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Sabre Rolls Out Merchandising for Hotels, Airlines

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Sabre has launched Custom Offers, a merchandising capability for hotels and airlines. The new product allows hotels to target their offers and airlines to offer ancillary products via the Sabre GDS, giving Sabre agents the ability to sell products previously unavailable to them.

Tool Lets Agents Use Familiar GDS Commands – on Any PNR

Thu, 16 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

eGlobalfares launched GDS Translator, which translates commands from one GDS to another. Using the tool, an agent can enter a familiar GDS command and click “enter,” and the translator will enter the required equivalent command in the GDS in which the PNR was created.

American to Distribute Ancillaries Thru Amadeus

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

American signed a full-content agreement with Amadeus paving the way for the carrier and the GDS provider to integrate their technologies. The deal will make it possible for Amadeus agencies to sell products such as AA’s Main Cabin Extra. It also lets the carrier provide real-time personalized offers via Amadeus.

Amadeus, Travelport Upbeat on First-Quarter Performance

Mon, 13 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Amadeus and Travelport had positive news about their companies’ first-quarter performances. Amadeus reported healthy growth in market share and revenues. Travelport said it is experiencing “positive momentum,” especially with its tech products.

Ruden: IATA Should ‘Start Over’ on Distribution Plan

Thu, 09 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

ASTA last month urged the Transportation Department to reject IATA’s New Distribution Capability. In a Q&A, senior vice president Paul Ruden considers the stakes and what he calls “two radically different interpretations” of NDC. “They should go back to the beginning and start over,” he says.

Negative NDC Comments Flooded DOT as Deadline Neared

Mon, 06 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

As the May 1 deadline approached, negative or doubtful comments poured into the DOT about Resolution 787, IATA’s New Distribution Capability plan. Carlson Wagonlit Travel objected to its lack of clarity, saying it was too difficult to assess its impact on clients. Amadeus expressed some support but also noted challenges.

ARC Speeds Up Ticket Refund Processing

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

New changes made by ARC made to its sales reporting and settlement system will allow for accelerated ticket refund processing for travel agencies and their customers. The upgrade expedites cash and credit card refunds to be processed on the same schedule as sales transactions, as opposed to a former weekly batch process schedule.

Pegasus Sells Commission-Processing Division

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A private investment firm has purchased Pegasus Financial Services, whose services for travel agents include tracking and reconciling commissions from multiple hotels. Pegasus Solutions said it plans to re-focus on its hotel distribution and reservations business.

GDSs Ink New Content Agreements With International Carriers

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Amadeus signed new long-term content agreement with International Airlines Group and China Airlines Group. Also: Travelport launched a direct commercial presence in Kenya and signed a new content agreement with China Eastern; Abacus inked an agreement with a Korean low-cost carrier.

AA Exec Seeks to Shed Light on Direct Connect, NDC

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Still puzzled by American’s direct-connect strategy? Think of it as high-def TV, says AA’s Cory Garner, using the analogy to explain the roles of the different players. He expects travel agents to like what they see. As for IATA’s NDC, fear not, it’s just a language, he says.

As Distribution Evolves, Agents Will Remain Key, Speakers Say

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The decline of the traditional travel agency has been predicted for decades, but the demise of the agency model has been greatly exaggerated, according to speakers at last week’s UATP conference. As airline distribution evolves, travel agents will continue to play a pivotal role.

Travelport Will Facilitate NDC Distribution, But It Still Has ‘Unanswered Questions’

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Travelport said it will work with airlines that want to distribute products via IATA’s New Distribution Capability schema – but it won’t partake in pilot programs for NDC anytime soon because its production workload is too heavy. Travelport’s recent moves – agreeing to connect with American Airlines via its API and the launch of a platform that enables airlines to connect with travel agents via the method of their choice – would seem to be in sync with NDC, at least in spirit.

4 Signs You’re Overworking Your Social Media Mojo

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

If you’ve ever asked yourself whether the effort you’re putting into social media marketing is worth your time, this column’s for you. Sophie Bujold explains how to tell if you’re overextended on social media, then shows how to hit the reset button and get your online efforts back on track.

Travelport Unveils Its Airline Merchandising Platform

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Travelport launched a merchandising platform that allows airlines to use a variety of technologies to distribute the full range of their ancillary products and services. The platform “provides complete consistency in how an airline’s product portfolio is presented and sold across all channels,” according to Travelport’s Derek Sharp.

Atlas Travel Brings Tech Co. Under New Umbrella Group

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Atlas Travel has formed a new umbrella group that will include both the agency and Prime Numbers Technology, developer of the Travel GPA “report card” for managed travel programs. The new Atlas Travel & Technology Group said it plans to operate under “church and state” rules in order to maintain the integrity of the agency and the vendor.

Travelport to Make Cash Payments to American in Lawsuit Settlement

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

American’s settlement with Travelport calls for the GDS to make cash payments to the carrier over a period of years. Meanwhile, AA also reached a settlement agreement with Orbitz Worldwide.

Google Study Shows Limited Travel Bookings From Mobile Search

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

A new Google study on how consumers use mobile search suggests that the activity triggers further conversation or research, but rarely prompts immediate direct purchases or travel bookings. The study also found that just 2% of mobile users search for information on travel. Investing in mobile search advertising may be premature, it includes.

DOT Fines Alitalia Over Compensation for Cancelled Flights

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Transportation has fined Alitalia for denying compensation to a couple whose flights were cancelled between Italy and the U.S. in 2009. DOT said the carrier had provided false and misleading information in maintaining that the rules on cancelled flights did not apply to those in the U.S.

DOT Extends Comment Period on New Distribution Capability

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

DOT is allowing additional time for comments to be filed on IATA’s controversial New Distribution Capability. The extension came at the request of the Open Allies for Airfare Transparency. Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific Airlines and Via Rail Canada have filed comments in support of NDC.

United Begins Using Direct Connection to Priceline

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

United Airlines is now using a direct-connect XML link developed by Farelogix to connect with Priceline.com. Priceline, which is using the link for air bookings, eventually will use it for the sale of United’s ancillary products. United’s direct connection is similar to American’s.

ARC Backs IATA’s Distribution Plan, Citing Benefits to Agents

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The Airlines Reporting Corp. lent its support to IATA’s proposed New Distribution Capability, saying its ability to present the airlines’ sales offerings will “improve the competitive nature” of the travel agency sales channel. In other comments on NDC, Open Allies reiterated its opposition, and Delta delivered a scathing assessment of GDSs.

AA Exec: Travelport Deal ‘Works for Both of Us’

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

While it required compromise from both sides, the settlement agreement in the American Airlines-Travelport antitrust lawsuit had a good outcome, says an AA exec. The agreement brings about the integration of Travelport’s Universal API and American’s AADC direct-connect interface. It is also consistent with IATA’s NDC plan, the exec says.

NDC Debate Heats Up as IATA Seeks DOT Approval

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

IATA’s recent application for DOT approval of its New Distribution Capability has re-energized the debate over what NDC would mean for passenger profile information, air fare competition and other issues. IATA is countering the objections in its filing of the resolution.

Travelport, American Settle Antitrust Lawsuit

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Travelport and American Airlines settled their antitrust lawsuit and signed a new long-term, global distribution agreement. The two companies will integrate their technologies. Travelport will likely be the first GDS to offer access to American’s ancillary products and services.

Toolkit: EagleRider Rolls Out Agency Dashboard

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

New tools for travel sellers include an Agent Interface from a motorcycle rental and tour company looking to facilitate partnerships with the travel trade. Also: an online passport and visa service launches an affiliate program for agents, and Amadeus Germany beefs up its social media suite.