MENLO PARK, Calif. -- GetThere.com and Verizon Wireless formed an alliance
that makes it possible for customers of both corporations to
receive travel updates and make itinerary revisions on their
Web-enabled cellular phones.
Under the terms of the agreement, Verizon's Mobile Web service,
which was launched on July 17, will feature a GetThere link.
GetThere's wireless travel provides service to customers of Bell
Mobility, Sprint PCS, NeoPoint and Phone.com.
Verizon has more than 25 million customers using its wireless
voice and data services.
According to Andrea Linsky, a spokeswoman for Verizon Wireless,
Mobile Web consists of 32 branded partners, including E*Trade, Barnes &
Noble and Hollywood.com.
Verizon customers who subscribe to Mobile Web pay $6.95 a month
and can access any of the 32 Web sites. Verizon is offering a free
three-month trial that is in effect now, according to Linsky.
To use Mobile Web, customers must first visit www.myvzw.com to
establish a profile and choose the Web services they want on their
handset.
GetThere customers, or customers of suppliers that use
GetThere's on-line technology (United.com, for example), must log
on to GetThere.com or a Web site powered by GetThere's booking
engine. Then the user enters a six-digit number issued by
Verizon.
The number creates an association between the handset and the
content provider. Once the connection is made, the customer has
access to information about flight status and flight schedules on
his or her Web-enabled phone.
For example, the traveler can get scheduled departure and
arrival times, actual departure and arrival times, gate numbers,
baggage claim numbers and explanations of delays.
The traveler also can view previous bookings, including
information about flight segments, car reservations and hotel
stays. In addition, GetThere's wireless service features a
rebooking function.
Unrestricted flights can be changed to a different flight
leaving earlier or later on the same day, according to
GetThere.