About ARC

Who is ARC?

ARC powers the U.S.-based travel network by providing premier revenue-generating business solutions, travel agency accreditation services, process and financial management tools, and powerful data and analytics to help customers gain market insight.

ARC is the accreditation authority for U.S. travel agencies. Whatever a travel agency's individual business needs, ARC offers an accreditation option to fit. Each participant of the ARC accreditation program receives its own ARC number. An ARC number is acknowledged industry-wide as the standard, the holder reputable and reliable.

About ARC Numbers

An ARC number is a unique identifier that distinguishes each participating travel agency. Many suppliers track agency sales activity by their ARC numbers to verify participation, make commission payments and track sales volumes. Because every ARC participating travel agency receives an ARC number, joining ARC is truly the best investment you can make in your travel business.

Joining ARC

Traditionally, ARC has accredited U.S.-based travel agencies that issue airline tickets directly through our network of over 195 participating carriers. Over the last several years, ARC has launched several successful programs and services designed to meet the needs of a growing segment of agents who don't ticket directly - they may ticket through a host agency or consolidator - but still need a trusted, established industry ID, the ability to accept credit cards and assess service fees, and access to commissionable travel products. Today, ARC has two distinct options for participation:

Ticket Reporting Agency (TRA)
The TRA program provides participating agencies with a full range of ARC products and services. TRA participants are unique from other ARC participating agencies in that they have the authority to directly issue air, rail and bus tickets. In addition to an individual ARC number, the TRA program provides each participating agency with financial settlement and service fee payment tools, business and marketing tools, fraud prevention training.

Verified Travel Consultant (VTC)
The VTC program provides the products, services, and benefits of ARC participation to the growing base of travel agencies not engaged in physically issuing air, bus or rail tickets. A VTC agency receives an industry-recognized ARC number, in addition to the VTC Tool Kit, stocked with revenue-generating resources like the ARC Agent's Choice service fee and credit card processing tool, commissionable products, and marketing support. The VTC program helps travel agencies run their businesses while gaining recognition as serious travel vendors.

Additional Options

Here are just a few more ways you can make the most of everything ARC and ARC MarketPlace have to offer.

Helix
The Helix program is open to ARC participating travel agencies. Members work directly with best-in-class suppliers, enhancing commission opportunities. With an impressive preferred supplier portfolio, access to unique education and training opportunities, and exclusive discounts on business services, Helix has everything every travel agency needs to succeed.

MarketPlace ID
Not eligible for any of ARC's other accreditation options? You can still join the ARC family. Register for an ARC MarketPlace ID in order to receive the commissions you earn for booking through ARC MarketPlace - even if you're located outside the United States. The online registration process is simple and free.

ARC is an active Participating Organization with the PCI Security Standards Council™, a global forum responsible for development and implementation of security standards for payment account holders. Learn more about PCI Data Security Standards for ARC.

For more information about ARC, please visit www.arccorp.com.