Breaking the Online Travel Codes

"OV, AI room - AO -- OLCI available."  

Interpretation: "Ocean View, All-Inclusive room at an Adults-Only resort -- Online check-in available."

Here's a list of commonly used travel abbreviations and acronyms:

AI - All-Inclusive

AO - Adults Only

APEX - Advance Purchase Excursion Fare (usually the cheapest tickets a passenger can get; usually restricted in number)

BAL - Balcony

EP - European Plan (room only -- no meals)

FP - Fireplace

IFE - In-flight entertainment

OV - Ocean View

PAX - Passenger

PNR - Passenger Name Record (6-digit alpha-numeric reservation code - also known as Record Locator)

ROH - Run of the House (if a hotel room is advertised this way, it means the hotel can assign any type of room that is available at the time of check-in -- this could be good or bad)

RT - Round Trip

RTW - Around the World (I know, this one doesn't make sense)


Here are some other terms and phrases that are used frequently on travel booking sites:

Standard Rate - (hotel) also referred to as the "Rack Rate" (this is the rate before any discounts or promotional pricing has been applied).

Flexible Rate - (hotel) with this rate, you have the option to cancel or change your travel date without cancellation penalties.

All-Inclusive - (hotels) accommodations, meals, snacks, beverages (including wine, beer and spirits), and gratuities are included in the package price.

All-Inclusive - (cruises) accommodations, meals, snacks and beverages are included, with the exception of soda, beer, wine and spirits.  Unlike hotel all-inclusives, cruise ship gratuities are NOT included in the package price, but can be paid in advance before you travel.

Advance Purchase Rate and Saver Rate - (hotel) with these rates, you generally get the best prices, but you cannot get a refund if you cancel.

Fare Buckets - Airline booking classes.

Black-out period - specific days/dates or periods of time when a special rate is not available due to high demand.

Bumped - (air) the number of seats on the flight have been oversold.

Layover - (air) the period of time between connecting flights.

Direct flight - (air) a flight itinerary in which a plane makes a stop in one destination to pick up or drop off passengers, but passengers do not change planes.

Transfers - refers to round trip ground transportation to and from the airport to your hotel or cruise ship port.

Beachfront - hotel sits along a stretch of beach.

Oceanfront - room directly faces the ocean (as opposed to Ocean View, in which case the view of the ocean may be partially restricted).