Big travel management companies are seeking new sources of data even as they work to improve the quality of info from more traditional inputs. American Express Global Business Travel on a “case by case” basis works with clients to incorporate data on sales performance and employee attrition. After completing an upgrade last year of its AnalytIQs platform, Carlson Wagonlit Travel… Read More »
BCD Travel last month alerted clients to a formalized program that charges them extra for supplier bookings which are more costly to support, joining rivals American Express Global Business Travel and Carlson Wagonlit Travel. According to multiple sources, BCD Travel identifies such reservations as including those that must be booked or serviced outside global distribution systems. Also covered by the… Read More »
The news that an activist investor took a stake in Travelport to push a possible sale of the company has analysts, consultants and industry leaders speculating about the possibilities. Could the GDS be broken up and sold to its two Western rivals? What about keeping it whole and selling to China-based TravelSky? Is there a wild-card buyer out… Read More »
Carlson Wagonlit Travel on March 1 will add new fees for “non-GDS” airline bookings. They are a $10 charge for transactions via online booking tools and $15 for agent-assisted transactions. These fees won’t apply to existing clients, at least until current contracts are up for renewal, according to a Feb. 22 client letter from CWT chief customer officer… Read More »
Lyft and Uber are feeling their way into the corporate market. Lyft had a rebate program. That’s done. Uber For Business had free and premium tiers. Now it’s all premium. Both fast-growing ride-hailing companies are aligning with corporate travel management companies but so far mostly for referrals. It’s clear these remain early days. Lyft has deals in place… Read More »
Wouldn’t it be nice if there were a seal of approval for the protection of business travelers’ data and privacy? There are certifications for data security, but none really for privacy. There has been talk about a travel code of conduct, but no movement. Some fear the travel industry won’t get its act together before running into legal… Read More »
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 »