At a glance
| GLDS | Classic GDS | Bed bank | Booking direct | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Luxury hotel bookings by travel advisors | Flights, hotels, cars and more, for the travel trade | Hotel rooms at net rates, for the travel trade | One hotel or hotel group |
| Access | Free, no minimum bookings | Typically through an accredited agency and a GDS subscription | Typically a trade account | Open to anyone; commission usually needs an IATA or similar number |
| Prices you see | The gross price for your client | Rate codes per hotel | Net rates, to which you add your markup | The hotel's own rates |
| How you earn | Full commission with no deductions, or book at net rates | Commission on commissionable rate codes, paid by the hotel | Your markup on the net rate | Commission on commissionable rates, paid by the hotel |
| Client proposals | Ready-made proposal PDF under your agency brand | Depends on your own tools | Depends on your own tools | Depends on your own tools |
| Hotel contact | Personal contact at the hotel and its concierge desk | Usually through the booking only | Usually through the bed bank | Personal |
| Amenities & loyalty | Usually not | Through consortium and preferred rate codes | Usually not | Yes, with preferred-partner status |
Terms differ from provider to provider. The columns describe the typical setup, not any one company.
GLDS vs. a classic GDS
A global distribution system connects travel agencies to flights, hotels, cars and more. Access typically runs through an accredited agency, and hotel rates appear as rate codes rather than as a client-ready offer.
GLDS brings the GDS up to 2026 standards for one job: booking luxury hotels. Access is free, every price shown is the gross price for your client, and a ready-made proposal PDF under your agency brand waits in your dashboard for every lead.
Where a GDS fits better: if you book flights, rail or cars together with hotels in one system, a GDS covers them. GLDS covers luxury hotels only.
GLDS vs. bed banks
Bed banks, also called wholesalers, sell hotel rooms to the travel trade at net rates, and you add your own markup. They typically cover a broad range of hotels in every category.
On GLDS you can book at net rates too, or at gross with your full commission and no deductions. The portfolio is hand-picked luxury hotels, and you have a personal contact at the hotel and its concierge desk.
Where a bed bank fits better: if you need a wide range of hotels across all categories and price levels, not only luxury.
GLDS vs. booking directly with the hotel
Booking direct gives you a personal relationship with the hotel. If your agency belongs to a hotel group's preferred-partner program, it also brings the program's amenities and loyalty benefits.
On GLDS you compare luxury hotels side by side, send one proposal under your own brand and book in one place, while keeping a personal contact at the hotel and its concierge desk.
Where booking direct fits better: for hotels where you hold preferred-partner status. Keep booking those there for the amenities, and use GLDS for the rest.
Read more
Why GLDS lists the benefits in one place, and How it works walks through a booking step by step.