Sabre Custom Offers delivers personalized travel shopping

SOUTHLAKE, Texas, May 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hotels selling through Sabre are now merchandising in new ways by creating personalized offers based on individual traveler and shopping information.  Sabre's Custom Offers gives hoteliers the ability to create an endless number of unique, personalized offers such as special rates, room upgrades, premium hotel services, free meals, Wi-Fi, spa services and more.

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These new merchandising capabilities have been integrated into Sabre's travel marketing and shopping services, which are available today through the Sabre global distribution system (GDS). Custom Offers also provides airlines the ability to make custom ancillary offers available (for items like seats and bags) based on frequent flier number and frequent flier tier level.    

Sabre's Custom Offers lets travel suppliers use the information they have about the traveler combined with Sabre shopping data to dynamically present personalized offers in real time during the shopping process.  Custom Offers is available to Sabre hotel and airline customers worldwide, and to agents and travelers who buy through Sabre. 

"There is a growing demand from both travel suppliers and buyers for increased personalization and offers that are targeted to match traveler preferences.  With Custom Offers we are enabling travel suppliers to merchandise in new ways through the Sabre travel marketplace to support their profitability and customer loyalty strategies," said Shelly Terry, Sabre Travel Network's vice-president, Supplier Merchandising.   "At the same time, we've done so in a way that ensures buyers can continue to efficiently shop, book and manage travel."

Hoteliers can utilize this unique capability to offer specific services relevant to the individual consumer, helping to personalize the hospitality experience.  Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT), representing nine distinctive brands, is the first Sabre hotel customer to use Custom Offers.

"Sabre's Custom Offers gives us flexibility to provide our guests with not just customized offers, but a personalized experience at our hotels and resorts," said Michael English, vice president, customer contact centers & electronic distribution for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. "Sabre collaborated with us on developing technology that meets the growing demand from both suppliers and buyers for increased personalization and targeted offers."

Sabre's Custom Offers provides travel suppliers significant controls, with the ability to quickly establish, and fine tune criteria for targeted campaign offers globally. Daily online reporting reveals campaign performance and allows for modifications as needed.

This means more choices and value for consumers, as these personalized offers are in addition to other published and negotiated rates available to travelers through Sabre.   

"Sabre has put together a great product that provides travelers with more options in their travel experience," said Mimi Cleary, of Atlas Travel, whose agency participated in testing of the solution. "Anytime we can add value to our clients and bring hotels repeat business, it's a win-win."

Sabre Custom Offers is available to travel agents using the Sabre Red Workspace and through Sabre Web Services for integration with online travel sites and corporate booking tools. 

Sabre Travel Network® provides technology solutions to the global travel industry. It operates the world's largest travel marketplace, connecting travel buyers and sellers through the Sabre global distribution system (GDS).  Its innovative software connects more than 350,000 travel professionals to more than 400 airlines, 93,000 hotels, 25 car rental brands, 50 rail providers, 13 cruise lines and other global travel suppliers. More than 300 million people purchase airline tickets through this channel annually. 

Sabre Travel Network is part of Sabre Holdings®, a global travel technology company serving the world's largest industry- travel and tourism.  Its innovative technology is used by more than a billion people around the world to plan, book and get to their destination at a time and price that's right for them. For more information, please visit: www.sabre.com.  

About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with 1,134 properties in nearly 100 countries and 171,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Meridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, Aloft®, and Element^SM. The Company boasts one of the industry's leading loyalty programs, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG), allowing members to earn and redeem points for room stays, room upgrades and flights, with no blackout dates. Starwood also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., a premier provider of world-class vacation experiences through villa-style resorts and privileged access to Starwood brands. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.

CONTACT: Nancy St. Pierre, +1-682-605-3864, [email protected]

SOURCE Sabre Travel Network