NDC FAQs: Seats and ancillaries

These frequently asked questions provide general information about seats and ancillaries.

Detailed airline-specific NDC information is found in the airline's general information knowledge base article. Visit Travelport Support, search for the airline name or code plus NDC (for example, search NDC SQ for information about Singapore Airlines NDC capabilities).

NDC airline-specific information is currently found in the following knowledge base articles:

Refer to the other NDC FAQ topics for information about getting started, shopping and booking, servicing, and reporting/MBOS for NDC content.

Question

Answer

Can I book seats and ancillaries for NDC bookings?

We do support seat booking (based on carrier support); please refer to the NDC airlines capabilities and Seats topics for more details.

Am I able upgrade or change my seat once I’ve already booked a seat?

Yes, however you need to first cancel your booked seat and then book another one. For example, you initially had a free seat, and you want a seat with more legroom. First you need to cancel the free one and then book the desired new seat, which in this case most probably is a paid seat.

Can I request seats using loyalty details and corporate ID (CLID)?

Yes, this is supported and will show chargeable price as 0.00. For some carriers, a loyalty card status will obtain a free seat. A CLID number is not recognised through Travelport’s NDC products; however, it may allow certain upgrades when the passenger arrives at the airport if included in the PNR.

You cannot yet type directly into the Corporate ID field. To choose a corporate ID, the ID must be added to the booking file/PNR with an OSI before NDC search. If the ID is available, it is pre-populated in the NDC plugin selection box.

To add a corporate ID, enter SI.AA*CORPORATE ID NUMBER

When added before your search, select the Corp ID field to see the ID that was entered: 

How do I search flights using a frequent flyer number?

Currently only one Frequent Flyer Number (FQTV) can be added before the NDC search. The ability to add multiple frequent flyer numbers is a future enhancement. Multiple passengers will need to access the AA website to add the other travelers' frequent flyer number or call American directly. You must add the passenger names and titles to the booking file before searching for NDC flights.

You cannot yet type directly into the Membership Number field. You must add the frequent flyer number to the booking file before searching for flights. When a frequent flyer number is in the booking file, the number is pre-populated in the Membership Number field.

To add a frequent flyer number, enter M.AA1TR3Y00

Can I book the NDC order and then add seats on the carrier's website?

Seats can be booked through Smartpoint Cloud. If you add or modify seats on the carrier's website, any changes made will not reflect back in the booking file or PNR. Once you make changes on the carrier's website, the ownership of the booking file or PNR passes to the airline.

How do Virtual Cards work with NDC and booking air and paid seats? Would a separate card be needed for each transaction?

No, Smartpoint only allows 1 form of payment. JSON allows separate forms of payment if desired. A virtual card number is treated the same as a normal credit card. The virtual card authorization will be given for 1 transaction only; a separate authorization will be required if paying by 2 or more forms of payment.

Are we going to be able to support different types of payment for each passenger? For example, one passenger pays with credit card and another one with cash?

This is currently not supported but is on the roadmap.

If I cancel the order, will I get a refund on seats and bags?

Refunds are processed as per the airline's policy.