How Travel Agents use Flight API for their Clients

In the space of the online travel industry, you cannot go wrong if you’re equipped with the right set of technology. Flight API can be described as the missing piece from your travel portal that can single handedly revolutionize the entire game. 

Simply put, with the right flight API, you can help your customers in acquiring perfect flights in seconds. This little integration will enrich your flight booking portal with real-time updates, extensive options, competitive prices, and multiple ancillary services. 

With the best flight API integration, travel agents can help customers find the perfect flight in seconds, significantly enhancing user experience and driving higher revenue.

In this blog, we will discuss how travel agents, B2B, and B2C businesses utilize flight API for their clients and generate more revenue. Starting from scratch we’ll understand the meaning of flight booking APIs and how they differ from other technological innovations.

Understanding Flight API and Its Role in Travel Booking

An API stands for Application Programming Interface that compiles data from multiple sources and provides it to the end user. In terms of flight booking API, it’s the bridge that connects travel agents and airline databases. As a result, OTAs and businesses can provide users with real-time access to flight data.

API is not just a data provider, it equips the travel portals with amazing automation features like handling reservations or cancellations, reducing the manual labor. With the right flight booking API, customers will be able to access the information of all available airlines from one portal. Everything from fares and availability to schedules in one click with minimal errors.

Types of Travel APIs and Their Role in Travel Agencies

Now that you have a brief understanding of what a flight booking portal stands for, let’s quickly debunk types of travel APIs and their roles.

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How Flight API Empowers Travel Agents

With that understanding, let’s get on with our discussion on how travel agents can use Flight API for their clients and experience tremendous growth.

1. Finding the Best Deals on Flights

By integrating flight APIs on your custom flight booking engine, enable your customers to choose from the most cost-effective options, that were not available otherwise. Let’s assume a family of four is flying to New York City and comes across a lesser-known airline that is $200 cheaper than the rest. The flight booking API can flag the cheapest options using a filter allowing the customers to grab the best deal.

2. Comparing Prices Across Airlines Instantly

When a customer opts for an air ticket portal to book their journeys, less number of options may disappoint them. A flight API leverages real-time data and provides them with all the possible options improving customer satisfaction.

3. Real-Time Flight Booking & Availability Updates

Unlike travel agents who cannot fulfill the last-minute needs of their customers, you can actually make a difference with your travel booking portal. The flight booking APIs allow the customers to lock their seats if they are unsure of future conditions and then proceed accordingly. This is extremely helpful during peak booking hours.

4. Staying Updated with Flight Status & Schedule Changes

Develop a travel booking portal that assists travelers even after their booking is successfully completed. Right API triggers can notify your customers if the flight is getting delayed, or canceled, or if there is any change in the boarding gate. Such automatic alerts will help your customers make an informed decision without having to change their plans.

5. Offering Personalized Travel Advice Using API Insights

You can even run targeted ad campaigns by studying user behavior from your travel portal. Based on the previous user’s decision while booking the flight, API will help you suggest options like aisle seats and vegan meals the next time. You can also reward your frequent traveler with free lounge access. This will not only improve your customer relationship but also attract new clients.

6. Streamlining Payment & Booking Management

The best part about flight booking APIs is they support multi-currency payments. This feature simplifies group bookings or corporate travel management. What’s more, flight APIs also make it easy for travel agents to manage bookings as there is no manual intervention required.

7. Automating Customer Support with AI & Chatbots

To help your customers with basic queries like “Is my flight on time?” or “Can I upgrade my seat?”, you can also integrate an AI chatbot available 24/7. This will help the customers with information about their bookings and you will only have to provide customer assistance for more complicated questions.

Unique Strategies Top Agents Use with Flight APIs

Let’s quickly go through various other strategies that travel agents often use to stay ahead of the competition.

Solving Niche Problems

A flight booking software cannot define its value if the travel agents only focus on helping customers make reservations. The travel portal should be designed to prioritize customer lives by making decisions effectively in case of emergencies like uncertain weather. In such a scenario, the tool should be able to cross-reference the flights available in real-time and help their customers.

Sustainability-Driven Travel Planning

Since there have been many customers demanding eco-friendly options, there must be a filter present to provide the same. All airlines that help in preserving the environment should be listed separately with the carbon emission rates. This will help the customers to make an informed decision.

AI-Powered Predictive Analytics

B2B and B2C businesses can also incorporate relevant tools that predict price drops in advance. Based on this information, customers can book flights that fit their preferences and can even save some money. 

Partner with OneClick to Integrate the Best Flight API

An API can make or break your B2B flight booking portal. Hence, choosing a reliable flight API provider is very important. OneClick offers a reliable, scalable, and feature-rich Flight API that empowers travel agents with seamless booking, real-time updates, and superior customer experiences. Here’s what makes us different from the rest:

• Comprehensive 500+ Airline Inventory
• Real-Time Pricing & Availability
• Seamless API Integration
• Multi-Currency & Multi-Language Support 
• Secure Payment Gateway Integration
• Advanced Customization & White-Label Solutions
• 24/7 Support & Maintenance

Elevate your Travel Portal with the Right Flight API

APIs are designed to handle data but they cannot alone provide the empathy and creativity required to connect with customers. Hence, it’s best to not entirely rely on flight booking APIs but to utilize them smartly and deliver an amazing customer experience. OneClick’s Flight API is designed to streamline your workflow, enhance customer satisfaction, and boost revenue. Together, we can redefine modern travel planning.

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