GDS Global Distribution System - what is it, how does it effect exchange inventory?

[flexible]

GDS Global Distribution System - what is it, how does it effect exchange inventory?

We have been traveling since September 2011. Hope to be home soon. We occasionally go to "owner updates" and timeshare presentations.

I have heard "GDS" "Global Distribution System" so many times this year but I cannot recall hearing the phrase before. Mayan uses the word the most. But lesser and smaller properties too.

When I ask for clarification, they say "Unused timeshare inventory is deposited into GDS." "RCI gets inventory from GDS. II, and other exchange companies deposit to and take from GDS. I have NO IDEA if this is just BS from timeshare reps but it does seem like a lot of timeshare inventory is available for "fly + buy" programs to get "fresh meat" into presentations while some timeshare owners can't get reservations where they own.

I have not idea if there is one company with this name or if it a GENERIC term.

I do know that I met numerous people at Mayan in PDC that flew into Cozumel BUT could NOT secure a timeshare reservation EVEN though they OWNED at timeshares in Cozumel. Some didn't like the beach at Mayan PDC and decided after taking 3 planes to land in Cozumel, followed by paying for a ferry then taxi to Mayan PDC (If they had flown into Cancun they would have been picked up by Mayan for free), then spent 3 days there using a 7 day exchange then switched to Cancun for 4 days using another 7 day exchange for the identical week. She wanted to have an oceanfront balcony. I felt sorry for her and her family about 6 people because it didnt' sound as much fun as to have just traded into a nice Cozumel timeshare or USE her Fairfield Points for El Cid in Cozumel.

Official GDS Website - Hotel/ Global Distribution System
Superior Technology and Service
www.global-distribution-system.com ►
2.
Hotel GDS System.GDS/IDS. - No Setup or Monthly Fees.
Optional Website Booking Engine,No Charges.
www.zurichsystems.com

Search Results

1.
Computer reservations system - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Major CRS operations that book and sell tickets for multiple airlines are known as global distribution systems (GDS). Airlines have divested most of their ...
History - Major systems - Trends - See also
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_reservations_system - Cached - Similar
2.
Global Distribution System (GDS) definition
Global Distribution System (GDS) - definition of Global Distribution System (GDS) from BusinessDictionary.com: Worldwide computerized reservation network ...
www.businessdictionary.com/.../Global-Distribution-System-GDS.html - Cached - Similar
3.
Global Distribution Systems (GDS) ::: Web Reservation Systems
webreservations.com.au
27 Apr 2009 ... The Global Distribution System (GDS) helps small businesses to compete on an equal footing with large hotel chains. ...
www.webreservations.com.au/index.php?pageid=722 - Cached - Similar
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Travel Booking Engines :: Global Distribution System GDS
Boost your visibility on the major travel websites like Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity with the Global Distribution System (GDS). Contact Rezstream Now!
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Travelport.com - GDS
Travelport combines the strengths and unparalleled reach of two of the world's leading global distribution systems (GDS), Galileo and Worldspan. ...
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Official GDS Website - Hotel/ Global Distribution System
Superior Technology and Service
www.global-distribution-system.com

http://www.zurichsystems.com/?gclid=CO3TioDm2KcCFRpVgwodQ2pp9w

 

[laurac260]

GDS has been around for a very long time. It is the system that travel agents have been using for years to book hotel and airline reservations, long before the internet as we know it. While the rest of us had to call a hotel to make reservations, or call an airline, the travel agents were able to use GDS to book hotels and acquire special rates, many that were not available to the general public. In the business travel industry, companies would negotiate with the hotel chains for discount rates for their travelers, and would hire travel agencies (or actually have the travel agents in house), who would access the hotel and airline inventory to make reservations for their business travelers, via the GDS. It wasn't something the general public could use, it is very heavily coded. I am familiar with this from working in the hotel industry for years, it was my job to negotiate those rates and to make sure that our own booking system was available to, and interfaced with, each travel agents systems, for the travel agents to tap into. There are several systems they use, Appollo, Gallileo, to name two.

I've been away from the business for many years, and I am unfamiliar with any changes that may have been made, but that is how it generally worked in the hotel business. I imagine that the timeshare industry works the same way.

 

[flexible]

GDS Global Distribution System - what is it, how does it effect exchange inventory?

We have been traveling since September 2011. Hope to be home soon. We occasionally go to "owner updates" and timeshare presentations.

I have heard "GDS" "Global Distribution System" so many times this year but I cannot recall hearing the phrase before. Mayan uses the word the most. But lesser and smaller properties too.

When I ask for clarification, they say "Unused timeshare inventory is deposited into GDS." "RCI gets inventory from GDS. II, and other exchange companies deposit to and take from GDS. I have NO IDEA if this is just BS from timeshare reps but it does seem like a lot of timeshare inventory is available for "fly + buy" programs to get "fresh meat" into presentations while some timeshare owners can't get reservations where they own.

Do any TUGgers who are travel agents have any knowledge IF more & more LM timeshare inventory is deposited into Sabre GDS?

GDS on Sabre: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabre_(computer_system) is perhaps the GDS "Global Distribution System" I started hearing about at various owner updates in 2011.

ICE/OVC which accepts timeshare weeks/points as partial or full payment for cruises uses Sabre GDS & non GDS.

When we've used our VI points in Hawaii, we met people staying in VI units that booked via Priceline. My guess is that VI might have deposited LM reservations into GDS.

I have a feeling that http://AppleVacations.com & similar companies that offer Fly/stay/AI/car rental packages get their "hotel inventory" from timeshare inventory. I have met many people at ECVC in Puerto Moreles which has hotel & timeshare inventory who purchased "packages" for about $1,000 per day - like $5,000 for 5 days over a U.S. holiday weekend for 4 people to fly/stay/AI/car rental.

I am NOT complaining about the practices the timeshare or travel industry uses to fill possibly unused capacity. I am hoping IF I understand HOW the systems are operating would be able to decide WHETHER to spend time looking for LM inbetter, Iventory in RCI points/weeks, II etc. If I am competing with LM "package" travelers then I understand less inventory is available for us.

Related post:
OurVacationCenter.com & ICE Enterprises feedback needed:
http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=175308