GetThere enhances rail booking for travelers based in France

Travel Technology Update, Volume 7, Issue 13
June 24, 2008

GetThere, Sabre Holdings Corp.’s online corporate travel procurement solution, introduced enhanced SNCF French Rail booking capability via the national rail line’s new RIVA 3 platform.

The direct connection combines the flexible fare and seat class options of the RIVA 3 platform with GetThere’s user interface, which displays both air and rail travel selections to travelers and travel arrangers.

The new capability gives France-based travelers access to SNCF, Eurostar and Thalys fares.

SNCF and GetThere performed joint usability testing on the enhancement to ensure ease of use of the shopping and booking process for both novice and veteran users.

Air and rail options are displayed in one matrix, and travelers can compare costs in a display that is consistent with traditional air shopping.

Flexibility levels can be combined, and round trips can be constructed by combining different fare types on outbound and inbound itineraries.

All negotiated rates can be displayed and identified, guiding travelers to policy-compliant choices, and travel managers can exclude specific fares.

The new solution works on the Amadeus and Sabre global distribution systems, with rollout for Galileo users slated for later this year.