In observance of Memorial Day, our offices will be closed on Monday, May 28. Should you require assistance with your travel plans on this day, please contact our Travel Helpline at 1(800) 366-2100. Have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend.

SAVE THE DATE . . . Wednesday, June 27 - For the Travel Place/ClubMed Open House. Come see for yourself why The Travel Place and ClubMed offer the greatest vacations at the best price. Details to follow next week.

Travel-On offers many services to help make your trip as trouble free as possible. You may not be familiar with all of these services that are at your disposal. Check this spot each week for tips on how to use these services.

Making Non-Refundable Tickets Work for Your Company

Non-refundable tickets were introduced years ago when there was a true dichotomy between the types of tickets that business travelers purchase and those purchased to go see Grandma for Thanksgiving. Typically, business travel is not booked as far in advance as personal travel since plans often change in the corporate world.

The airlines exploited this difference by offering low fares with lengthy advance purchase requirements. This allowed them to make use of funds paid far in advance of services rendered. At the same time, they could boost the fares for the typical business traveler who didn’t have the luxury to book 3, 7 or 14 days in advance.

But companies have passed the learning curve and are able to take advantage of the lower non-refundable fares in many cases. Here’s how they do it…

• Travelers are encouraged to make plans early and assess the likelihood that there will be a change or cancellation. Plans not likely to change are approved for non-refundable ticketing.

• Although non-refundable, most tickets are exchangeable for a fee. So even if it isn’t used, a ticket may have value. Travel-On helps manage this exchange process by producing reports of unused non-refundable tickets. This information is listed in the traveler’s profile so that the next time he travels, the agent may make use of the exchangeable ticket.

• Non-refundable tickets are generally not transferable. This is usually only a problem if the person named on an unused ticket is leaving the company before there is an opportunity for reuse. Some companies now make it a part of the employee exit interview to offer that reusable ticket at a discount to the departing employee. It’s better to recuperate some of the value than have it go to waste completely.

Even with exchange penalties, non-refundable tickets have the potential to save your company money. Using them wisely will ensure the best value for your travel dollar.

Next Week: Travel-On’s Leisure Travel Services

New global handbaggage guidelines
May 25, 2007 - In line with new global security guidelines issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, all passengers flying through most airports around the world will be subjected to restrictions on the carriage of certain items in their hand baggage, effective June 1, 2007.

Airports will test for liquid explosives
May 24, 2007 - New technology that screens bottles for liquid explosives is coming to the nation's busiest airports this summer, the Transportation Security Administration said Tuesday.

Holiday travelers ignoring fuel costs
May 24, 2007 - Soaring gas prices did not appear to be deterring Americans from hitting the road and airports this Memorial Day weekend for what many expect will be record holiday travel.

United schedules earlier flights to ease summer crunch
May 23, 2007- Passengers booking morning flights on United Airlines this summer may have to set their alarm clocks a bit earlier.

British Airways puts business travellers FIRST
May 25, 2007 - British Airways - the UK's flagship airline which operates 21 weekly services from the UAE to London Heathrow - is offering Club World (business class) customers a complimentary one-leg upgrade to its award-winning FIRST cabin.

New deal: U.S.-China flights to double by 2012
May 23, 2007 - Passenger flights between the United States and China would more than double by 2012 under an agreement between the two countries on Wednesday.

Airline partnerships expand options for earning miles.
May 23, 2007 - Choosing and using a frequent flyer program was in the beginning a straightforward procedure - first, you joined the mileage program of the airline you found yourself naturally gravitating toward—typically the carrier offering the best lineup of flights from your hometown airport. Then, you maximized earnings by flying the host airline and other program partners whenever possible.

Airlines face packed flights, frustrated staff and passengers
May 24, 2007 - Buckle those seat belts. The nation's airlines are in position to create some not-so-friendly skies.

High-Tech Hotels For Business Travelers
May 23, 2007 - Traveling for a business trip and forgot your cellphone charger? Need to print out a presentation for your morning meeting at 11 p.m. only to discover the business center at your hotel closed at 10? How about trying to work in your hotel lounge but getting no Internet connection?

Coalition Supporting H.R. 2453 and Speaking Out On Behalf of Car Rental Customers
May 24, 2007 - A diverse coalition of consumer organizations, travel associations and car rental companies announced today that they support H.R. 2453, which prohibits future discriminatory car rental excise taxes and protects the rights of all car rental customers.