GoLite and GoStandard: what each allows and how to choose

GoLite and GoStandard are two forms of Standard Accreditation. The difference is access to a cash facility: GoStandard has it, GoLite does not 2. Everything else an agency should weigh follows from that point, including the financial information you supply, the security you may have to lodge and the steps needed if you later change type.

What each type means

The Travel Agent's Handbook (TAH), Edition 46 defines both types in the same way. In each case the applicant or agent meets the qualifications and financial standing needed to take part in the Agency Programme in a given country, in line with local accreditation requirements 2. The only stated difference is the cash facility:

• GoStandard is Standard Accreditation with Cash Facility, with access to a cash facility 2.
• GoLite is Standard Accreditation with no Cash Facility, without access to a cash facility 2.

The handbook lists four accreditation types in total. Besides these two, there are Multi-Country Accreditation (GoGlobal) and Euro-Zone Accreditation (GoEurope) 46. Those two cover agents operating in more than one country, or in more than one Euro-Zone country, and they use all authorised payment methods 6.

What the cash facility is

The Cash Payment Method is a facility where money collected by the agent for air transportation or ancillary services is remitted to BSP airlines through the BSP 6. It comes with a set of cash conditions: financial security requirements, the remittance holding capacity granted and the remittance frequency that applies 6. These conditions are what GoStandard brings and GoLite does not.

The handbook also speaks of authorisation to use the Customer Card Payment Method, which an agent must meet separate requirements for if it asks for access to it 3. So a GoLite agency is not necessarily limited to one route: card access is handled through its own requirements.

How the application differs

The financial paperwork is lighter for GoLite. The application form asks a GoStandard applicant to attach current financial statements, such as a balance sheet and a profit and loss account, plus any other documents that the local financial criteria require 9. A GoLite applicant attaches its latest financial or tax statements 9.

Financial security is the other point to watch for GoStandard. An applicant becomes an accredited agent once the Passenger Sales Agency Agreement is executed and any required financial security has been provided and accepted by IATA 10. If the security is not provided within 40 days of the notification, the cash payment method is restricted, and the accreditation is converted to Standard Accreditation with no Cash Facility under section 10.6 10. The amount and form of security depend on the market, so check the local financial criteria.