C. Abr. Celsius. See Celsius scale.
CAA. Civil Aeronautics Authority.
CAB. Civil Aeronautics Board. Absorbed
into the DOT (Department of Transportation) in 1985.
cab. 1. A taxi (qv). 2. The driver's
compartment of a vehicle.
cabana. Sp. 1. A hotel room which
is a separate building, typically near the beach or
a pool. 2. A private changing room near a hotel beach
or pool.
cabaret. 1. A type of entertainment
performed in a club or restaurant, usually small-scale
featuring singing and/or comedy sketches. 2. A club
or restaurant offering such entertainment.
cabin. 1. The passenger compartment
of an airplane. 2. A ship's stateroom. 3. A rustic hotel
room separate from the main building.
cabin attendant. 1. A flight attendant
(qv). 2. A cabin steward (qv).
cabin steward. A ship's employee
responsible for cleaning staterooms.
cable. 1. The heavy metal anchor
chain on a ship. 2. Any thick rope used aboard a ship.
3. A text message sent by wire. A telegram.
cable car. 1. A trolley operated
by underground cables. 2. An aerial tramway.
cable length. On ships, a distance
of 600 feet (100 fathoms).
cablegram. An overseas telegram,
specifically one transmitted by undersea cables.
cabotage. 1. Trade between two points
in a country, usually prohibited to carriers of another
nation. 2. The right to engage in such trade. See also
freedom rights.
cabriolet. A one-seat, horse-drawn
carriage.
cache. 1. A hiding place for supplies,
as on a hiking trip, or any supplies so hidden. 2. Supplies
suspended in the air to prevent animals from getting
to them.
cachet. Fr. adj. Possessed of charm,
allure, or attraction. Enjoying a good reputation.
caddy. A person who carries a golfer's
clubs.
cafe. 1. Fr. and Sp. Coffee. 2. A
small restaurant serving coffee. Sometimes with outdoor
seating, as in "sidewalk cafe."
cafe au lait. Fr. Coffee with milk.
cafe noir. Fr. Black coffee.
CAI. Computer-assisted instruction.
call brand. Any brand of liquor that
a customer must ask for by name in a restaurant; as
opposed to more generic, less expensive house brands
(qv).
call sign. A code identifying a ship's
radio.
cambio. Sp. Literally, "change."
By extension, a currency exchange bureau.
canal. An artificial inland waterway
originally built to connect one body of water with another
and allow commercial barge traffic. Now also used for
recreational purposes.
canal barge. A vessel designed to
carry freight on a canal, now often converted to passenger
use for leisure cruising.
cancel. 1. To void, as a reservation.
2. To indicate an item has been processed, as a check.
cancellation clause. In a contract,
a provision which allows for cancellation by one of
the parties, usually upon payment of a penalty.
cancellation penalty. An amount deducted
by a supplier from a refund of prepaid funds when a
reservation is cancelled.
canoe. 1. n. A slender oared vessel
of Native American origin. 2. v. To travel by or navigate
a canoe.
canton. An administrative district
in Switzerland or France.
capacity controlled. With limited
space or seating at a specific price.
capacity dumping. The airline strategy
of adding additional flights to a route in an attempt
to drive a competitor out of business or off the route.
capital. The seat of government of
a state, province, or country.
capitol. 1. A building housing and
symbolizing a seat of government. 2. The decorative
portion surmounting a column.
caps. See commission cap.
capstan. A device used aboard ships
for winding ropes used in lifting cargo and other heavy
weights.
capsule hotel. A Japanese lodging
featuring small, coffin-like sleeping compartments.
Often found near railway stations and usually accepting
men only. Pronounced "capseru hoteru" in Japanese.
captain. 1. The commanding officer
on a ship. 2. The pilot of an airplane.
car class. The specific size, style,
and rental price of a rental car.
car ferry. A ship transporting automobiles
and passengers.
car for hire. Brit. A rental car.
caravan. 1. Brit. A mobile home or
van. 2. A group traveling together. Typically, Arab
merchants and their camels. 3. By extension, a convoy
of vehicles traveling together, especially military
vehicles.
card mill. Derogatory term for a
travel agency that recruits outside salespeople with
the lure of instant travel benefits said to be obtainable
with the photo ID card the agency issues.
card-not-present transaction. Payment
with a credit card when the customer and merchant are
not in the same physical location, such as by mail,
fax, or through a web site.
carfare. 1. Money given, as to an
employee, to cover the cost of local transportation.
2. The fare charged on a municipal transportation system.
cargo. Freight carried by a ship
or airplane.
cargo liner. A ship which transports
freight. See also freighter.
carhop. A waiter or waitress at a
drive-in restaurant, where people eat in their cars.
Caribbean Basin Initiative. A U.S.
government program established in 1983 to promote economic
growth in the region through lower tariffs.
carnet. A customs document authorizing
the transport of a car or other motor vehicle from one
country to another.
carnival. 1. U.S. A traveling show
featuring rides, games of chance, and displays of oddities.
2. A celebration preceding Lent, celebrated most prominently
in New Orleans and Rio de Janeiro. 3. By extension,
any large party-like outdoor celebration.
carousel. 1. A circular amusement
park ride, typically with wooden horses which go up
and down. 2. A mechanized device at airports to which
passenger baggage is delivered and on which it is displayed
while awaiting pickup.
carrier. Any company which transports
passengers or freight.
carrying capacity. The maximum number
of people a destination can accommodate without endangering
the ecology or the supporting infrastructure.
carry-on. A piece of luggage designed
to be taken aboard an airplane and fit into the space
allotted for such luggage.
carry-on baggage or luggage. Baggage
which is carried aboard an airplane by the passenger,
as opposed to being checked and carried in the hold.
cartographer. A person who creates
maps.
cartography. The art and science
of map-making.
CAS. Abr. Computer-assisted selling.
casbah. Traditionally, the old (or
"native") quarter of a North African city.
cash advance. An amount given to
an employee prior to a trip to cover anticipated cash
outlays.
cash bar. An arrangement at a party
where guests must pay for their drinks.
cash method. An accounting system
in which income and expenses are recorded at the actual
time received or disbursed. See also accrual method.
cash stipend. An amount paid by some
educational tour operators to tour organizers as compensation
for signing up passengers over and above those needed
to qualify for a free ticket for the organizer.
cashless cruising. A system in which
all purchases made on a cruise ship are signed for,
with the bill presented for payment, by cash or credit
card, at the end of the cruise.
casino. A gambling establishment
offering a variety of gaming choices.
castaway. A person who has been shipwrecked.
casual courier. A person serving
as an air courier (qv) on a one-time basis.
category. On a cruise ship, a class
of cabin or fare level.
caveat emptor. Lat. Literally, let
the buyer beware.
cay. A small island. A term used
primarily in the Caribbean and pronounced "key."
CBBG. CRS. Cabin baggage.
CBI. Abr. Computer-based instruction.
CBN. CRS. Cabin (qv).
CCAR. CRS. Compact car.
CCRN. CRS. Credit card return notice.
CCS. CRS. Change segment status.
CCTE. Abr. Certified Corporate Travel
Executive.
CCTV. Closed circuit television.
CDC. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention.
CD-ROM. Abr. Compact disc, read-only
memory. A high-density storage medium for computer programs
and data.
CDT. Central Daylight Time.
CDW. Collision Damage Waiver (qv).
ceiling. 1. The altitude of the lowest
clouds. 2. The upper limit of operation of an aircraft.
3. By extension, any limit, as on expenditures.
Celsius scale. The metric scale for
measuring temperature in which zero is the freezing
point of water and 100 is the boiling point. Used in
most countries of the world instead of the Fahrenheit
scale (qv).
central reservation office. Location
at which reservations are taken for a chain or group
of hotels, car rental agencies, etc.
centralization. The process of consolidating
certain types of activities or decision making in one
place, as opposed to spreading them across corporate
divisions or geographical locations.
centralized billing. A system in
which a travel agent sends a single bill for travel
by several or many people, as when a corporation is
billed once for travel by all its employees.
centralized commissions. A system
in which a supplier such as a hotel chain sends commission
payments from a central office, rather than having individual
properties pay commissions separately.
centralized payment plan. See centralized
commissions.
CEO. Chief Executive Officer.
certification. A document attesting
that a person or organization meets minimum standards
or qualifications in a specified area. Usually issued
by an organization with recognized expertise in the
area.
certified mail. A premium category
of mail delivery which provides proof of receipt by
the addressee. Notifications required by contract are
often sent certified mail, as are airline tickets.
Certified Niche Specialist (CNS).
One who has taken a course in the areas of either Mature
Adult, Family, or Special Interest Travel administered
by the American Society of Travel Agents.
Certified Travel Counselor (CTC).
One who has passed a series of rigorous tests of professional
competency administered by the Institute of Certified
Travel Agents.
CFCs. Chlorofluorocarbons, chemical
compounds found in aerosol spray cans, refrigerators,
air conditioners, and styrofoam cups among other products.
In their gaseous forms they are said to be responsible
for the depletion of the ozone layer (qv).
CFMD. CRS. Confirmed.
CFO. Chief Financial Officer.
CFY. CRS. Clarify.
CH. 1. CRS. Child. 2. Abr. Charter.
CHA. Caribbean Hotel Association.
chain. 1. A group of hotels, or other
businesses, sharing a common name and ownership. 2.
A group of islands.
chair. 1. n. The gender-neutral version
of "chairman." The head of a committee or similar group.
2. v. To head such a group.
chair lift. A motor-driven cable
from which hang chair-like seats for passengers. Typically
found at ski resorts and used to transport people up
steep inclines.
chalet. 1. A style of house associated
with the ski regions of Europe. 2. By extension, any
accommodation at a ski or mountain resort, especially
if detached from the main building.
Chamber of Commerce. An association
of businesses in a city, region, or state, devoted in
part to promoting the business interests of its members.
Chambers of commerce are often active in promoting tourism
to their areas.
chambermaid.c In hotels, a woman
who cleans the rooms.
change of equipment. A change of
aircraft that occurs without a change in the flight
number.
change of gauge. See change of equipment.
channel. 1. A designated passage
in a harbor, often dredged to allow safe passage of
ships. Any navigable ship route. 2. A relatively narrow
sea lane between two land masses.
channel-based pricing. A system in
which the amount charged for a product or service differs
according to the means of delivery. For example, a CRS
company might charge airlines a lower per-segment fee
to encourage use of a specific electronic booking tool.
charge d'affaires. Fr. A diplomatic
rank below ambassador but accredited to the host government.
The charge d'affaires often handles embassy business
in the ambassador's absence.
chargeback. An amount of money deducted
from monies otherwise due a merchant from a credit card
company to cover the amount of disallowed charges.
chart. 1. n. A "map" of coastal or
open waters, showing depths and hazards, used for navigation.
2. v. To plan, as to chart a course. 3. n. A graphical
display of information or statistics.
charter. 1. v. To lease an aircraft
or other mode of transport for the use of a group. 2.
n. Any craft so used or any trip taken by such means.
3. n. A written document setting forth the governing
principles of a group or organization.
chateau. A palatial European residence,
sometimes remodeled as a hotel. Sometimes used of a
hotel that is built in such a style.
chauffeur. A hired driver, usually
of a limousine.
CHD. CRS. Child.
check. v. To place in the care of
another, usually a carrier (qv), for retrieval at a
later time upon presentation of a receipt, as in "to
check luggage."
checked baggage. Baggage which a
traveler has given over to the care of the carrier or
other responsible party. An important distinction when
liability for loss or damage is to be determined. See
also unchecked baggage.
checker. 1. A person who receives
baggage, coats, or other items to be checked. 2. Cap.
A roomy make of New York taxicab, now obsolete.
check-in. A procedure whereby a hotel
guest or airline passenger is registered as having arrived.
Check-in may require the presentation of payment, reservations,
or other documentation or identification.
check-in time. 1. In hotels, the
earliest time at which a room will be available. 2.
At airline terminals, the latest time at which a passenger
may arrive for the flight without risk of losing his
seat.
check-out. A procedure whereby a
hotel guest formally leaves the hotel and settles his
or her bill.
check-out time. In hotels, the latest
time a guest may leave without being charged for another
night's lodging.
checkpoint. A place on a road or
at a terminal at which vehicles or people are stopped
for inspection.
chevron setup. In a meeting, an arrangement
in which chairs are aligned in a "V" along a central
aisle.
child. In the travel industry, a
designation used to determine fares and other rates.
The precise definition varies from carrier to carrier
and hotel to hotel. Generally, a "child" is at least
two years old, as opposed to an "infant" (qv) who is
younger. The upper limit can be anywhere from 11 to
18 years of age.
chit. A piece of paper or voucher
(qv) which can be exchanged for food, drink, or other
amenities. A raincheck (qv).
CHNG. CRS. Change.
CHNT. CRS. Change name to.
CHRIE. Council on Hotel, Restaurant,
and Institutional Education.
Christian name. Brit. First name,
of a person.
chronological order. Arranged in
sequence by time of occurrence.
chronology. A list of events in their
order of occurrence.
chronometer. Any instrument that
measures time. A watch.
CHTR. CRS. Charter (qv).
Chunnel. Slang. Nickname for the
railway tunnel beneath the English Channel linking Britain
and France.
churning. The practice of repeatedly
making the same booking in a CRS to avoid the 24-hour
ticketing deadline.
ciao. It. Word for both hello and
good-bye.
CIEE. Council on International Educational
Exchange.
Cinco de Mayo. Sp. Fifth of
May, Mexican independence day.
circle trip. Any trip that involves
more than one destination, returning to the point of
departure, as opposed to a "round trip" (qv).
circle trip minimum. The lowest allowable
fare for a circle trip, which cannot be less than any
round trip fare between any two cities on the itinerary.
circumnavigate. To sail around, as
an island or the world.
CIS. Confederation of Independent
States (qv).
citadel. A fort in a city used for
the city's defense.
CITC. Canadian Institute of Travel
Counselors.
city codes. Three-letter codes used
to uniquely identify cities and/or their airports.
city pair. In airline bookings, the
departure and arrival cities on an itinerary. The number
of city pairs served by an airline is sometimes used
as a measure of its size.
city terminal. See city ticket office.
city ticket office. An airline sales
and ticketing office located anywhere other than the
airport.
city-wide. n. In the meetings
industry, a convention or event so large that it will
use many hotels and multiple venues. Also use as an
adjective.
civil aviation. Any flight activity
conducted by the private sector, as opposed to military
aviation.
civil law. The law regulating non-criminal
activities between and among individuals and corporations.
claim check. The receipt or stub,
usually numbered, issued to a passenger for his or her
luggage.
claim PNR booking. A booking that
occurs when a travel agency issues a ticket for a reservation
made by the passenger and entered into the CRS by the
airline reservationist.
Class I to VI. A classification system
used to rate the difficulty of rapids in whitewater
rafting (qv). The higher the Roman numeral, the more
difficult it is to negotiate the rapid.
class of service. 1. The level of
amenities provided in a travel product. 2. A semi-arbitrary
division determined by the fare paid, as in the multiple
"classes" offered in coach by an airline. 3. An alphanumerical
code indicating either (1) or (2), above.
clearance. 1. Permission, as for
an airplane to take off. 2. The height of a bridge or
overpass. 3. The distance between the highest point
on a vessel and a bridge.
CLIA. Cruise Lines International
Association.
client. A term used for a customer,
usually to indicate an on-going relationship.
climate. The prevailing weather conditions
in a geographical region.
close. 1. v. To finalize or complete
a sale. 2. v. To ask a closing question (qv). 3. n.
Brit. A dead-end street.
closed dates. Dates on which travel
or hotel rooms are unavailable due to prior sale or
booking.
closing question. Any question that
requires the client to make a commitment or decision
that leads them closer to making a purchase.
club car. A car on a train serving
liquor and refreshments.
club floor. In a hotel, a separate
floor providing a higher level of service and security
for a premium price. Also called Concierge Floor or
Level
clustering. In the hotel industry,
a business strategy in which a number of properties
are located in the same geographic area.
CMP. Abr. 1. Certified Meeting Professional.
2. Complete meeting package.
CNL. CRS. Cancel.
CNS. Abr. Certified Niche Specialist
(qv).
coach. 1. The economy class on an
airline. Also referred to as "economy" or "tourist."
2. The section of the plane designated for this class
of passenger. 3. A motorcoach (qv).
coaching inns. Small hotels, often
of historic significance, that were originally stops
along a stagecoach route; more common in Europe.
coastal cruise. A journey on a cruise
ship that stays close to shore, as opposed to one that
visits several islands or crosses significant distances
of open water.
COC. CRS. Country of commencement
(i.e. where travel begins).
cockpit. The pilot's compartment
in a plane.
COD. Abr. Cash on delivery.
code sharing. An agreement whereby
airlines permit the use of their CRS code in the flight
schedule displays of other airlines.
cog railway. A railway system, usually
used on short, very steep grades, in which a series
of teeth on the rail mesh with the vehicle to insure
traction.
co-host carrier. An airline that
pays another to display its flights on a CRS.
COLA. Abr. 1. Cost of living allowance
(qv). 2. Cost of living adjustment (qv).
cold call. A sales call to a prospective
client with whom you have no prior contact.
cold wave. A period of abnormally
cold weather.
collision damage waiver. Daily insurance
which covers damage to a rental car.
colors. The flag or ensign flown
from the mast or stern of a ship.
COMM. CRS. Commission.
commercial agency. A travel agency
that specializes in corporate travel.
commercial airline. An airline that
carries passengers.
Commercial Sabre®. Term used to distinguish
the full version of the Sabre® CRS from Eaasy Sabre®,
a simplified version.
commission. 1. A percentage of a
sale price paid to a salesperson as payment for making
a sale. 2. An official investigative body. 3. v. To
contract for the production of something, as to commission
a work of art.
commission cap. The maximum dollar
amount an airline, or other supplier, will pay as commission
regardless of the actual price of the ticket or the
standard commission rate.
commission split. An agreed upon
division of commission income between two entities,
such as a travel agency and an outside salesperson.
commissionable. Denoting the portion
of total cost on which a travel agent can receive a
commission.
commode. A portable toilet, usually
one containing a removable bed pan or other receptacle.
common carrier. Any company engaged
in the transport of people or goods for profit.
common law. Unwritten law which has
become generally accepted by the formal legal system
through long-standing practice.
Common Market. Obsolete term for
the European Economic Community (qv).
common rated. Describing two identical
fares to geographically close destinations.
commonwealth. A political entity
with representative government. A voluntary association
of sovereign states.
commuter. 1. n. A person who travels
to work each day. 2. adj. Used to describe short-haul
airlines.
comp. Slang. A free ticket or other
complimentary extra.
comp rooms. Free rooms provided to
a group of hotel guests based on total occupancy by
the group.
companionway. A stairway connecting
two decks on a ship.
compartment. A distinct section on
a railroad car, airplane, ship, or other vehicle.
compass. A magnetic device used to
determine direction aboard ship.
computer virus. A malicious and destructive
program designed to be passed unwittingly from machine
to machine via floppy disks, downloading, or other means.
computerized reservation system.
Any of several proprietary computer systems allowing
real-time access to airline fares, schedules, and seating
availability and offering the capability of booking
reservations and generating tickets.
complimentary. Free. Without charge.
concentrated hub. An airport where
a single airline controls most of the passenger capacity.
concession. A shop or other place
of business within a larger area, such as an airport
or cruise ship, which has paid a fee in exchange for
exclusivity.
concierge. A hotel employee charged
with providing advice and additional services to the
guests.
concierge level. See club floor.
Concorde. The supersonic jet jointly
developed by Britain and France.
concourse. 1. A public area in an
airport. 2. The section of the airport containing the
gates.
COND. CRS. Conditional.
conditional fare. A fare which guarantees
passage on the next available flight if the flight for
which the ticket was purchased is full.
condo. Short for condominium (qv).
condo vacation. A travel product
featuring lodging in a condominium (qv), typically one
in a resort area, and providing additional amenities
such as pools, tennis courts, golf courses, and so forth.
condominium. A form of ownership
of real estate. In travel, generally used to refer to
accommodations that are similar to or identical to furnished,
private apartments or townhouses and which are available
for rent by the day or week. Such properties are frequently
rented out when the owner is not present. See also time
sharing.
conductor. 1. A railway employee
who collects tickets on board. 2. The person nominally
in charge of a tour group. 3. The director of a symphony
orchestra.
conductor's ticket. On a cruise ship,
a free ticket awarded based on the size of a group booking.
The ticket can be used by the travel agent who put the
group together or given to a person in the group who
was instrumental in making the booking happen.
Confederation of Independent States (CIS).
The now independent satellite states of the former Soviet
Union.
conference center. A hotel-like property
designed specifically for hosting conventions and meetings.
confidential tariff. Wholesale rates
intended for markup (qv) to retail pricing.
configuration. Arrangement or layout,
as of an airplane's interior.
confirmation. The official acceptance
of a booking by the supplier.
confirmation number. An alphanumeric
code used to identify and document the confirmation
of a booking.
confiscate. Take away or seize, as
contraband goods.
congress. Another term for convention
(qv), used most frequently in Europe.
conjunction tickets. Two or more
tickets used on a single itinerary.
connecting flight. A flight that
requires a passenger to change from one plane to another.
See also connection.
connecting rooms. Hotel rooms which
are next to each other and have a connecting door, in
addition to the doors which give out onto the hallway.
connection. A stop on a journey that
requires a change of planes or other mode of transportation.
See also connecting flight.
consent decree. A legal document
whereby the target of a government lawsuit ends the
suit by agreeing to take or refrain from specific actions
specified in the decree.
consignment. 1. An arrangement whereby
a supplier allots merchandise to a retailer who needs
pay for it only upon sale. 2. Goods allotted under such
an arrangement.
consolidation. 1. A business tactic
in which a company concentrates its purchases with fewer
suppliers to effect cost savings. 2. The process in
which an industry comes to be served by fewer and fewer
suppliers as companies merge or succumb to bankruptcy
and competitive pressures; the airline industry is a
prime example.
consolidator. A company or individual
who negotiates bulk contracts (qv) with an airline (or
other travel supplier) and sells that space to the general
public, usually at a discount.
consortium. A group of companies
that enter into a voluntary association to share resources
in order to gain a market advantage. In travel, usually
used to refer to groups of suppliers that offer higher
commissions and other incentives to travel agencies
that enter into "preferred supplier" (qv) relationships
with them.
construction fare. A round-the-world
fare created by a specialist, usually a consolidator,
by stitching together a series of one way fares on a
number of airlines. See also, alliance fare.
consul. A diplomatic representative
of one country to another. The executive in charge of
a consulate (qv).
Consular Information Sheet. One of
a series of publications of the United States Department
of State, providing essential travel information for
each of the world's countries.
consulate. A subsidiary office of
a foreign government, usually in a location other than
the host nation's capital. Consulates typically handle
visa applications and other business affairs of the
foreign government.
consultant. An expert in a particular
field who provides technical and other forms of assistance
to companies on a fee basis.
continental breakfast. A breakfast
of rolls, fruit and coffee or tea. Often provided on
a complimentary basis by hotels and motels.
continental code. International Morse
code (qv).
continental plan. A hotel rate that
includes a continental breakfast (qv).
contour map. A map showing gradations
in altitude.
contraband. Merchandise or substances
which are illegal to import or export.
contract. A legal and enforceable
agreement between two or more parties.
contract of carriage. The small print
on the passenger's coupon of an airline ticket detailing
the legal relationship, rights, and liabilities of the
passenger and the carrier.
control tower. A central, raised
operational center which supervises and directs all
traffic into and out of an airport.
CONV. CRS. Convertible (car).
convention. A gathering of professionals
or others to discuss matters of common interest.
conventioneer. A person participating
in a convention.
conversion. 1. In the hotel industry,
the change of a property from one brand to another.
2. The process of switching from one vendor to another.
See also convert.
conversion agency. A formerly independent
travel agency that has joined a chain. Typically, the
conversion agency's name will be changed to or blended
with the name of the chain.
conversion payment. A fee paid by
a travel agency to a consortium upon joining.
conversion rate. The rate at which
one currency is exchanged for another.
convert. v. 1. To switch vendors,
as when an agency moves from one CRS to another. 2.
To convince a customer to switch vendors.
converter. An electrical device which
allows appliances designed for one type of current to
be used with another.
convoy. 1. n. A group of ships (or
other vehicles) traveling together, usually for purposes
of mutual safety or defense. 2. v. To accompany or lead
a group of vehicles to assure safe passage.
COO. Abr. Chief Operating Officer.
co-op advertising. An arrangement
in which a supplier underwrites a portion of a travel
agency's advertising expenses when such advertising
features the supplier's products.
cooperative. A group of individuals
or organizations that have joined together, usually
to increase their buying or negotiating power.
Coordinated Universal Time. A highly
precise worldwide time system using atomic clocks. Abbreviated
UTC.
cork charge, corkage. A fee charged
by a restaurant for opening a bottle of wine, especially
one not purchased on the premises.
corporate agency. 1. A travel agency
physically located on the premises of a corporation
which it services. 2. A travel agency that specializes
in corporate clients.
corporate apartment. A condominium
owned by a corporation for the exclusive use of its
employees and guests.
corporate rate. 1. A lower hotel
rate negotiated by a specific corporation for the use
of its employees and guests. 2. A rate extended by a
hotel to all business travelers.
corporate travel manager. A middle
management position. Corporate travel managers are tasked
with setting corporate travel policy and standardizing
and overseeing all travel by corporate employees on
company business. Many corporate travel managers function
as in-house travel agents.
cost of living allowance. An additional
sum provided to a corporate employee to offset higher
prices in certain countries or cities.
cost of living adjustment. The percentage
by which Social Security recipients' monthly benefits
are increased each year to adjust for increases in the
cost of living. Intended to ensure that beneficiaries
don't lose purchasing power due to inflation.
cost-reimbursable contractor. A person
or company working as an independent contractor for
a governmental agency, whosecosts, including travel,
are reimbursed by the contracting agency.
cot. 1. Abr. Cottage. 2. A small
folding bed used to provide additional sleeping space
in a hotel room.
coterminous. Sharing a common boundary.
couchette. Fr. A sleeping compartment
on a train with up to six beds.
counterfeit. 1. adj. False, forged.
2. n. An illegal copy, as of paper currency.
country of registry. The nation in
which a ship's ownership is formally registered. The
country of registry need not reflect the nationality
of the crew or the cruise area in which the ship operates
and is often chosen for tax reasons.
coup d'etat. Fr. The usually quick
overthrow of a country's government, typically by assassination
or forcible removal from office of the top leaders.
coupon. 1. The portion of an airline
ticket collected from the passenger at the time of boarding.
2. A pre-paid voucher (qv) which can be exchanged for
certain specified goods or services, as a hotel room.
3. Any printed voucher providing for free or reduced
cost services or goods.
coupon broker. A person or company
that buys and resells airline frequent flyer awards
in contravention of airline regulations.
courier. 1. Any person who accompanies
cargo or hand-delivered documents. 2. Brit. A guide
or tour escort.
course. The direction in which a
ship or plane is headed. Expressed in degrees of the
compass.
cover charge. An admission charge,
especially to a nightclub or cabaret (qv).
cover letter. A business letter which
accompanies other documents or goods and explains the
contents and purpose of what is being sent.
CP. CRS. Continental plan (qv).
CPM. Abr. Cost per thousand.
CPU. Abr. Central processing unit.
Your computer's "brain."
CR. CRS. Change record.
credit memo. An informal document
indicating that one company has a specific dollar amount
credit with another, typically as a result of overpayment.
crew. All the members of the staff
of a ship, airplane, or other form of transportation.
crew to passenger ratio. The number
of passengers on a cruise ship divided by the number
of crew members. In theory, the lower the number, the
higher the level of service.
CRN. CRS. Cash refund notice.
croak fare. Slang. An airline's bereavement
fare (qv) or other fare based on compassionate reasons.
The implication is that one has to die to qualify for
the fare.
cross-border ticketing. Writing a
ticket in such a way that it appears that the travel
commences in a different country than is actually the
case. Used to take advantage of lower fare structures.
crossing. A cruise journey across
an ocean.
Crown Colony. Brit. A colonial territory
over which Great Britain still exerts some degree of
direct control.
crow's nest. A lookout's station
at the top of a ship's highest mast.
CRS. Abr. Computerized reservation
system.
CRT. Abr. Cathode ray tube. The screen
of a computer.
cruise. In travel, any ocean, river
or lake voyage undertaken for pleasure.
cruise broker. Term used for a travel
agent or other person who specializes in the sale of
last-minute cruise berths.
cruise director. The person on a
cruise ship charged with ensuring the enjoyment of all
the passengers.
cruise fare. The actual cost of a
cruise, excluding any extras, such as port taxes and
gratuities.
cruise host. A gentleman recruited
by the cruise ship, and usually traveling at a reduced
cost, to serve as a dancing and social partner for single
ladies on the cruise.
cruise to nowhere. A cruise, typically
of short duration and with an emphasis on partying and
gambling, with no ports of call.
cruising area. The general geographic
location in which a cruise ship operates.
CSM. Abr. Convention services manager.
CSML. CRS. Child's meal.
CST. 1. Abr. Central Standard Time.
2. California Seller of Travel.
CT. CRS. 1. Circle trip (qv). 2.
Central time.
CTA. Condominium Travel Associates.
CTC. 1. Abr. Certified Travel Counselor
(qv). 2. CRS. Contact.
CTCA. CRS. Contact's address.
CTCB. CRS. Contact's business phone.
CTCH. CRS. Contact's home phone.
CTD. Abr. Corporate Travel Department.
CTG. CRS. Cottage.
CTIP. Coalition for Travel Industry
Parity.
CTM. 1. CRS. Circle trip minimum
(qv). 2. Abr. Consolidated tour manual.
CTO. CRS. City ticket office (qv).
cultural tourism. Travel to experience
the arts or history of a location or travel to immerse
oneself in the language, society, or culture of a region.
culture shock. The state of being
overwhelmed by the differences in customs and behavior
in a foreign place.
curator. The person in charge of
one or more of a museum's collections.
curbside check in. A service that
allows passengers to check their bags and/or get seat
assignments outside a terminal building. Most common
at airports.
curfew. A police or military regulation
requiring people to be off the streets during a certain
period, generally at night.
currency adjustment. A discontinued
method of figuring fares in local currency using fare
construction units (qv).
currency restriction. Any rule or
law imposed by a country to regulate the flow of currency
into or out of its territory.
customer-activated ticketing. A vending
machine that allows passengers to purchase airline tickets
with a credit card.
customs. 1. A government agency which
monitors the flow of goods, commodities, and substances
into and from its territory and levies fees, fines,
and other charges according to posted regulations. 2.
The inspection area maintained by such an agency at
an airport or other port of entry.
customs declaration. A form completed
by an arriving passenger on which are listed the dutiable
goods being imported.
customs duty. See duty.
customs user fee. A fee added to
international airline tickets to benefit the U.S. customs
service.
cut-off date. A date beyond which
an offer, fare, request, or availability will no longer
apply or be honored.
CV. Abr. Container vessel.
CVB. Abr. Convention and Visitors
Bureau.
CVR. Abr. Cockpit voice recorder.
CWGN. CRS. Compact station wagon.
CWO. Abr. Cash with order.
CYBA. Charter Yacht Brokers Association.
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