First Online Agency to Offer 'Corporate Rates' From Best Western
SOUTHLAKE, Texas, April 6 /PRNewswire/ — Travelocity Business(SM), a full service corporate travel agency, today announced it is continuing to expand its special hotel rates tailored to business travelers. The discounted hotel rates offer more flexibility than those created for leisure travelers, giving businesses the ability to save money without the restrictions and cancellation penalties of leisure discounts. Travelocity Business is the first online agency to offer discounted corporate rates from Best Western. The agreement is part of Travelocity Business’ rapidly expanding program to offer business- centric travel deals.
“Travelocity Business is already helping companies save significantly on travel costs by dramatically lowering airfares and agency transaction fees,” said Ellen Keszler, president of Travelocity Business. “Now, by leveraging Travelocity’s relationships with leading hotels, we’re also securing special rates and more flexible terms designed for business travelers, rather than giving companies deals originally intended for leisure travelers.”
Travelocity Business’ special discounts include the lowest available published rates, and are often similar to the discounts hoteliers provide their largest corporate clients. Some hotels are offering package deals that include such amenities as high-speed Internet, breakfast and other business- oriented services. They provide flexibility in changing reservations without special penalties or fees and allow travelers to continue obtaining points for their stays, a benefit often lost when special leisure rates are used. The hotel discounts complement the many other deals that Travelocity Business continues to add with airlines, hotels and car rental companies.
“Today, more than ever, business travelers need much more flexibility in their hotel and travel arrangements, which includes booking special corporate rates through channels like Travelocity Business,” said Bob Gilbert, vice president Worldwide Sales & Alliances at Best Western. “Savvy business customers look for strong value propositions and leading edge technology to be productive, such as the Internet. Best Western has taken the lead in offering high-speed Internet access, and all of its 2300 hotels will offer this service free of charge by September 1. The ability to book negotiated corporate travel rates online is the new frontier in corporate travel and Best Western is at the forefront with its partnership with Travelocity Business.”
About Travelocity Business
For small businesses to large multinational corporations, Travelocity Business is a full-service corporate travel agency that helps companies easily manage travel and reduce costs, while providing more choices to travelers. Travelocity Business combines the savings and convenience of online with the full service of dedicated agents available 24/7 who typically answer the phone in 20 seconds, and within 60 seconds guaranteed. Companies can cut travel costs through flight deals, Web fares, hotel discounts and service fee savings — representing an average savings of more than $142 per trip, including airfare savings averaging 26 percent per ticket and service fee savings of up to 84 percent.
Travelocity Business merges the expertise, service and travel choices of Travelocity(R) with the most proven online corporate travel technology, already used by more than half of the Fortune 200. For more information, companies can visit www.travelocitybusiness.com .
About Travelocity
Travelocity(R), with 41 million registered users, booked nearly $4 billion of travel in 2003. Every day Travelocity negotiates thousands of great travel deals with the world’s most reputable airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, ground transportation providers, and popular destination attractions such as theme parks, ski resorts and theaters. Additionally, Travelocity offers access to special rates for weekend getaways and dynamic packages through its Last Minute Deals and TotalTrip(SM) shopping engines, and provides customer service support over the phone 24 hours a day. Travelocity’s industry-leading technology and wealth of straight-talking, honest information allow travelers to make informed decisions and have more rewarding travel experiences. Through Travelocity Business(SM), companies can better manage business travel, lowering costs and expanding options for travelers, while the Travelocity Partner Network(SM) further distributes Travelocity’s products through an array of channels.
Based in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also powers international travel Web sites in seven languages and has been recognized worldwide for its consumer advocacy and global leadership in online travel. More information about Travelocity is available at www.travelocity.com . Travelocity is owned by Sabre Holdings Corporation (NYSE: TSG), a world leader in travel commerce. More information about Sabre Holdings is available at www.sabre-holdings.com .
About Best Western
Best Western is THE WORLD’S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN(R) with more than 4,100 hotels in 83 countries and territories. It is a membership association of independently owned and operated hotels that provides marketing, reservations and operational support to its members. For more information, visit Best Western’s website at www.bestwestern.com .
Contact:
Mary Kate Smither (marykate@vollmerpr.com )
972/488-4790
VOLLMER
Chintan Talati (chintan@vollmerpr.com )
972/488-4790
VOLLMER
SOURCE Travelocity Business
-0- 04/06/2004
/CONTACT: Mary Kate Smither, marykate@vollmerpr.com , or Chintan Talati,
chintan@vollmerpr.com , both of VOLLMER, +1-972-488-4790, for Travelocity/
/Web site: http://www.travelocitybusiness.com
http://www.travelocity.com
http://www.sabre-holdings.com
http://www.bestwestern.com /
(TSG)
CO: Travelocity Business; Travelocity; Sabre Holdings Corporation; Best
Western
ST: Texas
IN: LEI TRA CPR MLM
SU:
CJ-CD
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