NEW YORK -- Biztravel.com said it became the first on-line travel
agency to secure negotiated hotel rates for subscribers.
The on-line
agency said it also secured exclusive airline discounts for
business class travel.
Biztravel.com said discounts of 5% to 30% are now available at
about 8,000 hotels worldwide. The program allows subscribers to get
rates on par with large corporations or negotiated hotel programs
at major travel agencies.
"Biztravel.com recognizes that business travelers want to save
money too," said John Williams Jr., president of Biztravel.com. "By
providing our members with a unique collection of exclusive offers
and travel deals we are ensuring that they get substantial savings
when booking their airfare and hotel rooms through
Biztravel.com."
Major hotel chains are offering negotiated rates through the
site, including Hilton, Sheraton, Radisson and Westin.
The on-line agency said it is offering negotiated deals with
airlines including Air New Zealand, Aer Lingus and SAS. SAS is
offering discounts on business class travel and Aer Lingus is
offering $500 member rewards for roundtrip business class flights.
Travel on Aer Lingus must be completed by March 31.
The SAS discount is available from Newark, Chicago or Seattle to
any destination within Europe.
An Internet-based service that provides negotiated discounts
should draw from business travelers who work at small companies
that don't have formal travel programs or policy rules. Using the
Internet has been a sore point among many travel managers who worry
that employees will book away from corporate policies or use a
service other than the designated travel agency.
Biztravel.com said it is negotiating further discounts with
other airlines and will be announcing those soon. To obtain the
discounts, airfares and hotel rooms must be booked through the
site. Biztravel.com is a an approved agency by Airline Reporting
Corp., officials said.