Background
Before Southwest became a full GDS participant, Deem implemented Southwest GDS that matched Southwest’s limited capabilities at the time. To add a full feature set that covered any gaps in functionality, Southwest Direct Access (SDA) was built.
Although Southwest is now a full GDS participant, SDA is still our top recommended solution – here’s why…
Booking Southwest flights through Deem
There are six The following table outlines three options to book Southwest flights through Deem.
To remove a Southwest SDA, GDS, or hybrid option, log into a site and follow this path: Services > Travel Agency > Agency Settings > Setting Name > Ancillary Sources > Remove. Save and commit changes.
Configuration Option | Deem Rating | Search Display | Book | GDS Segment Type |
|---|
Traveler Support | Agency Support | Other Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
Option 1 Southwest Direct Access (SDA) Supported GDSs: |
Sabre, Amadeus, Apollo, Worldspan (not supported on Travelport+) |
|---|
Refer to SDA FAQs |
|---|
Refer to SDA Configuration steps |
|
|---|
It offers full fare and market access along with the check-in reminder feature. | Multi, all fares | Same as fare searched | Passive segment |
Traveler can change/cancel in |
Deem Auto ticket tracking Apply 2 unused tickets | Agent impersonate traveler in |
Deem or call Southwest | Benefits: Not offered: |
EarlyBird |
Option 2 ITA - search Southwest via ITA and book via the GDS |
|---|
like |
|---|
most carriers) Remove SDA or Southwest GDS configurations from Agency Settings to book this airline like other carriers. Note: this option is not applicable to sites using Sabre BFM or Travelport+ |
|
|---|
. | Multi-fares based on GDS |
Sabre & Amadeus: |
Apollo: |
🚫 Web only Worldspan: |
| Same fare as searched |
(to book Anytime, the user must search for unrestricted fares)
Active segment
Only regions available in GDS
(Mexico is not available in the GDS)
⚠ Worldspan is limited to a single fare search and book | Active segment | Traveler can change/cancel in |
Deem Auto ticket tracking |
Sabre ATE Single unused ticket | Agent impersonate traveler in |
Deem, service booking direct in GDS, or call Southwest | Benefits: Sabre ATE |
Better search experience over GDS No Amadeus limitations Split tickets, book with other airlines Not offered: EarlyBird |
Option 3 Sabre Bargain Finder Max (BFM) * |
|---|
Only available to Deem Sabre customers currently using BFM instead of ITA |
|
|---|
. | Multi, some fares |
🚫 |
🚫
Web only | Same as fare searched | Active segment |
Only regions available in GDS
(Mexico are not be available in the GDS)Traveler can change/cancel in |
Deem Auto ticket tracking ATE available via Sabre ATE Single unused ticket | Agent impersonate traveler in |
Deem, service booking direct in GDS, or call Southwest | Benefits: Not offered: EarlyBird |
Option 4 |
|---|
Hybrid option A
Search via Southwest Direct Access (SDA), book via SDA or GDS
Supported GDSs: All (Sabre, Amadeus, Apollo, Worldspan)
Click here for Hybrid Configuration steps
Travelport+ Web Services *Only available to Deem Travelport+ customers |
|
|---|
Search and book active PNR segments. | Multi, |
some fares |
GDS: Agent impersonate traveler in Etta🚫 Web only | Same as fare searched |
GDS fare will be used when found, otherwise SDA fare will be used
Active or passive depending on booking source
Active = GDS
Passive = SDA
Dependent on SDA vs. GDS booking source (outside of NA, booking will go to SDA)
Routes in SDA vs GDS may differ based on connections.
Traveler can change/cancel in Etta
Auto ticket tracking
ATE available via SDA or Sabre ATE
(change return pre or post trip start)
SDA = 2 unused
GDS = 1 unused
Active segment | Available Now: Traveler can cancel in Deem | Agent impersonate traveler in Deem, service booking direct in GDS, or call Southwest |
SDA: Agent impersonate or call Southwest
Not offered: |
Check-in reminder is not applicable flights booked via the GDS
Option 5
Hybrid option B
Search via Southwest Direct Access (SDA), book GDS only
Supported GDSs: All (Sabre, Amadeus, Apollo, Worldspan)
Click here for Hybrid Configuration steps
why this rating:
Some fares may be re-priced to the next available fare once selected - this is because the fare is shopped via SDA, but booked in the GDS
Multi, most fares Wanna Get Away Anytime Business Select (Sabre)
Business Select (Apollo/Worldspan/Amadeus) - displayed during search; repriced to next available fare when selected Web only (all GDSs) - displayed during search; repriced to next available fare when selected
Repriced if:
Web only fare
Business Select fare (Apollo/Worldspan/Amadeus)
Unsupported routes
Active segment
Only regions available in GDS
(Mexico routes may not be available in the GDS)
Traveler can change/cancel in Etta
Auto ticket tracking
ATE available via Sabre ATE
(change return pre or post trip start)
Single unused ticket
Agent impersonate traveler in Etta, service booking direct in GDS, or call Southwest
Not offered:
Check-in reminder
Option 6
GDS - Search & Book
Supported GDSs: Sabre, Apollo, and Worldspan
Not supported: Amadeus
Click here for GDS only Configuration steps
Zero 's
why this rating: This option is not recommended due to slow search and returns the same content as the ITA option
Wanna Get Away Anytime🚫 Business Select
🚫 Web only
Same fare as searched.
(to book Anytime, the user must search for unrestricted fares)
Active segment
Only regions available in the GDS
(Mexico routes may not be available in the GDS)
Traveler can change/cancel on Etta
Auto ticket tracking
ATE available via Sabre ATE (change return pre or post trip start)
Single unused ticket
Agent impersonate traveler in Etta, service booking direct in GDS, or call Southwest
Check-in reminder
EarlyBird Coming Soon: Change in Deem Auto ticket tracking Automated Ticket Exchange Split Tickets |
Tips
Start with a Test or Demo site if you’d like to preview changes prior to deploying to customer sites.
Take screen shots of configurations, just in case you decide to revert back.
Update your template site(s) with new configurations.
For Sabre BFM, enable Branded Fare Pricing in the Agency Settings.