BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan)
BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan) is a system used in the travel industry that makes it easier for travel agencies to manage ticket sales and payments with airlines. Think of it as a central payment system - instead of travel agencies having to deal with each airline separately, BSP acts like a middleman that handles all the money and paperwork. It's run by IATA (International Air Transport Association) and helps reduce paperwork, makes payments faster, and keeps track of all ticket sales in one place. This system is a crucial part of how modern travel agencies operate, similar to how a credit card payment system works for retail stores.
Examples in Resumes
Managed daily reconciliation of BSP reports and airline transactions
Resolved BSP discrepancies and handled refund processing for international tickets
Trained new staff on Billing and Settlement Plan procedures and compliance
Achieved 99% accuracy in BSP reporting and reduced payment delays by 50%
Typical job title: "BSP Analysts"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find BSP Analysts
Professional Networks
Industry Resources
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where there's a significant discrepancy between airline reports and agency BSP statements?
Expected Answer: A senior BSP analyst should explain the systematic approach to reconciliation, including checking fare calculations, identifying missing entries, reviewing exchange rate applications, and coordinating with both airline and agency representatives to resolve the issue.
Q: What strategies have you implemented to improve BSP reporting accuracy?
Expected Answer: Should discuss implementing daily reconciliation processes, creating checking procedures, training staff on common errors, and using automated verification systems where possible.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Explain the BSP payment cycle and key deadlines.
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain how often payments are processed, when reports are due, and what happens if deadlines are missed, including the implications for travel agencies.
Q: How do you handle airline refund processes through BSP?
Expected Answer: Should explain the standard refund procedure, including documentation requirements, timeline expectations, and how to track refund status.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is BSP and why is it important for travel agencies?
Expected Answer: Should explain that BSP is a system that simplifies payments between airlines and travel agencies, making it easier to process tickets and payments through one central system instead of dealing with each airline separately.
Q: What are the basic documents involved in BSP processing?
Expected Answer: Should identify basic documents like sales reports, billing statements, and remittance advice, explaining their basic purpose in the settlement process.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic BSP report reading
- Simple reconciliation tasks
- Understanding of airline ticketing
- Basic travel industry terminology
Mid (2-5 years)
- Complex reconciliation handling
- Refund processing
- Agency compliance monitoring
- Problem resolution
Senior (5+ years)
- Team management
- Process improvement
- Strategic planning
- Relationship management with airlines
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic airline ticketing processes
- Unfamiliarity with IATA regulations
- Poor attention to detail in financial matters
- Lack of experience with travel industry software
Related Terms
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