Trips & options
What is the difference between a trip and a trip option?
A trip is the overall customer engagement. Trip options are different priced versions inside that trip - for example a 7-day tour vs a 10-day tour. All planning and costing happens on the option, not directly on the trip.
What do trip statuses mean?
Typical flow: Inquiry → Costing → Quoted → Confirmed. You can also Cancel if the sale does not proceed. Status helps your team see where each engagement stands.
Can one customer have many trips?
Yes. Each trip is separate. You can see a customer’s history from the Customers module or by filtering trips.
Do I need calendar dates before quoting?
No. You can build logical Day 1, Day 2 itineraries first and add travel dates when the customer confirms. Dates live on the trip option.
Itinerary & editor
Where do I build the itinerary?
Open the Trip Editor from a trip option - map, days, and items are all edited there. See Trip Editor.
How do I model a multi-night hotel?
Add a stay item on each night (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3) at the same place. One hotel cost line can cover all three nights. See Itinerary.
Why can’t one activity cover multiple stops?
Each experience is one itinerary item. A tour with three stops is three items (or three legs) - this keeps costing and vouchers clear.
Costing & pricing
What is costing vs pricing?
Costing is what you pay suppliers. Pricing turns those costs into a customer quote with markup and tax. Start in costing, then generate the quote.
When is a quote “locked”?
After you mark an option as Quoted or Sent, changing prices may need a manager or admin to approve - this protects published quotes.
What are rate cards?
Pre-agreed prices from a supplier so you do not re-enter rates every trip. See Rate Cards.
Customers & suppliers
Are customers shared between companies?
No. Each travel company in Columbus has its own customer list.
Can I cost something without a supplier?
Yes. Use a direct service for one-off purchases; supplier services link to your supplier directory.
Finance
How does a quote become an invoice?
Use the Commercial Bridge flow: create a sales invoice from the option for the customer, and purchase invoices for supplier costs. See Quote to customer invoice.
What are vouchers?
Confirmations you send to suppliers (e.g. hotel booking) after costing is final. See Vouchers.
Account & access
I work for two travel companies - what changes when I switch?
Everything: customers, trips, suppliers, and reports all belong to the active company. Use the company switcher in the header.
Why can’t I see a trip my colleague can see?
You may be on a different team. Managers and users often only see trips for teams they belong to. Ask an admin if you need access.
Who can delete a trip?
Usually admins. Most day-to-day users create and edit but do not delete confirmed work.
Still stuck?
- Browse the relevant Module page from the sidebar.
- Follow a Step-by-step guide for full processes.
- Ask your company’s Columbus admin about permissions or team assignment.