Nexion Launches SNAP! Air Booking Program

Host agency powerhouse Nexion has unveiled its anticipated “Simple Nexion Air Program!” (SNAP!), during its CoNexion 2011 conference in New Orleans.  Nexion reports it is now able to offer SNAP! as a major new benefit so its agents can easily book and earn commissions on over 50 airlines, as well as with an array of hotel, car and rail partners.

As Nexion’s comprehensive solution for non-GDS agents – comprising approximately 68 percent of Nexion membership – SNAP! provides in-house fulfillment, support, training and technology, Nexion says.

“Travel agents should never, ever leave money on the table. Yet when agents aren’t booking their clients’ air – or worse, not getting compensated for it – they’re doing just that,” noted Nexion President Jackie Friedman.

 “Thanks to Nexion’s most robust innovation yet, booking air, hotel, car and rail is so easy that it’s a SNAP! for agents serious about earning commissions. Nexion agents are now able to handle all aspects of their customers' travel needs," Friedman said.

SNAP! was initially conceived after discussions with non-GDS Nexion agents revealed substantial and often prohibitive barriers to booking air travel, including thorny issues like debit memos.

“We’ve busted the barriers by developing an unparalleled, all-inclusive solution for Nexion agents that is both easy to use and highly flexible,” Friedman explained. “Best of all, our agents will easily know what is commissionable, thus increasing their earnings potential.”

As part of its SNAP! launch, Nexion will waive its nominal charge on each PNR through the end of 2011.

In tandem with today’s launch, Friedman also announced that Robbi Hamida has been promoted to serve as Nexion’s Director of Strategic Air Programs, overseeing all aspects of Nexion air program services and support, including a group desk.

According to Hamida, Nexion will now provide its members with two dedicated air support teams: “Classic” for Nexion agents with GDS (which is currently responsible for approximately $110 million in annual ARC volume) and “SNAP!” that’s specifically geared toward non-GDS agents.

Hamida noted that as recently as 2004, nearly 65 percent of Nexion members used a GDS. “In the span of just seven years, the percentages have virtually flipped as a new breed of agent is eschewing the GDS. Because of that 68 percent of Nexion members only represents a scant 1 percent of Nexion’s total air volume, it became clear that we needed to provide them with an all-encompassing means for selling air.”

"Through SNAP!, we see an enormous growth opportunity for agents to earn in ways they never could previously, all while owning each booking from beginning to end," Hamida said.

Initially, SNAP! participants will be provided training on the basics of air, including how to read and understand airline contracts, as well as training on the SNAP! technology tool.

SNAP! was first launched via a beta-test of 14 Nexion agents on July 18. “Nexion agents have been so eager to enroll in SNAP! that we had over 100 volunteer for the beta-test,” Friedman stated. “Their feedback has been invaluable as we readied SNAP! for its official debut and ensured that it truly busted the barriers to selling air.”

As a wholly-owned branch of Tzell Travel Group (a Travel Leaders Group company), Nexion is a fully licensed, bonded and accredited agency, which has been an industry pioneer and a host agency since 1995. Nexion is in business to help independent travel professionals accelerate their success and enable members to operate more efficiently and profitably by reducing costs and increasing revenues. Nexion provides ticketing, operations, fulfillment support and marketing services.
 
For information on the new program or joining Nexion,  call toll-free at 800-747-6813 or email Nexion at [email protected].