Galileo Subscribers Worldwide Will Receive Comprehensive Pricing at Time of Car Rental Booking Through an Enhancement to CarMasterTM Called “Approximate Total”
PARSIPPANY, NJ– Galileo International, Inc., a leading global distribution system (GDS) and subsidiary of Cendant Corp. (NYSE: CD), today announced an enhancement to CarMaster called Approximate Total, which provides Galileo-connected agencies with a more accurate approximate total on car rentals by including virtually all applicable charges before the reservation is confirmed. This efficiency yields enhanced productivity and improved customer service for Galileo-connected agencies by providing to the agent and customer applicable charges for a rental car, inclusive of the base rate, taxes, surcharges, mandatory fees and any applicable drop charges. A consumer can still add extra services upon check-in which will be incremental to the Approximate Total.
Over the years additional charges on rental car agreements have increased the variance in the rental quote at time of reservation and the actual price paid by the customer. Approximate Total allows Galileo-connected agents to provide better customer service by more properly managing customers’ expectations of total car rental charges.
“We designed Approximate Total to support the needs of Galileo-connected agencies, their clientele, and our valued car rental suppliers. More closely approximating the true price of a car rental during the booking process alleviates any last minute surprises, confusion or frustration at pick-up for agency customers,” said Eileen Kennedy, vice president, Marketing, the Americas, Galileo. “This new enhancement to CarMaster continues Galileo’s commitment to offer our customers a more comprehensive approach when shopping and booking travel through the Apollo system.”
“We look to Galileo to develop solutions that help us effectively drive our business, and with this enhancement they have delivered again. Approximate Total not only improves our car rental booking functionality, but actually simplifies processes for our agents by providing instant access to more accurate, comprehensive pricing, as well as complete listings of the rental policies,” said Lee Granger, AAA Travel, Managing Director, Travel Technology.
Previously, an approximate total has been available on single car vendor availability screens only, requiring agents to make separate availability requests for each car vendor. With this enhancement, agents can compare and contrast multiple car vendors based upon total charges, all on the same screen, thereby reducing shopping and booking time and improving efficiency.
The Approximate Total functionality is also being implemented by Cendant subsidiary CheapTickets.
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 (NYSE: CD) 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 global distribution services (GDS) company (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.).
About AAA:
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides its 48 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services, and member-only savings. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA Travel’s more than 1,000 full-service travel agency locations serve members and other clients across the United States and Canada. With more than $3 billion in sales in 2004, AAA is the nation’s largest travel agency dedicated to leisure travelers.
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Media Contact:
Cendant Travel Distribution Services
Galileo Americas Inquiries
Sarah Berger or Jill Brenner
(973) 496-5870
TDS.CorpComm@cendant.com