IATA codes explained: cost, requirements and alternatives for travel agents

An IATA code is the number that tells airlines and suppliers your agency is accredited, so they recognize your bookings and pay you commission. In the US you get it through IATAN, and to issue airline tickets yourself you also need ARC. Most new advisors don't need either. They book under a host agency's number instead.

Here is what each accreditation is, what it costs in 2026, what you need to qualify, and when it's worth getting your own.

What is an IATA code?

For a travel agency, an "IATA code" or "IATA number" is an identifier that marks you as accredited. Airlines and other suppliers use it to recognize who made a booking and who gets the commission.

It is not the same as the codes on your boarding pass. IATA also assigns 3-letter airport codes and 2-letter airline codes, like JFK or BA. Those identify places and carriers, not agencies.

IATA, IATAN and ARC: which one do you need?

Three organizations get mixed up here. In the US, the short version is this: IATAN gets you recognized. ARC gets you ticketing.

If you want to issue airline tickets in the US, you need both. An IATAN ticketing location has to submit an ARC approval letter with its application.

What does IATA accreditation cost in 2026?

IATAN (US)

From IATAN's fee schedule, effective January 1, 2026:

Late annual payments add a $40 fee after January 1. All fees are non-refundable.

ARC (US ticketing)

• Application fee: $2,300 in ARC's most recent published datasheet. It includes the annual fee for your first calendar year.
• Financial security: a bond, letter of credit or cash deposit of at least $20,000. It rises to $150,000 if your parent company is based outside the US.
• Annual location fee: $327 in 2026. Agencies with fewer than 1,000 transactions a quarter pay no transaction fees.

IATA (outside the US)

IATA prices its accreditation models in Swiss francs. As of February 2025:

The annual fee steps up at USD 200,000 and USD 2 million in yearly BSP sales. GoLite agents ticket only with IATA EasyPay or the customer's card.

What do you need to qualify for IATAN?

IATAN's requirements come down to five things:

1. Paperwork. A signed, notarized application and a current business license in your company's legal name.
2. Seller of Travel registration if you operate in Florida, Hawaii or Washington State.
3. Two years of experience for your qualified manager or ticketing agent. A letter from a past employer works, as do certificates like CLIA or CTA, or a travel or hospitality degree.
4. Money in the business.
   • Home-based or under one year old: $10,000 in available or invested capital.
   • Over one year old: $20,000 in gross travel income, $20,000 in capital, or $200,000 in annual gross sales.
5. Errors and omissions insurance, or a waiver backed by two years of experience.

ARC adds its own list. You need a designated manager and an ARC Specialist who passes the ARC exam (one person can do both), a US location, and your company's tax and financial records.

How long does accreditation take?

• IATAN: usually 4–6 weeks after IATAN receives your documents.
• ARC: ARC says it processes applications typically within 10 business days. Advisors report 60–90 days end to end, once you count gathering documents and arranging the bond.

What does the IATA/IATAN ID card get you?

The card is how individual advisors access supplier rates and discount programs. To qualify in the US, you must:

• work at an agency with a valid IATA code (owners, employees and independent contractors all count)
• work at least 20 hours a week in travel sales
• earn at least USD 5,000 in salary or commission in the past 12 months
• be 18 or older

It costs $48 for a new digital and printed card, and $40 to renew digital-only.

Alternatives to your own IATA code

You don't need your own accreditation to start selling travel. These are the common routes:

Should you get your own IATA code?

Get your own when you have two years of experience, the capital or sales to qualify, and enough air volume that ticketing yourself pays for the bond and fees.

Wait if you're new, mostly sell hotels, cruises and tours, or would rather spend $20,000 growing your client list than tying it up in a bond. A host agency gets you selling now, and you can accredit later. For the full startup path, see how to start a travel agency.

Booking without an IATA code on Tripdash

Tripdash Bookings lets you book flights, hotels, activities, rides and restaurants in one search, with no IATA code required. See how Tripdash works.

Sources

1. IATA/IATAN. IATAN Fee Schedule, fees effective January 1, 2026.
2. IATA/IATAN. IATAN Accreditation Requirements, December 2025.
3. IATAN. Become accredited and Requirements and fees.
4. IATA. ID card eligibility.
5. IATA. How long will it take to process an IATAN accreditation application.
6. IATA. Travel agent accreditation.
7. IATA. Boost your credibility with IATA accreditation, fees valid as of February 2025.
8. IATA. TIDS, Billing and Settlement Plan, Airline and airport code search.
9. ARC. Become an ARC-accredited travel agency, 2020.
10. ARC. Information on agency accreditation for airlines.
11. ARC. 2026 ARC agency fees.
12. CLIA. Travel agency membership, 2026.
13. HostAgencyReviews. IATA number, May 2024, and Travel agency accreditation options, August 2024.
14. IATA. BSP Manual for Agents, NewGen ISS Edition 8, effective September 1, 2025.