One announcement that nearly drowned in the swell of press releases flowing from the National Business Travel Association convention in Los Angeles last month was TripIt's statement that its itinerary sharing solution is now integrated with Sabre's VirtuallyThere--the same itinerary product, used by Sabre agencies, whose information Sabre in February said TripIt was "not authorized" to access. In April, though,
Sabre announced participation in a $5 million investment in TripIt.
"Part travel organizer and part social network," TripIt enables travelers to build a master online itinerary by forwarding itineraries that are emailed to them by more than 150 travel suppliers and travel management companies. Learning where users will be and when, the site also automatically posts relevant weather information, maps, driving directions and other third-party services. TripIt can also populate users' electronic calendars.
"With our open platform, we make it possible for travelers to book within their company's managed travel programs and forward their confirmation emails to TripIt to customize and collaborate on their trips," according to co-founder and president Gregg Brockway.
TripIt quoted a Microsoft traveler calling TripIt a "personal travel assistant." According to TripIt's announcement, "TripIt is expanding the traditional travel itinerary to also include meetings, events, restaurants, car services, trains and cruises." TripIt does not process bookings, but its new theme is a nod to Rearden Commerce's differentiating "Personal Assistant," in which car service, dining, events and conferencing play a big part. Rearden is listed as a supported booking vendor for TripIt.
TripIt said it has "registered users at 76 Fortune 100 companies, and all 100 of the BTN 100."