From Pennsylvania to Hawaii, agencies are gaining a competitive edge as they lock-in three years of enhanced airline content through the innovative å“Momentumå” program launched last month by Galileo International
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The latest additions to the Momentum program are Mokihana Travel of Lihue, Hawaii; Plaza Travel of Encino, Calif., Rubinsohn Travel of Elkins Park, Pa., and Nittany Travel, an American Express Travel representative with offices in Lock Haven, Pa., and Delaware.  They join Rosenbluth International, United Airlines, US Airways and Galileo in the program, which provides exclusive benefits to agencies and airlines who agree “to give something to gain something greater.” 

By enrolling in Momentum, each agency will receive the competitive benefit of more attractive airline inventory, which includes access to all Web fares and any publicly available fares the airline distributes through other GDSs, online travel agencies and participating airline’s own sites. 

 

Including these new travel agencies, approximately 25 percent of Galileo’s U.S. bookings are represented through enrollment in the program, which becomes effective March 1, 2003. 

“We are very excited about Momentum,” says Cheryl Michioka of Mokihana Travel.  “Now, we can be more competitive with the Web market out there.”  Michioka, whose agency books thousands of Avis and Budget car rentals annually, also looks forward to the revenue-generating opportunities available through Momentum’s Business Builders Selectsm, a premium level of Galileo’s growing Business Builderssm program. 

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Momentum-enrolled travel agencies are also automatically enrolled in Business Builders Select, providing exclusive profit-generating and cost-saving opportunities on select inventory.  Participating travel agencies can double their commissions when booking RCI Holiday Network vacation rentals, and earn up to 5 percent more for incremental commissionable rentals for Avis and Budget as well as access to Budget’s lowest-available “association” rates; up to 5 percent more for incremental reservations at any of Cendant’s nine affiliated hotel brands and 2 percent more for Lodging.com bookings processed through Galileo’s e-Agent.  Travel agencies also secure a three-year financial incentive commitment at a reduced rate in exchange for Momentum’s multiple benefits.

“We’re excited that Mokihana Travel, Nittany Travel, Plaza Travel and Rubinsohn Travel have the vision and good business sense to join Momentum,” said Mitch Gross, executive vice president of Galileo International’s Americas region. “Momentum levels the playing field with full access to the best published fares and provides real opportunity to increase profits.  In today’s uncertain environment, that’s true competitive advantage.  We expect to continue building our Momentum with additional participants in the near term.” 

Related stories on ITN:

(22/01/2002) Galileo, Rosenbluth International, United Airlines and US Airways Join Forces to Deliver Momentum

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