-T-

tariff - a schedule of prices/fares

tender - a small boat or ferry that carries passengers from an anchored cruise ship to the pier at a port of call. Many ships are too large for existing port facilities at some destinations, and so they anchor just off shore and " tender " their passengers in for their visit

TGV - the term applied to the French high-speed train system

theme cruise - a cruise devoted to a specific interest, such as big bands, country western, , exercise and weight-loss, cooking and cuisine, and many more. There is usually a theme cruise to suit just about any interest

through fare - The fare to a destination reached by traveling through a gateway city.

For example, traveling from Atlanta to Oslo via London. The fare is given all the way through from Atlanta to Oslo, and is not broken into a fare between Atlanta and London, and London and Oslo.

ticket - A contractual travel document between a traveler and an airline.

ticket stock - Blank airline tickets.

tour conductor - the person who accompanies and is in charge of a tour, often on a motorcoach tour

tourist card - a card issued to a visitor in lieu of a visa, usually for a short duration visit. Countries such as Mexico require these

trans-canal - passing through the Panama Canal

travel advisory - a travel warning issued by the US Department of State, indicating a special caution should be taken in a country due to political unrest, natural disaster, or other special situation. These can be obtained from any good travel agent, on any area you are considering visiting

Travel Institute - the primary educational and certification arm of the travel industry. Was formerly the "Institute of Certified Travel Agents" (ICTA), located in Wellesley, Mass.

twenty-four hour time - used extensively in Europe and other countries, 1pm becomes 1300 hours, 4pm is 1500 hours, etc, up to 2359 ( 1159pm ). Midnite is then considered 2400 or " zero " hours. 1:20am is then 0120 or " one hour, twenty minutes " and so on. Most schedules and timetables in the majority of other countries are listed in the 24-hour format, so be careful when deciphering these.

-U-

UM - The abbreviated form for unaccompanied minor, used in computer reservations systems. An unaccompanied minor is a child traveling without a parent or guardian.

unlimited mileage - no mileage restriction when renting a car. This is the best way to go, as a time-and-mileage rate can be very expensive when you add up the additional mileage charges ( can be as high as 25-cents or more per mile ) should you run over the agreed-upon limit.

unrestricted fare - A more expensive fare that offers greater flexibility (allowing changes, refunds, etc.).

USTOA - United States Tour Operator's Association - a trade association which requires it's members to be very financially stable and to have a million dollars or more in funds set aside for consumer protection against defaults. Visit www.ustoa.com for more information

UTR - The abbreviated form for unable to reach, used in computer reservations systems. Usually a comment added to a file when some part of a passenger's flight itinerary has changed, and the airline has not yet been able to reach the passenger to advise them.

-V-

value added tax (VAT) - a tax on goods in Europe, which under certain circumstances can be refunded

value season - similar to shoulder or low season, when pricing is lower

verandah - a roofed-porch, such as connected to a cruise ship stateroom

VIA rail - the Canadian railway system
visa - usually a stamp in a passport allowing entry into a country for a specific purpose and a finite amount of time

visa service - a service that can expedite the processing of a visa, sometimes even at the last minute. A fee is charged that varies, depending on the nature of the service needed. Visas are usually stamped into the pages of a valid passport and are issued for varying reasons and periods of time. Not all countries require them, especially for United States Citizens. Be sure to allow enough time for them if you traveling to a destination that requires one.
The abbreviated form of Voluntary denied boarding, refers to passengers who volunteer to take a later flight due to an oversold flight situation (and are compensated for doing so).

VOL - The abbreviated form of Voluntary denied boarding, refers to passengers who volunteer to take a later flight due to an oversold flight situation (and are compensated for doing so).

-W-

waiver - a written acknowledgement that a passenger has declined something, such as insurance coverage for a trip, for example. Also, the formal acknowledgement of the waiving or dismissal of a requirement, such as a waiver of a penalty for late booking, etc

walk-up - one who purchases an air ticket at the last moment, usually at the airport ticket counter

wet bar - the area of a hotel room that has a bar or other counter space with running water, used for the preparation of drinks

World Travel Guide - a yearly publication that provides detailed information on most every country in the world, with entries on currency, transportation, climate, visa and passport requirements, sightseeing opportunities, etc. A primary book of knowledge for the professional travel agent

WK - Code used to indicate space was confirmed on a flight but no longer is, used in computer reservations systems. WK means that the original flight has somehow changed. Some reasons include - it is now a different flight number, departure time, date of travel, or canceled.

- X -

XCL - Also XXL - The abbreviated form of canceled, used in computer reservations systems.

- Z -

Zulu Time - Also known as UTC (Universal Time Co-ordinated), was GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)- Zulu time is the standard time used for flight operations globally.