SOUTHLAKE, Texas & WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 12, 2004--
Travelocity to Provide Flights, Hotels, Cars,
Cruises, Last Minute Getaways and Dynamic
Packaging to AARP's 35 Million Members
In a move that further broadens its distribution of travel,
Travelocity(R) today announced an agreement with AARP making
Travelocity the supplier of flights, hotels, car rentals, cruises,
last minute getaways and dynamic packaging product for AARP’s
35-million members.
“At Travelocity we have for some time realized the value and
potential of reaching the 50+ population,” said Richard Harris, vice
president of strategy and business development for Travelocity.
“Through this agreement, Travelocity will offer AARP members the
wealth of industry leading travel technology and tools already
benefiting Travelocity members around the world, but most importantly
it will offer discounted rates and unique benefits not previously
available to AARP members. This agreement will grow volume for our
supplier partners as we build loyalty among this key segment of
travelers.”
The new service, “AARP Passport Powered by Travelocity,” features
comprehensive online and phone travel purchasing options for AARP’s
membership base that in 2003 alone booked more than $1 billion in
travel. Currently, AARP members deal directly with multiple travel
suppliers to claim membership discounts; this new arrangement gives
AARP members one-stop shopping for discounted travel. This benefits
AARP members as Travelocity leverages its large volume of travel
transactions to provide better discounts and lower prices than
previously available to AARP members.
“AARP members have come to value travel benefits offered through
AARP Services, Inc. (ASI),” said Dawn Sweeney, President, ASI. “We
strive to provide products and services that our members value, and we
believe this agreement with Travelocity will help us to reach that
goal. Travelocity has thousands of travel suppliers worldwide through
the Sabre Global Distribution System, and they enjoy a strong
reputation with extensive relationships throughout the travel
industry. We believe tapping into these relationships will allow us to
offer our members an unmatched level of products, services and pricing
for destinations worldwide.”
The addition of AARP Passport to the Travelocity Partner Network
continues the expansion of Travelocity’s distribution reach.
Currently, Travelocity Partner Network has agreements in place with
several leading online retailers, including: Southwest Airlines, US
Airways, America Online and Yahoo! Additionally, Travelocity continues
to leverage subsidiary Site59’s experience as an Application Service
Provider (ASP) for a number of travel-related Web sites.
“Through this agreement, we are now able to more effectively reach
an underserved, yet very important, growing segment in the
marketplace,” said Harris. “Our agreement with AARP will strengthen
Travelocity’s ability to reach key customer segments and provide
top-of-the-line travel products while expanding the reach of our
supplier partners.”
Launch date of AARP Passport from Travelocity has been tentatively
set for spring 2005.
About Travelocity
Travelocity’s industry-leading technology and straight-talking,
honest information help travelers take more rewarding and affordable
trips. With 44 million registered users and booking nearly $4 billion
of travel in 2003, Travelocity negotiates thousands of low-priced
deals with the world’s most reputable travel providers – top airlines,
hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines, and other destination
attractions and services. Additionally, Travelocity offers
deeply-discounted 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. Based
in Southlake, Texas, Travelocity also operates Travelocity
Business(SM) for corporate customers, powers international travel Web
sites in eight languages, and has been recognized 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 AARP Services, Inc. (ASI)
AARP Services, Inc. (ASI), founded in 1999, is a wholly owned
subsidiary of AARP. ASI manages the wide range of products and
services that are offered as benefits to AARP’s 35 million members.
The offers span health and financial products, travel and leisure
products, entertainment, online services and life event services.
ASI’s responsibilities include developing new products, managing
products and services, marketing, creating and maintaining partnership
and sponsorship relationships, and developing and managing AARP’s
award-winning Web site, AARP.org.
About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization dedicated
to making life better for people 50 and over. We provide information
and resources; engage in legislative, regulatory and legal advocacy;
assist members in serving their communities; and offer a wide range of
unique benefits, special products, and services for our members. These
include AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our
monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our quarterly newspaper in
Spanish; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+
educators; and our Web site, www.aarp.org We have staffed offices in
all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S.
Virgin Islands.
CONTACT: VOLLMER PR for Travelocity
Judy Haveson, 212-554-7425
judy@vollmerpr.com
or
Sie Soheili, 972-488-4790
sie@vollmerpr.com
or
AARP
Barbara Foelber, 202-434-2987
bfoelber@aarp.org
SOURCE: Travelocity