Inside Track: Amadeus Still At Odds With Lufthansa Over GDS Fee

Amadeus has yet to come to terms with Lufthansa to shield its subscribers from the Preferred Fares Program surcharge, and stands to lose "significant" marketshare in Germany as a result. Lufthansa's Preferred Fares Program imposes a €4.90 per-way surcharge, in addition to value-added tax, on fares booked through the global distribution systems in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, though Amadeus competitors Sabre and Travelport have come to separate agreements to shield customers from the fees. Amadeus marketshare in Germany—where it is the dominant provider of global distribution services—could decline to 20 percent, though that "depends what deals are being made with our competition," said country manager Holger Taubmann this month during a conference of the German travel buyer association VDR in Cologne. Sabre's agreement with Lufthansa and its Swiss subsidiary shields its subscribers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland from the surcharge through June 30. Sabre said it is "in negotiations to establish a new deal that gives agencies and corporations continued access to Lufthansa's full content."

European Carriers Expand Mobile Boarding Passes
SAS Scandinavian Airlines this month launched a two-and-a-half month trial period for the use of mobile 2D barcode boarding passes for travel between seven European cities. Other European airlines began similar trials last year and in the first few months of 2009 have seen broader rollouts. Last month, Air France-KLM extended mobile boarding capabilities to most flights from Paris and Amsterdam to most European destinations except for the United Kingdom. Lufthansa has mobile boarding pass capabilities for most flights originating in Germany and more than 20 other European cities. The carrier offers the service via Web-enabled mobile devices and short message service only for its status customers. Finnair released its limited mobile boarding pass service earlier this year. BMI now enables barcode mobile boarding passes on U.K.-domestic flights and from London Heathrow to Dublin. British Airways has mobile checkin applications, which it launched globally in October, but it has yet to implement mobile boarding passes. The International Air Transport Association has a 2010 deadline for airlines to use 2D barcodes for printed boarding passes.

Omni Overhauling Guest Loyalty Program
Omni Hotels this month is expanding its Omni Select Guest program, adding a new tier for its most frequent guests and new benefits to existing tiers. Effective April 27, Omni is adding a new black level for guests who stay 20 nights or 11 visits with Omni. Benefits for the black tier will include early checkin and late checkout, unlimited complimentary pressing and a 15 percent food and beverage discount at all Omni properties. Omni also is adding benefits to its gold and platinum tiers, including late checkouts, exclusive concierge services and two free pressings. Guests now can earn a free night after staying 10 nights.

Korman Woos Gov't Sector With New Rate Structure
Corporate housing provider Korman Communities this month announced it has adjusted its rate structure to fit with government per diem rates. Korman is making the rates available at its AVE line of upscale one- and two-bedroom apartments that it launched last year. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said 9,000 government jobs and 26,000 education and health service jobs were added in February alone.