This unit must be assessed after the following prerequisite unit:

SITTTSL310

Construct normal international airfares

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Calculate complex international airfares.

1.1 Accurately calculate and check complex international fares according to IATA regulations.

1.2 Configure air itineraries and apply minimum checks to appropriate itineraries.

1.3 Calculate through fares incorporating add-ons, and those with intermediate points.

1.4 Calculate taxes and fees for all itineraries.

1.5 Calculate pre paid ticket advice for journeys commencing outside the country of sale according to IATA regulations.

2. Construct mixed class fares.

2.1 Identify options where mixed class combinations are allowed and appropriate to meet customer needs.

2.2 Calculate mixed class fares according to IATA regulations.

3. Apply indirect travel limitation rules.

3.1 Accurately calculate sector journeys and side trips according to IATA regulations.

4. Construct round the world journeys.

4.1 Identify situations where round the world fares are appropriate to meet customer needs.

4.2 Accurately calculate round the world fares according to IATA regulations.

5. Construct fares for open jaw journeys.

5.1 Identify options where open jaw journeys are allowed and appropriate to meet customer needs.

5.2 Accurately calculate round, circle and open jaw fares according to IATA regulations.

6. Apply the pricing unit concept.

6.1 Divide a single or return fare journey into separate pricing units.

6.2 Calculate the lowest combination of fares for a series of pricing units.

7. Document and maintain records of calculations.

7.1 Record full details of the calculated fares.

7.2 Minimise use of printed materials and maximise electronic record keeping to reduce waste.

Required skills

literacy skills to:

read and interpret complex flight schedules, airline and consolidator fare schedules, applicable conditions and IATA regulations

research and sort relevant airfare information

write records of fare calculations

numeracy skills to:

interpret fare components

calculate taxes, fees and surcharges

complete complex calculations and checks to cost the optimum airfare for customers

planning and organising skills to prepare fare quotations in correct customer file sequence according to the earliest departure dates for customers

problem-solving skills to identify and resolve mistakes in calculations and non-compliance with rules

technology skills to use calculators, computers, software programs and printers for the preparation of airfare calculations.

Required knowledge

sources of information on international flights and fares including information on:

airline codes

airport codes

concession fares

direct and connecting services

fare conditions

fare rules

Global Indicators (GI)

IATA areas

IATA regulations

IATA terminology and definitions

international airline terminology

Minimum Connecting Times (MCT)

payment and ticketing deadline

published fare types and classes

route maps

taxes, fees and surcharges

the content and format of information provided by airlines and consolidators including:

fare schedules

flight schedules

published fares

special bulletins

websites

encoding and decoding of international airport and airline codes

the key elements of and procedures for advanced fare calculations and checks involving:

compliance with indirect travel limitations rule

GI

journeys commencing outside the country of sale

Local Currency Fares (LCF)

mileage system:

Excess Mileage Surcharges (EMS)

Extra Mileage Allowance (EMA)

Maximum Permitted Mileages (MPMs)

Ticketed Point Mileages (TPMs)

Neutral Units of Construction or Currency (NUC) conversion

re-routing

a range of formats to calculate and record international airfares including the ladder and linear fare calculation methods.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

accurately construct multiple and diverse complex fares using advanced international airfare rules and procedures to meet varying customer requirements

use the following types of calculations and checks:

compliance with indirect travel limitations rule

GI

journeys commencing outside the country of sale

LCF

mileage system:

EMS

EMA

MPMs

TPMs

NUC conversion

re-routing

create practical air itineraries to meet customer needs

interpret information on international fares, fare rules, conditions applicable to specific fares, IATA regulations and construct airfares which meet these requirements

demonstrate knowledge of:

sources of information on international flights and fares

the content and format of information provided by airlines and consolidators

a range of formats to construct and record international airfares

complete airfare calculations within commercial time constraints and deadlines determined by the customer or the organisation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure use of:

a real or simulated tourism business operation or activity which sells complex international airfares

a real or simulated tourism industry environment; for example:

a reservations area or call centre

a retail shopfront or mobile sales situation for the retail travel sector

an office environment as defined in the Assessment Guidelines

computers, software programs, printers, and reservations and operations programs currently used in the tourism industry to facilitate airfare calculations

current airline, consolidator and IATA documentation or computer data such as published fares, schedules and bulletins outlining fares, rules, conditions and regulations.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

activities that allow assessment of the individual’s ability to construct complex fares using advanced international airfare rules and procedures for different routes and to meet varying customer requirements

review of fare calculation worksheets completed by the individual

written or oral questioning to assess knowledge of:

sources of information on international flights and fares

the content and format of information provided by airlines and consolidators

a range of formats to construct and record international airfares

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the individual.

Guidance information for assessment

The assessor should design integrated assessment activities to holistically assess this unit with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:

SITTTSL303 Sell tourism products and services

SITTTSL304 Prepare quotations

SITTTSL307 Process travelrelated documentation

SITTTSL311 Construct promotional international airfares.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

To calculate and checkinvolves:

compliance with indirect travel limitations rule

GI

journeys commencing outside the country of sale

LFC

mileage system:

EMS

EMA

MPMs

TPMs

NUC conversion

re-routing.

Taxes may include:

airport tax

fuel surcharge

GST

head tax

noise tax

Q surcharge.

Fees may include:

air itinerary preparation fee

communication fee

courier fee

credit card fee

flight fuel emissions offset fee ("flying carbon neutral")

loyalty program (e.g. frequent flyer) redemption fee

service fee

transaction fee.