Expedia Revamps Agent Program

Expedia Inc.’s Affiliate Network has converted the old AgentAccess program, which gave traditional agents access to Hotel.com’s inventory, to a new program called AgentRez.

Expedia did not respond to requests for information about the new program, but a notice on www.hotelsta.com, the former AgentAccess site, says, “Using the Expedia name allows for more credibility with your clients and allows us to help serve you with better technology.”

Agents will earn a 10% commission on Special Rate hotel bookings, paid on a monthly basis. Expedia splits the commission with the agent on post-pay properties – those that collect the customer’s payment at checkout – and pays the agency its share when the commission is collected from the hotel.

Orbitz introduced a similar program in late February. Expedia launched AgentRez on March 11.

Meanwhile, Expedia launched a new award plan for its Travel Agencies Affiliate Program (TAAP) in the U.K. Based on performance, agencies can win silver, gold or platinum status and earn up to 11.5% commission.

TAAP launched in the U.K. in October 2008 and has built its network to 715 travel agents with a 59% rise in subscriptions in the last six months. More than 30 partners have already achieved membership in the award program.

Expedia said it is seeing agency bookings of dynamic packages “soar,” particularly to the U.S.

Agents have direct access to the Expedia inventory through a dedicated portal where they can browse flights, hotel accommodation and car rental combinations. They also can book destination services such as tickets for local transportation, tourist attractions and excursions.

Becky Harbey, branch manager of Forward Travel Management in Derby, U.K., said her consultants use the Expedia travel agency program on a day-to-day basis and “find the product worthwhile, easy to use and often more cost effective than some of the other prepaid agency sites.”