New www.RailAgent.com.au delivers unique tools

International Rail Australasia MD Jonathan Hume says that their powerful rail travel planning tool, launched earlier this year and which gives live connectivity to European railroads is doing really well, with online access to Italy’s Trenitalia system key features of the new www.RailAgent.com.au website.

Jonathan says that www.RailAgent.com.au is delivering significant financial benefits to travel agents, by absorbing credit card booking fees (which agents may still choose to bill to clients), allowing agents to add their own 100% commissionable fees to invoices and delivering immediate commission cheques or payment via EFT.

The website uses highly sophisticated online technology developed by Wandrian Inc, the American-based global rail specialists who were the first company in the world to sell rail passes online and offer real-time reservations on a European rail network.

A full inventory of product including live availability for rail travel in Europe, rail products for UK, USA, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and Australia is offered on www.RailAgent.com.au.

International Rail Australasia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of International Rail Limited UK, which is in turn owned by Wandrian Inc. and the Australian company is headed by Jonathan, who has 12 years experience in the Australian travel industry.

He said that www.RailAgent.com.au’s free rail planning tool, Rail Saver, allows agents to quickly calculate the most cost-effective combination of passes or tickets for their clients, and to book complex itineraries in minimal time.

“We have a recent case where an agent was able to cut their clients’ rail travel costs by almost 50 per cent, saving them more than $800 on an itinerary through France, Italy, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Prague.  

“There are now so many rail passes and point-to-point fares available that it’s impossible to quickly find the best deal without a tool such as Rail Saver.”

He said agents would find significant benefits in the online access to Trenitalia, because of the growth of inter-country European rail travel amongst mature Australian FIT clients.

“Clients might travel through Tuscany and then head for the French Riviera. It’s extremely difficult to do this at reasonable cost by air, so there is a resurgence of interest in rail travel.”

“Access to Trenitalia means agents can book itineraries to and from Italy, and into Switzerland, Austria, Germany and France, with immediate confirmation right down to the seat numbers (including sleeper accommodation).

“They will also get some of the lowest fares on the market, access to all available trains, confirmed reservations and the ability to select train tickets by schedule, train type, onboard services and total travel time”.

Agents will also receive a very fast document delivery service, with orders placed by 5:30pm EST processed and despatched the next business day (except where confirmations are required).  Delivery fees are only $8 and there are no issuance fees on open dated passes.

Jonathan said his team was committed to offering the best customer service and maximum financial return to travel agents, coupled with the lowest travel costs for their clients, adding, “The Australian market for international train travel is now worth about $50 million a year, and is growing at between five and 10 per cent annually”.

“Through our new website, agents can now tap into this market with much greater ease and speed than in the past,” he said.

How Rail Saver works

Two adult passengers wish to travel by rail through Italy, France, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and into Prague.

With limited knowledge, they decide they will need a 10 day Eurail Flexi Pass each.

As the Czech Republic is not part of the Eurail Network they decide to add a 3 day Czech Pass to get them to Prague and back.

Cost:

Eurail Flexi  Pass x 2                $1990.00

Czech Flexi Pass x 2                $330.00

Total                                    $2320.00

Travel agent then uses Rail Saver to work out the best passes for their itinerary, which are: 7 day Eurail Select Pass 4 Country Saver plus a Prague Excursion Pass which allows travel from any Czech border to Prague and back to any Czech Border.

Cost:

Eurail Select Pass x 2                $1300.00

Prague Excursion Pass x 2          $176.00

Total                                      $1476.00

By using Rail Saver tool, the agent saves their client $844 on rail travel.

Further information: Visit International Rail Australasia Pty Ltd on www.RailAgent.com.au.

Report by The Mole on the tracks!