Switchfly and WestJet Partner on Multi-Source Travel Packaging

Transforming travel for new markets and traveler expectations

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 5, 2017 /CNW/ -- Switchfly, a travel commerce company for direct channel booking, and WestJet, a leading Canadian airline, are partnering to better manage and expand WestJet's ability to dynamically package flight and hotel to all destinations. WestJet will offer its guests a more complete travel experience while increasing ancillary revenue.

"Switchfly will enable WestJet to offer our guests the freedom to create their own unique travel experiences through access to a global selection of hotels and travel products seamlessly bundled into an easy to book trip," said Ed Sims, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial. "Switchfly complements our strategy of becoming a global carrier, serving the needs of today's traveler and increasing our ancillary revenue opportunities."

Airlines miss out on significant ancillary revenue because they are not equipped to manage the vendor relations and distribution of third-party inventory such as hotel rooms. Switchfly, however, manages this for them – with over 410,000 unique and verified hotel properties in one booking engine. WestJet can now package its own fares and existing WestJet hotel contracts with a global network of hotel inventory, without having to manage thousands of new contracts or costly new IT systems.

Travel technology and deeper customer loyalty
Switchfly offers a fully hosted white-label booking engine that is completely brand-matched – meaning airline customers will have the same branded website experience with Switchfly inventory as they do with their preferred airline. WestJet can set any business rule in the booking engine to get the right package to the right customer at the right time, and adjust for different channels, languages, currencies, business units and selling countries.

The partnership also creates significant new value and benefits for loyal WestJet guests. Members of the WestJet Rewards program will have expanded destinations and opportunities to earn WestJet dollars on customized trips, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout its network and those of partner airlines.

"We are excited to engage in a partnership with WestJet for growth on the Switchfly platform, through expanded travel options that will drive enhanced value and additional benefits for their loyalty program members," said Daniel Farrar, CEO of Switchfly.

As travel complexities increase – new ancillary channels, new business units, new routes – airlines need outside help to manage and connect all systems and drive maximum loyalty and revenue. WestJet has partnered with Switchfly to make those connections -- helping sell more flight and hotel packages, increase ancillary revenue and capture more share of travel wallet as WestJet grows destinations in North America and internationally.

To interview Switchfly CEO, Daniel Farrar please contact Vanessa Horwell at vhorwell@switchfly.com or visit switchfly.com. To interview Ed Sims, WestJet Executive Vice-President, Commercial, please email media@westjet.com.

About Switchfly     
Switchfly, Inc., is a travel commerce platform for direct channel booking that drives maximum loyalty and revenue for its clients. Through the company's global network of ancillary merchandise for activity, air, car, hotel and insurance, Switchfly facilitates the redemption of more than 40B points and miles and generates over $3B in revenues for customers each year. The company's global customer base includes American Airlines, JetBlue and LATAM Airlines; IAG Avios and United MileagePlus; InterContinental Hotels Group, Marriott International and Starwood Hotels and Resorts; Groupon and Living Social; and MasterCard and VISA. For more information, visit www.switchfly.com.

About WestJet 
WestJet is proud to be named Best Airline in Canada and one of the best Low Cost Airlines in North America, based on authentic reviews from the travelling public on Trip Advisor, the world's largest travel site. We are one of very few airlines globally that does not commercially overbook. Together with our regional airline, WestJet Encore, we offer scheduled service to more than 100 destinations in North America, Central America, the Caribbean and Europe and to more than 175 destinations in over 20 countries through our airline partnerships. WestJet Vacations offers affordable, flexible vacations to more than 60 destinations and the choice of more than 800 hotels, resorts, condos and villas.  Members of the WestJet Rewards program earn WestJet dollars on flights, vacation packages and more. Members use WestJet dollars towards the purchase of flights and vacations packages to any WestJet destination with no blackout periods, and have access to Member Exclusive fares offering deals to WestJet destinations throughout our network and those of our partner airlines.

WestJet is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) under the symbol WJA. For more information about everything WestJet, please visit westjet.com.   

Recent recognition includes:
2017/2016 Canada's Most Trusted Airline (Gustavson School of Business at theUniversity of Victoria)
2017 Best Airline in Canada and Travellers' Choice Winner Mid-Sized and Low Cost Airlines – North America (TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice awards for Airlines)
2016 Canada's most reputable company for Corporate Social Responsibility (Reputation Institute)
2016/2015/2014/2013/2012 Ranked top three for Canadian Brands (Canadian Business Magazine)
2016/2015/2014/2013 WestJet RBC World Elite MasterCard ranked #1 in Canada(MoneySense magazine)
2015/2011/2010/2008/2007/2006/2005 Canada's Most Admired Corporate Culture (Waterstone Human Capital)
2015 Best Employers in Canada (Aon Hewitt)

Connect with WestJet on Facebook at facebook.com/westjet
Follow WestJet on Twitter at twitter.com/westjet
Subscribe to WestJet on YouTube at youtube.com/westjet
Read the WestJet blog at blog.westjet.com

Media Contact 
Vanessa Horwell 
vhorwell@switchfly.com 
+1.305.776.8817

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/switchfly-and-westjet-partner-on-multi-source-travel-packaging-300531554.html

SOURCE Switchfly