GBTA Urges Call for Transparency Between Airlines and Business Travel Industry On Faring Issues

This afternoon, GBTA issued the statement below on recent changes in fare structures on multi-city trips from several airlines:

The buyer members of the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) were frustrated with the marketplace news that United, Delta and American all changed fare structures on multi-city trips without any advance communication to corporate travel managers. This represents a major faring change requiring transparency throughout the buyer community.

GBTA has been in active contact with our members and committee leadership, as well as members of Congress. While recent airline statements indicate that these changes were the result of unintended consequences of new combinable fare restrictions, we will now survey our members to verify that the issue has been resolved to their satisfaction.

In today’s travel ecosystem, active communication is necessary and vital. To that end, GBTA believes there should be full transparency with regard to any changes before and during the travel experience, including new supplier policies or travel process time and delays. Both business travelers and travel buyers should have access to clear information across the spectrum as to how prices are determined, how to deal with delays, cancellation policies and how to lodge complaints.

Going forward, GBTA will continue to work with the airlines, our members and other organizations to ensure buyer voices are heard on key issues related to transparency and competition.