CHICAGO—Orbitz launched a merchant program in which the airline-owned Web site will negotiate net rates with individual hotel properties.
Orbitz said participating hotels can update rates and availability via a Web connection and receive reservation confirmations by e-mail.
The new program, Orbitz said, supplements its affiliate deal with Travelweb, the distributor of wholesale inventory owned by major hotel chains and Pegasus.
Two Harrah`s properties in Las Vegas—Harrah`s Casino & Hotel and Rio All-Suites—are among Orbitz`s first clients in the new merchant program.

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