Feeling Overwhelmed by Online Booking Platforms?
If you’re a travel agent, you’re likely familiar with the pressure of mastering complex booking systems. For decades, the industry has relied on Global Distribution Systems (GDS) that often feel like they require a degree in computer science. The endless strings of cryptic codes, the command-line interfaces, and the steep learning curve can be a significant source of frustration.
Many agents find GDS systems difficult to navigate due to their intricate commands and non-visual interfaces, which can lead to booking errors and service issues. But what if booking flights and increasing your profits didn’t have to be so complicated? What if there was a tool designed for travel agents, not programmers?
This guide will walk you through a simpler way. We’ll introduce you to the WINGS Booking Platform by Sky Bird Travel & Tours, a system built to be powerful yet intuitive, so you can focus on crafting amazing travel experiences for your clients.
What is WINGS and Why is it Simpler?
WINGS is Sky Bird Travel & Tours’ exclusive online booking platform, created specifically for travel advisors. It provides direct access to our discounted airfares from over 90 airline partners, but its real strength lies in its simplicity. Unlike traditional GDS, WINGS is a visual, point-and-click system. There are no cryptic commands to memorize or complex codes to decipher.
The platform is designed to streamline your workflow. Instead of jumping between different systems, you can find and book flights, hotels, cars, and insurance all in one place. This integrated approach saves you time and helps you serve clients more efficiently.
Most importantly, this system is backed by a name you can trust. Sky Bird has been a dedicated partner to travel agents for nearly 50 years, consistently evolving to meet the needs of the industry. WINGS is the next step in that evolution, putting powerful, user-friendly technology directly into your hands.
Finding Airfares in 3 Simple Steps
Booking with WINGS is a straightforward process that feels familiar to anyone who has ever used a travel website. Here’s how you can find the best flights for your clients in just three steps.
Step 1: Search for Your Flight
Start by entering your client’s travel details into the simple search form. You’ll see fields for departure and arrival cities, travel dates, and the number of passengers. The layout is clean and intuitive, designed to get your search started without any confusion.
Step 2: Filter Your Results
Once the initial results appear, you can easily narrow them down using the filters on the side of the page. Sort by price, preferred airline, number of stops, or departure and arrival times. These options are presented with simple checkboxes and sliders, allowing you to customize the search results with a few clicks.
Step 3: Select the Best Fare
As you browse the flight options, you’ll see a clear breakdown of the costs. The fare, taxes, and terms and conditions are displayed upfront. This transparency allows you to quickly identify the most profitable options and make informed decisions that benefit both your client and your business.
WINGS vs. GDS: The Difference is Clarity
The challenge with many GDS platforms is that they were built for a different era. Mastering them often requires extensive training to learn the unique command language of systems like Sabre or Amadeus. To eliminate that barrier, we built WINGS!
GDS: Often requires you to memorize and type complex entries to perform a simple flight search. Fare rules and commission details can be buried in hard-to-read text screens.
WINGS: Uses a familiar, web-based interface with dropdown menus, calendars, and checkboxes. It presents information in a clear, visual format that anyone who has booked a flight online will instantly recognize.
GDS: Deciphering fare rules and calculating commissions can be a complex, multi-step process.
WINGS: Provides a clear, immediate breakdown of costs, taxes, and your earnings. While Sky Bird has developed tools like Opteticket to simplify GDS ticketing, WINGS bypasses the complexity altogether for a more direct and efficient workflow.
Your Questions Answered: A Non-Tech-Savvy Q&A
Switching to a new tool can feel daunting, so we’ve answered some of the most common questions agents have about using WINGS.
Q: Is this harder to learn than GDS? A: Absolutely not. WINGS is designed from the ground up to be intuitive. If you can shop or book a hotel online, you have all the skills you need to use WINGS. There are no command lines or complex codes to memorize, which means you can get started right away.
Q: What if I get stuck or make a mistake? A: You’re never alone. One of the biggest advantages of working with Sky Bird is our dedicated support system. We offer 24/7 assistance from real people who can walk you through any issue, big or small. We’ll cover this in more detail in the next section.
Q: Can I still access all the same airlines? A: Yes. Sky Bird has strong relationships and contracts with over 90 airline partners, giving you access to a massive inventory of net fares across the globe. You can see a full list of our airline partners on our website.
Help is Always One Click or Call Away
Adopting new technology is much easier when you know there’s a reliable support system behind it. At Sky Bird, we see our support team as your partners in success. Strong supplier relationships are key to a travel advisor’s success, ensuring you have the backup you need to serve your clients effectively.
That’s why we offer 24/7 support via phone and email! No matter what time zone you or your clients are in, our team is available to help you with bookings, ticketing, or any questions you have about using WINGS. This round-the-clock service is a core part of our commitment to the travel agent community.
Start Booking with Confidence Today
Don’t let outdated and complicated technology be a barrier to growing your business! The WINGS Booking Platform offers a simpler path forward with its easy-to-use interface, clear pricing, and the peace of mind that comes with 24/7 human support.
It’s time to move past the frustration of unclear codes and embrace a tool that works for you, not against you. See for yourself how simple booking airfare can be and start increasing your profits with access to our competitive net fares.
Ready to get started? Register for your free WINGS account today!