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Better Serving Agents and Customers Through a New Distribution Model

New ways to access Qantas content

From 1 July 2025 agents will have several ways to access Qantas content, with surcharge free options and varying ticket surcharges depending on your booking channel, with full details outlined below.

Qantas has worked closely with partners on this distribution transformation to ensure the new model is designed to set our agents up for success into the future. This includes GDS partners; Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport and 10 other Certified Technology Partners.

The new model will replace the Qantas Channel agreements and help us to recover costs of indirect distribution. As the industry moves toward NDC adoption, our goal is to help you unlock the full potential of these advanced capabilities.

Traditional booking systems (EDIFACT)

Bookings through traditional indirect booking systems will incur a Qantas surcharge on the ticket of A$11.50* per segment in Australia and up to US$13* per segment in other points of sale.

Standard NDC options via GDS OR Certified Technology Partners

Available via Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport NDC platforms, bookings will incur a Qantas surcharge on the ticket of A$4.50* or US$3.00* per segment.

Alternatively, agents can use Qantas’ Certified Technology Partners or the Qantas Distribution Platform (QDP) portal with no surcharge on the ticket.

Premium NDC option
(by invitation after EOI process)

Offers the largest range of Qantas NDC content with no surcharge on tickets, regardless of the Technology Partner. Agencies will be invited to express interest in participating.

Benefits of NDC for agents and customers⁺

Qantas’ NDC is designed to enhance booking and servicing experiences, enabling features beyond what is possible in traditional systems:

For agents:

The ability to better sell ancillaries

Access to new revenue opportunities through dynamic commission offers

Automated processes that will minimise the risk of Agency Debit Memos (ADMs), including automated changes, refund calculations and processing
The ability to lock in the price of a booking for up to five days before ticketing; pending fare rules and where delayed ticketing is available
Provides agents with the tools to create more personalised trips that we know customers want and expect

For customers Qantas' NDC has a number of benefits that may be provided by their travel agent including:

Over time, better pricing and more fare options than traditional booking systems, which will have limited access to sale fares and content
The ability to lock in the price of a booking for up to five days before ticketing (fare rules permitting)
The ability for better servicing and disruption handling available through their chosen travel agent
Customers can be recognised as a Qantas Frequent Flyer during the booking process and receive periodic special offers based on status
Customers will be able to see any Qantas Points and Status Credits earned for an itinerary (where the fare permits)
The ability to be recognised as a Qantas Business Rewards member, with discounted fares and tailored offers to be made available

⁺ The benefits are relative to traditional booking systems. Ancillaries and special offers may be made from time to time, and some offers are limited to Qantas Frequent Flyer members and/or Qantas Business Rewards members.

For more details, refer to the table below, summarising booking channels and associated costs.

* Surcharge amounts are correct as at 27 November 2024. Surcharges may not apply on specific routes including the Qantas and Emirates joint business routes between Australia and New Zealand, as well as between Australia/New Zealand and destinations in the UK, Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, Thailand, and Singapore. Subject to change. POS ROW surcharges may also be subject to government and regulatory approvals.

** Access to Premium NDC may be subject to reaching an agreement with your technology partner.

^ Qantas is in ongoing discussions with TravelSky for Qantas' NDC content to continue to be available from 1 July 2025.

Looking ahead

Qantas remains committed to working with our agency partners to ensure they benefit from the advanced capabilities NDC technology offers, paving the way for an improved booking and travel experience for agents and our mutual customers well into the future.

We encourage you to reach out to your technology partner now to understand readiness for accessing Qantas NDC content from 1 July 2025^

Quick links

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Certified Technology Partners

Discover the Certified Technology Partners integrated with Qantas NDC, designed to enhance the booking and servicing experience for your customers.

Learn more

Qantas NDC Benefits

Booking through Qantas NDC delivers enhanced booking and servicing experiences, enabling features not possible with traditional systems.

Learn more

Qantas Learning Hub

NDC Essentials Course. Learn all about Qantas NDC, including how to shop, book and service your customers more efficiently. Login to learn more.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, we are excited to offer preferential NDC content options over traditional booking systems. Customer preferences are evolving, and Qantas’ NDC provides the capability to offer a wider range of products, flexible booking options, and more dynamic content, via Qantas' NDC which adds value for both customers and our travel agencies.

We respect that each travel agency will make the decision that best aligns with its business needs.
The new model will replace Qantas Channel Agreements currently in place from 1 July 2025, however there is nothing for agents to do in relation to your Channel agreement at the moment.

In the interim, Agency Managers should review and update their agency profile information and, if they haven’t already completed, confirm their Qantas Channel registration.

We will be in touch and provide further detail in the coming months.
No. The GDSs remain critical partners and will continue to play a valuable role in how agents’ access and sell Qantas using NDC.

For years now we’ve worked with our partners to help incorporate the new technology into their systems. It can be accessed via the agent’s GDS or our Certified Technology Partners.

We have signed new deals with Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport and they’re on board to support the transition so that agents can access the Qantas NDC content through them.
Access to Premium NDC is by invitation only to ensure that participating agents represent Qantas in line with our standards, allowing us to provide the appropriate level of resources and support to our partners. Invitations are extended based on an objective framework that includes:
- Agent having a commercial agreement with Qantas
- Agent adhering to Qantas’ compliance framework and Standard Agency Terms and Conditions
- Agent meeting Qantas’ Minimum Servicing and Brand Requirements
- Agent’s Qantas sales performance
- Qantas having sufficient account management resources to support agent
Agents can submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) through their Qantas Account Manager or via the Qantas Agency Connect site, where a form will be available in early 2025.

Submissions will be reviewed against the outlined objective framework. Invitations will be extended to agents who meet these criteria, ensuring they represent Qantas in line with standards. This approach allows us to deliver the appropriate level of resources and support to our valued partners.
Premium NDC will offer Qantas’ broadest range of NDC content for agents, surcharge free, and we’ll be launching new indirect products first in the Premium NDC channel. However, agents will need to be invited to access Premium NDC. An agent’s ability to access Premium NDC may be subject to entering into an agreement with their preferred Certified Technology Partners (GDS or otherwise).

Agents should discuss conditions directly with their certified technology partner.
No, NDC is technology designed purely for the indirect channel.

A significant proportion of our customers book their travel through the indirect channel, so maintaining a competitive proposition in this channel and supporting our partnerships with travel agents is incredibly important for Qantas.

Customers are expecting an increasingly personalised, flexible and seamless experience no matter how or where they make their booking, whether it’s directly with us, or indirectly through a Travel Management Company, or their local travel agent or an online travel agent.

That’s why we’re investing in technology for our indirect channels more than ever before. Qantas’ NDC can enable you to provide an improved booking and travel experience for your customers well into the future.

We recognise the significant change involved in the transition to this new distribution model. However, if we don’t transform, then we would be disadvantaging our agency partners and customers.
Qantas is investing in its technical knowledge base and agent support resources to support agents in booking and servicing customers through NDC. We’re also working closely with all our Certified Technology Partners to educate and train agents across our network to understand options to access NDC content and its benefits. Our Agency Learning Hub also offers training modules on NDC, the benefits for agents and customers and how agents can access it.

Better Serving Agents and Customers Through a New Distribution Model