2009 Articles
31 March 2009
Travel Weekly
Amtrak becomes merchant for UATP card
Article in Travel Weekly
The Universal Air Travel Plan, which processes selected travel-related purchases made with the UATP card, announced a deal to make Amtrak a merchant for the card. Effective immediately, UATP cardholders can use their cards to make Amtrak purchases at all points of sale.
Craig White, Amtrak senior director, travel industry sales, said corporate clients have been requesting the option to pay for their train tickets with the UATP card.
Now, he said, "the corporate client is able to use the preferred form of payment, UATP, and Amtrak is able to reduce expenses."
Ralph Kaiser, president and CEO, UATP, also highlighted the relevance of the new arrangement now, given that there has been a shift in corporate travel from air to rail in recent months, he said.
Earlier this year, UATP said it would expand its merchant base this year to include hotels and car rental firms, as well. There already are some rail carriers and travel agents that serve as UATP merchants.
