tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307132730056862398.post3213333241071476360..comments2023-06-23T07:45:28.484-04:00Comments on Dennis Schaal Blog: Airlines, OTAs in in Metasearch GridlockDennis Schaalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073829623151186628noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307132730056862398.post-63467850527978249572009-03-23T12:49:00.000-04:002009-03-23T12:49:00.000-04:00Valyn: I agree it is channel differentiation if ai...Valyn: I agree it is channel differentiation if airline.com is offering products unavailable in travel agencies and OTAs etc. If they start offering real incentives and attractive products, then, yes, that would be a big differentiation. When I said "it really isn't a pro-consumer message," I meant it wouldn't be if they were telling consumers, "Hey, come to our website so we can charge you to check your bags etc."Dennis Schaalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12073829623151186628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307132730056862398.post-7678304568160772502009-03-23T10:54:00.000-04:002009-03-23T10:54:00.000-04:00Dennis,You say "it really isn't a pro-consumer mes...Dennis,<BR/><BR/>You say "it really isn't a pro-consumer message" but I'd say it's just not a pro-intermediary message. The average consumer out there isn't loyal to an OTA or a travel agent (unless he's a big spender or directed by a corporate travel policy), and doesn't really care if he has to open up one more tab in his browser window. The look-to-book ratio is still in the stratosphere, so consumers are used to shopping for fares.<BR/><BR/>The reduction in booking fees makes me think the airlines are going to have to step up incentives for consumers, and linking deep into airline.com isn't going to be enough. What better incentive to a consumer than offering products on airline.com that can't be found on the GDS and OTAs? That's just smart product distribution, and true channel differentiation.<BR/><BR/>ValynAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307132730056862398.post-1786072418247016682009-03-22T00:07:00.000-04:002009-03-22T00:07:00.000-04:00Darren: I took a drive, went out for some dinner, ...Darren: I took a drive, went out for some dinner, am watching the World Baseball Classic (7th inning, South Korea is walloping Venezuela), and I started to think more about your question. Is there really a benefit to booking on an airline site over an OTA? In the U.S. and Canada at the moment, the answer is "yes." Definitely. There are a whole bunch of fare families, premium seats (not to mention checked-bag fees) and a la carte services that the GDSs, traditional travel agencies and OTAs don't have access to yet. And the carriers, pushing airline-direct, are in no hurry to broaden the reach of these products and services. When the GDSs announce full-content agreements with airlines, the "full content" is a glass half-full. With some of this content exclusively on airline sites, consumers can't find these products on the OTA sites and local travel agencies can't book them, either. So, if the airlines aren't serious about widening the distribution of these services, perhaps this is a differentiator that they should emphasize in their marketing, although it really isn't a pro-consumer message.Dennis Schaalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12073829623151186628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307132730056862398.post-60444977151570115892009-03-21T13:58:00.000-04:002009-03-21T13:58:00.000-04:00Darren: I am really not that familiar with ATOL in...Darren: I am really not that familiar with ATOL in the U.K. However, you get at the essence of the issue. American Airlines and others argue that there really is a benefit of booking airline-direct. Better ways to search, special promotions for frequent flyers etc. I'm sure the OTAs would argue it should not be all about price and they have their benefits, too. Let's see who wins the argument.Dennis Schaalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12073829623151186628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8307132730056862398.post-13603264004347520812009-03-21T10:07:00.000-04:002009-03-21T10:07:00.000-04:00Hi Dennis,Is they really a benefit of consumers cl...Hi Dennis,<BR/><BR/>Is they really a benefit of consumers clicking on the airline booking link over an OTA? I don't know about in the US, but consumers here are being brainwashed to book with an ATOL agency, so I suspect that many would opt for Expedia/Travelocity over say AA or Delta.<BR/><BR/>DarrenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com