NEW BENEFITS TO HOLDING THE IATA ID CARD

Some important recent changes in the IATA agent identity card programmes make them even more valuable as the industry standard for the identification of bona fide travel agents.

- TIDS, GSA, SSI, NISI and Domestic Agents Now Eligible for the IATA ID Card:

Qualified staff of non-IATA travel agencies which hold an IATA numeric code as a Domestic, TIDS (Travel Industry Designator Service), GSA (General Sales Agent), SSI (Sponsored Sales Intermediary), or NISI (non-IATA Sales Intermediary) agent are now eligible to apply for the IATA Travel Agent ID Card.

- Policy Change for the Non-IATA Accredited Travel Agent ID Card effective 01 January 2002: As of 01 January 2002, non-IATA travel agencies will be required to have a unique IATA numeric code as a Domestic, TIDS, GSA, SSI or NISI agent for their qualified staff to be eligible for the IATA Travel Agent ID Card. All IATA Travel Agent ID Cards, issued or renewed from 01 January 2002 for the staff of non-IATA travel agencies, will be required to display the agency’s IATA numeric code on the face of the card. This policy change is one of several actions being taken to enhance the integrity of the IATA ID Card Programme.

Many travel and tourism suppliers today are requiring a valid IATA or TIDS numeric code for booking and commission purposes, and more suppliers will require this code in the near future. A special offer is being made for non-IATA agencies to obtain their unique TIDS code for applications made prior to 01 January 2002. The IATA Travel Industry Designator Service (TIDS) website can be accessed at www.iata.org/tids for more information and to obtain an Application Form for this special offer.