Galileo International today announced the launch in the United States of Galileo Web! Hotels, new Internet-rate hotel inventory for Galileo-connected agencies.  Galileo Web! Hotels allows agents to offer their customers the same pricing advantages of the Internet with savings of up to 75% off published standard rates and access to 6,600 hotel properties (currently under contract). All 6,600 of these properties will offer Web rates that are integrated into Galileo’s RoomMaster®, the most complete and accurate hotel booking program available.

“Galileo Web! Hotels gives our U.S. agents desktop access to Web rate hotel inventory, providing them with the ability to better compete with online travel providers via access to content at deeply discounted Internet rates.  No extra searches, no wasted time, which means better service for our agents and their customers,” said Mitch Gross, executive vice president and general manager of Galileo’s Americas region.

 

Galileo connected agencies are guaranteed 10% commission without any service fees for all bookings under Galileo Web! Hotels, in addition to the financial benefits currently offered with RoomMaster bookings. Galileo Web! Hotels’ also offers a best Internet rate guarantee: If the agency’s customer finds a lower rate on the Internet within 24 hours of a Galileo Web! Hotels’ purchase, for the same dates, and accommodation purchased, Galileo Web! Hotels’ will meet that price and beat it by 10%. 

 

The new Galileo Web! Hotels inventory combines a diverse collection of rates from industry leading hotels accessible via RoomMaster today, with additional inventory from both Cendant’s Lodging.com and Cendant Hotels. Currently, it includes properties in the United States, and will soon feature international destinations, beginning with hotels in Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico. Like inventory currently available through RoomMaster, Galileo Web! Hotels features AAA Diamond Rated properties.

 

Low Internet rates offered through Galileo Web! Hotels are made possible by requiring that bookings will be pre-paid and billed in full upon completion of the transaction.  Cancellations will be the only permitted modification, and will incur a $20 fee plus any applicable hotel fee. Initial inventory in Galileo Web! Hotels will be listed under the “LC” chain code (Web Hotel Reservation) and accessible as a multi-level rate code: WEBHTL.  In the future, chains that participate can have their properties listed with their unique, proprietary chain code.
Related stories on ITN:

(02/10/2003) Alamo and National Upgrade to Galileo’s CarMaster Inside Availability

(05/09/2003) Galileo Adds Northwest and Continental to Preferred Fares Select

(29/08/2003) Galileo Research Shows Travellers are Ready for e-Ticket Takeover
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