Sabre provided further information to
agency subscribers about how to opt out of its Efficient Access
Solution (EAS), slated to go into effect Aug. 1, and confirmed that
there will be no incentive reduction for agencies that opt out.
The problem for
those agencies, however, is they dont know what content they will
get or whether participating airlines will impose new fees on
them.
In a message to
agencies obtained by Travel Weekly and posted on a Sabre agency Web
site, Sabre reiterated that EAS is optional, and that agencies will
be automatically enrolled in the program.
EAS reduces
incentives up to 80 cents per segment. 
The program
guarantees inventory from AirTran, Continental, Delta, Northwest,
United and US Airways [including America West].
American doesnt yet
have a new Sabre contract and so far is not in the program.
Americans contract with Sabre expires July 31 and an airline
spokesman said no active discussions are under way.
Sabre noted that
agencies that opt out may not get guaranteed access to
participating airlines published and Web fares, as well as your
agency negotiated rates and those of the corporate or government
clients you serve.
Non-EAS agencies
also are not assured of protection from service fees that a program
carrier might levy on bookings made through the Sabre GDS, Sabre
said.
Sabre also
cautioned that if an agency opts out, getting back in will be at
Sabres discretion, and may be under revised terms from those
currently offered.
To decline EAS
participation, agencies click on an Opt Out button in Sabres Agency
eServices Web site, the company informed subscribers. Agents can
expect an e-mail from Sabre within five days, confirming that they
have been removed from EAS.
Travel attorney
Mark Pestronk, who writes the Legal Briefs column for Travel Weekly, said he
sees no reason for Sabre agencies to participate in EAS at this
juncture, given all the uncertainties.
I see no reason to
believe that the opt-in terms will get worse later on and I see no
reason to believe that agencies wont be admitted into the program
later on, he said.
Pestronk added that
many Sabre agencies will be able to use a second GDS at little or
no cost and without breaching their Sabre contracts. He noted that
Sabres Simplicity Plan contracts have no productivity quotas, and
many Assured Vantage Plan contracts have such low quotas that these
agencies can make their quotas while still putting most bookings on
another GDS.
Some Assured
Vantage Plan and Optimal Earnings Program contracts, too, have high
quotas, but low penalties, giving some of these agencies
flexibility, as well.
But, stiff
penalties are the norm with high quota contracts, Pestronk said,
adding that these agencies face a $2.40-per-segment penalty if the
agency performs more than 5% or 10% of bookings through a GDS other
than Sabre.
To
contact reporter Dennis Schaal, send e-mail to [email protected].