Travelong receives Million Dollar Sales Award from China Airlines

Parent technology company Fareportal and its consumer travel brand CheapOair recognized for sales achievement

June 26, 2014

Travelong, a Fareportal company, announced today that it was awarded China Airlines’ Million Dollar Sales Award for the fifth consecutive year. The award recognizes the company for its sales, exceeding one million in 2013, and its achievement as an inventive business leader in the travel industry.

“This outstanding achievement is the result of close collaboration between Travelong and China Airlines,” said Wei-Tuan Chiu, general manager for China Airlines in the United States. “We look forward to reaching new milestones with Travelong in the year ahead.”

Through parent technology company Fareportal and its consumer travel brand CheapOair, Travelong works closely with the airlines to promote their products and services. The company’s continued success has been acknowledged by awards from numerous airlines including Qatar Airlines, LAN/TAM Airlines, Avianca Airlines, SriLankan Airlines, Korean Air and Malaysia Airlines, as well as inclusion in Travel Weekly’s esteemed Power List.

“We are honored to receive this award for the fifth consecutive year,” said Sanjay Hathiramani, senior vice president of supplier relations at Travelong. “This achievement is a continuous testament to our growing business and ability to work closely with partners like China Airlines. We look forward to strengthening our airline partnerships and continuing to offer our customers the widest choice of air products.”

SOURCE Fareportal

CheapOair announces top 4th of July destinations

Nearly 50 percent more Americans will travel abroad over the long weekend this year compared to last

June 17, 2014

CheapOair, an online travel agency serving customers online, by phone and mobile apps, today released data showing the top destinations where its customers will be traveling for the 4th of July. The CheapOair data shows fares to both domestic and international destinations are down, and has found that more travelers are choosing international destinations over domestic this year compared to last for the long holiday weekend.

“Travel to celebrate the 4th of July has historically been within the United States,” said Patrick Fragale, chief content officer at CheapOair. “This year, the data shows that nearly 50 percent more travelers, compared to last year, are using the long weekend to take their celebrations abroad to exotic destinations including Reykjavik and Grand Cayman.”

Travelers planning to vacation between July 3 and July 6, 2014 will find average airfares to domestic destinations including Boston, San Diego and Fort Lauderdale at $356.67 roundtrip. International destinations have also seen a huge increase in popularity this year, with average roundtrip airfare just $578.42 to destinations like Mexico City, San Jose Cabo and the Bahamas.

Most Popular U.S. Destinations with Avg. Roundtrip Airfare and 2014-13 Cost Change

1. New Orleans ($493.24) 15%
2. Seattle ($379.94) -23%
3. Boston ($353.52) -17%
4. Atlanta ($306.64) No change
5. San Diego ($332.82) -13%
6. Orlando ($332.60) -3%
7. Denver ($312.82) No change
8. Los Angeles ($384.53) -6%
9. New York ($344.64) No change
10. Fort Lauderdale ($289.91) No change

Most Popular International Destinations with Avg. Roundtrip Airfare and 2014-13 Cost Change

1. Puerto Vallarta ($497.74) New to list
2. St. Thomas ($416.64) New to list
3. Reykjavik ($513.00) New to list
4. St. Maarten ($324.74) New to list
5. Mexico City ($411.09) -32%
6. The Bahamas ($347.13) -14%
7. Cancun ($573.15) No change
8. San Jose Cabo ($538.01) -13%
9. Grand Cayman ($542.64) No change
10. London ($1,312.79) -4%

The average prices above are based on bookings made on CheapOair.com by June 9, 2014 for travel between July 3 and July 6, 2014. Fares are roundtrip and include taxes and fees. Fares are based on historical data, are subject to change, and cannot be guaranteed at the time of booking.

SOURCE CheapOair

American Airlines group and Fareportal announce global, multi-year distribution agreement

June 4, 2014

American Airlines Group and Fareportal announced a broad agreement to distribute American Airlines and US Airways content including ancillaries through Fareportal’s consumer travel brands CheapOair and OneTravel. This announcement extends and enhances the long-standing successful partnership between the companies. This is the first post-merger online travel agency agreement signed by American Airlines Group.

The agreement includes support for American Airlines Group distribution in all of Fareportal’s existing and future geographies, as well as through multiple channels and partners. Access to American Airlines and US Airways content will be available to Fareportal’s vast customer base in multiple countries.

“We are pleased to build on our existing and successful partnership, as Fareportal was the first company to integrate ancillaries in the booking path for both American Airlines and US Airways,” said Cory Garner, managing director – distribution and data commercialization, American Airlines. “American is committed to leading the industry in providing valuable choices to our customers around the world.”

In 2013, Fareportal became the first travel company to partner with American Airlines for the distribution of Choice Essential, Choice Plus, Main Cabin Extra and Preferred Seats, and US Airways for the distribution of ChoiceSeats. These successful programs have made it easy for Fareportal’s customers to enjoy many of the same value-added air travel services they have come to trust.

“Fareportal is focused on making it easy and effortless for our customers to book their perfect trip,” said Sam Jain, CEO of Fareportal. “Fareportal’s model provides a customized extension to our partners in order to differentiate their product offerings and enhance customer value and optimize revenue on a per seat basis.”

SOURCE Fareportal