OHG plots homeowner move with Key Lounges partnership

OHG plots homeowner move with Key Lounges partnership

The On Holiday Group has signed a long term strategic alliance with a service for the UK’s overseas home owning market. The online specialist is working with Key Lounges, a system which aggregates details of around 400 properties, the majority of which are available at the Malaga airport lounge in Spain. A service is already in place…

The On Holiday Group has signed a long term strategic alliance with a service for the UK’s overseas home owning market.


The online specialist is working with Key Lounges, a system which aggregates details of around 400 properties, the majority of which are available at the Malaga airport lounge in Spain.


A service is already in place in Faro, with further offices in Alicante, Murcia, Almeria and Paphos planned for the next few months


The main service is a secure key collection service with property renters or owners being able to collect and drop of keys at the airport in a completely secure environment.


Key Lounges has modelled its service on a combination of a VIP airport lounge and a hotel concierge service including directions and mapping service using internet technology as well as pre-ordered rental products such as golf clubs, baby seats, children’s push chairs and beach loungers.


The programme also includes business centre services such as internet and satellite TV services.


These services are paid for by property owners via an annual subscription and are provided FREE of charge to clients renting the property.


Managing director for Key Lounges, Olivia Mullan, said: “My experience at working with one of On Holiday Groups largest suppliers of rental accommodation MRI highlighted the complexity of key collection for both owners and renters.


“Previously renters have had to locate a local handling company in resort to collect keys or find a representative at an airport holding a board.


“These systems are simply subject to high a level of failure and cause customers stress and concern. Key lounges removes this hassle and provides an opportunity to offer numerous other services.”


Steve Endacott, chief executive of On Holiday Group, said: “OHG are continuing to put a big push behind the development of our exclusive Home from Home brand which provides the UK travel trade with direct access to over a 1,000 privately owned accommodations.


“However, before the development of Key lounges this sector has always been operationally challenging due to the sheer logistics of getting keys in a timely fashion to customers”.


Key Lounges has based its rental services on under-cutting fees charged by low cost carriers for the carriage of golf clubs and other holiday extra’s.


Mullan said: “Given the introduction of charges for luggage customers have been faced with very expensive bills and we believe will love the ease of collecting heavy holiday extra’s at our lounges at a lower cost than lugging them to and from their homes to UK airports.


“Airlines have brought this upon themselves and now face a major customer rebellion against their extortionate charges. This is particular the case within the family market who are the core customer sector to the private rental market.”