09-16-2011

Events We're Watching

3,800 Qantas Staff to Strike On 20th September

The TWU says four-hour work stoppages will occur at all major airports next Tuesday. The bans would be accompanied by administrative bans of greater duration across Qantas baggage handlers, presentation and catering staff, following notice provided to Fair Work Australia yesterday. Read more

Air Canada Flight Attendants Vote to Strike

Air Canada's flight attendants could walk off the job as early next Wednesday after giving overwhelming support for a strike mandate at the airline if a new labour deal cannot be reached by then. Read more

Why Must I Sometimes Pay a Higher Fare As Well As A Change Fee To Change My Ticket?

Many fares have special qualifications. These include advance purchase, travel on certain days of the week, staying over a Saturday night, etc. Each time you change your ticket the airlines consider this to be not so much a change as a new purchase at the current price, with the cost of the old ticket applied (minus the airline’s change fee, of course). Let’s say your original ticket cost $350 and requires a 14-day advance purchase and travel on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. A week before your trip you want to change to return on Friday instead of Thursday. You will no longer qualify for the 14-day advance rate or the special mid-week fare. Perhaps the best fare your new travel qualifies for now is $400. In this case, the additional cost to you would be the $50 difference between $350 and $400, plus the airline’s change fee (most often $150) for a total of $200.

Did you know that buying car rental insurance is often unnecessary?

Buying the collision insurance through the car rental company may or may not make sense depending on your circumstances. Most drivers are adequately covered for the average domestic rental.

Check your personal auto policy. If you own a car the same coverage and deductibles you carry on your car will, in most cases, apply to a vehicle you rent for pleasure. You may need to compute the value of the loss or damage of a brand-new vehicle and decide if you need to supplement it. For example, many owners of older cars don't always carry comprehensive coverage for accidents, fire, and theft.
Check your coverage by your charge card company. It's very important that you inquire about exclusions because some exotic or expensive vehicles, such as sports cars, SUVs, motor homes, and motorcycles, may not be covered. And vehicles rented outside the U.S. are almost always excluded.

OTHER NEWS

Higher Travel Prices Projected for 2012

Corporate travel prices next year could increase as much as 6% throughout the world, according to industry research firm Advito's 2012 forecast. It cautioned however, that weaker economic conditions could reverse pricing and demand expectations.

Air – Predicted to grow 3-5% year over year, varying by market and class of service.
Hotel – Increases of 5-6% throughout the Americas, 2-3% in Europe, and 6-7% in the Middle East and Asia/Pacific markets, with double-digit increases probable in New York and other international gateway cities.
Car – Increases of 4-6%.

This Weekend the Department of State Will Host the Third Annual Passport Day

This Saturday, September 17, the Department of State will host its third annual "Passport Day in the USA." Read more

Travel Departments Fall Short on 'Duty of Care,' Expert Says

An employer is just as responsible for taking care of an employee who is traveling or working overseas as it is when an employee slips and breaks a leg on the showroom floor. It’s called duty of care. Read more

With Fees Here to Stay, Trying to Crack the Code

There has been a lot of confusion about fees in general, incidentally. Some estimates, widely reported, claim that fees represent as much as 20 percent of the cost of a typical business trip. Read more

Flight of Fantasy: For Vacation, Some Fliers Play Airline

A junket of road warriors is a good way for the airline industry to explore new ideas and gauge what frequent fliers most value and what they most loathe. Read more

How Business Travelers Can Be More Successful Flying Private

The same study also revealed that companies who use private aviation are able to manage their time, and therefore their businesses, more effectively. They’re able to win over clients from competitors because of the ability to meet face-to-face with their prospects, and retain existing customers due to the ability to quickly respond to their needs. Read more

Airlines Increase Fares For Tenth Time

Airlines have increased fares for the 10th time this year, zeroing in on pricey, last-minute tickets bought most often by corporate travelers. Read more

US Airways' Efforts to Improve Service Pay Off

The airline's steady rise is the result of a concentrated effort to improve its service and image at a time when the airline industry is fighting for every passenger. Read more

Airplanes Offer Safety Devices in Some Seatbelts

Airbags have boarded airplanes, and they’re not just a special perk for first-class passengers. Read more

Just One Bag? Sail Through Security at Pittsburgh Airport

As of this past Tuesday, travelers with just one carry-on item will be able to breeze through the airport’s new Express Security Lane, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. Read more

Will Lie-Flat Airline Seats Create a Snoring Epidemic?

When you sleep lying flat, gravity pulls down on the soft tissues of your pharynx. Your palate, tonsils, and tongue are pulled backwards, which narrows the airway just enough to cause -- yep, that's right -- snoring! Read more

DHS to Unveil New Airport Security Policy For Kids

Children 12 years old and younger soon will no longer be required to remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told Congress on Tuesday. Read more

Butler To the Stars Sends Business Travellers Packing

Randolphs’ Brian Levett, butler to the stars and expert packer was on hand at The Art of Being British: St James's At Your Service - a one-day street-party held on Saturday celebrating the best of British style and service - to give consumers his top tips on how to pack the perfect suitcase. Read more

Avoiding Thefts While Traveling By Air

Experts say most of the thefts that do occur could easily be prevented if travelers followed a few basic rules, starting with the most obvious one. Read more

Amtrak Rolls Toward Record Ridership

Thanks to changes in technology and demographics — not to mention the hassles of air travel — the nation’s railroads are drawing a whole new crowd. Read more

Double Take - Amtrak Offers Double Points Through Nov 31

Click on “Double Take” for details.

Samoa is moving. How Do You Move a whole Island?

For residents of the tiny island of Samoa, 30 December 2011 will simply not exist. The country plans to move itself from one side of the international dateline to the other (Samoa sits just 32km (20 miles) east of the international dateline). And this makes it tricky to communicate with its key neighbours Australia and New Zealand, a day ahead on the other side. Samoa is one of the last countries in the world to experience any particular date. Read more

New MTA Service 7-Days a Week Between Gaithersburg and BWI Airport

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has two new Commuter Bus routes – 201 and 202 – designed to make your travel along the Intercounty Connector fast, convenient and easy, while minimizing wear and tear on your car. Check it out!

How to Avoid Taxi Confusion in China

If you're heading to China for business for the first time, don't make the mistake of assuming Chinese taxi drivers will recognise the English name of your hotel. Other tips include...

Hold the Pillow Mint, Send Up the Yoga Mat

Hotel chains are delivering everything from yoga videos to recumbent bicycles to guests who prefer to work out their jet lag, or shape up for that business meeting, in the privacy of their rooms. Read more

The Dirty Truth About Hotel Ratings

There are more scoring systems than most folks realize, and they vary from country to country (and, in some cases, from city to city)....figuring out which hotel will provide the best value can still feel like cracking the Da Vinci Code. To help you make the most informed decision possible, we scrutinized criteria across the globe to suss out the meaning behind the stars. No matter where you're going, here is what you need to know before you book. Read more

Hotels Drop Their Reservations About Upgrades

Hotels are spending more to spruce up rooms, lobbies and workout facilities after three years of holding the line. It's the first increase since 2008 and is driven by a recovery in customer demand and a push from national chains, the research says. Read more


09-16-2011 Events We're Watching 3,800 Qantas Staff to Strike On 20th September The TWU says four-hour work stoppages will occur at all major airports next Tuesday. The bans would be accompanied by administrative bans of greater duration across Qantas baggage handlers, presentation and catering staff, following notice provided to Fair Work Australia yesterday. Read more Air Canada Flight Attendants Vote to Strike Air Canada's flight attendants could walk off the job as early next Wednesday after giving overwhelming support for a strike mandate at the airline if a new labour deal cannot be reached by then. Read more Why Must I Sometimes Pay a Higher Fare As Well As A Change Fee To Change My Ticket? Many fares have special qualifications. These include advance purchase, travel on certain days of the week, staying over a Saturday night, etc. Each time you change your ticket the airlines consider this to be not so much a change as a new purchase at the current price, with the cost of the old ticket applied (minus the airline’s change fee, of course). Let’s say your original ticket cost $350 and requires a 14-day advance purchase and travel on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. A week before your trip you want to change to return on Friday instead of Thursday. You will no longer qualify for the 14-day advance rate or the special mid-week fare. Perhaps the best fare your new travel qualifies for now is $400. In this case, the additional cost to you would be the $50 difference between $350 and $400, plus the airline’s change fee (most often $150) for a total of $200. Did you know that buying car rental insurance is often unnecessary? Buying the collision insurance through the car rental company may or may not make sense depending on your circumstances. Most drivers are adequately covered for the average domestic rental. Check your personal auto policy. If you own a car the same coverage and deductibles you carry on your car will, in most cases, apply to a vehicle you rent for pleasure. You may need to compute the value of the loss or damage of a brand-new vehicle and decide if you need to supplement it. For example, many owners of older cars don't always carry comprehensive coverage for accidents, fire, and theft. Check your coverage by your charge card company. It's very important that you inquire about exclusions because some exotic or expensive vehicles, such as sports cars, SUVs, motor homes, and motorcycles, may not be covered. And vehicles rented outside the U.S. are almost always excluded. OTHER NEWS Higher Travel Prices Projected for 2012 Corporate travel prices next year could increase as much as 6% throughout the world, according to industry research firm Advito's 2012 forecast. It cautioned however, that weaker economic conditions could reverse pricing and demand expectations. Air – Predicted to grow 3-5% year over year, varying by market and class of service. Hotel – Increases of 5-6% throughout the Americas, 2-3% in Europe, and 6-7% in the Middle East and Asia/Pacific markets, with double-digit increases probable in New York and other international gateway cities. Car – Increases of 4-6%. This Weekend the Department of State Will Host the Third Annual Passport Day This Saturday, September 17, the Department of State will host its third annual "Passport Day in the USA." Read more Travel Departments Fall Short on 'Duty of Care,' Expert Says An employer is just as responsible for taking care of an employee who is traveling or working overseas as it is when an employee slips and breaks a leg on the showroom floor. It’s called duty of care. Read more With Fees Here to Stay, Trying to Crack the Code There has been a lot of confusion about fees in general, incidentally. Some estimates, widely reported, claim that fees represent as much as 20 percent of the cost of a typical business trip. Read more Flight of Fantasy: For Vacation, Some Fliers Play Airline A junket of road warriors is a good way for the airline industry to explore new ideas and gauge what frequent fliers most value and what they most loathe. Read more How Business Travelers Can Be More Successful Flying Private The same study also revealed that companies who use private aviation are able to manage their time, and therefore their businesses, more effectively. They’re able to win over clients from competitors because of the ability to meet face-to-face with their prospects, and retain existing customers due to the ability to quickly respond to their needs. Read more Airlines Increase Fares For Tenth Time Airlines have increased fares for the 10th time this year, zeroing in on pricey, last-minute tickets bought most often by corporate travelers. Read more US Airways' Efforts to Improve Service Pay Off The airline's steady rise is the result of a concentrated effort to improve its service and image at a time when the airline industry is fighting for every passenger. Read more Airplanes Offer Safety Devices in Some Seatbelts Airbags have boarded airplanes, and they’re not just a special perk for first-class passengers. Read more Just One Bag? Sail Through Security at Pittsburgh Airport As of this past Tuesday, travelers with just one carry-on item will be able to breeze through the airport’s new Express Security Lane, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation. Read more Will Lie-Flat Airline Seats Create a Snoring Epidemic? When you sleep lying flat, gravity pulls down on the soft tissues of your pharynx. Your palate, tonsils, and tongue are pulled backwards, which narrows the airway just enough to cause -- yep, that's right -- snoring! Read more DHS to Unveil New Airport Security Policy For Kids Children 12 years old and younger soon will no longer be required to remove their shoes at airport security checkpoints, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano told Congress on Tuesday. Read more Butler To the Stars Sends Business Travellers Packing Randolphs’ Brian Levett, butler to the stars and expert packer was on hand at The Art of Being British: St James's At Your Service - a one-day street-party held on Saturday celebrating the best of British style and service - to give consumers his top tips on how to pack the perfect suitcase. Read more Avoiding Thefts While Traveling By Air Experts say most of the thefts that do occur could easily be prevented if travelers followed a few basic rules, starting with the most obvious one. Read more Amtrak Rolls Toward Record Ridership Thanks to changes in technology and demographics — not to mention the hassles of air travel — the nation’s railroads are drawing a whole new crowd. Read more Double Take - Amtrak Offers Double Points Through Nov 31 Click on “Double Take” for details. Samoa is moving. How Do You Move a whole Island? For residents of the tiny island of Samoa, 30 December 2011 will simply not exist. The country plans to move itself from one side of the international dateline to the other (Samoa sits just 32km (20 miles) east of the international dateline). And this makes it tricky to communicate with its key neighbours Australia and New Zealand, a day ahead on the other side. Samoa is one of the last countries in the world to experience any particular date. Read more New MTA Service 7-Days a Week Between Gaithersburg and BWI Airport The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has two new Commuter Bus routes – 201 and 202 – designed to make your travel along the Intercounty Connector fast, convenient and easy, while minimizing wear and tear on your car. Check it out! How to Avoid Taxi Confusion in China If you're heading to China for business for the first time, don't make the mistake of assuming Chinese taxi drivers will recognise the English name of your hotel. Other tips include... Hold the Pillow Mint, Send Up the Yoga Mat Hotel chains are delivering everything from yoga videos to recumbent bicycles to guests who prefer to work out their jet lag, or shape up for that business meeting, in the privacy of their rooms. Read more The Dirty Truth About Hotel Ratings There are more scoring systems than most folks realize, and they vary from country to country (and, in some cases, from city to city)....figuring out which hotel will provide the best value can still feel like cracking the Da Vinci Code. To help you make the most informed decision possible, we scrutinized criteria across the globe to suss out the meaning behind the stars. No matter where you're going, here is what you need to know before you book. Read more Hotels Drop Their Reservations About Upgrades Hotels are spending more to spruce up rooms, lobbies and workout facilities after three years of holding the line. It's the first increase since 2008 and is driven by a recovery in customer demand and a push from national chains, the research says. Read more	Throughout Travel-On, our employees are M.A.D ( Making A Difference) to our clients. Many of you have noticed and have told us just how M.A.D they are. Recently, Buddy Faulkner from Meeting Travel Team received this note from a client: "Thanks so much, you really have been wonderful to coordinate travel plans!" Submit your feedback BUSINESS TRAVEL Top 10 Free Apps for International Travelers Ancillary-Fees-Chart FEMA Goes Mobile Gadgets to Ease Travails of Travel RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) US DOS Travel Warnings TRAVEL WARNINGS / ALERTS Syria 09/15/2011 Iraq 09/13/201 LEISURE TRAVEL VIEW FEATURED SPECIALS CALL TRAVEL PLACE NOW FOR YOUR HOLIDAY TRAVEL PLANS! 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