Purchasing Resource Services News & Events
Orbitz For Business Named Preferred Vendor for Northwestern Travel Services
Program Rollout Planned for October 2013
After an extensive competitive bid process, University Services and Purchasing Resource Services, with the help of a formal evaluation committee consisting of representatives from several departments and schools, have selected Orbitz For Business to replace Tower Travel as NU’s primary Preferred Vendor for Travel Services. Following are some of the reasons that the Travel Services Bid Committee selected Orbitz for Business:
- Robust online booking tool that provides access to comprehensive travel options
- Industry-leading use of state-of-the-art technology
- Proven results of obtaining lowest fares without shopping elsewhere
- User-friendly, automated processes and services customized for NU
- Agent-assist options
Over the next couple of months, we will be working with Orbitz for Business on their structured partner approach to implementation. As we get closer to the planned launch date of October 21, we will provide more information about training sessions and profile customization.
Travel 100 Group and Intra World Travel will continue to be included in the travel program as agent-assist only options for departments and schools. Until the transition to Orbitz For Business occurs, you can continue to use Compass online reservations and Tower Travel as you normally would.
For questions about the bid process, contact Betsy Costello, Procurement Administrator, at 7-0590. For questions about Travel Services, contact Jeff Levin, Travel Program Manager, at 1-5993.
U.S. Cellular Discontinuing Chicagoland Service
U.S. Cellular has been one of three NU Preferred Vendors for cellular phones. U.S. Cellular recently sold its Chicago market to subsidiaries of Sprint Nextel Corporation. After the sale is final (expected to be sometime in May), customers will have 90 days to decide whether to stay with Sprint or move to a new carrier. Customers should receive letters from U.S. Cellular detailing the options and procedures. Their U.S. Cellular phones will still work during this transition period.
We encourage NU customers to move their service to one of the other two Preferred Vendors, AT&T or T-Mobile. For information on these vendors, visit the AT&T Vendor Profile or T-Mobile Vendor Profile.
