SAN DIEGO — Orbitz next year will offer the American Express Retail Travel network access to its merchant hotel rates with a guaranteed 12% commission.
The access is the latest dimension to the partnership the two companies entered into last month, with Orbitz to power American Express’ consumer travel website, replacing Travelocity during the second half of 2012.
The multiyear hotel agreement will give agents access to tens of thousands of properties in Orbitz’s program.
“Now you can offer the same low rates that your customer finds online and get 12% commission,” said Ellen Bettridge, vice president of the American Express Retail Travel network.
Ronnie Gurion, Orbitz Worldwide's distribution president, told agents that Orbitz would not be able to access their customer information.
“We are not trying to take your customers,” he said. “We want to give you access to our inventory.”
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