CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- US Airways' decision to pull out of Expedia is
a minor inconvenience for consumers, who can buy US Airways tickets
elsewhere, but it's a major headache for Harvard University.
Expedia Corporate Travel is the university's travel agency, and
US Airways is Harvard's preferred carrier for its top two city
pairs, Boston-New York and Boston-Washington.
And Harvard is not happy about being caught in the crossfire
between two warring vendors.
"We've expressed our frustration with both partners," said
Priscilla Campbell, Harvard's director of travel and reimbursement.
"In the meantime, we've committed to an alternative for
travelers."
Harvard's travelers still can book US Airways with Expedia, they just
can't do it themselves. Instead, they can call an Expedia corporate
agent, who makes the reservation the old-fashioned way -- on the
GDS. Normally, that service costs $20, but Expedia is charging the
$5 online transaction price for US Airways phone bookings.
"Expedia is trying to accommodate us, but the ultimate solution
is Expedia and US Airways working this out quickly," Campbell said.
She added that Harvard wants a guarantee from Expedia and preferred
vendors that any disputes involving Expedia's consumer Web site
don't disrupt Harvard's travel program in the future.
To contact reporter Jerry Limone, send e-mail to [email protected].