THE Australian travel industry is set for another seismic shift, with today’s announcement of the new Qantas Channel (TD breaking news) – including a $17.50 per flight segment “Channel Fee” for agencies which do not sign up for a new QF commercial agreement.
The Qantas Channel is part of the broader digital strategy to enhance QF’s booking systems, building on last year’s launch of the Qantas Distribution Platform which aims to unlock IATA’s New Distribution Capability to offer a wider range of content to trade partners and customers.
QF Chief Customer Officer, Vanessa Hudson, said the Qantas Channel would “empower trade partners to access Qantas’ most compelling products, and deliver enriched, personalised experiences to customers.
“We know our customers expect an increasingly personalised, flexible and seamless experience no matter how or where they make their booking, whether it’s directly with us or indirectly through a corporate travel manager, online agent or their local travel agent,” she said.
Qantas Frequent Flyers will receive greater reward and recognition via the new platform, she promised, including “more ways to earn and use points when booking through travel agents”.
Sabre, Amadeus and Travelport are all partnering with the carrier to make the Qantas Channel available to agents globally, while the majority of QF’s key agency partners have already agreed to participate, including Flight Centre, Helloworld, Express Travel Group, Consolidated Travel, Expedia and Webjet.
A host of TMCs are also on board including Corporate Travel Management, Carlson Wagonlit, ATPI Voyager and CT Connections.
Effective 01 Aug agents that have not signed up will not have access to QDP content, and also may no longer be eligible to sell ATPCO Qantas published and private fares, including negotiated corporate fares.
QF said it would progressively remove N, Q, O and E class fares from the public GDS channel, while agencies remaining in the Public Channel may have the $17.50 per segment fee applied (subject to applicable laws and government approval), which will be collected as a YR tax.
“Agencies wishing to avoid the Channel Fee should ensure their agency is registered for the Qantas Channel,” Hudson said.
As well as the three major GDS providers, agencies will also be able to access QDP content in the Qantas Channel via other technology partners including Serko, Travel Fusion and CTM.
Registration for the Qantas Channel will open for individual agencies in Apr, with agreements required to be finalised prior to 01 Jun to guarantee access when it is implemented in Aug.
Consolidators and ticketing agencies must also register – info at qantas.com/agencyconnect.
Source: traveldaily