Distribution

Scroll down to review The Company Dime‘s coverage of travel distribution.

The travel industry thrives on a complex network of channels connecting travelers with desired experiences. The Company Dime‘s travel distribution category delves into this intricate system, offering subscribers invaluable knowledge and insights. Our in-depth articles explore the various channels that constitute corporate travel distribution, both traditional and emerging.

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 often favor direct distribution over third-party channels. That creates complexity in business travel technology.

Readers can expect thorough coverage of the relationships and dynamics between airlines, hotels, travel management companies, global distribution systems and other suppliers and intermediaries. We closely examine developments associated with the New Distribution Capability (NDC), direct booking initiatives and the rise of new entrants looking to disrupt legacy models.

Subscribers benefit from our scrutiny of the often-opaque world of distribution costs and revenue streams, including incentive payments, agency commissions and booking fees. We shed light on these essential commercial arrangements.

We also track the technological forces reshaping distribution, from the positioning of online booking tools to the potential of emerging solutions like artificial intelligence, blockchain and virtual payment. Readers stay informed on innovations that could unlock efficiencies and improve the traveler experience.

Our coverage clarifies major industry debates, such as the relative merits of GDS and NDC content, and our Op Eds deliver provocative thought leadership from all corners of the industry. Contributor insights on timely issues — like rethinking travel management company commercial models — make for essential reading.

With a critical eye and a healthy dose of skepticism, The Company Dime delivers must-have intelligence for anyone seeking to understand the present and future of travel distribution.

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You get what you pay for, and most travel industry business news is free. We sell insight. Our mission is quality journalism for those interested in business travel services, expense management practices and travel industry change. Our features, exclusives and analysis equip business travel professionals with vital info for top performance.

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Airlines Diverging On Custom Corporate Bundles

Delta Air Lines in 2015 started offering tailored packages of products and services to corporate accounts. It’s not doing that anymore. It has other ways to enrich commercial relationships with add-ons. The change in strategy reflects two different ways airlines view the concept of corporate bundles. Travel managers for a while talked up the idea of…

Airline-GDS Negotiations Heat Up As Parties Try To Sway Lawsuit’s Outcome

[UPDATE, May 26, 2017: IAG informed industry partners that British Airways and Iberia would add a $10 fee as of Nov. 1, essentially for each one-way trip, on tickets purchased in global distribution systems. The fee will be displayed as a “Q charge” in fare constructions, and included in itinerary fare quotes. Refunds will align with the…

Chasing Lyft And Uber, Ground Transportation Industry Pools Resources

A lot is happening in the B2B ground transport sector, with operators and supporting technology firms converging. Much of the action is in response to transportation network companies Uber and Lyft. When the dust settles, customers will have wider access in more distribution channels to cars and drivers providing pre-reserved and on-demand services. It will…

Startup Applies Policy To Web Buys For Small Businesses

[UPDATE, March 7, 2018: Complai, which makes the Shep browser extension that guides travelers to policy-compliant options available in the open market, secured additional financing and launched a beta program on Product Hunt. For the Chrome browser, Shep works on direct consumer sites run by American, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest airlines, as well as Expedia,…

Direct Travel Buys MacNair Travel As Midmarket Play Keeps Rolling

[UPDATE, Oct. 4, 2017: Direct Travel and ATPI formed a new entity to jointly serve midmarket, multinational accounts. Called Direct ATPI Global Travel, the new organization “accelerates our global growth strategy,” according to a statement attributed to Direct Travel CEO Ed Adams. The companies contributed “equal investments” and created a joint governing board and leadership…

Teleconference 8: NDC In Corporate Travel

NDC In Corporate Travel April 13, 2017 Many in the business travel community know the general idea behind the International Air Transport Association’s New Distribution Capability. It’s not only for direct channels. It could improve access to airline services. What else does NDC mean for corporate travel providers and programs? When is it coming? Listen to a recording of the live teleconference. Tackling these and…

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