Monday, September 22, 2008

Air Travel Predictions

What is the answer to this equation:

These predictions from industry experts for air travel in 2009 require well-thought-out solutions to minimize the impact on your travel program and increase ability for your travelers to get where they're going. Key Travel-On actions include:
  • Frequent Flier Membership – Our agents will advise travelers without frequent flyer numbers about the benefits of enrollment including waiver of additional baggage fees and better preferred seating opportunities
  • Business Intelligence – Throughout the next quarter Travel-On will conduct an in-depth analysis of travel policy, travel patterns, and booking behaviors focused on areas where incremental changes can elicit concrete savings opportunities.
  • Holistic Travel Management – We are currently implementing new technology to integrate all areas of T&E spend for greater visibility, management, savings, and administrative efficiency. These areas typically represent 45% of a T&E budget and include airport parking, sedan services, dining, event tickets, audio and video conferencing, shipping, automated expense reporting.
We are happy to discuss these and any other initiatives to address your specific budgetary challenges. Please contact your account manager for more information.

This week's highlights ...

CWT Predicts Airfares To Soar, Room Rates To Grow Modestly In 2009
Travel management company Carlson Wagonlit Travel expects 2009 to bring much higher airfares and marginally higher hotel costs than this year.

As fares and fees rise, airline passengers want service
Sep 19, 2008 - On a recent rainy day at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, a suitcase bound for Colorado Springs, CO, lay on the ground outside a terminal under a maze of American Airlines conveyor belts that ferry bags to and from nearby planes.

Five ways airline capacity cuts will affect you
Sep 18, 2008 - You've probably read about the legacy and low-fare airlines making big "capacity cuts" throughout this year, but you may not know how those cuts will affect you.

Air Canada to Eliminate Second Checked Bag Fee
Sep 19, 2008 - Air Canada will eliminate the $25 fee for second checked bags that was introduced on May 15, 2008, for Tango and Tango Plus fares within North America, in response to decreasing fuel prices, effective September 23, 2008.

Airlines, cruise lines stand by fuel surcharges
Sep 18, 2008 - Despite lower crude oil prices, fuel-related fees added by airlines and cruise companies are here to stay.

Alitalia cancels 30 flights as it hurtles toward bankruptcy
Sep 19, 2008 - Alitalia cancelled 30 flights as it hurtled towards bankruptcy after a consortium dropped plans to save the flag-carrier as unions refused the lifeline over proposed layoffs.

Airlines find ways to make frequent-flier miles pay
Sep 19, 2008 - American and United passengers are burning through record numbers of frequent-flier points to avoid paying higher fares. The seat giveaway is good news for the biggest U.S. carriers.

SkyTeam Makes Travel within China Easy and Affordable with New China Pass
Sep 18, 2008 - International passengers traveling to mainland China on SkyTeam partner airlines can now take advantage of discounted flight coupons on China Southern to explore up to nine cities of their choice.

More travelers mixing business and pleasure
Sep 18, 2008 - Despite the economic crunch and indicators that business travel was slowing, Orbitz for Business reported today in its quarterly report that almost two thirds of business travelers are traveling as much or more than they have in past years, an increase over last quarter.

The squeeze on business travel to Europe
Sep 18, 2008 - For many trans-Atlantic travelers, gasoline at $3.75 a gallon is less grating than the $1.44 or so cost for one euro, Europe's currency.

Does Chicago need another airport?
Sep 18, 2008 - The head of the Federal Aviation Administration says Chicago needs a new airport, or a significant expansion of one of its existing facilities -- an idea rejected by Mayor Daley on Thursday.

Travel-On's chairman, Bill Goldstein, and his family just returned from their second safari to Fabulous Tanzania. 

Their slide show is available on Travel-On web site at www.tvlon.com/Tanzania.  Bill has been traveling to Africa for over 20 years and recently discovered Tanzania. If you are interested in a individual safari vacation for your family only, or participate in Bill's next group safari (June 2009), please contact him at bgoldstein@tvlon.com.

Tanzania can be a great corporate incentive trip destination.  Contact Bill for information.

Customer Service Feedback

"I'd like to pass along my compliments to Beverly Matsumoto for her excellent work in assisting me with travel arrangements for my group. I enjoy working with her and appreciate all the help and guidance she gives me! Best regards! "

Travel-On wants to exceed your service expectations. Your feedback will help us target problem areas within Travel-On and with vendors such as an airline or hotel that is not performing to our standard.

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