In a letter sent to agencies and obtained by Travel Agent, Continental Airlines announced that it, too, was going to impose a $3.50 per segment booking fee on those using certain GDSs. Continental is the third airline to make such an announcement in the last 10 days, following both United Airlines and American Airlines, both of whom will levy the $3.50 booking fee on select GDS subscribers. Continental said that agents who elect to participate in the Sabre Efficient Access Solution, Galileo Content Continuity Program and Worldspan's Super Access Product will be exempt from the booking fee charges, and also have an assurance of receiving full Continental content. The airline added, however, that those not participating in the optional programs not only will have to pay the fee, but "will have limited access to Continental's fares and inventories." Continental said the fee "would be used to offset Continental's higher distribution and administrative expenses and help Continental remain competitive." Visit [www.contintental.com/agency] for additional info.
