Worldspan Claims Tops in Pricing

Atlanta-based global distribution system Worldspan today said it completed the integration of its server-based ePricing fare search technology with its Power Pricing product, tripling the number of fare requests it can process and incorporating shopping requests for first class and business class tickets in the ePricing system.

Worldspan also said it deployed faster server technology to cut system response time by one-third. Distinct from Power Shopper, which Worldspan already equipped with ePricing, Power Pricing often is used in the corporate travel environment where travelers and agents want to compare prices on already-set itineraries.

"Our competitors try to magnify their developments in fares and pricing," said Mike Parks, senior vice president and general manager of worldwide travel distribution for Worldspan, in a thinly veiled jab at Galileo International, which recently claimed the lead in pricing. "We launched it, we're steadily strengthening it and our rivals just aren't there yet." Parsippany, N.J.-based Galileo recently implemented automated processing of the Airline Tariff Publishing Co.'s Category 25 and 35 rules that allow, respectively, subsets of private, net fares and discounts of off public fares.

Regarding Worldspan, "They came in shortly after us on server-based stuff," said Randy Smith, Galileo senior director of product innovation. "We've automated all those categories they are talking about, all those categories and the two new ones." Worldspan said it has automated all rules except 25. "What we're kind of arguing about is expanded searching capability we don't think they have," said Sue Powers, senior vice president of worldwide product solutions. She said Worldspan would make Category 25 available globally in June, "but the airlines are not yet using it in a meaningful way anyway."

A Sabre spokesperson was unable to immediately respond.