Why your Lufthansa fares might be costing you more than they should
Companies that travel regularly with Lufthansa, SWISS, Brussels Airlines, or Austrian Airlines can sometimes reduce their business travel costs without changing their travel policy.
The reason is simple: not all travel agencies access the same fare content.
At AGIS Business Travel, we regularly see this difference when taking over new accounts.
Why are some Lufthansa tickets cheaper than others?
For nearly forty years, travel agencies have booked flights through platforms called GDS (Global Distribution Systems), mainly Amadeus, Sabre, and Travelport.
These systems remain essential today for searching and comparing offers from hundreds of airlines.
However, for several years now, airlines have also been developing a second distribution channel: NDC (New Distribution Capability).
Some commercial offers, fares, or services are now available exclusively or preferentially through this channel.
As a result, two travel agencies may not have access to exactly the same content when booking.
What is Lufthansa NDC?
NDC (New Distribution Capability) is a standard developed by IATA that allows travel agencies to connect directly to airlines' booking systems.
For Lufthansa Group, this covers:
This direct connection makes it possible to offer richer content than what's available through traditional channels.
Depending on the itinerary and fare conditions, travelers can benefit from:
On certain routes, savings can reach up to 30%, although this varies depending on flights, dates, and airlines' commercial conditions.
Not all travel agencies have access to NDC content
Unlike most travel agencies, which access Lufthansa Group's NDC content through their GDS's NDC connector (such as Amadeus NDCX), WonderMiles connects directly to Lufthansa Group's NDC API. This means faster, more reliable access to the full range of fares and ancillary services with no additional technical layer in between.
Access to NDC requires technical development, certifications, and specific connections with each airline.
Not all agencies therefore have the same level of integration.
Before choosing a business travel agency, it can be useful to check:
AGIS Business Travel: access to Lufthansa Group Premium NDC Partner content
Since 2023, AGIS Business Travel has used WonderMiles as its booking platform.
WonderMiles is one of the platforms recognized as a Lufthansa Group Premium NDC Partner.
In practical terms, our clients have direct access to NDC offers from:
Our role is then to compare the different content available in order to select the most relevant solution based on:
The goal is not to systematically favor NDC, but to book the most suitable offer.
Which types of companies benefit most from Lufthansa NDC?
The gains are generally greatest for companies that travel regularly:
The industrial, pharmaceutical, automotive, financial, and technology sectors are particularly affected.
Beyond technology, dedicated support
Technology makes it easier to access the best content, but it doesn't replace the role of a business travel agency.
At AGIS BT, every client benefits from:
Today, more than 250 companies trust us to manage their business travel.
Want to know if your company could save money?
If your employees travel regularly with Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, or Brussels Airlines, we can analyze with no obligation a few representative routes and compare currently available offers.
Contact us now and take advantage of the direct connection → contact@agisbt.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What is NDC ?
NDC (New Distribution Capability) is a technical standard developed by airlines to distribute their flight offers in a richer and more flexible way than traditional channels. It provides access to fares, ancillary services (baggage, seats, meals...) and personalized offers that aren't always visible through conventional booking channels.
Is NDC cheaper than GDS? Not always. However, some airlines reserve their best fares or certain promotional offers for the NDC channel. Depending on the itinerary, this can generate significant savings.
Do all agencies offer Lufthansa NDC? No. Access to NDC content depends on the technical connections and certifications put in place by each agency or its booking tool.
Which airlines use Lufthansa Group NDC? The program covers Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines in particular.
Does the traveler keep the same services? Yes. NDC bookings generally allow access to the services offered by the airline (seats, baggage, meals, etc.), while still keeping the support of your travel agency.
AGIS Business Travel. An agency of passionate professionals.