest or airline passenger is registered as having arrived. Check-in may require the presentation of payment, reservations, or other documentation or identification.
check-in time. 1. In hotels, the earliest time at which a room will be available. 2. At airline terminals, the latest time at which a passenger may arrive for the flight without risk of losing his seat.
check-out. A procedure whereby a hotel guest formally leaves the hotel and settles his or her bill.
check-out time. In hotels, the latest time a guest may leave without being charged for another night's lodging.
checkpoint. A place on a road or at a terminal at which vehicles or people are stopped for inspection.
chevron setup. In a meeting, an arrangement in which chairs are aligned in a "V" along a central aisle.
child. In the travel industry, a designation used to determine fares and other rates. The precise definition varies from carrier to carrier and hotel to hotel. Generally, a "child" is at least two years old, as opposed to an "infant" (qv) who is younger. The upper limit can be anywhere from 11 to 18 years of age.
chit. A piece of paper or voucher (qv) which can be exchanged for food, drink, or other amenities. A raincheck (qv).
CHNG. CRS. Change.
CHNT. CRS. Change name to.
CHRIE. Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education.
Christian name. Brit. First name, of a person.
chronological order. Arranged in sequence by time of occurrence.
chronology. A list of events in their order of occurrence.
chronometer. Any instrument that measures time. A watch.
CHTR. CRS. Charter (qv).
Chunnel. Slang. Nickname for the railway tunnel beneath the English Channel linking Britain and France.
churning. The practice of repeatedly making the same booking in a CRS to avoid the 24-hour ticketing deadline.
ciao. It. Word for both hello and good-bye.
CIEE. Council on International Educational Exchange.
Cinco de Mayo. Sp. Fifth of May, Mexican independence day.
circle trip. Any trip that involves more than one destination, returning to the point of departure, as opposed to a "round trip" (qv).
circle trip minimum. The lowest allowable fare for a circle trip, which cannot be less than any round trip fare between any two cities on the itinerary.
circumnavigate. To sail around, as an island or the world.
CIS. Confederation of Independent States (qv).
citadel. A fort in a city used for the city's defense.
CITC. Canadian Institute of Travel Counselors.
city codes. Three-letter codes used to uniquely identify cities and/or their airports.
city pair. In airline bookings, the departure and arrival cities on an itinerary. The number of city pairs served by an airline is sometimes used as a measure of its size.
city terminal. See city ticket office.
city ticket office. An airline sales and ticketing office located anywhere other than the airport.
city-wide. n. In the meetings industry, a convention or event so large that it will use many hotels and multiple venues. Also use as an adjective.
civil aviation. Any flight activity conducted by the private sector, as opposed to military aviation.
civil law. The law regulating non-criminal activities between and among individuals and corporations.
claim check. The receipt or stub, usually numbered, issued to a passenger for his or her luggage.
claim PNR booking. A booking that occurs when a travel agency issues a ticket for a reservation made by the passenger and entered into the CRS by the airline reservationist.
Class I to VI. A classification system used to rate the difficulty of rapids in whitewater rafting (qv). The higher the Roman numeral, the more difficult it is to negotiate the rapid.
class of service. 1. The level of amenities provided in a travel product. 2. A semi-arbitrary division determined by the fare paid, as in the multiple "classes" offered in coach by an airline. 3. An alphanumerical code indicating either (1) or (2), above.
clearance. 1. Permission, as for an airplane to take off. 2. The height of a bridge or overpass. 3. The distance between the highest point on a vessel and a bridge.
CLIA. Cruise Lines International Association.
client. A term used for a customer, usually to indicate an on-going relationship.
climate. The prevailing weather conditions in a geographical region.
close. 1. v. To finalize or complete a sale. 2. v. To ask a closing question (qv). 3. n. Brit. A dead-end street.
closed dates. Dates on which travel or hotel rooms are unavailable due to prior sale or booking.
closing question. Any question that requires the client to make a commitment or decision that leads them closer to making a purchase.
club car. A car on a train serving liquor and refreshments.
club floor. In a hotel, a separate floor providing a higher level of service and security for a premium price. Also called Concierge Floor or Level clustering. In the hotel industry, a business strategy in which a number of properties are located in the same geographic area.
CMP. Abr. 1. Certified Meeting Professional. 2. Complete meeting package.
CNL. CRS. Cancel.
CNS. Abr. Certified Niche Specialist (qv).
coach. 1. The economy class on an airline. Also referred to as "economy" or "tourist." 2. The section of the plane designated for this class of passenger. 3. A motorcoach (qv).
coaching inns. Small hotels, often of historic significance, that were originally stops along a stagecoach route; more common in Europe.
coastal cruise. A journey on a cruise ship that stays close to shore, as opposed to one that visits several islands or crosses significant distances of open water.
COC. CRS. Country of commencement (i.e. where travel begins).
cockpit. The pilot's compartment in a plane.
COD. Abr. Cash on delivery.
code sharing. An agreement whereby airlines permit the use of their CRS code in the flight schedule displays of other airlines.
cog railway. A railway system, usually used on short, very steep grades, in which a series of teeth on the rail mesh with the vehicle to insure traction.
co-host carrier. An airline that pays another to display its flights on a CRS.
COLA. Abr. 1. Cost of living allowance (qv). 2. Cost of living adjustment (qv).
cold call. A sales call to a prospective client with whom you have no prior contact.
cold wave. A period of abnormally cold weather.
collision damage waiver. Daily insurance which covers damage to a rental car.
colors. The flag or ensign flown from the mast or stern of a ship.
COMM. CRS. Commission.
commercial agency. A travel agency that specializes in corporate travel.
commercial airline. An airline that carries passengers.
Commercial Sabre®. Term used to distinguish the full version of the Sabre® CRS from Eaasy Sabre®, a simplified version.
commission. 1. A percentage of a sale price paid to a salesperson as payment for making a sale. 2. An official investigative body. 3. v. To contract for the production of something, as to commission a work of art.
commission cap. The maximum dollar amount an airline, or other supplier, will pay as commission regardless of the actual price of the ticket or the standard commission rate.
commission split. An agreed upon division of commission income between two entities, such as a travel agency and an outside salesperson.
commissionable. Denoting the portion of total cost on which a travel agent can receive a commission.
commode. A portable toilet, usually one containing a removable bed pan or other receptacle.
common carrier. Any company engaged in the transport of people or goods for profit.
common law. Unwritten law which has become generally accepted by the formal legal system through long-standing practice.
Common Market. Obsolete term for the European Economic Community (qv).
common rated. Describing two identical fares to geographically close destinations.
commonwealth. A political entity with representative government. A voluntary association of sovereign states.
commuter. 1. n. A person who travels to work each day. 2. adj. Used to describe short-haul airlines.
comp. Slang. A free ticket or other complimentary extra.
comp rooms. Free rooms provided to a group of hotel guests based on total occupancy by the group.
companionway. A stairway connecting two decks on a ship.
compartment. A distinct section on a railroad car, airplane, ship, or other vehicle.
compass. A magnetic device used to determine direction aboard ship.
computer virus. A malicious and destructive program designed to be passed unwittingly from machine to machine via floppy disks, downloading, or other means.
computerized reservation system. Any of several proprietary computer systems allowing real-time access to airline fares, schedules, and seating availability and offering the capability of booking reservations and generating tickets.
complimentary. Free. Without charge.
concentrated hub. An airport where a single airline controls most of the passenger capacity.
concession. A shop or other place of business within a larger area, such as an airport or cruise ship, which has paid a fee in exchange for exclusivity.
concierge. A hotel employee charged with providing advice and additional services to the guests.
concierge level. See club floor.
Concorde. The supersonic jet jointly developed by Britain and France.
concourse. 1. A public area in an airport. 2. The section of the airport containing the gates.
COND. CRS. Conditional.
conditional fare. A fare which guarantees passage on the next available flight if the flight for which the ticket was purchased is full.
condo. Short for condominium (qv).
condo vacation. A travel product featuring lodging in a condominium (qv), typically one in a resort area, and providing additional amenities such as pools, tennis courts, golf courses, and so forth.
condominium. A form of ownership of real estate. In travel, generally used to refer to accommodations that are similar to or identical to furnished, private apartments or townhouses and which are available for rent by the day or week. Such properties are frequently rented out when the owner is not present. See also time sharing.
conductor. 1. A railway employee who collects tickets on board. 2. The person nominally in charge of a tour group. 3. The director of a symphony orchestra.
conductor's ticket. On a cruise ship, a free ticket awarded based on the size of a group booking. The ticket can be used by the travel agent who put the group together or given to a person in the group who was instrumental in making the booking happen.
Confederation of Independent States (CIS). The now independent satellite states of the former Soviet Union.
conference center. A hotel-like property designed specifically for hosting conventions and meetings.
confidential tariff. Wholesale rates intended for markup (qv) to retail pricing.
configuration. Arrangement or layout, as of an airplane's interior.
confirmation. The official acceptance of a booking by the supplier.
confirmation number. An alphanumeric code used to identify and document the confirmation of a booking.
confiscate. Take away or seize, as contraband goods.
congress. Another term for convention (qv), used most frequently in Europe.
conjunction tickets. Two or more tickets used on a single itinerary.
connecting flight. A flight that requires a passenger to change from one plane to another. See also connection.
connecting rooms. Hotel rooms which are next to each other and have a connecting door, in addition to the doors which give out onto the hallway or corridor.
connection. A stop on a journey that requires a change of planes or other mode of transportation. See also connecting flight.
consent decree. A legal document whereby the target of a government lawsuit ends the suit by agreeing to take or refrain from specific actions specified in the decree.
consignment. 1. An arrangement whereby a supplier allots merchandise to a retailer who needs pay for it only upon sale. 2. Goods allotted under such an arrangement.
consolidation. 1. A business tactic in which a company concentrates its purchases with fewer suppliers to effect cost savings. 2. The process in which an industry comes to be served by fewer and fewer suppliers as companies merge or succumb to bankruptcy and competitive pressures; the airline industry is a prime example.
consolidator. A company or individual who negotiates bulk contracts (qv) with an airline (or other travel supplier) and sells that space to the general public, usually at a discount.
consortium. A group of companies that enter into a voluntary association to share resources in order to gain a market advantage. In travel, usually used to refer to groups of suppliers that offer higher commissions and other incentives to travel agencies that enter into "preferred supplier" (qv) relationships with them.
construction fare. A round-the-world fare created by a specialist, usually a consolidator, by stitching together a series of one way fares on a number of airlines. See also, alliance fare.
consul. A diplomatic representative of one country to another. The executive in charge of a consulate (qv).
Consular Information Sheet. One of a series of publications of the United States Department of State, providing essential travel information for each of the world's countries.
consulate. A subsidiary office of a foreign government, usually in a location other than the host nation's capital. Consulates typically handle visa applications and other business affairs of the foreign government.
consultant. An expert in a particular field who provides technical and other forms of assistance to companies on a fee basis.
continental breakfast. A breakfast of rolls, fruit and coffee or tea. Often provided on a complimentary basis by hotels and motels.
continental code. International Morse code (qv).
continental plan. A hotel rate that includes a continental breakfast (qv).
contour map. A map showing gradations in altitude.
contraband. Merchandise or substances which are illegal to import or export.
contract. A legal and enforceable agreement between two or more parties.
contract of carriage. The small print on the passenger's coupon of an airline ticket detailing the legal relationship, rights, and liabilities of the passenger and the carrier.
control tower. A central, raised operational center which supervises and directs all traffic into and out of an airport.
CONV. CRS. Convertible (car).
convention. A gathering of professionals or others to discuss matters of common interest.
conventioneer. A person participating in a convention.
conversion. 1. In the hotel industry, the change of a property from one brand to another. 2. The process of switching from one vendor to another. See also convert.
conversion agency. A formerly independent travel agency that has joined a chain. Typically, the conversion agency's name will be changed to or blended with the name of the chain.
conversion payment. A fee paid by a travel agency to a consortium upon joining.
conversion rate. The rate at which one currency is exchanged for another.
convert. v. 1. To switch vendors, as when an agency moves from one CRS to another. 2. To convince a customer to switch vendors.
converter. An electrical device which allows appliances designed for one type of current to be used with another.
convoy. 1. n. A group of ships (or other vehicles) traveling together, usually for purposes of mutual safety or defense. 2. v. To accompany or lead a group of vehicles to assure safe passage.
COO. Abr. Chief Operating Officer.
co-op advertising. An arrangement in which a supplier underwrites a portion of a travel agency's advertising expenses when such advertising features the supplier's products.
cooperative. A group of individuals or organizations that have joined together, usually to increase their buying or negotiating power.
Coordinated Universal Time. A highly precise worldwide time system using atomic clocks. Abbreviated UTC.
cork charge, corkage. A fee charged by a restaurant for opening a bottle of wine, especially one not purchased on the premises.
corporate agency. 1. A travel agency physically located on the premises of a corporation which it services. 2. A travel agency that specializes in corporate clients.
corporate apartment. A condominium owned by a corporation for the exclusive use of its employees and guests.
corporate rate. 1. A lower hotel rate negotiated by a specific corporation for the use of its employees and guests. 2. A rate extended by a hotel to all business travelers.
corporate travel manager. A middle management position. Corporate travel managers are tasked with setting corporate travel policy and standardizing and overseeing all travel by corporate employees on company business. Many corporate travel managers function as in-house travel agents.
cost of living allowance. An additional sum provided to a corporate employee to offset higher prices in certain countries or cities.
cost of living adjustment. The percentage by which Social Security recipients' monthly benefits are increased each year to adjust for increases in the cost of living. Intended to ensure that beneficiaries don't lose purchasing power due to inflation.
cost-reimbursable contractor. A person or company working as an independent contractor for a governmental agency, whose costs, including travel, are reimbursed by the contracting agency.
cot. 1. Abr. Cottage. 2. A small folding bed used to provide additional sleeping space in a hotel room.
coterminous. Sharing a common boundary.
couchette. Fr. A sleeping compartment on a train with up to six beds.
counterfeit. 1. adj. False, forged. 2. n. An illegal copy, as of paper currency.
country of registry. The nation in which a ship's ownership is formally registered. The country of registry need not reflect the nationality of the crew or the cruise area in which the ship operates and is often chosen for tax reasons.
coup d'etat. Fr. The usually quick overthrow of a country's government, typically by assassination or forcible removal from office of the top leaders.
coupon. 1. The portion of an airline ticket collected from the passenger at the time of boarding. 2. A pre-paid voucher (qv) which can be exchanged for certain specified goods or services, as a hotel room. 3. Any printed voucher providing for free or reduced cost services or goods.
coupon broker. A person or company that buys and resells airline frequent flyer awards in contravention of airline regulations.
courier. 1. Any person who accompanies cargo or hand-delivered documents. 2. Brit. A guide or tour escort.
course. The direction in which a ship or plane is headed. Expressed in degrees of the compass.
cover charge. An admission charge, especially to a nightclub or cabaret (qv).
cover letter. A business letter which accompanies other documents or goods and explains the contents and purpose of what is being sent.
CP. CRS. Continental plan (qv).
CPM. Abr. Cost per thousand.
CPU. Abr. Central processing unit. Your computer's "brain."
CR. CRS. Change record.
credit memo. An informal document indicating that one company has a specific dollar amount credit with another, typically as a result of overpayment.
crew. All the members of the staff of a ship, airplane, or other form of transportation.
crew to passenger ratio. The number of passengers on a cruise ship divided by the number of crew members. In theory, the lower the number, the higher the level of service.
CRN. CRS. Cash refund notice.
croak fare. Slang. An airline's bereavement fare (qv) or other fare based on compassionate reasons. The implication is that one has to die to qualify for the fare.
cross-border ticketing. Writing a ticket in such a way that it appears that the travel commences in a different country than is actually the case. Used to take advantage of lower fare structures.
crossing. A cruise journey across an ocean.
Crown Colony. Brit. A colonial territory over which Great Britain still exerts some degree of direct control.
crow's nest. A lookout's station at the top of a ship's highest mast.
CRS. Abr. Computerized reservation system.
CRT. Abr. Cathode ray tube. The screen of a computer.
cruise. In travel, any ocean, river or lake voyage undertaken for pleasure.
cruise broker. Term used for a travel agent or other person who specializes in the sale of last-minute cruise berths.
cruise director. The person on a cruise ship charged with ensuring the enjoyment of all the passengers.
cruise fare. The actual cost of a cruise, excluding any extras, such as port taxes and gratuities.
cruise host. A gentleman recruited by the cruise ship, and usually traveling at a reduced cost, to serve as a dancing and social partner for single ladies on the cruise.
cruise to nowhere. A cruise, typically of short duration and with an emphasis on partying and gambling, with no ports of call.
cruising area. The general geographic location in which a cruise ship operates.
CSM. Abr. Convention services manager.
CSML. CRS. Child's meal.
CST. 1. Abr. Central Standard Time. 2. California Seller of Travel.
CT. CRS. 1. Circle trip (qv). 2. Central time.
CTA. Condominium Travel Associates.
CTC. 1. Abr. Certified Travel Counselor (qv). 2. CRS. Contact.
CTCA. CRS. Contact's address.
CTCB. CRS. Contact's business phone.
CTCH. CRS. Contact's home phone.
CTD. Abr. Corporate Travel Department.
CTG. CRS. Cottage.
CTIP. Coalition for Travel Industry Parity.
CTM. 1. CRS. Circle trip minimum (qv). 2. Abr. Consolidated tour manual.
CTO. CRS. City ticket office (qv).
cultural tourism. Travel to experience the arts or history of a location or travel to immerse oneself in the language, society, or culture of a region.
culture shock. The state of being overwhelmed by the differences in customs and behavior in a foreign place.
curator. The person in charge of one or more of a museum's collections.
curbside check in. A service that allows passengers to check their bags and/or get seat assignments outside a terminal building. Most common at airports.
curfew. A police or military regulation requiring people to be off the streets during a certain period, generally at night.
currency adjustment. A discontinued method of figuring fares in local currency using fare construction units (qv).
currency restriction. Any rule or law imposed by a country to regulate the flow of currency into or out of its territory.
customer-activated ticketing. A vending machine that allows passengers to purchase airline tickets with a credit card.
customs. 1. A government agency which monitors the flow of goods, commodities, and substances into and from its territory and levies fees, fines, and other charges according to posted regulations. 2. The inspection area maintained by such an agency at an airport or other port of entry.
customs declaration. A form completed by an arriving passenger on which are listed the dutiable goods being imported.
customs duty. See duty.
customs user fee. A fee added to international airline tickets to benefit the U.S. customs service.
cut-off date. A date beyond which an offer, fare, request, or availability will no longer apply or be honored.
CV. Abr. Container vessel.
CVB. Abr. Convention and Visitors Bureau.
CVR. Abr. Cockpit voice recorder.
CWGN. CRS. Compact station wagon.
CWO. Abr. Cash with order.
CYBA. Charter Yacht Brokers Association.
D, d
dabble agent. Derogatory term for a part-time travel agent. Sometimes applied to any outside agent or independent contractor as a slur on their professionalism.
daily program. On a cruise ship, a listing of the day's activities.
dais. Raised platform in a room or hall on which a speaker's lectern or table for VIPs is situated.
DAPO. CRS. Do all possible.
database. 1. Any collection of information on a specific subject or area. Specifically, a computerized collection of such information. 2. A computer program designed to store such information.
DATAS II. A computer reservation system which is now part of Worldspan.
Davey Jones' locker. Slang. The bottom of the ocean.
davit. A crane on a ship that's used to raise and lower anchors, lifeboats, and cargo.
day rate. 1. In hotels, the fee charged for a stay of limited duration, typically during daylight hours. 2. A fee charged for the use of a facility during a twenty-four hour period.
day tripper. Brit. A person whose round-trip travel will be completed on the same day. On a longer leisure trip, a day tripper will make a series of one-day excursions to different locales to avoid changing hotels.
daylight savings time. An artificial forward adjustment of the clock in the Spring. Instituted to increase business by adding more hours of daylight in the evening.
d.b.a. Abr. Doing business as (qv).
dbl. Abr. Double (qv).
DBLB. CRS. Double room with bath.
DBLN. CRS. Double room without shower or bath.
DBLS. CRS. Double room with shower.
DC. Abr. Direct current.
DCSN. CRS. Decision.
DEA. Drug Enforcement Agency.
dead ahead. Straight in front of the ship's bow.
dead calm. No wind. Zero on the Beaufort scale (qv).
dead reckoning. In navigation, a way of calculating a ship's or plane's position without reference to sun or stars, based on speed, direction, and drift.
deadend booking. A booking that is completed on a CRS but never ticketed. Deadend bookings can result from training new hires, forgetfulness, or fraud on the part of the travel agent.
deadhead. v. To return without paying cargo, whether freight or passengers. Used of commercial vehicles.
deadlight. A ventilated porthole cover that prevents light from entering.
DEAF. CRS. Deaf passenger.
debark. To get off a plane or ship.
debit memo. An informal invoice (qv) from a supplier showing an additional amount due. ARC (qv) will issue a debit memo when it feels the agency has made an error.
debug. A computer term meaning to identify and correct mistakes in a computer program. By extension, to correct mistakes in other contexts.
deck. The floor of a ship. A level on a ship.
deck chair. On a cruise ship, a reclining chair designed for lounging.
deck plan. Drawing or "map" that shows the layout of a ship's decks, cabins, and other areas.
deck steward. Member of a ship's crew who provides passengers with drinks, towels, deck chairs, etc.
decode. Translate from code into ordinary language.
decommission. To remove a ship from active service.
dedicated line. A telephone line that is used for ("dedicated to") a single purpose, such as a fax machine. May also refer to an electrical line.
deductible. 1. n. In insurance, the amount the customer must pay before the insurance kicks in. 2. adj. Used to describe business and other expenditures that you may subtract from your gross income in figuring your income tax liability.
deep six. Slang. To throw overboard. By extension, to throw away anything, usually with the motive of concealing its existence.
default. 1. v. To fail to supply contracted goods or services or refund the money paid for them. 2. n. In a computer program, a pre-programmed setting, which can sometimes be changed or modified by the user.
deluxe. Fr. Literally, "of luxury." Room or hotel in an excellent location with luxurious furnishings or accommodations.
demi-pension. Fr. Half pension (qv).
demo. 1. Slang. Demonstration. 2. Video or other visual or hands-on unit used in a sales demonstration.
demonstration effect. The phenomenon of local residents adopting the styles and manners they have observed in visiting tourists.
demographics. Age, income, marital status, ethnicity, and other statistical characteristics of populations. Used in marketing to analyze and identify markets.
denied-boarding compensation. Payment given passengers who've been bumped from a flight, cruise, or land-tour. May be a free trip, money, or accommodations.
dep. Abr. 1. Departure. 2. Deposit (qv).
DEP. CRS. 1. Scheduled departure time. 2. After departure, the time the flight departed.
departure tax. Tax levied on travelers when they leave a country.
deplane. v. To get off a plane.
deplate. v. Withdraw the right of a travel agency to issue tickets for an airline.
deposit. Payment made to hold space on a tour or accommodations. May be fully or partially refundable if the passenger cancels with enough advance notice.
depot. 1. Bus or train station. 2. Storage place for goods or motor vehicles.
depreciable asset. Any property owned by a business that is subject to depreciation (qv) for tax purposes.
depreciation. In taxation, a deduction taken to account for the decline in value of assets, such as machines used in a business, over a period of time. Used to offset the cost of acquiring the asset. See also expensing.
dereg. Slang. Deregulation (qv).
deregulation. Elimination of regulation. Usually used to refer to the U.S. government's elimination of restrictions on airlines' fares, routes, etc. Enacted in 1978.
designated driver. Member of a group who refrains from drinking alcoholic beverages in order to drive the group home safely.
designator, designator code. A two- or three-digit alphanumeric code uniquely identifying airlines and airports throughout the world. Administered by IATA (qv).
destination. Place to which a person is traveling or a thing is sent.
destination management company. A local company that handles arrangements for tours, meetings, transportation, and so forth, for groups originating elsewhere.
destination marketing organization. A company or other entity involved in the business of increasing tourism to a destination or improving its public image.
destination specialist. A person who has passed a test administered by an accrediting body certifying that he or she possesses an expert level of knowledge about a specific tourist destination or region.
destination wedding. A wedding that takes place in a location other than the bride and groom's home, typically a popular tourist destination.
DET. CRS. Domestic escorted tour. A packaged tour, with guide, that takes place in your own country.
detached interface. A computer configuration that allows additional functions (such as accounting) to be performed while primary functions (such as ticketing) are in progress.
detente. Fr. A state of lessened tension or hostility between nations.
devaluation. The decrease in value of one currency in relation to another, usually by action of the government. When a currency is devalued, it buys less in foreign markets.
DEW Line. Abr. Distant Early Warning line. A line of radar stations set up to give advance warning of enemy air attack.
differential. 1. The difference in price, quality, etc. between comparable products or services. 2. The amount of the difference. 3. Amount owed or credited due to a change in the class of service.
dig. Slang. An area of archeological excavation.
digs. Brit. slang. Living accommodations.
dine-around plan. Prepaid plan (such as a modified American plan) that allows guests to choose among a number of restaurants. Typically, the restaurants will all be owned by the same company.
diner. 1. The restaurant car on a train. 2. A small, usually very informal restaurant. 3. Person eating in a restaurant.
dinghy. A small oared boat.
diplomatic immunity. A provision of international law which exempts the diplomats of one country from the laws of a country to which they are assigned.
diplomatic plates. Automobile license plates, usually of a distinct design, issued to the vehicles of accredited diplomats.
direct access. System or program that gives the user the capability of tapping directly into a vendor's computer system to get last-minute information about seat or product availability.
direct billing. System in which a corporation's travel agency bills employees for their business travel. The employee must then submit an expense accounting and be reimbursed by the corporation.
direct flight. Any flight between two places that carries a single flight number. Unlike a nonstop, a direct flight will make one or more stops between the two places. The passenger may have to change planes or even change airlines. This is a change in meaning. In the past, direct flights made stops but required no change of plane.
direct mail. 1. A form of marketing in which sellers offer their products or services to buyers by mail, instead of (or in addition to) through agents or stores. 2. A form of advertising in which sellers promote their products or services by mail. Many recipients consider direct mail ads "junk mail."
direct spending. In the tourism industry, any money that goes directly from a tourist's pocket into the local economy. See also, indirect spending.
directional selling. Booking with suppliers with whom the agency has a preferred supplier relationship.
directional tariff. A lower fare for one segment of an itinerary, usually requiring round-trip travel or available only during certain time periods.
dirigible. A blimp (qv).
dis. Abr. Discontinued.
disburse. To pay out (money).
disclaimer, disclaimer of liability. A formal denial of legal and financial responsibility for monetary losses or other injury incurred as a result of advice given or products or services sold. Example: A travel agent would use a disclaimer to ward off claims for injuries or losses a client might incur while traveling, as a result, say, of a charter cancellation or an accident while white-water rafting.
disclosure. The act of making something known. Example: By law, airline ads must disclose all the restrictions on the special fares they advertise.
discontinued date. The date on which a fare, or other offer, expires.
discotheque. Nightclub for dancing.
discount fare. A special fare, usually offered for a limited time and in a limited quantity.
discretionary income. The amount a person has left to spend, save, or invest after paying all bills.
disembark. To get off a plane, ship, or train.
disk. A magnetic file used in computers.
display bias. A discontinued practice in which a CRS (qv) would display it's owners' flights first. See also architectural bias.
distribution. 1. The process of delivering products or services to customers. 2. The full extent of a supplier's distribution network.
district sales manager. The individual responsible for managing sales at the district level for a hotel, airline, cruise line, or other supplier. Depending on the company, may be primarily a salesperson or a manager of salespeople.
DIT. CRS. Domestic Independent Tour/Traveler.
dive boat. A small vessel outfitted for the needs of scuba divers. May or may not have accommodations.
divestiture. The compulsory transfer of title or disposal of interests (for example, in a corporation or real estate) upon government order, often to satisfy antitrust legislation and ensure competition. Example: In the early eighties, the federal government required the divestiture of the regional telephone companies by AT&T.
DLX. CRS. Deluxe room.
DM. Abr. 1. District manager. 2. Deutschemark.
D-Mark. Abr. Deutschemark.
DMC. 1. CRS. Directional Minimum Check. The check a travel agent must make to be sure that the fare (charged) isn't lower than the minimum applicable fare (in either direction). 2. Destination management company (qv) or consultants.
DMO. Abr. 1. Destination marketing organization. 2. District marketing office.
DO. CRS. Drop-off.
docent. A guide in a museum or art gallery.
dock. 1. n. The waterway between piers (qv) for the reception of ships. 2. n. A place for loading or unloading cargo or other materials. 3. A berth, pier, or quay. 4. v. To come into dock; to become docked.
docs. Slang. Documents.
docs rec'd. Abbr. Documents received.
dog and pony show. Slang. A derogatory term for a sales presentation.
doing business as. A phrase indicating that a corporation has registered with the state to conduct business under a name other than its official corporate name. Typically abbreviated dba. A corporation might have several dba's.
dom. Abr. Domestic.
dome car. A train car with a domed plexiglass top for sightseeing. Also called a bubble car (qv).
domestic airline. An air carrier that provides service within its own country. Also called a domestic carrier.
domestic escorted tour. Escorted tour (qv) for traveling within one's own country, typically used to refer to U.S. tours.
domestic fare. Fare charged for travel within a country.
domicile. Place of residence, home.
dormette. An airline seat that reclines to sleeping position. Used on some carriers for long-distance runs. Also called a sleeperette.
DOT. Department of Transportation.
dot-matrix printer. A printer, used with a computer, that forms letters and numbers with a series of ink dots. Dot-matrix printers produce a lower print quality than laser printers.
double. A room designed to be shared by two people. It may have one double (or larger) bed, two twin beds, or two double (or larger) beds. Rooms with two double beds are sometimes called a "double double."
double booking. The practice of booking and confirming two or more reservations when only one will be used.
double-double. A hotel room with two double beds, sometimes called a twin double.
double occupancy rate. The rate charged when two people will occupy a room, suite, apartment, etc. For example, a hotel might charge an individual $100 per night for a room (single occupancy) but charge two people only $130 for double occupancy of the same room.
double-decker. A bus, or other conveyance, with two levels; used as public transportation in some cities, and exclusively for sightseeing and other special uses in other areas.
down. Slang. Inoperable (as in "The computer is down."). Often used of computers and computer networks when they shut down as a result of power failures, system crashes, operator errors, quirks in the system, or downtime (qv) on networks or reservation systems.
Down East. Slang. Extreme northeast New England. Maine.
Down Under. An affectionate term for Australia and, to a lesser extent, New Zealand.
downgrade. To move to a lower grade or quality of services or accommodations.
downline. 1. All segments, legs, or cities listed below the originating or headline city (on a schedule or CRS). 2. The members, in rank order, of a multi-level marketing program.
download. v. To transfer a file or files from a remote computer to a local computer electronically.
downsizing. A corporate restructuring aimed at making the organization smaller, more efficient, and more profitable by selling ("spinning off") various product lines and/or business units and permanently eliminating many jobs.
downtime. 1. Time during which production is stopped for repairs or alterations to a system, network, machine, or program. 2. Slang. Time a person spends sleeping or vegging out.
downtown. The business district of a city.
DPLX. CRS. Duplex (qv).
DPP. Default protection plan. An insurance policy that protects the holder against a supplier's failure to deliver products or services or refund the money paid for them.
DPST. CRS. Deposit.
dptr. Abr. Departure.
draft. (Brit. draught) Measurement in feet from a ship's waterline (qv) to the lowest point of its keel (qv).
drag. The aerodynamic force that slows a plane in flight.
dram shop legislation. Any law regulating the sale of alcoholic beverages in bars and restaurants.
draw. An amount paid to a salesperson on a regular basis and deducted from his or her commission earnings. Also referred to as a "draw against commission."
drayage. The charge assessed for transporting goods.
dress circle. The mezzanine (qv) or first balcony of a theater, especially an opera house.
drill. A practice exercise, as a lifeboat drill on a cruise ship.
drive-away company. A company that transports automobiles and other vehicles by finding people who will drive them to their destination.
drive-in. 1. n. An outdoor movie theater where people watch from their cars. 2. adj. Any service designed to be provided to customers in their cars.
drop-off charge. An add-on fee that may be assessed when a rental car or other rental vehicle is dropped off at a location other than the one where it was rented. Usually a flat amount.
DRS. CRS. Direct reference system.
dry dock. 1. n. Dock (qv) that can be emptied of water while a ship is being repaired. 2. v. To put into dry dock.
dry lease. The rental of a boat, or other vehicle, without a crew or supplies.
DSM. Abr. District sales manager (qv).
DSO. Abr. District sales office. May also be called a DMO (qv).
DSPL. CRS. Display.
DTIA. Dive Travel Industry Association.
dual designated carrier. Air carrier that uses another airline's code in flight schedule displays. See also code sharing.
duck boats. World War II-vintage boats that are sometimes used for river tours.
DUI. Abr. Driving under the influence (of alcohol or another drug).
dumbwaiter. A small, hand-operated elevator system used to transport food and dishes from one level to another, as between the kitchen and dining room.
dump store. In a theme park, a shop so located that everyone exiting a ride or attraction must pass through it.
dungeon. A prison or chamber that's dark and usually underground.
duplex. 1. A two-family house. A house that contains two separate dwelling units. 2. An apartment with rooms on two floors. 3. Separate accommodations that share walls.
dutiable. Subject to duty (qv).
duty. A tax; most often applied to imported goods.
duty-free. adj. Being exempt from import tax. Most often applied to goods bought in special airport shops just before boarding for a trip to another country.
DWB. CRS. Double (qv) room with bath.
DXA. CRS. Deferred cancellation area.
E, e
E&O. Abr. Errors and omissions insurance (qv).
easySABRE. A simplified version of the Sabre CRS (qv).
EATA. East Asia Travel Association.
EB. CRS. 1. Eastbound. 2. English breakfast.
ECAR. CRS. Economy car.
eclipse. The partial or total obscuring of one heavenly body by another, especially of the sun by the moon.
ecology. 1. The study of the environment and the interaction of its various elements. 2. The flora, fauna, climate, etc. of a region or location.
economy class. 1. Coach class. 2. Y class.
economy hotel. A hotel offering few amenities (qv).
ecosystem. See ecology, def. 2.
ecotourism. A style of travel in which an emphasis is placed on unspoiled, natural destinations and on disturbing the environment as little as possible.
ECU. Abr. European currency unit. The some-day common currency of Europe.
EDI. Abr. Electronic data interchange.
EDT. CRS. Eastern daylight time.
EEC. European Economic Community (qv).
eff. Abr. Effective.
effective date. The date on which a fare, or other offer, becomes valid.
efficiency. A hotel room with a small kitchen area and dining table.
elapsed flying time. Actual time an airplane spends in the air, as opposed to time spent taxiing to and from the gate and during stopovers.
elastic. Adj. Expanding or contracting according to demand or economic conditions, as a fare or room rate.
ELD. Abr. Electronic liquor dispenser.
electronic liquor dispenser. A device that serves alcoholic beverages in precisely determined amounts.
elderhostel. 1. Hostel that caters to senior citizens. 2. Special travel-study program for seniors offered by a college or university. Participants stay in college dormitories and may generally take a short course of study if they so desire.
electronic mail. A communications system that allows people on the same computer network to exchange messages. Frequently referred to as "e-mail." Systems also exist that allow people to exchange e-mail messages between networks.
Electronic Reservations Service Provider (ERSP). Also, ERSP#. An ARC designator that identifies airline bookings made online.
electronic ticket delivery network. A network, national or regional, of ticket printing machines that are not operated by an ARC-accredited agency but instead by a company that sells its ticket distribution services. Also called "electronic ticket distribution network." An ETDN delivers flight and passenger coupons after an agent generates the ticket.
electronic ticketing. A computerized system used by airlines in which no physical ticket or boarding pass is generated.
EMA. Abr. Extra mileage allowance.
e-mail, email. See electronic mail.
EMAN. CRS. Economy car with manual transmission.
embargo. A government order forbidding the departure of a commercial vehicle from an airport, port, or whatever or prohibiting commerce. Example: an embargo on rice shipments.
embark. 1. To board a ship, plane, or other transportation vehicle. 2. To start out.
EMER. CRS. Emergency travel.
emigrant. A person who leaves the country where he or she lives to settle in another. See also immigrant.
emigrate. v. To leave one country to assume permanent residence in another.
emissary. A person who is sent out on a mission on behalf of another person or a country.
EMS. 1. Abr. Emergency medical service. 2. CRS. Excess mileage surcharge.
en suite. Fr. In the hotel industry, a phrase indicating that an amenity or feature is in the room itself or immediately adjacent.
enclave. A small area of a country or city, usually occupied by people ethnically or culturally distinct from their neighbors.
encode. To put into code. To substitute a short set of letters or numbers for a longer word or words.
encroach. 1. To gradually advance beyond the usual limits or take possession of what belongs to another. Example: A forest might encroach on a meadow; a lion might encroach on a jackal's kill.
ENDI. CRS. End item.
English breakfast. A breakfast of cereal or juice, eggs, meats, breads, and beverages.
English Channel. The body of water separating England from France.
enhancement. 1. An added feature to a product, as a tour. 2. In a software program, added capabilities.
enplane. To board an airplane.
enroute. On the way; while one is traveling.
ensign. The flag flown by a cruise ship.
entree. 1. In the U.S., the main dish of a meal. 2. In France, the appetizer (qv) course.
entrepreneur. A person who starts and runs a usually small business, risking capital.
entry. An input into a computer program, such as a data entry or a request for information.
entry fee. 1. The price charged for admission to a place, a competition, or an attraction. 2. The duty levied on a person entering a country.
entry requirements. 1. The payments required of and the official documents needed by a traveler entering a country for business or pleasure. Examples: passport, visa, proofs of inoculation, proofs of duty (qv) paid.
environs. The area around a place.
EP. CRS. European plan. Accommodations that do not include meals.
equator. Imaginary line around the center of the earth, dividing it into northern and southern hemispheres.
equinox. Either of the two times a year (around March 21 and September 23) when the sun crosses the equator and day and night are equally long.
equity club. A private non-profit group, such as a country club, organized by its members for their own benefit or enjoyment. See also, proprietary club.
EQUIV. Abr. Equivalent amount.
ERQ. CRS. Endorsement request.
errors and omission insurance. Insurance that pays for damages incurred by a client because of an agent's mistake or omission. Example: listing the wrong departure time on an itinerary or forgetting to check whether pets are allowed.
ERSP. Abr. Electronic Reservations Service Provider.
escort. 1. A person who accompanies an individual or group to protect or guide the other party or parties. 2. A guide who travels with a tour group. 3. A woman's date. 4. Euphemistically used of a prostitute.
escort service. A company that provides "dates" for social engagements. Often, thinly disguised call girl operations.
escorted tour. A tour offering an escort's services.
escrow account. A special account opened with a bank or other financial institution to hold funds in trust until some condition is met by the person or company for whom the funds are designated; for example, until a service has been rendered or a legal dispute settled. Example: Tenants on a rent strike to protest inadequate heat or maintenance would open an escrow account to hold their rent payments until their grievance with the landlord was settled. By paying into the escrow account, the tenants would be legally protected from eviction for nonpayment of rent.
EST. CRS. Eastern standard time.
ETA. CRS. Estimated time of arrival.
ETC. European Travel Commission.
ETD. CRS. Estimated time of departure.
ETDN. Abr. Electronic ticket delivery (distribution) network (qv).
E-ticket. Electronic ticket. See electronic ticketing.
EU. CRS. A global indicator meaning via Europe.
Eurailpass. A special-fare train ticket that entitles the purchaser to unlimited train travel in many European countries for a specified number of days or weeks.
Euro. The common unit of currency shared by members of the European Economic Community.
European Economic Community. A bloc of European countries that have adopted common trading rules.
European plan. A hotel rate that includes no meals.
Eurotunnel. See Chunnel.
EWGN. CRS. Economy station wagon.
ex-. Abr. Departing from.
excess baggage. Luggage that exceeds the allowed limits for weight, size, or number of pieces. Carriers usually charge extra for excess baggage and, in some cases, may have to ship it later rather than with the passenger.
exchange order. A voucher issued by a carrier or travel agent requesting that a ticket be issued. The ARC document which entitles a travel agent to receive a commission.
exclusive. 1. Adj. Catering to a select clientel, not open to everyone, deluxe. 2. Sometimes used in tour brochures in the sense of "not included."
excursion. A side trip, usually optional and at an additional cost, from a main destination.
excursion fare. A special-price fare that comes with restrictions, such as advance purchase requirements and a minimum stay. Usually a round-trip fare.
excursionist. A traveler spending less than 24 hours in a country.
executive club. A private lounge area at an airport, provided by an airline for the use of its preferred passengers.
executive housekeeper. The head of a hotelÕs housekeeping department.
exhibit or exhibition. A display of art, artifacts, or skill open to the public. A public showing.
expatriate. A person living in a foreign country.
expedition. In tourism, a journey with few amenities, usually to a remote area, sometimes for a scientific purpose.
expense. v. To elect to deduct, for the purposes of taxation, the entire cost of an asset in the current tax year, rather than depreciating it over a period of years. See also depreciation.
expense account. Funds allocated to cover the travel and entertainment expenses of an employee.
export. n. A product shipped from one country for sale in another.
exposition. A large exhibit, usually sponsored by a government or trade group, to showcase the products and services of a particular company, region, or country.
expressway. A limited-access highway or toll-road.
EXST. CRS. Extra seat.
extended stay. A hotel stay of more than seven days.
extension ladder. A form used on a manual airline ticket to extend the fare area when more than 13 cities must be listed on an itinerary.
extension tours. Tours that can be added to an existing tour, before or after, to create a longer trip.
extra section. A second aircraft used on a given flight schedule to accommodate additional passengers, usually during peak travel periods such as holidays.
EZS. Abr. easySABRE.
F, f
F. Abr. Fahrenheit. See Fahrenheit scale.
FA. Abr. Families.
FAA. Federal Aviation Administration.
Fahrenheit scale. A method of measuring temperature in which water boils at 212 degrees above zero and freezes at 32 degrees above zero under normal atmospheric pressure. Commonly used in the United States.
fair market value. The price something is actually worth, assuming a free market of willing buyers and sellers acting in their own best interests.
fait accompli. Fr. An accomplished fact. Something that has been done and seemingly may not be reversed.
false booking. See deadend booking.
fam, fam trip. Abr. Familiarization trip or tour (qv).
familiarization trip or tour. A low-cost trip or tour offered to travel agents by a supplier or group of suppliers to familiarize the agents with their destination and services. Example, a resort property or group of hotels and restaurants in Aruba might team up with an airline or tour operator to offer a discount fam trip to the resort or to Aruba. Generally referred to as a "fam trip."
family plan. Arrangement under which family members traveling together are entitled to discounts. Example: Many motels let children under 12 stay free in their parents' room.
family style. A style of serving meals in which food is brought to the table in serving dishes, for people to help themselves, rather than put on individual plates in the kitchen.
familymoon. A post-wedding trip, typically after a second or third marriage, in which children or other family members are included.
fantail. The rear or overhang of a ship.
FAP. Abr. Full American plan. See American plan.
fare. 1. The price charged for transportation. 2. A paying passenger on a plane, train, or other public means of transport. 3. Range of food, for example, the fare served by a restaurant.
fare basis. The specific fare for a ticket at a designated level of service; specified by one or more letters or by a combination of letters and numbers. Example: The letter "Y" designates coach service on an airline.
fare break point. The destination where a given fare ends. Example: The fare break point for a passenger flying from Washington DC to Kansas City via Cleveland is Kansas City.
fare bucket. An allocation of a certain number of seats at a certain fare, as on an airplane.
fare code. The code used to make a booking on a CRS (qv) for a specific fare. See also booking code.
fare construction unit or point. See fare break point.
fathom. n. A unit of length equalling six feet, primarily used to measure the depth of water.
FCCA. Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association.
FCU. Abr. Fare construction unit (qv).
FDOR. CRS. Four-door car.
feasibility study. Research carried out to determine whether to go ahead with a project that is under consideration, based on such factors as the marketplace, the competition, available technology, manpower, and financial resources.
Federal Aviation Administration. An agency of the federal government that administers and monitors airline safety regulations.
Federal Trade Commission. An agency of the federal government that monitors and regulates trade within the United States.
fee-based pricing. A compensation plan in which a corporation pays its travel agency a portion of the commissions generated by the corporation's travel volume, according to a negotiated schedule.
feeder airline. An air carrier that services a local market and "feeds" traffic to the national and international carriers.
ferry. 1. n. Abr. Ferryboat. A boat that carries people, and/or vehicles and other cargo across a body of water. 2. v. To carry by boat over a given body of water. 3. v. To cross a body of water by ferryboat.
FET. Abr. Foreign escorted tour. See escorted tour.
fete. Fr. A party.
FFP. Abr. Frequent flyer program (qv).
FHTL. CRS. First-class hotel.
fictitious point principle. A technique used in constructing international fares, whereby the travel agent uses a fare to a city to which the passenger is not actually traveling in order to obtain a lower fare.
fiduciary. adj. Relating to financial guardianship, as in "a fiduciary relationship."
field. In computer programs, an area for recording specific information, such as the client's name, address, phone number, destination, travel date, and so on. The software generally provides one field for each item of information.
fifth freedom. See freedom rights.
FIJET. French acronym of the World Federation of Travel Writers.
file. 1. n. A collection of related information, for example, about a specific client or destination. 2. n. A PNR (qv) in a CRS (qv). 3. n. An item of furniture designed to hold files. 4. v. To put records into a file.
FIM. Abr. Flight Interruption Manifest.
final payment. A payment that brings the balance owed to zero. Example: If a client pays a deposit and then two installments, the second installment is the final payment.
firm up. To confirm what has been discussed. Example: A travel agent will "firm up" the itinerary for an upcoming trip before booking space for the client or ticketing transportation.
first class. Top quality seats or services. Generally, first-class service is the best (and the most expensive) the supplier has to offer. However, some vendors offer an even more expensive "luxury class" (qv).
first sitting. On shipboard and in some restaurants, the earlier of two times a given meal is served.
first-class hotel. A hotel offering top quality services and, usually, a prime location and extensive amenities (qv).
fiscal year. A twelve-month period used for accounting or taxation purposes, which may or may not coincide with the calendar year.
FIT. Abr./CRS. Foreign independent tour. Now generally used to indicate any independent travel, domestic or international, that does not involve a package tour.
FITYO. Federation of International Youth Travel Organizations.
fixed costs. Costs that remain constant independent of income. Example: Rent and utilities are fixed costs for business owners, while the cost of processing orders varies with the number of orders received. To stay in business, the owner must be able to cover his or her fixed costs.
fjord. A narrow inlet from the sea, usually bounded by cliffs.
flag of convenience. The flag of a country with easy or lax maritime regulations and low fees and taxes, flown by ships that register their vessels in such cou