Sabre Automates Frequent Flyer Upgrades

    FORT WORTH, Texas, March 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Sabre (NYSE:   TSG) today
 announced the wide release of its new Frequent Flyer Automated Upgrade
 enhancement.  The company's computer reservations system is the first to
 integrate this timesaving tool.  The new enhancement is a complimentary
 service for travel agencies that use the Sabre system and completely automates
 the process for agents to request seat assignment upgrades for their clients.
     Previously, travel agents were required to call airlines directly or the
 traveler had to request an upgrade at the time of check-in.  Frequent Flyer
 Automated Upgrade greatly simplifies the process and allows Sabre travel
 agents to request the upgrade within the passenger's reservation.
     "This new feature in the Sabre system will enable my agents to spend less
 time on the phone with the airlines and more time serving the needs of our
 travelers," said Sammy Jabri of Travel the World Services Inc.  "In addition,
 it minimizes the possibility of error, for example, when flights are booked
 several days in advance of travel but cannot be upgraded until one to three
 days before a flight."
     Once the participating carrier confirms the upgrade, the Sabre system
 automatically updates the reservation.  Travel agents can also request special
 meals, specific seats and traveling companion upgrades in one entry.  When an
 upgrade request is granted, travel agents are automatically notified and the
 booking class changes from the original class of service to the upgraded class
 of service.
     "Sabre continually strives to develop the tools that will simplify the
 lives of the travel agent and the traveler," said Nancy Raynor, senior vice
 president of emerging businesses for Sabre.  "In addition, these tools
 increase the value of our partner -- the travel agent -- in the travel booking
 process."
     Sabre is launching this enhancement with American Airlines as the first
 participating air carrier.  The company is actively working to implement the
 service with other carriers around the world.
     "Since we implemented our automated upgrade program in October, we've seen
 it offer our best customers the ultimate in convenience," said Michael W.
 Gunn, senior vice president of marketing for American Airlines.  "Our
 customers wanted a tool that would eliminate the need to call at a specified
 time to confirm an upgrade, and this product has proven to be a solution.  We
 are pleased with our customers' response to this automated upgrade
 enhancement."
     Sabre is a world leader in the electronic distribution of travel and is a
 leading provider of information technology solutions for the travel and
 transportation industries, including customized software development and
 software products, transaction processing, consulting and total information
 technology outsourcing.
     Current Sabre news releases may be accessed via the Internet.
 Visit the company's Web site at http://www.sabre.com.
     Sabre and the Sabre logo are registered trademarks of an affiliate of The
 SABRE Group Inc., soon to be known as Sabre Inc.
 
 

SOURCE  Sabre