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.
American Airlines this quarter brought to most of its North American travel agencies revised back-end “override” incentive programs. Based on revenue share rather than passenger count, the move may put some travel buyers on guard for higher costs. It’s conceivable that the program presents agencies a reason to either transact higher fares and/or charge higher…
Marriott’s plan to offer free Wi-Fi on direct bookings by loyalty members will cause channel conflict for many in business travel. Yet, it’s an oddity as the recent trend points to greater rather than reduced hotel content access for managed travel programs. As of 2010, each of the three major global distribution systems listed between 80,000 and…
Starwood Hotels & Resorts appears poised to drop Wi-Fi fees for loyalty program members booking through its apps, websites and call centers. A similar plan at Marriott International announced last month and due to take effect Jan. 15 is upsetting many travel management professionals. This is collateral damage for Marriott, which is aiming to build traveler loyalty and better compete with online travel agencies.
Concur’s TripLink direct connect program could upend corporate travel distribution if it works. So far, it doesn’t. The TripLink concept resonates with corporate clients concerned about hotel booking channel compliance. About 35 percent of lodging bookings at companies with travel managers go outside the preferred channels, according to research by The Company Dime. Many of…
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