A global distribution system (GDS) is an intermediary that aggregates airline, hotel, and car-rental inventory and resells access to travel buyers. GDS fees typically run $3–15 per segment, and EDIFACT leaves out bundled fares and ancillaries that direct and NDC connections carry in full.

NDC (New Distribution Capability) is IATA's XML-based standard that lets airlines sell richer fares, full ancillaries, and dynamic pricing directly, bypassing the limits of GDS systems.