AOL trials new travel site
21 March 2005
America Online has launched a test version of a new travel website.
The new site offers customers the chance to bypass online travel agencies and book directly with airlines and hotels.
"Some shoppers are loyal to an agency brand, but we believe the vast majority would rather book through a supplier and miss the middle-man fees," said Jeffrey DeKorte, general manager of travel at AOL.
The new comparison shopping site, www.PinpointTravel.com, will compete with other travel search companies such as SideStep.com and Yahoo!'s farechase.com.
The AOL site contains advertising and collects a fee of 50 cents to $1 for each click to a supplier's website, although airlines are not yet paying fees.
The website uses technology from travel search firm Kayak.com, in which AOL holds a minority equity stake. The site also features instant messaging, content reviews and travel ratings.
The company, owned by Time Warner, said the average online travel shopper visited three or four sites before buying.
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