PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- From Pennsylvania to
Hawaii, agencies are gaining a competitive edge as they lock-in three years of
enhanced airline content through the innovative "Momentum" program launched
last month by Galileo International, a leading global distribution services
(GDS) company and subsidiary of Cendant Corp (NYSE: CD). The latest additions
to the Momentum program are Mokihana Travel of Lihue, Hawaii; Plaza Travel of
Encino, Calif., Rubinsohn Travel of Elkins Park, Pa., and Nittany Travel, an
American Express Travel representative with offices in Lock Haven, Pa., and
Delaware. They join Rosenbluth International, United Airlines, US Airways and
Galileo in the program, which provides exclusive benefits to agencies and
airlines who agree "to give something to gain something greater."
By enrolling in Momentum, each agency will receive the competitive benefit
of more attractive airline inventory, which includes access to all Web fares
and any publicly available fares the airline distributes through other GDSs,
online travel agencies and participating airline's own sites.
"We are very excited about Momentum," says Cheryl Michioka of Mokihana
Travel. "Now, we can be more competitive with the Web market out there."
Michioka, whose agency books thousands of Avis and Budget car rentals
annually, also looks forward to the revenue-generating opportunities available
through Momentum's Business Builders Select(SM), a premium level of Galileo's
growing Business Builders(SM) program.
Momentum-enrolled travel agencies are also automatically enrolled in
Business Builders Select, providing exclusive profit-generating and
cost-saving opportunities on select inventory. Participating travel agencies
can double their commissions when booking RCI Holiday Network vacation
rentals, and earn up to 5 percent more for incremental commissionable rentals
for Avis and Budget as well as access to Budget's lowest-available
"association" rates; up to 5 percent more for incremental reservations at any
of Cendant's nine affiliated hotel brands and 2 percent more for Lodging.com
bookings processed through Galileo's e-Agent. Travel agencies also secure a
three-year financial incentive commitment at a reduced rate in exchange for
Momentum's multiple benefits.
"We're excited that Mokihana Travel, Nittany Travel, Plaza Travel and
Rubinsohn Travel have the vision and good business sense to join Momentum,"
said Mitch Gross, executive vice president of Galileo International's Americas
region. "Momentum levels the playing field with full access to the best
published fares and provides real opportunity to increase profits. In today's
uncertain environment, that's true competitive advantage. We expect to
continue building our Momentum with additional participants in the near term."
Momentum is available to Galileo participating airlines and all
Galileo-connected U.S. travel agencies. The premise is simple: All parties
give something in order to gain something greater. Airlines give better
content and gain a three-year rate lock and reduction in distribution fees.
Travel agencies give up some of their financial incentives in exchange for
enhanced airline content and profit building opportunities. Galileo
surrenders a portion of its margin and provides additional commissions through
its Cendant relationships and affiliated brands to gain a three-year
commitment from airlines and subscribers.
Including these new travel agencies, approximately 25 percent of Galileo's
U.S. bookings are represented through enrollment in the program, which becomes
effective March 1, 2003.
About Galileo International
Galileo International (http://www.galileo.com) is a global technology leader.
Its core business is providing electronic global distribution services for the
travel industry through its computerized reservation systems, leading-edge
products and innovative, Internet-based solutions. Galileo is a value-added
distributor of travel inventory dedicated to supporting its travel supplier,
agency and corporate customers and, through them, expanding traveler choice.
A subsidiary of Cendant Corporation and part of Cendant's Travel Distribution
Services Division, Galileo is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, and has offices
worldwide.
SOURCE Galileo International
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Related links:
http://www.galileo.com
CONTACT:
Deborah Bernstein of Galileo International,
+1-973-496-4127, deborah.bernstein@cendant.com
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