Capita Travel and Events has agreed a deal to offer loyalty club membership with Virgin Trains.
First-class passengers booking train travel through the travel management company can now become members of the Virgin Traveller club, which was previously only available to customers who booked directly through the train firm’s website.
Capita said that the move was designed to encourage travellers to book "via their contracted agency".
Adrienne Nankivell, Virgin Trains’ business development manager, said: "Virgin Traveller enhances travellers' experiences by recognising loyalty. This can help ease travel policy compliance challenges faced by buyers.
"As confidence returns to the business travel market, we are opening our scheme to Capita Travel and Events - one of our largest agency partners. It reinforces our commitment to the business travel sector."
Property management company Places for People has already taken advantage of the new scheme between Capita and Virgin.
Procurement manager Lisa Gallacher said: "We value tools that help us to ensure our travellers stick to our travel policy and use our chosen agency. This gives us a better view of where and why our employees are travelling.
"In turn, we can change policies and supplier programmes to save money and keep our travellers secure and happy."
Raj Sachdave, Capita’s head of rail product, added: “It is testament to the strength of the partnership with Virgin Trains that Capita Travel and Events will be the first to offer the scheme to its customers.
"Our partners are vital in allowing us to offer compelling benefits that ultimately make rail travel an affordable and valuable option for businesses."
Earlier this month, Virgin Trains announced that it will refurbish its First Class lounge at London Euston station, starting tomorrow and reopening on March 17 (see news, January 3).
capitatravelandevents.co.uk, virgintrains.co.uk
Rob Gill
