Vrbo Repositions Itself -
(“Expedia’s Vrbo to Reposition Itself Beyond Vacation Rentals as a Family Travel Business,” Skift Travel News on Nov 14, 2019)
Fresh from its disappointing third-quarter financial results,...more
Algorithms Under EU Scrutiny -
(“Algorithms might raise collusion concerns, Franco-German study says,” MLex Insight on Nov 8, 2019)
As many of you probably already know, algorithms are the heart and soul of most online...more
11/19/2019
/ Algorithms ,
Antitrust Division ,
Booking.com ,
Competition ,
Expedia ,
Google ,
Hotels ,
Joint Venture ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Partnerships ,
Trademarks ,
Travelers ,
TripAdvisor
...As for the Update, it was a relatively quiet week on the distribution front as opinions and viewpoints regarding the recently announced Expedia/Marriott agreement continue to roll in. What this agreement might ultimately...more
10/15/2019
/ Airlines ,
Antitrust Investigations ,
Digital Currency ,
E-Commerce ,
Expedia ,
Fees ,
Hotels ,
Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) ,
Marriott ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Pricing ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Rate Parity Agreement ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Resorts & Restaurants ,
Singapore ,
Startups ,
Travelers ,
Unfair Competition
Consumer protection concerns are a re-occurring theme in this week’s Update.
Proposed Legislation Targets Resort Fees -
("House Bill Would Halt Undisclosed Resort Fees," Benzinga.com on Sep 27, 2019)
This past...more
10/7/2019
/ Booking.com ,
Expedia ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Fees ,
FTC Act ,
Hotels ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Property Owners ,
Proposed Legislation ,
Resorts & Restaurants ,
Travelers ,
UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ,
Unfair or Deceptive Trade Practices ,
Websites
This week’s Update is by far one of the most substantive Updates we’ve had in some time. Enjoy....more
9/26/2019
/ Expedia ,
Fake Reviews ,
Hidden Fees ,
Hotels ,
Marriott ,
Mobile Apps ,
Online Reviews ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Travelers ,
TripAdvisor ,
Unfair or Deceptive Trade Practices ,
Websites ,
Wholesale
This week’s Update includes additional background information regarding the ongoing resort fee saga, which many of you requested. Enjoy....more
7/29/2019
/ Acquisitions ,
Appeals ,
Booking.com ,
Expedia ,
Fake Reviews ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Google ,
Hotels ,
Marriott ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Resorts & Restaurants ,
Scams ,
Travelers ,
TripAdvisor
This week’s travel-shortened OTA & Travel Distribution Update features two stories detailing two recently announced unique partnerships, one between Accor and Air-France-KLM and the other between Expedia and Lufthansa. We...more
7/16/2019
/ AirBnB ,
Airlines ,
Amazon ,
Booking.com ,
Customer-Loyalty Programs ,
Expedia ,
Fees ,
Google ,
Hotels ,
Lufthansa ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Partnerships ,
Resorts & Restaurants ,
Sales Commissions ,
Travelers
This week’s Update highlights two additional countries’ efforts to investigate alleged abuses by powerful global online platforms, including widely used online travel platforms. Enjoy....more
7/5/2019
/ Antitrust Investigations ,
Booking.com ,
CEOs ,
Competition ,
E-Commerce ,
Expedia ,
Hotels ,
Online Platforms ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Sales Commissions ,
Startups ,
Travelers
The latest OTA & Travel Distribution Update features a number of stories highlighting ongoing or recently resolved regulatory complaints or investigations. Enjoy....more
This week’s Update features an important story on possible changes to keyword contracting practices (or at least a new argument as to why existing practices are no longer appropriate). Enjoy....more
6/17/2019
/ Antitrust Violations ,
Booking.com ,
Expedia ,
Fees ,
Hotels ,
Keyword Advertising ,
Keyword Search ,
Safety Precautions ,
Sales Commissions ,
Sexual Assault ,
Travelers ,
TripAdvisor
The week’s stories remind us how quickly things continue to change in the distribution landscape. Enjoy....more
5/28/2019
/ Amazon ,
American Express ,
Antitrust Violations ,
Booking.com ,
Expedia ,
Google ,
Hotels ,
Keyword Search ,
Restaurant Industry ,
Safety Precautions ,
State Attorneys General ,
Travelers ,
TripAdvisor
This week features another travel-shortened OTA & Travel Distribution Update. We will return with our regular format next week....more
5/21/2019
/ Anti-Competitive ,
Antitrust Conspiracies ,
Appeals ,
Booking.com ,
Collusion ,
Contract Terms ,
Expedia ,
False Advertising ,
Hotels ,
Market Manipulation ,
Marriott ,
Online Advertisements ,
Online Travel Vendors
While Marriott’s entrance into the vacation rental business garnered most of the attention this week (we’ve included one of the many stories written this week about Marriott’s move), a few other stories warranted inclusion in...more
5/14/2019
/ Airlines ,
Anti-Competitive ,
Antitrust Investigations ,
Antitrust Violations ,
Contract Negotiations ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Expedia ,
Hotels ,
Initial Public Offering (IPO) ,
Marriott ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Rental Property ,
Sharing Economy ,
Travelers ,
United Airlines
This week’s Update features a story on an issue – OTA cancellations – that we’ve been hearing a lot about recently. Enjoy....more
5/6/2019
/ Airlines ,
Anti-Competitive ,
Booking.com ,
Cancellation Rights ,
Customer-Loyalty Programs ,
Expedia ,
Google Maps ,
Hotels ,
Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Rate Parity Agreement ,
Travelers
This week’s Update features a number of stories on important developments in the EU. Enjoy....more
4/29/2019
/ Acquisitions ,
Airlines ,
Booking.com ,
Contract Disputes ,
Department of Justice (DOJ) ,
EU ,
European Parliament ,
Expedia ,
Germany ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Hotels ,
New Rules ,
Online Distribution ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Regulatory Oversight ,
Travelers ,
UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ,
Unenforceable Contract Terms ,
Unfair Competition ,
Venue
Other than the news that Marriott and Expedia completed negotiations over their new contract (congratulations to Marriott for getting this behind you), this past week was relatively quiet on the distribution front. Enjoy....more
Expedia Unable to Stop Withholding of Critical Airline Data -
("U.S. judge rules against Expedia in United Airlines fare listings lawsuit," Reuter US News, April 5, 2019)
In the continuing saga of United Airline versus...more
This past week was relatively quiet on the distribution front. Have a great week everyone....more
This week’s Update includes status reports on several ongoing distribution-related court cases involving both hoteliers and distributors....more
4/1/2019
/ Advertising ,
AirBnB ,
Anti-Competitive ,
Booking.com ,
Class Certification ,
Expedia ,
Google ,
Hotels ,
Investors ,
Keyword Search ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Travelers ,
UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)
This week’s Update includes a report on the EU Commission’s widespread examination of online platforms’ pricing practices and an update on the much-publicized standoff between United and Expedia. Enjoy....more
3/4/2019
/ Amazon ,
E-Commerce ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Expedia ,
Google ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Hotels ,
Joint Venture ,
Online Platforms ,
Partnerships ,
Price Transparency ,
Rental Property ,
Technology Sector ,
Travelers ,
United Airlines
Expedia Gets Tough -
('Expedia sues United in fight over ticket-distribution costs," Seattle Times - Business, February 6, 2019)
Although several sources reported late Friday that Expedia and United have agreed to...more
2/19/2019
/ Advertising ,
Booking.com ,
Client Retention ,
Expedia ,
Hotels ,
Investigations ,
Mergers ,
Millennials ,
Online Distribution ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Rate Parity Agreement ,
Ticket Pricing ,
Travelers ,
Trivago ,
UK ,
UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) ,
United Airlines ,
Websites
Voice-assisted devices (a/k/a smart speakers) feature prominently in this week’s Update. Enjoy....more
1/21/2019
/ Airlines ,
American Airlines ,
Anti-Competitive ,
Blockchain ,
Breach of Contract ,
Business Travel ,
Competition Authorities ,
Connected Items ,
European Commission ,
Expedia ,
Google ,
Hotels ,
Logos ,
Online Platforms ,
Partnerships ,
Settlement ,
Smart Devices ,
Technology Sector ,
Trademark Infringement ,
Travelers
Both regulatory investigations and consumer complaints feature prominently in this week’s distribution news....more
12/31/2018
/ Antitrust Investigations ,
Booking.com ,
Class Action ,
Competition Authorities ,
EU ,
European Commission ,
Expedia ,
Hospitality Industry ,
Hotels ,
International Travel ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Racketeering
Stories detailing investors’ renewed interest in travel technology feature prominently in this week’s stories....more
11/26/2018
/ Acquisitions ,
Airlines ,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Customer-Loyalty Programs ,
Expedia ,
Hotels ,
Investors ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Orbitz ,
Partnerships ,
Startups ,
Technology Sector ,
Travelers ,
Venture Capital ,
Venture Funding
This week's Update includes a story detailing yet another state’s efforts to close existing tax loopholes so that it may collect proper sales/occupancy taxes from OTAs. I hope you enjoy....more
11/2/2018
/ Expedia ,
Hotels ,
Occupancy Tax ,
Online Travel Vendors ,
Rental Property ,
Sales Tax ,
Short-Term Lease ,
State and Local Government ,
State Taxes ,
Tax Legislation ,
Technology Sector ,
Tourists ,
Travelers