Let’s be honest—currency conversion is one of those tasks that can trip up even the most seasoned travel agents. Between multi-currency fares, tax calculations, refund adjustments, and the constant need to check today’s bank selling rate, having the right command at your fingertips makes all the difference.
Over the years, I have watched agents waste precious minutes pulling out their phones to check exchange rates
or manually calculating converted amounts. But here is the truth: Amadeus, Sabre,
and Galileo Travelport each have powerful, built-in currency tools that handle everything
from real-time conversions to historical rates and IATA ROE (Rate of Exchange) tables. In this guide,
I will break down exactly how to use FQC, DC, FZI, FZS,
and FBT—with practical examples I actually use on the floor.
1. Amadeus – The FQC Currency Converter
Amadeus gives us the FQC command for currency conversion. The structure is beautifully simple:
FQC[amount][from_currency]/[to_currency]. What I love about it is the flexibility—you can convert
using currency codes, country codes, or even lock in a specific historical date for retroactive calculations.
Basic Conversions
Result: Converts 100 UAE Dirhams to Egyptian Pounds using the current system rate.
Result: Converts 100 EGP back to AED. Perfect for round-trip fare checks.
Using Country Codes (Asterisk trick)
This is a nifty shortcut I use when I am not sure of the exact currency code. The asterisk (*)
tells Amadeus to look up the currency tied to that country code.
Historical Exchange Rates
This is a lifesaver when processing refunds or reissues. Clients often want to know what the rate was on
the date of their original purchase, and FQC handles it effortlessly.
2. Sabre – The DC (Currency) Commands
Sabre uses the DC prefix for currency display and conversion. The conversion uses the
‡ (double dagger) symbol, which looks a bit intimidating at first, but once you get the
hang of it, it becomes second nature. I usually tell new hires to think of DC as “Display Currency”.
Direct Conversion
Result: Gives you the equivalent in EGP at the current Banker’s Selling Rate.
Displaying Currency Tables
Shows you the conversion factors, including the multiplicative and divisional rates.
Historical Currency Tables
This asterisk variation is particularly useful when you are dealing with complex fare construction and need to understand exactly how the rate was applied.
Global and Regional Listings
DC*CUR family of commands is my go-to when I need a quick snapshot
of all available rates. It saves me from running individual conversions for every currency.
3. Galileo Travelport – FZI, FZS, and FBT
Galileo takes a slightly different approach by splitting currency functions into three dedicated families: FZI (IATA ROE), FZS (Bank Selling Rates), and FBT (Currency Tables). This separation actually makes a lot of sense once you understand the distinction between industry-standard rates and actual bank selling rates.
IATA ROE with FZI
Shows the standard IATA Rate of Exchange for the UAE Dirham.
This is critical for fare construction. The dot (.) lets you pin the conversion to a specific
ticketing date.
Bank Selling Rates with FZS
These historical rates are incredibly accurate for auditing and client dispute resolution.
Currency Tables with FBT
FZS is what I use most for day-to-day client quotes because
it reflects what the bank will actually charge. The FZI commands are better suited for
back-office fare auditing and NUC calculations.
Quick Reference Comparison Table
Here is how I keep the commands straight when switching between GDS platforms:
| Function | Amadeus (FQC) | Sabre (DC) | Galileo (FZI/FZS/FBT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Convert Currency A → B | FQC100AED/EGP |
DC‡AED500/EGP |
FZSAED10.00EGP |
| Convert using Country Code | FQC100AED/*EG |
N/A (use currency code) | FBT*EG |
| Historical Date Conversion | FQC500AED/EGP/05JAN24 |
DC*EGP/12JUN11 |
FZSAED.26NOV25 |
| View IATA ROE | N/A (uses bank rates) | N/A | FZIAED |
| View Full Currency Table | N/A | DC*CUR |
FBT* |
Practical Scenarios: When to Use What
After years of working these systems, I have developed a mental map for when to reach for each command:
- Client Quoting (Today’s price): I use
FQC(Amadeus) orFZS(Galileo) orDC‡(Sabre) to give the customer an accurate total in their home currency. - Refunds / Reissues (Past dates): The date-suffix variations are non-negotiable. Always use the historical rate to avoid discrepancies.
- Fare Auditing (NUCs): Galileo’s
FZIis the gold standard for checking the IATA Rate of Exchange against the published fare. - Multi-currency fare construction: I often pull up the currency table (
FBT*orDC*CUR) just to confirm the base currency of the fare before applying the conversion.
Final Thoughts
Currency conversion in GDS does not have to be a headache. Once you memorize the FQC, DC,
and FZI/FZS families, you will find yourself flying through fare quotes, reissues, and refunds
with confidence. The key is to practice with real dates and amounts until the syntax becomes automatic.
I encourage you to test these commands in your training environment. Run a conversion for today, then run the same conversion for a date six months ago. See the difference? That is exactly why these historical commands exist. They protect you from giving inaccurate quotes or processing the wrong refund amount.
Verified All commands have been cross-checked against the latest Amadeus, Sabre, and Galileo terminal builds.
