Travel and Transport - Ettek Banx Select

Travel and Transport - eTTek Banx Select

eTTek Banx Select

Overview

eTTek Banx is a software database developed by Travel and Transport that is used to store, update, and manage the use of nonrefundable tickets, credits, and vouchers. It works in conjunction with Travel and Transport’s back office system, the AS400.

eTTek Banx is comprised of two components:

Banx Manager
Banx Select

Banx Manager

Banx Manager allows the user to:

Add tickets, credits, and vouchers to the database
Edit tickets, credits, and vouchers within the database
Search for tickets, credits, and vouchers stored in the database
Create reports regarding what is stored in the database

Note: Banx Manager is restricted to Supervisors, Managers, and/or Administrators.

(See eTTek Banx Manager Manual for more details).

Banx Select

Banx Select advises agents of tickets, credits, and vouchers that are on file for a specific company or individual.

Banx Select allows the user to:

Determine what tickets, credits, and vouchers are on file for a specific traveler and/or company

Select a ticket to be applied towards a reservation
If the ticket, credit, or voucher on file will not be exchanged, Banx Select allows the agent to specify the reason why it was not used. e.g. Traveler’s preference, airline rules, etc.

Banx Select

Requirements:

Apply the Banx Select Icon to each agent’s desktop

(Request from Travel and Transport’s Help Desk)

Each user must be on the Travel and Transport Domain/Network

Function of Banx Select:

Point of Sales tool used to advise the agents of tickets, credits, and vouchers on file for individual travelers or their company
Select which ticket is to be used by the agent
Report why tickets are not used by the agent

Accessibility:

Agents should click the icon on the desktop at the start of their shift to open Banx Select
ALT TAB or use the computer mouse to access Banx Select
Banx Select will stay open throughout the duration of the agent’s shift unless it is manually closed by the user

Banx Select is designed to operate on dual GDS systems (Apollo and Sabre). Banx Select communicates with Apollo and Sabre without actually connecting to either GDS directly.

If Banx Select is not pre-set to aspecific GDS, the user will be prompted upon opening the application to select a default. For those agents that utilize both Apollo and Sabre they must use the computer mouse to select the appropriate Radial Button preceding the GDS name.

Select either:

Specify PNR

Note: When the Qualified Items Only box is checked, Banx Select will look at the following criteria:

Only return items that apply to the booked itinerary. For example, if United Airlines is booked, Banx Select will only return unused items on United for thesame passenger. (Change fees are also taken into consideration). Any other tickets, such as American or Delta would NOT be returned.
Determine if the carrier allows a name change. It also takes into consideration the name change fee, as well as, determines if the new value must be greater than the old value.
If the item is a MCO, Banx Select will determine if the MCO is transferable, as well as if the new value must be greater than the old value.

Note: When dealing with multiple carrierswithin the same PNR and/or to get back to the original list view, the user will want to uncheck the Qualified Items Only box.

-OR-

Profile

Pseudo

BAR/Level 1 Star

PAR/Level 2 Star

Note: Agents should only use the PROFILE option when they want to see if any unused tickets, credits or vouchers are on file BEFORE the booking process begins. This allows agents to suggestto a passenger an airline that should be considered prior to the unused ticket, credit or voucher expiring. If an agent uses this option and attempts to Select or Decline a Banx Item the system will prevent them from doing so.

<ENTER> -OR- click on the Get Items button.

Options

Banx Select has several display options that the user can choose from. To change the settings on Banx Select, choose FILE and OPTIONS

There are two tab options on the Banx Select Options page. Details of each tab are described below.

1. Main FormDefault GDS, Start Location and Behavior

2. Items FormStart Location and Behavior

Main Form

The choices are:

Default GDS

Apollo

Sabre

Start Location

Top Left

Bottom Left

Center

Top Right

Bottom Right

Last Position

Behavior

Minimize after select

Minimize after cancel

Fade from view

Items Form

The choices are:

Start Location

Top Left

Bottom Left

Center Parent

Top Right

Bottom Right

Last Position

Behavior

Save from size

Remove duplicate items

If tickets, credits, or vouchers are available for use, Banx Select will return a list as depicted below.

eTTek Banx has the capability to set up what are called “Custom Rules.” The Custom Rules will search the Banx Managerdatabase for specific criteria and return the results back to the agent. The Custom Rules may be set to search for a variety of options. Some of these options include: tickets that will expire in a designated amount of time, tickets issued on a particular airline carrier, tickets that allow names changes, or all options combined. This allows the agent to have the most up-to-date list of transferable tickets on file without someone having to change the status of each ticket in Banx Manager.

Banx Select will show which Custom Rules have been set-up by the branch. The Custom Rules will be displayed in the “COLOR KEY” legend at the bottom of the screen.

Note:Tickets may appear multiple times if it matches multiple criteria depending upon the custom rules unless the REMOVE DUPLICATE ITEMS is checked on the ITEMS FORM tab.

The tickets displayed are identified by the BAR (Apollo) or Level 1 (Sabre) -AND- the name change flag. In other words, the BAR/Level 1 should be moved over, as well as, the PAR/Level 2 of the traveler.

Agents can either:

Select a ticket to be used

Decline why they are not utilizing a ticket. If the ticket, credit, or voucher appears in the eTTek Banx database and is not being processed for an exchange; the agent will be required to advise the reason why. The list of possible reasons is displayed in the drop-down menu from which the agent must choose. Once the reason has been selected, the agent will click on the DECLINE command button.

The drop-down menu gives the agents multiple reasons why a ticket is not selected. If the agent has a reason other than one listed they can use the OTHER option. They must add freeform text explaining the “other” reason.

This text will then be added to the PNR for operational reference.

Apollo: :5Y/FREEFORM TEXT

Sabre: 5Y‡FREEFORM TEXT

Qualified. Agents can click on an entry (single click only) and then click on the Qualified option. Banx Select will then advise whether or not the item can be utilized for the reservation.

Note: The Qualified option will only show up when there is NOT a check mark in the Qualified Items Only box.

Example of where a ticket does qualify:

Examples where a ticket does NOT qualify to be used:

Reason Codes

If a ticket/credit/voucher appears in the eTTek Banx database, but the agent is not utilizing it, they must advise why it’s not being used. The agent should choose a reason for the decline from the drop-down menu and then click on the DECLINE command button. The drop-down menu of possible reasons is as follows:

Reason Code / Decline Options Listed in the Drop Down Menu / Explanation
AS / Credits are airline specified / Ticket/Credit/Voucher does not apply to the airline vendor that is being booked
CC / Ticket does not apply to cost center/department / Ticket does not apply to the cost center/department
EX / Processing an exchange on non-Banx ticket / Agent is exchanging a ticket that is not loaded into eTTek Banx
LF / Fare lower than ticket on file – no request to use / Fare is lower than the ticket on file
OT / Other / Other reason - if one of the other codes does not apply
PE / Personal ticket - does not apply to this booking / Personal ticket - does not apply to this booking
PT / Partial ticket - routing does not apply / Partial ticket - routing does not apply
RF / New ticket is refundable / Vendor does not allow a refundable ticket to be applied towards a nonrefundable ticket
RV / Airline does not allow a residual value back to a MCO / Airline does not allow a residual value back to the MCO, thus the passenger would have to forfeit a significant amount of value.
TE / Ticket expires prior to new travel date / Ticket expires prior to new travel date

The following reason codes will automatically append depending on if a ticket is available and the agent has selected it, or if no tickets were available.

Reason Code / Description / Explanation
NO / No tickets on file to utilize / Will automatically be appended if eTTek Banx does not indicate any tickets
US / Ticket/Credit/Voucher is being utilized from eTTek Banx / Will automatically append if a ticket is selected

The reason code will automatically be appended in the eTTek Banx view line of the PNR:

Apollo: :5Y/BANX-Y/two-letter reason code/ddmmm/time

Sabre: 5Y‡BANX-Y/two-letter reason code/ddmmm/time

eTTek Quality requires the date and time stamp from eTTek Banx be within 24-hours of ticketing. No override is set for this check.

OF and TF will have an override to allow their bookings to pass without utilizing eTTek Banx at this time.

If the PAR/Level 2 is NOT used for a specific traveler and the eTTek Banx database contains unused tickets, they will NOT be displayed; only transferable tickets will be listed.

Note: Do not access any other profiles and move any specific lines i.e. email address etc. before accessing the Banx Select, as the incorrect profile may be selected by eTTek Banx.

To select a ticket from the list, click on the specific line. This will highlight the entire line.

Choose the Select command -OR- double click on the item to “select” it.

Selecting a Ticket:

Before an agent selects a ticket they must have first "saved" the PNR. Once the agent selects a ticket, eTTek Banx will do the following:

Validate theBanx item airline against the airline(s) booked in the PNR. If the PNR does NOT contain the same airline a "warning" message appears. The agent then has the option to continue or cancel.

2. Validate the expiration date of the ticket being selected. eTTek Banx will check to see if the airline rules require the traveler to “Begin Travel by Expiration Date,” “Complete Travel by Expiration Date” or “Ticket Travel by Expiration Date.” The “Begin Travel“ and “Complete Travel” by expiration dates will be retrieved from the itinerary of the PNR and checked against the Banx item’s expiration date. If the Banx item expiration date is before the appropriate itinerary date it will not let the agent use the Banx item towards the new ticket.

The below are examples of the popup boxes that an agent might receive:

Popup for Begin Travel By:

Popup for Complete Travel By:

Popup for Ticket By:

3. Once the expiration date is validated eTTek Banx adds one or two lines of remarks to the PNR with the ticket information depending upon:

a. Airline

b. If the "Type" is a Voucher

c. Whether or not the original ticket was a Travel and Transport
ticket/credit/voucher

To Display:Apollo:*PRK

Sabre:*K‡

Examples

Single Line of Remarks

Travel and Transport Ticket:

Apollo:

:5K/BANX E XX 1112223333 TNT- ABCDEF 300.00 SMITH/JOHN

Sabre:

5K‡BANX E XX 1112223333 TNT- ABCDEF 300.00 SMITH/JOHN

Legend:

BANX = Banx Indicator

E = Electronic -OR- P = Paper

XX = Two-Letter Airline Code

111222333 = Airline Ticket Number

TNT- = Travel and Transport Original Record Locator Indicator

ABCDEF = Travel and Transport Original GDS Record Locator

300.00 = Amount of the Ticket

SMITH = Last Name of the Passenger

JOHN = First Name of the Passenger

Single Line of Remarks

Non-Travel and Transport Ticket:

Apollo:

:5K/BANX E XX 1112223333 NON-TNT 300.00 SMITH/JOHN

Sabre:

5K‡BANX E XX 1112223333 NON-TNT 300.00 SMITH/JOHN

Legend:

BANX = Banx Indicator

E = Electronic -OR- P = Paper

XX = Two-Letter Airline Code

111222333 = Airline Ticket Number

NON-TNT = Non Travel and Transport Indicator

300.00 = Amount of the Ticket

SMITH = Last Name of the Passenger

JOHN = First Name of the Passenger

Single Line of Remarks

Non-Travel and Transport Voucher/Credit

No Ticket Number (e.g. Southwest LUV Voucher):

Apollo:

:5K/BANX E XX ARL-123456789 NON-TNT 500.00 SMITH/JOHN

Sabre:

5K‡BANX E XX ARL-123456789 NON-TNT 500.00 SMITH/JOHN

Legend:

BANX = Banx Indicator

E = Electronic -OR- P = Paper

XX = Two-Letter Airline Code

ARL- = Airline Record Locator or Voucher Number Indicator

123456789 = Airline Record Locator or Voucher Number

NON-TNT = Non Travel and Transport Indicator

500.00 = Amount of the Credit/Voucher

SMITH = Last Name of the Passenger

JOHN = First Name of the Passenger

Double Lines of Remark

Previously Processed via Travel and Transport's AS400 System:

Apollo:

:5K/BANX E XX 111222333 TNT-ABCDEF 500.00 JOHN SMITH

:5K/BANX E XX ARL-XYZXZY TNT-ABCDEF 500.00 JOHN SMITH

Sabre:

5K‡BANX E XX 111222333 TNT-ABCDEF 500.00 JOHN SMITH

5K‡BANX E XX ARL-XYZXZY TNT-ABCDEF 500.00 JOHN SMITH

Legend:

BANX = Banx Indicator

E = Electronic -OR- P = Paper

XX = Two-Letter Airline Code

111222333 = Airline Ticket Number

TNT- = Travel and Transport Original Record Locator Indicator

ABCDEF = Travel and Transport Original/Old Record Locator

500.00 = Amount of the Ticket

JOHN = First Name of the Passenger

SMITH = Last Name of the Passenger

ARL- = Airline Record Locator Indicator

Double Lines of Remark

NonTravel and Transport Voucher/Credit with a Ticket Number

(e.g. Southwest, excluding LUV Voucher)

Not Processed via Travel and Transport's AS400 System:

Apollo:

:5K/BANX E XX 111222333 NON-TNT 500.00 JOHN SMITH

:5K/BANX E XX ARL-XYZXZY NON-TNT 500.00 JOHN SMITH

Sabre:

5K‡BANX E XX 111222333 NON-TNT 500.00 JOHN SMITH

5K‡BANX E XX ARL-XYZXZY NON-TNT 500.00 JOHN SMITH

Legend:

BANX = Banx Indicator

E = Electronic -OR- P = Paper

XX = Two-Letter Airline Code

111222333 = Airline Ticket Number

NON-TNT = Non Travel and Transport Indicator

500.00 = Amount of the Ticket

JOHN = First Name of the Passenger

SMITH = Last Name of the Passenger

ARL- = Airline Record Locator Indicator

XYZXYZ = Airline Record Locator

4. Changes the status of the ticket from “Available” to “Selected” in Banx Manager.

5. Removes the ticket from the profile. Therefore, the next agent will not see that it is available to use as an exchange.

6. Adds a remark in the PNR that eTTek Banx was viewed. It also indicates a two-letter reason code if a ticket was not selected.

Apollo: :5Y/BANX-Y/two-letter reason code/ddmmm/time

Sabre: 5Y‡BANX-Y/two-letter reason code/ddmmm/time

To Display:Apollo:*PRY

Sabre:*Y‡

If no tickets, credits, or vouchers are available, the agent will see a response indicating no items are available.

For non-split tickets:

For split tickets:

If the agent clicks OK, the following will be added to the PNR:

Apollo: :5Y/BANX-Y/NO/ddmmm/time-AUTO VRFD

Sabre: 5Y‡BANX-Y/NO/ddmmm/time-AUTO VRFD

If the agent clicks CANCEL, Banx Select will return to the criteria screen to allow the user to redo their search if necessary.

Important: These steps must always occur in this order:

Save the PNR (ER) to make sure all previous entries have been saved.
Run Banx Select and either Select or Decline or select OK if no Banx Items exist.
IR the PNR to see the updates.
Proceed with any existing modifications to the PNR.

Misc.:

If a ticket is “Selected” and later identified that it will not be used due to a cancellation or change of plan, the agent should advise the branch administrator to change the status back to “Available.” This process will add the ticket back into the profile immediately. This will allow other agents to use the ticket, credit, or voucher.

Every Wednesday at 1:00 PM Central Time, eTTek Banx reconciles with the AS400 according to what was submitted to ARC for that week. If eTTek Banx shows a ticket that was “Selected” and now the AS400 indicates that it was exchanged, the new ticket information is appended to the USAGE page of the eTTek Banx ticket file. Also, the status of the ticket in eTTek Banx is changed from “Selected” to “Used.” If for some reason the ticket does not show in the AS400 as exchanged but was “Selected”, the ticket will appear on an exception report. Someone must then investigate why it was not exchanged. If the ticket was not used, the branch administrator must change the status of the ticket back to “Available.”