HOSPITALITY TRENDS
businesswire | May 19, 2023
Global payments provider Elavon has partnered with The Digital Line (TDL) on a voice-activated solution for the hospitality industry.
The solution – Audico – utilises the Amazon Alexa device to deliver a variety of voice-driven services. Elavon is the exclusive payments provider for the Audico solution in hospitality, globally.
Hemlata Narasimhan, Elavon Merchant Services President in Europe, says, “Virtual assistant technology is the future of hospitality, and we’re thrilled to be powering the payments behind Audico. This is all about improving the customer experience, and a large part of this is seamless payments. We’re pleased to be partnering with Amazon’s approved partner The Digital Line to make this happen.”
Audico is unique in the UK market, and has already been implemented at the world-famous Ascot Racecourse in Southeast England, where premium customers can call for betting services, order food and drinks, and purchase merchandise from their private boxes all with a few simple words to Alexa. The audible command is then relayed to staff as a Card Not Present transaction, and payment is made using a pre-determined account preference such as a credit card.
Audico is also being explored as a room service solution in hotels, and in premium hospitality areas at other venues and stadiums, as well as providing a landmark series of services in the health care industry.
George Vaughan, The Digital Line’s CEO, says, “This partnership represents a unique opportunity for two recognised brands to collaborate on initiatives that will revolutionise multiple business verticals, including hospitality, venues and health care, delivering a level of digital transformation not seen before.”
About The Digital Line
A commercial research, information, and technical innovation consulting firm, The Digital Line (TDL) has a specific interest in venues, hospitality, retail, education, and healthcare. TDL offers a full range of professional services to help companies in various industries create their plans for upcoming technological endeavours and support the deployment of critical projects in a more creative and cost-effective manner.
TDL also collaborates with cutting-edge businesses, products, and institutions, placing it at the forefront of the latest wave of technical advancements and because of its intelligent integration of private, public, and academic entities, is able to push the limits of disruptive digital technologies.
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BUSINESS TRAVEL
prnewswire | April 11, 2023
Spirit Airlines is offering frequent travelers a fast-track to the best benefits of the Free Spirit program, including free carry-on and checked bags, seat selection, onboard snacks and drinks and other valuable perks. The airline today announced a new partnership with StatusMatch.com, which allows elite members of more than 30 loyalty programs to apply to receive Free Spirit Gold® or Free Spirit Silver® Status for one year.
Free Spirit Status rewards the airline's most loyal Guests with valuable, enhanced benefits and flexibility.
Guests who hold frequent traveler status with 16 airline and 16 hotel loyalty programs throughout the Americas are eligible to match their status to Spirit. To view the full list of qualified programs and apply for this limited-time offer, visit Spirit.StatusMatch.com.
"Spirit offers convenient, nonstop routes for Guests who are regularly crisscrossing the country, and we're excited to offer road warriors the opportunity to continue enjoying the benefits they're accustomed to while flying Spirit," said Rana Ghosh, Vice President of Omnichannel Sales at Spirit Airlines. "We're incredibly proud of our Free Spirit program, which offers Gold and Silver members a long list of perks on every flight."
Guests who invest $49 to match to Free Spirit Silver Status receive valuable benefits including Shortcut Security & Boarding, free seat selection at check-in and fee waivers for award redemptions and overweight bags.
Perks of Free Spirit Gold Status, for a promotional rate of $99, include the benefits of Silver Status plus a free carry-on and checked bag, Flight Flex, free seat selection at booking and a complimentary drink and snack on board.
"With many airlines and hotels downgrading elite members, this is a great opportunity for members of the eligible airline and hotel programs to switch to Spirit Airlines," said Mark Ross-Smith, CEO of StatusMatch.com. "This is an amazing value for frequent travelers. We encourage eligible travelers to compare the affordable investment of the status match with the great benefits associated with Free Spirit Status."
The Free Spirit program makes it easy for elite members to requalify for Status and continue enjoying their valuable benefits. Participating Guests earn Status Qualifying Points (SQPs) on fares and À La Smarte® options and can earn additional SQPs by using an eligible Free Spirit credit card.
Invest in the Guest
The expanded program is Spirit's latest commitment to Invest in the Guest, which entails a number of initiatives aimed at delivering the best value in the sky:
Upgraded, wider seats with added cushion and headrests will debut on 26 new planes projected for delivery in 2023.
The Big Front Seat® offers more space, extra legroom and no middle seat. It's the best deal in the sky.
Spirit's Fit Fleet is one of the most fuel-efficient fleets in the industry.
Fast onboard Wi-Fi that allows Guests to watch content from streaming services.
About Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines is committed to delivering the best value in the sky. We are the leader in providing customizable travel options starting with an unbundled fare. This allows our Guests to pay only for the options they choose like bags, seat assignments, refreshments and Wi-Fi something we call À La Smarte®. Our Fit Fleet® is one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient in the United States. We serve destinations throughout the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean, making it possible for our Guests to venture further and discover more than ever before. We are committed to inspiring positive change in the communities where we live and work through the Spirit Charitable Foundation. Come save with us at spirit.com.
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BUSINESS TRAVEL
IBS Software | May 05, 2023
IBS Software, a global leader of SaaS solutions to the travel and transportation industry, has chosen CarTrawler, a leading B2B technology provider of car rental solutions, to offer car hire & insurance services to IBS iFly Staff & Corporate customers.
This partnership will simplify and enhance the Whole of Trip (WoT) experience for iFly Staff & Corporate customers, in addition to expanding IBS Software's footprint in non-air ancillaries in the global travel industry. Currently, airline staff and corporate travel involves navigating multiple applications to book essential add-ons. IBS Software's partnership with CarTrawler enables iFly Staff users to book car rentals and car insurance through an integrated and seamless staff travel system.
Since its inception in 2004, CarTrawler has provided more than 75 airlines with global car rental and mobility solutions for commercial purposes. CarTrawler also holds the widest breadth of car rental supply of any provider across over 1,700 suppliers in 55,000 locations. Its partnership with IBS Software signals an unprecedented and strategic step to offer an integrated travel experience for airline staff within corporate travel.
Madhu Nair, Head of iFly Staff Product Management and Strategy at IBS Software, says: "We're delighted to partner with CarTrawler, a renowned and well-respected global car rental solutions provider. Motivated by a need to improve, simplify and boost efficiency across the end-to-end travel experience for our iFly Staff and Corporate customers alike, we're working closely with CarTrawler to provide a unique and innovative Whole of Trip travel experience."
Aileen McCormack, Chief Commercial Officer at CarTrawler, says: "We're excited to partner with IBS Software and to support them in the expansion of their Staff Travel & Corporate solution for current and prospective customers, using CarTrawler's technology to seamlessly improve travel experiences through flexible and simple end-to-end bookings."
About IBS Software
IBS Software is a leader in providing SaaS solutions for the travel industry based in Singapore. It manages mission-critical operations for clients in the aviation, tour & cruise, and hospitality industries. The aviation industry solutions provided by the company include fleet & crew operations, passenger services, staff travel, loyalty programs, aircraft maintenance, and air cargo management. It also operates a B2B and B2C distribution platform that provides hotel room inventory, rates, and availability to a network of hospitality companies and channels. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive, customer-centric digital platform for the tour and cruise industry that includes onshore, online, and on-board solutions. IBS Software is a Blackstone portfolio company with 15 offices worldwide.
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