Ticketing Time Limit (TTL)
Definition: The ticketing time limit (TTL) is the deadline by which a held reservation must be ticketed before the airline may cancel it.
How a ticketing time limit works
When you hold a flight, the airline sets a deadline in the booking record (PNR). Until then, the seat is reserved at the quoted fare but not paid for. If the booking is not ticketed in time, the airline can cancel the reservation and release the seat.
The length of the time limit depends on the airline, the fare and how close the flight is. It can be days for a booking months ahead and only hours for a flight this week. Some fares must be ticketed straight away and cannot be held at all.
The fare itself may also have its own deadline, separate from the seat. A held seat does not always guarantee the price.
Why it matters for travel agencies
The TTL is how much time you have to get the customer's confirmation and payment. Missing it means the seat, and often the price, is gone. Rebooking at a higher fare usually becomes the agency's problem.
Good practice:
- Tell the customer the deadline when you send the quote.
- Collect payment before the deadline, not at it.
- Check the fare rules for the hold time before you promise anything.
Example
Hypothetical: a family asks for a quote on Monday. The agent holds the flights; the TTL is Wednesday at 18:00. The agent sends the quote with "price held until Wednesday afternoon", receives payment on Tuesday and tickets the same day.
How QuickOTA handles holds
In the QuickOTA B2B Panel you can hold a flight booking, which creates the PNR, and ticket it after you top up your wallet. Check the fare rules for how long the fare can be held.