Universal Air Travel Plan today announced a partnership that will allow its card users to purchase travel on Amtrak through all points of sale, part of a previously announced strategy for the network to broaden its merchant circle beyond the traditional air categories.
UATP president and CEO Ralph Kaiser said there had been numerous requests from users, particularly those on the East Coast, to use the card for Amtrak purchases as many have shifted their corporate travel from air to rail in recent months. Existing agreements already allowed UATP card users to purchase Amtrak tickets through global distribution systems, but the agreement now opens up that capability to direct purchases through Amtrak's Web site or train station kiosks, he said.
"In a way, Amtrak has been a merchant of UATP in terms of being able to book through the GDS, but this makes them a full-fledged merchant partner," Kaiser said. "It's one of the first non-air merchants that we've had."
The network previously announced its intention to grow its network to other supplier categories, including hotels and car rental companies
(BTNonline, Nov. 17, 2008). Kaiser said that strategy remains in place, though no announcements are imminent.