Smartpanel

Flight Shopping with Smartpanel

With Smartpanel, you can request flight shopping itinerary/pricing options for unbooked itineraries. Smartpanel provides advanced search features to:

  • Store complicated entries and modifiers.

  • Apply advanced search criteria, including multiple sectors and multiple passengers.

  • Request one search as one journey for split tickets and pricing.

To flight shop with Smartpanel:

  1. Open Smartpanel.

    Note: This example shows Smartpanel in the Flex Windows view. However, the fields are the same in the Smartpanel tab in Classic Windows.

  2. Confirm that the default Flight Shopping radio button is selected and the Air Search tab is displayed. The first flight segment displays with the current date.

    Shortcut! If you created a template for a frequent itinerary, you can apply the template by clicking the Choose a template to apply arrow in the upper right corner.

  3. In Depart, enter the departure date and month for the flight segment.

    To change the current date, you can either:

    1. Type over the current date with a new date in DDMMM, MMDD, DDMM, or other commonly used date formats.
    2. Click the Calendar icon to select a date from the calendar.

    Smartpoint supports dates 364 days in advance of the current date. However, some carriers may support earlier date limits.

    Tip! In Smartpoint 9.1 and later, you can search and book on the previous two days, if an earlier date is valid in the time zone of the itinerary city or location.

    As of Smartpoint 9.1, you can use follow the sun functionality to create or change bookings that occur one or two days before the current date in your agency's time zone. These updates apply calendars and date fields in Search menus, Tools menus, Smartpanel, and Sell menus.

    For example:

    On November 20 at 05:00, an agent in Dubai (UTC+4) needs to rebook a flight from Honolulu (UTC-10) to Los Angeles. Because the flight pair occurs on the other side of the International Dateline, the time Honolulu is 15:00 on November 19. The agent in Dubai can successfully enter November 19 for a search or sell because November 19 is currently a valid date in Honolulu.

    Some location pairs in the Pacific have a two-day time difference. The biggest time difference between two places on Earth is 26 hours between:

    • The Howland Islands, which are the farthest west and use a time zone of -12 hours UTC.

    • The Line Islands in the Republic of Kiribati, which are the farthest east and use time zone of +14 hours UTC.

  4. In From, enter the departure airport name or city name, or city code.

    Enter the departure airport name, airport code, city name, or city code.

    As you enter the code or name, possible matches are displayed. In the following example, all locations associated with the city name Barcelona are displayed. Note that rail and bus stations may also be displayed.

    You can either:

    • Use the arrow keys to select a location, then press ENTER.
    • Use the mouse to select a location, then click to confirm your selection.
    • Use the mouse or arrow keys to select a location, then press TAB to confirm the option and move the cursor to the next field.

  5. Optional. Select Multi to indicate the status for multiple departure airports in the associated metropolitan area.

    Important! The Multi checkbox functions differently depending on the host and the version of Smartpoint.

    By default, flight shopping responses are designed to return only requested all airports in a metro area. For example, if JFK is requested, only JFK is returned. Responses for other airports in the New York City metro area, including LGA and EWR, are not returned.

    However, the functionality of the Multi checkbox varies by host and Smartpoint version:

    • In Apollo (1V) for all versions of Smartpoint, the Multi checkbox works as designed.

      • If the Multi checkbox is selected, multiple airports for a metro area are returned.

      • If the Multi checkbox is not selected, only the requested airport is returned.

    • Travelport+ (1G):

      • Smartpoint 11.4.1 and earlier

        When the Multi checkbox does not work as designed, and multiple airports are returned if the checkbox is either selected or not selected.

      • Smartpoint 11.5 and later

        The Multi checkbox is corrected to work as designed:

        • If the Multi checkbox is selected, multiple airports for a metro area are returned.

        • If the Multi checkbox is not selected, only the requested airport is returned.

        Important! In Smartpoint 11.5 and later, the Multi checkbox functions the opposite for Smartpanel Air Availability (restricts multiple airports) and Smartpanel Flight Shopping (permits multiple airports).
    Note: The Multi modifier applies only to origin or destination airport codes. If a city code is entered for the origin or destination, the Multi modifier is not applied, and all airports in the metro area continue to be returned. For example, if the LON city code is requested for the origin, multiple metro London airports may be returned, including LGW, LTN, and LCY.

  6. In To, enter the arrival airport name or city name, or city code.

  7. Optional. Select Multi to apply multiple arrival airports for the associated metropolitan area.

  8. Optional. Click the Time arrow to select a preferred departure time.

    If you do not select a time, flights at any time of day are returned.

  9. Optional. Click the Cabin arrow to select a preferred cabin class. Available cabin classes vary by airline and flight.

  10. Optional. In Direct, enter Y for direct flights or N for non-direct flights. If you leave this field blank, both direct and non-direct flights are returned.

  11. Optional. In Carriers, enter a preferred carrier code.

    You can add a maximum of three carrier codes using a slash / to separate. For example: BA/LH/AF.

  12. Optional. Click the Fare Type arrow to select a fare type. Depending on the selected fare type, you may also need to enter an Account Code.

    An account code may be required to see all relevant fares for these fare types:

    • ALL - Published and Private Fares
    • PF - Private Fares Only
    • PPN - Published and Private and Net

    If applicable, in Account Code enter an account code or click the arrow to select an account code associated to this PCC.

  13. Optional. Click the Fare Type arrow to select a fare type. Depending on the selected fare type, you may also need to enter an Account Code.

  14. Optional. In Ticket, you can set options for split ticketing, including the option to price as one ticket.

  15. Optional. Click the Shopping Modifiers icon open the Shopping Modifiers window to enter advanced search modifiers for this segment, such as fares, penalties, connections, carriers, and availability.

    When a segment includes modifiers, the icon becomes orange .

    Tip! Select Apply to all segments to choose these shopping modifiers for all segments in the itinerary.

    When you are finished entering an shopping modifiers, click APPLY to add the modifiers and resdisplay Smartpanel.

    You can also:

    • Click CANCEL redisplay Smartpanel without changes.
    • Click RESET to clear any changes and enter any modifiers again.

    Fare Modifier

    Details

    Agency Private

    Returns only agency private fares in the Fare Shopping results.

    This check box is enabled only if you select Private Only for Fare Type on the Basic tab.

    Airline Private

    Returns only airline private fares in the Fare Shopping results.

    This check box is enabled only if you select Private Only for Fare Type on the Basic tab.

    Tax Exempt

    Indicates an untaxed fare.

    No Cabin Downgrade

    		  

    Exclude Economy Unbundled Fares (FXD)

    Excludes Economy Unbundled Fares from the response.

    Account Code Only

    Limits responses only to private fares for GDS (Network) Carriers or Direct Payment Carriers.

    As of Smartpoint v7.1, account codes for Direct Payment Carriers are supported in Smartpoint. You can also enter account codes for private fares for GDS (Network) Carriers and one Direct Payment Carrier in a single request.

    Exclude

    Select to exclude any applicable OB Fees from the Fare Shopping response:

    • All Fees excludes both Ticketing Fees (OB-T) and Form of Payment (OT-F) Fees.
    • Ticketing Fees excludes only Ticketing Fees (OB-T) Fees.
    • Payment Fees excludes only Form of Payment (OT-F) Fees.

    Ticketing Fees:OBX-T

    Form of Payment (FOP) Fees:OBX-F

    Description

    Example

    Exclude all fees from the Fare Shopping results.

    FSMCI22JANATL28JANMCI+OBX

    Exclude FOP Fees from the Fare Shopping results.

    FSMCI22JANATL28JANMCI+OBXF

    Exclude Ticketing Fees from the Fare Shopping results.

    FSMCI22JANATL28JANMCI+OBXT

    GDS Carrier Account Code

    In GDS Carrier Account Code, click the Code arrow to select from account codes available for GDS (Network) carriers for your agency.

    If Account Code Only is also selected, only fares for the specified account code are returned.

    Direct Payment Carrier Account Code

    In GDS Carrier Account Code:

    1. Click the Code arrow to select from account codes available for your agency.
    2. In the Carrier text box, enter the two-character airline code associated to your selected account code.

    If Account Code Only is also selected, only fares for the specified account code are returned.

    ZFS(origin)(date)(destination)+/-(account code)*(carrier code)

    Example: FSLON20JANCPH+/-123456*U2

    Direct Payment Carrier Promo Code

    Promo codes for Direct Payment Carriers are supported in Smartpoint. Enter the assigned promotional code and the corresponding carrier code. The availability of promotional codes varies by carrier.

    Promotional fares are indicated in the Fare Shopping results with *PROMO FARE.

    Promotional fare are also indicaed in Branded Fares.

    Penalty Modifier

    Details

    No Minimum Stay

    		  

    No Maximum Stay

    		  

    No Advanced Purchase

    		  

    Penalty Tolerance

    Click the drop-down arrow to specify a penalty tolerance amount.

    Connection Modifier

    Details

    Stop Direct

    		  

    Non-Stop Direct

    		  

    Online Connection

    		  

    Interline Connection

    		  

    Single Via

    Enter the city/airport code for the connection.

    Tip! If you regularly indicate connections, you can configure the Smartpanel display to add this field as I/E/S Connections and Via columns for to include, exclude, or specify connection points.

    Double Via

    Enter the city/airport code for the connections.
    1. Select a radio button:
    • Include, returns request carriers as preferred, but may include additional carriers.
    • Exclude, removes carriers from the response.
    • Include only, returns only the requested carriers.

    Tip! If regularly include or exclude carriers, you can configure the Smartpanel display to add this field as an I/E/O Carriers column.

    1. In the Carriers box, enter a carrier code. preferred carrier code.
      You can add a maximum of three carrier codes using a slash / to separate. For example: BA/LH/AF.

    Connection Modifier

    Details

    Restrict Maximum Connection Times to

    Enter the number of minutes to limit the connection time. Itineraries with connection times over this amount are excluded from the Flight Shopping response.

    Restrict Overnight Connection Times to

    		  

    Remove Multi Airport Connections

    		  

    Include Multi Airport Connections

    		  

    In Discount Modifiers, click the arrow to select a fare discount or fare increase option. Then, enter a flat amount or percent for the selected option.

    This discount modifier applies to all passengers in the itinerary. However, you can use terminal formats to apply modifiers to individual passengers in the itinerary.

    The modifier codes vary by GDS.

    DP - Discount Percent (base fare)

    DF - Discount Amount (base fare)

    DT - Discount Amount (total fare)

    IP - Increase Percent (base fare)

    IF - Increase Amount (base fare)

    RP - Discount Percent (base fare)

    FA - Discount Amount (base fare)

    DT - Discount Amount (total fare)

    IP - Increase Percent (base fare)

    IF - Increase Amount (base fare)

    Enter a Channel ID provided by your agency. A Channel ID is created in the Search Control Console (SCC) to identify the specific set of rules that apply to a traveler at a corporate, customer, or similar level.

    Terminal Equivalent: CI-

    Currency Override

    Click the Currency Override arrow to select a preferred currency for fare display. By default, the currency displays in the currency associated to the PCC; however, the booking currency options are determined by the carrier.

  16. Optional. To add additional segments, click the Add Segment icon. You can add eight additional segments for a total of nine segments in one itinerary. You can also remove segments by clicking the Remove icon for that segment.

    Tip! If you add more than two segments in Flex Windows, you can click and drag the corner of the window to resize the window for the new rows.

  17. Optional. When the itinerary is complete, you select one or more modifiers:

    • No penalties

    • No restrictions

    • Price as one ticket

    • Apply PTC Only to Search All. See Step 18 for details.

  18. Optional. Click the Passengers arrow, to set the number of passengers and associated passenger type (PTC). If you do not specify passenger information, the search defaults to one Adult passenger.

    Click the Passengers arrow to select up to nine passengers for the itinerary and/or PTC code.

    A search by PTC relaxes the results to also return other fares.

    Click the first arrow to select the number of passengers for a specific Passenger Type Code (PTC). Click the second arrow to select the PTC.

    • Click the Plus icon to add passengers with different Passenger Type Codes. 
    • Click the Delete icon to remove a passenger.
    Terminal Equivalent

    Travelport+ (1G) and Apollo (1V): FSJFK20AUGLAX|*SRC, where SRC is the PTC.

    A search by PTC only search returns only the requested PTCs.

    • In Smartpoint 8.1 and earlier, terminal formats are required to request a PTC-only fare search, in which only responses for the requested PTCs are returned.
    Terminal Equivalent

    Travelport+ (1G) and Apollo (1V): FSJFK20AUGLAX|**SRC, where SRC is the PTC.

    • In Smartpoint 8.2 and later, you can either:
    • Select the PTC check box to search by a specific PTC only.

    • Select Apply PTC Only Search to All to search by all listed PTCs only.

    Note: Direct Payment Carriers do not support the PTC only search in pricing. As a result, if the Brand Fares screen is opened from Fare Shopping for a Direct Payment Carrier, the Branded Fares screen displays incorrect fares.

    Known Issue

    If the ADT PTC is added to the end of the list of PTCs on a multi-PTC search, an error is returned because Smartpoint incorrectly reads the PCC code instead of the PTC as ADT.

  19. Click SEARCH to display Low Fare Shopping results.

    Tip! You can also click:

    • RESET to reset the or clear the segment list.

    • SAVE AS to create an itinerary template for future use.

    • Flex Windows. The Close box exit to Smartpanel without searching.

  20. From the Low Fare Shopping results, click <<BOOK>> to select the desired pricing option.

    Tip! Any changes made through the Smartpanel are automatically updated in the PNR/Booking File. You can also select Auto Refresh from PNR to automatically reflect any changes made directly to the PNR/Booking File in Smartpanel.

    If Auto Refresh from PNR is:

    • Selected, Smartpoint continuously checks PNR/Booking File and automatically updates Smartpanel. However, this activity can cause Smartpoint to run a little more slowly.
    • Not selected, Smartpanel is only refreshed on the tab that is displayed and active. For example, if you add new passengers, Smartpanel is not automatically updated.

    However, if you choose not to use Auto Refresh, you can still manually update Smartpanel by clicking anywhere in the Smartpanel window/pane.

    Known Issue: If the Auto Refresh from PNR is not select, and the Smartpanel updates after clicking into any field in the Smartpanel, then you need to click a second time to actually enter data.

  21. After booking, you can click the Air Pricing tab to use Smartpanel to price (fare quote) or store fares for the itinerary.

    • For Direct Payment Carriers, pricing is required after fare shopping to ensure that the most recent fares are quoted.

    • For Network (GDS) Carries, pricing is strongly recommended after fare shopping. While a selected availability and pricing option can be booked without pricing for Network Carriers, it is best practice to price before booking to validate your selected pricing option.

    • See Pricing Itineraries (Fare Quote) for more information about rules and requirements for pricing.

    Tip! You can also use the Edit tab to change the departure, segment status, or booking code.