FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions about UATP and its services.
How does an airline participate in UATP?
There are two types of membership in UATP:
Merchants are airlines, rail networks and travel agencies that accept UATP as a form of payment. Additionally, travel agencies can charge service fees, management fees and net fares to UATP when they are a Merchant.
Issuers are airlines and travel management companies (TMCs) that issue UATP accounts to Account Holders and accept other Issuers’ UATP cards as a form of payment.
What are the benefits of becoming a UATP Merchant?
Industry Product: UATP lowers the costs of distribution by lowering the cost of accepting credit cards.
Lower Cost: Merchants pay a low merchant service fee on all UATP transactions, instead of higher rates charged by the other T&E cards.
Pay Merchant Service Fees Only on Segments You Fly: When a ticket is issued on your ticket stock and includes segments on another carrier, you pay merchant service fee only on the segments you fly. With other charge cards, when the ticket is written on your ticket stock, you pay merchant service fee on the entire ticket value.
No Cost to You: Merchants pay no membership fees or annual dues for membership in the UATP.
More Corporate Business: Merchants are eligible to earn revenues from corporations around the world that use the UATP card exclusively to pay for their air, rail or travel agency payments.
Better Customer Service: UATP is a global product used by corporations around the world. You can provide better service to your corporate clients by accepting the UATP card when it is their preferred form of payment.
Connect with AFPs: AFPs allow airlines to navigate the complex global payments market, which increases the opportunities for more completed transactions. UATP can connect any AFP to any airline for acceptance as a form of payment.
Travel Protection: For a low annual fee, employees of Merchant airlines can take advantage of UATP’s Insider’s Club travel protection policy covering travel on industry-free, reduced-rate of full-fare tickets on scheduled airline, Amtrak rail or cruise lines.
How do I become a Merchant?
For further information on becoming a Merchant and the benefits of being a Merchant, visit our Merchants page or contact us.
What are the benefits of becoming a UATP Issuer?
The four principal benefits to UATP Issuers are:
Savings: Issuers pay no interchange or discount fees when an Issuer’s own UATP card is used to purchase a ticket on that Issuer’s airline.
Revenue: Issuers receive a percentage of the ticket value for all tickets purchased with their UATP card on other airlines.
Information: Issuers receive valuable Level III data for all online and interline travel paid for with their UATP card, including who the travelers are, where and when they fly, and how much they pay to fly.
Relationships: Issuers can establish closer relationships with their corporate clients by using their UATP card program to offer targeted incentive and discount programs aimed at meeting each corporation’s specific needs and shifting a larger share of the corporation’s business to their carrier.
How do I become an Issuer?
For further information on becoming an Issuer and the benefits of being an Issuer, visit our Issuers page or contact us.
Does UATP provide any training for Merchants and Issuers?
Yes. Courses are open to new and existing Merchants and Issuers, as well as customized training to meet the specific needs of a carrier. New members can attend UATP 101 for free in the first year of membership.
How do I become a Processing Partner?
To learn how to become a Processing Partner, please contact us.
How are UATP transactions authorized?
UATP operates an authorization system, ATCAN, which allows transaction verification 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The system offers enhanced security through credit limits, address verification, velocity checks and expiry date verification. ATCAN is UATP’s central, global transaction processing system; a network that acquires data on behalf of members and consolidates within the UATP ATCAN system.
Where are the UATP offices?
UATP headquarters are located in Washington, DC with additional offices located around the world. Click here for contact information.
How do I keep up with UATP activities and developments?
Contact us here and make sure to check the boxes to receive UATP information and newsletters.
How is UATP processed? We use an agency to book our travel & I want to make sure there is no change for them.
One very valuable feature of UATP is that the product is flexible. Corporations can choose to have a lodged account (no plastic) or plastic cards. A lodged account works especially well with agencies because the number is held with the agency in the travelers profile which provides much security.
UATP talks about Level III data – what is it exactly?
Level III data is defined as ticket level data (or PNR data) and includes the following fields of information:
- Currency Type
- Agent Numeric Code (IATA Number)
- Ticket Number
- Date ticket was Issued
- Cost of ticket
- Point of Sale Name
- Place of Issue
- Passenger Name
- Customer File Reference
- Flight Date
- Flight Segments (e.g., DCA-SEA-DCA)
This information appears on the invoice provided by UATP to the corporate client.
How long does it take to become a UATP Merchant?
Still need help? Send us your inquiry
For any other questions or to share feedback about UATP, our products or services, please contact us. We are here to help.
