Topaz Offers Discount Data

<I>Portland, Ore.</I> - Topaz Enterprises now is including in its corporate airfare benchmarking data averages on actual discounts negotiated with airlines.

Topaz president Valerie Estep said the monthly reports, which are based on data culled from between 60 and 70 companies, will give corporations "an unbiased source to benchmark their negotiated agreements."

The new data breaks down average negotiated discounts by size of company, by specific city pairs and by fare type. "Previously, we provided the percentage of fares which are negotiated, but this now breaks down that growing segment," said Estep. "This kind of information can be provided by travel agencies or card companies, but it's hard to come by."

About a year ago, Topaz worked with the travel department of a major corporation that used a large travel agency and was considering four airline bids, Estep said. "The company couldn't answer what was the average level of discount it was already getting from its preferred supplier," she said.

According to Michael Brooks, senior vice president of general services for Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Republic Mortgage Insurance Co., this kind of data would be very helpful. "You can get it on your own, but the easier the better," Brooks said.