Category Archives: Service

HRS Tests Blockchain For Corporate Hotel Negotiations, Check-In Procedures

By | April 19, 2018
HRS vice president of product Martin Biermann

One of the first applications of blockchain to corporate travel is in the works at hotel distribution and contracting specialist HRS. Spurred in part by discussions with sourcing client Siemens, HRS is testing blockchain-powered smart contracts, allowing clients and hotels to negotiate rates that change based on environmental conditions. In another scenario, blockchain supports identity verification at check-in. The… Read More »

SAP Concur To Go Down For Upgrade

By | April 4, 2018

Corporate online booking and expense management market leader SAP Concur will take North America-hosted systems offline this Saturday to upgrade its network infrastructure, the company informed clients. Concur estimated that the work, beginning April 7 at 12 p.m. PDT, would last 10 hours. It said customers using Concur’s EMEA or China data centers would not be affected. The upgrade… Read More »

Small Accounts Aren’t Worth The Effort, So Claire Chatbot Seeks TMC Users

By | April 2, 2018

Three unidentified travel management companies have enlisted 30SecondsToFly’s Claire chatbot, according to co-founder Felicia Schneiderhan. Claire’s parent is de-emphasizing direct client servicing in favor of powering other business travel entities due to the cost and limited return of maintaining small-business accounts. Claire uses the Facebook, Skype, Slack, SMS and web platforms to communicate with users about their bookings. “All… Read More »

HRG Buy Would Boost GBT’s Proprietary Network, Topple Some Partnerships

By | March 19, 2018

If it proceeds as planned, HRG’s acquisition by American Express Global Business Travel would give the latter new proprietary operations in Austria, Italy and Russia. As if integration of acquired companies isn’t difficult enough, GBT also would need to sort out a complicated array of relationships the two travel management companies hold in markets where they don’t own… Read More »

Sabre, TSI USA Start Chatbot Pilot

By | February 1, 2018

Sabre said its previously announced chatbot has gone into pilot with Travel Services International USA. Using Microsoft technology, the chatbot can help travelers with self-service support requests, allowing agents focus on more complex needs, noted Sabre Studios director Chad Callaghan. TSI clients will reach a white-label version of the chatbot through Facebook Messenger or TSI’s mobile app. “Travelers… Read More »

After Pivot, Jay Walker’s Upside Travel Is Attempting To Play A Very Long Game

By | January 18, 2018

Online travel legend Jay Walker is putting his best spin on Upside Travel’s pivot, but it’s hard to envision which way the company will be facing when it stops. From any angle, Upside’s first idea failed. Too many business travelers want neither packages nor gift cards. While those stayed in the mix, Upside beginning in the summer started saying it’s… Read More »

All In With Amadeus, Air Canada Eyes Advancements For Corporate Travel

By | November 2, 2017
Ilia Kostov Amadeus

Air Canada last month announced a new contract with Amadeus to install a passenger service system and various add-ons, falling in line with several of its Star Alliance partners. The distribution component of the relationship also advanced. For Amadeus agencies, these developments will bring new capabilities for servicing corporate customers. Amadeus agencies already are booking Air Canada’s branded… Read More »