Novel approach to keeping travel agents on their toes - fine the hell out of 'em

As Leftfield, one of FlightGlobal's blogs says: "Airlines may say they love travel agents, and maybe they do, but they have an odd way of showing it."

Delta Airlines is making sure agencies tow the line by double-checking all bookings they make via a GDS for errors.

But the carrier will not just send a strongly worded email for cock-ups or other misdemeanors, oh no.

Passive bookings (ghost bookings) will see the agent charged $3.50.

Hmm. That's quite steep.

But a bank-busting $50 will slapped on agents automatically (via the Airlines Reporting Corp) if they make an invalid name-change to a booking or are found to be making naughty block bookings - which it calls "duplicative, fraudulent, fictitious, and speculative reservations" - to reserve fares.

Ouch!

Be warned - The Airlines Strike Back!

Kevin May, editor, Travolution

Technorati tags: delta travel agent GDS

Search and social networking convergence

Search and social networking are becoming one and the same says Google's managing director, north American travel sector, Rob Torres.

More than 40% of the US population is on a social network and it seems it's an even greater volume in the UK.

It's not all teenagers either - 74% of 26 to 33 year olds use a social network each month and more than 40% of the audience on youtube is more than 35 years old.

There are already some great examples out there of travel and social networking converging such as the New Zealand 100% Pure campaign on youtube and similarly Delta Airlines flight safety video.

Torres says: "It is self perpetuating and there are so many more touch points to reach the consumer than ever before."

For the travel industry there's a huge opportunity to get involved and 'have fun with it.'

"It is one the largest free focus group you have."

Torres leaves us with this pearl: "If you're afraid to get involved with this because of your brand then you're missing the point."

Linda Fox, lead reporter, Travolution

YouTube will punish you when you mess up

Proof here, if it was ever needed, that user-generated content is becoming as powerful as any official marketing message - but often for the wrong reasons.

In other words: if you are going to mess up (and in the most appalling way by Delta Airlines in this case, when they kept passengers waiting on the tarmac at JFK for seven hours), make sure the man in row 35 is not filming the whole thing.

...and will happily upload the clip to YouTube.

The whole ordeal is compressed into seven unbelievable minutes. Shocking...



Kevin May, editor, Travolution

Hat-tip: Tim Hughes

Technorati tags: JFK delta aircraft