UNITED’S NEW LOYALTY PLAN
UNITED AIRLINES HAS LAUNCHED a new programme called Corporate Preferred, which is designed to offer benefits for business customers. The programme features three
membership levels – Preferred, Preferred Plus and Preferred Elite. Eligibility is determined by a company’s contract status, revenue contribution and loyalty with United, as well as those with corporate share agreements, United Passplus and United Meetings.
Those with Elite status will have additional benefits including priority boarding and the ability to select seats.
■ Interview: United Airlines’ chief executive Oscar Munoz, pages 44-45
Q&A: LIZ EMMOTT AMADEUS
INT E R VIEW
In March, Liz Emmott was promoted to UK general manager at Amadeus, replacing Champa Magesh. She talks to Matthew Parsons about her priorities and the new Live Travel Space concept
How is the new role going so far?
I’ve been at Amadeus for two-and-a-half years, but it’s important I don’t just go charging in and changing things for the sake of change. I’ve had time to reflect, and I’m ready to spring into action.
So what are your priorities?
First, to make sure my team has what they need to support their customers. My team has a lot of experience, but they can always do better. Second, to make sure we have a positive commercial impact for customers. We have a good impact on technology, but we want to make sure that works from a commercial perspective. Finally, to promote the Amadeus brand in the UK.
Is business travel a focus?
TRAVELOGIX TO UNVEIL ANALYTIXX2
AT EVENT
TRAVELOGIX HAS ANNOUNCED the date of its third Client Assembly, where it will unveil its next generation data management platform, AnalytixX2
, designed for travel
managers and TMCs. The travel technology company said
delegates, including attendees from more than 30 TMCs, will be the first to see the new platform’s user interface with the opportunity to get hands-on on the day. The event is open to anyone who wants to
learn about the value of smart data delivery to a modern travel programme. Buying Business Travel is an official media partner. The assembly takes place on 6
December at The Centre, Birchwood Park, Warrington, Cheshire. Guests can network with household industry names including sponsors Atriis and Evolvi, and attend the after-party at Pentahotel Warrington. ■ Sign up at
travelogixclientassembly.com
buyingbusinesstravel.com
I wear two hats: UK general manager, across all segments. From a commercial angle, I look after business travel for UK, Ireland and Italy.
What challenges do TMCs face today?
Differentiation and margin erosion. TMCs are all solving problems for customers, so they’ve had to differentiate themselves. It’s become commoditised, and in a sales role [Emmott was previously sales director, UK and Ireland], I know how they feel! Margin erosion is driven by disintermediation of content. Customers want additional choices, but it affects agents’ productivity. Corporates are seeing procurement people getting involved in travel, and they [TMCs] are being asked to do it for less. The opportunity for us is to help customers supply access to content, and increase the range of content.
Amadeus recently ‘evolved’ from a GDS to a ‘Live Travel Space’ – why is this?
Before, we focused on geography, but now we’re built around our customers. It will give us an opportunity to gain specialist knowledge around our sectors: retail, business travel, corporates and online. The environment is changing, and rebranding [as a Live Travel Space] helps articulate the story. Our content providers expressed a need to do things differently, and we can capitalise on that. Look at companies like Amazon or Netflix: they’ve capitalised on the network effect and connected people with stuff they want to buy.
2018 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 21
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