3 min read

Sourcing Strategies for Travel Program Optimization

By Tiffany Zerby on June 10, 2019 11:42 AM

In our last article, “7 Hot Topics in Corporate Travel Management,” we offered a full recap of the Hot Topics Roundtable, an interactive breakout session at World Travel, Inc.’s Spring Symposium 2019. However, the Hot Topics Roundtable wasn’t the only session that provided actionable strategies to Travel Managers across the globe.

Topics: airlines airfare Ancillary Fees consulting Consulting Services How-To negotiate program compliance Travel Management Technology
3 min read

The Basics on Basic Economy: 1, 2, 3

By Chesley Turner on January 30, 2017 3:02 PM

They say that Basic Economy fares are a reaction to low-cost carriers. (Low-cost carriers - and their baggage policies - respectfully disagree.) But no matter the reason they were created, Basic Economy Fares are here.

Topics: airlines Rewards Ancillary Fees content corporate culture General Industry Update travel policy Traveler Conversations
2 min read

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

By Chesley Turner on December 16, 2015 3:38 PM

Opinion Piece by James Wells, Founder and Chairman of World Travel, Inc.

On November 30th, 2015, JetBlue Airlines chose not to renew the sale of their product through the Travelport global distribution system. Earlier in the year, on June 1, 2015, Lufthansa Airlines implemented a global distribution fee to cover their GDS costs when a reservation originates through any global distribution system.

Topics: airlines Ancillary Fees GDS JetBlue Lufthansa Opinion
2 min read

How to: Limit Ancillary Fees

By Maureen DiLello on September 30, 2015 2:41 PM

Objective:

How to Limit Ancillary Fees

Ancillary Fees. You know the term far too well.  It seems extra unexpected costs are associated with every trip you take. From baggage fees to hotel cancellation fees to city surcharges, the airline, hotel, and ground transportation industries are all making billions of dollars off these sometimes cleverly hidden fees. But as your Travel Management Company, we’re here to help you limit those pesky fees as much as possible!

Topics: airlines Advice Ancillary Fees Consulting Services corporate culture General Hotel How-To travel policy WTI
8 min read

Gordon Wilson: Redefining the GDS through an Innovative, Holistic Approach

By Chesley Turner on September 23, 2015 1:57 PM

Since 2011, Gordon Wilson has been at the helm of Travelport, ushering it into an era of increased content, enhanced usability, IPO on the New York Stock Exchange, and even a redefined identity (Travelport is a Travel Commerce Platform; “GDS” is passé, haven’t you heard?). It comes as no surprise, then, that he possesses a remarkably holistic view of the travel industry and the integral role of the global distribution system. Travelport is more than a storefront for aggregated content; it’s an innovator of improved technology, an intermediary in industry partnerships, and a proponent of travel and tourism benefits.

Topics: airlines Interview Ancillary Fees content economy expense management GDS Lufthansa open booking WTI
2 min read

Hello Economy. Welcome Back.

By Chesley Turner on September 16, 2015 8:25 AM

The economy seems to be breathing a little easier, at least for the moment. That means business travel is back in a big way. If you want proof, look at the hotel occupancy rate (HOR) and average daily rate (ADR). According to STR Global, ADR is steadily rising in all four global regions. In the Americas, the July ADR almost hit $125, which was up 5.8% YOY. This is mirrored by Europe’s 8% increase to $133.24, EMEA’s 5.3% increase to $159.10, and APAC’s subtler 1.1% increase to $105.12. PricewaterhouseCooper’s 2015 Hospitality Directions Report, as summarized by Business Travel News, estimates that the year’s ADR will level out at about $120.79, which is up 5% from last year.

Topics: Advice Ancillary Fees Consulting Services General Hotel RFP WTI