Am I able to get access to a DS system?
 

As a private individual, am I able to buy access to a GDS system such as Amadeus, Sabre, or Travelport?
It would really help me!

Check out ExpertFlyer to see if it provides the capabilities you're looking for. There are several threads about EF which provide more insight.

http://www.expertflyer.com/

Ive got KVS, but want something to supplement that.

From the title, I thought it was a reference to a Nintendo DS!

Sure, but that isn't access to a GDS. ;)

If you actually had access to a GDS then KVS would likely be unnecessary. You're not looking to supplement the tool so much as replace it, I think.

I suspect that access to the CRS/GDS is restricted to licensed travel agents who have gone through SABRE training and sign some kind of agreement to use it only as prescribed. Access to this system would allow you to go into people's PNRs, make changes, cue up PNRs to TDS, do all sorts of things that the general public should not be able to do.

So, the short version is that it's unlikely you could get CRS/GDS access as a private individual just because you would like it. (If you find a way, please let us know! I, for one, would gladly put in the time to learn SABRE if I could use it to access and manipulate my own PNRs!)

On another thread, someone contacted SABRE, saying that he was a private individual who wanted to use their GDS system, and they said okay! So Im going to call them up and ask them too. Let you know then.

There are, as I recall, two threads I've seen on this subject.

Here is one:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-bookings.html

I can't locate the other, but some searching (either here on FT or on Google via site:flyertalk.com) might turn it up (think of terms like GDS, SABRE, Amadeus, etc.). The above-linked thread should cover most of your questions, however.

I've been looking into it myself but haven't had the time to flesh out the best, cheapest option for my wants (I can't really call them "needs"...).

Edit: I think this is the other one I saw:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...el-nexion.html

Also, it might be helpful if you contact a moderator and ask to have the thread title fixed...though I think sometimes these mis-labeled threads actually generate more interest due to the "Wonder what he's talking about?" factor... ;)

I still remember Eaasy Saber on Compuserve - pretty much full GDS access if you worked it right.

All the GDS providers are more than happy to provide "dumb terminals" (without ticketing capacity) to anybody willing to pick up the tab. Ticketing capacity will mean membership in either ARC (in the USA) or in one of the IATA BSPs (elsewhere).

http://www.amadeus.net

Amadeus is the only GDS (Sabre and Travelport do not) that allows searching
air, car, hotel directly over the web, and then redirects to the vendors to book.

If you generate enough business, a local travel agency might be willing to set you up as an independent contractor that allows access through your PC.

Roughly how much would "dumb terminal" access cost? Might be fun to play with it, but I don't need to ticket directly via the GDS.

I think it's spelled out in the other thread I linked to above (or sites linked in that thread)--IIRC, you can figure on about $45 per month.

There are extra fees for booking capabilities through a host agency (fees depend on how much of the commission you want to share with the host agency) and some plans that have lesser monthly fees in exchange for an up-front cost, but ISTR there being an option for $45/mo+$0 upfront (though I'm not completely sure on that).

Full ARC membership (being your own travel agent) offers more commission (no sharing) and lower monthly fees than being with a host agency but has a fairly high up-front cost. Not necessary if you book rarely or just want view-only access.

Also, note that if you do have booking capabilities and use them to book a mistake fare, an airline may issue you a (binding) debit memo for the fare difference when they realize their mistake. I would NOT recommend booking your own mistake fares!

I poked around a bit and you are right on the money: Sabre offers a "Remote Individual User Plan" for $45/month, debited from a bank account.