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Yapta launches new airline service to purchase lower airline prices
Yapta Inc. announced the launch of what it called the industry’s only airfare tagging service that tracks airfare on specific flights and alerts consumers via e-mail when fares drop or fall below a desired spending limit.
“By enabling consumers to tag specific flights from online itineraries offered at leading domestic airline websites or online travel agents, and have pricing continually monitored thereafter, Yapta assures that users get alerted to the lowest possible price for airline tickets,” said the Seattle-based company.
Bringing to light pro-consumer “guaranteed airfare rules” offered by many airlines, the service helps air travelers obtain travel vouchers – and in some cases, cash refunds – when the price decreases on tickets that have already been purchased.
“We’re introducing trip tagging as a new approach to travel shopping,” said Tom Romary, president & CEO of Yapta. He added:
“Airline ticket prices are highly volatile, making it very difficult for most consumers to be assured that they are getting the best deal possible. Yapta provides accurate, timely price tracking, regardless of when or where consumers decide to purchase or shop for airline tickets online.”
Yapta users track airfares by “tagging” the exact flight itineraries that they want using a downloaded browser add-on.
Additionally, travelers can also use Yapta on a post-purchase basis by simply entering their confirmation code or flight information into the site’s Web site. The Yapta add-on serves consumers during their online travel shopping experience only, and does not engage during other web surfing sessions.
In December 2006, Yapta initiated a private-beta test of the service, allowing select consumers to tag flights, receive alerts on airfare price drops, and capture refunds and travel vouchers. In just three months, the company says, it alerted its 275 test users to approximately $30,000 in eligible savings and refunds, for an average net benefit of $109 per traveler.
Report by David Wilkening
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