Distribution

Getting all the relevant, bookable inventory in front of business travelers is a never-ending challenge. Airlines, hotels and other suppliers constantly tinker with their products and pricing, and usually favor direct distribution over more costly third-party channels. That creates complexity in business travel technology.

Some examples of our coverage
• Commissions and other remuneration
• Industry rules of thumb and trade secrets from the US Airways v. Sabre and U.S. v. Sabre trials
• Such newer concepts as New Distribution Capability and personalization

Amex GBT Wins Citi, Develops Its Services For Companies Across The Spectrum

Interviewing American Express Global Business Travel CEO Paul Abbott during a Sept. 7 investor meeting, Citi equities analyst Pete Christiansen referenced a “really good” financial services company that GBT had recently won. Turns out, it’s Citi. Implementation in multiple countries is due by year-end, sources said.  CWT, which declined to comment, has been Citibank’s primary…

Travel Leaders Corporate Offers NDC To Clients At No Added Cost

Travel Leaders Corporate confirmed that as of Sept. 5, it opened to clients New Distribution Capability-based bookings on participating airlines, through enabled agent and self-booking channels, for no additional cost.  During a Tuesday interview, Travel Leaders Corporate president Michael Boult acknowledged concerns and criticisms of NDC but said that doing what’s best for the client…

RTX Takes On The Challenge Of Shifting From American Airlines

RTX, the $67 billion multinational aerospace and defense conglomerate, mainly uses American Airlines. It’s been … difficult. RTX associate director for travel Colleen Kearney at the GBTA convention last month said the company was “actively managing against what’s happening in the industry,” but that’s “not easy, by any means.” “By far” RTX’s largest airline, AA…

As Sabre Invests In GetThere, It’s Still Concur Travel’s World

SAP Concur’s languishing online travel booking interface has frustrated customers for years. Even Delta Air Lines took shots. When American Airlines lowered its New Distribution Capability boom, beginning with an announcement in December and content differentiation in April, it seemed things would only get worse. Perhaps there was a new basis on which rival tools…

Notebook: NDC As Contract Component? It’s Under Consideration

Dallas – Utilization targets for the New Distribution Capability are part of the “new contracting process with many of the airlines,” according to FCM Travel’s head of consulting for the Americas, Ashley Gutermuth.  That companies could negotiate with airlines on this basis was fascinating and “eye-opening” for Matt Patterson, senior director of client relationship management…

Previously Unnamed Blockskye Client Is PwC

The plan by blockchain company Blockskye to reinvent corporate travel processes is underway at PwC, according to sources. The accounting giant, with plenty of interest in blockchain technology for its own services, was not named in earlier coverage. Its participation has been one of the industry’s worst-kept secrets. PwC moved its travel management business in…

Dispatch 5

[CORRECTION, Aug. 11: The last line of this Dispatch was updated to eliminate an inaccurate description. AmTrav’s findings are that American Airlines’ NDC fares beat the GDS fares “33 percent of the time for Main Cabin and 93 percent of the time for Main Cabin Flexible.”] Last month, United Airlines chief commercial officer Andrew Nocella…

End of content

End of content