Amex signs another deal to avoid surcharge

AMERICAN Express Global
Business Travel has reached
an agreement with Air France
KLM that permits customers
to bypass an €11 (R163)
surcharge on fares through
the GDS.
AF said the geographical
scope of its agreements was
part of AF KLM’s commercial
policy and could not be
disclosed. Amex SA also
declined to comment, citing
commercial confidentiality.
Amex says the agreement is
subject to the GDS entering
private channel arrangements
with Air France KLM.
Both Amadeus and Travelport
have reached an agreement
with the airline that allows
agencies selected by Air
France HOP! and KLM to
access a private channel via
their platforms and avoid the
surcharge. Toward the end
of last year, a similar deal
was struck between agencies
Amex GBT, Flight Centre Travel
Group and HRG and IAG
(International Airlines Group),
allowing the agencies to book
BA and Iberia without paying
the £8 (R137) surcharge (see
TNW November 8).
Online travel agent, Expedia
Group, has also reached an
agreement with Air France KLM
to waive the GDS surcharge
for all Expedia customers in
the European markets. Tracy
Armitage, communication
campaign manager of Air
France KLM South Africa, said
the agreement only applied to
the European market.