Amadeus TK Command: Ticketing Limits & Instructions Guide

A complete guide to the TK command in Amadeus — how to add ticketing elements, set ticketing time limits, and create special ticketing instructions in a PNR.

A booking is not complete when the itinerary is booked. It is complete when the ticketing arrangement has been recorded, the ticketing time limit has been set, and any special instructions for issuance have been added to the PNR. The TK command is the Amadeus entry that handles all of these tasks. It allows you to add a minimum ticketing element, set a ticketing time limit, or create specific ticketing instructions — including repricing, itinerary printing, invoice generation, TST selection, validating carrier, and open-return TSTs. This guide explains what TK does, the syntax for each variation, and when it should be used.

What Does the TK Command Do?

TK is the Amadeus GDS command used to add and manage ticketing information and ticketing time limits in a PNR.

Category: Ticketing.

It allows you to add a minimum ticketing element, set a ticketing time limit, or create specific ticketing instructions.

The TK entries fall into two main families: TKOK, which adds the minimum ticketing element that tells the system the booking is ready for issuance without a deadline, and TKTL, which sets a ticketing time limit or adds a specific instruction that affects how the ticket is issued.

Minimum Ticketing Element — TKOK

Create the minimum required ticketing element:

TKOK

This creates the minimum ticketing element in the PNR. It is used when the booking can be issued at any time and no specific deadline applies — for example a fully paid booking where the ticket can be issued immediately or whenever the customer requests.

The system needs a ticketing element in every PNR before issuance. TKOK provides that element in its simplest form.

Ticketing Time Limit — TKTL

Set the ticketing time limit for 19 September at 12:00:

TKTL19SEP/1200

This sets the ticketing time limit to 19 September at 12:00. The airline uses this deadline to monitor the booking: if the ticket is not issued before the deadline, the segments may be cancelled automatically.

Use a ticketing time limit when the fare rule requires a deadline, when the airline has applied one automatically, or when the customer has agreed to issue the ticket by a certain date.

Queue Ticketing Instructions

Create a queue ticketing instruction that overrides the system default:

TKTL13JUN/Q3C2-TEXT

This adds a ticketing instruction for 13 June, directing the PNR to queue 3, category 2 with the free-flow text specified. Use it when the ticketing task should be handled by a specific queue rather than the default ticketing process.

Specific Ticketing Instructions

Add a ticketing instruction for a specific agent code:

TKTL//A123

Add an instruction to reprice the TST:

TKTL//R

Add an instruction to print or send the itinerary:

TKTL//IEP

Add an instruction to print an invoice:

TKTL//INV

Add an instruction for a specific TST:

TKTL//T2

Add an instruction to validate the ticket on a specific airline:

TKTL//VCO

Create a TST with an open return:

TKTL//OPEN

This creates a TST with an open return — useful when the return date is not yet confirmed but the outbound ticket must be issued.

Important Notes

TKOK → minimum ticketing element.
TKTL → sets a ticketing time limit or instruction.
TKTL//R → reprices the TST.
TKTL//IEP → prints or sends the itinerary.
TKTL//INV → prints an invoice.
TKTL//T2 → prints a specific TST.
TKTL//OPEN → creates an open-return TST.

When to Use TK

Use TK when creating a PNR and you need to add a ticketing deadline or special ticketing instructions before issuing the ticket. Typical scenarios include:

Recording the ticketing time limit imposed by the airline or the fare rule.
Adding the minimum ticketing element when a booking can be issued at any time.
Setting a specific deadline agreed with the customer for payment or confirmation.
Instructing the system to reprice the TST before issuance.
Requesting that the itinerary, invoice, or specific TST be printed with the ticket.
Specifying a validating carrier for the ticket.
Creating an open-return TST when the return date is not yet confirmed.
Routing the ticketing task to a specific queue and category with a free-flow instruction.

How TK Fits Into Your Ticketing Workflow

A typical ticketing session using TK might look like this:

Complete the booking — passengers, itinerary, contact details, and any SSRs.
Price the itinerary with FXP or another pricing entry.
Review the TST with TQT to confirm the fare and taxes.
Enter TKOK if no deadline applies, or TKTL19SEP/1200 if a specific deadline is required.
Add any specific ticketing instructions with the TKTL// options.
End the transaction with ER or ET to save the changes.
Issue the ticket with TTP before the ticketing time limit expires.

How TK Relates to Other Ticketing Commands

TK → adds ticketing information and time limits to the PNR.
FXP → prices the itinerary and creates the TST.
TQT → displays the TST before issuance.
TTP → issues the ticket once pricing and ticketing information are complete.
TTK → manually updates fare and tax elements in the TST.
TTI → manually updates validity, baggage, fare basis, and fare calculation.
TTE → deletes a TST from the PNR when reissuing.
TTC → creates a manual TST when automatic pricing is not suitable.

The distinction: TK handles the ticketing arrangement (deadline and instructions), FXP handles pricing and TST creation, and TTP handles the actual issuance.

Important: A ticketing time limit is a commitment to the airline. If the ticket is not issued before the deadline, the segments may be cancelled automatically and the booking lost. Always confirm the deadline with the customer before entering a TKTL.

Some airline fare rules impose their own ticketing time limit that overrides the agency’s. When the PNR is repriced, the system may reapply the airline’s deadline — always check the TST for the current ticketing time limit before promising a specific date to the customer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the TK command do in Amadeus?

TK adds and manages ticketing information and ticketing time limits in a PNR, including specific ticketing instructions.

What does TKOK mean?

It creates the minimum ticketing element in the PNR, used when no specific deadline applies and the ticket can be issued at any time.

What does TKTL19SEP/1200 mean?

It sets the ticketing time limit for 19 September at 12:00. The ticket must be issued before that deadline or the segments may be cancelled automatically.

What does TKTL//IEP mean?

It adds a ticketing instruction to print or send the itinerary together with the ticket.

What does TKTL//OPEN mean?

It creates a TST with an open return, useful when the return date is not yet confirmed but the outbound ticket must be issued.

When should I use TKOK instead of TKTL?

Use TKOK when no deadline applies and the booking can be issued at any time. Use TKTL when the fare rule, the airline, or the customer requires a specific ticketing deadline or instruction.

Conclusion

The TK command is the ticketing information tool in Amadeus. Use TKOK to add the minimum ticketing element when no deadline applies, TKTL19SEP/1200 to set a ticketing time limit, and the TKTL// options to add specific instructions such as repricing, itinerary printing, invoice generation, TST selection, validating carrier, or an open-return TST. It is essential in every booking that requires a ticketing deadline or special handling at the time of issuance. Always confirm the deadline with the customer before setting a TKTL, and remember that some airline rules override the agency’s own limit. Paired with FXP for pricing, TQT for reviewing the TST, TTK and TTI for manual TST updates, and TTP for issuance, the TK command completes your ticketing toolkit and ensures every booking is issued on time and with the correct instructions.