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IATA Signatory Letter

Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:42:27 -0400

Mr. Tony Tyler

Director General & CEO

International Air Transport Association

33 route de l’Aéroport

1215 Genève 15

Suisse

Dear Mr. Tyler,

We the undersigned travel managers, travel agency executives and other industry stakeholders from around the world have reviewed the statements by the IATA Annual General Meeting (AGM) regarding Resolution 787, and the included New Distribution Capability (NDC), that were issued by the AGM in Cape Town on 3 June 2013. We have also reviewed IATA’s related explanations of the assurances the AGM sought to provide.

We welcome your declarations when you say, for example, "NDC will not eliminate comparison shopping," and that, "it will enable passengers to compare the base fare as well as the cost of all the options that are available."

We seek to encourage IATA as well as other market participants in pursuing all manner of innovation in travel distribution. If IATA could provide more specifics about the components of the new assurances by the AGM and how these assurances would be incorporated in an amended Resolution 787, then we could consider adding our voices of support to Resolution 787 and NDC.

Industry Comments About BTC

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 11:00:31 -0400

“I was an attorney on Capitol Hill working for a Member of Congress when I first began teaming up with Kevin. Kevin was advocating on behalf of business travelers at a time when major air carriers had a lock on prices for business travelers. Kevin very effectively garnered support among lawmakers and media to begin addressing the impact of high fares on communities and businesses alike. His work helped lay the groundwork for low-cost carriers like jet Blue to enter numerous under-served markets around the country.” - Stuart Spencer, Esq.

“Kevin is a tireless advocate for the interests of business travelers in the US and globally. He regularly produces thought-provoking proposals for change in the industry and has become a regular in testimony before Congressional committees on business travel related issues.” - Paul Ruden, Sr VP-Legal & Industry Affairs, American Society of Travel Agents

“I have worked with Kevin on numerous projects and would highly recommend him. In each campaign project he embarks on he does so with so much passion, energy and tenacity that I'm always glad I'm on his side!” - Paul Tilstone, Chief Executive, Institute of Travel Management

WE the PEOPLE FAQ

Fri, 23 Nov 2012 12:42:32 -0500

Who Is Involved With This Campaign?

Several travel industry and consumer groups collaborated in conceptualizing and organizing this initiative. The campaign model is a decidedly decentralized one in that any organization is free to copy any and all of this website's information and tools to their own webpages to use with their various constituencies.

Is The Campaign Against Airline Fees?

No. We are not opposed to airline ancillary fees per se as they can offer consumers choice and airlines sustainable, profitable revenue streams, which is important. We are deeply concerned, however, that since 2008 U.S. consumers have been stripped of the ability to efficiently comparison shop multiple airlines’ offerings of the “all-in” price of travel (base fares and fees) and to purchase the complete air travel product in whatever sales channels airlines choose to offer their base fares.

Are Not Airline Fees Required To Be Disclosed By The U.S. DOT?

DOT took an important but limited step in requiring airlines to disclose checked baggage fees on their websites. However, some 50 percent of consumers use local travel agencies and national online travel companies while 95 percent of corporate travelers use travel management companies and online booking tools, and they need to purchase more that just checked baggage services. Airlines have refused to provide these agencies with checked baggage or any other ancillary fee information in a useful, saleable format.

Technology Companies

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:07:22 -0500

COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT

Please find draft communications below that can be copied, pasted and modified:

1 - letter to clients

2 - press release

2 - newsletter

1. LETTER TO CLIENTS

Dear Valued Client,

As you are acutely aware, since 2008 most major U.S. airlines have been charging for ancillary services and have been hiding associated fees by withholding information from travel agencies, TMCs and CTDs. As such, efficient comparison shopping is not possible among competing airline offers nor is transacting a complete trip without having to go to different airline websites to search for service fees and pay for them separately. Significantly, corporate travel managers, airlines’ most valued customers, have been demanding this fee information from airlines without success for 5 years, a vivid indication of a failing market.

There is reason for hope though! On your behalf, [organization] has joined a broad coalition of travel industry and consumer groups and petitioned the White House in an official “WE the PEOPLE” petition-campaign. We are requesting that true air travel comparison-shopping be restored for all consumers through an anticipated early 2013 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). I encourage you to join our coalition too.

Travel Agencies

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:06:49 -0500

COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT

Please find draft communications below that can be copied, pasted and modified:

1 - letter to customers

2 - press release

2 - newsletter

1. LETTER TO CUSTOMERS

Dear Valued Customer,

Since 2008 most major U.S. airlines have been charging for ancillary services such as for checked bags and have been hiding the associated fees by withholding information from travel agencies. As such, we are not able to efficiently comparison shop among competing airline offers and transact a complete trip without having to go to different airline websites to search for the service fees and pay for them separately.

There is reason for hope though! On your behalf, [agency] has joined a broad coalition of travel industry and consumer groups and petitioned the White House in an official “WE the PEOPLE” petition. We are requesting that true air travel comparison-shopping be restored for all consumers through an anticipated early 2013 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

TMCS

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:06:10 -0500

COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT

Please find draft communications below that can be copied, pasted and modified:

1 - letter to clients

2 - press release

2 - newsletter

1. LETTER TO CLIENTS

Dear Corporate Client,

As you are aware, since 2008 most major U.S. airlines have been charging for ancillary services and have been hiding associated fees by withholding information from TMCs. As such, we are not able to efficiently comparison shop among competing airline offers and transact a complete trip without having to go to different airline websites to search for the service fees and pay for them separately. Significantly, corporate travel managers, airlines’ most valued customers, have been demanding this fee information from airlines without success for 5 years, a vivid indication of a failing market.

Travel Agency Consortia

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:05:58 -0500

COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT

Please find draft communications below that can be copied, pasted and modified:

1 - letter to members

2 - press release

3 - newsletter

1. LETTER TO MEMBERS

Dear Agency Member,

As you are abundantly aware, since 2008 most major U.S. airlines have been charging for ancillary services and have been hiding associated fees by withholding information from the travel agency channel. It's important for all of us to recognize the severe risk associated with the fragmentation, operational disruption, client frustration and added costs caused by a passive industry endorsement of airlines’ positions on ancillary fees.

[Organization] has joined a broad coalition of industry groups and petitioned the White House in an official “WE the PEOPLE” petition. We are requesting that true air travel comparison-shopping be restored for all consumers through an anticipated early 2013 DOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). I urge you to join our coalition as well and represent your and your clients’ interests.

Travel Associations

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:05:26 -0500

COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT

Please find draft communications below that can be copied, pasted and modified:

1 - letter to members

2 - press release

3 - newsletter

1. LETTER TO MEMBERS

Dear Association Member,

As you are abundantly aware, since 2008 most major U.S. airlines have been charging for ancillary services and have been hiding associated fees by withholding information from TMCs. As such, TMCs are not able to efficiently comparison shop among competing airline offers and transact a complete trip without having to go to different airline websites to search for service fees and pay for them separately. Corporate travel managers, airlines’ most valued customers, have been demanding this fee information from airlines without success for 5 years, a vivid indication of a failing market.

There is reason for hope though! [Organization] has joined a broad coalition of airline travel management companies, travel agencies, consumers, consumer groups, corporate travel departments and travel industry associations and petitioned the White House in an official “WE the PEOPLE” petition-campaign. We are requesting that true air travel comparison-shopping be restored for all consumers through an anticipated early 2013 DOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

Consumer Groups

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:04:44 -0500

COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT

Please find draft communications below that can be copied, pasted and modified:

1 - letter to members

2 - press release

2 - newsletter

1. LETTER TO MEMBERS

Dear Member,

As you likely know, for the past few years most major U.S. airlines have begun charging separately for a variety of services like checking bags that used to be included in the price of a ticket. While the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken some important steps to increase the transparency of these fees on airline websites, much more needs to be done.

Today, if you call your travel agency or use an online agency you will not be able to quickly comparison shop among competing airline offers and purchase a complete trip without your travel agent or you having to go to different airline websites to search for service fees and pay for them separately. This maddening process exists because airlines refuse to provide agencies with fee information that enables side-by-side comparison-shopping and purchasing. As we know all too well, there is great profit in consumer confusion!

Consumers

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 14:00:27 -0500

COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT

Please find draft communications below that can be copied, pasted and modified:

1 - social media alert to family and friends requesting support

2 - email to all contacts

1. SOCIAL MEDIA ALERT TO FAMILY & FRIENDS

To secure 25,000 signatures by December 25 will require a considerable effort. Please consider using social media to spread the word about this campaign. A 140-character message like the one suggested below to all your contacts would be very helpful.

Just signed White House petition for full disclosure of airline fees; please consider doing so too! http://bit.ly/ZPE3Uk #HiddenAirlineFees

2. EMAIL TO ALL CONTACTS

Hi Everyone,

I just signed onto a White House-sponsored “We the People” petition calling for airlines to fully disclose their fees for checked bags, seat assignments and other services so that we can see, compare and buy the complete air travel package in one place without having to search a bunch of airline sites. I hope you can sign the petition too.

In early 2013 the U.S. Department of Transportation will propose a new rule to address this airline fee problem and send it to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review. Having the White House aware of the maddening experience consumers must endure when buying air travel, and having them encourage a strong DOT rule, would be very helpful.

Corporate Travel Managers

Sat, 17 Nov 2012 10:47:29 -0500

COMMUNICATIONS TOOLKIT

Please find draft communications below that can be copied, pasted and modified:

1 - memo to corporate senior management explaining the travel department's involvement

2 - note to a company's travelers explaining how to get involved

3 - message to a travel department's TMC urging its leadership in this campaign

4 - letter to local and national travel and purchasing associations counseling engagement

5 - email to managed travel colleagues encouraging their involvement

6 - social media alert to family and friends requesting support

7 - press release

8 - newsletter

1. SENIOR MANAGEMENT MEMO

To: [senior management]

From: [travel manager]

Date: [ ]

Subject: Restoring Air Travel Comparison Shopping

I want to bring to your attention an initiative being organized by Business Travel Coalition that [company’s] travel department will be participating in. This is an official White House “WE the PEOPLE” petition. We are asking that true air travel comparison-shopping be restored for customers through an early 2013 U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

Since 2008, most U.S. airlines have been charging for so-called ancillary services, such as for accessing premium seating, and have been hiding associated fees by withholding information from travel management companies (TMCs). As such, travel agents and travelers cannot efficiently compare the prices of alternatives and must visit numerous airline websites. Major corporate customers have been demanding this fee information from airlines without success for 5 years.

Services

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:28:31 -0400

Kevin Mitchell Group

BTC has quietly offered many advisory and business services to the travel industry over the past 19 years. During Q4 2013 we will be moving these offerings under a new organization called the Kevin Mitchell Group (KMG) to enable a more aggressively promotion of these services without causing confusion in the marketplace regarding BTC's mission.

Services currently provided by BTC that will be offered under KMG will include:

- White Label Daily Travelogue (Celebrating 10 years this year!)

- White Label Week In Review

- Customized News Terminals

- Keynote Presentations & Educational Workshops

- Issue Advocacy Campaign Consulting

- Advertising on the BTC and KMG Websites

- Commissioned Research

- TMC Branding

- Customized TMC Management & Sales Industry Workshops

- New Product Launches

- PR Campaign Design & Execution

- Start-Up Consulting

- Executive Placement

- Board of Directors Search

- Association Management

TEMPLATE

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:26:40 -0400

June 3, 2013

Travelogue

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:50:13 -0400

June 19, 2013

Travelocity sells corporate business to BCD Travel Travel Weekly

Travel management company BCD Travel has acquired Travelocity Business, Travelocity’s corporate travel agency. Travelocity Business, widely known as TBiz, will continue serving clients under the TBiz brand. BCD Travel said the TBiz team brings “creative talents” to the company, “further paving the way for expanded innovation for clients.” “We’re a growth-oriented company and see this move as a smart, strategic acquisition,” said Mike Janssen, president of BCD Travel’s Americas region.

Delta, United and Southwest Airlines hint at mixed fortunes for 2Q 2013 CAPA

Three of the major US carriers are expressing dissimilar views of their respective forecasts for 2Q2013 as Delta believes it could again achieve record results for the quarter after posting its first profitable quarter in a decade during 1Q2013. United has a more neutral view of the current operating environment, and is remaining more tight lipped about its prospects for 2Q while Southwest is expressing a cautious outlook as it is stimulating passengers at the expense of suffering weaker yields.

BTCgram

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:59:50 -0400

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Aug 30, 2011 7:11 PM

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Aug 30, 2011 7:05 PM

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Jul 30, 2011 6:59 PM

Contact

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:21:06 -0400

Kevin Mitchell

Chairman
Business Travel Coalition, Inc.
214 Grouse Lane, Radnor, PA 19087
Phone: 610.999.9247

Note: To prevent spam, the email address above is an image, not a link. You will need to make note of the address and type it into the address field of a new email message.

Documents

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 11:40:38 -0400

Press Room

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:45:34 -0400

Netvibes

Mon, 23 May 2011 15:11:50 -0400

Join BTC

Sun, 22 May 2011 09:54:39 -0400