EmD (Electronic Miscellaneous Document)

Working with EMDs

The EMD (Electronic Miscellaneous Document) is the industry-standard document for fulfillment of travel-related services.

Airlines have increasingly begun to charge for services and fees, such as bags and seats, through their direct channels. EMDs allow these services to be sold by travel agents through the GDS, and enable interline settlement between airlines. The EMD is an industry standard document described in IATA Resolution 725.

EMDs replace miscellaneous documents, such as Miscellaneous Charges Order (MCO), Multi Purpose Document (MPD), and Excess Baggage Ticket and Tour Order. An EMD is an electronic document, similar to an electronic ticket, and its adoption removes the need for paper documents completely.

Methods for Selling Services and Types of EMDs

Travelport has two methods for selling services: ASVC (Additional Service) SSRs and Service (SVC) Segments. Depending on the location and carrier, corresponding EMDs may be required.

ASVC (Additional Service) SSR and EMD-A

The ASVC (Additional Service) SSR communicates flight-associated Ancillary Services, also known as Optional Services or Additional Services. These services include seats, meals, pillows, and baggage, that have been sold from the Industry Standard Message (ISM) database.

An EMD-A (EMD Associated) is issued for a flight-associated Additional Service, which are indicated in an ASVC SSR. The EMD-A is linked to the specific Electronic Ticket (ET) flight coupon in the airline's ET database. EMD-A can be issued through the EMD Manager in Smartpoint, as well as terminal formats.

Service (SVC) Segment and EMD-S

The Service (SVC) Segment type communicates non-flight-associated services that have been sold from the ISM database. These services include reservations change fees, group deposits, and lounge access.

An EMD-S (EMD Stand-Alone) is issued to fulfill non-flight-related services, which are indicated in a Service Segment (SVC). Service Segments can created through the Create Service Segments screen. EMD-S can be issued through the EMD Manager in Smartpoint, as well as terminal formats.

Status of Issuance for EMDs

EMD issuance varies by country and airline because it is dictated by the airline and BSP certification.

  • The following methods can be used to determine the status for EMDs:
    • EMDP/M returns a table of airlines distributing EMDs for your location (or emulated location).
    • EMDP/CXX returns the EMD status for your location or emulated location for the specified carrier (XX).
  • Information about EMDs for specific airlines are available in the Travelport Knowledge Base:
  • For supported EMD types:
    • The EMD Manager tool creates EMD-S based on the Service Segments and EMD-A based on Additional Service Segments for a PNR/Booking File. Because the EMD Manager automates EMD and corresponding reason codes, EMD Manager replaces the information found in the EMD Fact Sheets in the Travelport Knowledge Base.

EMD Coupon Structures and Reason Codes

An EMD can contain up to 16 coupons, where up to four coupons can have the same EMD number. If an EMD contains more than four coupons, a conjunction EMD must be issued with up to four consecutive additional EMD numbers.

Each EMD coupon contains the following information:

  • Reason for Issuance Code (RFIC)

    All of the coupons in an EMD must have the same RFIC.
  • Reason for Issuance Sub-Code (RFISC)

    Sub-codes for a coupon can be different from other EMD coupons.

Service Segments can created through the Create Service Segments screen, which automatically displays the appropriate reason codes for the selected airline and location.

More Information

For more information, see the EMD category in the Travelport Knowledge Base.