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Introduction to Ridhawk

Overview of the Company

• César Chávez introduces himself as the Business Development Manager for Northern Mexico at Ridhawk, a relatively new company in the market with only three years of operation.

• Ridhawk has been selective in choosing commercial partners to focus on business development rather than mass expansion.

Company Structure and Offerings

• Ridhawk is part of Emerging Travel Group, operating primarily in Europe and Asia, and serves exclusively travel agencies without direct customer communication.

• The company offers a range of services including hotel bookings, car rentals, transfers, flight tickets, and train tickets tailored for both individual and group reservations.

Key Statistics and Features

Global Reach

• Ridhawk boasts nearly 3 million hotels across over 220 countries with connections to more than 100,000 active commercial partners.

• They are linked with approximately 450 airlines through NDC or Travelport systems, ensuring direct content from airlines.

User Experience

• Users can search for destinations or specific hotels using various identifiers like airport codes; Google Maps integration allows users to find nearby hotels based on location.

• The platform includes TripAdvisor reviews and ratings for hotels along with detailed information about hotel amenities.

Competitive Advantage

Support Services

• Ridhawk differentiates itself from competitors like Booking.com and Expedia by offering 24/7 support through a call center located in Cancún that caters specifically to Latin America.

• The support team speaks Spanish fluently, enhancing communication effectiveness compared to other services that may not provide culturally relevant assistance.

Precheck Process

• A precheck process is conducted 72 hours before hotel check-in to minimize potential issues upon arrival. This includes verifying reservation details such as room type and payment status.

• Dedicated account managers ensure personalized service tailored to clients' needs (e.g., special requests for business travelers or honeymooners).

Additional Services Offered

Car Rentals

• Car rental services are outsourced through partnerships with major companies like Budget, National, Avis, and Hertz to provide extensive options globally.

Eurocar Services Overview

Train Ticket Services

• Eurocar offers train ticket services across more than 13 countries, primarily in Europe and Asia. The focus is on transportation lines rather than scenic or tourist routes.

• Specific routes include major connections like Madrid to Barcelona and Paris to Brussels, emphasizing practical travel options over leisure experiences.

Loyalty Program

• A loyalty program allows customers to earn points for every reservation made, which can be converted into pesos (e.g., 10 points equals 10 pesos). This incentivizes repeat business.

• Points can be used for various purposes such as paying for reservations, offering discounts to clients, or booking hotels for personal travel needs.

Mobile Application Features

• The mobile application is available on both iOS and Android platforms, providing functionalities for hotel bookings and transfers by default. Airfare features require activation.

• Users can make reservations directly through the app at any time, check ongoing bookings, and access account manager details conveniently from their devices.

Company Background

• Emerging Travel Group was founded in 2010 with multiple brands added over the years; RIDHW is a key brand established in 2016. The CEO operates from Dubai while commercial operations are based in Portugal and Delaware, USA.

• Partnerships include notable associations within Mexico such as Metro and MAP Ciudad de México, along with global affiliations like GBTA to enhance service offerings.

User Registration & Commission Structure

• New users are encouraged to register via a QR code provided during the presentation; this facilitates immediate access to services offered by Archer's agreement with Eurocar.

• Commission rates are set at 10% for train tickets sold through the platform; additional charges may be applied based on user discretion but base commissions remain fixed at this rate.

Registration Process for Archer Agents

Overview of Registration and Commission Structure

• The price displayed includes integrated commissions, with Archer agents receiving a default 10% commission. Additional charges should be minimal to remain competitive in the market.

• A QR code is provided for registration purposes, allowing users from both the USA and Mexico to sign up.

• Clarification on data requirements for registration; if a company lacks an RFC (Federal Taxpayer Registry), personal RFC can be used instead.

Step-by-Step Registration Instructions

• The speaker shares the registration link and emphasizes that commissions are managed directly by Archer, not requiring Mexican supplier invoices.

• Demonstration of how to register on the platform begins, highlighting necessary fields such as name, email address, phone number, and company name.

• Example details are shared during the registration process: using a Gmail account and providing a local phone number while ensuring unique identifiers for each agent's business.

Important Considerations During Registration

• If an agent does not have a registered company name or RFC, they can use their personal information without issues.

• Emphasis on entering legal entity names correctly to avoid confusion; agents should use their business identity rather than generic terms like "Archer."

• Issues with character acceptance in forms are addressed; only Latin characters without accents are permitted in certain fields.

Final Steps and Platform Navigation

• Explanation of what to do if one does not have an RFC or CFDI at hand; using Archer's registration number is acceptable.

• Confirmation that using personal cell numbers during registration is permissible without complications.

• Transitioning into practical examples within the platform interface to familiarize agents with its functionalities.

How to Access and Use Hotel Booking Features

Overview of Account Access

• The speaker explains the purpose of accessing user accounts, emphasizing that it is primarily for troubleshooting or assisting users with their searches.

• It is clarified that while the speaker can view what users see, they cannot make reservations or payments on behalf of users.

Searching for Hotels

• The speaker initiates a search for hotels in New York City, specifying check-in and check-out dates (January 9 to January 11).

• Nationality of guests is highlighted as necessary information due to varying discounts available based on nationality across different regions.

Understanding Search Parameters

• Key parameters required for hotel searches include destination, check-in/check-out dates, room type, and guest nationality.

• All searches are conducted live; if availability changes during the process, reservations cannot be made.

Utilizing Maps and Filters

• Results are displayed on a Google Maps interface showing hotel locations relative to Times Square in Manhattan.

• The speaker mentions filters available for sorting results by price or user ratings from Trip Advisor.

Room Selection Process

• An example hotel (Hotel Ri Plaza New York Times Square) is selected to demonstrate how to view room options and pricing.

• Details about room types are provided including amenities, size, cancellation policies, and payment options.

Finalizing Reservations

• Emphasis on resort fees being common in U.S. hotels; the importance of selecting rooms with free cancellation before specific dates is noted.

• Information entry for guests includes special requests like early check-in or late checkout; contact details should be accurate for communication purposes.

Payment Methods and Reservation Process

Communication with Clients

• The client may reject calls from unknown numbers, suggesting that communication should be handled by the agency.

• Emphasizes the importance of email for sending reminders about reservation deadlines, with three notifications sent before cancellation.

Reservation Cancellation Policy

• Once a reservation is canceled, it cannot be recovered at the original price; clients must accept current pricing if they wish to rebook.

• Discusses methods to adjust commission rates based on client interactions or competitive pricing from other platforms like Booking.com.

Pricing Adjustments

• Advises against increasing commissions by more than 5% to remain competitive in the market while still allowing for some flexibility based on client negotiations.

• Highlights that agents receive a base commission from Archer, with potential for additional earnings through strategic pricing adjustments.

Reservation Limitations and Group Bookings

• Reservations can only accommodate up to nine rooms directly through the platform; larger groups require different handling.

• If a selected rate becomes unavailable due to hotel sold-out status or communication issues, alternative options must be explored.

Invoice and Currency Options

• Clarifies that invoices issued are primarily for agency use and do not include detailed VAT breakdown; agencies can relay this information as needed.

• Confirms that quotes can be generated in PDF format for sharing with clients, including currency conversion options available within the platform settings.

Linking to Senhotels: Is It Normal?

Clarification on Company Relations

• The speaker addresses a question about linking to Senhotels, clarifying that it is not normal as they are sister companies but operate independently.

• A discussion arises regarding the need for invoices to collect commissions; it is confirmed that invoices are handled directly with Archer, not through their company.

Contact Information Exchange

• Participants are asked to share their WhatsApp numbers for better communication, emphasizing the importance of having accurate contact details.

Understanding Reservation Processes

Reservation Confirmation and Payment Options

• The speaker explains how reservations can be made and provides a specific reservation number for reference.

• Instructions are given on how to access payment links or download vouchers after making a reservation.

Managing Reservations

• An overview of the reservation management interface is provided, detailing how users can view all reservations and expand them for more information.

Invoice Details and Tax Implications

Invoice Structure Explained

• The speaker discusses the type of invoice issued, noting it does not include VAT but serves as documentation for fiscal purposes.

Importance of Invoices in Fiscal Reporting

• It is highlighted that even without VAT, the invoice can help justify monthly financial movements during tax reporting.

Bono Features and Customization

Customizing Vouchers

• Users have options when downloading vouchers (bonos), including language selection and whether to include a paid stamp.

Essential Information Included in Bonos

• Bonos will contain critical details such as hotel information, check-in/check-out dates, room types, guest names, included meals, deposits required, cancellation policies, and location maps.

Payment Processing Overview

Online Payment Procedures

• The process for online payments is outlined; payments will only cover net amounts inclusive of commissions.

Acceptable Payment Methods

• Various credit card types accepted are listed (e.g., Visa, Mastercard), along with provisions for foreign cards.

Creating Direct Payment Links

Generating Payment Links

• Instructions on creating direct payment links for clients are provided; agencies may charge extra fees if they choose to offer this service.

This structured markdown file captures key insights from the transcript while providing timestamps linked directly to relevant sections. Each point succinctly summarizes discussions around company relations, reservation processes, invoicing details, voucher customization features, payment processing methods, and generating payment links.

Reservation Management Overview

Editing Reservations

• Users can edit reservations for various reasons, such as name changes or adding guests. This process generates a service ticket for support.

• If the reservation is still within the free cancellation period, users are advised to cancel and make a new reservation instead of modifying existing ones.

Cancellation Process

• When cancelling a reservation, users must provide a reason; in this case, it was marked as a test reservation.

• If cancellation occurs outside of the free cancellation window, users need to contact support to review specific conditions related to their cancellation.

Payment Options and Commissions

• Users can set payment limits and choose between card payments or bank transfers. The commission rate for Archer partners is 10%, managed directly by Archer.

• Currently, there are no options for interest-free installments due to the company's non-establishment in Mexico.

Group Reservations

• Group reservations can be made through an offline request form where details like destination and hotel preferences are specified.

• Unlike some operators that allow post-sale group bookings, this system requires groups to be pre-established before making reservations.

Payment Flexibility

• Users have the option to select between net price and gross price when making payments, allowing them to add commissions if desired.

• Reservations cannot be paid with multiple credit cards; only one card is accepted per transaction. However, rooms can be held temporarily until confirmation from clients is received.

Customizing Client Offers

Setting Up Client Offers

• The commission is set to 0% as it is already included in the price; all displayed fees have a default of 10%.

• Users can download a PDF or copy a selection link for client offers, which will include generic images that cannot be changed.

• The PDF provides essential details about the accommodation and location, specifically mentioning New York City and Times Square.

Customer Support Information

• Customer support contact includes a phone number based in Mexico City and an email address (suporta@rcock.com); options for Telegram and WhatsApp are also available.

• During the growth phase, direct communication with business development representatives is encouraged; future referrals to account managers will occur as accounts expand.

Application Access and User Queries

Accessing the Mobile Application

• Users are advised to download the R application from their respective app stores for easier access during registration.

• For identification purposes, users should enter their personal identification number or ARCH number if they lack other identifiers.

Closing Remarks

• A reminder is given for users to reach out with any questions; additional training sessions on trains, car rentals, and flight tickets will be coordinated later.