FCM Readies Booking Tool for U.K. Launch

Flight Centre Travel Group’s corporate travel management company FCM is launching a new online booking tool in the United Kingdom in the coming months, which will be an additional component to its wider open platform booking solutions for clients.

The tool will “help U.K. travel managers make data-driven decisions around booking behavior,” according to FCM global managing director Marcus Eklund. “FCM Booking intends to close a gap in the midmarket segment for those looking to marry cost control with a friendly user experience that supports and encourages strong adoption.”

Among its features are a “tuning” where booking options are controlled with personalized algorithms or individual spending levels. The tool also includes AI technology to give choices that match travel policy as well as traveler preferences and loyalty memberships. FCM’s browser extension software aggregates air and hotel content from multiple sources in the tool.

Having their own booking tool to offer also will make it easier and quicker for FCM to configure for new users, as it will already be integrated into the FCM platform, which also includes a selection of recommended APIs such as duty-of-care providers and HR feeds as well as other booking tools, according to FCM.

Select customers in the U.K. are piloting the booking tool now, and FCM plans to roll it out more widely later this year. It also plans to expand to the U.S. in the next couple of months, according to a Flight Centre spokesperson.

Michael B. Baker www.businesstravelnews.com