. According to the companies, Farelogix's direct-connect technology will enable airlines to sell via Rearden's Personal Assistant such optional services as meals, seat upgrades and baggage allowance. Rearden clients can include policies for those services within the tool and track resulting expenditures. Rearden senior vice president of travel services Tony D'Astolfo said corporate clients have asked for
total trip cost calculationsat the point of purchase. Other enhancements to the Personal Assistant include access to "the full scope of Southwest Airlines content" (a
Southwest-Rearden dealwas announced last summer) and a "flexible date search" for finding cheaper airfares. Meanwhile, Rearden's new membership in
Open Axis Groupwill allow the company to "help define the standards across all airline services, but with a current focus on airline merchandising," according to D'Astolfo.