New York — As they consolidate and grow, travel agencies earn more incentive money from global distribution system providers. Just how much has been hard to ascertain, since incentives are not specifically teased out in GDS company financial reports. With the US Airways v. Sabre case underway here, some interesting numbers are emerging.
According to data originating with Sabre, the GDS firm paid more than $1.2 billion in incentives to the top four travel management companies between 2006 and 2012. American Express Global Business Travel earned $504 million in . . .