Expedia Inc. launched a private label booking solution called Worldwide
Travel Exchange (WWTE) and said AA.com, the American Airlines Web site, is
the first customer.
American will add hotel and car booking services to its site. Financial
arrangements were not disclosed.
WWTE is a division of Travelscape.com Inc., a subsidiary of Expedia, which is
being acquired by Barry Diller’s USA Networks Inc.
The hotel and car rentals at WWTE feature both negotiated and published rate
inventory and the operation offers live agent and e-mail support 24 hours a
day/seven days a week.
“Worldwide Travel Exchange allows us to expand our distribution and
strengthen the wholesale side of our business,” said Greg Slyngstad, senior
vice president of destinations for Expedia. “Offering a private label
solution to our travel industry partners opens up new distribution
opportunities we can send even more business to our hotel and car partners
and travelers ultimately will see even better deals.”
“In addition to booking air travel, managing their AADVANTAGE accounts and
checking special fares on AA.com, our customers will now have the added
convenience of making car and hotel reservations at the same time,” said John
Samuel, American’s vice president of customer technology.