Sabre Connected agents get first program in the industry that checks rates at the property level
SOUTHLAKE, Texas – June 28, 2007 – Sabre Travel Network today announced its Rate Assured hotel certification program, which ensures Sabre Connected travel agents receive the lowest publicly available rates inside the Sabre global distribution system that can be found on other travel distribution channels, including Web sites. The Rate Assured hotel program is the first program of its kind to extensively check rates at the property level to confirm individual hotel properties are providing Sabre with the lowest publicly available rates.
“With the Rate Assured hotel program, Sabre is working closely with our hotel partners to ensure that travel agents can confidently book the best possible rates through Sabre,” said Greg Webb, chief marketing officer, Sabre Travel Network and Sabre Airline Solutions. “We actively measure pricing at each hotel, share this data back with the suppliers and work with them to ensure travel agents have the content they need to best serve their customers.”
“Sabre’s Rate Assured hotel program is a good complement to Marriott’s Look No Further Best Rate Guarantee program, “said Larraine Voll Morris, vice president of eChannels & GDS, Marriott International, Inc. “We believe that travelers should be able to find the best available rates for Marriott hotels regardless of the channel they choose, and we are supportive of agents who use Sabre being able to provide that experience to Marriott customers.”
Sabre is using rate canvassing capabilities provided by Rubicon, a leading provider of market information applications and services to the global hotel industry, to actively check rates on a global scale at up to 235 sites around the world, including direct and third-party online distribution sites. Sabre evaluates hotel rates on a weekly basis at the property level, varying the day of the week and the shopping parameters to ensure rate parity. If the search uncovers a publicly available rate that is lower than Sabre’s by $1 or more, Sabre will take steps to notify the hotelier and remove the Rate Assured designation from the hotel.
“The fact that we measure rates at the property level on such a large scale and provide that reporting to hoteliers is what sets Rate Assured apart from similar parity programs,” said Webb. “No other GDS is taking such action to measure rate parity and enforce it on behalf of its travel agents.”
Properties that provide rate parity are designated “Rate Assured” on the hotel availability display and receive enhanced visibility over properties that are not providing rate parity. Additionally, a new search qualifier will allow travel agents to limit search results to Rate Assured properties only.
Media Contact:
Emily Kinney, Media Relations
Sabre Holdings
Emily.kinney@sabre.com
682-605-3286
