Sign up for Travel-On Webinar: Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Control T&E Costs with Automated Expense Management

For many companies still without an automated expense reporting management system, selecting and implementing one is a major goal for 2010. Automating expense management simplifies the reimbursement for everyone, reducing labor costs, improving control, and generating cost savings. Studies show that companies can realize as much as a 60% reduction in labor costs by converting to an automated expense management solution.

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Please join us for an informative Webinar to showcase ExpenseWire, one of the industry’s leading automated expense reporting systems, which integrates seamlessly with Rearden Personal Assistant, Travel-On’s our online travel booking and profile management tool.

What is your Travel GPA?

How do you stack up in the travel market place? Are you meeting your travel goals and expectations for 2010 and beyond? Did you utilize your hotel and car rental contracts to the fullest? How do you compare to companies of similar travel spend and patterns? Are your travelers adhering to preferred contracts and vendors? What is your Travel GPA? Do you think you deserve an A or the dreaded F?

Travel-On has recently enhanced our existing relationship with a company called Travel GPA. By utilizing this program we are able to help you identify the strengths and weaknesses of your travel program compared to similar companies and your own stated goals.

A+ points of Travel GPA:

• Faster, more meaningful travel data. The data is live and can be scored against internal goals or benchmarked against the GPA database of over 32,000 companies.
  
• Pinpoints actionable ways to save money. As an analytical dashboard tool, Travel GPA benchmarks against hundreds of key performance indicators based on company’s air, car and hotel spend.
  
• Grade your supplier contracts vs. industry benchmarks. This helps travel managers evaluate effectiveness of negotiated rates in a given market or segment.
  
• Drive your program with the ONLY real-time reporting & dashboard. Travel GPA transforms reports into graphical charts while providing global reporting and analytics solutions. Drill down from any data point and instantly customize any report.

Travel-On and Travel GPA put the world’s most actionable business travel data right in your hands. For more information on how you can create your own Travel GPA Report Card, please contact us at info@tvlon.com.

British Airways passengers facing 12 more weeks of strikes

BA passengers face further misery this summer, with the Unite union threatening a further 12 weeks of stoppages from early August. The union, which represents BA cabin crew, has written to members advising that it plans to hold another ballot on industrial action over cost-cutting by the airline. Read more

Spirit Airlines pilots flying again as partial service resumes

Spirit Airlines resumed flights earlier than expected, as the carrier geared up to full operations after settling a five-day strike. Read more

What To Take on Your Trip Abroad

What items do you take when traveling internationally? Some are obvious - like a toothbrush, and some are not so obvious. We have prepared a short list of items that you should consider taking the next time you travel internationally.

Don't Bring Anything You Would Hate to Lose
Some things really are priceless, especially if it's an item that is a family heirloom or something that holds significant meaning. Think twice before taking anything that you consider irreplaceable.

Make Copies of Your Essential Travel Documents
Be sure to make two copies of your passport identification page, airline tickets, drivers license and any traveler's check or credit cards you will be taking with you. Keep one copy with you on the trip and store it separately from the original documents. Give the other copy to a relative or close friend to ensure that incase of an emergency, they can contact you and have your information. It also may be helpful to send a copy of these documents to your own web-based email address so that you can access them from any computer if an emergency arises.

Take Extra Items
Your trip is unexpectedely extended and now you have an extra day of meetings. And, in addition to that, you now have an event to attend in the evening that was not initially on your itinerary. Plan for the unexpected; take extra items you may need depending on the purpose of your trip.

U.S. Airlines See ‘Dramatic’ Business Travel Recovery (Update2)

Delta Air Lines Inc. and American Airlines, the largest U.S. carriers, forecast second-quarter gains of at least 17 percent on a benchmark for industry revenue as rising demand buoys fares. Read more

With business picking up, airlines move to increase fees

American Airlines says it will begin selling customers "Boarding and Flexibility" packages that will allow regular domestic coach passengers to board planes ahead of others, fly standby and pay half the normal fee for changing a flight itinerary. Read more

BWI switching to whole-body imaging for security

Passengers at Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport will face a new security measure beginning Tuesday, as a controversial security technology becomes the primary tool for screening air travelers. Read more

TSA To Mull Changes To DCA GA Security

Transportation Security Administration leaders are not satisfied with the lack of business aircraft operations into Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and are planning to meet with stakeholders to discuss possibilities for changing the security procedures into that airport, says Brian Delauter, general manager of TSA’s General Aviation branch. Read more

Jet Airways, United Enter Codeshare Agreement

Jet Airways passengers will now have access to transatlantic flights between London and United's five U.S. hub cities (Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, DC), in addition to United's daily transpacific services between Hong Kong and Chicago and San Francisco. Read more

Air Canada continues to grow Toronto hub and expand transborder service

Air Canada today continued to fortify its Toronto hub and strengthen its position as the leading transborder carrier with the launch of the only daily, non-stop flights to San Diego, CA and to Portland, OR. The non-stop flights from San Diego to Toronto, and from Portland to Toronto will launch tomorrow morning, June 18. Read more

Port Of Baltimore Preps For Another Cruise Ship

While most businesses are struggling to survive in this tough economy, one industry is surging in Baltimore: the cruise ship industry. Read more

EasyJet To Test Silver Bullet For Volcanic Ash Disruptions

EasyJet plans to start trials within two months on an airborne volcanic ash detector, the carrier recently announced, and regards the new technology as the "silver bullet" that will avoid a repeat of the widespread cancellations that crippled European airspace in April and May. Read more

Forecast Shows Manhattan Hotel Rates To Rise

Manhattan hotel rates will increase slightly this year and by much greater levels in the subsequent years, but it will still take several years for rates to reach 2008 levels, according to the 2010 Manhattan Hotel Market Overview, which HVS Global Hospitality Services and New York University's Tisch Center released this week. Read more