CWT Enhances Mobile Itineraries

Carlson Wagonlit Travel is releasing a wave of enhancements to its existing Freedom product, which delivers itinerary information to a traveler's desktop calendar application and mobile device. New features include additional global distribution system and online booking tool connectivity and detailed itinerary information. The product currently is available only to CWT clients and will be the first product in 2007 rolled out to customers of Navigant International after Carlson's acquisition of the Denver-based travel management company earlier this year.

First introduced to clients in 2002, the downloadable program was then specific to such handheld devices as BlackBerrys and Treos and only compatible with reservations made through CWT's own Symphonie booking platform. Six months ago, Freedom became compatible with any global distribution system, non-GDS booking or online booking tool. Further releases include flight confirmation, seat numbers and departure and arrival times, as well as alternative flight options. The tool also offers weather forecasts, driving directions and the locations of business and personal services, such as nearby FedEx Kinko's and Starbucks Coffee. Partnerships with other such services also are in the works. Already compatible with Microsoft Outlook, Freedom will also integrate with Lotus Notes calendars by the end of 2006.

Approximately 100 clients are using the product, according to CWT, which claimed Freedom on average saves travelers 15 minutes per trip. "To me, the 15 minutes saved is the time I would normally spend re-keying all my flight information into my desktop calendar," said Mike Koetting, executive vice president of CWT.

For corporate travel managers, Freedom's draw is that it drives more in-program bookings, according to Joel Hanson, Freedom's product manager for CWT. "If I was a rogue traveler, I'm not going to get that information directly into my calendar or mobile device," he noted.