Usage of the chat and text-based communications platform assisting business travel clients spiked with 4,500 travel status updates during the most recent spate of airline cancellations
Miami, FL (August 31, 2016) — Computer failures and “power outages” for major airlines in the months of July and August led to the cancellation of more than 4,300 flights in the United States, and prompted one news headline stating “Failure Marks Wake-Up Call for Airline Industry.” The Bloomberg Technology article cites “the vulnerability of the information systems sustaining the biggest U.S. carriers,” and that these incidents are a “wake-up call for an airline industry in which outdated information systems can strand thousands of passengers.”
For more than 1,200 Travel Leaders Corporate business travelers impacted by the most recent spate of cancellations in early August, they had an advantage over fellow travelers by having access to Travel Leaders Corporate’s “Travel Leaders Connect.” The multiple award-winning, communication network efficiently provides travelers with real-time access to critical, and often fluid, travel updates through a direct mobile connection. Furthermore, Travel Leaders Corporate clients quickly obtain instant information and easy access to a corporate travel agent expert via chat and text features. Travel Leaders Connect sent 4,500 travel status updates and alerts to 1,241 clients impacted by the most recent airline outage. Ultimately 750 re-accommodations were required and completed through Travel Leaders Connect.
“Real-time access to information – and a live expert – when you are traveling is essential, particularly for corporate travelers. Everyone with the potential to have their itinerary altered in some way, because of the recent spates of major airline outages, received the information and assistance they needed,” stated David Holyoke, President of Travel Leaders Corporate. “Our clients continue to provide incredible and positive feedback on how Travel Leaders Connect is enhancing their travel experiences. We’re the only travel management company that allows travelers to skip phone queues by either texting or messaging directly from their mobile phone, and getting real time flight status updates and assistance.”
Holyoke added, “When accessing the features of Travel Leaders Connect, our clients are immediately identified – no need for providing their name or elaborating on the travel difficulties. The system has already identified the individual traveler and, many times, the situation due to real-time monitoring. Thus, allowing both parties to get to the business of re-accommodating travel. It’s a game-changer, particularly during high-stress periods that impact flights, such as storms or outages.”
With Travel Leaders Connect, business travelers have access to:
- An integrated a state-of-the-art flight notification process, including the status of a trip four hours prior to departure and any delays that may affect the course of a reservation.
- Immediately connect to an agent for support via the same communication channel as their notification.
- A customized transaction menu based on the traveler’s preferences and access to language translation, visa and passport services and last-minute hotel bookings.
- This enables quick and easy travel agent interaction through a PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliant text messaging environment.
- Late breaking news alerts with a confirmation of receipt received, assuring that the traveler is safe if an unforeseen circumstance occurs.
Travel Leaders Connect was built for actionable, secure communication and is held to the highest degree of security. In addition to being PCI certified, it is Service Organization Controls (SOC) 1 Type 1, 2 and 3 certified and never shares or exposes personally identifiable information. Travel Leaders Corporate’s Travel Leaders Connect is an addition to the travel organization’s already extensive suite of customized service offerings and is compatible with the most widely used operating systems (iOS 5 and up, Android 3.0 and up, OS 10.6 and up, Windows XP and up) and browsers (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Android, Internet Explorer 8 and up).
For more information on Travel Leaders Connect or Travel Leaders Corporate’s three main service offerings—Travel Fulfillment, Travel Consulting and Meetings Management – which provide personalized service and cutting-edge corporate business travel solutions for a complete travel enrichment experience, email partnerships@tlcorporate.com or call 877-404-4173.
###
Travel Leaders Corporate is part of Travel Leaders Group, which is the highest ranking American travel management company in Business Travel News’ Business Travel Survey 2015, and has annual sales of approximately $21 billion. Travel Leaders Corporate’s three service offerings – Travel Fulfillment, Travel Consulting and Meetings Management – can be used independently or combined for maximum results, and each client is served by a dedicated team of U.S.-based agents assigned to each account. Headquartered in Miami, FL, and with employees in more than 120 cities across the United States, Travel Leaders Corporate is a forward-thinking, innovative company with a focus on continually improving the customer experience. http://www.tlcorporate.com/