Top 10 Reservationist Certifications

Certifications are important for a reservationist in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the individual has received specialized training and knowledge in the field of reservations. Additionally, certifications can provide reservationists with an edge over other applicants who may have similar qualifications but lack certification. Certifications provide employers with assurance that the applicant is knowledgeable and competent when it comes to making reservations, as well as having a working understanding of hospitality industry trends and standards. Furthermore, certifications give potential employers confidence in the individual's ability to meet customer expectations when it comes to booking reservations.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of some of the best certifications for reservationists and explain how they can help advance a reservationist's career.

What are Reservationist Certifications?

Reservationist certification is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have completed a comprehensive program of training and education related to the hospitality industry. It demonstrates a mastery of the skills and knowledge needed to work as a reservationist in hotels, resorts, cruise lines, and other hospitality-related organizations.

The certification program covers topics such as customer service, communication skills, booking systems, hotel policies and procedures, revenue management, problem solving and conflict resolution. The program also includes an examination that tests the applicant’s knowledge of these topics and his or her ability to apply them on the job.

Having this certification can help reservationists stand out from their peers when applying for jobs in the hospitality industry. It shows employers that they have taken the time to learn about the necessary skills for successful reservations management. In addition, many employers offer higher salaries or positions of greater responsibility to certified reservationists because it reflects their commitment to excellence in their field. Finally, having this certification can lead to career advancement opportunities within the industry as well as recognition by customers for providing quality service.

Pro Tip: When considering a reservationist certification, look for programs that offer hands-on training and practice in the most up-to-date software and systems used in the industry. This will help ensure that you are prepared to handle any reservations that come your way.

Related: What does a Reservationist do?

Top 10 Reservationist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Reservationists today.

1. Certified Hotel Reservations Specialist (CHRS)

Certified Hotel Reservations Specialist (CHRS) is a certification program from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It is designed to give hotel reservations agents the skills and knowledge they need to provide excellent customer service and maximize revenue for their employers. The certification requires that candidates have at least two years of experience in the hospitality industry, including working as a hotel reservations agent.

The CHRS certification consists of three courses: Introduction to Hotel Reservations, Advanced Hotel Reservations, and Professionalism in Hotel Reservations. Each course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and can be taken online or in-person. Candidates must pass an exam after each course in order to receive their certification.

The cost of the CHRS certification varies depending on the format chosen. The online version costs $299 per course while the in-person version costs $399 per course. In addition, there is a one-time fee of $50 for the exam proctoring fee.

Overall, it takes about 24-30 hours to complete all three courses and obtain your CHRS certification.

2. Certified Hospitality Reservations Professional (CHRP)

Certified Hospitality Reservations Professional (CHRP) is a professional certification that recognizes the knowledge and skills of those working in hospitality reservations. It is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the reservation process, from initial inquiry to post-booking follow up.

The CHRP certification is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). To become certified, applicants must pass an online exam consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as reservation systems, customer service, sales and marketing, technology, and legal issues related to reservations.

It typically takes about two hours to complete the exam. Candidates must have at least three years of experience in hospitality reservations or related fields in order to be eligible for certification.

The cost for the CHRP exam is $199 USD and includes access to study materials and practice exams. Upon successful completion of the exam, candidates receive a certificate and may use the CHRP designation after their name.

3. Certified Reservation and Ticketing Professional (CRTP)

Certified Reservation and Ticketing Professional (CRTP) is a certification program offered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The CRTP certification is designed to validate the knowledge and skills of professionals working in the airline reservation and ticketing industry. It is intended for individuals who have experience in reservation, ticketing, customer service, or other related areas.

The CRTP certification requires successful completion of an online exam that consists of multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as airline fare rules, ticketing procedures, customer service best practices, and other related topics. The exam typically takes approximately two hours to complete.

To become certified as a CRTP, you must first register with IATA and pay the applicable fee. Once registered, you will be given access to study materials and practice exams to help prepare for the actual exam. After successfully completing the exam, you will receive your CRTP certificate from IATA.

The cost of becoming a Certified Reservation and Ticketing Professional varies depending on your country of residence. Generally speaking, it costs between $200-$400 USD to register for the program and take the exam.

4. Certified Hotel Reservations Manager (CHRM)

Certified Hotel Reservations Manager (CHRM) is a certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The CHRM certification provides an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates knowledge and expertise in hotel reservations management. It is designed for those working in, or aspiring to work in, the hospitality industry.

The CHRM certification program consists of four courses: Introduction to Hotel Reservations Management; Advanced Hotel Reservations Management; Revenue Management; and Distribution Channels. Each course requires approximately 8 hours of study time, for a total of 32 hours.

To obtain the CHRM certification, individuals must complete all four courses within one year and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. Upon successful completion of the program, candidates receive their official AHLEI Certified Hotel Reservations Manager certificate.

The cost for the CHRM program is $599 USD. This fee includes access to all four courses, practice exams and tests, as well as a final exam voucher.

5. Certified Travel Consultant (CTC)

A Certified Travel Consultant (CTC) is a professional designation given to travel agents who have met the educational and experience requirements of The Travel Institute. It is the highest level of certification available in the travel industry and demonstrates a commitment to excellence in the field.

To become a CTC, an individual must complete at least three courses from The Travel Institute’s curriculum, including one core course and two elective courses. In addition, applicants must have at least two years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in the travel industry.

The cost for each course varies depending on which program you choose. Generally, it costs between $100-$500 per course. The entire process typically takes anywhere from six months to one year to complete, depending on how quickly you can finish the required courses and gain the necessary experience.

Once you have completed all of these requirements, you can apply for your CTC designation by submitting an application form along with proof of education and work experience. After your application has been approved, you will receive a certificate of completion that officially recognizes you as a Certified Travel Consultant (CTC).

6. Certified Tourism and Hospitality Professional (CTHP)

Certified Tourism and Hospitality Professional (CTHP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have achieved the highest standards of excellence in the tourism and hospitality industry. The CTHP designation is awarded by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), which is an affiliate of the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

The CTHP program consists of three levels: Certified Tourism and Hospitality Professional (CTHP), Certified Tourism and Hospitality Executive (CTHE), and Certified Tourism and Hospitality Master (CTHM). Each level requires a different set of skills, knowledge, and experience. To earn the CTHP designation, applicants must complete an online application, pass an exam, and demonstrate their commitment to professional development through continuing education courses.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete all requirements for the CTHP designation. Applicants must first submit an online application that includes information about their background, experience, education, certifications, and other relevant qualifications. Once approved, applicants must then pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service, operations management, marketing strategies, financial management principles, human resources management principles, legal issues related to hospitality operations, food safety regulations, and more. Finally, applicants must demonstrate their commitment to professional development by completing at least two continuing education courses within 12 months of passing the exam.

The cost of obtaining the CTHP designation varies depending on which level you are pursuing. The cost for the CTHP certification is approximately $395 USD; for the CTHE certification it is approximately $495 USD; and for the CTHM certification it is approximately $595 USD.

7. Certified International Travel Agent (CITA)

Certified International Travel Agent (CITA) is a certification program offered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It is designed to provide travel agents with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively book international travel. The certification is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years to maintain active status.

To become certified, applicants must complete an online training course and pass a comprehensive exam. The training course covers topics such as international airfare pricing, ticketing procedures, customs regulations, visa requirements, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions based on the material covered in the training course.

The cost of the CITA certification varies depending on which IATA office you apply through. Generally speaking, it costs around $200 USD to take the training course and exam. However, some IATA offices may offer discounted rates or special promotions that can reduce the cost significantly.

The entire process typically takes between 4-6 weeks from start to finish. This includes completing the online training course and taking the exam. Once you have successfully passed the exam, your CITA certification will be issued within 1-2 weeks.

8. Certified Airline Reservationist (CAR)

A Certified Airline Reservationist (CAR) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the field of airline reservations. This certification is offered by the International Airline Transport Association (IATA). The CAR program provides a comprehensive training program designed to ensure that reservationists have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide excellent customer service.

The CAR program typically takes about six months to complete. It consists of two parts: an online course and an on-site practical exam. The online course covers topics such as customer service, ticketing, fares, fare rules, and airport operations. During the on-site practical exam, candidates must demonstrate their ability to use IATA reservation systems and other related software programs.

To become certified, applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or equivalent. They must also pass a background check and submit an application fee of $150 USD. Once they are accepted into the program, they will need to pay an additional fee for the online course and exam fees.

Once certified, CARs will be able to work in any airline reservation department worldwide with greater confidence and expertise than non-certified personnel. They will also have access to exclusive job opportunities within the industry as well as discounts on travel products such as tickets and hotel stays.

9. Certified Cruise Line Reservationist (CCLR)

Certified Cruise Line Reservationist (CCLR) is a professional certification program designed to train and certify individuals in the cruise line reservation industry. The CCLR program is offered by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). It is an online course that takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete, depending on the individual’s learning speed.

The CCLR program covers topics such as cruise line operations, customer service, sales techniques, and travel regulations. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion from CLIA.

The cost of the CCLR program varies according to the type of membership with CLIA. For non-members, it costs $250 USD; for members, it costs $125 USD. To become eligible for this certification, you must be 18 years or older and have at least one year of experience in a cruise line reservation role.

10. Certified Vacation Planner (CVP)

Certified Vacation Planner (CVP) is a professional certification program for travel professionals. It is designed to ensure that those who are working in the travel industry have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide quality service and advice to their clients. The CVP program is offered by the Professional Association of Travel Agents (PATA).

The CVP program consists of three levels: Certified Vacation Planner (CVP), Senior Certified Vacation Planner (SCVP), and Master Certified Vacation Planner (MCVP). In order to become certified, you must complete all three levels. Each level requires a certain amount of coursework and testing, as well as a minimum number of years of experience in the industry.

The CVP program typically takes about six months to complete, depending on your current level of experience. To get started, you must first register with PATA and pay the applicable fees. After registering, you will be provided with access to online courses, which will cover topics such as customer service, sales techniques, marketing strategies, and more. Once you have completed these courses and passed the required exams, you can then apply for certification at any one of PATA’s accredited schools or through an approved third-party provider.

The cost for the CVP program varies depending on the school or provider chosen; however, it typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD per level.

Do You Really Need a Reservationist Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need a reservationist certificate to become a reservationist. However, having one can certainly be beneficial and can give you an edge over other applicants in the job market.

The primary benefit of having a reservationist certificate is that it demonstrates your commitment to the field and shows potential employers that you have taken the time to learn more about the job and gain knowledge specific to the industry. A certificate also proves that you have met certain standards of knowledge and proficiency in working with customers, managing reservations, and other aspects of the job. This can go a long way in setting yourself apart from other applicants who may not have any specialized training or education in the field.

Additionally, many employers prefer candidates with some kind of formal education or training related to hospitality management, customer service, or reservation systems. Having a certificate in this area makes it easier for employers to quickly see that you are qualified for the position. It also serves as proof of your dedication and hard work in learning more about the profession before applying for a job.

Finally, having a reservationist certificate can open up additional career opportunities down the line. Many companies look for people with specialized knowledge when hiring for higher-level roles such as managers or supervisors. A certificate will make it easier for them to identify qualified candidates who already possess relevant skills and knowledge related to their organization's needs.

In conclusion, while there is no strict requirement that one must have a reservationist certificate in order to become a reservationist, having one can certainly make it easier to stand out among other applicants and open up additional career opportunities down the road.

Related: Reservationist Resume Examples

FAQs About Reservationist Certifications

1. What is a Reservationist Certification?

Answer: A Reservationist Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates knowledge and proficiency in the field of hospitality reservations management. It is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

2. How do I become certified as a Reservationist?

Answer: To become certified as a Reservationist, you must successfully complete AHLEI’s Certified Reservations Manager Program and pass the exam. You must also meet any additional requirements set by your employer or local jurisdiction.

3. Are there any prerequisites for taking the Certified Reservations Manager Program?

Answer: Yes, you must have at least one year of experience in reservations management or related hospitality functions to be eligible for the program.

4. What topics are covered in the program?

Answer: The curriculum covers topics such as reservations policies and procedures, customer service strategies, communication skills, technology applications, marketing and sales techniques, forecasting and budgeting, and more.

5. How long does it take to complete the program?

Answer: The program can be completed in 4-6 months depending on how much time you are able to devote to studying each week.