Travel technologies provide new levels of efficiency and customer convenience

Technologically advanced systems and services are making travel connections faster and easier than ever before. Prime examples of these efficient new systems include Electronic Ticketing, Virtually There-Trip Review, and Express Check-in. Travellers who haven't already seen or used these services undoubtedly will, and soon.

How Electronic Ticketing works
Now offered by most major airlines in North America, electronic ticketing or 'e-ticketing' eliminates the need for travellers to obtain a customary paper ticket before boarding a plane. Trip planning, reservations and confirmation by the travel agent are still done in the normal way; but instead of picking up a ticket at the agency or having it delivered by courier, an e-ticket 'passenger receipt' can be faxed directly to the customer's home or office.Customers who use the e-ticketing option enjoy the time- and money-saving benefits of 'one-stop service'. A single phone call, fax or e-mail message to the travel counsellor can initiate everything needed to arrange a confirmed booking and provide an e-ticket. Delivery time from agency to customer is reduced to mere minutes and courier costs are eliminated... as is waiting for the ticket to arrive.Upon arrival at the airport check-in counter, the traveller presents the faxed e-ticket–along with photo ID–and receives a boarding pass with advanced seat selection. It's important to note that passengers using e-tickets still require proper documentation to clear customs, go through security and board a plane. It's also important to remember that the faxed 'passenger receipt' is actually the ticket, and not merely a confirming message from your travel counsellor.

Virtually There - Trip Review
Hosted by Sabre (the worldwide travel reservation system), 'Virtually There' is an Internet Web site where ticketed passengers can view their confirmed travel plans online. To ensure security, an individual's travel file cannot be accessed without first entering the correct Sabre reservation booking number along with the passenger's last name. Available immediately after a booking is made, the information remains accessible for up to 24 hours after a trip has been completed.

American Express offers Internet access to 'Virtually There' via the Amex Canada home page. Go to www.americanexpress.com/canada and click on the 'View Your Itinerary' button. The interactive screen will request the Sabre reservation number and your last name. Once those are entered, your travel itinerary will appear onscreen.An important enhancement to the Sabre system, 'Virtually There' provides an extra measure of convenience. Travellers can view their itinerary online wherever and whenever they choose. The service offers a convenient way to confirm details of flights, hotel bookings and car rentals. An added feature, the Map Locator provides directions to your hotel at each destination. It's a much appreciated added touch of convenience and reassurance when arriving for the first time.

Express Check-in
Another innovation acclaimed by travellers is Air Canada's new Express Check-in service. At air terminal kiosks similar to banking machines, customers use automated touch-screens to access flight information, check baggage, make seat selection, print a boarding card, change their flight or request an upgrade. Transactions are accomplished simply by inserting an American Express® Card, or other major card, then making selections onscreen. The process is fast, easy and user-friendly.Benefits abound. Waiting times are reduced during busy periods. There's a special drop-off counter for Express Check-in baggage. The kiosk screen instructs travellers how to get to their departure gate.Following a successful test in Ottawa earlier this year, Air Canada recently introduced Express Check-in at the Rapidair departure lounge of Toronto's Pearson airport. Over the next few months the concept will be rolled out to other airports across the country.

Superior services benefit every traveller
At American Express Travel, we are proud of our proven leadership role. While exploring new possibilities in every area, we continue to adapt new technologies, deploy new systems and introduce new procedures designed to fulfill the most demanding needs of our customers. Our constant goal is toensure that American Express Travel delivers the highest level of servicethat exists anywhere in the world.

Peter Drutz is Vice President and General Manager of the Consumer Travel Group, Amex Canada Inc.

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