Top 10 Reservations Agent Certifications

Certifications are important for a reservations agent in the job market because they demonstrate to employers that the individual has the specific skills and knowledge required for the role. Certification programs provide an opportunity for agents to learn about industry standards, best practices, and current trends in reservations management. They also demonstrate a commitment to professional development, which can be very attractive to potential employers. Certifications also show that agents have taken the time to gain expertise in a specific area of reservations management, which is essential for success in this field.

The purpose of this article is to review the most beneficial certifications for Reservations Agents and explain how they can help advance their careers.

What are Reservations Agent Certifications?

Reservations agent certification is a formal recognition of an individual’s knowledge and skills in the tourism and hospitality industry. It is typically awarded by an organization or college that specializes in hospitality management, travel, or tourism. The certification can be beneficial to both employers and employees as it demonstrates that the individual has the necessary qualifications and expertise to effectively manage reservations.

For employers, having certified staff can provide assurance that their reservation agents are properly trained and knowledgeable about their jobs. This gives them peace of mind, knowing they have hired qualified and dependable workers who can provide excellent customer service. Additionally, it shows customers that they are taking the time to invest in their staff and ensure they are well-equipped to handle any situation.

For employees, having a reservations agent certification gives them a competitive edge when applying for positions in this field. It also provides them with additional confidence when dealing with customers as they will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of the industry through their certification status. Furthermore, obtaining a certificate can open up opportunities for career advancement within the industry as well as higher salaries due to increased expertise.

Pro Tip: When considering a reservations agent certification, make sure to research the program thoroughly. Look for programs that offer a comprehensive curriculum covering all aspects of the reservations process, as well as hands-on training and practice with real-world scenarios. Additionally, look for certifications that are accredited by industry organizations and recognized by employers.

Related: What does a Reservations Agent do?

Top 10 Reservations Agent Certifications

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

1. Certified Reservations Agent (CRA)

A Certified Reservations Agent (CRA) is a professional who has been trained and certified to handle reservations for travel, lodging, and other services. The CRA is responsible for booking flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises, tours, and other services for customers. They must be able to answer customer questions accurately and provide excellent customer service.

The certification process typically takes about eight weeks of online training and testing. The training covers topics such as the basics of reservations systems, airline rules and regulations, hotel policies and procedures, rental car companies’ policies, cruise lines’ policies, tour operators’ policies and more. After completing the training program successfully, the candidate will receive a certificate of completion from the organization that provided the training.

In order to become a Certified Reservations Agent (CRA), an individual must have at least one year of experience in the hospitality industry or related field. Additionally, they must pass an examination that covers all aspects of reservation operations including customer service skills.

The cost for certification varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $500-$1000 USD.

2. Certified Hospitality Reservations Specialist (CHRS)

Certified Hospitality Reservations Specialist (CHRS) is a certification program designed to help hospitality professionals develop and demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage reservations operations. The program is offered through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

To become certified as a CHRS, an individual must pass a comprehensive examination that covers topics such as customer service, reservations systems, rate structures, and yield management. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to take the exam, individuals must first purchase the CHRS study guide from AHLEI. The cost of the study guide is $179 for members of AHLEI and $229 for non-members. After purchasing the study guide, individuals can register for the exam online or by phone at 1-800-752-4567.

The cost of taking the exam is $150 for members of AHLEI and $200 for non-members. Once an individual has successfully passed the exam, they will receive their official CHRS certificate in the mail within four weeks.

3. Certified Hotel Reservations Manager (CHRMS)

Certified Hotel Reservations Manager (CHRMS) is a certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). The program is designed to provide hotel professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage hotel reservations. It covers topics such as reservation systems, customer service, sales and marketing, revenue management, and more.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CHRMS program. The program consists of three courses: Introduction to Hotel Reservation Management, Advanced Hotel Reservation Management, and Professional Certification in Hotel Reservation Management. Each course requires approximately 40 hours of study time. Upon completion of all three courses, students must pass an exam in order to become certified.

To get started on the CHRMS program, you need to register with AHLEI and pay a registration fee of $195 USD. After completing each course, you will need to submit a course completion form along with your payment for that particular course. The cost for each course varies depending on the type of membership you have with AHLEI; however, most memberships include discounts on the cost of courses.

Once you have completed all three courses and passed the exam, you will receive your Certified Hotel Reservations Manager (CHRMS) designation from AHLEI. This designation is valid for five years from the date it was issued and can be renewed by taking additional continuing education classes or passing an updated version of the exam every five years.

4. Certified Airline Reservations Agent (CARA)

Certified Airline Reservations Agent (CARA) is a certification program that provides airline reservation agents with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide excellent customer service. The program is offered by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The CARA certification program typically takes about four weeks to complete. It consists of an online self-study course, followed by a hands-on practical training session. During the course, participants learn about airline reservations systems, ticketing procedures, fare rules, and customer service best practices. At the end of the course, participants must pass a final exam in order to receive their certification.

In order to become certified as a CARA agent, you must first register for the program through IATA’s website and pay a fee of $500 USD. Once registered, you will be provided with access to the online self-study course materials and instructions on how to complete the program. After completing the self-study portion of the program, you will then attend a two-day practical training session at an IATA-approved training center near you.

Upon successful completion of both portions of the program (self-study and practical training), participants will receive their official CARA certificate from IATA. This certificate is valid for three years and can be renewed by attending additional IATA courses or taking part in other professional development activities related to airline reservations systems.

5. Certified Cruise Line Reservations Agent (CCLRA)

A Certified Cruise Line Reservations Agent (CCLRA) is a professional designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in cruise line reservations. This certification is administered by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

In order to obtain the CCLRA designation, applicants must pass an online exam that covers topics such as cruise line operations, customer service, and reservation systems. The exam consists of 60 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CCLRA exam, applicants must have at least one year of experience in cruise line reservations or a related field. They must also pay a fee of $125 USD and submit proof of their experience.

Once an applicant passes the CCLRA exam, they will receive a certificate and be listed on CLIA's website as a certified agent. They will also gain access to exclusive resources such as webinars and discounts on CLIA-approved courses.

6. Certified Travel Consultant (CTC)

Certified Travel Consultant (CTC) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the expertise and knowledge of travel professionals. The CTC designation is awarded by the Institute of Certified Travel Agents (ICTA), which is an independent, non-profit organization that serves as the leading advocate for the travel industry.

It typically takes about 6 months to complete the CTC program. To qualify for the CTC designation, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as customer service, sales, marketing, and finance. Applicants must also demonstrate their knowledge of current trends in the travel industry and have at least two years of experience working in the field.

To get started on your path to becoming a CTC, you will need to register with ICTA and pay a fee of $295 USD. This fee covers access to study materials and practice exams, as well as registration for the final exam. Once you have registered with ICTA, you can begin studying for the exam. After passing the exam, you will receive your CTC designation and be able to use it on your resume or business cards.

The cost of becoming a CTC varies depending on where you live and how much time you are willing to invest in studying for the exam. However, most people find that they can become certified within 6 months by investing around $300 USD in registration fees and study materials.

7. International Air Transport Association’s Passenger Services Conference Reservation System (IATAPSCRS)

The International Air Transport Association’s Passenger Services Conference Reservation System (IATAPSCRS) is a global reservation system used by airlines to manage their passenger reservations. It is a comprehensive system that allows airlines to manage their inventory, bookings, fares, and other related services.

IATAPSCRS is an online platform that enables airlines to quickly and easily manage their booking systems. It also provides them with access to real-time data on seat availability, flight schedules, and fare information. Airlines can also use the system to track customer service requests and respond promptly.

It typically takes about two weeks for an airline to get up and running with IATAPSCRS. The process involves setting up the account, configuring the system, integrating it with existing systems, training staff members on how to use the system, and testing it before going live.

The cost of IATAPSCRS depends on the size of the airline and its specific needs. Generally speaking, it can range from hundreds of dollars per month for smaller airlines up to several thousand dollars per month for larger ones. Most airlines will require some form of upfront payment as well as ongoing maintenance fees.

Overall, IATAPSCRS is an invaluable tool for managing passenger reservations in a timely and efficient manner. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, it can help airlines save time and money while providing customers with an improved travel experience.

8. Sabre GDS Certification

Sabre GDS Certification is a professional certification program for travel agents and other industry professionals. The certification is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Sabre Global Distribution System (GDS), which is used by travel agents, airlines, hotels, and car rental companies to book reservations.

The Sabre GDS Certification program consists of an online course that takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. The course covers topics such as navigating the Sabre system, searching for fares and availability, creating bookings, ticketing procedures, and more. Upon completion of the online course, participants must pass an exam in order to receive their certification.

To get certified in Sabre GDS, you will need to register for the online course through the Sabre Travel Network website. The cost of the course is $249 USD. After completing the online course and passing the exam, you will be eligible for your Sabre GDS Certification.

9. Galileo GDS Certification

Galileo GDS Certification is an online program offered by the Galileo Global Distribution System (GDS) that provides travel agents and other travel professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to book airline tickets, hotel reservations, car rentals, and other travel services using the Galileo GDS. The certification is designed to help travel agents become more knowledgeable about the system and its products so they can better serve their clients.

The certification process takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. It consists of four modules: Introduction to Galileo GDS, Booking Airline Tickets, Booking Hotels & Car Rentals, and Advanced Travel Services. Each module covers a different aspect of the system such as how to use it for booking flights, hotels, cars and other services.

To get certified in Galileo GDS you must first register for the course on their website or through a third-party provider. Once registered you will be given access to the online training materials which include videos and quizzes. You must pass all four modules with a score of 80% or higher in order to receive your certification.

The cost of the Galileo GDS Certification depends on where you take it from but typically ranges from $100-$200 USD.

10. Worldspan GDS Certification

Worldspan GDS Certification is a certification program designed to teach travel agents the basics of using the Worldspan Global Distribution System (GDS). The certification program consists of a series of online courses and tests that cover topics such as booking flights, hotels, cars, and other services. Upon successful completion of the courses and tests, the participant earns a Worldspan GDS Certification.

The certification program typically takes 5-7 days to complete depending on how quickly you can work through the material. To get certified, you must first register for an account with Worldspan. Once registered, you will have access to all of the course material and exams required for certification.

The cost for Worldspan GDS Certification varies depending on where you take it. Most agencies offer discounted rates for their members or employees. However, some agencies charge a flat fee for certification regardless of membership status. Generally speaking, the cost ranges from $50-$200 USD.

Do You Really Need a Reservations Agent Certificate?

No, you do not need a Reservations Agent Certificate to be a reservations agent. However, obtaining one can help demonstrate your knowledge and experience in the industry. A certificate program will provide you with training in the fundamentals of reservations systems, customer service best practices, and hospitality standards. In addition, it can also give you an edge over other applicants when competing for jobs.

Certificate programs are offered by many institutions and are available online or in-person at certain locations. These courses typically cover topics such as customer service strategies, telephone etiquette, airline ticketing systems, hotel reservation systems and more. Many of them also offer hands-on training that allows you to practice your skills in a simulated environment.

In today’s competitive job market, having a Reservations Agent Certificate can be beneficial when applying for positions within the travel and hospitality industry. It shows employers that you have taken the time to learn about the specific requirements of this job and have acquired the necessary skills to excel in it. It also gives potential employers assurance that you have received proper training from an accredited institution or program and are knowledgeable about reservations systems technology used in the hospitality industry.

Overall, having a Reservations Agent Certificate is not required but it can help demonstrate your knowledge and experience related to this profession. It may give you an advantage over other applicants when applying for jobs within the travel and hospitality industry as well as provide employers with assurance that you are properly trained for this position.

Related: Reservations Agent Resume Examples

FAQs About Reservations Agent Certifications

Q1: What is a Reservations Agent Certification?

A1: A Reservations Agent Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates mastery of the skills and knowledge needed to work as a reservations agent. The certification typically covers topics such as customer service, computer systems, hospitality industry standards, and communication skills.

Q2: How do I become certified as a Reservations Agent?

A2: To become certified as a Reservations Agent, you must complete an approved training program and pass an exam. Training programs vary in length and content, but will generally cover the same topics such as customer service, computer systems, hospitality industry standards, and communication skills.

Q3: What are the benefits of becoming certified as a Reservations Agent?

A3: Being certified as a Reservations Agent provides recognition for your expertise in the field and can help you stand out from other applicants when applying for jobs. It also offers potential employers assurance that you have the necessary knowledge to perform well in the job. Finally, it can provide career advancement opportunities since many employers prefer to hire certified agents.

Q4: How long does it take to get certified?

A4: Depending on the program you choose, it can take anywhere from several weeks to several months to complete your training and receive your certification. Most programs require some level of hands-on experience before taking the final exam.

Q5: Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified?

A5: Yes, most programs have certain prerequisites such as prior hospitality industry experience or a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Be sure to check with your chosen training program or certifying organization for specific requirements before beginning your studies.