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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2015 On The Company Dime
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2015 On The Company Dime

As they work for advantage, clients, suppliers and those in between keep business travel management interesting. Changes to underlying and consumer-facing technology make it a dynamic business function. The personal and geopolitical elements of business travel offer points of note from the micro to macro levels. As one of our featured practitioners noted, this job is about economics, geography, psychology and then some….

Delta Corporate Bundles Are In Client Hands Via Travelport
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Delta Corporate Bundles Are In Client Hands Via Travelport

New York — Delta Air Lines is offering corporate fare bundles to Boise, Idaho-based Micron Technology through Travelport in the first publicly disclosed realization of a long-held airline hope. Using Travelport’s Smartpoint interface, Micron’s BCD Travel agents next year will begin testing use of a special fare bundle including not only Micron’s Delta rate, but also certain ancillaries. Delta and…

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Podcast 6: Lea Cahill, Kurt Ekert, Brian Harniman, Rich Miller

Our sixth podcast episode features a panel discussion on business travel technology hosted by the Meetings Technology Expo in New York City on Nov. 10. Jay Campbell moderated the conversation with Brand New Matter managing director (and former Priceline exec) Brian Harniman, nuTravel chief strategy officer Rich Miller, Atlas Travel & Technology Group COO Lea Cahill and soon-to-be-former Travelport chief commercial officer Kurt Ekert. Jay…

KDS Adds To North American Client Base With Global Organization Education First

KDS Adds To North American Client Base With Global Organization Education First

Global education company EF Education First in March installed the KDS Neo door-to-door booking product for U.S. travelers. During the past year, the organization brought Neo to various markets in the Americas, Asia and Europe. It’s now moving into Canada. EF vice president Dennis Behnsen said the firm has used corporate booking tools in the past. But its in-house…

GBTA Study: Business Travelers Less Satisfied With Online Booking Tools Than Supplier Sites

GBTA Study: Business Travelers Less Satisfied With Online Booking Tools Than Supplier Sites

New research by the Global Business Travel Association, sponsored by Concur, affirms that business travelers think online booking tools are merely satisfactory. Nevertheless, few surveyed travel managers said their employers are ready to allow for alternative booking options. Among 710 American, Australian and British business travelers working for companies with managed travel programs, 85 percent were satisfied when booking directly with airlines…

Orbitz For Business Clients (Sans IBM) Will Move To Egencia’s Platform
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Orbitz For Business Clients (Sans IBM) Will Move To Egencia’s Platform

Following Expedia’s acquisition of Orbitz Worldwide, leaders of Egencia and Orbitz for Business have been meeting for about six weeks. On Nov. 16, they informed Orbitz for Business clients they would migrate “in waves” next year to Egencia’s booking systems and other technology. This won’t include IBM, which was one of the biggest Orbitz for Business clients although…

Altour Continues Push Into Managed Accounts With A&I, Top Flight Acquisitions
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Altour Continues Push Into Managed Accounts With A&I, Top Flight Acquisitions

New York-based Altour International continues to acquire its way into managed corporate travel. It bought a controlling stake in 62-year-old A&I Travel Management in Memphis. Altour expects to announce another U.S.-based deal next week. The company also bought the United Kingdom’s Top Flight Travel Management. Adding to its existing U.K. holdings, the Top Flight deal will bring Altour’s sales…

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