-- Fully Automated Solution Expedites Refunds and Exchanges for Agency Partners and Airlines, Putting an End to the Manually Intensive, Time Consuming Process --
August 4, 2005 – Galileo International, Inc., a leading global distribution system (GDS), and subsidiary of Cendant Corp. (NYSE: CD) has simplified the process for travel agents refunding or exchanging a ticket with the introduction of ARNE (Automated Refund and Exchanges). ARNE expedites the refund and exchange processes while increasing the accuracy of all transactions through automation and user-friendly functionality.
ARNE makes complex recalculations easier and more accurate with the elimination of the manual process. By enabling agents to quickly and easily refund and exchange tickets, ARNE not only leaves more time for agents to focus on revenue-generating activities, but because of the speed and accuracy, it also helps raise the quality of customer service for agency customers.
“ARNE saves a lot of time and it's very easy to use. We no longer need to do pricing records to exchange partially used tickets, and ARNE automatically calculates refunds, both full and partial,” said Sherie Braun, General Manager, Carlson Wagonlit/Albany Travel. “This product is for everyone -- Use it once and you'll be hooked!”
“We are committed to the success of the travel agency channel and will continue to provide the solutions to help our partners succeed through the continual investments in the technology that powers their business. We built this productivity tool using the Cendant Travel Distribution Services SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) framework to provide our agency partners with flexible technology that can be tailored to suit their needs both today and into the future,” said Michael Ihle, vice president, Product Management, Galileo, Americas. “ARNE is the latest solution that clearly demonstrates how Galileo is combining the innovative tools, technology and content to help power an agency’s business.”
The combination of ARNE’s powerful business rules and Galileo 360° Fares enable an agent to automatically calculate and apply unused ticket values, yielding improved accuracy and consistency in the refund and exchange process with Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and US Airways, with other carriers to be added in the coming months. ARNE automatically calculates the residual value of the ticket, prices the new air segment for the exchange then displays the results to the travel agent in an intuitive screen for quick action. For airlines, this greater accuracy means lower auditing and collection costs, as well as reduced calls to their reservation and tariff desks.
About Galileo International:
Galileo International is a global technology leader. Its core business is providing electronic global distribution services for the travel industry through its computerized reservation systems, leading-edge products and innovative, Internet-based solutions. Galileo is a value-added distributor of travel inventory dedicated to supporting its travel supplier, agency and corporate customers and, through them, expanding traveler choice. A subsidiary of Cendant Corporation and part of Cendant's Travel Distribution Services Division, Galileo is headquartered in Parsippany, NJ, and has offices worldwide. Visit www.galileo.com.
About Cendant Travel Distribution Services:
Cendant Corporation’s (NYSE: CD) Travel Distribution Services Division, is one of the world’s largest and most geographically diverse collections of travel brands and distribution businesses. The division, employing nearly 9,000 people in approximately 120 countries, includes: a leading (GDS) global distribution system (Galileo), serving more than 44,000 travel agencies and over 60,000 hotels; hotel distribution and services businesses (Neat Group®, THOR®, TRUST and WizCom®); leading online travel agencies (CheapTickets®, ebookers.com®, HotelClub.com, Lodging.com, Orbitz®, and RatesToGo.com); an airline market intelligence company (Shepherd Systems); an international travel technology and software company (Travelwire); a leading international provider of long-haul air travel and travel product consolidator (Travel 2®/Travel 4®); online global corporate travel management solutions (Orbitz for Business® and Travelport®); and a leading wholesaler and global online provider of hotels, destination services, travel packages and group tours (Gullivers Travel Associates, OctopusTravel.com® and Travel Bound, Inc.).
Media Contact:
Cendant Travel Distribution Services
Galileo Americas Inquiries
Sarah Berger or Jill Brenner
(973) 496-5870
TDS.CorpCom@cendant.com