SOUTHLAKE, Texas–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 26, 2004–In an effort to
avoid consumer confusion with new Northwest Airlines’ fees, Sabre
Travel Network, a Sabre Holdings (NYSE:TSG) company, today announced
that it will begin including Northwest’s fare supplement as part of
the shopping and pricing displays that are in the Sabre global
distribution system (GDS) for tickets issued on or after September 1,
2004.
Once implemented, when Sabre-connected agents shop for fares, the
Northwest fares will be displayed at a higher price that reflects the
applicable charges. For example, in the case of a Northwest $200
roundtrip in the U.S., the total price listed in the Sabre GDS will
now be $207.50, which includes the Northwest imposed fare supplement
of $7.50. In the Sabre GDS, this will also apply to searches that
check for the lowest-priced available flight. At the time of actual
ticketing, the fee will not be shown directly on the ticket,
reflecting Northwest’s stated collection process.
With the full disclosure of the total price charged by Northwest,
Sabre is ensuring that the fare supplement is fully disclosed. While
not required of Sabre, this approach reflects the Department of
Transportation’s long-standing policy requiring airlines to include
“the entire price to be paid by the customer to the air carrier” in
any advertising or solicitation.
This move is in response to Northwest’s recent announcement that
it plans to add a fare supplement on domestic tickets issued in the
U.S. and Canada through a GDS effective September 1, 2004.
“Travel agencies, corporations and the organizations that
represent them have told us, loud and clear, that the Northwest
ticketing fee is in reality a fare increase. Sabre agrees with this
view and, therefore, we have elected to include these charges in
shopping and pricing displays utilized by agencies and corporations,”
said John Stow, president, Sabre Travel Network. “We are providing an
innovative solution for our customers to manage this issue.”
About Sabre Travel Network
Sabre Travel Network, a Sabre Holdings company, provides access to
the world’s leading global distribution system (GDS) enabling agents
at more than 53,000 agency locations worldwide to be travel experts.
The Sabre GDS, the first system to connect the buyers and sellers of
travel, today includes more than 400 airlines, approximately 60,000
hotels, 37 car rental companies, nine cruise lines, 35 railroads and
220 tour operators. Key brands of Sabre Travel Network include
GetThere, the leading Web-based corporate travel reservation
technology, and Jurni Network, the unique leisure travel agency
consortium that enables members to sell more products from preferred
travel suppliers using sophisticated market intelligence.
Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE:TSG) is a world leader in travel
commerce, retailing travel products and providing distribution and
technology solutions for the travel industry. More information about
Sabre Holdings is available at http://www.sabre-holdings.com.
Statements in this release which are not purely historical facts
or which necessarily depend upon future events, including statements
about future plans, the expected effects of the action outlined in
this release or other statements about anticipations, beliefs,
expectations, hopes, intentions or strategies for the future, may be
forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Readers are cautioned not
to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All
forward-looking statements are based upon information available to
Sabre Holdings Corporation on the date this report was submitted.
Sabre Holdings Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise. Any forward-looking
statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
events or results to differ materially from the events or results
described in the forward-looking statements, including risks or
uncertainties related to structural changes within the travel
industry, such as travel suppliers seeking alternative distribution
models, or Sabre Holdings Corporation’s revenues being highly
dependent on the travel and transportation industries. Sabre Holdings
Corporation may not succeed in addressing these and other risks.
Further information regarding factors that could affect our financial
and other results can be found in the risk factors section of Sabre
Holdings Corporation’s most recent filing on Form 10-Q with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: Sabre Holdings Corporation, Southlake
Michael Berman, 682-605-2397
or
Investor Relations
Karen Fugate, 682-605-2343
SOURCE: Sabre Holdings Corporation