One of Orbitz's biggest pluses is its nimble fare-search technology, which generates far more choices, say proponents, than existing computer reservations systems. The site has attracted the ire of travel agents, both online and off, and the U.S. government is investigating whether its joint airline backing will curtail competition. Although its prices will fluctuate just as those on auction sites do, Savvio differentiates itself from popular travel-auction sites in two key ways.
Customers also can make a purchase at any point during the auction.
Hotel rooms will be on the block first, with airline tickets, car rentals and cruises on line by the end of the year. The site will offer unpublished discount tickets on American, America West, Continental, Northwest, United and US Airways, but won't make passengers bid on a price first. The concept at iDerive, which also plans to peddle consumer electronics and cars, is to reward extremely flexible travelers who agree upfront to buy a hotel room or airline ticket at a predetermined, discounted price set by the supplier. Specifics of how the site will work are hazy.