emds
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), Excess Baggage Ticket and Tour Order. An EMD is an electronic document, similar to an electronic ticket, and its adoption remove the need for paper documents completely.
See KB0015449 in the Travelport Knowledge Base for more information.
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
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.
Cryptic Example:
SSRASVCKLNN1AMSJFK1234F30JUN-SMITH/JAMES.F/E23/VGML/VEGETARIAN MEAL
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.
Smartpoint does not currently support EMD-A through the EMD Manager. Cryptic commands are required to issue an EMD-A. For more information, see the EMD-A User Guide in KB0015443 in the Travelport Knowledge Base.
Service (SVC) Segment
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.
Cryptic Example:
SVC KL NN1 MAD 17OCT/F/E80/LOUNGE ACCESS/NM-SMITH NAMES
An EMD-S (EMD Stand-Alone) is issued to fulfill non-flight-related services, which are indicated in a Service Segment (SVC).
Smartpoint supports EMD-S either cryptically or through the EMD Manager. For more information, see the EMD-S User Guide in KB0015446 in the Travelport Knowledge Base.
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 status for EMD-A or cryptic commands for EMD-S:
- EMDP/M returns a table of airlines distributing EMDs for a your location (or emulated location).
- EMDP/CXX returns the EMD status for your location or emulated location for the specified carrier (XX).
- The KB0016544 in the Travelport Knowledge Base contains instructions for checking EMD status for a specific country as well as a list of specific types of EMDs supported for carriers by GDS and country. This table is updated weekly on Mondays.
For supported EMD-S types:
- Service Segments (SVC) can be created using the Smartpoint Service Segments script rather than cryptic commands.
- The EMD Manager tool creates EMDs based on the Service Segments for a PNR. Because the EMD Manager automates EMD and corresponding reason codes, EMD Manager replaces the information found in the Airline EMD Fact Sheet.
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.
See KB0016375 in the Travelport Knowledge Base for more information about Reason Codes.