Press Releases

Fareportal Continues to Lead the Travel Industry in Ancillary Attachment Capabilities in New Integration with Hawaiian Airlines

Fareportal, the global travel technology company powering CheapOair.com and OneTravel.com, today announced that it is the first U.S.-based online travel agency to partner with Hawaiian Airlines to sell Extra Comfort seating.

As an expert in ancillary product attachment including added-value seating or additional baggage, Fareportal partnered with Hawaiian Airlines to be the first U.S. OTA to develop and beta test this new feature. The new integration allows CheapOair and OneTravel customers to select and pay for Extra Comfort seating using a real-time interactive seat map for a seamless booking process and an enhanced customer experience.

Hawaiian’s Extra Comfort option is available on the airlines’ Airbus A330s and A321s and features five additional inches of leg room (36 inches of seat pitch) as well as priority boarding, a complimentary amenity kit, and a personal power outlet.

“Our ancillary attachment team leads the industry when it comes to integrating added-value products on our sites,” said Sam S. Jain, CEO of Fareportal. “It is an honor to partner with Hawaiian Airlines as the first U.S. online travel agency to incorporate their Extra Comfort options on CheapOair and OneTravel. This new feature is not only beneficial for Hawaiian Airlines but also for our customers by providing them with more choices as they book their travel.”

About Fareportal

Fareportal® is a travel technology company powering a next generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated global contact centers, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing customers access to over 450 airlines, 1 million hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies around the globe. With a portfolio of consumer travel brands including CheapOair® and OneTravel®, Fareportal enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone, or live chat. Fareportal provides its airline partners with access to a broad customer base that books high-yielding international travel and add-on ancillaries.

About Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian® has led all U.S. carriers in on-time performance for each of the past 14 years (2004-2017) as reported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Consumer surveys by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure and TripAdvisor have placed Hawaiian among the top of all domestic airlines serving Hawai’i.

Now in its 89th year of continuous service, Hawaiian is Hawai’i’s biggest and longest-serving airline. Hawaiian offers non-stop service to Hawai’i from more U.S. gateway cities (11) than any other airline, along with service from Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand, American Samoa and Tahiti. Hawaiian also provides approximately 170 jet flights daily between the Hawaiian Islands, with a total of more than 250 daily flights system-wide.

Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. is a subsidiary of Hawaiian Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HA).

 

 

 

 

CheapOair.com Names 2018’s Most “Insta-Worthy” Destinations to Boost Your Social Media Profile

In the age of social media, travelers are beginning to choose their vacation destinations based on how well they believe their photos will perform on their social accounts.

To help travelers find the next destination that will get them the most “likes” and help to establish them as travel trendsetters, CheapOair.com has selected its picks for the most photogenic destinations you’ve likely never considered traveling to.

Instead of Iceland, try Faroe Islands: You’ve probably noticed that Iceland has skyrocketed in popularity over the past decade, but the more photos of the Blue Lagoon that appear in your social feed, the more the novelty wears off. Instead, experience one of Europe’s best kept secrets: the Faroe Islands. Spectacular secluded landscapes, millennia-old history, and a unique North Atlantic cuisine are just a few reasons this off-the-radar spot should be next on your list. Average airfare for summer travel from the US to the Faroe Islands is $1,193*.

Instead of Singapore, try Hainan: China’s Hainan Island is being called the “Hawaii of the East” and is even starting to garner comparisons to Dubai for its newfound luxury vibe. To promote tourism, the Chinese government recently launched a program granting 30-day visa-free access to the island for tourists from 59 countries including the United States. While there, check out the 350 ft. Buddhist statue on the shores of the South China Sea. Average airfare for summer travel from the US to Hainan is $1,343*.

Instead of Prague, try Wroclaw: Poland isn’t one of those countries you hear about tourists flocking to, but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be. Wroclaw is a beautiful city with rich history dating back as early as the 6th century. Don’t miss the city’s main square surrounded by colorful tenement buildings. The square was destroyed during World War II but was rebuilt to honor Wroclaw’s medieval past.  Average airfare for summer travel from the US to Wroclaw is $1,086*.

 Instead of Costa Rica, try the Azores: Black sand beaches, lush greenery, and volcanic peaks make the Azores the perfect backdrop for your next subtropical getaway. Despite being an easy flight from the east coast – under 6 hours from New York, Boston, and Providence – the Azores are still widely undiscovered.  Outdoor activities like hiking, biking, and surfing are popular activities for both locals and visitors. Average airfare for summer travel from the US to the Azores is $770*.

 Instead of Croatia, try Montenegro: Just across the border from Croatia, Kotor is a medieval town with slightly less exposure than Dubrovnik. The charming town is nestled in a fjord-like bay and is perfect for spending a day getting lost. Average airfare for summer travel from the US to Montenegro is $1,359.

 Instead of Dubai, try Marrakech: From the delicately painted tiles, to the colorful goods in the souks, to the winding alleys of the old town, Marrakech is a city just waiting to be photographed. Simply wandering around is your best bet for finding a shot that will wow your followers. Marrakech is also a great starting point for visiting the remote, snow-capped Atlas Mountain range. Average airfare for summer travel from the US to Marrakech is $1,206*.  

 By consistently monitoring travel trends, CheapOair’s mission is to educate and aid consumers and travel professionals in both planning their travel accommodations and staying current on the most popular destinations. With a portfolio of products, including rate and schedule information from 450 global airlines, CheapOair is a great way to book the travel that’s right for you.

 For more information, please visit www.CheapOair.com, www.cheapoair.com/mobile, or our social media pages, www.Facebook.com/CheapOair and www.twitter.com/cheapoair.

 *Based on average roundtrip airfare for tickets booked as of 5/15/18 for travel departing from all US gateways June 1, 2018 – August 31, 2018.

 About CheapOair

CheapOair is a flight-focused, hybrid travel agency that enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone or live chat. CheapOair (https://www.cheapoair.com, 1-646-738-4820) bridges the gap between an online and traditional travel agency with certified travel agents available to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, 1 million hotels, and 100s of car rental companies. Partner airlines benefit from access to CheapOair’s broad customer base that books high yield international travel and add-on ancillaries at above the industry average. Follow CheapOair on Facebook and Twitter to learn how to travel the world for less.

 

 

 

Voyager HQ teams up with Amadeus and Fareportal for the Travel Disruption Summit

Voyager HQ, a first-of-its-kind startup club connecting founders with investors, mentors, and corporate partners in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry, is hosting the inaugural Travel Disruption Summit in New York City on May 23, 2018.

The event is being hosted in collaboration with Fareportal, the travel technology company powering CheapOair.com and OneTravel.com, and Amadeus, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry. Both companies are long-term strategic partners of Voyager HQ and proud supporters of the next generation of travel innovation.

This one-day symposium will convene the top 100 technology innovators in travel, tourism, and hospitality for focused discussions and actionable outcomes towards the advancement of the industry. The event will include keynotes from thought leaders in innovation on topics such as identifying the technology gaps in the travel industry, API accessibility and partnerships, and the future of travel distribution with blockchain and NDC.

Attendees will take part in focused roundtable sessions organized around each phase of the traveler’s experience: Discovery, Search and Aggregation, Inventory and Distribution, Purchasing, Transit, Travel, Corporate Travel, Hospitality Experience, and Destination/Tourism.

These intimate conversations will be moderated by startup founders from Voyager HQ’s membership who are developing solutions in each vertical. Industry leaders, venture capitalists, and media professionals will also contribute their inputs to the discussion.

The day’s program will culminate with a selection of early-stage, visionary startup founders pitching their innovations for the near future of travel, while all attendees cast a vote for the winner. All will be followed by a cocktail reception in New York City to continue the conversations and formalize the partnerships initiated during the Summit.

For more information and to apply to attend, visit https://www.traveldisruptionsummit.com.

About Voyager HQ

Voyager HQ is the startup club for the global travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. Their community brings together entrepreneurs, corporate partners, and investors from around the world to create the future of travel experiences through curated events, workspace, and actionable introductions. The Voyager Clubhouse NYC is their signature coworking and event space in Flatiron, as well as the global headquarters for a digital community of 1,000+ entrepreneurs in 55 countries. Join the Voyager HQ club by visiting https://www.voyagerhq.com/join-voyager/.

About Amadeus

Amadeus is a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel industry. Customer groups include travel providers (e.g. airlines, hotels, rail and ferry operators, etc.), travel sellers (travel agencies and websites), and travel buyers (corporations and travel management companies).

The Amadeus group employs around 15,000 people worldwide and does business in more than 190 countries. The company has central sites in Spain (corporate headquarters), France (development) and Germany (operations), and offices in 70 countries around the world.

The group operates a transaction-based business model.

Amadeus is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange under the symbol “AMS.MC” and is a component of the IBEX 35 index.

For more information about joining the Amadeus for Startups program, please visit https://www.amadeus.com/amadeusforstartups.

To find out more about Amadeus please visit www.amadeus.com, and www.amadeus.com/blog for more on the travel industry.

About Fareportal

Fareportal is a travel technology company powering a next generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated global contact centers, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing customers access to over 450 airlines, 1 million hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies around the globe. With a portfolio of consumer travel brands including CheapOair and OneTravel, Fareportal enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone, or live chat. Fareportal provides its airline partners with access to a broad customer base that books high-yielding international travel and add-on ancillaries.

Fareportal’s OTA Brands Named Among Top Travel Agencies

Leading online travel agency recognized as a top performer by Philippine Airlines

Fareportal, a global travel technology company powering seven travel brands including CheapOair.com and OneTravel.com, was recently awarded a 2018 PAL Award by Philippine Airlines. This annual award recognizes the travel agencies delivering the highest sales revenue to the airline over the past year.

For three consecutive years, Fareportal has made it on to the elite list of PAL Award recipients under the global OTA category. Philippine Airlines representatives Josh Vasquez and Charisse Rodriguez presented this year’s award to Fareportal’s Senior Vice President of Supplier Relations, Tom Spagnola, at Fareportal’s Headquarters in New York City.

“It is an honor to receive our third consecutive PAL Award from Philippine Airlines,” said Spagnola. “This award is representative of the continuous collaboration between the PAL and Fareportal teams over the years and we are grateful to Philippine Airlines for their continued partnership.”

Philippine Airlines is the flag carrier of the Philippines and operates non-stop flights to Manila from three North American gateways including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Vancouver. Philippine Airline is a world class carrier and was recently rated a 4-star Airline by Skytrax.

“Fareportal has been one of Philippine Airlines’ strongest global partners for the past several years,” said Josh Vasquez, the New York Area Manager for Philippine Airlines. “This award is our way of expressing gratitude to the whole Fareportal team for their unwavering support to PAL, and at the same time, a recognition of the two companies sharing the same quality of “Buong-Pusong Alaga” or whole-hearted service we both provide our customers.”

“With over 450 airline partnerships worldwide, it is inspiring to see the positive impact we have on our partners’ businesses,” said Sam S. Jain, CEO and Founder at Fareportal. “We are excited to continue building upon this already strong relationship with Philippine Airlines to achieve even greater success in the future.”

About Fareportal
Fareportal is a travel technology company powering a next generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated global contact centers, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing customers access to over 450 airlines, 1 million hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies around the globe. With a portfolio of consumer travel brands including CheapOair and OneTravel, Fareportal enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone, or live chat. Fareportal provides its airline partners with access to a broad customer base that books high-yielding international travel and add-on ancillaries.

About Philippine Airlines
Philippine Airlines (PAL) is the flag carrier of the Philippines. Headquartered in Manila, PAL celebrates its 77th anniversary this year as the first commercial airline in Asia. Operating out of its hubs at Ninoy Aquino International Airport of Manila, Mactan-Cebu International Airport of Cebu, Clark International Airport and Davao International Airport with a fleet of 85 aircraft, PAL serves 33 destinations in the Philippines and over 45 destinations internationally.

Fareportal’s Customer Service Department Wins Gold at 2018 American Business Awards

Fareportal, the travel technology company powering CheapOair.com and OneTravel.com was recently awarded a Gold Stevie in the category of Customer Service Department of the Year.

The American Business Awards, or the Stevies, were created in 2002 to honor the achievements of organizations and professionals in the United States. It is one of the premier business awards organizations in the U.S. and features a variety of categories to recognize all areas of the workplace. The entries are judged by a panel of respected executives, entrepreneurs, innovators and business educators. More than 3,700 nominations from organizations across industries were submitted for consideration in the 2018 competition.

“Providing exceptional, full-service booking support and customer service has been one of the primary pillars of the business from its founding in 2002,” said Sam S. Jain, CEO and Founder of Fareportal. “It is an honor to receive such a prestigious award recognizing our achievements and innovation in the field.”

Fareportal maintains its high standards of customer service by staying at the forefront of technology and monitoring how consumer behaviors are shifting. Over the past few years, Fareportal has noticed an increase in customers using forms of electronic communication such as email or online chat. To better accommodate for these customers, Fareportal is working to integrate artificial intelligence into its current functionalities. Using AI bots, Fareportal can quickly and efficiently determine customers’ needs and direct them to the proper agent for assistance.

The growth of online review communities has also prompted the travel company to constantly monitor social media, internet forums, and review sites and respond immediately to customers who need assistance. This is just one more action Fareportal takes to make sure every customer is left satisfied.

“The nominations submitted for the 2018 American Business Awards were outstanding.  The competition was intense, and those recognized as Stevie Award winners should be immensely proud of this accomplishment,” said Michael Gallagher, president and founder of the Stevie Awards.

 About Fareportal

Fareportal is a travel technology company powering a next generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated global contact centers, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing customers access to over 450 airlines, 1 million hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies around the globe. With a portfolio of consumer travel brands including CheapOair and OneTravel, Fareportal enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone, or live chat. Fareportal provides its airline partners with access to a broad customer base that books high-yielding international travel and add-on ancillaries.

About the Stevie Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 10,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 60 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com

East Coast vs. West Coast: Where Americans Are Traveling in 2018

The East Coast[1] versus West Coast[2] mentalities have long been juxtaposed, and today CheapOair.com released the findings of a comparison on the differing preferences of Eastern versus Western U.S. travelers in the beginning of 2018.

CheapOair’s data revealed that when West Coasters travel domestically, they prefer to visit other West Coast destinations including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Honolulu. Meanwhile, the domestic travel preferences of those from the Eastern U.S. is more widespread, and they are especially keen on travel to Florida, with Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, and Miami among their top 5 domestic destinations.

CheapOair’s data found that airfare prices from West Coast gateways can be up to 16% higher than fares from the East Coast, especially when traveling within the US, to Canada, and to Europe. People who live on the West Coast seem to take advantage of the cheaper options by choosing to travel to Mexico and Asia more so than to other international regions. 

 The data also shows that East Coasters primarily travel to Mexico and the Caribbean in the early part of the year, but then in May their bookings to Europe spike as the summer peak season approaches.

By consistently monitoring travel trends, CheapOair’s mission is to educate and aid consumers and travel professionals in both planning their travel accommodations and staying current on the most popular destinations. With a portfolio of products, including rate and schedule information from more than 450 global airlines, CheapOair is a great way to book the travel that’s right for you.

 For more information, please visit www.CheapOair.com, www.cheapoair.com/mobile, or our social media pages, www.Facebook.com/CheapOair and www.twitter.com/cheapoair.

 About CheapOair

CheapOair is a flight-focused, hybrid travel agency that enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone or live chat. CheapOair (https://www.cheapoair.com, 1-646-738-4820) bridges the gap between an online and traditional travel agency with certified travel agents available to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, 1 million hotels, and 100s of car rental companies. Partner airlines benefit from access to CheapOair’s broad customer base that books high yield international travel and add-on ancillaries at above the industry average. Follow CheapOair on Facebook and Twitter to learn how to travel the world for less.

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[1] East Coast regional data includes gateways in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, and Virginia

[2] West Coast regional data includes gateways in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming

[3] Based on passengers booked for travel from each region between 1/1/2018 – 6/31/2018, 4/4/2018

[4] Based on average airfare per passenger from each region between 1/1/2018 – 6/31/2018, 4/4/2018

Fareportal’s CheapOair.com Wins Gold Hermes Creative Award for Social Media Sweepstakes Campaign

Leading Online Travel Agency Wins First Ever Award for Social Media Excellence

Fareportal, the travel technology company powering CheapOair.com and OneTravel.com, was honored recently with a Gold Award at the Hermes Creative Awards for hosting an exceptionally successful social media sweepstakes campaign.

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, the flight-focused online travel agency partnered with Fiji Airways to giveaway a romantic trip for two to Fiji including roundtrip airfare and 5-star accommodations. The success of the campaign was unprecedented for CheapOair.com and far surpassed the goals set prior to the promotion.

The campaign generated a 4% social engagement rate which is significantly higher than the industry average of 0.9%. In addition, 36% of entrants opted-in to receive future CheapOair.com promotional emails.

The Hermes Creative Awards are sponsored and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP). The international organization consists of several thousand professionals in production, marketing, communication, advertising, and public relations. AVA Digital recognizes outstanding achievement by creative professionals involved in the concept, direction, design, and production of media that is part of the evolution of digital communication.

“Social media plays a vital role in how today’s travelers research and plan their trips and therefore is becoming a key component of our marketing strategy,” said Sam S. Jain, Founder and CEO at Fareportal. “Our Social Media team is constantly working with our partners to generate interesting campaigns that engage our followers and keep CheapOair top of mind when booking a trip.”

About Fareportal

Fareportal is a travel technology company powering a next generation travel concierge service. Utilizing its innovative technology and company owned and operated global contact centers, Fareportal has built strong industry partnerships providing customers access to over 450 airlines, 1 million hotels, and hundreds of car rental companies around the globe. With a portfolio of consumer travel brands including CheapOair and OneTravel, Fareportal enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps for iOS and Android, by phone, or live chat. Fareportal provides its airline partners with access to a broad customer base that books high-yielding international travel and add-on ancillaries.

About CheapOair

CheapOair is a flights-focused hybrid travel service that enables consumers to book online, on mobile apps, by phone or live chat. CheapOair (http://www.cheapoair.com, 1-646-738-4820) bridges the gap between an online and traditional travel agency with certified travel agents available to help find deals and offers to destinations worldwide on over 450 airlines, 150,000 hotels, and 100s of car rental companies. Partner airlines benefit from access to CheapOair’s broad customer base that books high yield international travel and add-on ancillaries at above the industry average. Follow CheapOair on Facebook and Twitter to learn how to travel the world for less.

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