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
