IATA ID Card
 

Hi,
Is airline staff eligible for applying an IATA ID card? Please help me and thanks a lot.

Why would you want one? Your airline ID badge will get you the discounts you need for the most part. As a TA, I need to sign off for new employees to get a card as the paying member of IATA. So I would not think you could call up IATA and get a card saying you work for XXX airline.

But as to some hotels, they offer better discount program to the person with IATA card such as Marriott and Starwood than airline staff rate.
Thanks.

That's a pretty broad statement. You may not be privy to OP's situation/needs.

Hi skyandland, welcome to FT! I understand your desire for an IATA card. They are often valuable. If you work for an airline and are interested in finding out if you are eligible to have an IATA card, I suggest you contact your supervisor. They should know.

For Starwood if you get a FAM rate then yes I agree with you.

Marriott does not give a great rate to IATA card holders unless you join their team, something like excellence or such and if you can get FAM rates etc... But that is rare to really get the FAM rates in my areas I travel however surprisingly I was offered 70 USD a night at a 5 star Marriott in Asia in a great location and for a higher level room. So it is mostly by property and not across the board how they treat you.

But in general it is property specific unless you do a decent volume with them and if you do not use a GDS system the it is hard to contact them outside via email or calls or such and get a good rate for the most part. That is my experience.

Regardless... I don't see how you could swing an IATA card without the airline signing off. But I don't work that side so I could be wrong.

Yes it is broad; however the OP was very broad and generic as well. When traveling with family many times it is easier to use the airline discount, or government discount rates then using the IATA rates. They are not always all that good. Heck AARP rates are often better at many locations.

Speak to your supervisor or manager, and ask if the airline would sign off on you getting an IATA card. That's the only way you're going to get it.