What is the difference between a CTD and other ARC agencies?
The CTD is intended for the purpose of purchasing airline transportation and services for its own employees, owners and officers (i.e., in-house travel department). This is unlike an agency that is open and accessible to the general public for the retail sale of air transportation. The Agent Reporting Agreement (ARA) governs a travel agency, and a separate Corporate Travel Department Reporting Agreement (CTDRA) governs a CTD.
Can an approved CTD operate its own branches?
Yes. Once the home office of the CTD is approved, the entity will be able to apply for remote branches. A branch request can be submitted online in the Accreditation Tool in My ARC.
Where can the CTD be located?
A CTD may be located on the premises of the parent company, one of its wholly owned subsidiaries, or another ARC-approved travel agency to service the business needs of the entire organization.
What is the trade name or "doing business as" name that I must use to identify my services?
The CTD DBA or "doing business as" name can be any name you choose, so long as it is not the same as, or misleadingly similar to, an airline, and it is not identified as an airline office.
Are there any government, banking or association rules that might preclude us from becoming approved as a CTD?
ARC is aware of some requirements and may be able to assist with broad suggestions in this area. However, it is up to the CTD to ensure that they are in compliance with all requisite local, state and federal licenses required to operate the CTD from the designated location.
Must I have my ARC Specialist in place before I submit an application?
ARC requires one ARC Specialist staff at the Home Office Location, which will be responsible for any additional locations as well. The ARC Specialist must be named in the application before the application can be processed. However, that individual is not required to have already passed the ARC Specialist test at the time that the application is submitted. The proposed qualifier must pass the ARC Specialist test and meet all other ARC requirements before the CTD application may be approved.
How will the approved CTD be identified to the suppliers?
ARC will provide basic location information on the approved CTD to airlines and other industry suppliers who purchase ARC data. Those files will also identify the CTD as a corporate purchaser, as opposed to a travel agent who is a retail seller of travel.
What will the commission be if I am approved?
Remuneration and other commercial arrangements are matters between the CTD and its suppliers. ARC is not involved in such matters and suggests that you contact individual suppliers directly.
I have heard that the CTD application process is very involved and time-consuming and that I also have to provide personal information on all of our corporate officers. Is that true?
The entire application process can take up to 90 days from the date all information is received. For a publicly held corporation, ARC requires a completed Personal History Form for only one corporate officer involved with the CTD. If all required information and documentation is included with the application, the process is simple and straightforward.
Will ARC be able to assist with a transition plan as we move from our existing agency relationship to our own appointment?