BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan)
BSP (Billing and Settlement Plan) is a system created by IATA (International Air Transport Association) that simplifies how airlines and travel agencies handle ticket sales and payments. Think of it as a central payment system that helps airlines collect money from travel agencies and ensures travel agencies can efficiently sell tickets for multiple airlines. Instead of each travel agency dealing separately with each airline, BSP acts like a clearing house - collecting all payments in one place and distributing them to the right airlines. This makes the whole process of selling airline tickets and managing payments much simpler and more organized.
Examples in Resumes
Managed BSP reconciliation process for 50+ travel agencies
Reduced BSP payment processing time by 40% through process improvements
Supervised team handling Billing and Settlement Plan operations across 3 regions
Led implementation of new BSP reporting system for financial tracking
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 reported sales and BSP settlements?
Expected Answer: A senior professional should explain the step-by-step investigation process: reviewing daily sales reports, checking for rejected transactions, verifying exchange rate applications, and coordinating with both airlines and travel agencies to resolve the issue. They should also mention implementing preventive measures for future occurrences.
Q: What strategies would you implement to improve BSP processing efficiency?
Expected Answer: Response should cover automation of reconciliation processes, implementing regular audit checks, establishing clear communication channels with stakeholders, and creating standardized procedures for handling common issues.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Explain the BSP payment cycle and key deadlines.
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain the typical monthly cycle: when reports are generated, when payments are due from travel agents, when airlines receive their payments, and what happens if deadlines are missed.
Q: How do you handle disputed transactions in BSP?
Expected Answer: Should describe the process of investigating disputes, working with travel agencies and airlines to gather evidence, understanding refund procedures, and knowing when to escalate issues to IATA.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is BSP and why is it important for airlines?
Expected Answer: Should explain that BSP is a centralized system for processing airline ticket sales and payments between travel agencies and airlines, making the process more efficient and reducing administrative work.
Q: What are the main reports used in BSP processing?
Expected Answer: Should mention key reports like agency sales reports, airline billing reports, and reconciliation reports, explaining their basic purpose in tracking ticket sales and payments.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of BSP processes
- Handling routine BSP reports
- Basic reconciliation tasks
- Data entry and verification
Mid (2-5 years)
- Managing BSP payment cycles
- Handling agency queries
- Processing refunds and disputes
- Report analysis and interpretation
Senior (5+ years)
- Process optimization
- Team leadership
- Stakeholder management
- Strategic planning for BSP operations
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic airline ticketing processes
- Lack of attention to detail in financial reconciliation
- Poor understanding of payment processing cycles
- No experience with airline industry regulations
- Unable to explain basic BSP terminology
Related Terms
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