By all accounts, hotel attachment is an important indicator. Roughly speaking, this is the percentage of bookings for trips of more than one day that contain a lodging component. A higher ratio means better data for negotiations and risk management. If the hotel booking is made with the air booking, there may be transaction fee savings. If it’s commissionable, that…
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has reversed its plan to keep new loyalty program members-only discount rates out of global distribution systems. A spokesperson declined to address why the company quickly overturned its original statement that travel agents would have to use its website to book the rates. “Many of our members book their travel through our valued agency and corporate partners,”…
[UPDATE, June 10: Airbnb announced the program. An official said travel agents are not part of it for the moment, but on-site agents might be. More context here.] Breaking from its standard policy of allowing only the guest to book his or her own accommodations, Airbnb is preparing a feature for its business clients allowing travel agents or arrangers to make…
[UPDATE, May 5: Travel agencies will earn commissions on the IHG rates, according to a press official.] [UPDATE, May 3: InterContinental Hotels Group is “working diligently” to make the new member rates available via GDSs “in the coming weeks,” according to an IHG letter to travel professionals.] Confused about how and whether to access some of the big chains’ new…
Dakota Software finance director Nick Lay canceled his Concur Expense implementation two months ago, but he still gets monthly bills. This, he said, is a sign of a provider that’s too big for a small enterprise like his. On the other hand, new supplier ExpenseBot takes his phone calls and emails. ExpenseBot’s founders consider its technology a differentiator, but their…
On-demand ground transportation company Lyft is gaining momentum in corporate travel and is open to negotiated benefits based on volume. Sources said the company is proving easier to work with than bigger rival Uber. Uber declined to comment on whether it works with negotiated benefits. Its website indicates it does not offer corporate discounts. “We’re taking a different approach,” said…
[UPDATE, May 9 2016: Hyatt reversed course on GDS participation for member rates.] Like two of its rivals before, Hyatt Hotels on Monday announced a marketing and rate program specifically for loyalty program members. The companies are attempting to neutralize online travel agencies. However, unlike Hilton and Marriott, Hyatt’s discounted rates of “up to 10 percent” off for Gold Passport members…
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