Airlines to offer discounted fares
Star Alliance is offering meeting and event planners discounted air travel when they use its new Meetings Plus service.
The airline alliance said meetings planners and incentive travel agencies can send in an online request for proposal (RFP) for meetings of 50 or more and receive help with travel arrangements.
Star Alliance said airline members including Lufthansa, United Airlines and Singapore Airlines are offering 10-20% off economy and business class published fares.
"We are offering an alliance product to a new market segment," said Christopher Korenke, Star Alliance's vp commercial.
Mr Korenke said Star Alliance had experience in the meetings market having offered a convention travel package for the last eight years.
Meetings booked through the service must have delegates from at least three different countries to qualify for discounted travel.
RFPs will be answered by a Star Alliance member carrier but bookings can be made via the meeting planner's preferred travel agency.
Star Alliance said there were different conditions for meetings held in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa.
Meetings Plus is not available for travel on ANA, LOT Polish Airlines, South African Airways and Thai Airways.