What Is ZED Travel And How Can It Benefit You?

Are you an airline employee looking to explore the world beyond your airline’s network? ZED travel, or Zonal Employee Discount travel, is your ticket to discounted fares on numerous airlines, opening up a world of travel possibilities. At SIXT.VN, we understand the desire for affordable and flexible travel, and we’re here to guide you through the ins and outs of ZED travel so you can maximize your travel perks. With ZED fares, you can travel on standby or even secure positive-space seating, depending on the agreements your airline has in place.

1. Understanding ZED Travel: What Is ZED Travel?

ZED travel, short for Zonal Employee Discount travel, refers to agreements between airlines allowing employees to book discounted tickets on other airlines. This opens up a world of travel possibilities for airline employees and eligible dependents.

Simply put, ZED travel enables airline employees (and sometimes their guests) to purchase discounted tickets on other airlines, provided a ZED agreement exists between the two airlines. These fares are categorized into Low, Medium, and High tiers, determining the discount amount. Depending on the agreement, ZED tickets can be either standby or positive-space. For the majority of U.S.-based airline employees, ZED tickets are typically NRSA (Non-Revenue Space Available).

To clarify further:

• Definition: ZED travel allows airline employees to utilize discounted fares on partner airlines.
• Mechanism: Agreements between airlines facilitate the availability of these discounted tickets.
• Benefit: It expands travel opportunities for airline employees by providing access to more destinations.

2. Why Opt for ZED Fares? Unveiling the Benefits of ZED Travel

Choosing ZED fares unlocks a plethora of travel opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible. There are two primary reasons why a non-rev traveler would choose to book a ZED ticket on another airline: to reach destinations not served by their own airline, or to secure a seat on a flight when their own airline has no availability.

According to a survey conducted by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in 2023, airline employees who utilize ZED fares report a 40% increase in their travel frequency compared to those who rely solely on their own airline’s network. This statistic underscores the significant impact ZED travel has on expanding travel horizons.

2.1. Expanding Your Travel Horizons with ZED

ZED travel opens up possibilities for destinations beyond your airline’s network. When your airline doesn’t fly to your desired destination, ZED fares offer a practical solution.

2.2. Securing Seats When Your Airline Is Full

ZED fares provide an alternative when flights on your own airline are fully booked. This ensures you can still reach your destination without being stranded.

2.3. Real-World ZED Travel Examples

Consider a scenario where you want to explore Southeast Asia, but your airline only flies to major hubs in Europe and North America. ZED travel allows you to book a discounted ticket on a partner airline that serves destinations like Hanoi, Vietnam. This enables you to seamlessly connect from your airline’s hub to your final destination, maximizing your travel opportunities.

I experienced the advantage of booking my first ZED flight on Air Canada from SCL to EZE when I was touring around South America for wine tasting. I have also enjoyed flying legs on Iberia & Alaska to visit airports that I couldn’t get to on my own airline. US-based non-revs can relax knowing that a lot of international airlines don’t oversell their flights, so open seats can be easier to come by.

No matter the size of your airline’s route map, ZED travel unlocks a world of new possibilities for non-rev travelers.

Air Canada airplane

3. Which Airlines Offer ZED Agreements? Navigating the ZED Network

The ZED network is vast, encompassing hundreds of airlines worldwide. As of January 2021, ZED MIBA reported a total of 222 member companies (with an additional 37 partial partners) in their network. Practically every large- & mid-size airline around the world is connected by some sort of ZED agreement.

For instance, imagine you’re planning a trip from New York to Hanoi. You might find that while your primary airline doesn’t offer direct flights, several airlines within the ZED network do. This allows you to piece together your itinerary using discounted ZED fares, making your dream vacation a reality.

3.1. Understanding Bilateral Agreements

Being a member airline is just the first step. As an employee (or non-rev passrider), you will also need to confirm whether or not your airline has a bilateral agreement in place with any other airline you are considering flying with. It is important to remember that being a member airline is just the first step. As an employee (or non-rev passrider), you will also need to confirm whether or not your airline has a bilateral agreement in place with any other airline you are considering flying with.

3.2. Examples of Airline-Specific Agreements

For example: Frontier Airlines has a very unique set of established agreements when compared with airlines like Southwest or American. A Frontier employee will have very different ZED options in their portal when compared with the airlines available to a Southwest employee.

Your airline should have a section in the employee site that clearly spells out which airlines are bookable in your ZED portal.

4. Where Can You Book ZED Tickets? Your Guide to Booking Platforms

Each airline follows a different process for booking ZED fares for its employees. There is no one-size-fits-all solution here. Here are some popular platforms to explore:

4.1. MyIDTravel

MyIDTravel is one of the most popular tools that airlines use for their ZED agreements. Many airlines still use this portal to allow their employees to buy ZED tickets. This is the service that my airline uses to support leisure travel on other airlines.

4.2. ID90Travel

ID90Travel, a service that provides interline discounts to airline employees, recently added a ZED flight listing tool to their own app. A smaller number of airlines currently have agreements in place with this app, but it has a nicer interface (and more accurate flight load data) than myIDTravel.

Check your airline’s ZED travel policies to understand which website(s) are available to you.

5. Maximizing Your Chances: How to Check Flight Availability for ZED Tickets

Both MyIDTravel & ID90Travel display recent load factor information. This helps users determine the likelihood of getting a space-available seat assignment. Knowing how full a flight is can significantly improve your chances of securing a seat.

5.1. MyIDTravel’s Smiley Face System

MyIDTravel, the most prevalent booking portal for ZED ticketing, uses a smiley face system to rate how open or full a flight is:

• Happy Green Face: flight loads are wide open
• Serious Yellow Face: there are some seats available
• Sad Red Face: there are little to no seats available

However, MyIDTravel’s smiley system is notoriously clunky. The good news is the site also allows you to see how many seats are available in each fare bucket.

In general, airline fare classes fall under the following categories that you can see in the MyIDTravel screenshot below:

• Economy: Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S, N, Q, O
• Business: J, C, D, I, Z
• First: F, R, A

In practice, most ZED travelers are really only worried about the bolded “Y” fare. Y is the industry standard for economy/coach class tickets. Since most ZED agreements default to space-available bookings in economy, the number of seats available in Y should give you an idea of if there are open seats.

Using this Iberia flight as an example, I can see that this LHR-MAD flight has at least 9 seats available in economy. MyIDTravel never plugs a double-digit number in this field, so we can interpret “Y9” to mean “there are 9+ seats available in economy class”.

MyIDTravel does not show users the standby list for each flight, but I would feel confident that I would get a seat assignment on this Iberia flight based on this screenshot.

5.2. Interpreting ID90Travel’s Data

screenshot of ID90Travel listing tool showing a United flight between ORD & IAH

ID90Travel uses a different approach with their app-based interface. Instead of giving you a peek into the number of seats available by fare class, their app provides an estimated range of available seats in economy.

The below example shows a United ORD-IAH flight that has “5% or fewer [seats] available” in economy class. ID90Travel also provides a link to show you the Stand-by List (although I have never found this feature to populate data).

6. Understanding ZED Ticket Costs: Factors Affecting ZED Fare Prices

The ZED agreement negotiated between your airline & the airline you want to fly determines the price you will pay for your ticket. ZED pricing is split into three fare tiers: low, medium, and high. ZED Low fare is your cheapest option and is often reserved for alliance/strategic airline partners.

Additionally, ZED tickets are priced by segment. A nonstop JFK-MAD ticket is cheaper than a JFK-MAD routing with a DUB layover (assuming both tickets are priced within the same ZED fare bucket).

After taking the ZED fare bucket, the airline’s base fare & any taxes/fees (like those imposed by governments or airports) determine your ticket price. For reference, a one-way ZED Medium ticket from the west coast of the US to Europe currently costs no more than $200.

Seasoned non-rev travelers may know that there is open proposal to update the ZED ticketing buckets with 2 new “super” fare classes:

• Super Low Fare: 25% less than ZED Low fare
• Super High Fare: 125%-250% cost of MT fare (increases on a scale of flight segment length)

These ZED fares were proposed in early 2021, so keep an eye out on these in the future.

6.1. ZED Fare Tiers

ZED fares are divided into Low, Medium, and High tiers, with Low being the most affordable and often reserved for strategic airline partners.

6.2. Segment-Based Pricing

ZED tickets are priced per segment, making nonstop flights cheaper than those with layovers, given they fall within the same fare bucket.

6.3. Additional Costs

In addition to the ZED fare bucket, your ticket price includes the airline’s base fare and any applicable taxes and fees imposed by governments or airports.

7. Essential Steps: What to Do After Purchasing Your ZED Ticket

Because every airline has unique ticketing & listing policies, it is important to look up the latest info on http://www.flyzed.info/ each time you want to travel. In addition to the FlyZED site (which is updated by individual airlines), your own employee portal may have airline-specific guidelines as well.

In my experience, getting ticketed is just the first step. Making your actual flight listing may require an online (or in-person) check-in process. Here are a few examples from my ZED travel adventures:

Make sure to read your ticketing airline’s directions carefully so you don’t miss a step!

8. Navigating Travel in Vietnam with SIXT.VN

Once you’ve secured your ZED ticket to Vietnam, SIXT.VN is here to ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience. We provide a range of services tailored to the needs of international travelers, including:

• Airport Transfers: Start your trip stress-free with our reliable and comfortable airport transfer services. Our drivers will meet you at the airport and take you directly to your hotel in Hanoi.
• Hotel Bookings: Choose from a wide selection of hotels in Hanoi, ranging from budget-friendly options to luxury accommodations. We partner with top hotels to offer you the best rates and amenities.
• Tours and Activities: Explore the best of Hanoi and its surroundings with our curated tours and activities. Visit iconic landmarks like Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, and the Temple of Literature, or venture out to stunning destinations like Ha Long Bay and Sapa.
• Flight Bookings: Need to book domestic flights within Vietnam? We can help you find the best deals on flights to destinations like Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc.
• Travel Consulting: Our experienced travel consultants can help you plan your entire trip to Vietnam, from creating a customized itinerary to providing tips on local culture and customs.

With SIXT.VN, you can rest assured that all your travel needs are taken care of, allowing you to focus on enjoying your adventure in Vietnam.

9. Overcoming Challenges: How SIXT.VN Addresses Common Traveler Concerns

We understand that planning a trip to a new country can be daunting. Here’s how SIXT.VN addresses some common challenges faced by travelers in Vietnam:

10. Final Thoughts on ZED Travel: Unlock Your Travel Potential

ZED travel is an amazing way to expand your non-rev possibilities. Whether you want to travel to an international destination that isn’t in your airline’s network or just need an alternative route because your own flight filled up, ZED travel gives non-revs a ton of flexibility.

Learning your own airline’s rules & policies can take some time, so it’s no wonder that ZED travel is intimidating. Don’t let that discourage you from trying! If you need additional help, the airline’s ticket counter staff are a wonderful resource. Just make sure to announce that you are an airline employee who wants to list on a ZED fare so they know exactly what you need!

Have you flown on a ZED fare before? Let us know what tips & tricks you have for fellow airline employees who want to take their first ZED flight!

ZED travel is a fantastic way to broaden your non-rev travel options. It offers flexibility whether you wish to visit a destination not within your airline’s network or simply need another route since your flight is full. If you need additional help, the airline’s ticket counter staff are a wonderful resource. Just make sure to announce that you are an airline employee who wants to list on a ZED fare so they know exactly what you need!

Unlock your travel potential with ZED fares and let SIXT.VN be your trusted partner in exploring Vietnam.

Ready to start planning your ZED travel adventure to Vietnam? Contact SIXT.VN today for personalized travel consulting, airport transfers, hotel bookings, and exciting tours!

Address: 260 Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam

Hotline/WhatsApp: +84 986 244 358

Website: SIXT.VN

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About ZED Travel

Here are some frequently asked questions about ZED travel to help you better understand this fantastic travel perk:

1. What exactly does ‘ZED Travel’ mean?

ZED Travel stands for Zonal Employee Discount travel. It is a system of agreements between airlines that allows airline employees, retirees, and their eligible dependents to travel on other airlines at discounted rates. The discount provided is based on pre-determined zones, which influence the cost of the ticket.

2. Who is eligible for ZED fares?

Eligibility for ZED fares generally includes current airline employees, retirees, and their eligible dependents (spouse and children). Each airline has its own specific policies regarding eligibility, so it’s crucial to check with your airline’s HR or travel department for precise details.

3. How do I find out which airlines have ZED agreements with my airline?

Your airline’s employee portal or travel department usually provides a list of airlines with which they have ZED agreements. You can also refer to resources like the ZED MIBA website, which lists member airlines, though direct confirmation from your airline is always recommended.

4. Are ZED tickets always cheaper than regular tickets?

Yes, ZED tickets are typically significantly cheaper than standard commercial tickets. However, the exact discount depends on the fare class (Low, Medium, High), the distance traveled, and the specific agreement between the airlines.

5. Are ZED tickets guaranteed seats?

Most ZED tickets are standby tickets, meaning that seating is only confirmed if there are available seats after all paying passengers have boarded. However, some agreements may offer positive-space seating, which guarantees a seat.

6. How do I book a ZED ticket?

The booking process varies depending on your airline. Many airlines use online portals like MyIDTravel or ID90Travel for booking ZED tickets. Check with your airline’s travel policies for the specific steps you need to take.

7. Can I upgrade my ZED ticket?

Upgrading a ZED ticket is generally not possible. ZED tickets are typically for economy class travel, and due to the nature of standby travel, upgrades are rarely permitted.

8. What happens if I don’t get a seat on my ZED flight?

If you don’t get a seat on your ZED flight, you can either try to list on the next available flight or request a refund for the unused ticket. The refund policy varies depending on the airline, so be sure to check the terms and conditions when booking.

9. Is there a limit to how many ZED tickets I can book in a year?

Some airlines may impose a limit on the number of ZED tickets an employee can book in a year, while others do not. Check with your airline’s policies for specific limitations.

10. Can I use ZED tickets for business travel?

ZED tickets are generally intended for personal leisure travel only. Using ZED tickets for business travel is typically against airline policy.

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