Release Notes: February 27, 2025 Follow

UK Rail Support – RDG (Rail Delivery Group)

We’re thrilled to announce the addition of UK Rail support through our SilverRail integration! This enhancement allows partners to seamlessly search, book, and manage rail journeys across over 50 UK rail operators within one unified booking experience.

Key Enhancements

• Journey Planning: Real-time routes, train times, and fare options.
• Ticket Booking & Fulfillment: Issue e-tickets, barcode tickets, or collect them at the station.
• Real-Time Fares & Pricing: Access up-to-date information, including Railcards, advance fares, and discounts.
• Unified Booking Flow: Book rail, car, and hotel together if needed.
• Live Timetables & Disruption Alerts: Stay informed about changes to train schedules.
• Discount Card Management: Configure and apply UK Rail Discount Cards (e.g., Senior, Disabled) through new custom fields in user profiles.
• On-Account Payment: Enhanced payment options for RDG and ATOC, allowing flexible billing arrangements. (More information below.)

Getting Started with UK Rail “On-Account” Payments

If you want to begin offering UK Rail bookings to your travelers, contact us via your usual support channels. We’ll guide you through the setup process, which requires an “On-Account” payment arrangement through SilverRail.

What Does “On-Account” Mean?

Rather than paying when booking, the traveler’s rail fare is charged to a company or agency account. The cost is then invoiced or reconciled later, eliminating the need for immediate credit card payment

Setup Process

1. Contact Emburse Book Support: Request UK Rail enablement.
2. Referral to SilverRail: We will connect you with SilverRail, who will coordinate directly with you to establish the “On-Account” billing.
3. Context & Credentials: SilverRail will provide your account details and context information to Emburse Book once set up.
4. Enable UK Rail: With these details in place, we can activate UK Rail in your environment.

Rail Search Input Example

Rail Options Example

Selected Itinerary Example

Purchase Summary Example

Confirmation Example

With live UK Rail (RDG) support, users can enjoy a smooth, efficient rail booking journey alongside their existing travel options.

Separate Card for Optional Services (Ancillary Purchases)

This enhancement introduces the ability to use a dedicated “Optional Services” (ancillary) credit card for such airline add-ons as paid seats, WN Early Bird Check-In, and other instant-purchase items. Travelers can now store and select a separate form of payment for these ancillary services, while still maintaining their primary payment method for airfare.

Key Features & Changes

1. New Ancillary Card Setting

• Profile > Travel Preferences (Air):
  • Field: Optional Services Default Method of Payment
  • Controlled by New Rule: Preferred Ancillary Credit Card Level (previously referred to as “Preferred Optional Services Credit Card Level”)

• Profile > Billing Information:
  • New Checkbox: “Optional Services” to designate a credit card specifically for ancillary purchases

2. Policy & Rule Enhancements

• Controlled by New Rule: Preferred Ancillary Credit Card Level (previously referred to as “Preferred Optional Services Credit Card Level”) 
  
• Air Reservation Policy:
  • New option to require an ancillary card for optional services if the user attempts to purchase a paid seat or other ancillary. 
    
    
    Remember to compile your changes.
  • Rule Dependence:
    • Allow Air Preferences Edit must be enabled for travelers to modify their “Optional Services” default payment. 
      
  • Profile Model Editor: New element available in Uploadable Profile Items
    

3. Checkout & Payment Flow

• At checkout, the system prompts users to select a payment card for ancillary purchases (if applicable).
• The preferred ancillary card is auto-selected by default, but the user may add or choose another card if policy allows.

4. GDS/PNR Handling

• Sabre:
  • Adds the ancillary form of payment (FOP) when reporting condition (RC) is triggered.
• Travelport (Apollo/Galileo):
  • The fulfillment request references the separate ancillary card as needed.
• WNDC (Southwest Early Bird):
  • Supports a second FOP for Southwest Early Bird check-in when configured.
• Multiple FOP constraints are handled according to each GDS requirement (e.g., Travelport typically supports only one active payment in the PNR, so the ancillary payment is transmitted via special remarks or SRT).

5. Reporting Condition (RC)

• “Optional Services Purchased” triggers the ancillary payment logic, including inserting SRT details into the PNR or additional remarks fields.

Feature Benefits

• Greater Flexibility: Allows travelers and companies to manage separate forms of payment for base airfare vs. optional add-ons. 
• Compliance & Policy Control: Enforces policies requiring personal or specific cards for ancillary purchases.
• Improved Tracking & Reporting: New reporting conditions and Sabre remarks ensure accurate capture of optional-service spend.

New CTIDs (Custom Text ID)

• 110920 Optional Services (Billing Information - Icon)
• 110921 Optional Services (Billing Information - Checkbox)
• 110922 Optional Services - Default Method of Payment (Travel Preferences - Dropdown)

Updated Itinerary Layout

We’re excited to introduce our revamped itinerary layout! Below are the key improvements and benefits you’ll notice:

• Consistent Look & Feel: A more modern design brings consistency across pages, making navigation simpler for new and experienced users.
• Mobile‐Friendly Display: The responsive layout ensures the itinerary is easy to review on all devices.
• Centralized Information: Having flight, hotel, and car details together lets travelers quickly verify their entire trip at a glance.

These updates are designed to save you time, reduce booking errors, and make your overall travel management experience smoother. We hope you enjoy the new itinerary layout!

New Itinerary Layout Example