For travel agents, series fares are pre-held airline seats bought from a series fare holder or consolidator at an agreed agent fare, which you resell to your own customers with your markup. They are useful on busy routes and peak dates where live fares climb quickly, because the seat and price are already secured. In return you accept stricter rules on names, changes and refunds.
Here is how to work with them without getting caught out.
Why agents use series fares
- Availability on sold-out dates. Seats held months earlier can still be available when the airline shows no seats or very high fares.
- Predictable pricing. The agent fare is fixed for the date, so a quote does not change between enquiry and payment.
- Access without airline accreditation. Non-IATA agents can sell seats because the holder handles the airline side and ticketing.
- Margin control. You decide the selling fare, within the limits of your market.
Where agents source series fares
Series inventory usually comes from consolidators, wholesalers, specialist series fare holders and some tour operators with surplus seats. Agents access it through a supplier B2B portal, a marketplace that aggregates several holders, or offline lists shared by email and messaging.
Portals are safer because the seat count updates as others book. Offline lists can be out of date within minutes on a busy date, which leads to confirmations that later fall through.
Reading a series fare offer
Before quoting a customer, check exactly what the fare includes. Two offers on the same sector can look similar but differ in important ways.
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Baggage and meals | Some series fares carry lower allowances than retail fares |
| Change and cancellation rules | Often non-refundable once named or ticketed |
| Name submission deadline | Late names may lose the seat |
| Return date flexibility | Return legs may be fixed to the series pattern |
| Ticket issuance timing | Some holders issue close to departure, not at booking |
Pricing and markup
The price you see is the agent fare. Your selling fare is that plus your markup and any service fee you charge. Before you set the markup, check the live fare for the same flight; if your selling fare ends up above what the customer can find online, the series fare has lost its advantage.
Series fares also work well inside packages, where the air cost is hidden in a total price and the guaranteed seat is what you are really selling.
Watch the gap over time as well. A series fare that was clearly cheaper two months out can lose its edge if the airline runs a sale, while the same fare can look generous in the final fortnight before a holiday when live prices peak. Agents who quote series seats regularly tend to check the live market every time rather than relying on last week's comparison.
Payment, credit and holds
New agents usually pay upfront or through a deposit wallet with the holder. Agents with a trading history may get a credit limit, settled weekly or fortnightly depending on the supplier.
Holds are short. If the customer has not paid you, do not hold a seat you cannot pay for before the hold expires; repeated unpaid holds can lead a supplier to restrict your access.
Mistakes agents should avoid
Illustrative example: an agent books four seats for a family on a holiday weekend and enters one child under a short name. The holder catches it before names go to the airline, but had it been ticketed, a reissue fee would have wiped out the margin on the booking.
- Entering a nickname or shortened name instead of the passport name.
- Promising a refund before checking the series fare rules.
- Booking a return that does not match the series pattern.
- Leaving document or visa checks to the customer on international sectors.
Finding series inventory in one place
Agents who source from several holders spend much of their time checking lists and chasing confirmations. EazyPNR lets registered agents search series and pre-held seats from suppliers on the platform in one login; the travel agent page explains access, and you can register as an agent to view inventory.
Key takeaways
- Series fares give agents secured seats at fixed agent fares on routes and dates where live fares climb.
- Always check baggage, change rules and name deadlines before quoting.
- Compare your selling fare against live fares on the same flight before setting markup.
- Accurate passport names and timely payment protect both margin and supplier relationship.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need IATA accreditation to sell series fares?
No. The series fare holder or consolidator usually handles ticketing, so non-IATA agents can sell these seats under their supplier.
Are series fares refundable?
Usually not once names are submitted or tickets issued. Some holders allow cancellation before the name deadline, so check the terms for each offer.
Can I change a passenger name after booking?
Often yes before names go to the airline, sometimes for a fee. After ticketing, a change normally needs a reissue or is not allowed. Rules depend on the holder and airline.