University of Oregon business travelers will now work with one travel agency for booking trips to conferences and events, according to the Travel Office in Business Affairs.
Direct Travel has been a partner with the UO for more than a decade, and many departments and travelers have established trusted relationships with its dedicated UO travel agent team. Direct Travel also has vast experience with other higher education institutions, including peers in the Big Ten Conference.
Transitioning to a single travel management company creates greater consistency for users working with a travel agent or using the Concur online booking tool. Process efficiencies are also achieved as the travel office team will no longer need to divide time and resources to manage separate booking tools, reporting entities, account managers and fee structures. They can now improve the online booking tool configuration, quickly identify any issues that arise and apply solutions.
Working solely with Direct Travel will bring:
- Access to an increased number of dedicated travel agents to meet the needs of UO business travelers.
- Access to a technologically superior global distribution system, Sabre. This will allow UO travelers access to new features, such as specially discounted fares, that were previously only available directly with the airlines.
- New reporting and messaging capabilities will allow better management of unused ticket credits, safety and risk notifications and dissemination of general travel guidance to active travelers.
- Consistent booking tool experience and data feed into Concur so travelers have consistent access to their itineraries and receipts.
- Additional customer tools such as invoices on demand and a suite of reports aimed at improving tracking of UO travel assets, and assistance negotiating with travel vendors to gain deeper discounts for UO business travelers.
More information will be shared with departments regarding the general timeline and unused ticket credits held with UO’s other currently contracted travel management company.
The request for proposal process engaged personnel from financial service centers across campus, representing the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Design, School of Journalism and Communication, College of Education, research institutes and Office of Finance and Administration units to serve on the evaluation committee.