Spy Travel Net, Inc., said the new rate is effective immediately.  It matches the rate awarded for traditionally booked international air seats and represents a 60-percent improvement over the standard five-percent rate for
online air bookings.  Spy's eight-percent rate for air is not limited by caps or other restrictions.  Spy's rate for hotel bookings remains at 10 percent.

Based on positive feedback from agents, Spy also has expanded a net pricing test program into an option available to all agents.

Net pricing, as opposed to gross pricing, shows air fares and hotel room rates without including the agent commission.  Some agents prefer the net approach, because it permits more pricing flexibility with clients and thus gives agents greater control over revenue.

The good news follows a highly successful introduction of Spy in North America.  In its first month as a booking alternative in this market, Spy has signed up more than 250 licensed U.S. and Canadian travel agencies.

In response to the high degree of agent interest, Spy has streamlined registration procedures and clarified information requested of agents, said Greg Merkley, Spy Marketing Director, North America.  To register, agents
should visit http://www.spyspy.com.  There is no charge to sign up.

After filling in the registration form, agents will receive an e-mail directing them to web pages that should be printed, signed and sent to Spy to authorize charges.  Spy will e-mail agents on receipt of the signed papers,
finalizing the process.  Agents who registered earlier will be advised of the new method.

In addition, Spy announced that its Portland, Ore.-based help desk is fully operational.  The desk is open Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Pacific time.  Technical questions and customer service requests may be phoned in at 1-800-946-0140 or e-mailed to [email protected].

Spy is the first online wholesaling service designed for use by travel agencies. Introduced a year ago in Asia, Spy offers an exclusive data base of air and hotel products.  Air fares include more than 300 city pairs worldwide.
Hotel rooms cover more than 5,000 properties in 312 cities and 52 countries. Plans call for adding cruise, tour and car rental products later this year.

Spy Travel Net, Inc., is a subsidiary of Linbert Travel Exchange, a hotel and air ticket consolidator based in Singapore.  Linbert is a member of Ken-Air Leisure Group, a $100 million Southeast Asian company founded in 1973. Prospective customers can call Spy Travel Net at 847/869-1568; fax to 847/869-1583; or e-mail to [email protected], or view Spy Travel Discount Network at http://www.spyspy.com.