As Buyer Frustration With Sales Tactics Seems To Grow, Humanizing Is The Answer
It’s a time for new ideas, new competitors and new blood in corporate travel. That means new people on both the buyer and supplier sides, but mainly the latter. It also means a learning curve.
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What Southwest’s Expanded Distribution Means For Corporate Travel Buyers
The biggest news coinciding with GBTA’s convention this month was Southwest’s decision to list or expand participation in global distribution systems run by Amadeus and Travelport. Too long in the making for many, the airline by mid-2020 for the first time will accommodate “industry-standard processes” in those GDSs. That includes the ability to book, change, cancel and modify reservations.
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Delta-TripActions Dispute Was About Rewards For Trading Down As Well As The Display
When Delta Air Lines and TripActions last winter resolved their dispute, the parties suggested it had something to do with the display interface. As it turns out, Delta also had a problem with the TripActions rewards program.
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Recession ‘Almost Tangible’ In Corporate Travel, But Signals Are Mixed
The next economic recession always is a matter of when. Currently in a 10-year run of strong performance, the travel industry is starting to produce indicators suggesting a downturn may come sooner than later.
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Serko Tries To Go Where No Corporate Online Booking Tool Has Gone Before
No independent, non-U.S. corporate booking tool provider has ever really succeeded in this market. Serko is trying to be the first. The New Zealand-based software provider, which also offers expense management, is spending significantly to grow its presence in Canada and the United Kingdom as well. The company expects travel management company reseller partnerships in these markets to begin paying off during the next year.
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American Express Global Business Travel Execs: Global Corporate Clients Are Increasingly Concerned About Lufthansa’s Intransigence
The largest travel management company is not acquiescing to Lufthansa Group’s distribution strategy. According to American Express Global Business Travel executives, the airline company refuses to support what corporate customers need, particularly comparison shopping. That sets it apart from other airlines which, while pushing forward on new means of distribution, took actions to support efficiency and price assurance in corporate travel.
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A Month Out, New European Payment Security Rules Are ‘A Moving Target’
New regulations in the European Union governing payments there with locally issued cards are set to take effect next month. Part of Europe’s second Payment Services Directive, they require strong customer authentication for many types of purchases. To the relief of many in corporate travel, lodge cards and virtual cards currently are exempt. The same goes for “secure” B2B transactions, such as those processed through global distribution systems. While these common corporate payment mechanisms are out of scope, plenty of questions remain without much time to sort it all out.
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