How to Get Sabre Certified as a Travel Tech Company in the USA

The travel industry runs on technology. Every time you book a flight online, reserve a hotel or rent a car from a travel website, that is usually a powerful system working behind the scenes. One of the biggest games in the space is Sabre, a global distribution system that powers millions of bookings every single day. If you are a travel tech company in the USA being able to access Sabre is like having a key to the global marketplace. But here is the catch you just cannot plug into Sabre overnight you need to have Sabre certification USA.

Why does this matter? Before you learn how to get Sabre certified you need to understand the basics. Certification shows that your platform meets industry standards and can be trusted with sensitive bookings. Potential that our systems follow all the rules. Most importantly it gives you secure access to Sabres API so you can just connect directly with airlines and car rentals. In this guide you can learn everything about Sabre API integration USA.

What is Sabre certification?

Sabre certification is a process that allows your company to officially Sabre API and integrate them into your travel booking system. With this Travel tech company certification You can make real time bookings through Sabre and also easily issue tickets directly. Furthermore you can also build your own OTA or agency booking tool with full credibility. Sabre handles sensitive operations like flight bookings and passenger records. Certification ensures that only secure compliant and capable travel technology companies are allowed in the system.

Main benefits of GDS integration Sabre

• Secure API access

   

you can get authorized access to the Sabres powerful APIs air shopping hotel and car rentals.

• Credibility

   

With Sabre certification USA You can actually look credible. It signals professionalism to airlines, hotels and customers. It is like a stamp of approval.

• Ticketing ability

   

You can get the ability to issue tickets directly without relying on middle men.

• Global opportunities

   

With Sabre your company can serve travellers globally not just locally.

• Partnerships

   

Airlines and B2B platforms prefer working with certified partners. In short you can see that certification is the bridge between your technology and the global inventory. Without it your system cannot officially issue bookings.

Why do travel tech companies need Sabre certification in the USA?

1. Competitive advantage

The US travel market is completely huge and competitive. Today Customers expect real time inventory, competitive fares and seamless experiences. With Sabre certification you can get access to one of the largest global inventories that gives you an edge over non certified companies in the market.

2. direct connectivity

Without notification you have to depend on consolidators or third party suppliers. Once you get certified you can directly connect with airlines, hotels and car rental companies. That means you can get better pricing and faster updates and of course more control.

3. Trust and compliance

Travel includes a lot of money, personal details and strict regulations. Sabre certifications ensure that our system aligns with all the regulations and other standards that build customer trust.

4. Faster go to market

Instead of just spending years building your own airline or hotel connections you just plug it into Sabres APIs and launch quickly. This reduces time to market and also helps you start generating revenue quickly.

5. Scale for the future

Whether you are building a startup OTA or the scaling and established agency platform, Sabre certification helps you expand globally without any technical roadblocks. And simple terms if you want to be taken seriously in the USA travel tech industry you need separate certification.

How to get Sabre certified

Getting certification for Sabre API integration USA might sound really technical. But it is not that difficult

• Register on the Sabre developer portal

   

This is your starting point. You can go to the developer portal and create an account. From here you can get access to API documentation sample codes developer tools and community support.

• Choose the required API

   

Sabre offers different API depending on what you are building. If you want to focus on flights then you must go for air shopping and booking. For accommodation hotel availability is must and for ground transportation car rental API is mandatory. Profile and payments for managing customers and transactions. Here is where strategy matters. Many companies start with flights because that’s the biggest demand. Later they expanded into hotels and cars to increase revenue per customer.

• Get an account manager

   

Once you show serious intent Sabre assigns you an account manager. This person is way more than just a contact; they are your guide. They’ll explain the certification requirements, help with agreements and also answer questions when your team feels stuck.

• Sign the agreement

   

Before you touch real data you need to sign contracts. These cover things like transaction fees and payment besides usage rights. It’s very important for your membership agreement with safari.

• Integrate the sandbox

   

Now the technical work begins. Your developers start building your booking flows using the Sabre sandbox or test environment when nothing is live. Here you can try creating PNR processing payments and testing cancellations without any risk. Think of it like practicing with a flight simulator before flying passengers. It’s safe to make mistakes here.

• Certificate testing

   

Sabre won’t just take your word that everything works. They will test your system against real world scenarios. Can it handle multi passenger bookings? What happens if a fare disappears mid search? These tests prove your platform is reliable for Travel tech company certification.

• Go live

   

Pass the tests and you will receive your product credentials. These are your keys to the live GDS integration Sabre. From that moment every search and booking you process is real. Your company’s officially Sabre certified and can proudly say that you are connected to one of the largest networks in the world.

Requirements for travel tech companies in the USA

1. Legal structure

Sabre only works with legitimate businesses. In the USA this usually means being a registered corporation operating without a formal structure is a non-starter.

2. Accreditation

If you want to issue tickets you need arc accreditation or IATA accreditation. A lot of young companies skipped this step at first by partnering with a host agency that already has it.

3. Technical capability

Sabre expects you to have a technical team to manage integration. This is not just about coding, it’s all about understanding how travel bookings work. Your developers should know how to handle passengers name records and payments besides cancellations and refunds.

4. Financial stability

Travel businesses handle large amounts of customer money. Sabre might ask for proof of financial strength like bank guarantee or revenue statements. This reduces the risk of fraud or failed settlements.

5. Compliance

Lastly, compliance is very important. You need PCI DSS certification if you are processing credit cards and you will need proper data protection policies to secure customer information. These are not just boxes that you have to take the other foundation of trust.

Read More: Where to Find the Best Travel Technology Companies in the USA?

Cost factors to consider

Getting Sabre certification USA is not free, it’s very important to plan your budget.

• Setup and onboarding

   

Sabre charges initial fees for setting up your account and giving you access to the APIs. The exact number depends on your agreement.

• Certification expenses

   

Once you know how to get Sabre certified you need to understand the expenses also. The fees might be linked with the testing and validation process.

• Transaction fees

   

Each booking due process comes with expenses. Sabre usually charges per segment so round trip with two flights counts AS2 transactions.

• Accreditation fees

   

If you apply for accreditation, expect to pay application fees and annual renewals. Some also require financial bonds for Sabre API integration USA.

• Compliance expenses

   

You must know that achieving Travel tech company certification, maintaining secure servers, and investing in data protection can all add to your expenses. These are not optional but they are investments in your reputation. When you add everything, costs can range from a few $1000 to small companies working through the host agency to much higher amounts for large independent OTAs.

Pro tips to get certified quickly

1. Start with a host agency

If you don’t have ARC accreditation, don’t let that stop you. Partner with a host agency to speed up the process. You can just apply for your own accreditation later once you are established. This makes it very easy for you to borrow the credentials while you build your business. It’s like learning to drive with an instructor’s license before you get your own. A lot of successful OTAs started this way before applying for their own accreditation later.

2. Keep it completely simple at first

Ambition is really good but trying to do everything at once can slow down. Many companies try to integrate flights, hotels , cars and payments all in the first certification attempt. This often complicates testing and creates more chances of errors. Instead you can start with essentials most companies begin with flights and payments. Once you are alive and generating bookings looking at hotels or even cruise content later. Remember certification is a milestone not a finish line.

3. Prepare your developers in advance

Your developers are the key players in the process. If they are new to travel technology give them some time to study the documentation and experiment with  GDS integration Sabre. Even small things like understanding how passenger name records work can make certifications smoother. Sabres test cases often trip up teams who are not prepared for edge scenarios like infant bookings or cancellations. The better your team knows the system the fewer surprises you will face during testing.

4. Show Sabre your potential

Sabre is not just looking at whether you can technically integrate, they are also considering the value that you will bring to the ecosystem. If you can demonstrate that your platform has growth potential maybe through a solid user base or a unique niche market there will be more motivation to fast track your certification. Think of it like a partnership the more bookings you drive through Sabre the more valuable you are to them.

5. Don’t skimp on security

Finally one area that cannot be rushed is security payment compliance and data protection are non-negotiable. If Sabre finds weak spots in how your platform handles credit cards or passenger data certification will just stall. Investing in PCI compliance secure hosting and also encryption will save you a lot of time and headache later on. In fact platforms that show strong security often find the approval process much smoother.

How can Traveltekpro help?

Traveltekpro can make a big difference as an experienced partner. It is not just another IT vendor. The experts specialize in travel technology with years of experience integrating Sabre and other GPS systems. They understand not just the code but also the unique language of travel and cancellations. The job is to make sure that your platform doesn’t just pass certification but is built to handle real world working smoothly.

One of the biggest benefits of working with Traveltekpro  is speed. Because they have been through the process many times they completely understand the pitfalls experts anticipate the issue. Sabre will test, prepare your system for those scenarios and ensure that your team is not wasting time on avoidable errors. What could take six months on your own might be reduced to just a few months with expert guidance.

For travel tech companies in the US, Sabre certification is not just another business step; it’s all about a turning point that separates those who struggle from those who thrive. With certification you can get the credibility to be taken seriously in the global market. You get the speed and reliability to win customer trust. Yes the process involves effort you will need a legal business set of technical skills and financial readiness and at times it might feel even overwhelming. But remember every major OTA and travel agency you admire today has been through this exact certification journey.

Read More: The Best Travel API Providers in 2025

FAQ’S

1. What is Sabre certification and why do travel tech companies in the USA need it?
Sabre certification is the official process that allows travel technology companies in the USA to integrate Sabre’s APIs for flights, hotels, and cars securely. It ensures compliance with industry standards, grants direct ticketing authority, and builds credibility with airlines and partners. Without certification, a travel tech company cannot access Sabre’s global inventory or issue bookings directly, making it essential for scaling in the competitive US travel market.

2. How long does it take to get Sabre certified in the USA?
The time to achieve Sabre certification varies, but most companies complete the process in a few months depending on their technical readiness and compliance setup. Working with an experienced integration partner can significantly reduce the timeline by avoiding common pitfalls in testing and documentation. Startups often accelerate certification by partnering with a host agency for ticketing rights while building their independent accreditation.

3. What are the key requirements for Sabre certification in the USA?
To become Sabre certified, a travel tech company must have a registered business entity in the USA, financial stability, a capable technical team, and compliance credentials like PCI DSS for payment security. In addition, ARC or IATA accreditation is required for direct ticketing. These requirements are designed to ensure that only secure and trustworthy platforms gain access to Sabre’s booking ecosystem.

4. How much does Sabre certification cost for US travel tech companies?
The cost of Sabre certification in the USA includes setup fees, certification testing charges, transaction fees per booking, and ongoing accreditation costs. Additional expenses may involve compliance measures like PCI DSS certification and secure hosting infrastructure. For startups, costs can be minimized by working with host agencies, while larger OTAs may invest significantly more to manage direct integration.

5. Can startups and small travel agencies in the USA get Sabre certified?
Yes, startups and small agencies in the USA can achieve Sabre certification, though many begin by partnering with host agencies that already have ARC or IATA accreditation. This approach allows them to access Sabre’s inventory quickly while building credibility. As they grow, they can apply for independent certification and expand into flights, hotels, and cars with full API integration.

6. How does Sabre certification give US travel tech companies a competitive edge?
Sabre certification provides US travel tech companies direct access to real-time inventory, faster booking updates, and better pricing compared to non-certified competitors. It builds trust with airlines and B2B partners, shortens time-to-market, and opens doors to global expansion. In a crowded travel industry, certification is both a technical advantage and a credibility signal that drives long-term growth.