A complete guide to the Amadeus group booking commands โ how to create a group name element, display group availability, and sell confirmed or waitlisted group space.
Group bookings behave differently from individual reservations in Amadeus. Group space is held under a separate inventory pool, availability searches must be restricted to group booking classes, and the booking itself is built around a group name element rather than individual passenger names from the start. Agents who try to handle groups using the same commands as individual bookings quickly run into problems โ the space does not appear, the fare cannot be priced, or the deposit and ticketing deadlines are missed. This guide explains the core Amadeus group booking commands: creating a group name element, searching group availability, and selling group space as either a confirmed or waitlisted itinerary element.
What Do These Commands Do?
These Amadeus GDS commands are used to create and manage group bookings, including adding a group name, displaying group availability, and selling group space.
Category: Group Booking.
They allow you to create a group name element, search for availability showing only group booking classes, and sell confirmed or waitlisted group segments. Together these three steps form the foundation of every group reservation in Amadeus.
Group Name Element
Create a group name element before selling any group space:
NG15EUROPE TOURThis creates a group name element for a group of 15 passengers named EUROPE TOUR. The number indicates the expected group size, and the text becomes the group identifier used throughout the booking, on the rooming list, and in correspondence with the airline.
Individual passenger names are typically added later using the standard name entries once the group space is confirmed.
Group Availability
Search for availability showing only group booking classes:
AN07JULLONSYD/RGRPThis requests availability between London and Sydney on 07 July, showing only group booking classes. The /RGRP option is essential โ without it, the display returns standard individual booking classes, which cannot be sold as group space.
Group classes are usually indicated by specific letters such as G, and each entry shows the number of seats available for group sale.
Sell Group Itinerary
Sell confirmed group space:
SS15G3/SGThis sells 15 seats in booking class G as a group itinerary element. The /SG indicator tells the system that the entry is a group sale, so the seats are drawn from group inventory rather than individual inventory.
Sell Group Waitlist
Place group space on the waitlist:
SS15C4/PGThis places 15 seats in booking class C on the waitlist as a group itinerary element. The /PG indicator is used when confirmed group space is not available but the airline allows a group waitlist request.
When to Use These Commands
Use these commands when creating and managing group reservations, from defining the group name and checking group availability to selling confirmed or waitlisted group space. Typical scenarios include:
- Tour operators arranging travel for a fixed group of passengers.
- Corporate incentive trips and conference travel with negotiated group fares.
- Sports teams, school groups, and religious pilgrimage travel.
- Wedding and family group travel with block seating requirements.
- Group bookings where individual names are confirmed only after the deposit deadline.
- Waitlist requests when confirmed group space is not yet available.
How Group Booking Fits Into Your Workflow
A typical group booking session might look like this:
- Create the group name element with
NG15EUROPE TOUR. - Search group availability using
AN07JULLONSYD/RGRP. - Sell confirmed group space with
SS15G3/SG, or place it on waitlist withSS15C4/PG. - Save the PNR and confirm the group space is held correctly.
- Add passenger names before the airlineโs name deadline.
- Issue the tickets once names are confirmed and the deposit has been received.
Important: Group bookings come with strict deadlines โ name submission, deposit payment, and ticket issuance. Missing these deadlines usually results in the group space being automatically cancelled by the airline without notice.
Always confirm the specific airlineโs group rules before selling group space, including the minimum group size, the deposit amount, and the exact dates for names and ticketing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does NG15EUROPE TOUR do?
It creates a group name element for 15 passengers with the group name EUROPE TOUR.
Why do I need /RGRP in an availability request?
Without /RGRP, the display shows individual booking classes, which cannot be sold as group space. Group inventory requires the group availability option.
What is the difference between /SG and /PG?
/SG sells confirmed group space, while /PG places the group on the waitlist.
Do I need passenger names before selling group space?
No. The group name element holds the space initially, and individual passenger names are added later, before the airlineโs name deadline.
Conclusion
Group bookings in Amadeus follow their own logic, and these three commands form the foundation. Create the group name element with NG15EUROPE TOUR, search group inventory using AN07JULLONSYD/RGRP, and sell the space with SS15G3/SG for confirmed seats or SS15C4/PG for waitlist requests. Because group space comes with strict airline deadlines for names, deposits, and ticketing, always confirm the specific rules before selling. Used together with TTS, TTA, and TTP for TST management and issuance, these commands give you full control over every stage of a group reservation.
