Skift Take
Upside is trying to reach a more high-yielding audience of business travelers through its partnership with The Wall Street Journal. Whether the Upside experience ends up resonating with its users over the long term is another story.
The race has been heating up among business travel services looking to serve unmanaged or lightly managed travelers from small- to medium-size businesses.
Upside has been perhaps the most visible as a result of a concerted marketing campaign in print, radio, and TV appearances by founder Jay Walker. Now, a partnership with one of the biggest media companies in the world will further extend Upside's exposure to business travelers.
The Wall Street Journal Business Travel Service, which is co-branded with Upside, allows users to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and Uber rides through its online booking site. The transactions, and subsequent service, are all provided by Upside. Users can connect by phone to customer service representatives 24/7 and the site has a chat service, as well.
The Wall Street Journal booking site, which was live over the weekend and has much of the look and feel of Upside's own website, doesn't tout gift card re
