Leading Online Travel Company Announces Deal with ExpenseWire in Continued Effort to Help Customers Manage Spend in Tightening Economy CHICAGO, July 29
CHICAGO, July 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Record costs for jet fuel and a
soft economy have forced many airlines, business travelers and corporate
travel programs to explore and implement aggressive cost-cutting measures in
2008. With industry data showing continued increases for both average
domestic airfare and the average daily rate for hotels, Orbitz for Business
(http://www.orbitzforbusiness.com) today unveiled a ranking of the top
business travel markets in which these costs have demonstrated price
fluctuations, including increases and decreases in business traveler spending.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070813/AQM125LOGO)
Average Air Transactions
Orbitz for Business, a leading online corporate travel company serving
more than one million business travelers, used year-to-date client bookings to
determine this newest trend in traveler spending. For example, based on
Orbitz for Business transactions, the market that has seen the greatest
percentage increase dollar-wise in average airfare is Columbus, Ohio; while
Salt Lake City, Utah, tops the list of cities on a percentage basis that have
seen their average airfare decrease in 2008.
Top 10 Business Travel Markets Where Average Cost For Air Travel Has
Increased or Decreased*
IncreasedDecreased
1. Columbus, OH 1. Salt Lake City, UT
2. Toronto, Canada2. Los Angeles, Calif.
3. New York City (all airports) 3. London, England
4. Houston, Texas 4. San Antonio, Texas
5. Newark, N.J. 5. St. Louis, MO
6. Minneapolis, Minn. 6. Atlanta, GA.
7. Indianapolis, Ind. 7. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
8. Detroit, Mich. 8. Seattle, Wash.
9. Richmond, Va. 9. San Jose, Calif.
10. Cleveland, OH 10. Portland, Ore.
* Based on percentage increases and decreases for 2008 Orbitz for Business
bookings that included a minimum of 1,000 air transactions per market
The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics shows the average domestic
airfare increased 4.5 percent through the first quarter of 2008.
Additionally, Consumer Price Index data lists the average domestic airfare
increasing an additional 4.5 percent in June alone, its largest monthly
increase since March 2000. In contrast, the average air transaction among
Orbitz for Business' customers has increased less than two percent (1.55%)
thus far (through July 23) in 2008 over the same time period last year.
Average Daily Rates -- Hotel
According to Smith Travel Research, a leading provider of data and
information in the hospitality industry, the average daily rate for hotels in
the U.S. is up five percent in 2008. But while some may be paying more for
lodging, Orbitz for Business hotel bookings also reflect percentage decreases
in spending (measured by average daily rate) in a number of top markets,
including New York City, Boston, San Francisco and Dallas.
Top 10 Business Travel Markets Where Average Daily Hotel Rate Spending
Has Increased or Decreased*
IncreasedDecreased
1. Pittsburgh, Pa. 1. Dallas, Texas
2. Sacramento, Calif. 2. Las Vegas, Nev.
3. Toronto, Canada 3. San Diego, Calif.
4. Charlotte, N.C. 4. Phoenix, Ariz.
5. Minneapolis, Minn. 5. New Orleans, La.
6. St. Louis, MO. 6. Cleveland, OH
7. Orlando, Fla. 7. Baltimore, MD.
8. Tampa, Fla. 8. San Francisco, Calif.
9. Columbus, OH9. New York City
10. Washington, D.C.10. Boston, Mass.
* Based on percentage increases and decreases for 2008 Orbitz for
Business bookings that included a minimum of 1,000 hotel room nights
per market
A recent Orbitz for Business and Business Traveler Magazine survey found
that more than two-thirds (68%) of travelers say they are now staying at
less-expensive/lower star-rated hotels as a means to save money.
"It's interesting that in some key markets where customers are spending
more on airfare their hotel spend is down, with New York City serving as a
prime example," said Dean Sivley, COO and senior vice president, Orbitz for
Business. "Some spending increases are inevitable in our current travel
climate, however we've been very proactive in integrating cost saving products
and initiatives to help our customers best manage their travel programs."
Orbitz for Business Announces Agreement with ExpenseWire
Orbitz for Business also announced today an agreement with ExpenseWire(R),
a Rearden Commerce company, to provide its leading expense management solution
to Orbitz for Business customers. ExpenseWire and Orbitz for Business will be
providing seamless integration from Orbitz for Business travel bookings,
giving customers valuable benefits including:
-- Credit Card Integration -- users can set up personal and corporate
cards to move transactions directly from credit cards to expense reports.
-- Integrated Travel Itineraries -- integration allows expense reports to
be created automatically based on trips and itineraries.
By pre-populating expense reports with trip and credit card information,
the ExpenseWire solution will provide companies greater control of travel and
entertainment expenses. ExpenseWire is the latest tool that will be
integrated by Orbitz for Business, and is designed to reduce costs and help
customers manage an optimally efficient travel program.
"The automatic matching of booked travel rates with those being charged
through credit cards and expense reporting is a tremendous time-saver and
benefit for our customers, further ensuring accuracy and control," Sivley
said. "ExpenseWire is a tool, along with a number of other offerings we've
launched this year, that's helping many of our customers achieve record-high
adoption levels and increased cost savings in a challenging economic
environment."
In 2008 alone, Orbitz for Business has implemented an array of products,
tools and resources to help corporate travel programs best manage spending,
while continuing to conduct business travel. In addition to ExpenseWire,
Orbitz for Business recently launched the following:
-- Southwest Airlines content -- the addition of another leading low-cost
carrier, offering service to 64 cities in 32 states. Orbitz for Business is
one of the only online companies that provides managed corporate customers the
ability to load Southwest's Rapid Rewards accounts into their corporate
traveler profiles. Southwest Airlines is currently available to Orbitz for
Business -- advanced policy customers only, and planned to be available for
all Orbitz for Business customers in Q3 2008.
-- Online Meetings Management and Event Planning -- gives customers
desktop control over meeting and event planning; delivers cost savings,
seamless travel booking functionality and more.
-- Real-time Reporting -- gives travel administrators greater cost
control through data reporting and tracking, and the latest dashboard
technology to improve travel spend. Offers customers data consolidation,
payment card data and access to advanced business intelligence.
The first quarter of 2008 was Orbitz for Business' best ever in terms of
new business sold, and followed the fourth quarter of 2007, in which the
company doubled its new business from the previous year.
"This is a time when I believe more and more companies are recognizing the
true value of a managed corporate travel program and a strategic partner like
Orbitz for Business," Sivley said.
About Orbitz for Business
Orbitz for Business (http://www.orbitzforbusiness.com) is the corporate
travel brand of Orbitz Worldwide. Launched in 2002, Orbitz for Business was
one of the first full-service managed business travel programs offered by an
online agency. Orbitz for Business includes a portfolio of business travel
products for small to large companies. Its products include self-managed
services for small business, managed travel services with fulfillment and
service support and international capabilities.
About Orbitz Worldwide
Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW) is a leading global online travel company
that uses innovative technology to enable leisure and business travelers to
research, plan and book a broad range of travel products. Orbitz Worldwide
owns and operates a portfolio of consumer brands that includes Orbitz
(http://www.orbitz.com), CheapTickets (http://www.cheaptickets.com), ebookers
(http://www.ebookers.com), HotelClub (http://www.hotelclub.com), RatesToGo
(http://www.ratestogo.com), the Away Network (http://www.away.com), and
corporate travel brand Orbitz for Business (http://www.orbitzforbusiness.com).
For more information on how your company can partner with Orbitz Worldwide,
visit http://corp.orbitz.com/.
About ExpenseWire
The ExpenseWire(R) application sets a new bar for expense management. It
simplifies and automates the process of filing, reviewing, approving and
reimbursing employee expense reports online. It provides organizations the
business insight and process control they require to reduce costs and
strategically manage expenses. ExpenseWire's on-demand solution can be
deployed quickly and integrates easily with travel booking tools and other
third party applications. ExpenseWire(R) is a brand of Rearden Commerce, Inc.
(http://www.reardencommerce.com). To learn more about how ExpenseWire
delivers on the promise of expense automation, visit
http://www.expensewire.com.
SOURCE Orbitz for Business
