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NTL Launches Payment Solution for Travel Centres

NTL Business
(Travel Division) announces the launch of a new payment system for Advantage Travel Centres, Europe`s biggest network of independent travel agents.


Due to go live in April, Central Advantage Payment System (CAPS) will enable Advantage members to settle accounts with operators electronically with a single payment and view balances. NTL Business (Travel Division) will host and manage the system, which agents can access through its network, via an extranet on the Advantage website or through Traveleye - the travel industry`s foremost selling system for agents. 


NTL Business (Travel Division) is the market leader in payment solutions for the travel industry. The company created ABTA`s Single Payment Scheme (SPS), Travel Agents Independent Payment System (TIPS) for the Travel Trust Association and independent agencies, and ACAS for the Worldchoice consortium. These solutions are used by over 4000 agencies across the UK and have handled over £1.5bn worth of holiday revenues since creation.


Over 75% of Advantage members have signed in advance to CAPS, with the agency group`s Executive expressing its confident belief that all Advantage members will harness the system. CAPS will significantly reduce costs and streamline financial administration for Advantage`s independent agencies, allowing more time to focus on customer enquiries and bookings. Tour operators will be charged for CAPS on a transaction basis by NTL Business (Travel Division), and all revenue made by Advantage on usage of the system will be used to fund advertising throughout the year.”


Roger Smith, Advantage`s President commented: “CAPS is an enormous financial breakthrough that will go to the heart of Advantage agents` working practices, bringing them substantial cost-savings, reduced administration and a host of other benefits. NTL Business (Travel Division) was our obvious choice of partner for this project, because of its experience and market-leadership in creating industry-wide payment systems.”

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Jill Cox, NTL Business` Head of Marketing, Travel said: “Our deal with Advantage underlines NTL Business (Travel Division)`s position as market leader in the creation of industry-wide payment systems, and confirms our role at the centre of the leisure travel industry.

“We are pleased to be working with Advantage, and look forward to delivering a powerful commercial tool to its agency base.”


Related stories on ITN:

(11/02/2003) Internet to Become Dominant Reservations Channel Say Agents in NTL Business

(28/01/2003) NTL Business Launches Ferry Portal

(18/12/2003) NTL Business Announces Partnership with Voyager

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