If you're building a travel app, agency platform, or OTA (Online Travel Agency), integrating with Travelport GDS API is one of the smartest moves you can make. In this blog, we’ll break down what the integration involves, what you can expect, and why choosing the right Travelport GDS API Integration Service matters.
What Is Travelport GDS?
Travelport is one of the world’s leading Global Distribution Systems (GDS), alongside Amadeus and Sabre. It connects travel service providers (airlines, hotels, car rentals) with travel sellers (agencies, OTAs, apps).
Travelport actually includes three major systems under one umbrella:
- Apollo
- Galileo
- Worldspan
Through a single integration, you can tap into all three.
Why Use a GDS Like Travelport?
A GDS lets you:
- Access real-time inventory: Seats, room availability, car rentals.
- Book instantly: Reservations can be confirmed and managed through one API.
- Get global coverage: 650,000+ hotel properties, 400+ airlines, and major car rental providers.
- Offer competitive pricing: Travelport includes negotiated fares and exclusive deals.
- Automate your travel business: No manual ticketing, no back-and-forth emails.
Travelport GDS API: What Can You Do With It?
Once integrated, the Travelport API enables a variety of functions:
✈️ Air Booking
- Search for flights across multiple airlines.
- View fare rules, seat maps, baggage policies.
- Book and issue tickets directly.
- Handle cancellations, re-issuance, and refunds.
???? Hotel Booking
- Real-time room availability.
- Detailed hotel descriptions, amenities, images.
- Manage bookings and cancellations.
- Access both GDS inventory and non-GDS content.
???? Car Rentals
- Search, book, and modify car rentals from providers like Hertz, Avis, etc.
???? PNR Management
- Create and manage Passenger Name Records (PNRs).
- Add special service requests (SSRs), frequent flyer numbers, etc.
???? Payment Integration
- Connect to BSP/ARC systems for payment processing.
- Support for third-party gateways or agency billing.
Who Needs Travelport GDS API Integration?
- Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)
- Corporate travel management platforms
- Flight aggregator apps
- Hotel booking platforms
- B2B travel resellers
- Tour operators building packages
If your business model relies on real-time booking, dynamic inventory, and automation GDS is your backbone.
Travelport vs. Amadeus vs. Sabre
All three GDSs offer global travel content, but Travelport is known for:
- Faster integration options using Universal API and REST-based APIs.
- Better pricing transparency, with low-cost copyright access.
- Modernized NDC (New Distribution Capability) support, allowing personalized offers from airlines.
Many developers prefer Travelport for its developer-friendly documentation and easier test environment setup.
How the Travelport GDS API Integration Process Works
Here’s a simplified version of what working with a Travelport GDS API Integration Service looks like:
Step 1: Registration & Credentials
You must be a certified Travelport partner or go through an authorized reseller. Once approved, you’ll receive access to the Universal API, sandbox environment, and XML/REST documentation.
Step 2: Requirement Gathering
A good integration partner will help you define:
- What modules you need: air, hotel, car, etc.
- UI/UX expectations.
- Backend architecture.
- Region-specific preferences (e.g., US vs. Asia carriers).
Step 3: API Integration
This is the heavy lifting:
- Set up authentication tokens.
- Connect to the Universal API or uAPI for test bookings.
- Handle edge cases: round-trip, multi-city, baggage selection, fare families.
- Parse and render complex responses (especially air pricing).
Step 4: Testing & Certification
Travelport requires you to pass their certification tests before going live. A skilled integration team ensures this process is smooth.
Step 5: Go Live & Support
Once certified, your app/platform goes live. But ongoing support is key for:
- Fare changes.
- API version updates.
- Compliance with IATA/NDC updates.
- Maintenance and enhancements.
Common Challenges (and How Integration Services Solve Them)
- Complex APIs
Travelport APIs involve deeply nested XML/JSON and need careful parsing.
→ An experienced team builds abstractions and simplifies response handling. - PNR Management
Booking workflows differ based on airline rules.
→ Consultants map rules and automate flows with fallback logic. - Multiple Modules Integration
Flight, hotel, car rentals have different schemas and logic.
→ End-to-end orchestration ensures they all work together smoothly. - UI/UX Expectations
Travelers expect a polished experience.
→ Developers create fast-loading, intuitive search and booking flows. - Global Regulatory Compliance
From PCI DSS to GDPR.
→ Professional services ensure security and legal compliance.
Why Work with a Travelport GDS API Integration Service?
Doing it yourself is tempting, but GDS integration is not plug-and-play. Hiring a professional team means:
- Faster time to market
- Fewer booking errors
- Certified Travelport partnership
- Better security practices
- Scalable backend structure
- Ongoing technical support
Final Thoughts
If you're serious about scaling your travel tech business, Travelport GDS integration is a must. It gives you unmatched access to global travel content, real-time bookings, and automation tools that modern travelers expect.
But don’t go it alone. Partnering with an experienced Travelport GDS API Integration Service makes all the difference from implementation to optimization.