Bing Travel

Bing Travel, Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) about to face the U.S. Department of Justice on its proposed acquisition of travel software developer for ITA Software and 700 million euros, know that the fight can be high stakes, but the loser in this battle royal could be you.

You probably do not know about the ITA, but you’ve already seen his work – Kayak, Orbitz and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) ‘s Bing are three players who rely on the ITA, which is widely regarded as having the best set of industry tools collection for air transport and flight data. Microsoft and Expedia, Kayak, and a few other heavyweights of recent trip together to form FairSearch.org to lobby against the acquisition by Google.

But frankly, no one has seen serious U.S. Department of Justice opposition until late last week when both the Washington Post and Bloomberg has published articles suggesting that the acquisition is “a problem” that the DoJ could “field “the case.

And that has left many observers puzzled. “I am very surprised to hear of the opposition DoJ,” said Jeffrey Breen, president of airline consulting aviation Cambridge Research.

Historically, it is rare for the DOJ to seek to block an acquisition where two companies are in different firms, and Google does not fingerprint data plane ticket.

And there are other reasons for opposition DoJ is confusing.

Google notes Robert Cole, founder of consulting firm Technology Travel RockCheetah, has insisted he has no interest – zero – using databases ITA air routes and fares to put in the booking business travel. “I take them at their word on that,” Cole said. Online Booking Travel at Expedia’s, hard work, and Google has never shown any appetite for the opening of these businesses.

Google also says he has no interest in taking data ITA private. Indeed, that seems to do is use the results of ITA in the power of research more transparent airfares – and it could be a blessing to us all.

Reality: The current systems of online booking of tickets are extremely inefficient, Cole argues. “The typical leisure traveler searches 22 sites across 10 sessions when planning a trip.”

Google’s entry could produce easier, faster reservations. Therefore, seeks to block the acquisition ITA seems contrary to the interests of passengers.

Worse yet, the current system shows signs of disintegration. The big airlines are beginning to tackle major online travel agencies. The main fight well against Orbitz, American Airlines and Sabre. U.S. has withdrawn its flight data from Orbitz, Expedia and pulled U.S. data as a gesture of solidarity. Sabre, a provider of data used primarily for Travel Travel agents in turn said he downgrade U.S. data, making these flights are less visible. American responded with a lawsuit.

What America wants? He insists that the compensation paid to third parties, but this fight pushes the system closer to current blowup.

Bottom line: To call the current system is broken to be nice. Airlines despise, consumers find it awkward, and almost nobody thinks that he cannot do better. Why DoJ would apparently want to preserve it is a surprise.

And that’s why the Google-ITA merger is in the interest of a few of us all. Google’s entry could produce a fluid flow of flight data, and already there are signs that airlines have a smile on ITA. American, for example, last week signed an agreement with ITA Software house, which produce new tools for America to manage its flight data.

Is there no way out of the Google / DoJ collision? Brooklyn Law School professor Jonathan Askin believes it is “Extracting a few commitments to public service by Google for the approval of the acquisition ITA Software is probably a sufficient alternative to outright blocking of the merger “.

The DoJ could extract guarantees of continued access to data ITA travel agencies like Expedia online. Experts say that should be readily available to commit to Google, because these companies pay for ITA and its data are the primary source of liquidity to the ITA.

What’s not to love about that?

The sky might be a bit friendly – and much easier to navigate – with Google gives us all doses of ITA data for trip planning.

Source: http://www.internetevolution.com/author.asp?section_id=852&doc_id=203275&f_src=internetevolution_gnews

Airfarewatchdog

Airfarewatchdog, TripAdvisor (R), the world’s largest travel website *, today announced the winners of its 2011 Travelers’ Choice (R) Awards. These 676 years institutions have been recognized in the ninth year of competition. Unlike the entire honors hotel, TripAdvisor Travelers Choice winners are based on millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.
Properties received awards in the following categories: best deal, Best Luxury, Best for Romance, Best B & Bs and inns, Best Spa and Relaxation, the hippest, Best All-Inclusive, and the Best Hotels in the U.S. States and the world.
The average night for the full list of winners Travelers’ Choice Award is $ 283 and nearly a third of hotels had an average night and 150 or less per night. Prices per night for the best deal is $ 93; B & Bs and inns $ 104, Best for Romance $ 400, $ 237; connected Recreation & Spa $ 427 Best and Top 25 hotels United States and 299.
“Based on the feedback of millions of travelers worldwide, TripAdvisor is able to recognize the most outstanding hotels in the world for the ninth year of Travelers Choice Awards,” said Karen Drake, Senior Director of Communications of TripAdvisor. “A exceptional service, great value and high quality are the hallmarks of our winners Travelers’ Choice. ”
Select 2011 Winners:
Best Bargain in the World – Seacoast Inn – Hyannis, Massachusetts
Best Luxury (4 stars 5 &) in the World – Golden Well (U Zlate Studne) – Prague, Czech Republic
Best Luxury in the U.S. – Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea – Wailea, Hawaii
Ideal for services in the world – Anastasis Apartments – Santorini, Greece
Best B & B and Inn Worldwide – Invermoriston Scotland – The Old Manse
Best B & B in the United States – Sedona Views Bed and Breakfast – Sedona, Arizona
Best for Romance in the world – Capella Ixtapa – Guerrero, Mexico
Best for Romance United States – Spindrift Inn – Monterey, California
Best All-Inclusive in the world – Iberostar Grand Hotel Paraiso – Playa Paraiso, Mexico
Best Spa and Relaxation in the world – Adler Thermae Spa Resort – San Quirico d’Orcia, Italy
Best Spa and Relaxation in the United States – Bardessono – Napa Valley, California
The hippest Hotel in the World – citizenM Amsterdam City – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Trendy hotel in the United States – W Fort Lauderdale – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
To the best hotels by region and a complete list of 2011 travelers’ choice, go to http://www.tripadvisor.com/travelerschoice.
About TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor (R) is the world travel website, enabling travelers to plan and have the perfect trip. TripAdvisor provides reliable advice from real travelers and a wide variety of choice and travel planning functions (including research flights, and friends TripAdvisor Mobile TripAdvisor travel) with direct links to booking tools.
TripAdvisor (R) Media Group, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts more than 50 million unique monthly visitors * across 17 popular travel brands **. TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 40 million unique visitors per month *** 20 million members and more than 40 million reviews and opinions. Sites in 27 countries around the world including China as ****, daodao.com. TripAdvisor TripAdvisor for companies also operates a dedicated division that provides access to the tourism industry millions of TripAdvisor visitors. The division includes business listings, which allow hoteliers to connect directly to millions of traveler’s research, and vacation rentals, which help managers and homeowners, list their individual properties and hotel alternative showcase.
TripAdvisor Media Group sites were recognized as top travel resources in 2010 by Conde Nast Traveller, Good Housekeeping, Time magazine and Travel + Leisure.
TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Group are companies of Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXPE | PowerRating).
TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice and the logo are trademarks of TripAdvisor or registered trademarks of TripAdvisor LLC in the United States and / or other countries. Other logos or product names and company names mentioned herein may be the property of their respective owners.
(C) 2011 TripAdvisor LLC. All rights reserved.
* Source: comScore Media Metrix for sites TripAdvisor Media Group Worldwide, August 2010
** In addition to TripAdvisor, the TripAdvisor Media Group of sites includes: www.airfarewatchdog.com, www.bookingbuddy.com, www.cruisecritic.com, www.familyvacationcritic.com, www.flipkey.com, www.holidaylettings.co. Uk, www.holidaywatchdog.com, www.independenttraveler.com, www.onetime.com, www.seatguru.com, www.sniqueaway.com, www.smartertravel.com, www.travel-library.com, www.travelpod. Com, and www.virtualtourist.com www.kuxun.cn.
*** Source: comScore Media Metrix sites for TripAdvisor, the world in August 2010
TripAdvisor **** sites in 27 countries around the world: www.tripadvisor.com, www.tripadvisor.co.uk, www.tripadvisor.ca, www.tripadvisor.it, www.tripadvisor.es, www.tripadvisor. Of, www.tripadvisor.fr, www.tripadvisor.jp, www.daodao.com, www.tripadvisor.in, www.tripadvisor.se, nl.tripadvisor.com, www.tripadvisor.com.br, www.tripadvisor. Com. TR, www.tripadvisor.dk, www.tripadvisor.com.mx, www.tripadvisor.ie, www.tripadvisor.com.au, www.tripadvisor.com.sg, www.tripadvisor.co.kr, no.tripadvisor. Com, pl.tripadvisor.com, th.tripadvisor.com, www.tripadvisor.ru, www.tripadvisor.com.gr/, and www.tripadvisor.co.id www.tripadvisor.com.ar.
SOURCE TripAdvisor

First, try to book your flight and hotel together on a site like Travelocity or Expedia to save on both. If you do not see an affordable rate and you still have a few months, set up an alert avec”AirfareWatchdog or a similar service to know when a decent fare becomes available. If you listened to us to Tip # 1 and reside in the continental United States, see the situation revamped Greyhound bus (we’re talking about wireless and all), or intend to take a train or bus, or even drive to your destination. Do the math first if, sometimes, gas prices add up to more than airline tickets.