Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Expedia

Online Travel Warfare To End Soon

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The war in online travel over basically who gets what & when continues this week with Delta Airlines snatching seats from Rick Seaney’s FareCompare, American Airlines going hog wild trying to engage on their own, and Google outlining (see Matt Cutts video below) how they can manually crucify websites for SPAM. Meanwhile travelers just want some price break justice.

Ticket Prices Skyrocket – Google Shrugs

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The online travel war between OTA’s, airlines, and other interested parties has grown into an industry damaging PR nightmare. American Airlines, Google, Expedia, all the major players may not realize how frustrating their power moves are for the little people. These companies are jeopardizing their own future, and that of developers all over the world.

Justice Department Poised to Nix Google Deal

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The Justice Department stands poised to nix Google’s acquisition of ITA proprietary software as FairSearch and other entities press the issue. Is Google becoming a monopoly? This is the overriding question on the minds of consumers, but what is on the government’s mind, this is what counts. With American Airlines’ recent ITA deal, exactly how will the Justice Department deal with the immense pressures being leveled? This online travel war is a far bigger confrontation than many realize.

Google’s Probability of Online Travel Success

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American Airlines and ITA penned a deal the other day which AA claims had nothing to do with Google’s acquisition of ITA technology. But the suggestion still remains as to what exactly Google is doing to fend off its opponents in the so called “Online Travel War.” Is Google silently orchestrating the downfall of Expedia and the others of FairSearch? Well, probably not anything so diabolical, but winning the ITA acquisition with underlying business relationships? This is not only possible, but probable.

Online Travel Aerial Warfare Update: American Sues Sabre

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The online airfare wars escalate as American files suit against Sabre in an attempt to force American’s “direct connect” initiative. With battle lines clearly drawn, can American Airlines win the real or PR war where going back to a closed system is concerned? Not likely, but the story is never the less interesting. Who will take American’s side is the burning question of the day?

Amadeus Enters the American Airlines Ticket Wars

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American Airlines started an online ticket war late last year they may not be able to finish. Now Amadeus is firing warning shots across the cockpits of airlines poised to go it via “direct connect” rather than relying on OTA’s to sell seats. In a bold but quiet move, one of the world’s biggest travel players takes sides with Expedia and Orbitz.

Getting There and Carried Away Airlines

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The recent war between online travel agents and major airlines heats up still more. But for the travel consumer, how will all this soap opera posturing effect prices and value? The answer is fairly simple, prices will go up, and services will go down. The trend to cut everything from jet fuel to aspirin is in place, and only a paradigm shift can alter that. Comparison pricing is the only consumer weapon for value. Expedia, Google, American Airlines, the customer, what is best for business only the customer can say.

Is American Airlines Spinning Out of Control?

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The shakeup for air travel bookings online continues today with American Airlines’ contention that their ticket sales have never been better – even without Orbitz and Expedia. The airline neglects to point out an email marketing initiative instigated simultaneously with dumping Orbitz, and the fact that ticket sales for every airline have risen these last few days. What is the customer to make of supposedly trusted travel partners when low blows are the trend?

Ski Deals 2011 – Choosing Your Booking Agent Online

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With dozens of online booking solutions available who can you truly trust to offer you the best value? Expedia? Kayak? Today’s report on Bulgarian ski getaways reveals a little bit about how you should book your next trip. Seeing the forest for the trees is not as easy as you think.

Are Airlines Unringing the Online Travel Bell?

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The war between online travel companies and airlines is heating up. Expedia counters American Airline’s move to dump Orbitz, as Delta begins its abandonment of smaller OTA’s. Can online travel giants win out over the service providers they actually depend on? Much depends on the customer in the end.

Microsoft Piggybacks On FairSearch Whining

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In a transparent move to block yet another Google business move, Microsoft joins the scaredy cats at FairSearch. Like a ravenous whining hyena, Microsoft once again nips at the heels of the Internet’s most profitable and powerful company.

Fear Google – Trust Expedia

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Google’s detractors huddle in Phoenix at this year’s PhoCusWright Conference to try an lobby allies. Fearing Google’s ITA acquisition will forever change the online travel game, some top travel execs seem willing to do anything to block the Internet’s biggest player.

Why the World Is Not Saying “Tripsay”

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When you see a development like Tripsay in the corner at the dance, you have to ask yourself; “Is everyone at this party stupod?” This Finnish travel development should have been either bought or adopted for any number of mainstream travel companies – but it wasn’t. Tripsay now intends to modularize their innovation so that mid sized players can compete with the likes of Expedia and TripAdvisor.

American Airlines Gut Punches Orbitz

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Travelport and Orbitz sue American Airlines over intended breakup of ticket sale deal. American wants exclusivity and no competition, while online travel companies demand choice for their customers. In what appears to be a move in protest of Travelport’s Southwest deal, AA aims to leverage their position. Meanwhile, Orbitz stocks tumble when they can afford it least.

New Google Travel Rumors, Buy Bid On Opodo

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Rumors are about suggesting Google may be in the market for online travel portal Opodo. If the news that Amadeus is selling one of its travel units are true, a bidding war between some key financial and online travel players may ensue. Google’s ITA transaction has many people concerned that the Internet giant may dominate the online travel game.