Large Group Movements

What is a large group movement?

A large group movement consists of 50 or more passengers, sometimes split over multiple PNRs, on the same Group Travel Reference.

Why is it important to identify large group movements?

When a booking is retrieved, the Qantas Group Travel website initiates a series of checks on each PNR within the booking, known as Synchronisation. The more PNRs that exist within the booking, the longer it will take for the booking to synchronise.

Bookings are synchronised at various stages during a booking life cycle, including (but not limited to):

  • When a booking is retrieved
  • After a change is made, including increasing/decreasing passengers, changing flights, changing names and splitting PNRs
  • After a name is added or amended
  • After a payment is made
  • After tickets are issued

For this reason, if your group type is likely to split and deviate or has Group Online Check-in enabled, a maximum of no more than 50 passengers are to be booked under the one booking reference. This will ensure bookings are more manageable and faster to use.

What are the steps that can be taken to limit the synchronisation time of a booking?

In general, the more PNRs that exist within a booking, the longer it will take for the booking to synchronise. The best way to limit the synchronisation time of a booking is to limit the number of PNRs made within the booking.

Here are a few suggested steps you should consider when setting up your group quote or booking-

  1. Limit the number of passengers within a single booking. We recommend a maximum of 50 passengers per booking
    For example: Group of 120 passengers
    • Booking 1 – 50 Passengers
    • Booking 2 – 50 Passengers
    • Booking 3 – 20 Passengers
  1. Separate groups by departure state or city
    For example:
    • Booking 1 – total 40 passengers ex SYD
    • Booking 2 – total 30 passengers ex MEL
    • Booking 3 – total 35 passengers ex BNE/MKY/CNS/ROK
  1. Separate groups by class of travel
    For example:
    • Booking 1 – 35 economy class passengers
    • Booking 2 – 20 premium economy class passengers
    • Booking 3 – 15 business and first class passengers
  1. Separate groups by departure dates
    For example:
    • Booking 1 – 40 passengers Departing 23NOV / Returning 02DEC
    • Booking 2 – 35 passengers Departing 24NOV / Returning 02DEC
    • Booking 3 – 10 passengers Departing 24NOV / Returning 03DEC

 

Are there any other recommendations when creating large group bookings?

When a group is split over multiple bookings per the examples provided above, it is recommended to create the bookings using similar group names for ease of tracking.

For example:

  • ABC Conf One / ABC Conf Two / ABC Conf Three
  • ABC Conf SYD / ABC Conf MEL / ABC Conf QLD
  • ABC Conf Y / ABC Conf PY / ABC Conf F and J
  • ABC Conf / ABC Conf Extension

When a quote is created including interline flights, it is important to note that any seats booked on interline carriers are subject to availability. This is particularly important for large group movements as other carriers may limit the number of seats provided to groups on their services.

Before booking a large group movement, we highly recommend checking the aircraft type for interline flights that have been quoted and to consider splitting the group over multiple flights accordingly.