In the travel industry today, there’s pressure on airlines to constantly develop new revenue streams while meeting the demands of the modern traveler. Luckily, the marketplace is full of ancillary revenue solutions that can make meeting these business goals a lot easier for airlines, tour operators, and travel resellers. However, it’s not always easy to identify the perfect solution.

What to look for in an ancillary revenue solution

When evaluating different ancillary revenue solution options, not only should you look for a solution that is easy to set up and customise according to your company branding. You need to make sure that the chosen solution can deliver the benefits that make a real difference for your business.

When chosen wisely, it is a strategic investment that provides businesses with a huge return in terms of value, revenue and an enhanced customer experiences. Smoother post-booking solutions and more personalised traveller experiences have the potential to drive greater customer loyalty and increased revenues.

Here are five of the key things you should look for when shopping around for the best ancillary revenue solution for your business.

1. Minimised administration requirements

The best ancillary revenue solution decreases support and administration costs by minimising the need for customer support that is typically attached to this type of service. The administration for keeping the system and content up to date should be simple and not generate additional administration for your back office staff. Expect to lower inbound calls by at least 30%.

2. A mobile-first user experience

We live in a world where mobile-first is the new norm. This means that the ancillary revenue solution you select needs to be accessible from all sorts of mobile devices and have a user interface that supports that. Ask the vendor for specific documentation on how their solution fits the needs of the modern traveller. Is it easy to navigate? Can it be tailored to the booking journey of specific travellers?

3. A frictionless purchase flow

The best ancillary revenue solution provides a simple and frictionless purchase experience that helps you increase sales. One of the main ways this is achieved is by removing the need for customers to order and book ancillary services via call centres. Demand that the vendor provide statistics on how the solution has increased revenue for their clients. You should expect an increase of at least 5 Euros net profit per passenger.

4. Lets travellers manage their own bookings

The average booking site lets travellers manage and access their itinerary. The best ancillary revenue solution should provide the same frictionless experience for every product and service a traveller purchases. Demand easy access for travellers in order to deliver a good customer experience that encourages other complementary purchases.

5. Targeted marketing opportunities

The best ancillary revenue solution makes it possible to easily create targeted marketing and sales promotions via email. Make sure that the one you choose enables easy segmentation based on customer characteristics. A family travelling to Mallorca should receive different offers compared to a couple that is visiting Paris. This functionality needs to be available immediately after the initial booking up until the trip has ended.

In conclusion

While tracking down the right ancillary revenue solution for your business isn’t always an easy task, the benefits of finding the right fit definitely outweigh the time investment. The right solution can help you streamline administrative processes, and empower your team with the tools they need to meet and succeed the demands of modern travellers. Hopefully this checklist helps ease the selection process so you can start enjoying these benefits as soon as possible.