2008 Woodie Awards
RSSNew university travel company offers more online services, director says
By Noel McLaren
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: News
Lehigh will change its travel provider from American Express to Carlson Wagonlit Travel.
Patricia Reich, director of purchasing services, said Carlson Wagonlit Travel will offer a package of services to meet the needs of the campus community.
Reich said the package includes full service travel assistance, dedicated travels specialists and a team of six agents working in the Business Travel Center.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel offers an after-hours emergency service center at no additional charge. Other services include discounts such as the global alliance hotel program, a car rental program and a travel and discount plan for students, faculty and alumni.
Mark Ironside, executive director of business services, said purchasing services issued a request for proposal, RFP, to compare the programs of both American Express and other travel companies.
"While we cannot disclose the contents of an RFP," Ironside said, "it is true that an on-site presence, as opposed to a call center, is significantly more expensive. We did not think the cost warranted the continuance of an on-site service given the changes in the travel industry and the needs for the university."
Reich said travel through Carlson Wagonlit Travel will be available online.
"Lehigh has never had a Web-booking tool before," Reich said. "After doing our research, we found that students, faculty, and staff would benefit from a Web-booking tool. That was a major feature we considered as we reviewed providers. The tool will be customized for Lehigh and has a variety of interesting features."
The Web-booking tool will allow a traveler to access all of the discounts and programs available through Carlson Wagonlit Travel and support from the agency if there are issues while traveling.
Ironside said the Web-booking tool will give students more options when they book a trip.
"Students will have a significantly better choice when it comes to travel," Ironside said. "For the first time, students will have access to an online tool, which is an added benefit for faculty and staff as well."
Patricia Reich, director of purchasing services, said Carlson Wagonlit Travel will offer a package of services to meet the needs of the campus community.
Reich said the package includes full service travel assistance, dedicated travels specialists and a team of six agents working in the Business Travel Center.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel offers an after-hours emergency service center at no additional charge. Other services include discounts such as the global alliance hotel program, a car rental program and a travel and discount plan for students, faculty and alumni.
Mark Ironside, executive director of business services, said purchasing services issued a request for proposal, RFP, to compare the programs of both American Express and other travel companies.
"While we cannot disclose the contents of an RFP," Ironside said, "it is true that an on-site presence, as opposed to a call center, is significantly more expensive. We did not think the cost warranted the continuance of an on-site service given the changes in the travel industry and the needs for the university."
Reich said travel through Carlson Wagonlit Travel will be available online.
"Lehigh has never had a Web-booking tool before," Reich said. "After doing our research, we found that students, faculty, and staff would benefit from a Web-booking tool. That was a major feature we considered as we reviewed providers. The tool will be customized for Lehigh and has a variety of interesting features."
The Web-booking tool will allow a traveler to access all of the discounts and programs available through Carlson Wagonlit Travel and support from the agency if there are issues while traveling.
Ironside said the Web-booking tool will give students more options when they book a trip.
"Students will have a significantly better choice when it comes to travel," Ironside said. "For the first time, students will have access to an online tool, which is an added benefit for faculty and staff as well."
