Amanda Metcalf
Business Travel News
Brooklyn, NY, United States
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Past articles by Amanda:
UATP Is Letting Travel Management Companies Issue Its Cards:
A decade after the idea surfaced, payment network UATP will allow travel management companies to issue UATP payment accounts. BCD Travel is the first. It will launch with a U.S. test group internally and then roll out to all U.S. clients, possibly next quarter. → Read More
Amadeus Promotes Roy to Head of Technology, Platforms & Engineering:
Amadeus has promoted Sylvain Roy from VP of R&D for digital products and services for airlines to SVP of the Technology, Platforms and Engineering Group. → Read More
Tramada Hires 30-Year Travel Industry Vet:
Michael Jacques has joined Tramada Systems, which operates cloud-based post-booking software for travel agencies, as senior director of business development, charged with expansion in North America. The company entered the region in 2017. Over the past 19 years, he has worked for i:FAO/Cytric, Amadeus e-Travel Management, Farelogix, Tripware, Databasics and Lumo. He also previously owned a… → Read More
Two BCD Network Agencies in South Africa Merge:
Connex Travel and Rennies Travel in South Africa plan to merge. BCD Travel counts Connex as a joint-venture partner and Rennies as a member of BCD's network; Rennie parent Bidvest joined BCD's network in January. → Read More
Cathay Pacific Chairman Resigns:
John Slosar, former CEO from 2011 to 2014 and chairman since then of Hong Kong airline Cathay Pacific, will resign effective Nov 6., the date of the next board meeting. Patrick Healy will take his spot. → Read More
American Extends Boeing Max Cancellations Again:
American Airlines is extending cancellations for the Boeing 737 Max through Dec. 3, an extension of about a month. According to a release from the carrier, "American Airlines remains confident that impending software updates to the Boeing 737 Max, along with the new training elements Boeing is developing in coordination with our union partners, will lead to recertification of the aircraft this… → Read More
United Removes Expiration Date for Rewards:
United has adjusted its rewards policy for loyalty members. Now, its MileagePlus reward miles—which travelers can redeem on flights, experiences, hotels and other options—have no expiration date. → Read More
GoldSpring Adds EMEA Consultant:
Chris Pouney, based in the U.K., has joined GoldSpring Consulting as an associate. → Read More
Delta Brings Virgin Atlantic & Korean Air into SkyBonus:
Delta SkyBonus, which allows companies to earn loyalty points on employee travel while their employees also earn personal SkyMiles points, now enables members to earn and redeem points with partner Virgin Atlantic. → Read More
Atlas Travel Will Resell Female and LGBTQ+ Duty of Care Provider:
Travel management company Atlas Travel, a Women's Business Enterprise and a Woman-Owned Small Business, will resell Maiden Voyage's duty of care resources. Maiden Voyage helps companies mitigate risk through in-person and online education, as well as social platforms to connect female travelers. Maiden Voyage founder and CEO Carolyn Pearson said, "Atlas Travel will be our first U.S-based TMC… → Read More
How Hotel Rates Will Change in 2020 & Why:
The American Express Global Business Travel Hotel Monitor 2020 forecasts hotel rate changes, based on local currencies, from 2019 to 2020 for select cities. Here's a sampling of the factors driving various markets, according to the travel management company. → Read More
OYO CEO Leads $2B Investment in His Own Company:
Ritesh Agarwal has engineered a $2 billion company-management investment round in OYO Hotels & Homes, the company he founded in 2013 and leads as CEO now, at age 25. The transaction, which is pending shareholder and regulatory approval, is slated to occur via Agarwal's Cayman Islands-based RA Hospitality Holdings. The deal is "one of the first founder- and executive-led management purchases in… → Read More
TripActions Launches United NDC Content:
A select group of customers now can shop and book New Distribution Capability content on TripActions for certain United flights. The travel management company plans to make United NDC content available to its full customer base in the coming weeks. A traveler can purchase Wi-Fi, premium seating, United Club access and ancillaries like checked baggage and can upgrade to Economy Plus all either as… → Read More
ACTE Names New Head:
On June 17, Leigh Bochicchio will become executive director of the Association of Corporate Travel Executives, replacing Greeley Koch. She joins from 13 years at Mastercard, most recently as VP of business process improvement and product management excellence. → Read More
Strachan Pulls Back from Leadership Role at Gender-Balance Org:
Advantage Travel Partnership head of business travel services and events Sonia Michaels and Festive Road consultant Louise Kilgannon have joined the leadership team of Level UK, which has rebranded from Level Women. → Read More
Collinson Adds Remote Medical Care for Deployments:
Collinson—which offers 24/7 medical assistance and evacuations for travelers via platforms in the U.K., Ireland and South Africa—now offers services from Aspen Medical, which provides defense, mining, energy, government and humanitarian organization clients with paramedics, medical teams, ambulances, medical facilities, pharmacy products, mobile health, surgery and evacuation by air, as well… → Read More
New JV Amps Up BCD's Marine Travel Services:
BCD Travel and Bernhard Schulte Ship Management, or BSM, have created a JV that allows clients to access marine crew travel services and BCD's travel service offerings from the same supplier. BCD centralized and globalized its energy, resources and marine service line in March. BSM is a global marine travel services company that will aid BCD's efforts to scale up and become a large player in the… → Read More
McCormick Out & Solombrino In at GBTA:
Global Business Travel Association executive director and COO Michael McCormick is stepping down from his post after 10 years heading the industry association. He will advise incoming executive director Scott Solombrino and the GBTA board as the association heads into its 51st annual convention this summer. → Read More
That's Negotiatiable: Base Hotel Offerings:
Check out what 11,469 hotels say they offer, according to a survey STR conducted in July and August on behalf of the Americas Hotel & Lodging Association. Perhaps you'll spot opportunities to negotiate with your travel program's hotel partners. → Read More
New Head of Amex M&E:
American Express Global Business Travel has appointed Gerardo Tejado as general manager of American Express Meetings & Events. He will report to GBT EVP of global supplier relations Michael Qualantone and be based at headquarters in Jersey City, N.J. Tejado previously was GBT VP and general manager for Latin America and the Caribbean. He'll focus on technology and attendee experience. Issa… → Read More