Rearden Commerce late last month on its Personal Assistant online booking platform began providing Amtrak content through an application programming interface connection via rail IT services provider Wandrian. Rearden claims to be the first online booking tool with such a connection to Amtrak, which can be booked online at its own Web site or through other self-booking tools via all global distribution systems. Amtrak is working on non-intermediary direct connections with other online booking tools. Rearden enables travelers to print their own tickets instead of having to access them at self-service station kiosks. According to vice president of worldwide sales Tony D'Astolfo, Rearden loads negotiated corporate rates into the tool. There is no transaction fee for a Rearden Amtrak booking, but D'Astolfo said Rearden takes Amtrak volume into account when developing corporate account licensing fees. Rearden next plans to integrate Amtrak into its shopping matrix with flight options. It also is working with Wandrian to gain access for its online booking platform to U.K. rail content provider Thetrainline.
U.S. Treasury Publishes TARP Travel RulesThe U.S. Treasury Department this month published new rules governing some meeting, event, incentive and travel expenses for companies that received Troubled Asset Relief Program funds. The new guidelines, which entered a 60-day comment period on June 15, focus on executive compensation and corporate governance, and would require TARP recipients "to eliminate excessive and luxury expenditures," as defined by the Treasury Secretary. Those could include "entertainment or events, office and facility renovations, aviation or other transportation services, and other similar items, activities or events," the rule states. According to the new guidelines, TARP-receiving companies will have to identify such expenses, establish policies, set approval processes, require "prompt internal reporting of violations" and "mandate accountability for adherence" to such policies. Fearing the worst, some industry organizations, including the U.S. Travel Association and the National Business Travel Association, applauded the new guidelines. Though the rule is not final until the conclusion of public comment period on Aug. 14, U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Roger Dow in a statement said, "We do not expect these rules to change in any material way."
Orbitz For Business Names New LeaderOrbitz for Business this month announced the appointment of Frank Petito as the online travel management company's new president, replacing former senior vice president and COO Dean Sivley, who left the company in May to become president and CEO of travel insurance company Travel Guard
(BTNonline, May 6). Petito previously served as senior vice president of corporate development for parent company Orbitz Worldwide. He joined Orbitz in 2002 and served on the executive team that steered the company through two initial public offerings and its acquisition by Cendant in 2004. In his new role, Petito will continue to report to Orbitz president and CEO Barney Harford, who took the helm in January, replacing Steve Barnhart
(BTNonline, Jan. 7). Petito could not be reached for comment. Sivley, who had worked for Orbitz for Business since 2004, will help guide Stevens Point, Wis.-based Travel Guard's spin-off from beleaguered insurance giant American International Group as part of AIU Holdings.