America West Airlines
announced today a powerful new online resource
designed exclusively for travel agents that offers quick and convenient
access to all America West fares while allowing agents to keep their
booking data private. HPagentlink.com provides travel agencies an
efficient and cost-effective online solution for booking travel with no
transaction costs. With this site, travel agents can easily access all
America West fares, including Web specials, through the airline’s
innovative Low Fare Finder technology.

“HPagentlink is a great new tool for travel agents that gives them access
to all of America West’s every day low fares and Internet specials,” said
Scott Kirby, executive vice president, sales and marketing. “As the
nation’s second largest low-fare carrier, we worked closely with travel
agents to provide them the fares they need along with the functionality
necessary to integrate HPagentlink bookings into their normal business
processes. In addition, HPagentlink allows travel agents to keep their
booking information private.”

HPagentlink.com uses Airline Reporting Corporation (ARC) Direct
Connections technology to process transactions through ARC instead of
directly with the carrier. HPagentlink.com transactions are automatically
entered into the Interactive Agent Reporting (IAR) tool for reconciliation
through ARC. A five percent capped commission is offered on tickets issued
through HPagentlink.com, capped at $10 for one-way travel and $20 for
roundtrip travel. Commissions are paid via the agent’s weekly ARC report
using ARC Direct Connections—which means there’s no waiting for
commission payments and no follow-up required.

“ARC is proud to support this valuable new business model for America West
Airlines and travel agents,” said ARC President and CEO David R. B.
Collins, CTC. “Because HPagentlink transactions are settled through ARC
Direct Connections, all transactions appear in the agent’s ARC report,
enabling them to maintain current business practices.”

The travel-agent-friendly HPagentlink.com was developed with significant
and valuable input from the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA).

“ASTA has worked closely with America West to develop a booking tool that
effectively meets the needs of travel agents,” said ASTA President and CEO
Richard M. Copland, CTC. “As a result of this collaboration, HPagentlink
is a practical resource that provides travel agents with an outstanding
option for booking our mutual customers on America West. And by offering a
commission on tickets issued through HPagentlink, America West has shown
that it recognizes the importance of the agency community.”

Travel agencies enrolled in and currently eligible for America West’s
Agency AWArds incentive program may continue to take commissions from that
program when booking and ticketing through their GDS. Any agency is
eligible to earn commissions through HPagentlink.com, regardless of
enrollment or current eligibility status in Agency AWArds.
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