Consumers can now book Jet2holidays direct via agencies’ existing websites – and independents will earn commission from the booking.
The operator has created an API link that agencies can install on their websites to gain access to Jet2holidays product.
It means consumers using an agent’s website will be able to book Jet2holidays packages that before would only have been available for agents to sell in-store via Jet2holidays’ trade website.
Agencies will still receive their agreed level of commission from Jet2holidays, without having to take a call or see the customer.
The API link is expected to be available in time for the January peaks. It is being trialled with key independent partners including Dawson & Sanderson.
Agencies that want to use the API to its full potential must already have bookable websites. For those whose websites are not bookable, Jet2holidays packages will appear in on-site search results alongside the agency’s phone number as a ‘call to action’ – a service that already exists.
Before that was introduced, only Jet2.com flights would appear in search results on independent agencies’ websites, so agents would have to dynamically package and become the Atol-holder.
Alan Cross, Jet2holidays’ head of trade, said that led to more-expensive deals for customers
Cross said: “Travel agents don’t typically get high volumes through their websites, but they need to be able to show the holiday to encourage someone to make the call.
“It’s basically giving them stock for their website that they would otherwise only have in the shop.”
Companies can sign up to use the API direct with Jet2holidays or via third-party technology suppliers.