International Rate Desk (IRD) Specialist / Executive

Department

International Rate Desk (IRD)

Reports To

IRD Team Lead / Operations Manager

Job Summary The International Rate Desk (IRD) Specialist is responsible for providing expert support for international airfare pricing, fare construction, ticketing, reissues, exchanges, refunds, and routing solutions. The role partners closely with frontline travel consultants, ticketing teams, airlines, and operational stakeholders to ensure accurate fare application, compliance with airline and corporate travel policies, and delivery of cost-effective travel solutions.

The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert on international fares and airline pricing, offering guidance on complex itineraries, fare rules, routing options, ticketing procedures, and travel requirements while maintaining the highest standards of service quality, productivity, and accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

International Fare Management

- Perform accurate international fare calculations and fare construction for simple and complex itineraries.
- Analyze and quote published, private, negotiated, corporate, consolidator, and promotional fares.
- Interpret airline fare rules, routing restrictions, stopovers, surcharges, taxes, and ticketing requirements.
- Verify reservations to ensure the most cost-effective and policy-compliant fare options are applied.
- Identify alternative routings, booking classes, fare breaks, and split-ticketing opportunities to maximize savings and traveler value.
- Validate airline contracts, corporate discounts, and negotiated fare agreements.

Reservation & Ticketing Support

- Create, modify, and manage Passenger Name Records (PNRs) through Global Distribution Systems (GDS).
- Process ticket issuance, reissues, exchanges, schedule changes, and involuntary airline disruptions.
- Provide support for complex international reservations and fare-related queries.
- Ensure all fare rules and ticketing conditions have been satisfied prior to ticket issuance.




- Support ticketing teams with fare calculations, refund quotations, and exchange computations.

Refunds & Exchanges

- Process voluntary and involuntary refunds in accordance with airline policies.
- Calculate applicable penalties, refundable taxes, residual values, and fare differentials.
- Review and validate refund requests to ensure compliance with fare rules and airline regulations.
- Assist with partial refund calculations and complex exchange transactions.

Agent & Customer Support

- Act as the first point of escalation for international fare and routing inquiries.
- Partner with frontline travel consultants to provide fare guidance and quality control support.
- Communicate fare changes, recommendations, and alternative options clearly and professionally.
- Coordinate with airline sales representatives and suppliers to resolve complex fare-related issues.
- Maintain positive working relationships with internal teams and stakeholders.
- Deliver exceptional customer service through multiple communication channels including phone, email, instant messaging, and GDS platforms.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

- Ensure compliance with airline policies, IATA regulations, corporate travel programs, and company standards.
- Review reservations for accuracy, documentation requirements, and policy adherence.
- Monitor industry developments, international travel advisories, visa requirements, passport regulations, and travel restrictions.
- Maintain high levels of productivity, service quality, accuracy, and operational efficiency.
- Participate in training sessions, process improvement initiatives, and knowledge-sharing activities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills





- Advanced proficiency in Sabre GDS (Native Sabre preferred).

- Solid expertise in
- International Fare Calculation & Fare Construction

- Airline Fare Rules Interpretation
- International Routing & Itinerary Planning
- Ticketing, Reissues, Exchanges & Refunds

- Tax Calculation
- PNR Creation & Management
- Corporate & Negotiated Fare Programs

- IATA Rules and Regulations
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Experience with CRM or travel management tools such as Salesforce is an advantage.

Communication & Behavioral Skills

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to explain complex fare structures and ticketing concepts clearly.
- Exceptional customer service orientation.
- Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to multitask, prioritize workloads, and perform effectively under tight deadlines.
- High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.

Educational Qualifications

- Graduate in any discipline.
- IATA/UFTAA Certification preferred.
- Travel & Tourism qualification will be an added advantage.

Experience

- 3 to 5+ years of experience in International Rate Desk, International Ticketing, Fare Desk, Business Travel Operations, or Travel Management Services.
- Proven experience handling international fare construction, ticketing, reissues, exchanges, and refund processing.
- Hands-on experience with Sabre GDS in a travel management or airline environment.
- Experience supporting frontline agents and resolving complex international fare-related issues preferred.

Preferred Profile

- Strong international travel industry knowledge.
- Expertise in corporate travel programs and airline contracts.
- Ability to identify fare savings opportunities while maintaining compliance.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, global operations environment with flexible shifts as required.

📌 Walk-in || International Rate Desk (IRD) Specialist / Executive (Gurugram)
🏢 Atain
📍 Gurugram